Defining Period Of The Football Season

[Gemmel]

A week away from what is considered a crucial time in the footballing calendar, I can't help but think, that it is a more important time for Saints than most other clubs.

 

Not because we have any god given right to promotion, but the pressure of "The five year plan", the expectation amoungst the fans & footballing press, the outstanding questions on who actually owns us (And their intentions) and with the transfer window just about to open, the Christmas period, could make or break our season and possibly even the next couple of years.

 

A poor christmas and we start drifting away from the pack, our better players become more interested in moves to higher divisions and transfer targets think twice about dropping down a division if it doesn't look like we are going up.

 

A good Christmas and we start pushing or consolidating an automatic promotion place, it makes it easier to persuade the better players to stay and also attract better players that believe we are going up and the 5 year plan is back on track.

 

Failure this season would almost certainly see a rebuilding of the squad, which of course takes time and the cycle starts again, it would also risk lethargy from our owners and possily the amount in which they are prepared to fund us. I've lost count of the number of games on here (And it's predecessors) of the "Must win games", but for me this is a genuine "Must win" period in the clubs history

 

So Santa, if you are listening, can I have an automatic promotion place by January 1st... oh and the tubes to be working on Boxing day.

[paris]

Winter break for SFC this year ......

[sad saints fan]

We'll be lucky to even play a game over christmas.

 

I have just looked at a few long range forecasts and the general concesus seems to be that we have very cold weather for several more days at least. I think you may be right , not so many games over christmas but I think everyone will be in the same situation,so it could be to our advantage .With the transfer window reopening in January and our financial advantage over most clubs in this division which should be able to add enough quality to our squad to play twice a week through February and March and have enough quality cover for injuries and suspensions.

[SFKA South Woodford]

Also given that Saints traditionally do so badly through the whole of December, maybe it's not such a bad thing to not be playing our league games then. Now we just need St Marys to become unplayable and the bad weather to last until mid February and promotion will be assured.

[Andy_Porter]

Also given that Saints traditionally do so badly through the whole of December, maybe it's not such a bad thing to not be playing our league games then. Now we just need St Marys to become unplayable and the bad weather to last until mid February and promotion will be assured.

 

Is there a period of the season where we traditionally do well?

[Minsk]

Is there a period of the season where we traditionally do well?

 

Yes, 1 March to 1 May, inclusive!!

[sadoldgit]

The defining part to any season is where a team kicks on and does the business. It hasn't happened for us yet and given the form in the season so far, unless we get new blood in it isn't going to happen.

[Lets B Avenue]

Also given that Saints traditionally do so badly through the whole of December, maybe it's not such a bad thing to not be playing our league games then. Now we just need St Marys to become unplayable and the bad weather to last until mid February and promotion will be assured.

 

Not traditionally. From 1975 to 1983 we only lost twice.

[Miltonaggro]

Spot on initial post Gemmel, I think that there were a good few of us making these points when Pardew departed. The honeymoon period for NA was always going to resemble a weekend at a seedy B&B in Clacton, and that if we weren't genuinely challenging by the early part of the window both players and fans are going to have itchy feet. Another point that was made at that time was that whilst NA could be a good long term solution, the caveat was obvious - that Cortese would be unlikely to allow that time if success was not forthcoming (we will wait and see but the 'automatic promotion is unthinkable' comment may offer a clue).

 

I fear that unless Saints bounce back very strongly over the next two games January could make the Killing Fields look like Mary Poppins...

[eelpie]

The defining part to any season is where a team kicks on and does the business. It hasn't happened for us yet and given the form in the season so far, unless we get new blood in it isn't going to happen.

 

We are where we are because as we well know we have a misfiring strike force (Alan and Oxo excepted). Had they been anywhere near as potent as they were last season we would be in the top two. I hope Nicola reaIises that the crocked three have to be replaced with a couple of potent, inform strikers, otherwise we can forget the five year plan.

[70's Mike]

For me the defining part of the season will be if NA adds to the squad in the transfer window,

I have no idea what his track record is like in the transfer market but i think it is a vital period for the club because imo, we are weak in midfield and lack options in the wide midfield areas

[Window Cleaner]

We are where we are because as we well know we have a misfiring strike force (Alan and Oxo excepted). Had they been anywhere near as potent as they were last season we would be in the top two. I hope Nicola reaIises that the crocked three have to be replaced with a couple of potent, inform strikers, otherwise we can forget the five year plan.

 

Adam and Oxo are part of the midfield surely? If we've to rely on them as our principal source of goals that would mean that the MF is weakened wouldn't it. I keep reading posts on this forum saying the midfield is "failing". That would be because our 2 are getting overrun by the oppositions 4 or 5.Lallana and Oxo are supposed to have a midfield role but they're our principal goalscorers. If the other 2 have to go marauding forward all of the time because we can't score with our front 4 then it's no surprise that we can't control the midfield. I keep on saying this, the uselessness of Lambert and the lack of game time from Barnard are our only problem, it needs to be addressed, it needed to be addressed in the loanr window.Until it is we will struggle against aggressive sides because

half of our midfield is our attack if you see what I mean.

[Thedelldays]

I think it's funny how those having a pop at NC getting rid of pardew and the lack of stability have already feared thee worse for Adkins and seemingly want him gone should he not take us up this season

[Jonnyboy]

A week away from what is considered a crucial time in the footballing calendar, I can't help but think, that it is a more important time for Saints than most other clubs.

 

Not because we have any god given right to promotion, but the pressure of "The five year plan", the expectation amoungst the fans & footballing press, the outstanding questions on who actually owns us (And their intentions) and with the transfer window just about to open, the Christmas period, could make or break our season and possibly even the next couple of years.

 

A poor christmas and we start drifting away from the pack, our better players become more interested in moves to higher divisions and transfer targets think twice about dropping down a division if it doesn't look like we are going up.

 

A good Christmas and we start pushing or consolidating an automatic promotion place, it makes it easier to persuade the better players to stay and also attract better players that believe we are going up and the 5 year plan is back on track.

 

Failure this season would almost certainly see a rebuilding of the squad, which of course takes time and the cycle starts again, it would also risk lethargy from our owners and possily the amount in which they are prepared to fund us. I've lost count of the number of games on here (And it's predecessors) of the "Must win games", but for me this is a genuine "Must win" period in the clubs history

 

So Santa, if you are listening, can I have an automatic promotion place by January 1st... oh and the tubes to be working on Boxing day.

 

No chance after losing to Brentford

[Jonnyboy]

I think it's funny how those having a pop at NC getting rid of pardew and the lack of stability have already feared thee worse for Adkins and seemingly want him gone should he not take us up this season

 

If we dont get in the playoffs he has to go.

[doddisalegend]

I think it's funny how those having a pop at NC getting rid of pardew and the lack of stability have already feared thee worse for Adkins and seemingly want him gone should he not take us up this season

 

What almost as funny as those who kept having a pop at AP for not getting us promoted last season, now being really chilled out about us sitting in 9th this season (below the mighty Bournemouth) while claiming we're playing much better football than last year?

 

I think the number of posters who want Nigel sacked can be counted on one hand. I do think NC might wield the axe though if we don't go up he has a lot riding on promotion.

[eelpie]

Adam and Oxo are part of the midfield surely? If we've to rely on them as our principal source of goals that would mean that the MF is weakened wouldn't it. I keep reading posts on this forum saying the midfield is "failing". That would be because our 2 are getting overrun by the oppositions 4 or 5.Lallana and Oxo are supposed to have a midfield role but they're our principal goalscorers. If the other 2 have to go marauding forward all of the time because we can't score with our front 4 then it's no surprise that we can't control the midfield. I keep on saying this, the uselessness of Lambert and the lack of game time from Barnard are our only problem, it needs to be addressed, it needed to be addressed in the loanr window.Until it is we will struggle against aggressive sides because

half of our midfield is our attack if you see what I mean.

 

Exactly. I wasn't criticising the midfielders and Adam (yes, apols meant Adam not Alan) and Oxo are performing well, and contributing goals, as the midfield should. Because the strikers are not doing their job the opposition are able to play forward and harry our midfield. Lambert should be further forward and bothering defences and be in position to receive crosses from midfield and wings. Defensively despite the odd soft goal we are doing quite well, and the midfield are playing their part. But we should be terrifying their rearguard which we did last season. We are too feeble in front of their box and shooting is too obvious and erratic upfront. Not good.

[Thedelldays]

What almost as funny as those who kept having a pop at AP for not getting us promoted last season, now being really chilled out about us sitting in 9th this season (below the mighty Bournemouth) while claiming we're playing much better football than last year?

 

I think the number of posters who want Nigel sacked can be counted on one hand. I do think NC might wield the axe though if we don't go up he has a lot riding on promotion.

 

Trust me if we don't go up I will have questions about Adkins.. But writing him off when 5 points from 2nd, a transfer window and half a season to go makes those who do look like tarts

[Thedelldays]

If we dont get in the playoffs he has to go.

 

So much for stability eh??

Did you feel pardew should have not been fired ?

[doddisalegend]

Trust me if we don't go up I will have questions about Adkins.. But writing him off when 5 points from 2nd, a transfer window and half a season to go makes those who do look like tarts

 

There is still time to turn around for sure, problem is like last season we now need other teams to have loss of form to give us a chance IMO, it didn't really happen last season and might not this season. I was hoping we would do what Leeds did last season fly out of the blocks and stay in the top three of the league always very close to the top (if not top). Instead we've stuttered through to christmas with three managers (who have all managed poor results) I mean if some had told me we'd be in 10th the week before christmas at the beggining of the season I wouldn't have believed it.

[Thedelldays]

There is still time to turn around for sure, problem is like last season we now need other teams to have loss of form to give us a chance IMO, it didn't really happen last season and might not this season. I was hoping we would do what Leeds did last season fly out of the blocks and stay in the top three of the league always very close to the top (if not top). Instead we've stuttered through to christmas with three managers (who have all managed poor results) I mean if some had told me we'd be in 10th the week before christmas at the beggining of the season I wouldn't have believed it.

 

Not really sure you can say Adkins has been poor... Promotion points return from him... Unless you are nuts enough to think we would smash every team we play this year?

[Andy_Porter]

So much for stability eh??

Did you feel pardew should have not been fired ?

 

It really is ridiculous.

 

IF we don't make the play offs I'm certain it will be because Adkins didn't have a pre season with the players and we basically lost a month with Wilkins in charge. The last thing we should do is get rid of another manager and end up with the same excuses this time next year when we're ****ing around in mid table losing to absolute **** like Brentford.

[doddisalegend]

Not really sure you can say Adkins has been poor... Promotion points return from him... Unless you are nuts enough to think we would smash every team we play this year?

 

I didn't say he was poor I said poor results. Unless you feel games like Brentford and hudders were good results?

[doddisalegend]

It really is ridiculous.

 

IF we don't make the play offs I'm certain it will be because Adkins didn't have a pre season with the players and we basically lost a month with Wilkins in charge. The last thing we should do is get rid of another manager and end up with the same excuses this time next year when we're ****ing around in mid table losing to absolute **** like Brentford.

 

That could have been avoided though by sacking Pardew in the summer rather than letting him start the season hopeffully NC won't make that mistake again. Also Nigel knew what the situation was when took the job I'm sure he didn't give NC such excuses when he took the job. He knew promotion was the goal and anything less is unacceptable.

[Jonnyboy]

So much for stability eh??

Did you feel pardew should have not been fired ?

 

ive always said we shouldve kept Pardew

[Thedelldays]

I didn't say he was poor I said poor results. Unless you feel games like Brentford and hudders were good results?

that was one bad game...which happens to every team in the world

[Thedelldays]

ive always said we shouldve kept Pardew

odd

 

where did we finish again..? how much ground did we make up on the top 6 from last xmas..?

[doddisalegend]

that was one bad game...which happens to every team in the world

 

Doesn't matter to the point I was making though. I'd said all three managers have had poor results this season (TBH Wilikins had nothing but poor results) and as you've pointed out I was correct. If we don't go up this season all three managers have to take some of the blame for poor results Nigel will be the one in the fring line however as he will be the one in charge for most of the season and at the end of it.

[corsacar saint]

The defining moment of the season will for me be if/when we fail to make one of the two automatic promotion places.I just do not think the players would have the bottle to go up via the play offs.

[Jonnyboy]

odd

 

where did we finish again..? how much ground did we make up on the top 6 from last xmas..?

 

without the -10 we wouldve been in the playoffs, therefore we have to be at least in the playoffs this season, I dont give a **** who Pards was supposed to be ****ging, its bigger than that

[david in sweden]

Winter break for SFC this year ......

 

around this time last season, I reminded some people that a winter-break is quite normal in other Euro countries.

France, Germany, Spain and Italy have varying breaks anything from 7-18 days after Boxing day - in full expectation that the weather will make any reasonable football game - an impossibility. Now guess what ?

With this weather looking like it's here to stay (for a while at least) ..is this season just a one-off ..or is it a sensible idea to avoid; player injuries, travelling problems and transport delays etc, and give serious consideration to planning for a shorter winter break in the UK, too ?

 

Yes, I'd get withdrawal symtoms as well - without games to follow every week but ..is there a better alterantive.?

[doddisalegend]

around this time last season, I reminded some people that a winter-break is quite normal in other Euro countries.

France, Germany, Spain and Italy have varying breaks anything from 7-18 days after Boxing day - in full expectation that the weather will make any reasonable football game - an impossibility. Now guess what ?

With this weather looking like it's here to stay (for a while at least) ..is this season just a one-off ..or is it a sensible idea to avoid; player injuries, travelling problems and transport delays etc, and give serious consideration to planning for a shorter winter break in the UK, too ?

 

Yes, I'd get withdrawal symtoms as well - without games to follow every week but ..is there a better alterantive.?

 

Some of the Europa League games around europe mid week seemed to take place in blizzards and no one seemed bothered.

[david in sweden]

Some of the Europa League games around europe mid week seemed to take place in blizzards and no one seemed bothered.[/quote

 

Two points here;

Firstly the "planned " winter break is fixed ..usually Dec26 - jan 7 ..or even upto 18th and that is the "worst" of the winter period.

Secondly, the winter weather in Europe is often far more advanced than you've seen there. The fact that UK has a particularly bad time just now is most uncommon, when often Winters in the south particulary rarely have snow.

 

The winter break is not just a climatic factor, but gives chances for players to rest up / new players to bond with teammates and others recover from injuries. This is often noticeable by the improved performance of some Euro clubs in the Spring, whereas most English Prem. teams have been playing week in and out since August !

[hackedoff]

The defining period for us has already passed,it occured between the end of last season and the beginning of this.A time when the club took things for granted and rested on its laurels.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Our next 6 games are:

 

A Charlton

H Huddersfield

H Exeter

A Dagenham and Redbridge

A Oldham

H Notts County

 

surely we should win at least 5 of them if we're serious about automatic promotion.

[Andy_Porter]

If we're serious about promotion we need to win at least four, two points per game has to be the target, expecting more than that will just lead to dissapointment when in fact we've actually done very well.

 

The Valley is a hard place to go, D&R will be another culture shock and Oldham on a Tuesday won't be much fun for the players - would be a massive achievement to win two of those.

[Window Cleaner]

If we're serious about promotion we need to win at least four, two points per game has to be the target, expecting more than that will just lead to dissapointment when in fact we've actually done very well.

 

The Valley is a hard place to go, D&R will be another culture shock and Oldham on a Tuesday won't be much fun for the players - would be a massive achievement to win two of those.

 

 

Two points a game might not get us automatic promotion now, we'd need 2.2 ish to be sure.13 points from these 6 games is what we need.Can't see us having any difficulty with that really.

Edited 22 December, 2010 by Window Cleaner

[Marlborough Saint]

Given that December is nearly over I think the defining period will be up to the end of the transfer window.

As a minimum expectation I would expect to see Chaplow signed permanently, a quality replacement for Puncheon and a proven striker.

If a real statement of intent is being made I would also bring in a further pacy striker to replace Guly and Connelly plus another central midfielder as I believe we will need 4 to compete for the 2 spaces given the fixture backlog. This would give us a strong first eleven and impact players when needed in the event of injuries and suspensions.

[NickG]

would be happy with that.

 

Striker is difficult one, it could easily be said we have more than enough, more than the other teams we are competing with, just need form and injury free

[Super_Uwe]

Our next 6 games are:

 

A Charlton

H Huddersfield

H Exeter

A Dagenham and Redbridge

A Oldham

H Notts County

 

surely we should win at least 5 of them if we're serious about automatic promotion.

 

You just know we are going to lose away to Dagenham and Redbridge!!

[david in sweden]

Given that December is nearly over I think the defining period will be up to the end of the transfer window.

As a minimum expectation I would expect to see Chaplow signed permanently, a quality replacement for Puncheon and a proven striker.

If a real statement of intent is being made I would also bring in a further pacy striker to replace Guly and Connelly plus another central midfielder as I believe we will need 4 to compete for the 2 spaces given the fixture backlog. This would give us a strong first eleven and impact players when needed in the event of injuries and suspensions.

 

good summary Marlborough,

At least we've almost through the December "hoodoo" period, when successive teams in successive seasons with un-successful

managers go into the New Year empty-handed.

Hopefully the enforced "winter break " I've always favoured will give players a chance to have a mid season (instead of a pre-season) renew energy levels, and for the " walking wounded " to get fit.

I really thought Lee Holmes was going to come good in that midfield role but now he's out for the rest of the season.

With Puncheon (likely) going, we really need another tough midfielder, as I don't expect to see Wotton returning and for all his excellent passing I'd really like to see Schneiderlin with 3 or 4 goals to his credit. There's no room for injuries (or suspensions) so we really need so power in the middle. I was an advocate of another big striker being signed in the summer, but it didn't happen and did anyone really expect Rickie to come with another 30 goal season ? ... I don't think so.

I really like Barnard but we are too reliant on him, and (sadly) Connolly still has the inevitable injury problems.

Let's hope we see some transfer moves to improve the squad and back up some of the excellent rhetoric we've heard from NA and NC in recent weeks.

[Dalek2003]

Agreed with the above post, especially about Connolly who is potentially our best player but spends too much time in the treatment room.

[Gemmel]

So Santa, if you are listening, can I have an automatic promotion place by January 1st.

 

Thanks Santa

[Deppo]

Can you now ask the Easter Bunny if we can be 10 points clear by 25th April?