Saint Fan CaM

Meltdown complete.

Had something else on and didn't listen to the game - glad I didn't to be honest as it sounds awful. While in one respect I would be surprised if NC sacked NA, I think Nigel has some pride about him and will offer to walk. Perhaps it's come to this. But I tell you this - Reed should go with him. Benitez is the only available manager I can think of who might sort this squad out and hopefully spend wisely in January without interference.

Why? I don't need to explain my POV - it's pretty easy to comprehend.

You're right and wrong in equal measure IMO. To switch off, you've got to be switched on in the first place - our defence largely is not switched on in the first place. The reason for this is that they do not have the required skill/anticipation/awareness to compete - not one of them (exception may be Clyne, but he's too young and needs more experience). So yes, it is about brains however a bit of brawn helps when the going gets tough.

What, to keep on repeating the same old thing, over and over and over? I guess if that's all you've got going on in your life then sure, rock on bud.

Frankly I'm not too bothered about what league we're in - it's about the winning - I like us winning more than losing. However, there is a very real issue about the squad becoming infused with the habit of losing - very demoralising and that can be taken back down with you which can take long time to recover from. The one thing I feel sure NC will not want to contemplate and that's relegation - it's the only issue I can see that will force his hand over the managerial situation. The big question is when that will happen - it might be left until after we're relegated for example to see whether Adkins can pull the side back together for another push to the Prem.

The problem I have with threads like this is that no matter how much the subject gets tossed around, there is absolutely only one thing that we can do about it and that is provide the team with 110% support and make lots of noise at games. There is no point whatsoever in continually *****ing about where we are - of course we need to win at WBA...we need to win as many games as possible FFS! Cortese, Reed and Adkins are not going to change course because someone starts a new thread on here! The simple fact is this - we came up too quickly and the defence was not improved enough as a result. End of. Unless there's a minor miracle in January and we buy 3-4 new defenders, we are going down because the players are not good enough to compete at this level. Nothing to do with Adkins which is why he will still be here at Xmas sending his pressy list to Saint Nic. Even then it might be too late to recover unless we snatch 3 wins before January.

Results don't lie and so yes, there needs to be something done to sort out the back-line. However, as someone else has suggested the players at the coaches disposal are probably not up to the mark - not on the same wavelength as Prem class attackers and therefore fail to anticipate/too slow to react. I remember seeing Le Saux at the end of his career at Saints and he had the necessarily quality even if he was getting slower - what he lost in pace he made up with in terms of anticipation. You can't learn that if you're not got the capacity to learn in the first place...everyone has limits.

England.

Not sure why it's on the main board, but hey that was classic gold!

While I think we'll lose this, I still don't think Adkins will be sacked. Somehow I get the feeling that NC will stay resolute to spite the journo's and other detractors. If that's the case, it's a pretty significant turning point in the club's more recent history in relation to strategy and for me, even though it's not a nice feeling losing game after game, that alone has to be applauded.

Not a chance unfortunately. Move on.

Ah, that'll be why they call you brown nose?

Hi Mr Horton - Nicola here. It's a real shame you've been so vague regarding what you would like me say, however I feel sure you are waiting for a statement regarding Nigel and his position at the club. I can confirm that as of tomorrow morning at about 10am, Nigel will be saying his goodbye's to SMS. May I take this opportunity to point out however that this is a normal occurence the day before an away match as he gets on the team bus. I can also confirm that the wheels are still firmly on the team bus and they are going round and round. Thank you for your continued support. Nicola.

From the guy who is praying that we get relegated, it's perhaps not surprising you've started this thread. So what players would you sack then Miltonroader07? What players would you sack from the P*mpley squad?

Eh - what do you mean by this? Are you trying to subtely suggest that you know Adkins is going to be sacked if we lose at WBA? Source?

Agree with that ^^^. Benitez is the only viable Manager with Prem experience I can think of that would plug the gap. However, I can't see Adkins going just yet.

Based on the manner in which we are playing and losing, no...very much no. I don't think we'll get a new defence in January either that will turn things around in time. Relegation could be much worse for the club than some are predicting I fear.

It's another loss I'm afraid to say, although this is one of the matches I would have said we could win at the start of the season. 2-1 WBA. Anything more than 2-1 and Adkins could well be toast. PS: Mayuka to start.

With the exception of Seaborne, that statement is utter, utter drivel! These guys were great for us in previous campaigns - particularly Butters and Chaplow - and there's no way you can say they are "very poor". Collectively the team might well have been poor in terms of selection and tactical set-up, but that problem is Adkins and Adkins alone. Fact is the quality of the defence is shockingly poor from top to bottom and amplifies the fact that our first team defenders are all in fact of Championship quality (at best). Last night's game would have resulted in a better outcome I suspect if we were playing 4-4-2, but for some crazy reason Adkins persists in sending out players to play a system they are highly incompetent at.

I would hazard a guess that it sit's somewhere between Reid and Cortese. They will not be the ones to suffer though. And the players will not suffer...the worst that will happen is they will drop down to a Championship wage. I don't think Adkins will be sacked for a little while yet though, because I don't think Reid and Cortese will have the audacity to use him as a scapegoat. IF they do pull the trigger, I suspect they will wait until we're on a little winning streak first.

Great stuff - usually got enough going down on a Saturday, so Monday is fine. Thanks once again Sky.

exactly right!

A great read and hits the nail right on the head. NA needs time and whoever managed the transfer budget in the summer needs to be found and shot for not sorting out the defence.

Oh well - time to grab a bite to eat and watch some TV...better entertainment. I'll check back later for the blood letting.