With Fulham struggling slightly more than Southampton in the Premier League battle of 2018/19, some fans have been watching developments at Craven Cottage with interest.
Although real football takes a rest and plays second fiddle to the November international break with friendlies and Nations League games taking precedence, when the lull is over we return to action against Fulham and whilst manager Mark Hughes remains firmly in place at St Mary’s Stadium, Fulham unceremoniously parted company with Slavisa Jokanovic earlier this week despite him leading them to promotion and they have replaced him with one time Premier League winning manager Claudio Ranieri.
The Tinkerman has the break now to work with most of his squad and if Leicester are anything to go off, he’ll have them tightening up at the back, and quick on the front foot when it comes to the counter-attack and some of their players I imagine will lap up that type of football.
What it means for us is open to debate, but we’ll be hoping the first team group have taken confidence from the Watford showing and that they keep their anger at the result and put it right.
It's not though he's ever won anything with a smaller club is it? he's just a tinkerman, nothing for #SaintsFC to worry about
— Nick (@Nick25845454) November 14, 2018
????????
— sfcpaul (@sfcpaul100) November 14, 2018
#saintsfc inability to get rid of Hughes is a clear case of Stokeholm syndrome #sorrynotsorry pic.twitter.com/l2XmbN1dMl
— Tim Marshall (@timjmarshall) November 14, 2018
When you see that Fulham replace their manager to breathe new life into a failing team and you’ve missed the boat so you have to plough on with Mark Hughes… #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/msZ1uNM6WL
— Thomas (@tsedge) November 14, 2018
I'm pretty sure this 'he's not a yes man' was what loads said to support the Hughes appointment. At the end of the day, managers are employees.
— Lucy Highnett (@lucyhighnett) November 15, 2018
What’s worse is I think Ranieri would have been a solid replacement for Hughes at #saintsfc, think we’ve genuinely missed out there. Then again, I think Jokanovic would be a good match for us at St Mary’s too, had Fulham playing some lovely football and would fit our system well
— Chris Auckland (@ChrisAuckland) November 14, 2018
#FFC decision to sack their manager shows desire and ambition to improve and proves there is no room for sentiment in football, maybe Ralph Krueger should pay attention. Mark Hughes done well to keep us up, but isn't the man for the long term. #SaintsFC
— Andrew (@andrew_saintsfc) November 14, 2018
while @SouthamptonFC decide to stick with the inept failing Mark Hughes Fulham are proactive appointing Ranieri. at the beginning of the international break to give him time to acclimatise to the club.our first game after the break,away at Fulham. And its a huge game. #SaintsFC
— David Comlay ???? (@DavidComlay) November 14, 2018
There goes one of the managers of the ones I wanted to replace Hughes. Reminds me when Marco Silva was available and we got PellegriNO instead. #saintsfc https://t.co/4CkMpyRs1U
— Saints Mike (@Saints_Mike7167) November 14, 2018
