Saint Fan CaM

This is Saints - we are Saints fans and we have become used to mediocrity and low ambition from previous regimes. Therefore I expect nobody else to come in. However, in my mind these are the times when I look to Markus and Nicola to excite me and remind me that they are the new future of Saints. It is now that they can REALLY start to say - we're here and we're making a real difference for our supporters by showing some real intent. In this sense, I am hopeful.

I hope Schneiderlin rots on the bench if he doesn't move on - nothing against him, this is just the wrong league and team for him now. End of story - he must go to enable us to move on.

If Jaidi signs, I think we'll not see a RB sign as Thomas has shown he can cover that position, Jaidi will free up Perry who can play at RB and James can also drop back there in an emergency. It cannot be seen as a priority. A winger/striker or two will certainly be a priority. We might also see a load of youngsters go out on loan to lower league clubs. Saga will secure a CCC loan - a loan because nobody will want to risk so much on a non-scoring striker - he really has not shown enough (i.e. score) to warrant his price tag/salary. We might see Scheiderlin go out on loan or even get sold, but something tells me he will still be around at the end of today. Unfortunately, we will still see the likes of Wotton and Pulis here at the end of the day also sucking up resources.

Saved me some typing there - completely agree.

Lallana was just an example, but a key one. Actually, I think there is a good reason we played better without Schneiderlin dropped to the bench on Saturday and its for the same reason. We need the RIGHT players in the team for our current situation. If we were flying high brimming with confidence then Lallana, Schneiderlin (and Mellis for that matter) would be great luxury players that could really turn on the style, however that is not what we need right now. What we need is a strong creative central midfield and two pacy, strong, fearless wingers. That will provide us with the attacking opportunities to score and win. Trying to take the ball central all the time will result in one-dimensional play that the opposition scouts will soon latch onto (if not already) and throw 10 men behind the ball to stifle our attacks. It happened in the CCC and its starting to happen now.

Not to mention some of the unpredictable aspects of this league like the rubbish, in consistent refereeing decisions. There are too many variables in this league IMO to say with certainty we will be slaughtered - we're not talking about really class teams now are we?

We should take some time to watch carefully how Charlton are playing - hoof it, tippy tap passing or a mixture of both. In short, what is it about a club as close to imploding as Saints were that gets them playing the tpe of football that puts them at the top of the league? Their results would indicate there is something consistent about their play. They are the form team in L1, but I do not think they will slaughter us.

I really do not think it has much to do with amount of money spent. It is more to do with the type of players in the team. Lallana is a good player, but for our current predicament he is next to useless because he is being played out of position - AP is trying to make him into a winger which he is not. It will take some balls from AP to drop certain players to maximise the teams chances. He has dropped Wotton, so I am in fact a little optimistic he will sort things out.

I think Alpine was talking hypothetically so to speak. And he's right - the team's mentality is such that defending = hit and hope. Many clearances get punted upfield to the half-way line - there's no-one there to pick it upbecause EVERYONE is putting in defensive duty (because the team are scared of getting done in the last minutes) - and hey presto the opposing team just put it back in the mixer ready for us to make a defensive ****-up...just give it enough time and a ****-up will happen.

There needs to be a significant turn-around in results, in player attitude, but mostly in AP's team choice IMO. I do not think Lallana has a place in the team for example - he is a luxury player that will not help to turn results around at the moment. He is not a winger and cannot produce a consistently dead-ball delivery and that's something we need badly. With Lallana in the team we will continue to produce the type of football that will not close-out and win games. James and Mellis are OK players, but again do not add the skills that the team needs (although I think James at DCM with Hammond getting forward more might be a plan). AP needs to drop the players that cannot do the jobs needed and then we might see some results going our way.

I think this is largely true, however another relegation would see him depart and probably under his own steam TBF. Mind you, there would be significant ramifications to the overall club management structure if we were to dip into L2. Early days yet, but waiting for the collision is a sure-fire way to get hurt in business and I don't think Nicola or Markus have gained success by waiting for collisions, do you?

Mmm, I have a feeling he would point you in the direction of Stockport - in administration with 20 very young, trialist players in the squad that managed to perform against an experienced team that must be worth in the region of £12m at least. It's all about getting the right type of player now and ensuring there is some form of continuity, understanding and spirit in the squad that leads to some simple grit instilled to see out a frickin' one goal lead.

This was more about not capitalising on chances in the game, than giving away a late goal....i.e. if Lambert and Thomas had hit the back of the net rather than a post the late goal would not have mattered. But I know what you mean Tim - there is a deep seated problem with this team and their mentality.

That is utter rubbish. Saints really should have scored from open play - simple as that. You cannot play against this type of team at this level and expect to leave it to luck. Sorry - its not the refs fault - not the fault of the other team...it all comes down to poor play by Saints which needs to be sorted out.

Oh FFS - typical ****ing ******. Penalty - come on Kelvin - save this.

Come on Saints!

Three minutes of extra time. COYR.

Close enough...basically pretty ineffective.

Come on you reds!

Lallana breaks away - and guess what? Oh yes, he stops and waits for everyone to get behind the ball before doing anything.

Saints are starting to panic - FFS why can't we cruise a victory for once.

Stockport almost score - offside luckily.

Keep possesson Saints...make them work for it.

Come on Saints...you can do this FFS.

Free kick to Stockport. Oh no.