Saint Fan CaM

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.

Only one person made a mess of things yesterday and that was Gazza - an unforgivable error trying to pass out to Yoshida like that at 1-0 up. Not the first time its happened either which makes matters worse. I thought Shaw looked fantastic at LB - more assured than Fox and more mobile too. First starter from now on IMO. I was thinking at 85mins why NA had not freshened the team up with new legs up front - then I thought, no...he's learnt a lesson - he's sticking with the team that's on top. It was the CORRECT decision.

If it works don't knock it. We're not too long away from finding out (a) just how much the players think about Adkins (as they'll be fighting to save his job) and (b) how much Adkins has learnt in terms of tactics, team selection etc to see out a job. Anything less than three points will mean changes afoot.

Excellent rousing stuff! If only you were in dressing room before the match tomorrow, we would cruise home to a splendid victory.

What they achieved in the past (or not) has nothing to do with their suitability NOW to manage Saints...i.e. neither are up to the job.

WGS and Hoddle?!?! Hahaha - yesterdays men. If NC is serious about taking the club forward then he needs to stick with Adkins or bring in someone of Benitez's level.

Led Zep - any gig. The 70's Earth, Wind and Fire gig at the Gaumont when they had Santana as support!

I played at the Joiners quite a few times 'back in the day' - great venue and as Turkish says, it has always catered for younger up and coming bands, so had a niche in the local music market and it would be terrible to see it go. If it's suffering falling numbers it's not alone - there are plenty of live music venues in and around the City and they are all competing with a dwindling market - The Brook, The Talking Heads, The Platform Tavern, The Concord Club, Soul Cellar, The Joshua Tree + many, many 'regular' pubs that put on live music. Look also at the social club scene - once the first choice weekend evening destination of the working class and key providers of musical entertainment...they're dying on their @rses because the general populace don't want to be seen in those places (despite their often cheap booze), they then can't afford to pay entertainers (or only pay enough for poor ones) and then wonder why nobody turns up! The reasons are many for the decline - cheap supermarket booze, big screen TV's at home, people too lazy to get off their butts and get out, some venues not advertising well enough, Simon Cowell effect, youngsters nowadays have more opportunity to practice music rather than just listen to it...etc. etc. But you can't blame the bands - why should they advertise for the venue and in particular, why should they always be expected to bring rent-a-crowd (I've never got that)? They've already spent a fortune on gear, rehearsed themselves silly, spent money getting to the gig, spent more money on drinks at the gig...etc.

What's the issue here? Article is pretty bland...nothing to report...move on.