up and away

Was not that good at CB, read play very well but who always had his hand up as the ball was lumped forward. Saw it so many times I could only assume he ****ed himself when a long ball came over the top. He has only ever been decent in one position, defensive midfield , something we desperately need. He was absolutely abysmal for Fulham at RB, leading to months in the reserves.

Never mind what bollix he said, the season is dead and this makes more sense.

His father certainly seemed to love him, that's for sure. Followed him nearly everywhere he went, but never played him for anything serious. Even got a contract extension at Stoke that we took over, even though they could not loan him out for anyone to keep. The only slight insight I can remember was a comment by Tony Pulis. Asked about the risk of signing an injured Andrew Davies and when he would be available to play, he commented Saints took a similar risk with accepting an injured player from Stoke. Bearing in mind one cost £1.5M and on £10+k a week, the other on a free, that was slightly odd.

Anyone that requires reassurance, just needs to look at the clip of him taking his snaps at Wembley. There were kids in saints shirts not that excited on the day.

The only real bit of business we did that season. Davies never played a full league game for Stoke, injured when we sold him for £1.5M and still injured the following season, they still can't get rid of him now. Wages of £10k a week that we had no real hope of getting rid of, until jnr popped his head up. I doubt we could have got far into that season without that deal and I still find it difficult to believe we got rid of him.

Hopefully we should have an even far better squad by the end of next season, which will be heavily added to if we go up to the CCC. It's going to be interesting to compare ourselves to Leicester, our resources will definitely be greater. What's going to be interesting is how we remove the current weaknesses we have from our team with the acquisitions we make for next season. Leicester had a big edge in having a defensive spine to their team, such they could grind out results when not playing at 100%, something we lack. I am pretty sure we will have a better squad than Leicester when we get to the CCC, it will be interesting to see the changes. Oakley has really impressed, average defensive midfielder, but his delivery from a dead ball is top notch.

Well done to Bournemouth and especially Eddie Howe, really fairy tale stuff. Still without a pot to **** in and a league higher, I would be really surprised if they can keep it up and finances will eventually drag them back down. As for their "idiots" on a wind up, I think we have them easily beat there on a direct ratio to crowd size and after all, we did throw Cherrypip at them. Howe should get manager of the year, cannot see any other candidate coming close, but they have a habit of producing managers in recent years, Howe, Pulis and especially O'Driscoll, some of THE best football played in the CCC on a shoe string.

Exactly, but I would draw the line against the ****s who want to move away from a winning formulae!

Well if we lose the first 3 games of the season, there is really no logical alternative!

Sorry, voluntary being a legal definition. What I should have said is Barclays imposed their own administration by appointing accountants (who we paid for) to monitor and govern our financials.

I can add some bits and pieces to that, from my account manager who was at Barclays at the time. Many people do not realise that we were in voluntary administration the day Lowe came back. Crouch had ****ed everything against the wall and was like a rabbit in the head lights. He knew what needed to be done, he knew it had to be done, but could not bring himself to do anything and just hoped Fulthorpe would be the saviour. He just could not look reality in the face. The bit about the poker is not far wrong, but as Lowe saw it, unless he got decent money for any of the players we sold, it would not make the problem go away, just delay the obvious. The position at Barclays was strange, they had gone through big lay offs and were restructuring, involving those that dealt with Saints. They wanted out from Saints but did not want to be seen as pulling the plug, involving going back on a position they tolerated previously. When they bounced the gk coachs cheque, Lowe informed them of having to put the club into administration. They suggested to meet with the administrator and work something out? Being pointed that had already been happening since the beginning of the season and events eventually took their natural course. What really killed the club was the fractious atmosphere within the board between the non and exec directors. Wilde was neutered and left a big hole which Crouch tried to fill without the mandate. If anyone had just said at that point, let's try and do the best for the club irrespective of our beliefs. But when you are just face to face to each other screaming, very little is going to be accomplished. All those that thought McMenemy and Corbett were actual helping, just ended up with the execs steering as close to the financial borderline as possible, waiting for the ship to hit the rocks.

My Arse, go back and look at his record with financially struggling clubs. It will be interesting to see how he does next season. The job Pardew has done this season has to be put in context with the league and the amount of funds he has spent. In the grand scheme of things, there are several other managers without our resources who are ahead of him from this league. And before you go all bitter, I am not saying he should not be here at the start of next season, I just don't think the sun shines out of his arse all the time.

The cup ties had more than enough to make the difference between the play off's or not. It is exactly as you say, tiredness effecting performance. The more games, the more tired you are, very simple. I agree about Hammond, but he had already started to go off because of the work load, again magnified by the cups. We never addressed the most vital position in the window, someone who could take on Hammonds work load and we never really bothered with Wotton or Gillett. After we got all the players fit after the Jan window, we did have the squad, but the problem is not really at that point in time, it's earlier. We should never have played Connolly so much (nothing to do with the cups), we knew how fragile he was and second half performances were working well, why push it too far and bust the whole lot. How Ricky Lambert has put in all these performances is unbelievable, off key in a couple, but a herculean feat by others standards. It's only recently we have even seen players getting rested for the last 10-15 minutes, it never happened tactically previously. The real problems were around the time of the Brighton game, where cups and tactics conspired to take the play off's away from us. We and Leeds both had JPT games the same night before meeting at Elland Road, they had 7 fresh players out against us. I absolutely love the way Saints play when they have the levels and on song, but what use is that when you can't subsequently win a corner at Wycombe because of tiredness? Just for Dav, go onto the Echo website, look under Saints, scroll down the stories and you get to more news, keep going back to the Mk Dons game where we qualified for Wembley and look in the aticles just past and you find "In his programme notes, he said he had prioritised the cups because of the ten point deduction." You will find no other mention of it apart from the programme notes. Radio Solent made reference to it in the interview with Cortese, but he deliberately kept it out of other Saints articles to let it lie. But Cortese did emphatically state the league was the priority when asked why the cups were the priority.

Thats because although it may have been the worst score, we actually played very well, and were unlucky not to have won, 2 late goals when we were going for the win made it look far worse than it really was, management and players recognise that and gain confidence from the performance, not the result. Its only supporters who look on that day as "our worst defeat". I would argue our worst defeat was away to Swindon, or perhaps even at home to Swindon. There were probably others (but not many because we haven't lost many all season), but those are the ones that stick on my mind. I don't argue with any of that. I was about the only one at the time that said we would go on and beat Norwich based upon that performance. But there is no way you can tell me that losing 4-1 is winning or developing that winning mentality. It was obvious against Pompey we had found something different that could win us a game, but it was also very evident that it was such high tempo, there is no way it could continue through a heavy fixture list. Our worst defeat was against Brighton, that one really cost us dear with the JPT just previous in the week. The players had very little in the tank and we went away from a winning formation, leaving the midfield and our arses exposed. That game was so wrong from so many different angles, all self inflicted. And for Dav, if you can't find the quote in the programme notes, it gets quoted in the Echo at that time. In his programme notes, he said he had prioritised the cups because of the ten point deduction. Cortese had described the league as the “top, top priority.”

That is just bollix. That winning mentality was drawing games to get into penalty shoot outs. Then we get our worse defeat of the season by Pompey, to set us up for Norwich. We definitely suffered from the cups, solely because we find it difficult to give consistent performances when playing twice a week. It's no where near 22 points worth that the cups cost us, but certainly enough to blow the play off's out of the water now. Pardew admitted in print he prioritised the cups because of the -10 points deduction, totally fecking dumb.

Not a priority at the moment, but will still happen later down the line.

Not true Colchester will have to make up a little goal difference but could swing it back in their favour IF they beat Huddersfield. Of course we want all this to fall into our hands, but with the pressure off they may go to Huddersfield and win anyway!! I still think they will lose against Stockport, Beat Colchester, and draw at Exeter! A little goal difference, what's that 1, or 2 not feckin 8. Huddersfield go to Stockport, the absolutely worst team in the league and I expect the goal difference will be even bigger after that, Colchester have virtually no chance. You have more chance of Charlton losing all their games the way things are going, all getting close to lotterey odds. I want Saints to go up as much as anyone, it does not mean you have to convert to the village idiot to get that prospect some reality.

When Colchester go to Huddersfield, they require the already relegated Stockport to have taken something from Huddersfield. Otherwise Colchesters season is over and they have nothing to play for.

I agree with this 110%. If you want to praise do it in public. Anything else MUST be behind closed doors. That is the essence of leadership for anyone out there starting off a career in management. Abide by this rule and you won't go far wrong... oh and surround yourself with people who are better than you are. Let's have a look at what actually happened. Pardew made a comment after the MK Dons game that he prioritised the cups. When Cortese was asked regarding the priorities being the cups, he replied "No, the league is the top, top priority". Now you can read into this what ever you want, but this is the only comment where all these divisions have generated from. As I have already said, in any other form of business his arse would have been bouncing down the road a long time ago for such action.

In any other line of work, if an operations manager had disregarded the CEO on the direction of the company, he would be given short shrift. If it then transpired this direction had cost the company millions, it would be him with a kebab skewer through his cheeks, combining his tongue to his sweetmeats. So what are you going to do next season when we aim for the cups to get the players into that winning habit, or just getting penalty practice and hammered by Pompey as the actual case was? When you get that close to the finishing line and can readily see the clear possibility we have swapped one Wembley appearance for another, he well deserves a nut buster. Anyone that thinks a JPT final matches up to a play off final needs their bumps felt.

and that is the key, it gives us flexibility and enables us to hit teams on the break away from home, most defenders in this league need someone to mark with a 4-5-1 they have Lambert and then have to be sharp enough to pick up the runners from mid field. the base problem with 4-4-2 is that attacks can become predictable especially if the opponent is playing 4-5-1 I don't feel it is as simple as that, though I can understand your point. The problem we have that lining up against a 451, we tend to come off second best when not on top form, because of the lack of midfield control. There is absolutely no doubt we can get 442 to work, because we have mullahed top teams with the stamina to make it work. The big problem is when we can't get 442 to work when we are not up to it, we get over run in midfield. This can lead to conceding and a plan B of converting to a 5 man midfield does not make that much sense at that point and we are cooked. The trick is recognising which system we need to play, but starting 451 at least gives you an idea first, without committing and options available to change things round. I would have thought we have an ideal team for 352, especially against 451, but I can't remember that one being used to date. The main reason I believe we have all these issues is because we don't have enough of a defensive spine to the team and tactically the midfield do not know how to combine with the defence to defend. Even with Lambert and Barnard up front, very few can argue these 2 don't defend from the front and get through a hell of a lot of work. The problem is the 4 midfielders not being able / coached to defend effectively. Brilliant going forward and with the stamina levels will force teams back into submission, but otherwise tend to fold like a chinese run. Just compare to Pearson's Leicester last season, a team with a more defensive spine. maybe not as easy on the eye, but more effective in getting out of this **** league. It seems strange what Pardew is doing at present, but he is working round the issues he has. Whether he will cure this completely next seaon with a new influx of players we shall have to wait and see, but it appears a weakness in his style at present. With just one game a week, I don't see any need to go away from 442. Get some key players out or playing a system which drains your energy is not going to be viable in the long run, without a squad that can change without suffering.

Yup, thats why we are 5-1 up, dominating the game and arguably the two most attacking teams in the world play it. Nice one There are times when people open their mouth and it's only constructive use can only be for changing feet. Good to see players getting subbed!

They rested players in JPT games, far more than we did. They had 7 fresh players on the pitch against us when we played them at home. This was no where near a priority for them. Your right, IF teams can play expansive flowing football consistently, why bother changing. But to add that little fly in the ointment, it is patently obvious we cannot keep it going. Otherwise how do you explain the inability of being able to win a corner at Wycombe, after giving Norwich a lesson in how to play the game?

The FA cup runs seemed to have an impact. They never bothered with the JPT, but the financial aspect of the FA cup must still be important to them. The decision on Pardew is down to Cortese and I am happy with what ever conclusion he comes to there. There should be no excuses for not starting well. I expect a lot of players to go out and a lot of better ones to come in. I have seen a lot of mediocre managers do a very good job in this league, without hardly a transfer fee between them. You cannot overlook the fact our massive resources give us right to be where we are or better, so comparisons with any previous just does not hold water. I saw a definite change in the team against Pompey, something I said at the time would wipe away any team in this league. But equally it was not difficult to understand that it is close to impossible to maintain those levels 2 times a week. Premier clubs suffer in exactly the same manner, so no reason we should be different. The crux of the matter is as you pointed out the ability to grind out wins. That can only be done by the midfield contributing defensively in an organised manner. That requires the right players in the right positions, combined with the tactics. This is one area where I feel Pardew has not got right either on the training ground or squad selection. The expansive game is a beauty to watch when you have the players able to make it stick with high stamina levels, unless the opposition disappears against us, then it becomes easy. Grinding out wins is something that does not require the same energy levels and with a big enough squad, we should be easily ok for the season. Just invested in Saints Player and looking back through the games, I don't feel we are organised as a team as a combination of tactics and players selected for position. The midfield don't move as a unit in relation to the defence or attack and the same can be said sometimes of the defence. The amount of space given away on our 14 yard line is worrying at times. I have heard Pardew make several comments regarding similar issues, so he should be able to come up with a solution.

I too thought Zoumana Bakayogo looked useful. However, he could be another injury prone player. Wiki had him as a left back although I thought he played RB. Interestingly, it mentioned Leeds & Saints were looking at him before he signed with Tranmere. I realise Wiki isn't the most reliable source. He's French & came from Paris Saint Germain, then played for Millwall, Brighton on loan before signing to Tranmere. Bradley Orr is a decent RB. Bristol City player, formerly of Newcastle & Burnley. Good Championship experience. Grétar Steinsson would be great right back but pretty unachievable unless Bolton got relegated. Icelandic international. I think if Bolton did drop, he'd wanna move to keep in the top flight but you never know?! It would up the WAG status of the club. It's a good barometer of a club's success, the quality of the WAGs. Lol We already have Fonte's Cassie stepping up after Licka selfishly took his missus with him upon departing the club. Steinsson's missus was Miss Iceland so would be a welcome addition in my books... Was Fitz Hall a right sided player? Think he's more centre half. Jordan Fairclough could be one for the future. Think he's pacey enough and only 18. Currently at Forest, product of their youth academy. Michael Hart of Preston could be a shout too. Leigh Bromby has lots of experience and a monster through. Formerly at Watford, Sheff Wed & Utd. and now at Leeds. We do need an established RB as a priority. I'd keep Semi as competition as he does have good games at this level but I clearly saw the bottling incident, right under our noses and knew he would. Irritating. I didn't think he had as bad a game as many purported. Puncheon holds onto the ball too long imho. He should have squared that ball for Antonio I think it was, acres of space. Frustrating in recent games, despite what he creates! We need good cover for the times Puncheon gives the ball away. I thought both of Tranmere's full backs looked very useful. I was told both were loans or at least not permanent signings by a couple of Tranmere fans. Murty will be retiring, but we should have no problem finding a decent RB for this league.