Saint Fan CaM

Let's put it this way. If he was in at ManUre or Chelski or whoever he would be getting a regular game.

Thanks - I've just deposited my drink over my monitor because of that comment! Excellent!

Well the scoreline was nowhere near as bad as I predicted TBF, however they could have been 4-0 up at half-time. Bales goal can be blamed entirely on Clyne - just too static, ball-watching and not marking his man/area and if that had been Fox there would have been a riot on here. On the subject of Fox, I thought he had a reasonable game - not great, but not bad and Lallana tried to provide cover by busting a gut on a number of occasions. Yoshi player a blinder - one pen area tackle in particular was world-class. Mayuka was different class and frankly should be one of the first on the team sheet - must be close to Ramirez as one of our best players surely? Davis was far too defensive - he should leave that stuff to Morgan. Guly was OK, but for an attacking CM he is nowhere near Prem class. The Boruc incident seemed to start when some morons in the Chapel decided it would be a good idea to hurl abuse at him for the 2nd goal and he over-reacted by kicking a water bottle. Yes the fans that abused him are complete knoobs, but he is worse for reacting. Should be dropped for 2 matches at least. Adkins is probably safe for now, but somehow he needs to get his team to switch on and play throughout the 1st and 2nd half's, how they played in the 2nd half today.

This squad on average is not good enough to play the style of football being asked of them. That is why Adkins is finding it necessary to tweak things (e.g. SRL) to find a combo that shows some signs of success. We started out reasonably well, but we've lost our most capable player (Ramirez) and the defence has been shot to bits since the first two games. This game could well be lost before it's started and it's going to be extremely difficult to turn things around if that's the case.

Whether SRL plays or not is somewhat of an irrelevance to this particular game to an extent. IMO we are deficient in almost all areas of the pitch when playing 4-3-3. Both Rickie and JRod need a partner or for wingers to drive crossed into the area, for them to be their most effective. If you doubt this, ask yourself how many goals they've scored recently from an open play direct strike on goal - struggling to remember the last one? For lone strikers they're looking lost at the moment - nowhere near the standard required - and we think we've got problems in defence?! The best weapon Adkins has at the moment is pace and unfortunately either those players are injured or he refuses to play certain players in favour of 'safe hands'.

1-5 Spurs. This one is going to test everyone at the club - from the Chairman through to us supporters.

It's a reasonable point, but not an entirely accurate one. There is a difference between improving a sub-standard team (WBA) and applying one's knowledge to a squad of hugely expensive top players. I have no doubt whatsoever that Adkins would do an excellent job at one of the top four sides with the budgets available there. His job here is somewhat different and in some respects much more difficult I would argue. It is highly debatable whether there is another Manager available that could do a better job with the players at Adkins disposal right now, therefore the best we as supporters can do is give our utmost support to whichever Manager leads the team out each game. Having said that, we all know that results count and football as a business involves money. The Chairman will no doubt be pondering the balance between risking Adkins and his team getting it right soon, or pulling the plug and giving someone else the chance, to ensure the pot of gold is secured for this season which in turn will allow the club to grow more in accordance with Markus' wishes.

That was my first thought too! LOL - Gotta say, Nigel is a class act.

Yes, this is probably the best we could hope for. Would start Boruc - get some stability at the back at the very least.

Puncheon is OK. However, I think with a run of games Maluka could be a better choice.

We don't have the players to match them. If we get anything out of this game it will be because Adkins is allowed to tactically manage the team without the perpetual mantra of 4-3-3 ringing in his ears. As that will not happen, team selection is in a sense largely irrelevant. Don't be surprised to see JRod on the left wing in other words.

This is going to be a particularly distressing game I feel, with an aftermath that will probably be uncomfortable also. 1-5 Spuds.

Trouble is there is no way out - we came up through the leagues quickly with Adkins and his coaches/medics getting the players to excel above their station. The Prem has found us out and so to survive we needed to change the squad around more quickly than normal. The players are pro's though - they should know that there will be an evolution at the club and if they're not good enough to step up then they will left behind. IF Adkins has been telling them porky pies about how good they all are - e.g. good enough to be Prem players etc., then perhaps some of them are now starting to doubt themselves and indeed Adkins as their gaffer.

Pretty much all these comments are spot on. Can't believe Turkish has actually got something right.

Given that NA never reads the press, I think it's safe to say he doesn't read the drivel on here. Next.

It's going to be Benitez...put your money on it now.

'Arry as Director of Football?

We have an amazing army of supporters who all know everything there is to know about how to run a football club as a business AND how to manage it's first team. What an incredible untapped resource!

this!

Please, please, please - do not let this be true. I don't think I could take it - in fact I think I would rather go back down.

Both Fonte and Jos have a habit of running back facing their own goal. Look at Wetshams second goal - Fonte dare not touch the ball because it would have gone in and lo and behold they had an unmarked player running in at the back post. It's classic errors that you see regularly at schoolboy level let alone lower pro leagues. People say we need a new left back - I say we need two top class CB's with Prem experience (Fonte and Jos are OK backups) - get that sorted and even Fox will be less of a liability.

A good point, well made to be fair.

When I saw the pen decision I thought it was somewhat harsh as the ball went to Fonte's arm and he couldn't have known much about it. However, when I checked out the replay vids I was astonished to see Fonte grab Carroll's ponytail and pull him down to the ground with it. Almost took his head off with the force! The Ref had an excellent view of the offence - I think Fonte is lucky not to have been sent off - and it was most definately a pen! Anyone else see that? Nigel needs to read the damned riot act to his defenders frankly - no excuse for L1/L2 style defending in the Prem when they're picking up the wages of a superstar IMO.

This completely, although I would say Clyne looked very good at left back actually - in fact possibly even a little better than at right back.