Saint Fan CaM

Let me be the first to provide a really positive comment by stating that having Murty and Holmes back will be like having two new signings. In relation to Holmes, that's not too far from the truth actually.

Get down all you negative thinkers!!! We're due a win and it could be this weekend...why the hell not?! It's only Boothroyd and Colchester - at home to the mighty Saints. We'll show 'em. There - that's positive thinking for you. COYS! 0-0 draw it is then. lol

Clearly on the left wing and I think it might be sometime before he is challenged by Holmes for the place TBH. Personally I would even seriously consider playing him at CM next to Hammond actually (providing he showed commitment to track back) - I think he would terrorise defences in that role and more akin to his attributes IMO. James could be utilised as a RM winger, although I would prefer Thompson for his pace.

Given the current injuries and now Jaidi is in defence, I would go with the above meself...

Good signing (subject to work permit) and will solve a few headaches at the back. In terms of other signings, I think we might be seeing James alongside Hammond in future as our surprise playmaker CM. I think he has an eye for a good pass and is in fact not scared to take on defenders (e.g. Brum game). And from AP's comments I think he's impressed with him so perhaps AP has decided to hang back on that one and concentrate on a loan RM winger.

Err, if you're referring to the game, I don't play it...got better things to do. What is it with you - why do you find it so hard to comment on the subject matter without resorting to personal insults? This is a fans forum and my understanding is that its a place to represent your views on Saints. Of course I want to know why certain decisions are made at the club - I pay good money to be a part of it and its of great interest, so why not? Just calm down dear, its only a fans forum.

I am hoping that the club are able to notify the FA of intent and then get on and finalise a deal with the player(s) later than 5pm, ready for a next day (Weds) announcement. Straws.

I agree with you. The problem though is what value do you put on a player that transforms your team into something resembling success? A player that is able to enhance the fortunes of others in the team? And that's just half the picture - what about free agents where there is no fee, just the money needed to get them to play for the team? I have severe reservations about the make-up of the squad...it is peppered still with inappropriate players IMO...either players that are not good enough or have no confidence or are just plain not what we need right now. If we set-aside individual players for a moment and concentrate on the TEAM, I would suggest there is still significant work to be done. Jaidi will answer the questions at the back. Midfield is a major problem still without a strong playmaker and without some wide outlet either left or right. Saga seems to be here still, so I guess another striker would be a luxury and who knows, he just might come good. So in short, improving midfield is key to improving our chances of avoiding another disaster of a season IMO.

Nice sentiment in OP - I don't like what you say so you're negative and a troll. Jog on. The problem many don't seem to register is that it is not about spending big money on 2 or 3 big names. It's ALL about getting the balance correct in the squad and installing some pace WITH skill into the side. I guarantee that Lambert will have his worst season for 3-4 years here if we don't get the ball moving to him quickly. This does not take Prem or even CCC quality players in L1 - just players that are suited to delivering those attributes. However, I think many posting on here will have recognised the need to alter the team dynamic, because even against the poorest L1 teams we are looking lethargic at times. If we ever have to rely on the services of Wotton or Pulis I think its safe to say we will go down again. If AP cannot get the players then I would like to know why - perhaps its because Saints are a very unattractive prospect right now? If thats true then its up to ML and Nicola to ensure players are enticed by salary perhaps?

You may well be right and I hope you are. For me though, to rid this team of its losing mentality we need to see a sizeable number of players from the Dutch era leave and get replaced. Now, its a mark of ML and Nicola's intent whether they get replaced with better or worse.

Not atall IMO. Saga scored last...err, when was that? Spider might come good, but then again I am not convinced he has done anything of note to show he has what it takes for this league.

Still on -7pts and not winning or scoring enough. Things need to change - new players change things and AP's current choices are somewhat...ahem...limited.

Once again it seems us Saints fans will be underwhelmed - same old...

Good riddance to Saga I'm afraid. Part of the persistent problem - no passion for the team leading to sub-optimal performances and no goals. Can't afford to have a player like that whatever wages he's on.

LOL - v. good.

From 2008 ?!? Longer than Skacel and Jaidi put together! LOL.

Carsten Jancker? LOL... this from Wiki...not looking great and hope the rumour is not true. After poor performances, he was dropped in October 08, and agreed to join SV Mattersburg in the winter transfer window.[1] In June 2009 it was announced that Mattersburg did not want to work with Jancker any further because of his physical condition.

Carsten who? Source?

Looks like a load of dross speculation to me...

I will be disappointed if we finish below 15th to be honest. The team being assembled should be good enough to compete in this league - there's a particular ingredient that's missing and once that is sorted out we will start winning games and climbing above the real dog teams.

I don't miss the Prem too much. More than the Prem, I miss that feeling of going to a game knowing that there is every chance Saints will win and might score a hat-full of goals. The feeling that we will put in an extremely competitive performance. Hope and pride - something that has been missing now for far too long.

Depends what you mean by "quality" though. If you mean, players from Prem costing millions, then forget it. If you mean a player that has some skill and pace, is experienced in this league and can handle himself against tough opposition, then yes this is perfectly feasible. Money will only come into the equation when trying to persuade a player to come here in terms of salary/perks. There are some good players out there on frees.

True, although I think its termed emergency loans, so I am not sure how far this can be 'stretched'?

Completely agree P&M. I have stated before that its not about the money spent - its about the quality of the player in relation to the job at hand....i.e. the type of player needed to perform a particular task at the level being played at. It might also mean allowing the salary bill to expand a bit more to enable new players to come in before being able to off-load deadwood because contracts cannot be terminated. That's why I think Lallana, Mellis and Schneiderlin are luxury players that we cannot afford right now. We need pace and body strength on the wings and up-front and these guys do not provide that atall and they have been making up 30% of the team since day one. Something has to change for the squad to click more than it is and that is a new experienced striker and at least one winger. Actually, to think a bit radically, I think I would rather see Lallana played up with Lambert than see him on the wing.

Sorry - double typo there - should be ML. I do not think I was premature in my OP - I was setting out a hypothesis and a principle of sorts. I was simply hoping that we would not be taken for mugs again and thankfully so far it appears that we have not, although since the season started we are still underperforming due to not enough surgery being done to the 1st team in relation to the league we are in. And just to clarify, that does NOT mean I expect millions to be thrown at the problem - just enough to enable AP to turn the mentality of the team around or face a very, very difficult season. I have high hopes for today and the finishing touches to AP's plans.