brightspark Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have made six signings since the arrival of Pardew and the Swiss. Just to recap, these are Harding, Murty, Lambert, Mellis, Hammond and Trotman. As everyone knows, there are 11 men in a starting XI. Harding - has proven he is good enough for this league. did well in championship last year. Murty - he is certainly good enough for this league, despite age Lambert - best forward in League One Mellis - quote by Chelsea fans "he's way better than league one" Hammond - Captain of two league 1 clubs, proven to be a high standard league one player. Trotman - Impressed in League One with Oldham, PNE think he is worth a 500K signing. Then we have Kelvin Davis. Best Goalkeeper in League One. So we now have SEVEN players who are good enough for a team to come in the top 2 of this league (if we didn't have a points deduction). They may take a couple of games to gel, but by the time we face Colchester (or near then at the very latest), we should be winning pretty much like a Man Utd/Chelsea of League One. Questions to be answered in this thread: 1) With 7 Great Players for this League, will we start winning games frequently from Saturday onwards? 2) Has Pardew got the right men in? 3) Are the other 4 (non-new signings) so sh*t that they are the reason we are going to continue to lose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I will beleive they are good when I see it,I hope you are right because I can't take anymore games like Swindon,that was a big step backwards. Players are always highly rated elsewhere but seem to turn to sh1te when they get here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notnowcato Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Teams are not made overnight. Give it a time to gel. You've been a SaintsWeb member since November 2006 and yet your freds leave a little to be desired... (smiley, winky thing) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have made 6 signings and we need 6 more in order to have a winning team. Our current crop of players from Lowe's legacy ARE rubbish - both on the pitch (most are League 2 standard) and mentally - that we need replacements. 6 players bought in = 4 available and 2 injured throughout a season. A team is 11 + 5 on the bench. We need enough good players to therefore fill those slots and cover 4 injuries to decent players as a very minimum requirement. Our crop of youngsters failed to deliver bar a couple. All our best players less KD (Surman, Rasiak, Sagga, John for example) have gone or are likely to. We need an AP selected squad of 20 odd players, not 7 or so AP players and 13 odd from Mr Lowe's time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_bert Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 They may well be good enough if utilised corrrectly. For example, for all lamberts natural scoring ability, why isolate him up front on his own like we did Tuesday night? Pardew needs to drill the team quickly. And he must get the basics sorted.FAST!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red&white56 Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 If these signings are as good as they are supposed to be then yes, we should start winning games. I've ony been to the Milwall game, so I've only seen Murty and Harding, the former looked OK and the later looked good. Reports from other games suggest that have continued to perform reasonably well - but we lost both games in a poor fashion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Questions to be answered in this thread: 1) With 7 Great Players for this League, will we start winning games frequently from Saturday onwards? A good experienced manager signing good quality players must mean almost inevitable success I'd say - next Saturday or not it's just a matter of time . 2) Has Pardew got the right men in? You've answered your own question when you reviewed AP's signings . Don't underestimate the importance of Dean Wilkins to the club either . 3) Are the other 4 (non-new signings) so sh*t that they are the reason we are going to continue to lose? The heart of the matter - I don't accept that players like Lallana/Mills/Paterson/Gillett are 'sh*t' in this league , they've just gotten used to getting beat too often and being under pressure rather than dishing it out . The task in front of Alan Pardew is to turn good players into a good team , I'm confident he'll do just that given that most precious of all commodities - time . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have made 6 signings and we need 6 more in order to have a winning team. Our current crop of players from Lowe's legacy ARE rubbish - both on the pitch (most are League 2 standard) and mentally - that we need replacements. 6 players bought in = 4 available and 2 injured throughout a season. A team is 11 + 5 on the bench. We need enough good players to therefore fill those slots and cover 4 injuries to decent players as a very minimum requirement. Our crop of youngsters failed to deliver bar a couple. All our best players less KD (Surman, Rasiak, Sagga, John for example) have gone or are likely to. We need an AP selected squad of 20 odd players, not 7 or so AP players and 13 odd from Mr Lowe's time. I'm sure more players will come in, Robbie, but I don't think the players already here are rubbish - not all of them anyway. Their confidence as players and as teammates is shot to hell, certainly. But there's some talent out there which has simply forgotten what it's like to win, or how to be part of a winning team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brussels Saint Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 What's encouraging looking at the players signed, is that AP has clearly understood where we desperately needed to strengthen and as you mention, on paper those signings look to be pretty decent. We can complain about how long its taken, but lets face it, none of us really know the specifics involved in signing players or how long it takes, plus AP obviously needed to get a good look first at what he inherited. Overall it’s hard to argue that after only being in the job about a month, NC and AP have actually got the right players in pretty swiftly. Now let’s get another CB, pacy striker & winger in, plus IMO, sell Rasiak, (give away) Pulis, Molyneux, plus loan Lancashire & White before the transfer window closes. At that point we can then judge AP on whether he can get the team to play as you can’t argue he does not have the players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorpie the sinner Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 The next step is to actually offload the dead wood and the players who don't want to be here!! we need a training ground where the spirit is good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowballs2 Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We need a massive outflow of the rubbish players (but can we afford to pay them off if nobody wants them on a free?) We then need a winning streak for confidence in those who stay. Get rid of those too who want away, they are no good to the confidence of the other players. I still think we will have an OK season, I am not normally an optimistic person , however, Pardew apart I think we will be alright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I'm sure more players will come in, Robbie, but I don't think the players already here are rubbish - not all of them anyway. Their confidence as players and as teammates is shot to hell, certainly. But there's some talent out there which has simply forgotten what it's like to win, or how to be part of a winning team. I agree with that Verbal. But, it is often better to move on a player who has lost that desire and ability to win than to keep him. Some of our youngsters deserve a fresh start elsewhere, but they are unlikely to lose the stigma of being relegation team members. We need a big clear out. Give me a player with desire and a point to prove over even some of our more skillful younger players from last season and I'd take the new man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 The next step is to actually offload the dead wood and the players who don't want to be here!! we need a training ground where the spirit is good! Agreed - which is partly what I am getting at. Lowe's legacy team members are still - and will always be - scared from their previous experience in the mould of the losers that led them. Clear out is a no-brainer to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West End Saint Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Confidence is all our squad needs would like to see a couple more come in and whoever is going get gone so AP can build some togetherness and spirit with the players that have come in and some of the squad that was already here we have enough for a very good side in this league they just need the confidence and belief that comes from winning massively important game tommorow a win and everyone starts believing we can do it lose and the doom mongers will have a field day and it will knock the little confidence the team has PLEASE can we have 3 points and get this season started coyr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJD Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have made 6 signings and we need 6 more in order to have a winning team. Our current crop of players from Lowe's legacy ARE rubbish - both on the pitch (most are League 2 standard) and mentally - that we need replacements. 6 players bought in = 4 available and 2 injured throughout a season. A team is 11 + 5 on the bench. We need enough good players to therefore fill those slots and cover 4 injuries to decent players as a very minimum requirement. Our crop of youngsters failed to deliver bar a couple. All our best players less KD (Surman, Rasiak, Sagga, John for example) have gone or are likely to. We need an AP selected squad of 20 odd players, not 7 or so AP players and 13 odd from Mr Lowe's time. We have seen bright sparks from the likes of schneiderlin and lallana and would be a loss to get rid of them. I cant believe that AP insists on playing wotton over gillet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRichmond Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I'm sure more players will come in, Robbie, but I don't think the players already here are rubbish - not all of them anyway. Their confidence as players and as teammates is shot to hell, certainly. But there's some talent out there which has simply forgotten what it's like to win, or how to be part of a winning team. Very good relative points ....... There was nothing actually WRONG with the Young kids last year ..... they all had ability AND confidence when they were "Blooded" The tragedy was that they were all Blooded "en masse" , and whilst, at the start, they were all playing good Football, they lacked a Frontman to finish off the moves ... ie GOALS As the season went on, their CONFIDENCE was drained away .... Alan Pardew has to now re-install their confidence ..... and once he does that, they will then start to play with the confidence, and no fear, as they did at the start of their baptism last yaer under Lowe's doctrine The Academy did work, and will continue to do so ..... as long as no-one destroys them by blooding nearly a full Team all at once We know that Alan Pardew is not daft enough to do that:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 The next step is to actually offload the dead wood and the players who don't want to be here!! we need a training ground where the spirit is good! Know what you mean thorpie......St Hallows graveyard is up for sale.... God bless those inhabitants[-o COYRs:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRichmond Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have seen bright sparks from the likes of schneiderlin and lallana and would be a loss to get rid of them. I cant believe that AP insists on playing wotton over gillet. I can't believe he play Wotton over a Training Cone ...... ...... Every Manager has his favorited ..........:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxfordshire_saint Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I'm happy with the signings, it's just some of the dross that's been playing with them that's the problem! I firmly believe, however cliche the phrase may be, that Holmes will be "like a new signing" if he can get himself fit, we desperately need the width and service he'd provide. I'm sure Lambert would thrive if Holmes was providing the ammunition off the left. Once Mills is fit too, the left side is sorted. Just got to get the right side worked out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 (edited) As I said yesterday I am enthused by the two new signings (and I can see what Lambert and the others offer), but before people get carried away I'd like to point out a few weaknesses in some of the six: Harding - lacks pace, doesn't venture forward much and I'm not sure he is all that in the air for a six footer - why is he on the post for corners I ask myself? Murty - small, slow, doesn't get forward. Is he actually better than James? Lambert - fairly static, doesn't seem to want to try and win every arial ball (let Rasiak fail to do that at Huddersfield) Mellis - pretty lightweight for a central midfielder, wonder if he can tackle, wonder if he can control a game - if you are playing centre mid than you need to be able to. Hammond - we'll see Trotman - we'll see Mind you as people have pointed out these players are going to have to be good to make up for Perry, Thomas, Wotton, no pace up front or out wide and no real plan other than to hoof it up to Lambert/Rasiak/Patterson. Edited 21 August, 2009 by Chez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 The task in front of Alan Pardew is to turn good players into a good team , I'm confident he'll do just that given that most precious of all commodities - time . Your post was spot on. The problem with our existing players is that they have become used to losing and are afraid to dare to win. Their confidence is shot. Pardew can utilise the new arrivals to his advantage by fielding all of them and tell the remaining 4 outfield players that they have the opportunity to claim those places as their own, that he believes they have the ability to do it with a bit of application. On that basis, we have a good chance of gaining a win tomorrow. He can then use the euphoria of the win to build on that confidence and tell the players that we might have turned a corner. Another win following on from that and we gain some real momentum and belief. The existing players are key in that if they can be motivated by the new arrivals who are winners and we will not be far off a decent team. But if they don't perform, they will be a hindrance and ought to understand that they will have to begin their development again back in the reserves. But Pardew really has little excuse if his tactical plans are as naive as they seemed to be at Swindon. We are at home, playing a team that we ought to beat with the players we now have. I'm certainly not expecting us playing a lone striker, but rather attacking them with width and commanding the midfield and getting balls in the box and to the byeline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMike Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 As I said yesterday I am enthused by the two new signings (and I can see what Lambert and the others offer), but before people get carried away I'd like to point out a few weaknesses in some of the six: Harding - lacks pace, doesn't venture forward much and I'm not sure he all that in the air for a six footer Murty - small, slow, doesn't get forward Lambert - fairly static, doesn't seem to want to try and win every arial ball Mellis - lightweight for a central midfielder, wonder if he can tackle Hammond - we'll see Trotman - we'll see bit harsh imo. and think you wrong on all counts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 As I said yesterday I am enthused by the two new signings (and I can see what Lambert and the others offer), but before people get carried away I'd like to point out a few weaknesses in some of the six: Harding - lacks pace, doesn't venture forward much and I'm not sure he all that in the air for a six footer Murty - small, slow, doesn't get forward Lambert - fairly static, doesn't seem to want to try and win every arial ball Mellis - lightweight for a central midfielder, wonder if he can tackle Hammond - we'll see Trotman - we'll see Murty might lack height, but I wouldn't call him small! Presumably you didn't see those two or three killer balls he put across from the byeline in a couple of the home matches? He seems to like getting forward, but is an experienced enough pro to know that he can only get forward if he has defensive cover behind him that enables him to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Harding Murty Lambert Mellis Hammond Trotman but are they better than Surman Skacel McGoldrick Euell BWP and Saejis from last season Only time will tell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 As I said yesterday I am enthused by the two new signings (and I can see what Lambert and the others offer), but before people get carried away I'd like to point out a few weaknesses in some of the six: Harding - lacks pace, doesn't venture forward much and I'm not sure he is all that in the air for a six footer - why is he on the post for corners I ask myself? Murty - small, slow, doesn't get forward. Is he actually better than James? Lambert - fairly static, doesn't seem to want to try and win every arial ball (let Rasiak fail to do that at Huddersfield) Mellis - pretty lightweight for a central midfielder, wonder if he can tackle, wonder if he can control a game - if you are playing centre mid than you need to be able to. Completely and utterly wrong about Harding, cannot get forward when there is no support from his MF partner (Adam headless chicken Lallana). Best player on the pitch for uson Tuesday. Largely incorrect about Murty (though will agree he is not quick). Probably agree about Mellis, but he should be played wider and not in CM, I suspect with Hammond that he will not be played there again. Lambert, well he may not be the most mobile, but you don't score 29 in a season if you are not very good, just needs the right service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Harding Murty Lambert Mellis Hammond Trotman but are they better than Surman Skacel McGoldrick Euell BWP and Saejis from last season Only time will tell To be honest I think the answer to that one is pretty obvious. Only Surman and JPS will be missed, and I think Surman was overrated (lack of pace was his biggest problem). JPS was also a bit of a liability at times. Harding makes Rudi look very ordinary as a LB. BWP, at lease we won't be offside so often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Grute Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I think you can add Perry and Holmes as two players that are good enough for this league- that gives us nine and only two more good players to find for a decent starting eleven!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I think you can add Perry and Holmes as two players that are good enough for this league- that gives us nine and only two more good players to find for a decent starting eleven!!! Perry has looked way past it so far this season. He was good last year and the year before while we were scrapping and hanging on for dear lives, but when you're going for the title we need someone a lot better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFC Forever Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 (edited) I agree that the harsh words are not merited. Murty has shown a passion and commitment that will stand us in good stead. He also seems able to read the game. Harding has done well and not even the best LB in the world wins every tackle. Lambert has never been a sprinter but he does know how to score and will for us. Mellis may be a good signing as he has shown he is not scared to take people on. Hammond and Trotman both come with glowing reports so hopefully will be as good as the other 4 or better. We could add Thomas to the new boys list having been out for a season. Holmes looked good, until injured, at times last season and could also be classed in the same group as Thomas. Mills also left last season and got half a years experience in this standard and has come back looking much more the player we hoped he would be. Find a striker and we have a team, With Kelvin in goal, that should be capable of winning plenty of games. We also have Spideman and one or two others that could flourish when the team has started to respond to AP and new signings. I agree that some like Ollie and Jamie could be better of going out on loan for a while. Oscar could be a sub and White, Mcclaggon, Gillett with Thomson all pushing for a place. Once the team has Gelled and begun to win we should be better prepared for the occasional playing of some younger players. It is always easier to play in a team with a winning mentality. MYSELF, I AM QUITE PREPARED TO GIVE THE TEAM A FEW GAMES TO GEL AND THEN START SHOWING US THAT WE ARE WELL ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY. COYRAW's Edited 21 August, 2009 by SFC Forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Grute Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I thought Perry looked good against Millwall, didnt play against Northampton or Swindon, so did you go to Huddersfield and was he really that bad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I'm delighted that we have got 2 players, in Hammond and Trotman, that will give us a much bigger presence on the field and hopefully compete for set-piece ball at both ends of the pitch. What still worries me is the often sloppy marking when we are defending corners and free-kicks. You can have all the height in the world but if you don't mark properly, you will still concede. Likewise, our shorter players could have made it a darn-site more difficult for opposing players to get headers on target, even if they were never going to get their head to the ball themselves, by marking and challenging properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I thought Perry looked good against Millwall, didnt play against Northampton or Swindon, so did you go to Huddersfield and was he really that bad? Yes. In short. And he looked f*cked V Millwall after 60 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintsmike25 Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 As I said yesterday I am enthused by the two new signings (and I can see what Lambert and the others offer), but before people get carried away I'd like to point out a few weaknesses in some of the six: Harding - lacks pace, doesn't venture forward much and I'm not sure he is all that in the air for a six footer - why is he on the post for corners I ask myself? Murty - small, slow, doesn't get forward. Is he actually better than James? Lambert - fairly static, doesn't seem to want to try and win every arial ball (let Rasiak fail to do that at Huddersfield) Mellis - pretty lightweight for a central midfielder, wonder if he can tackle, wonder if he can control a game - if you are playing centre mid than you need to be able to. Hammond - we'll see Trotman - we'll see Mind you as people have pointed out these players are going to have to be good to make up for Perry, Thomas, Wotton, no pace up front or out wide and no real plan other than to hoof it up to Lambert/Rasiak/Patterson. Mellis isn't bad at all he's playing in a side which play hoofball for starters largely thanks to our defenders and Wotton who don't like to pass the ball on the floor so the game bypasses the midfield. Lambert 2 goals 3 games? Yet he's called static.. he's superb in getting in the right positions to score in the box he might not be pacy but his instincts and finishing are just what we need. Harding has impressed me everytime he's played - Lacks SLIGHTLY in pace and sometimes plays it long but is a GOOD defender good in the tackle has a great cross on him and looks good going forward. Murty, I'm still unsold on him, he's undoubted got quality and a good football brain but against Northampton was too easily skinned and done for pace and doesn't have the stamina to go forward as much, I'd still prefer Lloyd James over him most of the time but a good useful addition for competition for places. It's the fact that 3 games in and 2 poor performances have happened but it's a new team with 5-6 new signings in the team it's going to take time for them to gel. What we need to do is get the basics right and quit the hoofball habit. With a bit of steel at the back and hopefully Paul Wotton not playing his "stand infront of the back 4 shout alot and pass aimlessly" role, we should look a much better side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastleighhalo Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 To be honest the team that AP inherited would struggle to win the Blue square southern league given that they were collectively and in general far too lightweight and inexperienced. Those that wont be making the 1st eleven now can benefit from learning their trade and building up their confidence either on loan somewhere or in the reserves. Its been mentioned elsewhere that we now have approx 36 players.. far too many and i can see AP off loading as many as he can as soon as he can. Now that we have bought some steel and experience we should see the likes of Morgan and Adam flourish and see the best of what they can offer . I can help feeling though that we are still one centre back and a tough tackling workhorse midfielder short of a being a very good side. FWIW i reckon Lee Holmes is very much in APs mind once the fragileness of our midfield has been addressed.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I agree that the harsh words are not merited. Murty has shown a passion and commitment that will stand us in good stead. He also seems able to read the game. Harding has done well and not even the best LB in the world wins every tackle. Lambert has never been a sprinter but he does know how to score and will for us. Mellis may be a good signing as he has shown he is not scared to take people on. Hammond and Trotman both come with glowing reports so hopefully will be as good as the other 4 or better. We could add Thomas to the new boys list having been out for a season. Holmes looked good, until injured, at times last season and could also be classed in the same group as Thomas. Mills also left last season and got half a years experience in this standard and has come back looking much more the player we hoped he would be. Find a striker and we have a team, With Kelvin in goal, that should be capable of winning plenty of games. We also have Spideman and one or two others that could flourish when the team has started to respond to AP and new signings. I agree that some like Ollie and Jamie could be better of going out on loan for a while. Oscar could be a sub and White, Mcclaggon, Gillett with Thomson all pushing for a place. Once the team has Gelled and begun to win we should be better prepared for the occasional playing of some younger players. It is always easier to play in a team with a winning mentality. MYSELF, I AM QUITE PREPARED TO GIVE THE TEAM A FEW GAMES TO GEL AND THEN START SHOWING US THAT WE ARE WELL ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY. COYRAW's Way, way too positive for this board TBH !! Will just say though that's not far removed from the sentiments I voiced on the Swindon game thread and I did make the point that 6 signings in 5 weeks, all good quality IMO, plus keeping Davis who I feel sure was intent on leaving is a really excellent effort by Pardew. However, rather than look at that side of things and realise ( what is actually obvious ) that time has not been on Pardews side from the day he took over I see a few people even suggesting he should be sacked !?? What complete nonsense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Third Division South Days Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Seems AP has not ruled out getting a couple more players in but not before some of the wantaways and the surplus to requirements players have moved on. Transfer deadline day could be very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have seen bright sparks from the likes of schneiderlin and lallana and would be a loss to get rid of them. I cant believe that AP insists on playing wotton over gillet. Good points. I am unsure on spiderman. Lallana I have said we should keep as well as Gillett. But I think all should be regarded as bench players only once AP has completed building HIS team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Mullet Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have made six signings since the arrival of Pardew and the Swiss. Just to recap, these are Harding, Murty, Lambert, Mellis, Hammond and Trotman. As everyone knows, there are 11 men in a starting XI. Harding - has proven he is good enough for this league. did well in championship last year. Murty - he is certainly good enough for this league, despite age Lambert - best forward in League One Mellis - quote by Chelsea fans "he's way better than league one" Hammond - Captain of two league 1 clubs, proven to be a high standard league one player. Trotman - Impressed in League One with Oldham, PNE think he is worth a 500K signing. Then we have Kelvin Davis. Best Goalkeeper in League One. So we now have SEVEN players who are good enough for a team to come in the top 2 of this league (if we didn't have a points deduction). They may take a couple of games to gel, but by the time we face Colchester (or near then at the very latest), we should be winning pretty much like a Man Utd/Chelsea of League One. Questions to be answered in this thread: 1) With 7 Great Players for this League, will we start winning games frequently from Saturday onwards? 2) Has Pardew got the right men in? 3) Are the other 4 (non-new signings) so sh*t that they are the reason we are going to continue to lose? Hmmmm, interesting but it aint quite that simple. The whole team has to be good, with no weak links, and we need good tactics that the players all understand and play to. Problem at the moment is that we have weak links. Our centre backs give the opposition too many chances each game, we do not attack the aerial balls, we lack cohesion when attacking, we lack shape (we really should be playing two wingers - proper wingers, not attacking midfielders out of position - wingers are very specialist) and we have a so called ball-winning midfielder at the heart of the team who neither wins balls nor is capable of passing to his own team. I have faith that AP will sort out these weak links. The signings to date are pleasing. Our lack of proper full backs had been a glaring weak link for years and he's put that one right already. It's going to be a slow painstaking task putting Saints right, but I'm happy to wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonjoe Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Expectations are high again then? We will walk this league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Cortese said we were going to sign players to surprise and excite fans. I predict one more big name before the window closes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dello Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I think the biggest loss in the close-season was McGoldrick....Nobody seems to have mentioned him in this thread. He really started performing at the tail end of the season- he had a stormer at Watford- and I think he would have scored shedloads in this division.. It's a shame he wanted to return to his hometown- unfortunately for him it looks like he is warming the bench at Forest and I reckon he may come to regret the move if he continues to be overlooked there.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Seems AP has not ruled out getting a couple more players in but not before some of the wantaways and the surplus to requirements players have moved on. Transfer deadline day could be very interesting. Yes, that also has to be a consideration as we don't want the likes of Saganowski and Rasiak on our wage bill unless they actually realise they have played their part in the problems we have had in the past few years and decide they want to stay AND give 100%. But that's not going to happen I feel so offload them and bring in a couple of players who do want to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londonsaint1604 Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have made 6 signings and we need 6 more in order to have a winning team. Our current crop of players from Lowe's legacy ARE rubbish - both on the pitch (most are League 2 standard) and mentally - that we need replacements. We should boycott St Marys until they've been replaced ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Wayman Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We have made six signings since the arrival of Pardew and the Swiss. Just to recap, these are Harding, Murty, Lambert, Mellis, Hammond and Trotman. As everyone knows, there are 11 men in a starting XI. Harding - has proven he is good enough for this league. did well in championship last year. Murty - he is certainly good enough for this league, despite age Lambert - best forward in League One Mellis - quote by Chelsea fans "he's way better than league one" Hammond - Captain of two league 1 clubs, proven to be a high standard league one player. Trotman - Impressed in League One with Oldham, PNE think he is worth a 500K signing. Then we have Kelvin Davis. Best Goalkeeper in League One. So we now have SEVEN players who are good enough for a team to come in the top 2 of this league (if we didn't have a points deduction). They may take a couple of games to gel, but by the time we face Colchester (or near then at the very latest), we should be winning pretty much like a Man Utd/Chelsea of League One. Questions to be answered in this thread: 1) With 7 Great Players for this League, will we start winning games frequently from Saturday onwards? 2) Has Pardew got the right men in? 3) Are the other 4 (non-new signings) so sh*t that they are the reason we are going to continue to lose? They are not exactly household names are they. We can import as many 'has-beens' and 'never-will-be's' as we like but it hasn't helped us so far to improve our football. Kick and Rush has become the order of the day once more as the few talented ball playing youngsters that we do possess get sidelined by this load of dross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisobee Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 They are not exactly household names are they. We can import as many 'has-beens' and 'never-will-be's' as we like but it hasn't helped us so far to improve our football. Kick and Rush has become the order of the day once more as the few talented ball playing youngsters that we do possess get sidelined by this load of dross. TBH I don't think many players in League One are household names, rather an obvious point in fact. However, even with my limited knowledge of Lge 1 from last season I had heard of Lambert and Hammond. In addition I have heard very good things about Mellis and Trotman and I don't consider Murty or Harding as not good enough at this level. At times if I did not know better I would think we are still in the CCC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genk Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 If we can learn to defend set pieces then the wins will begin to flowww Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFKA South Woodford Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 We need two pacy strikers, one of whom has already managed to hit the back of the net regularly, and one who is an up and coming player to be understudy. Then we need to get at least one more centre back, but two would be nice. Whitbread and Saejis will do very nicely and give us some real competitiveness at the back. I know Whitbread is looking for a higher level, but he may come here if he was paid enough and knew that with the right players added alongside him we would be promotion contenders. Saejis as we know would be a good squad addition, and would be more than adequate when called upon. And to finish with, a couple more midfielders wouldn't go a miss, a pacy winger with a dangerous cross 'Rose of Northampton looked pretty good in this role against us' and an experienced midfielder who can tackle and make some decent passes to his team mates rather than the opposition players. That would give us a good squad to get us to the upper reaches of the league, by the turn of year and then push on for a play off place or to build a solid base to mount a challenge for promotion next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjphilsaint Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 I think the biggest loss in the close-season was McGoldrick....Nobody seems to have mentioned him in this thread. He really started performing at the tail end of the season- he had a stormer at Watford- and I think he would have scored shedloads in this division.. It's a shame he wanted to return to his hometown- unfortunately for him it looks like he is warming the bench at Forest and I reckon he may come to regret the move if he continues to be overlooked there.... .. another player who never tried his best for Saints almost but not quite in the Rasiak/saga (recent times) mode. Deadwood for us ,someone elses goldmine isuspect... get rid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddings and Monkeys Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 Pardew's most recent interview on Saints Player is very interseting. He talks about the team lacking an identity and I think he's right. There's no cohesion, pattern or structure about them. It's not that the players are rubbish, it's just that they don't have this identity as a playing unit. It's also interesting what he says about Schneiderlein (as an example) in that he believes him to be better than almost all the players in this league but at the moment he's struggling with the intensity of it and as a result isn't performing as well as he can. Pardew reckons this identity we're lacking will become visible in 3-4 weeks. He also said that a couple of players could leave during this period and a couple could come in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(not THE) Kevin Moore Posted 21 August, 2009 Share Posted 21 August, 2009 For me I would love to see us get shot of Saga and Rasiak to a CCC team in cash + player deals (or even just a straight swap). There was some talk of Saga going to Cov in exchange for Leon MacKenzie, that's the sort of deal I'd love us to make. We definitely need a fast wide man and another (Fit, talented, and MOTIVATED) striker to come in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now