Saint Fan CaM

I said it at the beginning and I'll say again now because nothing has changed. It was a massive ask to get into the play-offs with the handicaps facing the team - we've had a good stab, but I still think it will ultimately be too much. Level playing field in terms of points and a good summer of development will see us dominate the top of the table next season I feel.

Not necessarily, but it would give us a significant option for an attack minded central midfield that does not exist with just Wotton sat on the bench.

To answer the OP, I've been saying for ages that Hammond and Schneiderlin do not compliment each other. Both too defensive when the opposition are in attack meaning that the defence is put under more pressure due to us playing too deep. Rarely will a play be broken up in midfield. If Hammond is to be the holding/defensive man, then we need someone better equipped than Schneiderlin frankly who is not living up to his price tag - what was it we paid for him - £1m I think?

Surely you've got that the wrong way around!? It's Morgan who was supposed to be the ball playing playmaker with goals in him. Hammond is a holding midfielder who happens to get forward when he can AND score goals too. Easily the better player. As for Prutton - I always liked him. Why? Because he played for the shirt and gave his all - he loved Saints and disliked what was happening to the club. I actually used to like listening to his radio show too. He played at the highest level (albeit briefly) and is good enough for L1 or CCC at least. Would he be right for the team now? No, because that's not the type of player we need. Stock is and if we're serious about a challenge for the play-offs we need to get someone in of that ability into midfield.

Rather have Holmes in the side than Scheiderlin at the moment certainly. He has only good things to say on the OS too - comes across very well and he has been a good pro waiting his chance and not throwing his toys out like some do. Welcome back.

Don't need to read any more threads - this is the way I feel and the right way to feel IMO.

There is no need to slit wrists, however the simple fact is the 1st team is STILL not balanced and settled yet. It is essential that AP sorts out the midfield properly and ensures that Lambert has a good natural strike partner. We have players that I would class as 'luxury' - Lallana, Waigo - not really strikers and not really wingers. Antonio and Holmes did one thing really well - they got behind the defence. AP really rates Holmes now and will play him more now.

Yes - unless AP sorts out the midfield completely we will always be having problems like this. I think 3 or 4 more games in and the defence will be better. But if you leave it 92 minutes to really threaten the opposition goal (and then rely on a lucky deflection) and don't dominate midfield, you're not going to win enough games in this league. Morgan has been too lightweight - he has tried to sort that out but now plays too deep, so is now not enough of an attacking threat. Other than Hammond, the rest of the midfield is not settled (and now he might be injured). I have changed my mind (again) now. AP urgently needs to make some big decisions regarding midfield make-up - particularly central. Morgan might be better in the CCC and when he's older, but at moment he's just not doing the business.

I suppose three new defenders meant that Saints reverted to type and went to sleep at the back. Sickening to give away a last minute goal, but could have been a lot worse.

What the f*ck - same old?

OH FFS!!!!! Typical Saints.

Saints 1-0!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agreed - a complete enigma. He has so many plaudits but does not really deliver.

3 minutes stoppage time.

Chelsea 7 up against Sunderland!!!

Waigo ready to come on - ref won't allow him to come on! WTF?!?!

We really need to get some pace into our forward line from the outset - we could have won this with a more dynamic midfield and pace up front.

Saints under much pressure - we need to really sort this out.

Schneiderlin is having a real mare today. Deserves to be dropped for a game.

Take a chance and sub Lambo with Waigo - could be worth it.

A little bit of luck here and we could nick this.

Antonio leading the line up front.

Corner Millwall. Davis flaps.

Antonio almost scores again! This guy is making a difference.

Fonte takes a booking.