Vince Alm: “It’s all gloom and doom again”

VINCE ALM:

Have a mad 12 minutes defensively it's all gloom and doom again All blaming Ralls for his poor penalty kick, however he wasn't to blame for any of the goals being conceded.

Easy to knock and pick on one player, try supporting him when he needs it. Shows a lot more class as a supporter than smashing a player when he is short on confidence.

He is far from his best, but not our worst player. They are our team and anyone who puts the blue shirt on should be supported.

We lost the game because we didn't defend as well as the first half and we missed some sitters before and after the penalty take.

Draw a line under it don't dwell on it, get behind the boys Saturday every game is tough they need our full support at home

I can assure you if Hoilett, Gunnarsson, Camarasa etc had missed the penalty we wouldn't be saying "they've been shit all season".

Like i've said in a seperate post Ralls missing the penalty just sums up his season. He shouldn't be judged solely on his penalty miss, that would be pathetic, but the fact it was a weak and poor penalty kick reflects his poor and sometimes mediocre at best performances for us this season.

It's certainly not doom and gloom, I'm absolutely chuffed we're doing so well and even if we lose saturday I will still be happy with how we're doing. But imagine how well we will actually be doing if we win on Saturday that would be HUGE!
Anyway, getting sidetracked. My point is that when I moan about Ralls it's just something I think needs to be discussed, because he probably is the only guy in our team at the moment who hasn't really grabbed his chances by the scruff of the neck like pretty much every one of our players have. Hoilett was in Ralls position too a week ago but I think his last 3 games (including his sub appearance against Everton) has warrented him a place back in the 11, even without his amazing goal. I actually told my dad during the Wolves game at 1-1 I thought Hoilett was back to his old tricky confident self.

Ralls just needs time out, that's all I'm saying. I fail to see where he fits at the moment. Not saying he doesn't offer anything, just saying he doesn't offer enough of anything. He's just there.

Want to re-itirate I am WELL HAPPY with Cardiff and was pleased when Murphy got his goal...I was dissapointed for a few minutes after the game, but then looked at other results and got over it . Now's as good of a time as any to criticize a players performance and it just so happens to be the guy who took the penalty. I don't know about other people but I am 100% am not making up my consistent opinion on Ralls all season based off that one penalty miss. Absolutely not.

I can assure you if Hoilett, Gunnarsson, Camarasa etc had missed the penalty we wouldn't be saying "they've been shit all season".

Like i've said in a seperate post Ralls missing the penalty just sums up his season. He shouldn't be judged solely on his penalty miss, that would be pathetic, but the fact it was a weak and poor penalty kick reflects his poor and sometimes mediocre at best performances for us this season.

It's certainly not doom and gloom, I'm absolutely chuffed we're doing so well and even if we lose saturday I will still be happy with how we're doing. But imagine how well we will actually be doing if we win on Saturday that would be HUGE!
Anyway, getting sidetracked. My point is that when I moan about Ralls it's just something I think needs to be discussed, because he probably is the only guy in our team at the moment who hasn't really grabbed his chances by the scruff of the neck like pretty much every one of our players have. Hoilett was in Ralls position too a week ago but I think his last 3 games (including his sub appearance against Everton) has warrented him a place back in the 11, even without his amazing goal. I actually told my dad during the Wolves game at 1-1 I thought Hoilett was back to his old tricky confident self.

Ralls just needs time out, that's all I'm saying. I fail to see where he fits at the moment. Not saying he doesn't offer anything, just saying he doesn't offer enough of anything. He's just there.

Want to re-itirate I am WELL HAPPY with Cardiff and was pleased when Murphy got his goal...I was dissapointed for a few minutes after the game, but then looked at other results and got over it . Now's as good of a time as any to criticize a players performance and it just so happens to be the guy who took the penalty. I don't know about other people but I am 100% am not making up my consistent opinion on Ralls all season based off that one penalty miss. Absolutely not.

I couldn't add this on, but I think it's important.

Fair play for him for stepping up. If we didn't get that penalty decision today, and Ralls kept up playing how he has, this observation on his contribution this season would have been brought up sooner or later...

Vince take off your rose tinted glasses and tell me who’s been playing regulary this season that’s worst than Ralls, I can tell you the answer is nobody, Ralls is shite, drop him and make him work for his place, on current form he shouldn’t be anywhere near the first 25

He is correct it is FAR from doom and gloom, however, we need to start picking up some points on the road soon, our home form alone won't see us through IMO.

1 point from Huddersfield, Bournemouth, West Ham and Everton is dissapointing.

The nearest player that was the wrong side of the goal scorer for the first two goals was fellow midfielder Aron Gunnason (I don’t think it was his man either), yet “scapegoat” Ralls gets blamed for missing a penalty. For anyone who wonders what he brings to the team, the amount of times he won back the ball last night was phenomenal. He breaks up play, does the basics very well and has a decent pass on him.

I’m tending to agree with Vince in that we should appreciate mistakes happen and support our players.

Being on Southampton and let’s keep up the noise.

The nearest player that was the wrong side of the goal scorer for the first two goals was fellow midfielder Aron Gunnason (I don’t think it was his man either), yet “scapegoat” Ralls gets blamed for missing a penalty. For anyone who wonders what he brings to the team, the amount of times he won back the ball last night was phenomenal. He breaks up play, does the basics very well and has a decent pass on him.

I’m tending to agree with Vince in that we should appreciate mistakes happen and support our players.

Being on Southampton and let’s keep up the noise.

Ralls is a very good player who is simply not playing very well at the moment

His form has been “patchy” at best for the last 3/4 games

However, what we mustn’t forget is that this is his first full season in the premier league and like so many other players promoted from the championship he is struggling to adapt

As fans Vince is right we need to be getting behind him and not making him a scapegoat because he will come through this bad patch and is still a very important member of the squad

He is correct it is FAR from doom and gloom, however, we need to start picking up some points on the road soon, our home form alone won't see us through IMO.

1 point from Huddersfield, Bournemouth, West Ham and Everton is dissapointing.

I dont think we need to worry about home or away i just think we need to be picking up points from the bottom 8 and anyone weve played in the bottom 8 we have so far. I can see us being 5 points clear of relegation come christmas when you look at our games and the games of those around us

Who is this Vince bloke again sorry?? Can we vote for him in the up and coming Wexit referendum??

I can assure you if Hoilett, Gunnarsson, Camarasa etc had missed the penalty we wouldn't be saying "they've been shit all season".

Like i've said in a seperate post Ralls missing the penalty just sums up his season. He shouldn't be judged solely on his penalty miss, that would be pathetic, but the fact it was a weak and poor penalty kick reflects his poor and sometimes mediocre at best performances for us this season.

It's certainly not doom and gloom, I'm absolutely chuffed we're doing so well and even if we lose saturday I will still be happy with how we're doing. But imagine how well we will actually be doing if we win on Saturday that would be HUGE!
Anyway, getting sidetracked. My point is that when I moan about Ralls it's just something I think needs to be discussed, because he probably is the only guy in our team at the moment who hasn't really grabbed his chances by the scruff of the neck like pretty much every one of our players have. Hoilett was in Ralls position too a week ago but I think his last 3 games (including his sub appearance against Everton) has warrented him a place back in the 11, even without his amazing goal. I actually told my dad during the Wolves game at 1-1 I thought Hoilett was back to his old tricky confident self.

Ralls just needs time out, that's all I'm saying. I fail to see where he fits at the moment. Not saying he doesn't offer anything, just saying he doesn't offer enough of anything. He's just there.

Want to re-itirate I am WELL HAPPY with Cardiff and was pleased when Murphy got his goal...I was dissapointed for a few minutes after the game, but then looked at other results and got over it . Now's as good of a time as any to criticize a players performance and it just so happens to be the guy who took the penalty. I don't know about other people but I am 100% am not making up my consistent opinion on Ralls all season based off that one penalty miss. Absolutely not.

Fantastic post!!!!

The nearest player that was the wrong side of the goal scorer for the first two goals was fellow midfielder Aron Gunnason (I don’t think it was his man either), yet “scapegoat” Ralls gets blamed for missing a penalty. For anyone who wonders what he brings to the team, the amount of times he won back the ball last night was phenomenal. He breaks up play, does the basics very well and has a decent pass on him.

I’m tending to agree with Vince in that we should appreciate mistakes happen and support our players.

Being on Southampton and let’s keep up the noise.

Ralls is being used as a scapegoat because he missed a penalty?... Ralls is the only player in our midfield who has made 0 Through balls so far in the premier league. The amount of touches he gets in the opponents half is telling. He’s just sideways every time and more often than not kills our attack. His defending is ‘okay’. But he surely needs to be dropped. If I could just ask you a question, regardless of our opinions of how much he has or has not contributed, do you think he should start in midfield next week ahead of Arter, Gunnarsson & Camarasa? I use Camarasa in this instance because I think we could do with more pace on the wing.

Did you ever stop to think that Ralls is having a poor season and the penalty just adds to that?

Interesting how as soon as the teamsheet was released on Facebook last night, these people had this to say about Ralls before a ball was even kicked...

Get your head out of your arse, nobody wants Ralls to be dropped because of a penalty. He’s been a joke this season.

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I don’t think Ralls is the scapegoat, the lack of quality in our side due to manager not addressing certain issues is to blame, but, he can right that wrong in jan. Ralls is just an average championship player. To say he is not at fault last night though is wrong, apart from the first goal!! That was just dire defending and the captains fault. Ralls has to play his part being a defensive midfielder and he doesn’t. Gunnarsson and arter worked their socks off, and look like they belong. Sadly ralls looks way out of his depth. But, the plus point with a little quality we really could look the part, before our calamity of a 12min spell we bossed the game and with a decent striker and a quality midfielder we’d have got something.

So it’s not doom and gloom it’s where we are, we need to add 3-4 players to our squad and I genuinely believe we will stay up this year. But, we are still in the race, and I think in a good position right now, a win Saturday will be handsome. Got to get a win on the road though.

He is correct it is FAR from doom and gloom, however, we need to start picking up some points on the road soon, our home form alone won't see us through IMO.

1 point from Huddersfield, Bournemouth, West Ham and Everton is dissapointing.

I dont think we need to worry about home or away i just think we need to be picking up points from the bottom 8 and anyone weve played in the bottom 8 we have so far. I can see us being 5 points clear of relegation come christmas when you look at our games and the games of those around us

Out of the current bottom 8 we have played 6 of them and got 8 points from a possible 21 on offer and 4 of them were at home.

So I stand by my comment that we need to start picking up points away, especialy as 3 of the next 5 are away from home and one of the home games is against Man Utd.

He is correct it is FAR from doom and gloom, however, we need to start picking up some points on the road soon, our home form alone won't see us through IMO.

1 point from Huddersfield, Bournemouth, West Ham and Everton is dissapointing.

I dont think we need to worry about home or away i just think we need to be picking up points from the bottom 8 and anyone weve played in the bottom 8 we have so far. I can see us being 5 points clear of relegation come christmas when you look at our games and the games of those around us

Out of the current bottom 8 we have played 6 of them and got 8 points from a possible 21 on offer and 4 of them were at home.

So I stand by my comment that we need to start picking up points away, especialy as 3 of the next 5 are away from home and one of the home games is against Man Utd.

I agree we will have to pick up points away but i think over a season that wont be the deciding factor. I think the games we get points away will be the teams we play in the bottom 8 and maybe the odd few from others. Wouldnt put it past a draw at utd tbh

Vince makes some good points and it certainly isn't all doom and gloom after a sloppy few minutes (we've had a few of those already this season and we're still afloat) but the simple facts that Joe Ralls doesn't currently hold the confidence of much of the City support and hasn't for most of this season

When I watched the replay of the game late last night, I was intrigued that Camarasa wanted to take the penalty but was ushered away quickly by Sol Bamba when Joe Ralls picked the ball up and headed to the spot

Had he scored, then no issue. But he didn't; the penalty was exceptionally weak and he looked out of confidence even on the run up, so why did he think he was the man to take the penalty?

Who knows what it was but I question whether his decision was 'in the best interests' of the team or himself?

Either way, there didn't appear to be a nominated penalty taker on the pitch and it may have cost us the game, as at that point West Ham were well under the cosh!

Anyway, game over, time to take stock and now we move on to a very important 'home' fixture v manager-less Southampton

I don't think it's about meltdown or picking on anyone. Yes Ralls missed with a tame effort, he had the confidence to step up which shows his character, we're not talking under 8s here. They are professionals and have to take the rough with the smooth. Look at the stick Bale gets. Good players will deal with it as part of the game, you miss a pk at that stage of the game and on a forum people will vent there feelings. It's life Jim, but not as we know it, dilly ding dilly dong, we are Premier league. Come on City.

Did not think he had that bad a game, I think he was taken off before he picked up a second booking.
First half was as good as we have been away from home , quite a few shots on target, the penalty miss, every player misses now and again.
2nd half we just fell apart, as soon as morrison came out to cover the RB area we lost all shape.
A CF and RB are a must for January 1st, we so need these players to give us a chance.
WHU made changes and had quality on the bench , quality which changes games.

Short memories for some.
Ralls was excellent last season, God knows how many games we lost when he played, but it was probably less than the ones we lost when he wasn’t there and he played 3/4 of the season !

He also started this season well, in central midfield against some of the best in the world.

Fair enough his form dropped after Man City and Spurs, and apart from a very good 2nd half v Wolves it’s nit picked back up.

He’s one of our youngest players, who has been a big part in our success and also survival during the Slade and Trollope eras and deserves better than some of the comments above.

Didn’t take long for some of our ‘ fantastic ‘ fan base to start looking for scapegoats.

I never criticise players who give 100% to the shirt. If a player tries his best, can't ask for more. He will be as gutted about the miss and his general performance as anyone on here.In fact, the only player I have ever really moaned about on this forum is Zohore, and he deserves it.

Joe Ralls has been excellent for us. He keeps trying to receive the ball and also tries to play forward and not backward.

We can't have it both ways, he'd get slaughtered on here even more if he dared being one of those players who's always backward and sideways. No he isn't going to have it easy or be full of confidence starting out in the Premier League with our style of play, but he's still trying everything Warnock asks of him and has never let us fans down. Always puts in a huge shift.

Ralls is still the best crosser of the ball in the team, he's very dangerous on the left-hand side of the pitch. But hey, let's all pick on the guy because he's putting in a shift for the team where he's currently needed.

I'm glad Camarasa wanted to take the penalty, but Ralls buried a load of pens last season and deserved a chance. Good job he had the bottle to take it, and at least it was on target. One of those things that he missed grow up and move on and stay behind the team.

Ralls only crime is not being being David Silva...... He is what he is, and we are what we are, a championship CLUB in the premier league.

He is a good honest lad and we are a good honest team. We lost to a lower half premier league team away, wow !

We caught a few clubs out with Paterson, but its not effective anymore. We only have one proper striker who can play back to goal and ended with three wingers and started with three centre half again.

I am expecting changes for Saturday because thats what we do. Onwards and upwards.

Camarasa lost the ball a lot when moved inside last night....Just saying

Short memories for some.
Ralls was excellent last season, God knows how many games we lost when he played, but it was probably less than the ones we lost when he wasn’t there and he played 3/4 of the season !

He also started this season well, in central midfield against some of the best in the world.

Fair enough his form dropped after Man City and Spurs, and apart from a very good 2nd half v Wolves it’s nit picked back up.

He’s one of our youngest players, who has been a big part in our success and also survival during the Slade and Trollope eras and deserves better than some of the comments above.

Didn’t take long for some of our ‘ fantastic ‘ fan base to start looking for scapegoats.

he played in 8 of our 10 defeats...don't think he is a scapegoat, just not a premier league player.

Ralls only crime is not being being David Silva...... He is what he is, and we are what we are, a championship CLUB in the premier league.

He is a good honest lad and we are a good honest team. We lost to a lower half premier league team away, wow !

We caught a few clubs out with Paterson, but its not effective anymore. We only have one proper striker who can play back to goal and ended with three wingers and started with three centre half again.

I am expecting changes for Saturday because thats what we do. Onwards and upwards.

Camarasa lost the ball a lot when moved inside last night....Just saying

Actually, we're a Premier League club in, uhm, the Premier League!

A quick look on the internet ill show you that and not too sure why you would put your club down like that?

I guess (and thats all it is) that West Brom, Villa,Forest, Derby,Stoke ,Leeds and Sheff united have comparable wage bills as us, so we may be in the premier league, but have not intention of playing by premier league traditional rules (like we did last time)