Saint Fan CaM

Well I thought we looked OK, but for a sloppy period just after half-time - our improved defence switched off totally. Kelvin's distribution was awful and we played too much hoofball when we had two smallish strikers to aim at. Hammand and Schniederlin were not attacking central midfield areas enough. Overall the team didn't close down Plymouth quickly enough. Dickson is too slow to be a winger IMO, but he did an OK job. In terms of subs, I would have brought Lallana and Holmes on with 20 minutes to go and taken Harding and Connolly off. Put Dickson to LB, Holmes at LW and Lallana in the hole behind Barnie (because Lallana had the pace and skill to drill through the defensive wall). In terms of tactics, we always seem to try to pass sideways to the wings and then try to pass through the eye of a needle down the wing or hoof it forward. We never seem to move down the field as a unit, which is why we rely so heavily on Lambert to be strong enough to hold the ball up. Looking forward to see how AP shakes things up this coming week.

Oh dear - one game in and the doom-mongers are predicting the end. Let's just wait until 10 games in and reflect on where the season might take us at that time eh? Comment on the way the game went for sure, but to start to question AP's position is extremely premature IMO.

I feel sure there are sound reasons for the strategy regarding the press. It's a storm in a teacup and anyway, when the time is right and the 'ban' is lifted, they'll all be falling over each other to get a slice of the club's success.

Incredible - don't understand how idiots that boo can call themselves supporters. They're certainly not that - bleating girls would be more appropriate. We lost our 1st game of the season by 1 goal against a promotion rival - so what? It was an entertaining game. And while I'm in slating mode, the Northam should be ashamed - what a pathetic lack of noise generated from our 'kop'! Outsung by a bunch of rosy cheeked pastie munchers in green FFS. I challenge anyone to remember how many times OWTS song was sung...and as for the last 30 minutes of the game, where was the rousing continual chant that the team needed to spur them on? We were only one goal behind. I admit I sit in the Kingsland and so to fair you could say I have no right complaining, but those of us who like to sing rely on the Northam to start the songs off - it's the only way the stadium is going to get noisy because the lead will not come from anywhere else in the ground (now the Itchen North contingent seems to have been reduced). So come on those who sit in the Northam - you need to up your game on the singing front. You lead the rest of us will follow. (:

Great news. First of a couple of signings?

Yes, it would be great to get Antonio back - he had something about him and he gained much by being here. However, I am afraid to say I don't believe the rumour because it is exactly that - a rumour - and nowadays rumours tend not to be true. I know nothing about the other boy - Phillips. Still concerned we don't have a player to challenge Spiderman and Hammond.

Right here, right now, I wouldn't swap Pards for ANY other manager - even one out the Prem. He is the right manager for this club because he's getting results, he's building his team and providing crucial managerial consistency which is supremely important at whatever level you're playing at. If we're to get out of this league, he's the man to do it - I just hope that he is getting the right level of support to sign another decent CM otherwise our hopes might be very easily dashed.

Yes, I too think that NC is determined to keep reign on the finances and that some of the players discussed have not fitted in with those arrangements. We cannot complain about this - the whole game needs to be better regulated in terms of salaries, so NC is doing a good job to keep a lid on it. It's a concern for the season ahead, however I still think we've got a squad that can do the business this season providing fitness is not a concern. For me though, we really need to get another decent central midfielder as an absolute minimum.

Echo in "have a stab at Saints for any reason" shocker! FF in "I'm a bitter ex-freeloader" shocker! I am of course playing devils advocate a little bit. (;

Completely agree with this.

Having watched AP's interview on SaintsTV player, I have to say I interpret his words on transfers as meaning there will not be any more signings...i.e. his words were roughly "I don't want to harm myself or the club by discussing transfers". Or perhaps that meant "I cannot discuss this as I might reveal my disatisfaction at not being backed with further investment in players even though we're short due to injuries"? He even mentions losing his job at West Ham because an injury to a key player affected results. I might be wrong, but I am starting to believe we'll not see anymore signings for some little while. By the same token, I also think the injuries to Lambert, Spiderman, Lambert and possibly Lallana also, are somewhat fabricated to keep them safe and away from scouting clubs etc., so perhaps it's not all doom and gloom eh?

Does anyone care that much? I don't.

Do you know anything about the squad? Check out how old Pulis is, then comment again! Suffice to say, if he has progressed to his current level when at the peak of his professional career age-wise, then I think it's time he hangs his boots up and gets a proper job. And for all those that say enough is enough - NO IT'S NOT! I paid good money to go see the ONLY home friendly game of the close season and I expected the club to play a team of decent footballers, even if that meant playing some of the best Academy guys. At least the youngsters had a go - Pulis was so poor and contributed so little that to be honest he was just a spectator - the freakin' ball boys saw more action! He has done nothing to deserve that amount of time on the pitch at SMS and I truly hope that he is released as soon as possible.

Good post. I agree to an extent with the Prof too on this one. I have considerable concerns about the depth and strength of the squad at CM...Wotton and Pulis as cover for Hammond and Morgan?!?! In those positions alone our season could be significantly shot to bits if we they get injured or suspended.

Dia and Todd were better footballers or at least were able to do better impersonations!

Doubt the accuracy of the OP to be honest. I cannot see AP going if we're doing well - no way. There are a number of people who loved being 'friends' of the old regime and don't like being on the outside now. Sour grapes talk IMHO although there might be some mileage in the Waigo rumour.

Possibly the worst player ever to don a Saints shirt IMO. Shockingly out of his depth and I don't usually slate Saints players but for this lad I make an exception - he really is dross. He came onto the pitch with about 20 minutes to play yesterday and he touched the ball THREE times, one of which was a 'shot' that he shanked so badly the pigeons in the roof were disturbed. OK, perhaps me and my Nephew blinked and missed a kick...so perhaps it was four times he touched the ball. But he fannies around in midfield doing a kind of poor Wotton impression while the game completely passes him by. He runs like he's (still) got something stuck his @rse. How he get's his name onto the 1st team roster is beyond me - someone is doing somebody a HUGE favour - must be, there's no other rational explanation.

In terms of transfers (or not), this week could be extremely significant for Saints. If we do not sign a couple of good cover men (CM particularly) we could be staring at another L1 season before we even start this one IMO. Replacing Hammond and Morgan with Wotton or indeed Pulis will ruin any chance of promotion - we need central midfield cover urgently - (Jeez where have I heard that before) - and while Waigo would be welcome, he ain't the answer 'cos he's a striker.

Well me and the Missus are going. Nephew might be going too. Hoping for an entertaining match and one where we will look equal to Reading TBH. However I suspect Rasiak and Antonio will do us - it's the law.

Wow that lad looks really handy - break play up skillfully, can cross the ball and can distribute really well too. Sign him Pards!

He is exactly what we need at the heart of our midfield. Passion for the club and the City and a damned good creative midfielder who is at the peak of his game at 27. I would love it if we were to sign him, but it isn't going to happen IMO.

How the hell do you know that AP has not identified all the targets he wants, but for a variety of contractual reasons NC can't do the deals? These types of comment are completely over-the-top and unfounded - wait until the season starts and if we're still lightweight then perhaps we can all have a coronary, but until then chill FFS.

Absolutely fantastic post.

We could do a lot worse than get this guy, however I don't think he fits in with AP's plans - not the type of player AP would sign IMO.

I would suggest that AP really is stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to talking about new squad additions. Clearly there are targets, but he's not got hold of the purse strings and so really its a case of expectation management. He cannot say "we're looking to spend a whole pot of money to get the players we want" - he has to be quite cagey. Let's not get concerned...I fully expect us to get 2-3 players in, but it sounds like we may have to wait a bit longer and perhaps even right up until the season starts, to get the man/men AP wants.