Saint Fan CaM

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.

What makes you think the manner in which this evenings game has been set-up and played is considered a mistake? If we happen to win it will be seen as a success.

Well, it's only fair really...why should our reserve players get away with not experiencing that losing feeling...together losing as one.

I wonder how many poor Arse supporters have travelled along the M4? LOL

Ah but that was AFTER I posted surely? (; Actually...how many corners have Leeds had?

Oh boy, I hate Warnock so much it's not healthy.

Oh dear - sounds like we're struggling already - not heard anything from our strikers.

Surely this guy even at 35 is as good as what we have already or better with great experience?

Is this what this forum has come to?

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.