Saint Fan CaM

Got to agree - seems to be primarily populated by a few poster that know each other well or those intent on abuse and such like. Yes, the less ITK and actual exciting news coming out of the club, the less interesting the place is. I would like to know how many posters have others on ignore now - what's the point of posting if you're being ignored, so may as well not pay the money (but then the owner of the site - whoever that is - wouldn't want that I suspect). I visit here most days to check if there's any news, but of course nowadays as there is none I wonder what the point is... and I can't be bothered to post sometimes too. What I do find remarkable is the number of people who just watch but hardly ever post.

Based on my opinion that there are signs are that we're not going to be adding to the squad. There's not even a hint of this. I believe NC could be thinking that once injuries are sorted (e.g. Lallana, Richardson and Connolly), we'll have a strong enough and lean enough squad to mount a challenge. Huge risk of course, however I just have this gut feeling that more money will not be spent on wages at this time as the cash-flow probably isn't there.

I can confirm without a shadow of doubt, having seen the lad play football in last season's pre-season and Reading, that he is a liability rather than an asset. He would seriously do more for our team if we were to allow the opposition to field him as a 12th man. We were watching him closely warming up at SMS on Saturday. He fell over trying to kick or control the ball on two occassions under no pressure except from himself. I rest my case.

It looks like we'll not be adding to the squad anywhen soon - even with loans. Shockingly, it would appear that the likes of Pulis are even being considered as fair game when it comes to 'using assets'. I suspect that whoever is holding the purse strings, has absolutely the square root of fook all knowledge about football and hence is just looking at headcount rather than competency. Mmm, Saints as a commercial organisation are not alone in adopting this type of business strategy, especially when times are tough and cash-flow is king.

Don't know how anyone can slate Holmes because of injury - the worst of his problems came about because he put in a full blooded tackle and got pole-axed by a foul. He can't prove how good he could be unless he's given a run in the 1st team and right now, with his fitness back he's worth a shot because if Puncheon ever possessed a football brain, he has lost it currently. When Holmes came on against Colchester he immediately made an impact - and yes he does have some pace about him, but also is able to go around defenders WITH THE BALL!!! Likewise, Dickson appeared work well with Holmes...I feel Harding has a real problem finding a winning formula with Puncheon, but Puncheon is rubbish on the left anyway because he ALWAYS cuts-in and onto his weaker right foot. If only he had the pace to get to the byline or perhaps he should always be placed on the right to cut-in onto his left foot?

Mmm, first half very poor - all players = 3. Second half was a different story, although Lambert, Hammond and Puncheon should be shot. Holmes and Dickson were a breath of fresh air when they came on - Holmes far superior to Puncheon and I hope he gets rewarded with a start. Barnard was everywhere and considering he's carrying an injury apparently, he had a fantastic game. As others have said, we need a replacement for Hammond - someone who has the nouse to take the ball through the middle and provide some 'on the ground to feet' service to the forwards, or indeed actually puts a decent shot on target. Last word for the Ref and Lino on the Kingsland side => ******! We had a perfect stone-wall penalty claim for handball in the dying minutes of the 2nd half, which was turned down (Lino basically ignored it).

There is something wrong with him - he is not trying because of lost spirit or because he's still carrying an injury. Adkins needs to get inside his head and sort it out. I did wonder for a fleeting moment whether he was one of Pardews 'inner circle' drinking buddies and when AP/friends got busted RL got a dressing down but they couldn't afford losing him from the team. His whole demeanour is night and day different to last season IMO.

There...fixed it for you!

I understand the frustration. The never-ending churn of managers...the unfulfilled expectations, season after season (except last season, which was actually pretty good in comparison). We'll never really know the reasons why - they could be more complex than we think. Trouble is, boycotting at this time is going to do what? It's going to reduce the income to the club sure, but if many did it there would be less support for the team (assuming you make a noise) and that would potentially enhance the adverse results. Boycotting is a lose-lose strategy right now IMO.

Cheers Guvnor. (:

Fixed.

Look at his contribution SINCE that game. Scored how many? He needs time to sort himself out.

Lallana and Barnie. The rest of them leave me wanting more. Even Lambert this season so far - he's been a massive disappointment.

You have hit the nail on the head there mate - bang on centre. Lambert should be dropped, but will Adkins have the bullox to do it?

Needs a shake up - so team I would like to see start would be... -------- Davis Butters Fonte Martin Harding Ox-C Guly Spiderman Dickson --- Barnie Connolly Subs: Bart, Wotton, Puncheon, Hammond, Lambo, Seaborne, Jaidi

Simple fact is our squad has been weakened over the summer, whereas other teams that were there or thereabouts last season have all strengthened under a consistent Manager in the main. Same old story - poor sorry Saints don't come up with the goods when they're needed...sell out rather than improve.

In Prem it was often said of our team under Lowe's reign - "if you pay peanuts expect to get monkeys". Now I wonder whether it's more appropriate to say "if you pay monkeys a lot of money you're still left with monkeys". That's what it seems to me - let's face it Adkins got Scunny promoted with supposedly lesser players - AP assembled a bunch of supposedly top players for this league and now he's gone, well they've just lost interest now. Adkins has got a massive job turning this around...possibly needs 5-6 new players to go straight into the 1st team to sort things out. Of course that's not going to happen, so the task looks pretty much impossible and destined to fail. Gutting.

Not entirely convinced with the preparation thing. Do agree with the bench options though and I also think that the rest of the first team might react in a negative way just to the fact that these guys were not re-signed or replaced - i.e. "where's the ambition gone?".

Are you suggesting that Wilkins has spoiled the team Art? Perhaps not deliberately, but in a "too many cooks spoil the broth" type of way.

Yep, 0-4 under Pardew and no goals since. Speaks for itself IMO and for once I am in agreement with Alpine. What I am not so sure about is why that is so. Is it because AP was the glue that held the team together or is it something else, like AP had the presence to keep other members of staff at bay and away from the 1st team (i.e. Reed). Or something else???

Mmm, said stuff that I've heard a thousand times before. Not that I don't believe he's saying what he feels is right - it's just that there's only so much deja vu one can take. Someone iterated my fears on the match thread by suggesting AP was the glue that held this team together and I am not convinced that NA is made of the same sticky stuff AP had. And that means he needs to take this team apart and start from scratch when we don't really have enough time for that IF this season is going to be a success. The deja vu will be complete when we're struggling against the tide come Xmas and NA is replaced because NC's patience runs out (or Reed has a little word in NC's ear).

Is anyone else feeling deja vu from the Lowe days in the CCC? It really is starting to feel like it's all happening again - lots of effort and focus on the youth and academy and no-where near enough investment in ensuring there is consistency and quality in the first team. NC may swear blind that the first team manager is getting no interference, however I do wonder who has NC's ear - for example when it comes to whether to bring new players in (or not). What I do know is that something is wrong - something has changed - and it seems to be too much of a co-incidence that the rot seems to have set-in since Reed stepped through the Staplewood door.

Jeeezzz. How the hell can it get so bad so quickly FFS? Incredibly bad performances and there is no way anyone can call our team the best in L1 now...

What a load of bowlocks - this team has completely been ruined by something or other. Surely Lallana is not the glue that held the side together??? FFS.

Fonte AND Puncheon are both playing rubbish it seems.