up and away

You can cherry pick any team as am example, means nothing. You can even make a case for Bryan Gunn at Norwich, with so many players to bed in. We have seen the good and the bad, it's going to be relatively easy to see if we have corrected the bad. With that we will soon know if we have what it takes for automatic promotion. This is a **** poor league and one where you can easily buy your way out of with just a mediocre manager. When you can go to any team in this league and buy their star player, that is massive. If this league represents any problems, the CCC will be impossible. Pardew deserves his chance next season, but no need to get silly about it.

The key weeks have long gone, you can keep this up to make something out of the remainder of the season, but it's just whistling in the wind. What's going to get really interesting is those wanting to swap the Wembley appearance round when we get close!

As Cortese pointed out, we won't go looking to sell players, but if a player wants to move, there is very little you can do about it. The longer we are in League 1, the more likely that is going to happen. At the end of the season, we will have the play off's for the Premier at Wembley. If we get agonising close to that position you will then have fans realising the possibility of giving up one Wembley appearance for another. With the resulting "I want that one" and the **** storm to accompany.

The reason we got to within 7 points of the play off's was because we switched to 451, that is indisputable. I don't argue that there were times when we switched to 442 in the second half and made it look easy. But this in no way implies 451 did not give us control, more so than anything else. So 442 in the second half looked so good we now start with it and cannot do a fecking thing, losing easily to Brighton and continually suffering because of it, gradually putting distance between us and the play off's. Unlike you I can actually remember what happened in these games playing 451 and changing to 442. Having far superior control we could let in a goal against the run of play, switch to 442 and easily remedy the situation. We then switch to starting 442, no control, all at sea and unable to change the pattern of the game. I still can't believe you are coming out with the same sheite, posting to go away from 451 just before the Brighton game, which worked spectacularly that we never had another peep of that crap from you. I fully accept it should not be a case of 442 or 451 irrespective, but to throw away something that was working well for something that did not was dumb. I certainly was not daft enough to suggest we should only play one system. When we play poorly the main issue we have is not being able to gain control of the midfield. After January we can play stupendous football against top teams one week with 442, then fail to take advantage against a weak team the next with the same formation and players. You either accept that we cannot maintain energy levels and switch players out, to then find those substitute players cannot fill the boots, it's totally dumb not to consider changing the formation. But throughout all of this you have to put players into the right position so they have a chance of doing the job.

When you have the majority of games just played over 90 minutes, you either exclude all other games or base them on their 90 minute result to gain anywhere near a viable comparison. There are other factors to include such as fielding weaken teams for certain games and their subsequent effects. Bearing in mind we hardly weakened in cups I don't see the problem with including them or excluding them if you wish. Trying to include the result because of a penalty shoot out is very simple.

Absolutely bonkers. For an investment to be sound you have to compare it against an average return you would get if you invested medium risk in the markets, bonds and lending. When you consider what Markus paid, add on the cost of of completing the transaction, player fees, investment into the infrastructure etc, you are into about £24M. Then you have to compare what that £24M would get you elsewhere with compounding interest in the current market. We have a rough idea of income from season tickets, crowd and special offers. I don't expect our income will be much greater than previously because of the season ticket drop. Cups look a definite bonus, but we have the highest paid squad in this league at present. As an investment it is nowhere near even looking at and losing money by any investors comparison. As a stand alone at present I can see the running costs being comfortably below income. As an interest for Mrkus, it is relatively cheap because of his personal wealth, many others considered as rich would struggle. The longer we stay outside of the Premier, the costlier it gets. When you compare a years difference in getting into the Premier for Markus, that costs a lot of money.

Absolutely dumb post. Quickly forgetting your other blinding suggestion that we turn away from a successful 451 and play 442, when we played Brighton at home. Want to try and get those 3 points back as well and all the other subsequents? So what happened against Wycombe and Tranmere, all 442 and after thumping defeats of Norwich and Huddersfield. We had our 2 best strikers up front against Wycombe and never even managed to win a corner! It is patently evident that we cannot continually play 442 with the players we have twice a week. Either change the players or the system and as other players in a 442 have failed to deliver previously, 451 seems a sensible option. The problem is that there are so many permutations, but playing someone out of position is very rarely going to get a better result. Go for the best set up, whether it be with 451 or 442 with the players you have available in their natural positions.

It's not a question of case closed, it's a question of what players you have available and their fitness levels. Take the 442 that mullahed Huddersfield, you would put that out every time with the application the players showed. Take away that application and you either need to substitute players to give a similar response or change the system to cover a weakness. We have one pronounced weakness when things are not going well for us, the midfield losing control. Put the best players capable of holding the midfield together in those situation, with the option of opening things up in the second half if required. It's pointless going with a poor 442 selection that is just going to get opened up, you have no plan B now available. Whereas that same 442 in the 2nd half of tight game could well pay dividends at that point. we really need to get the right players in the right area so they can do a job for us. Sometimes that is not possible but I feel this is where we lack the practicality. I would far prefer Fonte to step up into central midfield than put Puncheon in there.

I would wipe the slate clean with this season and start again with Pardew the next season. But I have serious concerns along with glowing praise for some of the things Pardew has done. Pardews actions in the transfer market have been exceptional, so no worries letting him loose in the summer. You can say some of those thoroughbreds should be looking at the inside of a tin rather than still being on grass, but that is a minor point. Before Pardew came, I recognised an intelligent, articulate manager who I felt was tactically very savy. Tactically he has disappointed, with only Ince being one I can say he has in his pocket, on the receiving end far to many times for my liking. Confidence wise, I feel he is damaged goods, where pressure has brought out unexpected actions and statements I would not have expected. I get the feeling the JPT may well do more good for Pardew than anyone else. No reason not to keep him for the start of next season, but equally no reason to extend that for too long should he fail to deliver. Look at all the managers in League 1 and there is no way you can tell me he is above the top 4, not going to argue that he is not there abouts, but nothing that special as yet.

Just for the pseudo feckwits who get distracted by a piece of shiny paper. This season is over, it's all about next season and the ability to deliver automatic promotion form. And if things are not going well in the league, a penalty shoot out in the JPT is no conciliation. If players are not rested in the cup games for the league and we suffer as a result, then what alternative is there? If I hear one reference to how we are JPT champions and the need to defend our trophy, it's time to Bryan Gunn him. Pardew deserves a chance, not a carte blanche endorsement.

Ask any league 1 manager who has the best team / squad and Leeds don't even get a mention. Just look at the spending differential Saints have over other teams, it is totally massive, unbelievable. Most of those top 8 teams are not even worthy of mention, strung together with freebies, loans and non league pickups. If you cannot buy your way out of this league, you will be stuck in the CCC forever. The problem has never been about other teams, it has been about our performances dropping off a cliff. There have been what? one well done in defeat, the rest we have just presented our arse to them and invited them over. Yes we have played some sublime football now and again, the rest of the time we are no where to be found. If you think this league is hard, you have a ****ing shock coming to you when we do get into the CCC.

It is indeed an important factor, but there are others. Playing defensively when you must win is ridiculous, as is being sensitive to the condition of the pitch. Nothing wrong with a defensive line up, even if a win is all that is acceptable. It's a combination of tactics and the players available to make those tactics work. As for the conditions of the pitch bollix, that is so embarrassing to hear, next it will be the crowd was too far from the pitch. We have clearly demonstrated that the 442 we applied against Huddersfield and Leeds will beat any team in this league, possibly the league higher. That only works for a limited amount of time because of the stamina levels required to make it work with the attacking players we have. The rest of the time we are groping around in the dark on our hands and knees. We either sign a massive squad so that 442 can be used all the time with various players, or go slightly more defensive so we can do the marathon rather than the sprint. It's ok going defensive as WSG did most of the time, the problem comes when he puts Fab Fernandes in as the defensive midfielder. It's not so bad when you play defensively and struggle to get into an attacking rythym. We have enough impact players to come off the bench in the second half to change things around, without a great deal of damage being done. What is really bad is when you set up defensively and fail to stop them attacking in addition to not be able to attack ourselves.

Unless your name is Brian Blessed, we have no shout of the play offs. Anyone who thought it possible before this game really are muppets. The fact we keep tripping over our shoe laces keeps completely escaping some fans, we have no chance. What really worries me is that tactically Pardew is coming off second best against every pikey going, with only Ince as his whipping boy. I really do not know what to make of Pardew, with a lot of his previous at Charlton glossed over by our transfer budget. That does not mean I want him to go at this stage, but we need to be in automatic form next season. If we are not, no one can complain we have not given him enough time or resources. This season finished after last Sunday for us, it's all about getting things right for next season now.

So "Wally meets... Alan Pardew" in Tescos asking how this game rates with all the other big games he has been involved with? You then take those answers, mix with several other interviews and comments over the season, throw together a plot then mix accordingly. In the words of the Sun, Wally, you are still a lying fat ****!

Let's imagine Pardew had never said the cups were the priority and the Solent interviewer asked Cortese how he thought the season was going, rather than why he had prioritised the cups? All we may have had then is a simple "We have done well in the cups but not so well in the league, our priority." Just substitute that statement within the interview and it would hardly be noticed, along with the requirement for comparison to other teams. Cortese deliberately did not criticise Pardew directly, whilst emphatic upon the direction he wants.

I just cannot see that, there is nothing here that smacks of any detailed inside information. Nothing has been put out directly into the open, but more than enough to read between the lines and come up with this obvious conclusion. Pretty sure Pardew would not do this and neither Cortese to react. What you have here is a person of an admitted nervous position regarding the football side of things in Cortese, transfering this to Pardew during their regular get togethers. One thing I would be positive of, whether it be Pardew or anyone else, they will have the funds. Cortese would never make a non decision like that, in his eyes that would be worse than making a bad decision. It's not as if Pardew has even had a bad buy so far.

Cortese is the driving force behind saints, not Pardew. Pardew is an important part of that, but it's Cortese that provides the direction, finance and goals, not Pardew. Without Cortese backed by Liebherrs money, Pardew would just be an extension of what we saw at Charlton. There are several managers who have done very well in this league, especially with no money. Even Norwich I doubt get within 20% of our spend when you factor in wages. When a manager goes into print and states he did exactly the opposite to what the CEO directed, the response from Cortese was very low key. All Cortese said was that the league was the top, top priority and we should be further on than where we are in the league. Pardew is lucky to have any legs left after going against Cortese in such a manner, surprised the response was so muted. Pardew has done nothing near sufficient to come near what Cortese has already done, in time possibly. Nope, Cortese has got this just about spot on so far and although I believe we have failed so far this season in the league, still believe Pardew should and will be kept on for the start of next season. If Pardew wants money to spend I am sure he will get it, but he has to show a return on that investment on the pitch.

I thought the creditors got something like 40p in the pound. Normally all the creditors get the same rate, but I am not so sure on this one because of the stadium. Barclays had secured and non secured loans so would get paid in full for the secured loans. I cannot understand why Aviva would accept less when they are under no obligation, but that could easily be a separate deal with the remaining creditors paid in full? Either way, all our debts were cleared (not paid) with Liebherr owing nothing. We did in effect cheat in getting rid of our debts, but that is what the 10 point deduction is all about. We commited the crime, made partial financial restitution, done our bird and are now the only club in this league who are truly debt free.

Does this cherry picked example get any where near better than 50% of our outlay? Have a listen to Les Parry, They paid for Lambert with more than our annual player’s budget. That gives an indication of where the two clubs are at. Danny Wilson quoting close to the same thing. If you are going to try and make a valid point put up all the teams, then add in the wages which skews the Norwich figures even more.

What you have over looked is that managers like Ferguson, Wenger, even Redknapp ARE the sporting directors, who choose to farm out parts of their jobs to others. Ferguson rarely takes training whilst Wenger usually does. They naturally gravitate into that position by their success. Is there anyone daft enough to seriously propose that Redknapp is a coach? It's only when the coach / team manager does not have the skills / success that you require the extra position above him. And when that manager becomes succcessful, that sporting director just ends up as an aide to the manager.

If Cortese is not going to use other teams in this league for a comparison, what should he do? Use the leagues above and below and extrapolate between? Corteses impatience and contrary press releases? What do you believe Cortese should have done when the manager comes out in print stating the mickey mouse cup is his priority, irrespective of what the CEO states? I believe Pardew should still be here at the start of next season, but if that came down to a choice between Pardew and Cortese it is a total non contest. We could have got several other managers to have achieved similar to Pardew, but Cortese was alone in what he brought to the table. I thought his handling of the Echo to be an error, but not even sure about that now. As a CEO I cannot rate Cortese highly enough. Going through all the infrastructure and making sure it's on a footing to progress this club to the top. Keeping the fans informed every now and then, what has and is happening. Let's anyone know in uncertain terms if you rattle his cage. Can anyone fault him for the infrastructure that has been put in place or the resources he has made available to make things happen? This sounds a bit like it's Corteses own money being used, not Liebherrs. Obviously not the case, but it's Corteses decision to back Pardew in the January window based upon their communications. The amount of football managers I can think of that don't need managing themselves is extremely rare, Wenger being a noteable exception, most of the rest you would not trust with the weekly shop. Dave Basset once said about being interviewed for the position as manager, I would basically nod and agree during the interview, then get on with what I wanted when it came to it.

We have clearly seen the promised land with performances against Huddersfield, Norwich and Leeds. Just imagine adding the impact of a Neil Danns into that equation and it's not difficult seeing the negative aspects disappear. Pardew certainly contributed to the slow start with the resources he had available. Just watching all our previous CCC games would have given him a head start, rather than giving everyone a fresh start. I get the feeling we will come very close to the play offs, such most will be able to see how reachable the play offs were, but for better management. With the JPT long gone and the realisation that all we have done is given up one Wembley appearance for another, the value of the JPT will then be seen for it's true value. But you have to be practical about such issues. There is no doubt that Pardew has failed in certain aspects and could well deserve to be removed, but you have to temper that with some wonderful things he has done. We now have a different set of conditions, where cutting off your nose to spite your face should not come into the equation. Then if you are going to replace Pardew you really need to be sure they will be doing better. So unless Billy Davis becomes available, caution is needed. This league should be realtively easy next season with the resources we have, only auomatic form will be acceptable. The CCC will be completely different!

That is not the case, Pardew came out with this in the programme notes, something that Cortese reacted strongly to. But the Saints boss defended his focus on the cups as well. 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.”

Until I saw the Hammerettes, the only form of match day entertainment of value was the old boy who used to collect the practice balls in a net sack, players firing in from all distances and angles. Some would go directly into the sack, other times he would have to duck with 4 arriving at once.

The sporting director is no big issue at present, where he will be vital is in the steps leading into the Premier. Cortese has set up a working group nigh identical to what Lowe did for the acquisition of players, something that seems to be working very well when you have the money and can virtually buy the best player from anyone in our league. When we go into the CCC it's going to ratch up an order of magnitude, several for the Premier and that's where the SD will be vital. As for the manager, Cortese will be as good as anyone. You can look at all managers clubs have taken on over the years and the only one I can say that was inspired / well thought out, was Wenger. Just look at Burley, I could not imagine a manager with a better pedigree for us and look what happened there. You are correct, the club is not in crisis but the Tranmere, Swindon results may be a lot more significant than you portray. If that means no promotion this season, that has an impact of several millions to Liebherr. I expect Cortese is totally ****ed off with Pardew on not prioritising on the league and that all the money spent in January failed to yield the desired result. Even though I find Pardew extremely frustrating and would like to put a few dents in his arse, I believe he should be here next season. But he really needs to demonstrate automatic promotion form from the beginning of next season, eliminating the current flaw of inconsistency.