Saint Fan CaM

Whose responsible? Whoever decided that purchasing Championship level players (for £7m) to replace L1 players when we'd already hit the Prem running was a good thing. I suspect it's the likes of Reid and his buddies presenting a fait accompli to Cortese who did nothing more or less than to place his trust in Reid (that's what top business men do - they trust their 'generals'). Reid as a Director has the clout to make those purchases - I doubt greatly that NA has the balls to stand up to Reid and Cortese and say - "nah, don't want that guy" (e.g. J-Rod). If Nigel HAS had anything to do with not buying a defence in the summer, then I suspect he's toast.

Silly speculation. And I cannot for minute believe Adkins is ignoring the defensive problems. No, the key thing is that the players at the back are being found out - it is not a fitness issue, it is all about mental agility, experience and tactical awareness learnt from the training pitch. Our defenders are just not good enough - some of our midfielders are not good enough either. In fact, it might be said that the team in almost it's entirety (save 3-4) is not good enough to play like Arsenal/Barca for an entire match. We need to have the flexibility to switch things around (i.e. 4-4-2) at crucial times in the game (like when we're losing perhaps).

We're going to lose this and lose heavily I fear. Probably 1-5 I would imagine. Can't see us getting a thing from this game - very lucky to get a draw.

Err, what's to say SMS will not support the team and Adkins on Saturday? Simple fact though is this - Spurs score one and SMS will go quiet (Spurs fans aside). Spurs score two and there'll be some booing. Spurs score 3 or more and the 'Johnny Come Lately's' will be flooding down the aisles to go home.

Was the spoon in question 'left-back' in the kitchen? I can see some people getting 'defensive' about the line of enquiry. I am surprised that no-one has missed the other implement - clearly there should be 4 knifes, 4 forks and 4 spoons to a set - but we all know the club is determined to stick to 4-3-3, so there's got to be a fork missing too. (I'll get me coat).

I want him to stay for the time being, however the team that had so much spirit is now looking a shadow because the plan is not working, but nobody wants to modify it even slightly it seems. If there's one out of work Manager that would sort out the defence and that's Rafa B...would not be surprised frankly...a home loss next weekend might be the straw. HUGE pressure on Adkins and the team.

Trying to play like Arsenal or Barcelona when you've got a Championship level squad is asking for trouble. The Prem will find out teams that are not up to the mark and like it or not, we're not up to the mark. We're also now seriously in the losing habit. If we're to stay up - if it's critical to the club that we do - then I can see some changes happening fairly quickly. Not ideal - not what I necessarily want - but results don't lie.

Fact is, if NC and Reid are telling Adkins to play 4-3-3 then that is as good as telling him how to pick the team.

In all the time Adkins has been with us, that was the most telling interview in terms of what he DIDN'T say. He will be gone soon...a shame yes - however life at Saints will go on without him. If he is being asked to do something that is beyond him, then simply put, he's been found out.

Hell - I really need us to do a job today and sneak a crafty win - I'm meeting a mate who's a Wetsham supporter for a beer to watch the game and I cannot bear to think about the abuse I will receive if we leak goals.

I don't think the survey will be presented exactly as the answers are typed in. The idea will be to take an average fan response and benchmark each club against the rest of the division or something similar. The answers may have some weighting to them also which we would not know about.

What a disgrace - the idiot concerned should see a spell behind bars for the attack and Leeds should be told they can't take fans to the next 6 away games. And as for Warnock - he needs to be very careful about his stance - sure he condemned the offender but then seemed to suggest the keeper fell over!!! Complete knoob!

Funny - as I read that I thought, there must be a few numpties from the forum thinking that was a trick question! LOL

Done. Of course I was entirely positive about everything.

Pathetic. The only winner in this frankly is Nicola Cortese - he has the dignity to keep his own counsel and get on with making the club great again. Matt should rise above this rubbish - thought by now he'd be more media savvy TBH.

I had absolutely no idea that the shop existed and I suspect a large % of other supporters don't know either. Result = move on.

Not arguing as such, but surely an extra 10k bums on seats for example could generate enough income to pay the annual salaries of say two top quality players (lets say of Ramirez standard or better) that would substantially assist an increase in our position in the Prem over time which in turn would keep more bums on seats etc. The question I guess is when to pull the trigger and provide those extra seats - bit of a strategic dilemna that Cortese is paid to decide on. Lastly, it's worth mentioning that while we don't necessarily get 100% seat allocation now, there are many areas that are just not suitable for potential buyers - i.e. behind goals - right down the front (I wouldn't want to sit there) - gap between away fans etc., so there is possibly a need to provide more non-exec, unhindered view, seating anyway - probably by expansion of the Kingsland.

I've only attended the place once. I had the pleasure of doing corporate one week and my host and I turned up too early to get into the box, so we walked around to the Dell bar to get a pint. We were told that we were not allowed in because we were not members (something my host was quite upset about given his company had invested a huge amount of money in the box for the season), however as it was early, not busy and after a bit of 'banter' they let us in. I have to say I was quite taken aback by how poor it was...(I would be really miffed if I had paid for the privelage). Decor wise it reminded me of a cafe - really not much better than the concourse to be honest. When we arrived there was a group of ground attendents having their pre-match brief in there - surely not appropriate. It's a real shame - if it offered a better alround standard in terms of food, drink and a place to sit down, I might consider paying the extra. At the moment it certainly doesn't reflect the aspired status the club seems to want.

I refer you to here... http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?40102-The-Captaincy-debate

This is going to be another defeat I'm afraid. Just the kind of team that we lose to. 3-1 Wetsham.

Good OP. However, I find it somewhat amusing that (per many other issues debated here) a sizable number of posters start taking a swipe at others suggesting there's some anti-NA agenda. What's wrong with some middle ground? So with that in mind... a. Continuity is a good thing and NA has done a stirling job so far getting us into the Prem so retaining his services will be a good thing. b. NA is getting his team to play some great entertaining offensive football. c. There are few if any attractive potential replacements and also, it would appear the club is founded on principles of shared responsibility and 'together as one'. It would blow the entire ethos, policy and strategy of the club apart should Adkins be replaced. For this alone, I can't see it happening. d. NA is having some difficulty getting the team's defensive aspects working well - by his own admission we ship too many away goals. This might be due to the players he has available or an tactical inability to communicate a solution to his players or a bit of both. NA has demonstrably proven at least twice to have not read the game or the opposition well enough to produce convincing and effective substitutions. OK, so all this is in hindsight and despite wanting him to survive, a case is building against him. e. NC has shown he can be ruthless and driven to achieve. Emotions don't feature. Because of this, NA probably knows exactly what the score is with regards where the club needs to be, so he might even end up falling on his own sword by resigning before he's pushed. Many of us want Adkins to succeed and to succeed with Saints. Of course we want this and we should offer support until he walks out the door. But that does not alter the fact that without results - i.e. enough points to survive - his position (like every other Prem Manager) might become untenable due to factors beyond his control. That comes with the territory for all clubs that aspire to play in the Prem - let's not delude ourselves, it's a tough business.

Quite! You've managed to iterate very succinctly what I was trying to say! LOL (Mind you, the way things are going for Jos, even then it would skew off and head goal-wards!).

Jos' positioning is even worse than Fox's and that's saying something! If you are defending your own 6 yard box, face away from goal and if the ball comes anywhere near you then don't kick it because there's every chance it's going to deflect into the net. Basic school-boy level stuff which someone needs to teach Jos.

All very interesting, however perhaps the most meaningful stat is this - only 1 point at home from a weak Fulham side. Or how about 4 points from a possible 21? Relegation beckons for certain unless something gets sorted out - either the defence or Adkins learns from his substitution mistakes.