Saint Fan CaM

Can actually go into the next home games feeling a little bit like we may have a chance. With Reading taking an unlikely win today, it just goes to show that we really, really need to keep winning though to claw our way out of the rele zone.

QPR were rubbish to be honest, but fortunately we also put in a good performance other than the one time we switched off and paid with a goal against.

Stupid. Simply stupid. No closing down of the cross. Gazza came off line. Stupid.

First ten minutes of the 2nd half will be crucial - keep tight - press - and don't let them get a sniff. We will then win. Let in a sloppy goal and we could be toast.

Meh.

You know it might sound daft and insignificant, but when I wash my hands in the concourse gents and find there are no paper towels left (whether this is before the match, at half-time or after the game), it does start me thinking about the management of the finances. It happens on quite a few occasions - it's not a 'one-off'. To cut-back on something as seemingly simple as paper towels doesn't sit easily with me in terms of the club providing and me enjoying a 'Premiership experience'.

Eh? Of course not. Look, the key here is that stability does not have to be the enemy of success. Or to put it another way, there are two options to the CEO... 1. You panic and sack the Manager. That means bringing in another Manager who has to start again, probably wants to offload some players and buy new ones, train new tactics etc, all without the guarantee that it will come good eventually. A massive gamble. OR, 2. You stay calm and give the Manager that has demonstrably provided excellent sustained success over two seasons, a chance to sort out the squad and maintain the long-term push for more success. Long-term means just that - let's say 10 years for arguments sake. So providing the finances are right to enable a drop back to the Championship, why not let your tried and tested Manager travel the 10 year path with you? This is called strategy...it's what good business leaders do. That's not to say you do everything you can to support your Manager to retain Prem status, but the key to long-term sustained success is continuity and stability. If you want a perfect example of how not doing this works against you - I give you Saints under Lowe. If you want a perfect example of how this works incredibly well look at Man Ure with Fergie. Whether it will happen, who knows...but I want Nigel Adkins to be our Fergie. One thing's for sure - we'll never know unless he's given a decent crack at it.

I thouht he was less than average when he came on to 'change the game' for England. Pretty pants and looked all of a Championship player. Would rather have Puncheon in the side than him frankly.

Are you saying that Wigley or Wotte were able to deliver two back to back promotions? Don't be daft! Completely different scenarios. And all this b1tching about Champions league...blah...blah. There is a long-term plan at the club to be very successful - that might take several years to achieve - it might mean we go down while the club continues to grow organically from within. Remember, it's only 3 years since the take-over and there was a huge amount of re-building of the infrastructure of the club to be done. We've been promoted to the Prem earlier than anticipated - the club needs time to adjust. Be patient - get behind the club including the Manager and it will come good. Believe - who knows, it might happen - good things come to those who wait.

A good detailed analysis - great post to be honest and I agree with pretty much everything you've written. Interesting that Ian Dowie in his interview reckons that a manager needs to stick to his game plan and yet you suggest that things need to change to effect a win - I agree. If the players are the same, then it's the manner in which they are marshalled in a game plan that will determine success or otherwise. Thing is, QPR have the pace players in Tarabt and Hoillet to hurt us on the break and this will win them the game. We must not under any circumstances allow them time on the ball. Morgan and Cork will have their work cut-out containing Tarabt - Hoillet is a different matter altogether...

Drop Lallana?!?! HERESY - he makes Messi look sh^te!!!

I suspect the fact is that he's turned out to be not as good as the scouts/Reed thought he would be. Perhaps it's easier to leave him out the equation than Puncheon who will kick-off if he's dropped to the bench?

It would be interesting to know if we are working hard behind the scenes to identify and bring in the right players in January. I do believe Nigel has intimated that there will be some activity, but who knows - the January window is hardly the best time to find essential re-enforcements. I can see us sticking with Shaw and Fox at LB with a view to signing a CB and a midfielder perhaps. Can't see us signing more than 2 and I can't see us breaking the bank.

OK, so what if it's a draw? Just saying. PS: I don't think either will lose their jobs. It makes no sense whatsoever if you're trying to plan for long-term success and both clubs have the financial means to do so.

Hang on - that can't be right. Half way through the season would mean x = 0.5. That's a factor of 10 difference, so that must mean there's a 10-1 chance that Nigel will be given the boot. Not bad odds, but not enough to say for certain.

Serious stuff indeed.

We'll probably get 2-3 points from all those games. Anything above that will be a significant bonus.

It boils down to 3-4 individual players having more experience and to a squad that is highly suited to the style of play dictated by the Manager.

Tough one - assuming the defenders were not worth £6m each then no deal.

This.

Absolute priority in January is sorting out the defence - nothing else matters as we have enough in midfielder to limp through to the summer. 2 CB's and a LB are what's needed, however I reckon we'll not see a LB due to Shaw coming through and I suspect only 1 CB will be on the shopping list. Although we don't need a midfielder or a striker, I suspect we'll buy one or other because someone can't resist the temptation - just hope it doesn't get in the way of sorting out the defence.

This is without doubt a match that's needs a win. I fear for the consequences if we fail to pick-up 3 points, however it's got a draw written all over it I would say. Just hope Ramirez comes back from International duty uninjured (I think he's playing in the week?).

Not sure I agree with this - I thought there were times when the team were trying to put everything his way rather than just have a pop at goal. It was starting to get a little predictable.

The error by Gazza was a terrible one. Not because he's young and errors will be made. No, because the keepers and defenders MUST have been told more than once by the coaches NEVER to fanny around with the ball when under pressure at the back - you put it into row ZZ and re-group. If Adkins and his coaches have not been 110% clear about this to their players then someone needs to be horse-whipped to within an inch of their freakin' lives!!!

Agree with all that.