Saint Fan CaM

I would just like to offer up some advice to those that think we will storm the league and also those that are feeling nervous. It's the same advice. In our first few games, don't react to the scoreline or the result, but react to the manner in which the team played. The heart, the spirit, the togetherness and understanding, the consistency of playing style (i.e. did panic set-in), the nature of the substitutions. I just think that by concentrating on the above stuff, there will not be the usual elated highs or depressive lows spouted on here which lead to throwing of insults and petty squabbles.

Oh dear. Perhaps Gorrks might be a better option, who knows. Seems there's only rumour and no hard facts about the swap deal.

Indeed...fancy wasting one your three posts on that...

I tend to try to take the long view. Results are not so much of an issue - it's the manner of the performance. If I think the team have not given a toss performance-wise then I am likely to be in a bad mood. Having said that, a win certainly does seem to brighten the day somewhat - it enhances the feelings of optimism I guess.

Lard has a point to make and he's said it. And as he says, there are the usual posters who can only attack the OP rather than debate the issue - such a shame for this forum - it could be so much better without the *****y backbiting. Anyway - I'm truly looking forward to the season start (despite the rubbish kickoff time Sat.). I think the squad has the potential to surprise and delight, however (as my thread on the subject states), I feel there are unanswered questions regarding the ability of the defence to cope with the strength of attacking players seen in the NPC. Having watched NPC matches my view is our backline could struggle, although it is very difficult to predict I accept. A really good complimentary CB for Fonte will go a long way to helping the cause. Not worried about midfield or attack options atall - we have scoring potential throughout the side. Midfield looks very strong in particular now. I would be quite happy to finish just outside the play-offs with Pimpley and Brighton below us. Not overly concerned with going up this season.

Agree with this. It seems he will be a last minute signing.

Thanks for a reasoned answer - you've made some good points, although I am still not convinced that attack presents more concern than defence TBH.

As above...

Well, if you're truly Supersonic, I suppose it would have gone very, very quickly indeed! (; Highlight? Mmm, either the hate Lowe stand-up (shivers down neck time), or, Crouchy's pen against the Skates after the hand-ball. Insanely funny and celebratory at the same time! lol

I was thinking this morning that it would make sense that a more complex deal would be the reason for the delay in getting something announced. The QPR connection might have some legs therefore, but if he's been playing for them why should a work permit be an issue?

Hang on a minute - I've not said I am worried about anything. I have suggested that we should be concerned - yes - and tried to suggest that L1 stats do not necessarily provide cast iron evidence that everything will be OK in the NPC - yes. I have suggested that perhaps the pre-season performance against Yeovil, while not an absolute, could be indicative of an issue that stretches beyond a replacement CB - yes. If you look at my predictions for next season in those threads you will see that I am plumbing for just outside the play-offs - not a disaster. However, my point is that to consider a promotion push, we need to improve defence and what I was trying to do was to generate a debate on how we might do that. I am certainly not claiming to have all the answers, but I do believe the defence needs to be strengthened to achieve the aims of the club from this point on. Unfortunately, AS USUAL on here from the usual culprits, a debate is misconstrued as being either a chance to call someone a petty name (Benji) or to shoot down the poster without putting up a reasoned debate. To be honest you've provided your view which is fair enough, however I was hoping for a bit more of detailed analysis of how the back 4 operate. Just trying to get people talk about football which I thought was the point of a football forum? Oh well...

Err, actually no we didn't. Remember the Pimpley or Man Ure games? Towards the end of those games we were cut a new one because our back 4 were nowhere near as fit and agile as the opposition. That's the biggest difference between Prem players and NPC/good L1 players - stamina. I'm not a betting man, but I reckon most of the goals we concede in the NPC will come in the last 20 minutes of the 2nd half.

No you are not alone. It might or might not have been me thinking this too.

I do believe I am in the '3' camp. If the number 5 shirt is taken up by a top CB that slots in next to Fonte comfortably then it could be higher.

Good thread. I elect to vote in the key areas as follows... GK: Davis Defence: Fonte (potentially could be a new signing) Midfield: De Ridder Attack: Connolly (if he stays fit)

Personally I thought he got off lightly myself. Let's face it, if he'd actually managed to play some football the abuse could have been a whole lot worse.

Was it a Saints Web poster and why did he/she need to get drunk to say that? (:

Ron no STOP! Don't be fooled by the one eyed snake trick....there's no going back (so I've heard).

I've heard this too, but the upshot is that the sister gets the biscuit. True story.

Who gives a toss - let's sign him...money's no problem...we'll be out of this league this season anyway, so splash the cash.

He's rubbish - doesn't track back enough to assist the defence. And even when he does, he's too short to be effective. Leave well alone.

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.