Saint Fan CaM

Yeah, but do they need another laundry assistant? (; LOL

Might well be a good acquisition this - I think age-wise he's in the ball park, but would wages be an issue?

OK, I'll accept that the stats make for interesting reading, equally though there are certain aspects of pre-season friendlies that can be considered as indicative of adverse issues that need to be addressed...i.e. it's not just about improving fitness - there's a performance element to assess also. You say you think we already have about the 7th or 8th best defence in the NPC. How did you arrive at that conclusion? If you can provide a sound rationale, then my view might be changed completely actually. So far in this thread however there has not been one sensible explanation of why we should not be concerned about the effectiveness of our defence.

I've dealt with the we're OK, because we were OK last season myth. While a pre-season friendly may not be the be-all and end-all of a teams preparation, it does provide the gaffer with some information about his squad. I cannot imagine that Adkins is wholly pleased with the performance played out by the back 4 combination whoever was playing. You need to look at how ALL the full-back and ALL the CB's are progressing together to get an holistic picture. We're sound in midfield and looking sharp in attack. Defensively you can see we're not prepared yet - it might be just a top CB is needed - or it might be more fundamental issues.

So what you're saying is, we don't need to worry about this season because L1 is a perfect benchmark to assess the ability of our back 4 to deal with the NPC? I say this is potentially wrong for so many reasons, but to re-iterate just one - stamina. Opposing forwards in the NPC will be able to sustain pace and accuracy of attack for longer than their L1 counterparts. I hope the defence coaches are doing more than looking at those stats and then putting their feet up! It's fine though - we all have differing opinions, even if you like to live yours in la-la-land! lol Seriously though, we're agreed that we need a new top CB.

Thank you RobM for understanding what this thread was supposed to be aimed at. Back on track I hope and please people, don't just slate an opinion...try and explain your own if that's not too difficult. Who know's, you might convince others you've got the right point of view?!? Again, to re-iterate the issue. We had a great last season defensively eventually...the stats say so (fine if it leads to a win and 3 points). But next season is different. The quality of attacking players is much higher - the pace is much faster and consequently harder physically so stamina will be MUCH more important. In short it's going to be a different ball game next season and I fear for our defence. Even Fonte is prone to getting dragged out of position (and expend more energy) mainly because he has to cover other players - Martin is not ready, Seaborne is not good enough to be anything other than backup and Jaidi, while having the competency, will not have the physique now to match his experience. We are desperate for at least one if not TWO CB's. With the right coaching and tactical instruction, I think our full-backs might just cope.

OK, right off the bat I want to make it clear I'm not slating any one member of the squad here. However, I think a little reasoned debate about our defensive line-up would be a good thing and in particular the type of players that we've got across the back 4. Please try and keep an open mind when posting - don't slag off others opinions - just state your own so we can try to get to a consensus. The key issue is this : we have striking options all over the pitch now - we don't have many problems scoring goals - but unless we have an iron solid defence we will be punished time and time again by at least 10 teams in this division. We need to improve - but where? The first article of evidence I would like to offer up is the Yeovil game. Twice we went ahead - we dominate the game against a team we should be streets ahead of if we're to gain promotion - and yet we can't put the game away. Why? I know it will be said this was only a warm-up friendly, but that's no excuse (and Adkins displeasure would reflect that too). Making a slip against a prem team like WBA is forgiveable - not a team at Yeovils level surely? There are no perfect answers to this dilemna IMO. I would like to think bringing in another quality CB to parter Fonte would do the trick, but is this the only issue? Is there more to it like poor coaching or the mix and balance of styles or is it a collective thing where the overall competency of our back 4 is just plain low? Is it because we are so attacking from midfield on, that our defence gets little assistance and cover? Whatever the problem(s), it/they need sorting out because I would argue that at the moment the signs are that it will be our defence that will let us down this season. Over to you.

Will be going and taking my two lads up with me. Will probably take the coach as it's got to cost more than £75 in fuel and we can all have a tipple or more. (: Will be the furthest I've travelled for an away game actually - can hardly believe it's only two weeks away! 0:

What the hell are they doing? 1-1 against Yeovil FFS - Adkins out! (;

And?

Get rid of the woosh and bang thing please!

I think it must have been you who crushed my mates sunglasses that fell on the ground in the chaos that ensued! lol

Yep - I'm an ST holder and so get to most games, but it gives me an extra Saints fix when I need it. Also, if I'm away on hols I can still keep in touch with news and interviews etc. What would REALLY make it great though would be live game streaming - not likely I know, but nevertheless that would be awesome.

The last game at SMS when we were confirmed as going up and SMS was more alive than I'd seen it for years. We will look back at last season as the springboard to better times and the resurgence of the club as a major force in UK football.

1. Flippant.

Yes, yes, yes, yes. No.

Kept me seat. When you get a seat as good as mine you don't give it up easily. (:

No. He said he'd been his mate for the last couple of weeks, taking him from his hotel into town. The club will have wanted someone to buddy up with him to show him around etc. and make him feel at home and Cork got the duty. Would have thought this would be down to Hammond or Kelvin, but perhaps as they're family men? Or perhaps Cork is staying at the same hotel as him at the moment - that would make more sense?

We should NEVER sign a player with a surname like that...never. That is all.

Mmm, this season is going to be a very tough call. There will be some big surprises at both ends of the table I feel. We could have a good but not spectacular season and finish between 8th and 15th with the squad. Sign a top CB who really connects with Fonte and you can notch that up 4 places though.

Cannot see Cork and Morgan starting together. If anything it will be Hammond and Cork.

All round I would chose Davis. Bart's is OK, but the mistake tonight was an extremely poor and fundamental error for a goalie which left me with concerns over his handling - OK it was just once, but it was the nature of the error.

He's good, however it's the CM combo that's important and for me the best matched pair is Chaplow and Cork.

I don't what we paid for him (£1m?), but on tonights showing he's got to worth £8m at least given his experience in years. Seriously right up there with Chamberlain I would suggest.

We just need a top CB to partner Fonte - that's all and we've got a fantastic squad that can make a big impression on the NPC. I don't care if don't go up - I just want this squad gell, develop a strong team spirit and stay together. Slowly, slowly catch the monkey. (;