obelisk

Jeez! This is really quite depressing.

Bottom now then. Optimists - the only way is up. Pessimists - this is where we'll be for the rest of the season.

Right now the very idea of reaching 40 points looks just a little bit laughable. There's a chance that safety might require somewhat fewer than that if we're lucky.

If Reed's job is to look after recruitment then one has to say that he's been a bit of a failure. Must be nice for him to sit comfortably in the background while others take the flak.

Unlikely I would have thought. http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php says 19th Nov which is probably nearer the mark. Cork could be back next week though. I think he's been missed.

I'm not quite sure why people are getting on his back. It's bad enough playing behind a crap defence and then the twots behind him have a go. All very odd.

Much better 2nd half but too wasteful. Lost another one then.

Calling that performance a shambles would be kind. Things are just getting worse and worse and worse.

Wtf!

If there are any identifiable defensive coaches then I'd be looking at them. Do we have any? Adkins time is running out. Norwich's win today piles on the pressure. If he can't hack it then now is the time to say so. In a couple of weeks Saints could be 6 points adrift of safety.

This is bloody embarrassing now.

Letting the ball bounce on the pen spot for the first was unforgivable.

Have just checked the team. Guly in for Lambert eh? Either Adkins is planning a masterful display of tactics today or ......... not.

Much as I try to trust that Adkins and the players we have will see us ok this season it's this phrase that really irritates me. I know it's probably irrational and could have something to do with connotations of unquestioning religious fervour but I do wish that those of us who like to promote an inner well-being could come up with something else. I'd be happy with "chin up" or "stiff upper lip" or even "don't panic". It's probably just me but, there, I've had my say and I feel better for it.

If the strategy this season is simply to outscore the opposition then some more clinical finishing might be a thought. Trouble is, even that doesn't look like enough at the moment. On to the next one though. Need to make the home fixtures count.

Cheers! Said my stream was poor.

Another bad miss by JRod.

Have to take our chances as well. JRod should have made it 2-0. Admittedly the stream I'm watching isn't very clear but it would be nice to not see the ball just given away after string a few passes together.

Defence seems to have reverted to type. Everton just able to swan through Saints whenever they fancy it.

Indeed. Although it is Adkins job to make sure the coaching is adequate of course. Currently something is plainly lacking.

It would be madness to ditch Adkins this early. Ok, the expected business in buying a 'keeper and defenders wasn't forthcoming but we are where we are and any replacement would be in the same boat. Adkins and the defence know they have to shape up and prove that they aren't mugs over the next few winnable games otherwise the consequences are obvious. Adkins needs to know that he has until the end of October at least to bring about improvements. Shore up that defence and we'll be fine.

Saints could easily have got points from each of the first 3 games this season so it's really a bit early to sound panic stations. Adkins is well aware that his job is to get results and he will have identified defensive frailties. If he fails to do something about that then he knows he'll be heading for the door in short order given the amount spent so far. I'd give him October to see where we are. If we're still looking up from the bottom at that time then action could be justified. In the meantime I'm feeling positive. A point tomorrow and an easy win next week would makes us feel more comfy.

He'll be doing a fair bit of that this season.

Dreadful. Surely there must be an Englishman somewhere that knows how to stick it in the net.

Lampard MoM! Eh? Didn't even see him for 30 minutes. Well at least he managed to stick it between the posts and under the bar.