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Wave of optimism..erm,easy tigers...


saint lard
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Ok,i'm sure i will get slated.....

 

I am feeling extremely bouyant after last nights result,that's for sure.

However there appears to be an influx of high expectancy reference the Play offs and now also the JPT.

 

Agreed it is better to aim high than settle for mediocraty but there is an awfully long way to go.

 

We appear to have made inroads in creating the basis of a very good side,thanks to AP and those providing the finances,and in comparison to the apathy that has been in abundance for a very long time it is so refreshing to be 'turning things around'

 

It's good to be a Saints supporter at present,and long may it continue.

But lets keep our feet on the ground so when things don't go our way the fall from our high expectations dosen't hurt too much.

 

Tin hat is now in place.

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The only problem I see against us getting a good run is injuries as I dont feel our back up players are good enough.

 

This year the injury situation except for Murty has not been bad but that has not always been the case in other seasons

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Ok,i'm sure i will get slated.....

 

I am feeling extremely bouyant after last nights result,that's for sure.

However there appears to be an influx of high expectancy reference the Play offs and now also the JPT.

 

Agreed it is better to aim high than settle for mediocraty but there is an awfully long way to go.

 

We appear to have made inroads in creating the basis of a very good side,thanks to AP and those providing the finances,and in comparison to the apathy that has been in abundance for a very long time it is so refreshing to be 'turning things around'

 

It's good to be a Saints supporter at present,and long may it continue.

But lets keep our feet on the ground so when things don't go our way the fall from our high expectations dosen't hurt too much.

Tin hat is now in place.

 

 

How many consecutive wins must we have for you to break into a smile, :confused: saint lard ?

Can't we be allowed to enjoy this one and look forward with a little optimism?

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I am sat on my two betting slips: Champions 150/1, Promotion at 18/1.

 

I said at the start of the season I fully expect to collect on one of those bets.

 

I am as confident now - but NO MORE confident.

 

I think the plan has been pretty bloody apparent from day one and for those who could remain a touch objective despite the results, you could see what was happening - buying a new spine (Trotman, Lambert) adding an outfield captain (Hammond), adding a proven goal-scorer (Lambert), addressing the left back position (Harding), adding HEIGHT and BULK and STRENGTH and essentially getting some of the kids who may not/will not cut it out of the team.

 

I have heard people talk about Pardew turning results around?

 

Whereas to me at least, it looks like the culmination (or at least partial delivery) of a plan.

 

We could well get beaten next Saturday - it doesn't mean the strategy is failing, just that we are building something.

 

But when we do get beaten the usual naysayers will be out in force. Muppets

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Saints fans have every reason to be expectant in my opinion. I for one will be disappointed if we dont make the play offs and not overly happy with mid table. My reasoning behind this is -

 

1) Watching most games since the start of the season we are getting stronger week by week - personel and performaces.

 

2) analysing all the teams in the league I wouldnt swap our squad with any other bar none. There is only an argument for maybe Leeds or Charlton but its debatable either way.

 

3) As of this morning we are only 12 points from 6th with 30 odd games to go.

 

So if i wouldnt swap our squad for anyone bar maybe the top 2 (maybe), in my mind means we are a top 3 side minimum.

 

Top 6 is very much achievable IMO and as such I will be disappointed if we fall short.

 

COYR Keep the momentum going and maybe we can start singing -

que sara sara, Bring out Champagne on Ice, on Ie, we're going to Wembley Twice! que sara sara

 

Optimistic maye but **** wouldnt it be great.

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How many consecutive wins must we have for you to break into a smile, :confused: saint lard ?

Can't we be allowed to enjoy this one and look forward with a little optimism?

 

I'm sure if you read into my OP and you will see i am as 'optimistic' as the next person,especially after last night.

I would not dare to insinuate that we should not have a smile on our faces.But one swallow does not make a summer.

 

We have won three games in a row,fantastic,i'm chuffed and so i should be.

But talk of play offs and winning the JPT are a substantial distance away,so let's reign in just a tad.

Consistancy in both results and displays and then we can crow about what we are going to achieve.

We have seen both sides of this squad,**** poor and now,because of last night,expectations are raised,what will be said if we fail miserably against Oldham....are we relegation fodder,no,i doubt it.

Maybe i'm just level headed.

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I'm sure if you read into my OP and you will see i am as 'optimistic' as the next person,especially after last night.

I would not dare to insinuate that we should not have a smile on our faces.But one swallow does not make a summer.

 

We have won three games in a row,fantastic,i'm chuffed and so i should be.

But talk of play offs and winning the JPT are a substantial distance away,so let's reign in just a tad.

Consistancy in both results and displays and then we can crow about what we are going to achieve.

We have seen both sides of this squad,**** poor and now,because of last night,expectations are raised,what will be said if we fail miserably against Oldham....are we relegation fodder,no,i doubt it.

Maybe i'm just level headed.

 

After 50 years as aSaints fan........I always try to balance my own " level-headedness " with a lttle more optimism, but whatever it is that AP has got them on it seems to be working at present.

 

Looking forward; I don't suppose that the managers of Charlton and Leeds said ...let's wait until Christmas and see how we are doing before we think about promtion talk. :mad: I can recall (decades ago) the late Don Revie telling his (Leeds) players ...we're going to go through the season without losing a game ..(well they nearly did - got to 36 games without losing, I think). Many years later Wenger took the Arsenal side through (+/-) 50 games without losing.

 

I can recall AP saying after the Ajax friendly ..."we've got to get the winning habit-soon" . Well the telegram came late, and we now see that he needed practically a whole new team (pardon me Kelvin) who finally understood that.

 

Now I think the message has got through. The only downside was the -10 pts. start, but now it's full steam ahead and not an iceberg in sight !:D

 

COYR !!!!!!!

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Agreed it is better to aim high than settle for mediocraty but there is an awfully long way to go.

 

I agree with what your saying, we've all been here a million times, a great away win followed by an extremely disappointing home defeat, but I feel that bit quoted above is the important part of your thread. There is an awfully long way to go and as such lets get optimistic for a change. I love hearing players, fans and managers saying 'we're on the brink - lets keep this run going - lets get to Wembley - the play off's are still possible' yes we could fall flat on our faces but i'd much rather that as opposed to the usual low expectations we've had!

 

the future is bright, the future is red and white!

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I think if you are prepared to view this season as a "building" season that has the aim to storm this league next season you will not be disappointed.

 

If you are viewing it as "make the play-offs" it may end in misery for you.

 

If we do make the play offs then that will be a huge huge bonus after starting -10.

But to me, as soon as that penalty was imposed the real life situation was "ok, stay up and build for next year"

 

If the plan is Premiership in 5 years, which Cortese has stated then I would think those in charge of the club view it the same way to be honest.

 

Nobody knows, if we do go on a run of games where we just keep winning then its possible. But I think we are more in the relms of building slowly to be realistic.

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Ok,i'm sure i will get slated.....

 

I am feeling extremely bouyant after last nights result,that's for sure.

However there appears to be an influx of high expectancy reference the Play offs and now also the JPT.

 

Agreed it is better to aim high than settle for mediocraty but there is an awfully long way to go.

 

We appear to have made inroads in creating the basis of a very good side,thanks to AP and those providing the finances,and in comparison to the apathy that has been in abundance for a very long time it is so refreshing to be 'turning things around'

 

It's good to be a Saints supporter at present,and long may it continue.

But lets keep our feet on the ground so when things don't go our way the fall from our high expectations dosen't hurt too much.

 

Tin hat is now in place.

 

Not at all - I'm sure AP would agree with your sentiments. Let's not get carried away on the back of a decent week. We are moving in the right direction - that is good enough for me.

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I am sat on my two betting slips: Champions 150/1, Promotion at 18/1.

 

I said at the start of the season I fully expect to collect on one of those bets.

 

I am as confident now - but NO MORE confident.

 

I think the plan has been pretty bloody apparent from day one and for those who could remain a touch objective despite the results, you could see what was happening - buying a new spine (Trotman, Lambert) adding an outfield captain (Hammond), adding a proven goal-scorer (Lambert), addressing the left back position (Harding), adding HEIGHT and BULK and STRENGTH and essentially getting some of the kids who may not/will not cut it out of the team.

 

I have heard people talk about Pardew turning results around?

 

Whereas to me at least, it looks like the culmination (or at least partial delivery) of a plan.

 

We could well get beaten next Saturday - it doesn't mean the strategy is failing, just that we are building something.

 

But when we do get beaten the usual naysayers will be out in force. Muppets

 

Absolutely spot on. One of the joys of football is its unpredictability. I alwas rather look at the performance over several games rather than a knee jerk reaction to individual results and as mentioned above the foundations have been laid and we are progressing despite the odd hiccup result. I have been happy since the start of the season that we are moving in the right direction. Right now I haven't ruled out the play offs but it is going to be tough given the head start other teams have got.

 

Who knows we could be singing "put the champagne on ice, we're going to Wembley twice"

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Not at all - I'm sure AP would agree with your sentiments. Let's not get carried away on the back of a decent week. We are moving in the right direction - that is good enough for me.
I too agree with Saint Lard.

 

Pardew actually said after the game "We're looking a strong unit and whilst we're not looking as good as the top teams in this division we're getting better"

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We could well get beaten next Saturday - it doesn't mean the strategy is failing, just that we are building something.

 

But when we do get beaten the usual naysayers will be out in force. Muppets

 

Absolutely.

 

Every win, and here is full of ''we'll walk this league, etc etc''

Every loss, and here is full of ''how much longer does AP have left?''.

 

It seems like those that can't see that sucess won't happen within seconds, overnight, need to shout from the rooftops and drown out the others who are more level headed...

 

In AP we trust!

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There is a long long way to go. Having done well in the last 6 or so does not mean we will get promoted just as doing average in the first 6 does not mean we would get relegated. We will have good weeks and we will have bad weeks. Just being Saints fans were not used to good weeks too often.

 

If we can get rid of some of the dead wood in January and bring in some players at the standard we have already seen come in then we could do well later on. But i think the loss of pre-season and having to add so many of our players after the season started will mean we come up short. It is a shame the season did not start a month later then it did. A combination of Fry,Pinnacle and Lowe fooked it up for us this year.

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Absolutely.

 

Every win, and here is full of ''we'll walk this league, etc etc''

Every loss, and here is full of ''how much longer does AP have left?''.

 

It seems like those that can't see that sucess won't happen within seconds, overnight, need to shout from the rooftops and drown out the others who are more level headed...

 

In AP we trust!

 

there is that reaction after defeats - but no-one is saying we will walk this league - the most positive thread is one I started based on what their manager said - not our fans!

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Saints fans have every reason to be expectant in my opinion. I for one will be disappointed if we dont make the play offs and not overly happy with mid table. My reasoning behind this is -

 

1) Watching most games since the start of the season we are getting stronger week by week - personel and performaces.

 

2) analysing all the teams in the league I wouldnt swap our squad with any other bar none. There is only an argument for maybe Leeds or Charlton but its debatable either way.

 

3) As of this morning we are only 12 points from 6th with 30 odd games to go.

 

So if i wouldnt swap our squad for anyone bar maybe the top 2 (maybe), in my mind means we are a top 3 side minimum.

 

Top 6 is very much achievable IMO and as such I will be disappointed if we fall short.

 

COYR Keep the momentum going and maybe we can start singing -

que sara sara, Bring out Champagne on Ice, on Ie, we're going to Wembley Twice! que sara sara

 

Optimistic maye but **** wouldnt it be great.

:)

Sorry mate, you are gonna have to make your mind up !!

:)

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The only problem I see against us getting a good run is injuries as I dont feel our back up players are good enough.

 

 

I think our 'squad' is strong - players that missed the starting 11 last night include Melis, Connolly, Holmes, Saga, Perry, Thomas, Paterson & Gillet (& we still have Murty to come back) I doubt many in L1 can compete for strengh in depth.

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I said on another thread that we need 25 wins from 35 games to reach the number of points that 6th place got last season. Its now 24 from 34 after last night. I think it is just too much this season and I will be very satisfied with a top 10 finish especially after having the 10point penalty. Next season is the season.

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The other week i made statement that we weren't delivering and that that wasn't good enough. I said we needed to beat Gillingham and we needed to beat them well - it was a must win game in my eyes.

 

We beat Gillingham and beat them well. We drew against Torquay, but showed the character to rescue the game from 2 down. We went away to Southend and we took the game to them and got a 2 goal cushion and closed the game out with competence.

 

You could not have asked for any more of the team and of Alan Pardew - welldone!

 

That all said we mererely performed to our ability and this should be the norm for this Saints side. There is no room for complacency and relaxing because the minute we take our foot of the gas we'll be brought back down to earth with a bang.

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I said on another thread that we need 25 wins from 35 games to reach the number of points that 6th place got last season. Its now 24 from 34 after last night. I think it is just too much this season and I will be very satisfied with a top 10 finish especially after having the 10point penalty. Next season is the season.

 

most common points we would have needed over last few years is a total of 69.

 

Last year 74 would have got us play offs.

 

Leaving us 64 to 69 more points to get

 

34 games left, about 1.8 to 2 points per game.

 

No room for bad runs at all.

 

Interestingly tho - our current form, over last 6 games is the form we need to achieve that target.

 

Simply, if we carry on as we have the last 6 games - consistently - or even improve, for the rest of the season we should be in the play offs.

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I would still be happy finishing midtable. The expectancy you speak of actually comes from Steve Tilson and Southend fans.

 

Snap, I'd be happy with Midtable. I've been to every game and although I feel we have one of the strongest squads in the league (now!), it will take time and that is something people don't understand. The play offs are going to be a hard task because of the minus 10, and fairly unspectacular start to the season. However it seems to be coming together now but is very early, we are harder to beat and look like we can score goals.

 

The signings have been superb and I have no doubt Pardew will get it right. We have had years of under performances and moving backwards, however I see this side moving forwards and believe we are slowly moving in the right direction. This year is a transition year and I would expect us to challange the title next season.

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my expectancy levels are on a par with what we should be achieving with the money we have spent,no more or no less.

I have been moaning about the team and pardew as we havnt been playing to match that level,in other words we have been underachieving.

 

The results have been good of late but I will not be getting carried away as it could all turn sour overnight......keep up the good work though,it's about time we had something to cheer about.

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