Saint Fan CaM

And so somehow, now you are accusing me of boycotting games?!? Not sure how that works. LOL. Nice try, but I think pot calling kettle black springs to mind. Be happy.

I would agree that if we had a player of Littles ability, we would be laughing. I just get the feeling that AP rates LJ on the right in front of Murty and that's how things will stay. As I mentioned above, priority for me is at CB (Jaidi hopefully) and a CM playmaker (who?).

The one position that must be sorted out is Wotton's - he is nowhere near good enough in terms of distribution and in my mind does not contribute much to the game other than look a bit mean. Both he and Schneiderlin sit back far too much when playing together so central mid-field is left empty and there's nobody to attack that area of the pitch. MS is a better player and can act as a holding CM - therefore we need a CM playmaker - someone who is tough, but can take the ball from box to box if necessary or get the wings working. Don't know who might fulfill that role that is available for transfer though.

Do you not think that Murty can do that on the overlap? I think that's the plan with James at RM - I thought they looked good working together and starting to gel as a force on the right. Murty can deliver a wicked cross into the box as he's shown on a least 3 occasions (one which was absolute quality where Rasiak scored v Hearts).

I've explained enough already, but I think the easiest way to answer your question is to simply say that for too many seasons we've been subjected to a strategy that saw our best players leaving and worse players coming in. That has culminated in the fall down the leagues. Each season we all pay up for our ST's in the hope that this trend will reverse. When I posted the OP, it appeared that history MIGHT be repeating itself once again. Thankfully MK and his management team have acted to show us all that they mean business, so while we've yet to see a pre-season of strengthening (which hopefully we'll see in the future), we can take immense amount of hope from the actions of the last week or so.

Sorry KP but I'm not reading back through that lot again! I understand your point and maybe I did misconstrue it. It does not lessen the feeling I had when I posted (sometime ago now), that I had just renewed my ST without knowing what team I was going to be watching this season and that was a recurring theme from...well goodness knows how many seasons! Of course since then we've seen some positive movement in the players coming in and as I have already said, I think we can now feel very positive and confident that the management team have more than just words to say - that its not Lowe-isms and Wilde-talk all over again. We're starting to see thankfully that they really do mean business. Which I wholeheartedly applaude and support - of course!

Don't be stupid - you wouldn't know this of course, but I was probably one of the first suppporters to renew this season. So absolutely nothing to do with being a "true supporter". And of course this matters, otherwise the club would have seen 32,000 bums on seats during the darkest hours of Lowe's regime, but it didn't. Were you there? I was and I didn't like what I saw as a result of the strategies employed...if I thought the same was happening under MK, I would have every right to complain and I would. And so would any other caring supporter paying money into the club. A supporter is a supporter - there are no "uber fans" - not even you dear boy.

Well I have to agree that the Murty and Lambert signings are what we've been waiting for and if this is a sign of things to come, then I am obviously very pleased indeed like the next man. If the strategy of buying the best players in the current league and the one above is maintained, I have no doubt in my mind we will be competing right to the top of the game. Exciting times indeed. However, when I wrote the OP there was no sign of these signings and as I said, AP was starting to say things that were remotely familiar with the previous regime like "we'll have to play the kids". I don't know, perhaps it was just some kind of mind-game on AP's part. It will be nice one day however to be in a position of knowing what players are leaving and coming PRIOR to ST renewal time.

Post of the day - nail hit firmly on the head and I agree completely. I think also that AP does have time for him, but he needs to up his game or risk being overshadowed by other incoming players.

Yep - agree with the OP. I was stood under the Kingsland drinking my pint and reading the program when I looked up and suddenly recognised there was a buzz about the place that I don't think I've heard in some time. It definately hit me as an upbeat atmosphere that really felt good. Long may it continue.

That's exactly how I am starting to feel - I have tried to suppress huge feelings of positivity as we've been screwed so many times in the past. Now it really feels like we're on the way up and there is some ambition, albiet in L1. I just hope it all works and AP can get us right up in the mix by the end of the season. And when we finally return to the CCC, I just hope Markus continues to support the Chairman and AP.

Got meself two tickets for tomorrow night. I would think that Lambert will be thrown into the mix as it will be a great opportunity to get him gelling with the team before a league match which must take priority. This game is almost like an additional pre-season friendly in that sense and it will be interesting to see how AP plays it in terms of team strength versus risking injury. I just wonder whether overall strategy will be to not worry about this game atall - will the players be told not to risk any big challenges for example?

Come on Tic Tacs - I've got work to do here you know...this is really not on keeping us waiting for the next installment!

Great news - can't wait to see him in action.

Not heard his name before - should I feel remotely excited about this? Serious question.

Oh dear - I don't know whether to feel relieved that we've not signed a couple of young no marks or hacked off a rumour has not come to fruition! I just hope AP has a couple of decent experienced players up his sleeve.

Trouble is, 100% of a Wotton or Pulis level performance might still not be enough to do the business. However, you're absolutely right - I will be extremely hacked off if the team is not well prepared and looking not up for it.

Thanks.

Oh FFS! Some of you guys are such negative soft girls...give them time to sort it out...its only been a week or so. My subsciption went through seamlessly and I think it looks really good. Rome wasn't built in a day!

Have to admit its grown on me a bit, but I'll not be buying one. Its miles better than the grey monstrosity. Problem initially with the blue - too close for comfort for me, but someone above mentioned it being too dark! Any lighter blue and it REALLY woudl be getting too much like our smelly neighbours.

No, time did not go backwards - that is in fact impossible. Although Lowe probably is kneeling at the foot of his bed right now praying it would. Thank you...I think... And no its not. Not quite. LOL. I wondered how long it would take. All done in the best possible taste of course. hehe

No. We have in fact been trapped in a black hole for the last 10 years (ish) and hence theory of relativity means it just seems like 2 weeks. HTH.

Too many girly apologists. lol

AP comes across as very top bloke in this interview - level headed - sensible. Dean Wilkins has something about him too - I like the fact he clearly has a good relationship with AP too - means he understands what the gaffer is THINKING, not just what he's saying....essential for a Asst. Mgr.

An absolutely first class post Phil and exactly what I was about to type, so thanks for saving me the effort. I would liken the present situation to one of us going into an Apple store to buy an i-phone and then 6 months later someone telling us that we have to have it downgraded in specification because the design company over-reached its design budget to provide a better product. It wouldn't happen because there are consumer laws that protect us. So where's the protection for FC supporters from poor FC management?! Yes, there needs to be sanctions against excessive spending and poor financial management, but not in a manner that hurts the life blood of the sport - the supporters.