alpine_saint

On another Saints site, the editorial is suggesting that AP might not have been behind the loan of Goolie. I assume the inference is that this is an NC-inspired signing, what with the Italian connection... The same piece reminds of a similar loan last season, Papa, who although he definitely brought something to the team, enhanced our options and scored goals, was not permanently signed despite an option to do so; the word being AP didnt take to him and he didnt take to AP. When you consider how sparsely he was used, his goal return wasnt that bad. The AP-Papa situation may have been driven mainly by a personality clash; however, it is equally possible that the personality clash was caused by a reluctance to play him from AP. The question bodes, therefore : Are we sure we are going to see a lot of Goolie, or are circumstances different this time and we will see him out of sheer desperation ?

I just hope next June, when there is no World Cup, that people either STFU or stop and think before slagging off those who criticise that the club essentially goes to sleep for two months and does f**k all about transfers and team preparation for the new season until the beginning of August, because we clearly have got it wrong as it stands today....

4 games. More if you count probably the worst pre-season in years. But WTF, I am sure this mystical "click" will occur before Saturday.... ..or maybe the next Saturday... ..or maybe the Tuesday after that...

I didnt bother replying to it because he said not to. Suffiice to say I find it loaded with excuses and at least one untruth.

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You dont understand the tetchiness considering how late its being left and how much is riding on him getting it right ?

Loans vs. permanent or vice-versa ? There was a specific point about the balance between the two being made.

Possibly, but unlikely, considering the state of finances in football.

Fair enough, makes sense. Lets hope you are right. Does make you wonder what pre-season was all about though.

He didnt lie and he said "please".

Do you see a contradiction in the point I've highlighted ? I do. OK, we had Antonio and Papa on loan, but we have not secured the services of either permanently or found better players.

Nope. Would settle with a new CM (or Goolie turning out to be good) and cover for Rickie. Between Puncheon and A O-C hopefully we can hold our own on RM, even if it needs a substitution every game. Would prefer that someone is brought in there though.

Sarcasm is all thats left when you are wrong, isnt it ?

See my comments above.

And I am looking forward to having my concerns eliminated. Lets just hope the Italian FA get their act together.

What, the loans that have left us with these f**k-off great holes in the squad in the first place? I dont like loans, and I have given my reasons. Their agenda is completely selfish.

He cant bring in anyone else until May ? What happened to the January window ?

I expected the trend set by the signings of Lambert and Fonte to be continued. Proven players in our game at a similar level.

If the manager is talking openly about risk it means he is uncomfortable and is covering his own ass. Not only does this suggest to me that maybe this has been pushed by NC without him being 100% convinced, saying its risky in public cant have done the player a lot of good either. Therefore I am uncomfortable, and in my opinion justifiably so.

At least three counts of playing the man and not the ball, and some complete untruths, like me moaning about the defence. I only ever referred to replacements for Antonio, Papa, cover for Schneiderlin, second goalkeeper and maybe cover for Rickie. Not the defence. Also that I moaned in the PL. I never frequented this site or its forebears back then.

I saw where you cut the quote off. Very convenient..

Nope. Proven track record of goalscoring at this level. Nothing to do with AP Nothing to do with AP Who ? Yes, but he's going to get one wrong at some point. Law of averages. Low risk for club, not low risk for promotion or AP. When your job is dependent upon promotion, not so clever ploy. U What ???

I've done some of my best work in a missionary position.

What work regulations ? If you are an EU citizen you can turn up there without a VISA or work permission and apply for jobs once you are there.

That doesnt prevent me forming an opinion on what is available. Pardew himself has called Goolie a "risk". Doesnt matter how hard you try to ignore that little fact.