Too spend or not too spend...

[saint lard]

That is the question.

 

If we are still in the same position come January,in the bottom 4,Should Mr Liebherr and Mr Cortese sanction a significant amount of funds to be released for Pardew to do with what he wants.

 

Or should we sit tight get a loan in and carry on with what we have, save monies for a push for promotion the following season.....which ever league we are trying to get promotion from

[hypochondriac]

Wait till the summer IMO.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

I think you mean 'to'.

 

However, in answer to your question, I'd like to see one or two new additions in January, but no much point spending loads unless there is a very good chance of promotion.

[saints_is_the_south]

After Trottman's performance today, not convinced by him so perhaps need to look at getting another CB in, preferably one with pace to compliment Jaidi's strength.

 

I'd also take a look at Brett Pitman at Bournemouth, banging em in down there.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Team is still 4 or 5 short imo

[LGTL]

We're short defensively. A quality CB is needed if possible. Would say we are ok everywhere else, we don't exactly have much trouble scoring.

[S-Clarke]

We need another CB and a real top top quality (For this level anyway) Defensive midfielder.

[Glasgow_Saint]

We're short defensively. A quality CB is needed if possible. Would say we are ok everywhere else, we don't exactly have much trouble scoring.

 

Not sure Conolloy can or will play every game - injury to Lambert or Hammond and we have very little quality in reserve.

 

A decent team has back up as a L1 season is very long

[S-Clarke]

 

I'd also take a look at Brett Pitman at Bournemouth, banging em in down there.

 

Good player - but we don't need goal scorers IMO.

 

Priority is the defensive side of the team, not just CB but midfield too.

[nickfinks]

we need more depth, but they need to be quality, CB, defensive midfielder

[Andy_Porter]

A centre half who can pass the ball a bit would be my priority and then a left winger.

[Glasgow_Saint]

AP should be getting more from the players we have at the minute - we have one of the best teams in the league but are only managing to deliver mid table form.

[Rebel]

We definately need a bit more depth in the squad - another CB, probably another leftback and another rightback, another striker and maybe a left winger. Possibly a DM ad well.

 

I think we may be restricted by the limits on our wage bill. If we can get rid of Saga we might bring in two more players

 

I'd like to have seen us bring in Vokes and Gradel on loan instead of seeing them go to Leeds

[Andy_Porter]

AP should be getting more from the players we have at the minute - we have one of the best teams in the league but are only managing to deliver mid table form.

 

Hardly mid table form.

 

Since he got Jaidi and Waigo into the side we've been playing really well and picking up points. Brighton was a blip but other than that we've played some decent stuff.

[Glasgow_Saint]

We definately need a bit more depth in the squad - another CB, probably another leftback and another rightback, another striker and maybe a left winger. Possibly a DM ad well.

 

I think we may be restricted by the limits on our wage bill. If we can get rid of Saga we might bring in two more players

 

I'd like to have seen us bring in Vokes and Gradel on loan instead of seeing them go to Leeds

 

would have been superb.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Hardly mid table form.

 

Since he got Jaidi and Waigo into the side we've been playing really well and picking up points. Brighton was a blip but other than that we've played some decent stuff.

 

take away the -10 and we are mid table.

[Saint J 77]

After the last few league games I think we should spend spend spend in January. If nothing else just to make sure we don't struggle down the bottom of the table for much longer. Also if we get in the players now for next season then we can't have the excuse of the team needs to gel. So I say get the squad together now. There is no need to delay.

[doggface]

I reckon we will see a fair bit of movement in & out in January, the owners have backed pards so far and will continue to do so in the same vein. I would expect to see 2 or 3 come in who will make a big difference to the team & could probably do a job in the championship.

I think a cb, defensive mf & striker will be bought/loaned & a few squad players out if we can shift a few like saga & holmes.

[Arizona]

Bring back Jan-Paul Saeijs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[John Cool]

I think we should mostly stick with the current squad.

[Deanovski]

also would love saiejs back especially when he even said "come get me saints" he wanted to be here..

[S-Clarke]

Bring back Jan-Paul Saeijs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

any idea what he's up to?

 

is he still at Roda JC ?

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I expect Markus Liebherr is extremely grateful for all this unsolicited advice on what he should do with his money . Just for clarification if you're reading this Markus when we say 'we' should do this that or the other we actually mean 'you' - it's one of those little peculiarities of the English language .

 

Happy to help .

[Arizona]

any idea what he's up to?

 

is he still at Roda JC ?

 

Think he was released on a free, hence the "come and get me".

[Saint_clark]

Do another "Lambert" but for a CB please.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Heard Pardew say today that the club is over blessed with paid professionals on their books and in that regard he feels sorry for Messrs Leibherr and Cortese. Presumably because of paying salaries for not much in return and the club's inability to get these players sold in the last window or out on loan during this window. He was pretty clear that unless we can move players on for our mutual benefit new players will not be forthcoming. Although he will have a conversation with the big two I got the impression it's loans if new buys cannot be self-funded and the wage bill reduced.

 

Mr Liebherr may be a wealthy man but I don't believe for this season at least he will be throwing money at the cause when with a degree of patience the 5 year plan has not exactly come of the rails only the level of our expectation following our run before Brighton.

 

The issue is that Pardew has played effectively the first team for the JPT and FA Cup games and that I think is beginning to tell on some players plus I understand there has been some illness in the club. If that illness has been viral in nature then players are going to struggle in returning to fitness. We can help our cause in th league by fielding a reserves team for the game at Northampton and then the Norwich game wihich is in the midweek 3 days before a massive game away to Leeds. Are we going to be proud fans to win the JPT? Is it not a bit of a joke and an unwelcome diversion not to mention risk to our best players' fitness?

 

Do we need a CB? No and my guess is Trottman and not forgetting Lambert have both looked jaded and may have had a virus of some sort. Furthermore Thomas and Perry provide plenty of cover in those positions. Midfield we have plenty of options and with the return of Murty we dont need a recognised right back as James can act as cover although could never be classed as first choice IMO. Do we need to be concerned about our first choice front 2? Yes but only if we overplay them and we have Papa in reserve and Lallana can play in the hole in a 4-5-1.

 

WE were never going to make the playoffs and like Arsenal today all the good teams suffer hiccups. The only thing that has changed is in some quarters the size of the fans expectations and the key target for year 1 of 5 was always to survive and build a foundation in this league for an assualt on promotion in year 2? Hartlepool is not going to be easy on a Tuesday night and it hopefully hasn't escaped people's notice that Wycome who we play a week on Tuesday had a good result today after their horror show last Saturday and so we play another lowly team with the new manager bounce factor.

 

6 points in our next two league games will be some achievement and arguably 3 wouldn't be bad but if Pardew decides to go for it at Northampton on Saturday we could come away with a 3rd round tie against one of the big 4 and no points come 9.30pm a week on Tuesday. I know what i would prefer and lets give those squad players a chance to show what they can do on Saturday.

[Nineteen Canteen]

If there are players available who would improve the first team then go for them. We're not bad, but we can improve just about everywhere really.

 

Seriously? In relation to the league we are in and the start we had? A poor defeat and a draw against a team pushing for promotion having won 4 of their last 5 and not to mention we gifted them their goals today I would say it's a tad early to be losing faith with the current team.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Heard Pardew say today that the club is over blessed with paid professionals on their books and in that regard he feels sorry for Messrs Leibherr and Cortese. Presumably because of paying salaries for not much in return and the club's inability to get these players sold in the last window or out on loan during this window. He was pretty clear that unless we can move players on for our mutual benefit new players will not be forthcoming. Although he will have a conversation with the big two I got the impression it's loans if new buys cannot be self-funded and the wage bill reduced.

 

Mr Liebherr may be a wealthy man but I don't believe for this season at least he will be throwing money at the cause when with a degree of patience the 5 year plan has not exactly come of the rails only the level of our expectation following our run before Brighton.

 

The issue is that Pardew has played effectively the first team for the JPT and FA Cup games and that I think is beginning to tell on some players plus I understand there has been some illness in the club. If that illness has been viral in nature then players are going to struggle in returning to fitness. We can help our cause in th league by fielding a reserves team for the game at Northampton and then the Norwich game wihich is in the midweek 3 days before a massive game away to Leeds. Are we going to be proud fans to win the JPT? Is it not a bit of a joke and an unwelcome diversion not to mention risk to our best players' fitness?

 

Do we need a CB? No and my guess is Trottman and not forgetting Lambert have both looked jaded and may have had a virus of some sort. Furthermore Thomas and Perry provide plenty of cover in those positions. Midfield we have plenty of options and with the return of Murty we dont need a recognised right back as James can act as cover although could never be classed as first choice IMO. Do we need to be concerned about our first choice front 2? Yes but only if we overplay them and we have Papa in reserve and Lallana can play in the hole in a 4-5-1.

 

WE were never going to make the playoffs and like Arsenal today all the good teams suffer hiccups. The only thing that has changed is in some quarters the size of the fans expectations and the key target for year 1 of 5 was always to survive and build a foundation in this league for an assualt on promotion in year 2? Hartlepool is not going to be easy on a Tuesday night and it hopefully hasn't escaped people's notice that Wycome who we play a week on Tuesday had a good result today after their horror show last Saturday and so we play another lowly team with the new manager bounce factor.

 

6 points in our next two league games will be some achievement and arguably 3 wouldn't be bad but if Pardew decides to go for it at Northampton on Saturday we could come away with a 3rd round tie against one of the big 4 and no points come 9.30pm a week on Tuesday. I know what i would prefer and lets give those squad players a chance to show what they can do on Saturday.

[Tac-tics]

Zak Whitbread maybe

[Red]

Heard Pardew say today that the club is over blessed with paid professionals on their books and in that regard he feels sorry for Messrs Leibherr and Cortese. Presumably because of paying salaries for not much in return and the club's inability to get these players sold in the last window or out on loan during this window. He was pretty clear that unless we can move players on for our mutual benefit new players will not be forthcoming. Although he will have a conversation with the big two I got the impression it's loans if new buys cannot be self-funded and the wage bill reduced.

 

Mr Liebherr may be a wealthy man but I don't believe for this season at least he will be throwing money at the cause when with a degree of patience the 5 year plan has not exactly come of the rails only the level of our expectation following our run before Brighton.

 

The issue is that Pardew has played effectively the first team for the JPT and FA Cup games and that I think is beginning to tell on some players plus I understand there has been some illness in the club. If that illness has been viral in nature then players are going to struggle in returning to fitness. We can help our cause in th league by fielding a reserves team for the game at Northampton and then the Norwich game wihich is in the midweek 3 days before a massive game away to Leeds. Are we going to be proud fans to win the JPT? Is it not a bit of a joke and an unwelcome diversion not to mention risk to our best players' fitness?

 

Do we need a CB? No and my guess is Trottman and not forgetting Lambert have both looked jaded and may have had a virus of some sort. Furthermore Thomas and Perry provide plenty of cover in those positions. Midfield we have plenty of options and with the return of Murty we dont need a recognised right back as James can act as cover although could never be classed as first choice IMO. Do we need to be concerned about our first choice front 2? Yes but only if we overplay them and we have Papa in reserve and Lallana can play in the hole in a 4-5-1.

 

WE were never going to make the playoffs and like Arsenal today all the good teams suffer hiccups. The only thing that has changed is in some quarters the size of the fans expectations and the key target for year 1 of 5 was always to survive and build a foundation in this league for an assualt on promotion in year 2? Hartlepool is not going to be easy on a Tuesday night and it hopefully hasn't escaped people's notice that Wycome who we play a week on Tuesday had a good result today after their horror show last Saturday and so we play another lowly team with the new manager bounce factor.

 

6 points in our next two league games will be some achievement and arguably 3 wouldn't be bad but if Pardew decides to go for it at Northampton on Saturday we could come away with a 3rd round tie against one of the big 4 and no points come 9.30pm a week on Tuesday. I know what i would prefer and lets give those squad players a chance to show what they can do on Saturday.

 

Spot on !

 

Plus I feel we need to lose at least 10 fringe players (or dead wood) that are stopping us moving forward or investing further. Lose more than 10, and after 10, replace on a one for one basis but with better quality or more potential. Not really convinced by loans, and yes I know we have had some good ones, but in the long term it is not the best option IMHO.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Spot on !

 

Plus I feel we need to lose at least 10 fringe players (or dead wood) that are stopping us moving forward or investing further. Lose more than 10, and after 10, replace on a one for one basis but with better quality or more potential. Not really convinced by loans, and yes I know we have had some good ones, but in the long term it is not the best option IMHO.

 

Absolutely and just for the record I have no idea how my post got posted twice 35 minutes apart! Sorry about that folks obviously something I did but no idea what exactly.

[Deanovski]

big two being saga and im guessing maybe thomas...?

[Nineteen Canteen]

big two being saga and im guessing maybe thomas...?

 

In terms of salary then I guess you would be right but if Thomas's fitness is proven then I would prefer we retain him over Perry and also there are no guarantees we can retain Trotman.

 

The Deadwood of which Saga is No 1 would be as follows:

 

Saganowski

Molyneux

Lancashire

Pulis

Gillet (sad to say - Pardew clearly doesn't rate him)

Holmes

Paterson

Perry (Dependent on Trotman outcome)

Pernecky

Gobern

Forecast

In fact apart from Connolly, Antonio and Martin anyone with a squad number of 30 and above.

Thomson

 

Seriously forget about cover as hopefully it would pave the way for new blood but would we miss any oif this lot? Conservatively, I think we could raedily lose 15 players from a squad that on the last programme I got showed 39 first team players! Bournemouth can't even field a full set of subs.

 

Must be a nightmare for Pardew to try and manage them all and keep them fit even with a few out on a loan.

[Saint_clark]

19C, by getting rid of Pernecky and Forecast we would have a grand total of 2 keepers.

Then after that is 15 year old Jack Dovey in the youth team.

Keep Pernecky, IMO.

[Deanovski]

ive heard good things about pernecky and he seems to rate gobern, i really dont get every ones problem with holmes, i rate him.

[SFKA South Woodford]

Heard Pardew say today that the club is over blessed with paid professionals on their books and in that regard he feels sorry for Messrs Leibherr and Cortese. Presumably because of paying salaries for not much in return and the club's inability to get these players sold in the last window or out on loan during this window. He was pretty clear that unless we can move players on for our mutual benefit new players will not be forthcoming. Although he will have a conversation with the big two I got the impression it's loans if new buys cannot be self-funded and the wage bill reduced.

 

Mr Liebherr may be a wealthy man but I don't believe for this season at least he will be throwing money at the cause when with a degree of patience the 5 year plan has not exactly come of the rails only the level of our expectation following our run before Brighton.

 

The issue is that Pardew has played effectively the first team for the JPT and FA Cup games and that I think is beginning to tell on some players plus I understand there has been some illness in the club. If that illness has been viral in nature then players are going to struggle in returning to fitness. We can help our cause in th league by fielding a reserves team for the game at Northampton and then the Norwich game wihich is in the midweek 3 days before a massive game away to Leeds. Are we going to be proud fans to win the JPT? Is it not a bit of a joke and an unwelcome diversion not to mention risk to our best players' fitness?

 

Do we need a CB? No and my guess is Trottman and not forgetting Lambert have both looked jaded and may have had a virus of some sort. Furthermore Thomas and Perry provide plenty of cover in those positions. Midfield we have plenty of options and with the return of Murty we dont need a recognised right back as James can act as cover although could never be classed as first choice IMO. Do we need to be concerned about our first choice front 2? Yes but only if we overplay them and we have Papa in reserve and Lallana can play in the hole in a 4-5-1.

 

WE were never going to make the playoffs and like Arsenal today all the good teams suffer hiccups. The only thing that has changed is in some quarters the size of the fans expectations and the key target for year 1 of 5 was always to survive and build a foundation in this league for an assualt on promotion in year 2? Hartlepool is not going to be easy on a Tuesday night and it hopefully hasn't escaped people's notice that Wycome who we play a week on Tuesday had a good result today after their horror show last Saturday and so we play another lowly team with the new manager bounce factor.

 

6 points in our next two league games will be some achievement and arguably 3 wouldn't be bad but if Pardew decides to go for it at Northampton on Saturday we could come away with a 3rd round tie against one of the big 4 and no points come 9.30pm a week on Tuesday. I know what i would prefer and lets give those squad players a chance to show what they can do on Saturday.

 

Beg to differ with you Nineteen, we do have cover, but it is not of sufficent quality, we cannot afford to play reserve players in either of those matches if we want to progress, progression will bring a greater financial reward than a mid table position in League 1, so the club will be eager to go as far as possible in the FA Cup.

 

Pardew has said on many occasions this season that his target from Liebherr and Cortese is success, his easiest route to achieving this, is to win the JPT, it is at least a piece of silverware even if it doesn't mean much to many teams, it's something to put in that trophy cabinet that Cortese and Liebherr don't like looking at currently.

 

Also have a differing opinion with you on team building, it stands to reason that in order to have much of a shot at promotion next season, we have to be winning the vast majority of our matches through the tail end of this season, form which will then be carried forward into next season, when we will need to batter our opposition into submission and be so overwhelming that teams already have a feeling of defeat, even before they play us.

 

We cannot show any weakness to be exploited if we want to be a good bet for promotion, and remember if we are not near the top of the table and in good form by next Christmas, then Liebherr and Cortese's five year plan will be in danger of derailment, with another season of League one football on the cards.

 

To this end Pardew will need to make additions in January to improve our squad and it's strength in depth in all departments including a more dominant goalkeeper, pacy front and wide players and another Lambert type to win and hold the ball, as if he is injured or off form then we have no one to do the job he usually does so well.

 

The sooner he makes a start on this the better, as if we had players that were any good outside of the first team, then other teams would be lining up to get them on loan, and not leaving us with the pile of dead wood we currently have.

[Deanovski]

youre saying hes getting rid of kelv?

[Redondo Saint]

Bring back Jan-Paul Saeijs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Good call

[niceandfriendly]

Bringing back JPS would be such a wise move. Top player, won't cost us anything and his wages won't be high.

 

It won't happen because Pardew will want his own players, but it's a nice thought. Would be a cracking defender at this level.

[Thedelldays]

We must be the only league 1 club in history to need to spend millions to achieve better than mid table status

[WealdSaint]

Hopefully loose a few fringe players in Jan.

 

Maybe a couple of shrewd buys in January........thinking more about next season than this.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Hopefully loose a few fringe players in Jan.

 

Maybe a couple of shrewd buys in January........thinking more about next season than this.

 

A few - I'm thinking 15 with perhaps 1 or 2 key purchases and a dew in on loan. If we don't reduce the size of the squad nothing will happen and Pardew has said as much without getting himself into trouble, on the radio yesterday. Its not a case of too spend or not to spend but no sale, no spend and regardles of how we may feel about it.

 

If we do get anymore players in without sales the first thing will be to print the match day programme on A4.

[Glasgow_Saint]

We must be the only league 1 club in history to need to spend millions to achieve better than mid table status

 

We are effectively Man City of L1 yet some still only expect us to just survive.

 

Weird

[Arizona]

We are effectively Man City of L1 yet some still only expect us to just survive.

 

Weird

 

No it's fairly simple.

 

Last season we had a terrible squad which I am sure would have struggled to be in the top half of League 1. From that squad we've lost 7 or 8 of the best players.

 

Yes we have been taken over, but we aren't the Man City of L1. Marcus is a sensible business man and thankfully (IMO anyway) he isn't splashing the cash). He's trying to run the club as a profitable and sustainable business.

 

Given the new manager, the fact that only 4 of last years squad are in the first team and the minus 10, I'd say we're not doing too badly.

 

Patience is a virute.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Centre or Right back and some sort of backup for Lambert and Connolly. I think we're pretty solid everywhere else.

[Thedelldays]

No it's fairly simple.

 

Last season we had a terrible squad which I am sure would have struggled to be in the top half of League 1. From that squad we've lost 7 or 8 of the best players.

 

Yes we have been taken over, but we aren't the Man City of L1. Marcus is a sensible business man and thankfully (IMO anyway) he isn't splashing the cash). He's trying to run the club as a profitable and sustainable business.

 

Given the new manager, the fact that only 4 of last years squad are in the first team and the minus 10, I'd say we're not doing too badly.

 

Patience is a virute.

 

we are in a way...we have spent more than anyone..

we have spent more than what the next group of teams above us will spent together in the next 5 years....so yes, we are sort of a league 1 man city...teams that we would be on par with get by (quite well) with nothing but loans and freebies...

[verlaine1979]

Is it just me that finds addressing them as 'Mr.' Liebherr and 'Mr.' Cortese on this board kind of weirdly sycophantic? After all, no one is calling him 'Mr.' Pardew.

 

The whole cap-doffing to the wealthy owner thing is surely a tad over the top?

[Nineteen Canteen]

No it's fairly simple.

 

Last season we had a terrible squad which I am sure would have struggled to be in the top half of League 1. From that squad we've lost 7 or 8 of the best players.

 

Yes we have been taken over, but we aren't the Man City of L1. Marcus is a sensible business man and thankfully (IMO anyway) he isn't splashing the cash). He's trying to run the club as a profitable and sustainable business.

 

Given the new manager, the fact that only 4 of last years squad are in the first team and the minus 10, I'd say we're not doing too badly.

 

Patience is a virute.

 

Excellent summary of the situation and I to would hate for us to become the next Man City and try and buy success and fail or even the next Chelsea but their money still hasn't bought them the prize they really want. Where is the sense of achievement in all that?

[Arizona]

we are in a way...we have spent more than anyone..

we have spent more than what the next group of teams above us will spent together in the next 5 years....so yes, we are sort of a league 1 man city...teams that we would be on par with get by (quite well) with nothing but loans and freebies...

 

As I've already said, that money was spent on a sh*t squad, minus it's best players. Would Man City be the team they are at the moment itf they'd sold Bellamy, Given, Richards, Ireland and Petrov in the summer.

 

Just look at the players we've brought in

 

Lambert and Connelly - Needed to replace BWP, DMG and Euell. They are doubtless better, but the players lost scored 20 odd goals between them.

 

Harding - Replaced Skacel. Again an improvement, but not massively so.

 

Hammond - Replaced Surman and Gillett. Yes I know they have differing roles, but overall I'd rather have Surman and I'd say we're weaker in central midfield.

 

Jaidi and Trottman - An improvement, but we have lost Saeijs and Perry is a year older.

 

Antonio and Waigo - Definite improvement there. No arguments.

 

Overall a definite improvement in the squad, but it's not like we've really gone overboard. Small improvements in several possitions.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Is it just me that finds addressing them as 'Mr.' Liebherr and 'Mr.' Cortese on this board kind of weirdly sycophantic? After all, no one is calling him 'Mr.' Pardew.

 

The whole cap-doffing to the wealthy owner thing is surely a tad over the top?

 

Personally, and I am being sincere her it shows a sign of respect for the men who actually saved the club. Is it not common practice to refer to managers and players by their surname?