Saint Fan CaM

What is a "no 10"?! The issue was who would play in the central midfield position in front of two deeper lying CM's. It's never been Lallana or Guly to the best of my knowledge. Chaplow is far more capable in that role - he knows the centre of the park and can attack the box - with pace. I'm not confusing anything. As I've said above, Lallana or Guly don't play that CM role in a 4231 formation...why? Must be a good reason. And I would argue that with Lallana out on the left, Oxo OR Guly on the right (as he normally is), Chaplow would be the best player to link the deep CM's with the striker(s) as he has the ability to get back and defend the CM area if Lallana or Oxo/Guly get forward. If we play at home, I would not advocate 4231 anyway.

Sorry, but I can't agree with that nuts statement atall! Particularly wrt Chaplow who has a great box to box motor and if you watched him carefully last season, you would see that he was one of the first players to attack the opposition penalty area (typified by his excellent goal against Manure). And if Guly and Lallana would be best at CM, why are they NEVER played there? It's because either they're not suited and/or we have better options - like Chaplow and Hammond for example!

It's pretty exciting thinking about the depth and quality of the squad in midfield and attack this coming season. It will be interesting to see how Adkins manages the likes of Hammond, who despite being Captain, may not be the obvious 1st choice at NPC level. Having said that, what we do know is that when injuries and suspensions start to dig into the squad the position will look different. I think the 4-2-3-1 system will work particularly in away games, however a more 4-4-2 shape with a strike partner for Lambert might suit home games more. There are so many permutations - the midfield/attack might look like this perhaps... ------------- Cork Morgan OxO/Holmes Hammond/Chaplow Forte/Lallana ------ Lambert/Barnie/Guly/Connolly In fact, the more I think about it, the less likely it seems we will sign a striker (unless there are big concerns with Barnies availability post-October). The key gaps at the moment seem to be more at CB.

BT - watch this space.

It will take a club like Saints to drag English football back from the brink of despair - I really believe this. The likes of Manure and Chelski will not do it. Even Arsenal will not lead the way in the manner Saints will offer. The key though will lie with the English FA and their ability to change - to see past the 'names' - to rid the national team of the has-beens. Will it happen? I doubt it because there's too much money getting into the hands of people who have a vested interest in things NOT changing.

Thats harsh.

THAT...is a disgusting kit and one I would not wear if they were giving them away!

This is pretty much exactly my thoughts.

I agree that we will need another striker, but the way pre-season has shaped up, I'm not so sure NC will be sanctioning another player. It could be a waiting game for January to see how the squad copes as I am not convinced this season will be about 'going all out for the Prem'. We'll do our best to get there with the squad we've got obviously, but I doubt squad unity will be risked just in case Connolly breaks down (which I think is less likely than some seem to think).

It think this must be something to do with wanting to learn to speak French. It's not easy accepting that there are languages other than English, but it's not too difficult if you really try. The first word "Le" is formed by placing the tongue firmly to the roof of ones mouth and then saying "eh" which is exactly the same sound you make when you've not heard what your mate has said in a noisy pub. "Fondre" presents a trickier challenge and is outside the scope of this lesson, however further help can be found here... http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/ HTH.

With Connolly back to fitness we'll not be signing another striker perhaps. Lambert, Barnard, Connolly, Guly, Forte + Doble and the other kids. Can't see another coming in and disturbing the pecking order TBH.

I would wager we'll not start with Cork AND Schneiderlin - I'm not sure they will compliment each other and we'll lose any midfield battle as a result.

I've renewed this week and I know of one possible new ST purchase. I predict 14.5k ST's going before the season starts. HTH.

Great minds!

Yeah I agree - like keeping an ear to the ground in a tracking kind of sense? (:

Nice!

Sign up the Safari bloke - he's an animal. I'll me coat -------->

What's going on FFS??!?!? Anyone would think this team have never played together before............Oh.

How do you know this? Are you there? If so, will you be providing up to the minute commentary? If not, I want my £5 back FFS.

But that would imply he has a use.

You see, I just don't get this logic. For years I could'nt afford to buy a ticket or a ST to see Saints. Didn't stop me following them. Eventually I got a Membership and now I can afford a ST. Just because something is available, doesn't mean everyone has a right to obtain/own it and this is no different to watching a pro football match. Sorry if this sounds harsh.

I predict a considerable number of server crashes, lots of talk about actions to sort things out and ultimately nothing happening of any substance to make things better. Having said that, let's face facts here - £5 / year is not a massive amount of money to spend on a service that many of us enjoy the use of for a considerable amount of time and some of the whingers need to get out a little more perhaps. I have no problem with the MODing providing its fair and consistent. I do think though that full members should see some added advantage other than unlimited posts. One question for the MODs. Does the forum limit the number of accounts open to a given IP address? If not, I can imagine on match day that there are some posters who have more than one user ID open and then refresh each one over and over to gain 'quicker' access. If this is happening, it would be no surprise the forum (server) can't cope.

Jaidi was getting more than a little bored acting as the hurdle for the teams warm up exercises.

Blimey - Leicester sure are signing a lot of top players - they will be difficult to live with this season.

Our very forthright Chairman will ensure that we get a reasonable price for the trouble-maker or he'll end up rotting on the sidelines. Wouldn't be surprised to find out that he's not even allowed anywhere near the youth teams given his attitude and we don't need that kind of disruption on the bus.