Not good enough

[Professor]

The outcome of today's game with Reading is not that important as long as the team don't get outplayed but starting without four senior players demonstrates exactly why it was right to question the transfer-in activity.

 

The midfield looks weak and there is no real cover for the strikers. Even bringing someone in before next Saturday is already too late to give us the best chance of maximum points in the early games, because whoever is signed now has not had pre-season with the squad. We've heard all the excuses, and no doubt Pardew will be getting some more ready, but from a fan's point of view this squad doesn't look good enough because it's too thin in key positions.

[saint77]

The outcome of today's game with Reading is not that important as long as the team don't get outplayed but starting without four senior players demonstrates exactly why it was right to question the transfer-in activity.

 

The midfield looks weak and there is no real cover for the strikers. Even bringing someone in before next Saturday is already too late to give us the best chance of maximum points in the early games, because whoever is signed now has not had pre-season with the squad. We've heard all the excuses, and no doubt Pardew will be getting some more ready, but from a fan's point of view this squad doesn't look good enough because it's too thin in key positions.

 

pullis on the bench though

[Debm]

lol

[OldNick]

My S-in_law has put a large amount of money on saints winning the league. I have told him he has no chance of winning the bet.

IMO we are over rating our team and squad. I really hope to be proved wrong but play-off place is about the best we will get.

Too many teams midfields outplayed and outfought ours last season.

[B Rabbit]

Well... We all know wotton is pants and personally i think mills is only good for 3rd choice left side cover...however, midfield wise, Dickson looks decent and we are missing 3 of our best players in MS, lalallalallalalna and puncheon....so we're not really short there are we?

 

Upfront... How many good strikers do you want? We've got 3 already, I don't think we'd get a 4th willing to sit around and dl bugger all all season =)

[S-Clarke]

Not many clubs would look as strong if you take their 4 best players out of the 11, that is just unlucky. You can't really go around building a squad ''just incase we lose all these players'' - it just wouldn't be workable.

 

Luck comes into play in any season in any league on all different fronts, and injuries is one of them, we were lucky with injuries last season. We still need 2 or 3 bodies, agreed - but you can't really prepare 4 ready made replacements for your 4 best players. We will always be weaker without them.

[View From The Top]

The outcome of today's game with Reading is not that important as long as the team don't get outplayed but starting without four senior players demonstrates exactly why it was right to question the transfer-in activity.

 

The midfield looks weak and there is no real cover for the strikers. Even bringing someone in before next Saturday is already too late to give us the best chance of maximum points in the early games, because whoever is signed now has not had pre-season with the squad. We've heard all the excuses, and no doubt Pardew will be getting some more ready, but from a fan's point of view this squad doesn't look good enough because it's too thin in key positions.

 

You drama queen.

 

STFU.

[Professor]

Not many clubs would look as strong if you take their 4 best players out of the 11, that is just unlucky. You can't really go around building a squad ''just incase we lose all these players'' - it just wouldn't be workable.

 

Luck comes into play in any season in any league on all different fronts, and injuries is one of them, we were lucky with injuries last season. We still need 2 or 3 bodies, agreed - but you can't really prepare 4 ready made replacements for your 4 best players. We will always be weaker without them.

 

In that case, why is Pardew saying he wants 2 or 3 players to add to the squad. Its all very well to want to show loyalty to the Manager but you can't have it both ways. He hasn't got those players in soon enough and we risk losing early points because of it. Points missed in August can be the points that make the difference in April.

[Minsk]

Methinks some people would be better off supporting Citeh or Chelski!

 

I'm sure it would make perfect sense to spend loads of money on top quality players who would be sat on the bench, or in the reserves, if everyone were fit. You never know, it could even lead to another administration. Or do these people not want expensive, class, players but just a huge squad of mediocre ones? Similar to the situation when we were relegated from the prem? In the OS' case thus is quite possible as I seem to remember he backed everything Woopert did!

[John B]

The outcome of today's game with Reading is not that important as long as the team don't get outplayed but starting without four senior players demonstrates exactly why it was right to question the transfer-in activity.

 

The midfield looks weak and there is no real cover for the strikers. Even bringing someone in before next Saturday is already too late to give us the best chance of maximum points in the early games, because whoever is signed now has not had pre-season with the squad. We've heard all the excuses, and no doubt Pardew will be getting some more ready, but from a fan's point of view this squad doesn't look good enough because it's too thin in key positions.

 

If a team has injuries to key players they will always struggle

 

If MLT or Paine was injured in their prime the history of SFC would be a lot different

[View From The Top]

In that case, why is Pardew saying he wants 2 or 3 players to add to the squad. Its all very well to want to show loyalty to the Manager but you can't have it both ways. He hasn't got those players in soon enough and we risk losing early points because of it. Points missed in August can be the points that make the difference in April.

 

******* 'ell. Are you totally unaware of what's happening regarding squad sizes in the EPL? That's where the 2-3 players will come from, not buys, loans.

[S-Clarke]

In that case, why is Pardew saying he wants 2 or 3 players to add to the squad. Its all very well to want to show loyalty to the Manager but you can't have it both ways. He hasn't got those players in soon enough and we risk losing early points because of it. Points missed in August can be the points that make the difference in April.

 

Why does everyone assume it's so easy to buy players? This isn't football manager and there are so many ''real life'' obstacles that have to be overcome. For a start, we're in L1.

 

The fact is that this has been a very very very quiet window in all the leagues, so don't hold it against us or Pardew - the opportunities just aren't out there at the moment and we're not going to buy anyone and then watch a better player came along next week (Pardew said that himself).

 

So just chill.

[VectisSaint]

In that case, why is Pardew saying he wants 2 or 3 players to add to the squad. Its all very well to want to show loyalty to the Manager but you can't have it both ways. He hasn't got those players in soon enough and we risk losing early points because of it. Points missed in August can be the points that make the difference in April.

Pardew has said he wants 2 or 3 before the window closes but is confident that we have a strong enough team to start the season. He may be reconsidering with the injuries of course, but injuries at this time of the season are par for the course, the only one that will probably miss the 1st game is Lallana, the others are almost certainly precautionary.

[70's Mike]

Pardew has said he wants 2 or 3 before the window closes but is confident that we have a strong enough team to start the season. He may be reconsidering with the injuries of course, but injuries at this time of the season are par for the course, the only one that will probably miss the 1st game is Lallana, the others are almost certainly precautionary.

 

Hope you are right but the complacency of some on here,words like strong squad and better squad, makes me cautious for the season ahead,football has a habit of slapping you across the face,and i find myself almost agreeing with the professor

[St.Jeweller]

Saints Reserves 2 - 1 Reading

[Windmill Arm 2]

The outcome of today's game with Reading is not that important as long as the team don't get outplayed but starting without four senior players demonstrates exactly why it was right to question the transfer-in activity.

 

The midfield looks weak and there is no real cover for the strikers. Even bringing someone in before next Saturday is already too late to give us the best chance of maximum points in the early games, because whoever is signed now has not had pre-season with the squad. We've heard all the excuses, and no doubt Pardew will be getting some more ready, but from a fan's point of view this squad doesn't look good enough because it's too thin in key positions.

 

Pull yor knickers up you hysterical tart, it was a friendly with multiple sustitutions, the results means nothing FFS

[Deppo]

Under Poortvliet, when we played Celtic and West Ham pre-season, we looked brilliant. Meant nothing to the rest of the season, clearly.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Has been a strange pre-season setup though, there is no denying that. We played possibly the two strongest teams within 2 weeks of pre-season training started, alot of mickey mouse non-league teams and finishing with Reading where 6 subs where used again. The first time for most Saints players that they will get 90 minutes will be on the first game of the season.

 

And the first time we will have played our strongest team will be next Saturday too.

 

And then there has been no real urgency to sign players, whilst the rest of League 1 have their squads mostly in place.

 

I trust Pardew and Cortese know what they are doing, because this pre-season seems somewhat of a mish-mash and can't help but think the players are going to be not as well prepared as other seasons.

[Johnny Shearer]

Has been a strange pre-season setup though, there is no denying that. We played possibly the two strongest teams within 2 weeks of pre-season training started, alot of mickey mouse non-league teams and finishing with Reading where 6 subs where used again. The first time for most Saints players that they will get 90 minutes will be on the first game of the season.

 

And the first time we will have played our strongest team will be next Saturday too.

 

And then there has been no real urgency to sign players, whilst the rest of League 1 have their squads mostly in place.

 

I trust Pardew and Cortese know what they are doing, because this pre-season seems somewhat of a mish-mash and can't help but think the players are going to be not as well prepared as other seasons.

 

Hopefully this will give NC and AP a kick up the backside. General census on the forum does seem to be a back up need for Lambert, a defensive midfielder and a pacy winger. Hopefully we'll see something soon!

[alpine_saint]

Has been a strange pre-season setup though, there is no denying that. We played possibly the two strongest teams within 2 weeks of pre-season training started, alot of mickey mouse non-league teams and finishing with Reading where 6 subs where used again. The first time for most Saints players that they will get 90 minutes will be on the first game of the season.

 

And the first time we will have played our strongest team will be next Saturday too.

 

And then there has been no real urgency to sign players, whilst the rest of League 1 have their squads mostly in place.

 

I trust Pardew and Cortese know what they are doing, because this pre-season seems somewhat of a mish-mash and can't help but think the players are going to be not as well prepared as other seasons.

 

Every thing you say is true. Problem is, I dont trust them the way you do.

[Turkish]

Every thing you say is true. Problem is, I dont trust them the way you do.

 

why? What evidence do you have that suggests that AP doesn't know what he is doing?

[pele]

Oh because you know better......pathetic!

[dune]

After reading the thread title I thought this must be an Alpine thread, but it wasn't, but not be outdone he started one.

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?24181-Why-were-so-many-of-our-quot-best-first-XI-quot-in-the-league-missing

[S-Clarke]

why? What evidence do you have that suggests that AP doesn't know what he is doing?

 

he has access to his diary, and instead of looking for players the pillock is off out to a BBQ tonight.

[SW11_Saint]

You drama queen.

 

STFU.

Well put! Sick of the usual agitators trying to stir up negativity before a ball has been kicked in anger. Pathetic.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Every thing you say is true. Problem is, I dont trust them the way you do.

 

I will give them the benefit of the doubt ( on this occasion ) .

 

If we have a bad start to the season though, I know where I will be pointing the finger, but you can only do that if we DO have a slow start to the season.

[alpine_saint]

I will give them the benefit of the doubt ( on this occasion ) .

 

If we have a bad start to the season though, I know where I will be pointing the finger, but you can only do that if we DO have a slow start to the season.

 

We'll soon find out. I desperately hope I am wrong.

[SW11_Saint]

We'll soon find out. I desperately hope I am wrong.

You really think we believe that?! People like you only ever 'come to life' when we're "doing badly". It's really strange, but Saints have always attracted a section of fans like this - seemingly revelling in negativity - almost like 'anti-fans.

 

For the record I don't think we'll beat Plymouth, I think it'll be a draw, but I do think we'll finish in the top two.

[forever a red and white]

the squad looks good, we just need to possibly dip into the market. Hopefully these players will be fit for Saturday, although they will not be 100%, perhaps expectations should be lowered for the first game.

[Turkish]

You really think we believe that?! People like you only ever 'come to life' when we're "doing badly". It's really strange, but Saints have always attracted a section of fans like this - seemingly revelling in negativity - almost like 'anti-fans.

 

For the record I don't think we'll beat Plymouth, I think it'll be a draw, but I do think we'll finish in the top two.

 

You're right, he only posts when we lose, he enjoys it.

[Matthew Le God]

From the official Reading FC website...

 

Make no mistake though, this was a hard-fought victory against a Saints side who were in the ascendancy for much of the game.

[alpine_saint]

You really think we believe that?! People like you only ever 'come to life' when we're "doing badly". It's really strange, but Saints have always attracted a section of fans like this - seemingly revelling in negativity - almost like 'anti-fans.

 

For the record I don't think we'll beat Plymouth, I think it'll be a draw, but I do think we'll finish in the top two.

 

Beleive what you want, squire.

[Deanovski]

really need another striker and CM fielder.

[alpine_saint]

really need another striker and CM fielder.

 

No, no, no, no you are not allowed to say that, because AP apparently knows.

 

Sod the fact you see nothing happening.

[saintsforlife7]

Clearly half the people slagging the team off did not go today, I though for 60-70 minutes we were equal to Reading, if not just a touch better. We conceded these goals when we had half the youth team playing(plus Wotton and Pulis who I'd rather not mention) Some of our passing and the chances we created were excellent. Barnard and Connolly especially looked very good together and Barnard was my MOTM for his work rate and his ability to keep the ball and run at people. Dickson looks full of energy on the left and put in a wicked cross in the first half, adding to last years squad which would have finished in the top six. I can see why people are worried about our transfer activity, but seeing the game today I wouldn't get carried away and throw yourselves off the Itchen Bridge, we created some lovely chances against a Championship side which we must take in to next week.

[alpine_saint]

Clearly half the people slagging the team off did not go today, I though for 60-70 minutes we were equal to Reading, if not just a touch better. We conceded these goals when we had half the youth team playing(plus Wotton and Pulis who I'd rather not mention) Some of our passing and the chances we created were excellent. Barnard and Connolly especially looked very good together and Barnard was my MOTM for his work rate and his ability to keep the ball and run at people. Dickson looks full of energy on the left and put in a wicked cross in the first half, adding to last years squad which would have finished in the top six. I can see why people are worried about our transfer activity, but seeing the game today I wouldn't get carried away and throw yourselves off the Itchen Bridge, we created some lovely chances against a Championship side which we must take in to next week.

 

Who has slagged the team off then ?

[croydonsaint]

last season, not only did we have minus 10 points we pretty much had no team.So not surprisingly we had a terrible start. Any one reading too much in to the preseason results are being foolish. Pre season is simply about getting fit. We will not have as bad a start as last season, surely no one thinks that. Why cant the negatives and doom and gloom merchants bite their tongues and wait and see. I am sure the season will not be smooth sailing, we are the saints f.f.s. but if we are not in the top 3 at the end of the season, then i would worry.

I reckon we have good reason to be looking forward to a great season ahead.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

From the official Reading FC website...

 

Sssssssshhh

[Turkish]

Who has slagged the team off then ?

 

The author of this thread for one, who clearly did not go today. The midfield did not 'look weak' at all. With only one of our first choice 4 starting in midfield they did well against a midtable side the league above.

[alpine_saint]

last season, not only did we have minus 10 points we pretty much had no team.So not surprisingly we had a terrible start. Any one reading too much in to the preseason results are being foolish. Pre season is simply about getting fit. We will not have as bad a start as last season, surely no one thinks that. Why cant the negatives and doom and gloom merchants bite their tongues and wait and see. I am sure the season will not be smooth sailing, we are the saints f.f.s. but if we are not in the top 3 at the end of the season, then i would worry.

I reckon we have good reason to be looking forward to a great season ahead.

 

Or getting injured.

[Professor]

The author of this thread for one, who clearly did not go today. The midfield did not 'look weak' at all. With only one of our first choice 4 starting in midfield they did well against a midtable side the league above.

You'll have to remind me, Turkish, of when I've slagged the team off, because I can't remember. I've supported the Saints since they came out of the 3rd South, so no lectures from you thanks. What I want to see, is what we were promiosed, not just promotion this year, but promotion with a team that will immediately challenge in the nPC.

 

If the midfield wasn't weak today, are you saying we don't need Morgan, or Puncheon and that Wotton is the answer? If you are, Pardew doesn't agree with you, because he says he needs 2 or 3 more players, so is he slagging his players off by saying that? What I say is that he should have got them already, not after we've already started to drop points.

[Turkish]

You'll have to remind me, Turkish, of when I've slagged the team off, because I can't remember. I've supported the Saints since they came out of the 3rd South, so no lectures from you thanks. What I want to see, is what we were promiosed, not just promotion this year, but promotion with a team that will immediately challenge in the nPC.

 

If the midfield wasn't weak today, are you saying we don't need Morgan, or Puncheon and that Wotton is the answer? If you are, Pardew doesn't agree with you, because he says he needs 2 or 3 more players, so is he slagging his players off by saying that? What I say is that he should have got them already, not after we've already started to drop points.

 

No, but given the panic that is going on given 3 of our 4 first choice midfielders were missing today our 'weak' midfield acquited itself well against a team likely to finish in the top half of the league above. Saying they are 'not good enough' after a decent performance is IMO slagging them off.

[Pilchards]

What worries me is AP wants xyz because abc who is available now is not quite what he wants.

OMG xyz is now available for us to buy!

damn so and so want him and he wants to go there too.

Okay let's get abc instead.

Oops abc has gone to another so and so team.

Plan B, let's get a loanee from the premiership.

Oh dear he don't want to come to div 1 so what must I do now?

I'm going wait and hope another abc or xyz situation comes along.

 

Mr Pardew is thinking to myself now, I'm spoilt for choice having this money.

 

 

 

PS don't call me nuts as I know already ;-)

[captainchris]

You really think we believe that?! People like you only ever 'come to life' when we're "doing badly". It's really strange, but Saints have always attracted a section of fans like this - seemingly revelling in negativity - almost like 'anti-fans.

 

For the record I don't think we'll beat Plymouth, I think it'll be a draw, but I do think we'll finish in the top two.

 

For the record when do you think we will start to win then?

[Professor]

No, but given the panic that is going on given 3 of our 4 first choice midfielders were missing today our 'weak' midfield acquited itself well against a team likely to finish in the top half of the league above. Saying they are 'not good enough' after a decent performance is IMO slagging them off.

 

This thread was started at the beginning of the game, not after it. The words used are "The midfield looks weak and there is no real cover for the strikers." You'd have to be a long way up Pardew's arse to describe that as 'slagging off'.

The result yesterday is not the point, it's the fact that Pardew thinks his squad is not complete and we are less than one week from the opening game. He's had three months to build his squad and the suggestion now is that he will finish the job after the season is under way. By then we may have already dropped points that we should not have dropped. If that happens and we miss automatic promotion by 1 or 2 points, what will the excuse be then? Excuses are not good enough.

[LostBoys]

I would not read too much into a pre season game with an average and possibly struggling Championship side. We were ok for the first hour with first team squad players and at times made Reading look ordinary but when the six substitutions were made overall we were pretty ropey. We now know that Pulis does actually exist but I did not really notice him in the game. With regard to the other 'academy' and 'reserves' players we know that some of them have promise but are not yet ready for the first team squad.

[rooney]

really need another striker and CM fielder.

 

The Striker to be big as cover for Rickie and also require a pacey winger and then we should be complete.

[Charlie2008]

Pull yor knickers up you hysterical tart, it was a friendly with multiple sustitutions, the results means nothing FFS

 

I am inclined to agree. Always best to lose friendlies and win when the season kicks off. Reading are not in our league.

 

Bring on Argyle!!

 

[saintmonkey1979]

No, no, no, no you are not allowed to say that, because AP apparently knows.

 

Sod the fact you see nothing happening.

 

Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't happening. You're preaching your doom and gloom with no basis other than your negative anti-club opinion just for a reaction. Nowhere have backed any of what you're saying up with facts, just supposition. But this seems to be your M.O.

 

I await your bashing of me for daring to have an opinion other than yours;)

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

This thread was started at the beginning of the game, not after it. The words used are "The midfield looks weak and there is no real cover for the strikers." You'd have to be a long way up Pardew's arse to describe that as 'slagging off'.

The result yesterday is not the point, it's the fact that Pardew thinks his squad is not complete and we are less than one week from the opening game. He's had three months to build his squad and the suggestion now is that he will finish the job after the season is under way. By then we may have already dropped points that we should not have dropped. If that happens and we miss automatic promotion by 1 or 2 points, what will the excuse be then? Excuses are not good enough.

 

I tend to agree Prof .

 

At the end of the season a point dropped in August will be of exactly equal value and importance to a point dropped in May . I've given up trying to predict the result of a single football match let alone a month's worth , but once you look past what is certainly a good quality starting XI (when they're all fit that is) this squad is obviously desperately thin . Leaving the signing of the reinforcements we clearly require so late is in itself a gamble . As of now now our squad (with the exception of the Full Back position) is significantly weaker in all departments than the squad that finished last season - to claim otherwise is nothing more than wishful thinking frankly .

 

I would remind the more complacent among us that even the improved starting XI we certainly had in the second half of last season was proven to be far from invincible - as any Brighton supporter will attest .

 

People keep telling me there's no need to worry because EPL clubs will being unloading plenty of quality players on loan soon because of new squad size regulations and that some good'uns will surely filter down to us . That's all well and good but if you were Arsene Wenger for instance wouldn't you rather loan out your 'next big thing' to a CCC club where they might learn more playing with and against better quality players ? Who knows they may have marginally fewer lumps kicked out of them in the process .

 

We could already have the quality reinforcements we need lined up of course - for all I know we could be signing 3 new players tomorrow - but until they actually arrive I shall continue to view the coming season with some sense of concern . We're going to win football matches for sure , but the utter walkover many on here seem to be predicting may be not quite as 'nailed on' as they think .

 

Before the usual suspects chip in with the usual arguments can I just remind them that worrying about the state of your team not some treacherous betrayed of the club or an attack on the manager , but rather the natural state of affairs of most football fans - indeed years of bitter experience has taught me that preseason optimism very rarely outlasts the summer sun at this club .

 

Let's hope this season is the exception to that rule .