SuperMikey Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 I'm starting to get worried now looking at the signings they're making, they've signed McCombe from Bristol City, Croft from Derby and are very close to tying up deals for Steve Howard and Lee Carsley along with a few others. These are very good, very experienced players, and alongside their pre-existing squad, Huddersfield could be a real threat this year. Couple all that with Lee Clark at the helm of the club and you've got a team that could seriously disrupt our hunt for the title, along with Peterborough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Agreed but they definetly needed adjustments after the debacle defensively we saw down here in march. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 wednesday will be up there IMO too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silversaint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Good manager, some really good players & a decent owner. Wouldn't be suprised if they finish top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 the top 3 will be us, Huddersfield, Sheff Wed, not sure of the order though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewell Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Huddersfield are the team that worry me as well. Wednesday should be strong but it depends on their start. Anyone thinking this season will be easy is in for a very big shock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 They're certainly going to be up there come May I think. But they're defence needs improving still IMO. Think it'll be between Us, Huddersfield, Peterborough and Sheff Wed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 I still think they should be alot more worried about us than we are about them. But then again i expect the Huddersfield fans are saying the same about us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponty Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 They are looking a handy side but short of buying every registered player in the world there's not a lot we can do to prevent other teams strengthening. We just have to hope that AP has done a better job of it than LC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 19 July, 2010 Author Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Huddersfield are the team that worry me as well. Wednesday should be strong but it depends on their start. Anyone thinking this season will be easy is in for a very big shock! As is the Swindon chairman, who famously proclaimed a few months ago that L1 would be much easier this season! Agree with you Turkish about the top 3, reckon we'll finish second behind Huddersfield with Sheff Wed winning the play-offs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 The thing Hudders and Wednesday have done is sign a huge amount of new faces in a really short space of time, and as we all know - that can lead to it's own problems! We've pretty much kept everything the same with just 1 or 2 quality additions here and there - and seeing how well we gelled towards the end of last season it does give us the opportunity to start really well and force the others to play catchup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 As is the Swindon chairman, who famously proclaimed a few months ago that L1 would be much easier this season! Agree with you Turkish about the top 3, reckon we'll finish second behind Huddersfield with Sheff Wed winning the play-offs. I think it will be easier...just that the race for auto promotion will be hard.. as for the league in general....apart from 3 teams that could win the league..the rest in average Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 The thing Hudders and Wednesday have done is sign a huge amount of new faces in a really short space of time, and as we all know - that can lead to it's own problems! We've pretty much kept everything the same with just 1 or 2 quality additions here and there - and seeing how well we gelled towards the end of last season it does give us the opportunity to start really well and force the others to play catchup. Dont forget we are notoriously bad, slow starters. Its about time we laid that tradition to rest though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 19 July, 2010 Author Share Posted 19 July, 2010 I think it will be easier...just that the race for auto promotion will be hard.. as for the league in general....apart from 3 teams that could win the league..the rest in average Sheff Wed and Peterborough are as good as Leeds and Norwich were imo, plus teams like Brentford and Charlton have made some decent signings, and could make assaults on the play-offs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Dont forget we are notoriously bad, slow starters. Its about time we laid that tradition to rest though. yeh, but what a great time to throw that tradition out of the window! everything is in place for us to have a good start this season though tbf, no excuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
explorer saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Don't think Lee Clark will be there come end of season, would expect a CCC team to come in for him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 If we're getting worried about Steve Howard, imagine how they feel about Lambert, Barnard and Connolly. They are good, but we are better. We need to believe it and not get complacent. I can't say I'm too scared of either Carsley or Howard either. Both have fantastic careers behind them, but are 34 and 36 respectively. Last season Carsley managed 9 games for Brum. Granted he has the ability to play more at this level, but does he have the legs. Howard similarly only got 5 goals last year. Again, he will probably do better at this level, but how much? 8 goals? 10? They will be up there for sure, but I'd expect Saints to comfortably beat them over the course of a season. Wednesday is our biggest threat IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmore Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 I was going to say the same thing. I just can't picture Saints having storming start to the season - we never ever do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 If Howard and Carsley still had the legs and could still play at a decent standard then they would be snapped up by a CCC team. For me that says enough. I would rather have Hammond over Carsley and Lambert over Howard. Plus could they really play a decent amount of games per season ? I wouldn't worry so much, i honestly think Huddersfield, as good as they look will only have an average season, i have nothing to base this on as they seem to have a decent squad assembled, just have a feeling. I will let you know closer to the start of the season how i feel ours and others chances are, there is no point yet as you don't know who is going where etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Sheff Wed and Peterborough are as good as Leeds and Norwich were imo, plus teams like Brentford and Charlton have made some decent signings, and could make assaults on the play-offs. Charlton manager said the other day he needs 8 players just to be competitive, they have lost their best players, Shelvey, Bailey, richardson, i dont see them as a threat. Sheffield wednesday and Peterborough are not as good as Leeds and Norwich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 If Howard and Carsley still had the legs and could still play at a decent standard then they would be snapped up by a CCC team. For me that says enough. I would rather have Hammond over Carsley and Lambert over Howard. Plus could they really play a decent amount of games per season ? I wouldn't worry so much, i honestly think Huddersfield, as good as they look will only have an average season, i have nothing to base this on as they seem to have a decent squad assembled, just have a feeling. I will let you know closer to the start of the season how i feel ours and others chances are, there is no point yet as you don't know who is going where etc agree with most of what you say, but i think Hudderfield will be a threat, they were strong last season with a young squad who will be better for their full season together, they have added a couple of experienced heads, i expect them to have a good season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 If Howard and Carsley still had the legs and could still play at a decent standard then they would be snapped up by a CCC team. For me that says enough. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Tis ok lads, when we buy Jordan Rhodes they'll be a lot weaker. FFS Pards, sign Jordan Rhodes!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 I'm starting to get worried now looking at the signings they're making, they've signed McCombe from Bristol City, Croft from Derby and are very close to tying up deals for Steve Howard and Lee Carsley along with a few others. These are very good, very experienced players, and alongside their pre-existing squad, Huddersfield could be a real threat this year. Couple all that with Lee Clark at the helm of the club and you've got a team that could seriously disrupt our hunt for the title, along with Peterborough. Steve Howard is 34 - we were told that Butterfield is past it at 30! Think he would be 4th choice in our squad. Don't know much about McCombe but see he played 13 times last season and was released from his contract. Big lads tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Carsley will be 37 for later part of season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Steve Howard is 34 - we were told that Butterfield is past it at 30! Think he would be 4th choice in our squad. Don't know much about McCombe but see he played 13 times last season and was released from his contract. Big lads tho. Howard would fit the bill as cover for Lambert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 and would probably be happy at his stage of career to be sub/cover here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martel Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 The thing Hudders and Wednesday have done is sign a huge amount of new faces in a really short space of time, and as we all know - that can lead to it's own problems! We've pretty much kept everything the same with just 1 or 2 quality additions here and there - and seeing how well we gelled towards the end of last season it does give us the opportunity to start really well and force the others to play catchup. I agree, a transition with a few filling in the gaps is far better than trying to re-build with a lot of signings, look at Saints last season; it did take a while for all that to gel, not only that some of these signings are getting on a bit and will no doubt be more prone to pick up injuries, the dark horse out their for me anyway is Brighton; to under estimate Poyet would be folly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 I'm starting to get worried now looking at the signings they're making, they've signed McCombe from Bristol City, Croft from Derby and are very close to tying up deals for Steve Howard and Lee Carsley along with a few others. These are very good, very experienced players, and alongside their pre-existing squad, Huddersfield could be a real threat this year. Couple all that with Lee Clark at the helm of the club and you've got a team that could seriously disrupt our hunt for the title, along with Peterborough. No, no, no. no.... We are the best team by far and are going to walk this league and it doesnt matter what anyone else does, because we've got AP, dontchyaknow... The "Its between us and X, Y and Z" comments make me think some of our fans already know it aint going to happen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 not just AP, good players as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 No, no, no. no.... We are the best team by far and are going to walk this league and it doesnt matter what anyone else does, because we've got AP, dontchyaknow... The "Its between us and X, Y and Z" comments make me think some of our fans already know it aint going to happen... Do you not think we will get promoted then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Do you not think we will get promoted then? In fairness, I am starting to doubt it. It seems the whole world is passing by SMS again, to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Why??? We this team was good enough last year. We are improving. So Huddersfield are signing player who are older and not as good as ours/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 In fairness, I am starting to doubt it. It seems the whole world is passing by SMS again, to be honest. Why because we haven't signed 23 players in the window? We signed 5 in January, 4 discounting JO, 3 in the summer, 7 new signings in 7 months 5 of which have undoubtedly improved the first XI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Why??? We this team was good enough last year. We are improving. So Huddersfield are signing player who are older and not as good as ours/ Look, you clearly dont get it, so here it is in black-and-white : Our first XI is stronger Our squad is much weaker For a 50-game promotion campaign you need a squad as insurance against injury and disciplinary problems. Is that clear enough for you ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Why because we haven't signed 23 players in the window? We signed 5 in January, 4 discounting JO, 3 in the summer, 7 new signings in 7 months 5 of which have undoubtedly improved the first XI. Who demanded 23 players ? As with most sensible Saints fans, I reckoned we were looking for a RB, a CM, maybe another CB, a pacy winger and a striker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Our squad is much weaker Really? I note you haven't posted in this thread yet... http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?23903-Opening-day-2009-vs-Opening-day-2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Look, you clearly dont get it, so here it is in black-and-white : Our first XI is stronger Our squad is much weaker For a 50-game promotion campaign you need a squad as insurance against injury and disciplinary problems. Is that clear enough for you ? clear but disagree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 It makes me laugh as I read the Down at the Mac forum everyday. They all predict us to win the league easily while we have them down for winning the league. I reckon a couple of high profile signings for us will tip it all in our favor from every team in this league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 They have a very good squad, and carsley and howard are excellent short term deals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 It makes me laugh as I read the Down at the Mac forum everyday. They all predict us to win the league easily while we have them down for winning the league. I reckon a couple of high profile signings for us will tip it all in our favor from every team in this league. Whats to say we are going to make any more signings, let alone high profile ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Really? I note you haven't posted in this thread yet... http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?23903-Opening-day-2009-vs-Opening-day-2010 So what ? That thread is an exercise in stating the bleedin' obvious. We'd just been in administration and only just appointed a new manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Whats to say we are going to make any more signings, let alone high profile ones? Because it goes against the arrogant assumptions...er...consensus of opinion in these parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
positivepete Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 I was going to say the same thing. I just can't picture Saints having storming start to the season - we never ever do. I am sure we will get to three points quicker than last season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 Because it goes against the arrogant assumptions...er...consensus of opinion in these parts. We shall see. Sh*t or bust this season imo though......, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 (edited) So what ? That thread is an exercise in stating the bleedin' obvious. We'd just been in administration and only just appointed a new manager. I wasn't the one that said the current squad is weaker. The squad last season only really took shape at the end of January 2010. Before that it was still very much a work in progress. Since January, Dickson, Richardson and Butterfield have been added. Thus the fullback positions are in theory stronger now than last season. Yes, it is missing Papa Waigo and Antonio who did play important roles but neither of those were ever 1st choice. Lallana and Puncheon started EVERY game out wide when available to do so. Dickson can play as a winger and Oxlade-Chamberlain may come on occasionally. Not to mention still 6 weeks of transfer window left. Edited 19 July, 2010 by Matthew Le God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 I think alps is getting at that we are no stronger now than we were when we ended the season, only butterfield adding anything, and it remains to be seen if he is any better than thomas of james. Whereas it seems a lot of other teams who finished around us, possibly with the exception of charlton have strengthened in more than 1 position, especially udders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 especially udders You only had to be at St Mary's when Saints beat Huddersfiled 5-0 in March 2010 to see Saints already had a significantly better squad and that they had a long way to catch up. Even with their signings so far they are still a long way behind bridging that gap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 19 July, 2010 Share Posted 19 July, 2010 You only had to be at St Mary's when Saints beat Huddersfiled 5-0 in March 2010 to see Saints already had a significantly better squad and that they had a long way to catch up. Even with their signings so far they are still a long way behind bridging that gap. I really, really do NOT get this complaicency... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts