Saint Fan CaM

Regardless of whether you agree with my idea or not, thanks for taking the time to comment on my post. It seems to be the norm on the forum lately, if you post a non-inflammatory, non-personal opinion about football in general, it is almost completely ignored. Unless you're one of the 'in-crowd' of course.

Saints to win 2-0...we'll be too much for them. WIFM. COYS!

Some of the issue is with the mentality of the observer. For example, pretty much the same players lined up against Prem Bolton when their players were arguably of a much higher calibre. Although we lost 0-1, our players played above their station - why? Because they have an exceptional Manager that they wish to play for and who gives them the tactical knowledge to combat their opposition. I have been pondering this issue a little further and while I admit I am not entirely convinced by my own argument yet, I have a theory. There are essentially two types of team that are successful in this league and the nPC in particular. Team A will be made up of a number of players that are much better than the league they are playing in - perhaps some these might be 'mercenaries' - but the general strategy is to plan for the next league up. Team B is made up of players that have got less ability but make up for it by bonding well as a team, having a real fire in their belly and are thick enough to believe their charismatic Manager when he says they are the dog's doodahs. I will leave you to guess which team we are and why sometimes we lose to the other type of team. Edit: Team B also have a following that KNOW they'll not be the next ManU or Chelski, so they're expectations are less and they don't boo their players even when they're losing. Team A's supporters on the other hand EXPECT almost instant success regardless. I repeat, guess which team we are!

Not disagreeing as such with anything you've said Prof, but how do you know AP has not requested new players, but NC has not been able to complete deals due to financial restraints in terms of transfer fee and/or wage demands? I cannot imagine a Manager not wanting the best players available to him in his squad, so why do you think AP should shoulder the blame for not getting in new players? Makes no sense to me.

I agree he would be a great signing at this level, but it would not happen - who would he replace...Morgan, Hammond, Wotton or Guly? As you can see we have our four CM's now and I do not think there is room for another in the budget with other positions a priority. Also, I do wonder about Hendries attitude and whether he would be here for the right reasons (probably a reason why he's a free agent now).

I would love it for Vassell to come here - a good highly experienced English player who has lost his way. In fact I wonder why he has been seemingly ostracised by English football - perhaps because of his penalty miss in the Euros...was it this that ruined his career, with the English game turning its back on him? Is the professional organisation that damning? Anyway, he would be IMO a fantastic signing at this level and one that could in fact galvanise the entire 1st team.

I agree completely with what you've said here, except I would suggest it's NEVER the best way! However, there are times I am sure when like any business, the CEO might consider a risk worth taking in order to capture extra ground on his opponents. These risks need to be measured and commensurate with the resources available. For NC and Saints I suspect that those equations are quite complex but simplified in the sense that don't need a bank to back the risk taking.

I would imagine that Harlee Dean will be the replacement for Pulis who I expect will be released next week?

Would be a very good signing. Wages would not be an issue if we signed him because I would trust in NC's ability to do a good deal for Saints.

Yep, overall I think he had a great day. His oppo on their left wing was taller than him (and their goalie launched many kicks that way in the 1st half), but Butterfield had him in his pocket pretty much all game in the air. It was only when they started playing the ball on the deck that we started to look a bit wobbly.

Well I would agree with you if there was clear evidence that AP told them NOT to win! Otherwise, if a Manager tells his players to go out and win it for Markus and then they don't get the breaks or some of them don't perform as they should, why should the Manager get the blame? Players cross the line and then it's their ability to play to their highest standard that determines a result - or to put it another way, Managers can only work with the players at their disposal. But hey, if you slate AP enough I guess as he's most likely to be sacked before the players, you'll be able to claim a know-all victory. Let me be the first to congratulate you on that.

What a load of twoddle the OP is. And FF's continued b!tching is somewhat transparent too. AP is one of the most coherent Managers we've had the pleasure of at Saints. If you think he's bad, (a) listen to Cotteralls post match interview today and (b) IF Cortese makes the massive mistake of sacking AP, then just watch the threads start to come undone and see what we end up with, because I would lay money on it being a whole lot worse.

Jaidi and Puncheon had particularly poor games today with the formers distribution really terrible. Puncheon needs to (a) get to the byline more and (b) look up once in a while to see what's going on and where his team-mates are - he's a shadow of his former self in the Dons. Overall the team played well - it was the one defensive blunder that let them score on their ONE attacking move. It's only the 2nd match of the season - it's not all doom and gloom. The boo-boys are a disgrace and I wish they would stay home TBH.

Exactly the type of central midfielder we've been crying out for. I truly hope this one is true - we would score hatfulls with this guy involved.

It is essential for the club and it's stability I would say. I will still support the team - I love my footie and I cannot imagine supporting any other club, so it will go on for me. I cannot imagine though that the quality of this team will not achieve the success we all crave this season, whether by auto or by play-offs we will do it. WIFM

Great story thanks. More of this please and less of the other stuff (you know what I mean).

Excellent post and this reflects my feelings entirely. Unfortunately reading further into this thread reveals the usual suspects descending into petty squabbles once again. Can't wait for Saturday now - I hope the lads are up for it. WIFM.

The trouble is surely that as fans we're far too fickle - if the team are winning generally there's a lot of positive noise and encouragement. If there's any semblance of failure - i.e. going one goal down - players get slated and there's a noose being prepared for the Managers/CEO's neck. Booing your own players or indeed any form of negativity is surely going to be counter-productive whether we like it or not. If you're a performer of any kind, having an appreciative and supportive audience through thick and thin is a fantastic feeling and will assist getting every last drop of effort and skill out of you. Conversely having your so-called supporters turn on you is hardly going to encourage you to work harder for the cause.

That would be a top signing and a good partner/replacement for Lambo. Unfortunately I don't believe it will happen. In fact I will be surprised if we get anyone other than a loan or two now.

Good stuff.

I agree with the OP. I like the outlet the forum gives me to vent my ideas, fears, concerns and indeed faith and passion in the club. More often than not though, I'll just read through a thread to find it descending into the usual personal vendetta's, so it seems pointless writing anything as my post will almost certainly be ignored amongst the vitriol. I often think that unless you post something on here that's abusive or highly contraversial you're just ignored. On a more general note, I wonder whether in the absence of decent rumours to discuss, all that's left to discuss for some is the negative stuff (the exception being Markus' untimely passing this week). The topics to discuss are quite limited - many have been done time and time again. So posters get bored and start abusing each other rather than stick to the topic. If you disagree, just write "I disagree - my opinion is..." - if you write "you're a mong for writing such rubbish" or similar, don't be surprised if you start WW3 on here. MODS need to recognise those types of posting habits and put temporary banning orders on anyone who writes in such a way - surely that's part of the deal we all pay for and sign-up to as full members? Otherwise what's the point of paying for use of the forum? Indeed, I would like to know whether any users have me on ignore - what would be the point in me paying my subs if no-one can read and contribute to my threads or posts?! MODS - is there a function that will allow members to see if they're on ignore? Perhaps as a mark of new found 'brotherhood' and mutual respect all 'ignore flags' should be reset?

I wish I could be there but work prevails. Thoughts will be with those attending - they're clearly expecting many 100's. This is a memorial service, so I would think this something arranged by the club rather than Markus' family?

Every game is a "must win". But we will not win every game - there will be no runaway teams IMO this season. WIFM

I suspect that if I need to explain that to you, you are probably a Sun reader?!

Great words - sums up how I feel too.