Gelling - What do YOU think?

[Secret Site Agent]

So what do you think about that magic word. Is it used to hide the fact that the team are just crap? Or the latest signing ‘just aint as good as we thought?’

 

Don’t know what you do for a living but some can guess what I do. In my sector we always have a turn over of new people and I speak from experience with regard to the gelling thing.

 

I have worked with teams of foremen, engineers, gangers and have gone from job to job and we have worked well, we all know what each other has to do and what we do, and the systems are all covered and we work well. Then I have to start a job with someone new, or a couple or a whole new team. My latest scheme I have a 50/50 split between and existing team and new, (although I know most of them, not worked with them for a long time), members of the team. It has taken us about 3-4 months to get to full operating capacity, and now I have lost two to be replace by three brand new faces, and we are back to stage one. I recently received the highest percentage score from an audit for the operation of our safety systems, which anyone has seen in a very long time, I was able to pull back a loss of 3 weeks on programme to just two days, and if it wasn’t for the ****ing snow I would have had cones off for Christmas. Plus I am up, with a bit of luck, for an award from an external body. I don’t stand a chance now when they return for the second audit.

 

And here my friends is the lesson.

 

Why oh why are we ****ing winging that our team seems to have lost cohesion when the team we have now has FOUR new signings in it this month, almost five? That isn’t a statement, it is a question. We have a good team, a virtual great team, yet there are many threads dealing with the ‘WE SHOULD BE PUSHING FOR PROMOTION’ and ‘WHY DO PEOPLE CALL X AND Y ****.’

 

Isn’t it time to just give them time?

 

I believe from my own experience that new bllod is agood thing, but they do need time to bed in and to help become a unit. I believe the same is true for Otsemobor, Fonte, Seaborne, and even Antonio, Papa, and yes, just slightly Lambert, and for the rest to get used to them. I am sure in the end, Barny will come right and Jason will be **** for the next month, (or will come on score a cracker in his debut, then bugger all for a month). They just need time to Gel. And next season to beat the **** out of all comers.

 

I would like a full and frank discussion please on the above topic. Please discuss using well thought out, cogent arguments and please remember the Parliamentary Rules apply.

 

And please don’t be silly and whinge about my post, as we all know who you are and what you get up to in the privacy of that room of yours, when you think no one is around!! You know who I’m talking about.

[John B]

So what do you think about that magic word. Is it used to hide the fact that the team are just crap? Or the latest signing ‘just aint as good as we thought?’

 

Don’t know what you do for a living but some can guess what I do. In my sector we always have a turn over of new people and I speak from experience with regard to the gelling thing.

 

I have worked with teams of foremen, engineers, gangers and have gone from job to job and we have worked well, we all know what each other has to do and what we do, and the systems are all covered and we work well. Then I have to start a job with someone new, or a couple or a whole new team. My latest scheme I have a 50/50 split between and existing team and new, (although I know most of them, not worked with them for a long time), members of the team. It has taken us about 3-4 months to get to full operating capacity, and now I have lost two to be replace by three brand new faces, and we are back to stage one. I recently received the highest percentage score from an audit for the operation of our safety systems, which anyone has seen in a very long time, I was able to pull back a loss of 3 weeks on programme to just two days, and if it wasn’t for the ****ing snow I would have had cones off for Christmas. Plus I am up, with a bit of luck, for an award from an external body. I don’t stand a chance now when they return for the second audit.

 

And here my friends is the lesson.

 

Why oh why are we ****ing winging that our team seems to have lost cohesion when the team we have now has FOUR new signings in it this month, almost five? That isn’t a statement, it is a question. We have a good team, a virtual great team, yet there are many threads dealing with the ‘WE SHOULD BE PUSHING FOR PROMOTION’ and ‘WHY DO PEOPLE CALL X AND Y ****.’

 

Isn’t it time to just give them time?

 

I believe from my own experience that new bllod is agood thing, but they do need time to bed in and to help become a unit. I believe the same is true for Otsemobor, Fonte, Seaborne, and even Antonio, Papa, and yes, just slightly Lambert, and for the rest to get used to them. I am sure in the end, Barny will come right and Jason will be **** for the next month, (or will come on score a cracker in his debut, then bugger all for a month). They just need time to Gel. And next season to beat the **** out of all comers.

 

I would like a full and frank discussion please on the above topic. Please discuss using well thought out, cogent arguments and please remember the Parliamentary Rules apply.

 

And please don’t be silly and whinge about my post, as we all know who you are and what you get up to in the privacy of that room of yours, when you think no one is around!! You know who I’m talking about.

 

Yes totally agree it takes time to build a team but good managers do it quickly

 

 

We will just have to see what happens in the next month or so.

[Gambol2K9]

You've just summed up exactly what I've been thinking these last couple of days!

 

The fans that expect new players to walk into an unfamiliar team and instantly set the world alight clearly have never kicked a football in their life and just don't understand how it really works.

 

I don't expect that Pardew's new team will start showing their best until early next season.

 

We should be grateful for all the top new signings we've got this month and start looking forward to a bright future!

[The Kraken]

I agree. One particluar (doom-laden) poster often refers to Saints as the "Man City of League 1". So let's have a look at City (all figures from Soccerbase).

 

2006/07 season, finished 14th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Bianchi, Geovanni, Petrov, Corluka, Elano, Caicedo, Benjani, Bojinov. Total spend £32M (+ Corluka undisclosed). End of 2007/08 season, finished 9th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Jo, Ben-Haim, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Berti, Zabaleta, Robinho, Bridge, Bellamy, De Jong, Given. Total spend £92M (+ Ben Haim, Zabaleta, de Jong and Given undisclosed). End of 2008/09 season, finished 10th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Barry, Santa Cruz, Taylor, Tevez, Adebayor, Toure, Slyvinho, Lescott, Viera. Total spend £93M (+ Tevez undisclosed). Current position 6th.

 

 

Moral of the story; success takes time and spending vast amounts on players is no guarantee of immediate success. Even if we are supposedly the Man City of League 1 it's clearly still going to take time for the team to settle and the class to consistently shine through.

[doughnutman]

I agree. One particluar (doom-laden) poster often refers to Saints as the "Man City of League 1". So let's have a look at City (all figures from Soccerbase).

 

2006/07 season, finished 14th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Bianchi, Geovanni, Petrov, Corluka, Elano, Caicedo, Benjani, Bojinov. Total spend £32M (+ Corluka undisclosed). End of 2007/08 season, finished 9th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Jo, Ben-Haim, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Berti, Zabaleta, Robinho, Bridge, Bellamy, De Jong, Given. Total spend £92M (+ Ben Haim, Zabaleta, de Jong and Given undisclosed). End of 2008/09 season, finished 10th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Barry, Santa Cruz, Taylor, Tevez, Adebayor, Toure, Slyvinho, Lescott, Viera. Total spend £93M (+ Tevez undisclosed). Current position 6th.

 

 

Moral of the story; success takes time and spending vast amounts on players is no guarantee of immediate success. Even if we are supposedly the Man City of League 1 it's clearly still going to take time for the team to settle and the class to consistently shine through.

 

Well said. Money does not guarantee success, it will still be a long term process in most cases. It has certainly not worked at QPR and Man City seem to be heading in the right direction. Chelsea may have had a bit of success from Russian money but they still had a far more solid foundation (didn't they finish 4th before being taken over?) to build open. Whereas ourselves and City were clubs more in disarray before we had our takeovers and it has taken that money to restore us to a level footing.

[Armitage Shanks]

Glasgow Saint needs to read this thread as the guy is clueless.

[Secret Site Agent]

My point, and I wish I put it in my original post, is that we could pay 2 million per head and spent 22 million on a team of 11 individuals, that would get beaten by a TEAM costing 2 million in total.

[NickG]

I agree. One particluar (doom-laden) poster often refers to Saints as the "Man City of League 1". So let's have a look at City (all figures from Soccerbase).

 

2006/07 season, finished 14th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Bianchi, Geovanni, Petrov, Corluka, Elano, Caicedo, Benjani, Bojinov. Total spend £32M (+ Corluka undisclosed). End of 2007/08 season, finished 9th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Jo, Ben-Haim, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Berti, Zabaleta, Robinho, Bridge, Bellamy, De Jong, Given. Total spend £92M (+ Ben Haim, Zabaleta, de Jong and Given undisclosed). End of 2008/09 season, finished 10th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Barry, Santa Cruz, Taylor, Tevez, Adebayor, Toure, Slyvinho, Lescott, Viera. Total spend £93M (+ Tevez undisclosed). Current position 6th.

 

 

Moral of the story; success takes time and spending vast amounts on players is no guarantee of immediate success. Even if we are supposedly the Man City of League 1 it's clearly still going to take time for the team to settle and the class to consistently shine through.

 

Excellent example.

 

We have been compared to Man City on these forums - but they are 18 months in, started with a half decent team, not in administration or negative points. They have had 2 decent managers - and still are not a top side - haven't even got to the final of the JPT!

[Legod Third Coming]

It's not just about gelling.

 

As Pardew said on Saturday some people have to find their feet in the dressing room.

 

Look at Barnard - here's a guy who's scored a bagful for Southend but comes here and misses a few sitters.

 

Why?

 

Because he has gone from being a big fish in a small pond to being a minnow in our ocean.

 

Her endeth the lesson...

[wightman35]

My point, and I wish I put it in my original post, is that we could pay 2 million per head and spent 22 million on a team of 11 individuals, that would get beaten by a TEAM costing 2 million in total.

 

Precisely. Huge expenditure does not always guarantee success. Even if it brings temporary glory, ongoing achievement does not always follow.( See down the road if you can bear to do so.) In my youth, Sunderland were called the "Bank of England" tream, but achieved relatively little.

Hopefully, the owners investments at SMS in our team will soon bring rewards though!

[RedAndWhite91]

Precisely. Huge expenditure does not always guarantee success. Even if it brings temporary glory, ongoing achievement does not always follow.( See down the road if you can bear to do so.) In my youth, Sunderland were called the "Bank of England" tream, but achieved relatively little.

Hopefully, the owners investments at SMS in our team will soon bring rewards though!

 

Remember that, whilst we are spending a lot on players, ML and NC are investing in the youth set up, the training facilities, the scouting network and other areas which will, in the long run, benefit the club no end.

[Micky]

I agree. One particluar (doom-laden) poster often refers to Saints as the "Man City of League 1". So let's have a look at City (all figures from Soccerbase).

 

2006/07 season, finished 14th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Bianchi, Geovanni, Petrov, Corluka, Elano, Caicedo, Benjani, Bojinov. Total spend £32M (+ Corluka undisclosed). End of 2007/08 season, finished 9th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Jo, Ben-Haim, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Berti, Zabaleta, Robinho, Bridge, Bellamy, De Jong, Given. Total spend £92M (+ Ben Haim, Zabaleta, de Jong and Given undisclosed). End of 2008/09 season, finished 10th.

 

Throughout close season and January transfer window City bought: Barry, Santa Cruz, Taylor, Tevez, Adebayor, Toure, Slyvinho, Lescott, Viera. Total spend £93M (+ Tevez undisclosed). Current position 6th.

 

 

Moral of the story; success takes time and spending vast amounts on players is no guarantee of immediate success. Even if we are supposedly the Man City of League 1 it's clearly still going to take time for the team to settle and the class to consistently shine through.

 

Great post - should be an 'eye opener' for some - but suspect that many will still want good old 'instant success'.

[Legod Third Coming]

Great post - should be an 'eye opener' for some - but suspect that many will still want good old 'instant success'.

 

I think what they will rightly point to is that Norwich have spent very little and are cantering away with the league...

 

And this is a valid point.

 

But the circumstances of no two clubs are ever the same.

 

We have no idea what Lambert inherited as a coaching staff, playing staff or infrastructure.

 

What we do know is that we are building from the ground-up and we should therefore be pragmatic and circumspect enough to let the management team get on with it and give them a full season before we make any judgements.

 

It simply comes down to what you view success as.

 

For me, 5th Round the FA Cup, JPT Area Final and bordering the play-offs (with out minus ten restored) shows progress.

 

Sure, it could be better, it could also be a great, great deal worse - look at Notts County FFS!

 

Promotion this year would be a real result and I still predict it.

[Toadhall Saint]

I know when I have taken over a new team or when I have new starters there is a period of time when the performance isn't quite right. As too how long it takes to make them gel - depends on the amount and type of newies I get.

[West End Saint]

No doubt it will take a few games to start playing well Pards needs to get his best 11 on the field and get some games this weeks full week training should iron out some problems looking forward to seeing us click into gear.

 

UTS

[saint_stevo]

Jeff? Countdown host?

[Glasgow_Saint]

The does it take time to 'gel' debate?

 

How about not playing so many new players? Is Seaborne any better than Perry, Jaidi or Thomas? Is otsemobor any better than James or Thomas?

[Block 5]

The does it take time to 'gel' debate?

 

How about not playing so many new players? Is Seaborne any better than Perry, Jaidi or Thomas? Is otsemobor any better than James or Thomas?

 

No real debate.... of course it takes time to gel.

 

We are signing new players so that we have a strong squad.

 

We need cover for every position, unless you are advocating using our youth team as back up?

 

Thought not.

[Glasgow_Saint]

No real debate.... of course it takes time to gel.

 

We are signing new players so that we have a strong squad.

 

We need cover for every position, unless you are advocating using our youth team as back up?

 

Thought not.

 

You dont need to change so many - do you?

 

Ill ask again - Is Seaborne any better than Perry, Jaidi or Thomas? Is otsemobor any better than James or Thomas?

[St_Tel49]

The does it take time to 'gel' debate?

 

How about not playing so many new players? Is Seaborne any better than Perry, Jaidi or Thomas? Is otsemobor any better than James or Thomas?

For the long term Pardew obviously thinks they are. Only the long term will tell us if he's right.

[NickG]

by playing them we are hoping our transformation will be a lot quicker than Man city's!

[St_Tel49]

This time last year we would have given our eye teeth for a team that was doing as well as the current team. But, as usual, given some success, it does not take supporter expectations long to start galloping ahead of the ability of the team to deliver. I have argued on other threads that the play-offs are most unlikely this year so we should be building a team to run away with the division next year. I have sneaking suspicion that that is what Pardew is doing.

[Glasgow_Saint]

by playing them we are hoping our transformation will be a lot quicker than Man city's!

 

Man City are 6th in the Prem - a single point behind 4th with 2 games in hand!

 

Why the obsession with Man City anyway?

[up and away]

I think what they will rightly point to is that Norwich have spent very little and are cantering away with the league...

 

And this is a valid point.

 

But the circumstances of no two clubs are ever the same.

 

We have no idea what Lambert inherited as a coaching staff, playing staff or infrastructure.

 

What we do know is that we are building from the ground-up and we should therefore be pragmatic and circumspect enough to let the management team get on with it and give them a full season before we make any judgements.

 

It simply comes down to what you view success as.

 

For me, 5th Round the FA Cup, JPT Area Final and bordering the play-offs (with out minus ten restored) shows progress.

 

Sure, it could be better, it could also be a great, great deal worse - look at Notts County FFS!

 

Promotion this year would be a real result and I still predict it.

 

We have a very good idea what Lambert inherited, close to the worst form team in the league, suddenly to turn that all around and become the best form team in the league. Had to work with what he had and just got on with it far later than ourselves.

 

As for this ****** about gelling, just introduce one player at a time. Don't try and put two square pegs into one round hole and don't keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Our main problem has been the midfield and we only have brought in Puncheon who can change that around. Surprised we never got another goalie?

 

More than enough talent to start dominating this league, if we don't it will be nothing to do with gelling. More too many options to get it wrong.

[Dig Dig]

My point, and I wish I put it in my original post, is that we could pay 2 million per head and spent 22 million on a team of 11 individuals, that would get beaten by a TEAM costing 2 million in total.

 

Exactly- this is why I couldn't understand the reaction from some to us drawing against Millwall and Brentford. I understand that the circumstances around the results were not ideal but I hate the mentatility which suggests that because we spent x amount of money we should expect to beat the other team who hasn't.

 

We also need to remember that most teams will be aware of the money we have spent and that this will probably give them an incentive to up their game a bit against us.

 

As well as having time to gel, our players have the added weight of managing huge expectations from everyone now associated with the club and this takes time.

 

I think the success of Pardew and the current crop of players can only really be established this time next year as by that time we should have time to gel, know our best starting 11 and our best system....all these things are more important than individual players and I fully expect promotion to be a formality come this time next year.

[NickG]

Man City are 6th in the Prem - a single point behind 4th with 2 games in hand!

 

Why the obsession with Man City anyway?

 

and when were they taken over?

 

Your friend used them as an example

[Glasgow_Saint]

We have a very good idea what Lambert inherited, close to the worst form team in the league, suddenly to turn that all around and become the best form team in the league. Had to work with what he had and just got on with it far later than ourselves.

 

As for this ****** about gelling, just introduce one player at a time. Don't try and put two square pegs into one round hole and don't keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Our main problem has been the midfield and we only have brought in Puncheon who can change that around. Surprised we never got another goalie?

 

More than enough talent to start dominating this league, if we don't it will be nothing to do with gelling. More too many options to get it wrong.

 

Finally someone that says it how it is!

 

Nice post

[Glasgow_Saint]

and when were they taken over?

 

Your friend used them as an example

 

You're obsessed with Man Ciy

[NickG]

You're obsessed with Man Ciy

 

not at all, only mentioned them as your friend did and he didn't really understand what had happened.

 

Think we are very different - much worse situation for new owner and manager to walk into, but Man City have managed to show good improvement in just 18 months.

[Block 5]

You dont need to change so many - do you?

 

Ill ask again - Is Seaborne any better than Perry, Jaidi or Thomas? Is otsemobor any better than James or Thomas?

 

Is Seaborne AS GOOD AS Perry, Jaidi etc etc.

 

These players should all be interchangeable.

 

AP will pick the team according to who we are playing.

 

Some defenders will be picked because they can negate an aerial threat from a certain opposing player, whilst another defender could be picked because of his ability to 'read' an opposition's attacking tactics.

 

Glasgow...... you are looking at things far too simplistically.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Is Seaborne AS GOOD AS Perry, Jaidi etc etc.

 

These players should all be interchangeable.

 

AP will pick the team according to who we are playing.

 

Some defenders will be picked because they can negate an aerial threat from a certain opposing player, whilst another defender could be picked because of his ability to 'read' an opposition's attacking tactics.

 

Glasgow...... you are looking at things far too simplistically.

 

Keep things simple - always been my moto

[NickG]

we'd noticed

[The9]

Personally I think that all players in all teams need to get used to the way their colleagues play, how long that takes depends on their position, their type of style and can also take into account experience.

 

Strikers generally can get away with slotting into any side as their mistakes don't matter as much, midfielders need to have awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of all their colleagues which takes time, and defenders need to communicate more than any other positions, which also takes time.

 

And of course when you play crappy opponents there's often the tendency not to give 100%, especially when one of the more naturally hard-working example-giving players is missing.

 

Sometimes players just "fit", sometimes colleagues have to amend their game from what they have become accustomed to to make things work. At the moment, we're not playing particularly well because we've got half a midfield playing and one of our new centre-backs (Fonte) just whacks the thing up the pitch every time he gets it, which makes playing football a bit tricky.

[TheSaint75]

You dont need to change so many - do you?

 

Ill ask again - Is Seaborne any better than Perry, Jaidi or Thomas? Is otsemobor any better than James or Thomas?

 

Who is to say that given time Seaborne won't be better (he certainly will be next year when Perry and Jaidi can hardly run through old age), that is the idea of getting a team to gel, they will get better the more they play together.

Otsemobor, if it works great but give it a little time, AP obviously thinks James is a better midfielder than a defender and would prefer to use him there.

 

This I believe is a team being built for the coming seasons not just this one, so give it some time.

I now i'd love us to go up as champions next season and hopefully winning all our home games rather than scrape through the play offs and not be ready for the CCC next season!

[sad saints fan]

Going back to the original post By SSA , I to work in the construction industry and encounter the same problems as him from but from much lower down the pecking order.

My point is that managers in all walks of life can make huge difference. A good site manager can get the best out of a poor team to produce a reasonable ,if not spectacular result.But a poor site manager, even with good blokes around him ,will struggle to meet deadlines and stay within budget.

So far I think Mr Pardew is doing a good job,but now the pressure is on him to produce the results with the players he has at his disposal. It will be entirely down to him how quickly this team gel as he deals with them every day. I would hope to start seeing our team become real force ,akin to Leeds or Norwich, in a very few weeks.

 

PS Secret site agent need a decent fork lift driver

[Dr Who?]

I think sometimes it takes longer than others, but we have some great players now for this level. We could do with getting them all fit, keeping them fit, and have a good run of results.

 

I just feel that AP is just trying out a few different things at the moment which have not help with the team gelling, but he needs to do this to find out what is his best team and formation works best at home and away.

 

AP will get it right, but I wish we could start next season now!!!

[Secret Site Agent]

You dont need to change so many - do you?

 

Ill ask again - Is Seaborne any better than Perry, Jaidi or Thomas? Is otsemobor any better than James or Thomas?

 

I'll answer this with a question.

 

Who does Seaborne play best next to? Who compliments him?

 

Is Otsemobor similar in style to james? If played with Thomas, would thire style cause conflict?

 

It is also about matching players as well.

 

You probably don't remember me mentioning in the summer working alongside a colleague on the M3. And we annoyed the living s hit out of each other because in some ways we are similar and in others we are poles apart. We couldn't PLAY together well, however the sub-agant we both brought out the best in him because he complimented both our styles and was adaptable.

 

Square pegs and round holes, and all that.

 

Plus, it is good, like we had on Saturday, to have a few bods on the bench that we can bring on, who will change the very nature of the game because of the way they interact with each other.

[Secret Site Agent]

.

 

PS Secret site agent need a decent fork lift driver

 

Sorry, SSF. I needed a telehandler op before Christmas, but the phase I'm in now i just need an engineer who wants to be an engineer and do an engineers job, not an engineer that thinks he deserves to be a managing director. I get all the broken ones on purpose I think.

 

But like Saganowski, he can either play the game as part of the team, or **** off.

 

(I talk tough on here, but I'm a pussy cat really).

 

Mind you, if either of my Skate gangers decide to throw themselves of the Stockwood Bridge onto the M1 due to deep depression and/or severe guilt in relation to sex crimes against fish, the start is yours!!!!

Edited 1 February, 2010 by Secret Site Agent

[hutch]

... Because he has gone from being a big fish in a small pond to being a minnow in our ocean...

Careful

[It's There]

As with all opinions, not all will agree! However, a little perspective is always good. Let's rewind, from AP's perspective.

appointed to Saints , with -10 and no scouts, backup staff etc and thoroughly demoralised players.

Little time in Summer transfer window- buys and loans a few quickly.

Gets backroom staff in and assesses playing strength. Prssure on everyone as Saints bottom of league. 10 games in and Saints, although quite hard to beat, aren't really playing well.

Finally off the bottom, form improving, next target out of bottom 4, beginning to play well, but aware of busy schedule- JPT a bonus

 

AP review- needs better players than available as injuries inevitable. First window to take proper remedial action as he now knows the full strength of squad..and those who can/can't deliver- Had some difficult away games.

 

Buys new players..aware that they may take time to gel- Brentford result ok, bt disappointing to lose when winning (a la Millwall). gets the 3 points v Stockport.

 

If I were AP, I wouldn't care about performances for a couple of matches- just want the points(3 if possible) that will take a little pressure off before the final charge at an unlikely, but possible play off.

 

Whatever happens, the squad is now large enough to cope, has a younger (but not immature) group of players who are hungry to prove that they were right to sign for Saints. There will be less coming in in the summer, the team will be a unit the the Championship (ever optimistic) will know that Saints are back!

 

AP may not get everything right, but he has a pretty good track record. In AP I trust!

[hutch]

SSA - let me know if you ever want an MD that wants to be an Engineer.

[Secret Site Agent]

SSA - let me know if you ever want an MD that wants to be an Engineer.

 

Will do, no worries.

[Legod Third Coming]

We have a very good idea what Lambert inherited, close to the worst form team in the league, suddenly to turn that all around and become the best form team in the league. Had to work with what he had and just got on with it far later than ourselves.

 

As for this ****** about gelling, just introduce one player at a time. Don't try and put two square pegs into one round hole and don't keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Our main problem has been the midfield and we only have brought in Puncheon who can change that around. Surprised we never got another goalie?

 

More than enough talent to start dominating this league, if we don't it will be nothing to do with gelling. More too many options to get it wrong.

 

One fluke 7-1 reverse at Colchester...that is not 'form'. As I said, we have no idea what he inherited.

[Glasgow_Saint]

One fluke 7-1 reverse at Colchester...that is not 'form'. As I said, we have no idea what he inherited.

 

Norwich finished the 2008/09 season with 5 defeats (some heavy) and one win. They were relegated and lost a number of there 'best' players. Players that remained were unhappy and wanted out.

 

They signed a number of freebies and average players and started the season with a 7-1 defeat at home.

[Dig Dig]

Norwich finished the 2008/09 season with 5 defeats (some heavy) and one win. They were relegated and lost a number of there 'best' players. Players that remained were unhappy and wanted out.

 

They signed a number of freebies and average players and started the season with a 7-1 defeat at home.

 

you're obsessed with Norwich

[CB Fry]

The gelling thing is just an excuse that the grizzling "positive" people use to make out we are the hardest done by club in Britain, and that every other club have it easy.

 

The best example was in Burley's play off season. Our stuttering start was attributed to "gelling" and oh we don't stand a chance we've signed all these players they take months to gel etc etc we're so hard done by.

Derby under Billy Davies barely signed anyone in that summer. But he did sign a swath of new players that January, and Saints didn't.

 

And what did the grizzlers come back with.....?

 

Oh why didn't we strengthen in January, Davies has signed lots of players to refresh the squad, we haven't added anyone, we're so hard done by. Gelling didn't seem to be quite the same issue when it's another club signing players.

 

If we sign players, the whingers moan about gelling. If another club signs players, the whingers moan about other teams strengthening.

 

It's the so called "positive" posters on this forum who just see Saints as Britains most hard done by club regardless of our circumstance.

 

They're still at it, jealously looking on at the tremendous advantages the likes of Swindon and Millwall have over us and how we don't stand a chance against them and their uninterupted pre-season and squads put together of free transfers.

[scotty]

It's not just about gelling.

 

As Pardew said on Saturday some people have to find their feet in the dressing room.

 

Look at Barnard - here's a guy who's scored a bagful for Southend but comes here and misses a few sitters.

 

Why?

 

Because he has gone from being a big fish in a small pond to being a minnow in our ocean.

 

Her endeth the lesson...

 

...after one game:confused: I'm assuming you arent serious, and that this is quality trolling. Nice one

[Legod Third Coming]

...after one game:confused: I'm assuming you arent serious, and that this is quality trolling. Nice one

 

Two games and three sitters missed.

He will score a hatful for us once he scores one, I'm sure. My point is he might take time to settle and that's fine. It's expected. That's all.

[Leslie Charteris]

At the moment, we have a pile of flat-pack furniture with a few units to spare. Only AP has the instructions and the floor-plan, so let's see how good he is at screwing the whole lot together (I am an IKEA flat-pack champion, so I'll be a harsh judge!) ;-)

[Legod Third Coming]

I think we've gelled incredibly. Our last 25 game form is probably the best in the world.