saints-til-i-die

Which position is best for each player? I'm not sure on some myself. E.g. JWP Thoughts?

Agree completely with the last post.

So no improvement once out of Europe despite all this time on the training ground. Reed and Puel said that there had been no time to improve players. What about now?

I keep flip flopping in my views on Puel and his performance to be honest. What did worry me yesterday was seeing Puel furiously waving players forward and gesticulating wildly but the players seemed to just ignore his instructions hence him having to constantly come out and repeat the same gesticulations. Are they listening to him? I really don't know.

Out of interest does anyone know how our first half of the season compares to the second? Which half saw the biggest points total?

Thanks for a reasoned reply. I respectfully disagree with your comment about Puel's tactic of dealing with Long. This could happen 'in house'. The club will make it known privately that he's available to other teams. I know what you're saying about the 'end of year' feel but I don't think this boring, dull football has just been a recent development. Most people where I sit have been bored most of the year. They've not ranted or raved but calmly spoken of their dissatisfaction and boredom coming to matches. This has been since Christmas. It's a complete shame that all the hard work building an ethos and positive atmosphere around the team appears to be fading. PS I have no idea why they appointed Black. Can't fathom that at all.

Been supporting Puel all season. Think he was dealt a bad hand with players sold last year and then the CB fiasco. Seen some good signs at times but all too infrequent, sadly. I can accept a manager making the wrong decision once or even twice regarding team selection but now I feel that he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Midfield is overrun with poor personnel decisions just like the weekend. His comments about Long are ridiculous and unnecessary. He shouldn't be saying what he is. What's the benefit? If he wants rid he should wait until the end of the season. I do not understand the logic of basically saying you want to sell a player, publically, at this stage. It's for those reasons I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that he probably needs to go. The fan base is divided. All this leaves me feeling like next year will be miserable at st Mary's. £600 is a lot of money for me. I've never been so bored watching the football I've had to this year. I don't think I can justify the cost. I can take losing but I can't face being bored. It's my opinion and I'm entitled to it, whether you agree or not.

Just been reading about the Hoffenheim manager. Interesting comments about formations and also the importance of man management. http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11881/10835874/what-is-behind-julian-nagelsmanns-hoffenheim-success-we-profile-the-29-year-old-manager-of-the-year Too young for Saints? Too good? Not proven enough?

I'm aware it's one game. I'm just saying don't make him out to be amazing (which he might end up being - I hope!) as I don't want you to get disappointed. I'm sure he's had some great games too. I was just adding some balance as it seemed nobody had watched Celtic's recent games. I agree though - his head was probably in Southampton!

Did anyone else watch Celtic's champions league match (1st leg) recently? His kicking was terrible and he didn't look good at all. He should have saved at least one, or got a hand to it. I was fairly excited by this signing before I watched that game. Just don't get your hopes up I'm sorry to say

Rosler! The next Martinez!

Gutted he won't be going to the WC as a Saints' player. Gutted.

Rosler for me. Martinez and Rodgers came from the championship and look at how well they are doing. Harry whatshisname didn't exactly set the world alight this year with QPR but has done well in the Premier League. Less snobbery needed I think. Koeman - record isn't great from what I've read; lots of teams gradually getting worse. Laudrup - too many issues (and won't hang around) McClaren - very up and down. A gamble. Then again, who isn't? Mackay - NO. PLEASE NOT HIM. Garde - from what I've read sounds good; by all accounts he wants a break from management this year. Yakin - was keen, but now hesitant. Some comments about him being fairly defensive at times in winnable games. Howe - could be great; could struggle. A gamble but more likely a long term appointment. Tuchel - sounds impressive but a gamble (just like MPo I guess) Garcia - by all accounts Brighton fans weren't too pleased with him. Moyes - can't make my mind up at all. Experienced but not keen on style of football... guess I've been so spoilt with good football for a few years I don't want to go backwards.

Is Targett the other LB?

So, I've not seen much of the youth squads etc. Who are we looking at as promising talents for the future? Chambers, Reeves, Ward Prowse, Shaw are the most known. Anyone know much of the youth set up and players?

Sadly I think you might be right...

Yes Adkins has clearly lost it; he has no idea how to manage a football club. The last 2 years were complete flukes. Over this period Adkins was able to get the players to pass the ball around extremely well and score a fair number of goals, playing largely attractive football which was widely acclaimed and acknowledged (in a league which most people felt you couldn't 'play nice football in' to be a success. This year, however, he's lost the plot. Suddenly he doesn't know his arse from his elbow. A likely story. (said with a sprinkling of sarcasm)

Sometimes I despair, I really do. Talk of sacking Adkins is a joke. We wouldn't be where we are now if it wasn't for him. Look at how hard it is to get promoted (from any league). Many teams have tried for years to get back to the Premiership, but Adkins got us there in 2. Even if we fail miserably this year, he has deserved the chance and the right to make mistakes (if indeed he is making them). People should calm down and be grateful for where we are and the success we have had over the last two years. People are so quick to want to 'ditch' the best thing that has happened to this club in a long time. The recruitment team have a hand in this so called mess as Adkins said that he wanted CBs and LB. Despite not getting these he would have been professional and carried on trying to do his best with what he has. If we are quick to dispose of Adkins then the footballing world will all want to see us fail and quite frankly we will deserve to.

If the formation and decisions of personnel were so poor why did we play well first half? I'm not sure what's going on but don't think it's down to that.

Adkins to stay for me. We've chopped and changed in the past; look where it got us. Adkins said he wanted one or two defenders. For me it's not his fault. The first half prove the tactics were fine and working. Adkins is being let down by the defence. The quality of a club and it's fans is whether they stick behind people even in bad times. 2 years ago I'd have taken being in the Premiership; I'm guessing most people would have. We're possibly a victim of our own rapid success. Redknapp is a fossil. Despite his good record, we must look forward and not back. Plus, he's a w****r

Thedelldays, you have no idea whether I did or didn't so don't make rubbish up. I did actually. I have friends and family members who have been treated with contempt by this club which is why I've seen the letter first hand and seen the shabby way they have been treated. Even if I never bought a programme doesn't mean I shouldn't be appalled at this turn of events. I am pleased Cortese and co saved the club. I have defended him in the past. This is just an example of how much we've gone from a football club to a business. Like I keep stating, it's about treating people right. If I heard they sacked loyal cleaners who were of an older age and replaced them with young women I'd be equally disgusted, despite it not actually affecting me. I have morals and would prefer my club to have some too.

Disgraceful. This is the 'unique' saints way of selling programmes is it? Sack loyal workers of 26 years and replace them with air hostesses. I'm ashamed to be fair. They did this to older ladies in the shop apparently. Sacked then replaced with younger women.

Once again Hypercondriac, I'm not arguing against the change per se (although the reasons they gave on the site seem to intimate that the programme sellers have merely been redeployed which is NOT the case), I am merely saying there is a right and wrong way to treat people. The club can get rid of staff to save a few thousand a year if they wish, but there's no need to do it in such a disrespectful way. Legod Third coming summed it up brilliantly. I'd suggest you read his post mate. It's the way things are done which is important.

It's about treating people right though mate

The 4 or 5 programme sellers I know aren't really worried about having to pay for a ticket etc.. an can accept in a way that this was inevitable due to other changes that had been happening at the club. It is purely the manner in which it has been done: no notice, by letter and no option now to buy a season ticket and enjoy the benefits that all of us other season tickets have. Yes they can pay per game but that means that they have the inconvenience of having to buy a ticket every game which will cost time and money, plus they won't then have the option of buying a season ticket next year at the early rate either. The programme sellers I know have worked for 20+ years, during the lowest points when they had to be stood around hours prior to a game when they weren't actually selling many at all. Finally, I know the programme seller manager was at the club on Weds, the same day the letters were posted and nobody felt it was good and proper to speak to him face-to-face. Disgraceful.