Saint Fan CaM

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.

I think he's probably been arse-whipped by NC this afternoon or knew he was in for a good spanking anyway, hence his somewhat muted and quite different approach to the interview. I suspect he knows he's walking a very thin line now.

I think the subs silenced SMS today for a while - I believe many were wondering (like me) how long it the defence would hold on to a fragile 1-0 lead or 1-1 draw after substitutions that quite clearly suggested we were not going to try to win the game. Completely played into Fulhams hands IMO and that's the responsibility of just one man - step forward NA. I don't think he's going to last in the job if he keeps making poor subsitution decisions like he has been. His post-match interview was quite different and muted - I think he knows it too.

If he started, who would he replace? Lallana - the captain? Ramirez - our best player? Play him on the right where he's not played before? Can't see it myself.

I think this will be our first draw of the season 2-2. However, I can also see this being a hard game and with some key players out, Fulham will be no pushover - far from it - so it could end up 1-3. IF we lose, then I do fear for Adkins position - while winning became a habit last season, it could equally be said that a losing mentality may be starting to set-in to the players minds and if that's true then managerial change could become an inevitable consequence. There are experienced top Managers waiting in the wings for a pop at keeping us up I suspect. It's probably true to say the decision will rest on the nature of the defeat (if it happens) rather than the actual result itself - i.e. another game lost due to conceding late or tactical substitutions going horribly wrong.

Bent beat Fox to the ball twice in his zone when scoring Villa's goal which is probably why NA dropped him and put Clyne there. I think Fox has a real problem understanding the zonal marking issue and so gets caught. I think he'll be back for Everton though.

Not an easy game and I think we'll probably lose 3-1. However, the keys to this game will be shoring up the flanks, in particular ensuring Clyne is not exposed and secondly, not giving them time on the ball, meaning playing OUR game higher up the pitch, just like we did 2nd half against Villa. If we set-up the defence for zonal marking for corners and free-kicks into the box, Fellaini will have a field day. IF NA gets the tactics right and the team give everything for 94mins, we might come away with a 1-1 or 2-2 draw.

Suggest you read what I said sunshine. I asked a question - I made no assumptions - so after you take your foot out of your mouth, you might like to calm down a bit.

Welcome to Artur - looks to be a surprising and astute signing. I suspect the years contract was his choice perhaps, or that we've not had enough time to evaluate his personality which appears to be a big factor in making decisions on players. Let's hope he does well for us.

I think I made myself very clear TBF. To say "KD is screwed" is an immature and senseless comment. To say he is probably 2nd or 3rd choice now we've bolstered the GK ranks I think is more respectful to a guy who is a great character, can still play football if called upon and as club captain deserves more frankly.

I said on here some time ago that I predicted he could become our Sir Alex. Just wait and see - stability and focus on the right KPI's will get the club results unlike anything we've experienced before - it'll just take time to steadily build and shape it into the finished article. But also remember that NA is just one (important) cog in the wheel - there's so much more going on behind the scenes to make Saints a massive club.

"How screwed is Kelvin Davis?". Well if that's not disrespectful I don't know what is! Reminds me of a kid throwing away his old toy after being bought a new one. KD has been instrumental in so much of Saints rise through the leagues, both on and off the field - he's been a faithful servant and his saves did as much in the Championship as Lamberts goals. We've brought in good competition for the no.1 jersey - KD may still be selected if he proves he's better than the other guys (Gazza was OK, but let's face it he had little to do and on a couple of occasions looked rooted to the spot). So if KD plays again, are you saying you'll not be supporting him? Suggest you get a little perspective.

He will be our first choice left back now I would wager. Big shout out too for Frazer Richardson, who I thought put on a fantastic show at RB after being out for so long.

The perfect substitution for a tired Puncheon (who I thought was superb yesterday).

I reckon on 18. NA has the front line playing very fluidly and that suits Lambo, Adam, Puncheon and Gaston, also playing a higher line too. It's when that clicked yesterday that we tore Villa apart. You could see Lambo and Gaston in all kind's of space.

Incredible win. Incredible performances - Clyne better at LB than RB. Richardson had a great game and looked class. Only Fox looked shaky and even he had a better 1st half than normal I thought. We might just get something at Everton now?