Hyde and Seek Posted 13 February, 2011 Share Posted 13 February, 2011 Probably going to get some flak for this. After yesterdays game I'm not sure if we have the right mindset to get promoted. I'm not sure why but one thing we need to sort out are the players who can put in 100% effort week in and out. There are other teams around us with far less resoources who perform week in week out We apparently have the best squad in the League but lack consistency. Great to see Adam back back but his best position is out wide. Carlisle go down to 10 men so we take off Lambert in the 2nd half and we play 1 up. We play Tranmere a couple of weeks ago. After the home game against Tranmere their manager admits their team couldn't cope with us so we lose at their place. Sorry Nigel but stop tinkering with the side unless you have injuries. OK we have no divine right to win matches but lets be more professional in our approach so we have a chance to get automatic promotion. Rant over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 13 February, 2011 Share Posted 13 February, 2011 The sign of a good team is when you play badly and win. We did that. Onwards and upwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 13 February, 2011 Share Posted 13 February, 2011 The sign of a good team is when you play badly and win. We did that. Onwards and upwards. Not much fun to watch for the paying punters though............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 13 February, 2011 Share Posted 13 February, 2011 Not much fun to watch for the paying punters though............................ True. A win is a win though, can we really be that picky down in league 1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickyhale Posted 13 February, 2011 Share Posted 13 February, 2011 The sign of a good team is when you play badly and win. We did that. Onwards and upwards. Thats what Brighton have been doing and maybe why they are top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 13 February, 2011 Share Posted 13 February, 2011 The Tranmere defeat seems to be assuming disproportionate importance in people's minds. We played badly and lost. Move on. What was the last league game we lost? We haven't been great in the last three games, but have picked up 7 points. We need a bit of tinkering and Lallana back to full fitness to pick up momentum again. No need to panic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyde and Seek Posted 13 February, 2011 Author Share Posted 13 February, 2011 But the point I'm trying to make is to play players in their best position. So bring on a central midfieder Gobern for Chaplow and replace NGuessan with Adam. What is our best 11, what do others say? Surely its criminal to play just 1 up front when you are at home and the opposition is down to 10 men. We need to set a standard simply that and I'm not sure that we are doing this at the moment. Going back to the Tranmere game we need to beat teams like that if we have serious intentions of geting out of this league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 13 February, 2011 Share Posted 13 February, 2011 But the point I'm trying to make is to play players in their best position. So bring on a central midfieder Gobern for Chaplow and replace NGuessan with Adam. What is our best 11, what do others say? Surely its criminal to play just 1 up front when you are at home and the opposition is down to 10 men. We need to set a standard simply that and I'm not sure that we are doing this at the moment. Going back to the Tranmere game we need to beat teams like that if we have serious intentions of geting out of this league. And presumably, Manchester United need to beat teams like Wolves if they have a serious intention of winning the Premier League. It looks like we're going to need about 80 points or so to secure 2nd place. That means getting c.32 points from our last 18 games. A record of something like W 9 D 5 L 4. To win the division, we probably need more like 92 points (and/or hope that Brighton have a rocky patch) That would require something like W 14 D 2 L 2. Or, if Brighton stop producing so consistently, maybe something like W 12 D 2 L 4. To achieve any of these outcomes, we are going to need to beat teams "like" Tranmere. But merely to secure automatic promotion, we don't need to worry about losing specifically to Tranmere. Or the fact that we will lose points to teams "like" Tranmere between now and the end of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyde and Seek Posted 14 February, 2011 Author Share Posted 14 February, 2011 And we don't need to give away 2 goal leads against Peterborough on 2 occasions either. We do need to be harder in all senses of the word. Just not consistent enough and I'm sure Ferguson wouldn't put up with that, nor would lesser managers. Going back to my original post, several managers in our league say we have the best squad in the league but the crucial question is why are we so inconsistent and not leaders in our league. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Not much fun to watch for the paying punters though............................ I'm sure United fans don't care with their mansion full of trophies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints foreva Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Not much fun to watch for the paying punters though............................ I don't care how we play as long as we're celebrating promotion come the end of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 (edited) I'm sure United fans don't care with their mansion full of trophies. I don't care how we play as long as we're celebrating promotion come the end of the season. You see thats were I differ I want to see good matches of football and win, do you really want to sit through rubbish like last saturday week in week out going well at least we won? I watch football to be entertained winning makes a game more enjoyable granted and of course winning is very important but I enjoyed the games against Man U and posh more than this win against a 10 team while we played really poorly. Edited 14 February, 2011 by doddisalegend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thimble Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Thats what Brighton have been doing and maybe why they are top Apart from the fact we have not been playing badly...Granted, we had our sticky patch through November and December but we got through that and on the whole have been playing brilliantly which is why we are top... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 You see thats were I differ I want to see good matches of football and win, do you really want to see it through rubbish like last saturday week in week out going well at least we won? I watch football to be entertained winning makes a game more enjoyable granted and of course winning is very important but I enjoyed the games against Man U and posh more than this win against a 10 team while we played really poorly. I agree, no reason why we cannot do both, although it's not going to happen ever game. So far since Adkins has been in place, we're matched Brighton point by point (may even be a couple in our favour) so the automatic promotion chase has been there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West End Saint Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 We have played well in some games but you dont always play great football the point is to win when you are not playing well we did that I would rather that than play great but end up with a point. Lallana has been a massive miss and now we have him back things will improve he is the best player in the league we are right in it & if we can hit form promotion is still on the cards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 According to the bookies we are odds on for promotion in from 8/13 to 8/15 so they are more confident than lots of our supporters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 The sign of a good team is when you play badly and win. We did that. Onwards and upwards. No, that's just a pundits' cliche. The sign of a good team is play and win just about every game - that's what Brighton and Manchester United are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 No, that's just a pundits' cliche. The sign of a good team is play and win just about every game - that's what Brighton and Manchester United are doing. Oh no they are not. Winning but certainly not well. Clichés become so by being well used. There is truth in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthamSteve Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 The sign of a good team is when you play badly and win. We did that. Onwards and upwards. this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dellboypete Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 You see thats were I differ I want to see good matches of football and win, do you really want to see it through rubbish like last saturday week in week out going well at least we won? I watch football to be entertained winning makes a game more enjoyable granted and of course winning is very important but I enjoyed the games against Man U and posh more than this win against a 10 team while we played really poorly. Two seasons in the 3rd division is enough for me I'm afraid. I really enjoyed last season, and have also really enjoyed this one too. I've seen some really dire games (far worse than saturday's) and also some absolute crackers. And also a lot of fairly decent stuff too - so over a season I reckon I get more entertainment than not from saints. But I also want to get out of this league and if it means winning 1-0 every week with ****-poor performances then I don't care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Shango Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Not much fun to watch for the paying punters though............................ But we've played really well many times this season. The point is some days you aren't going to be at your best, but if you can still sneak out a result that's the sign of a good team IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 And we don't need to give away 2 goal leads against Peterborough on 2 occasions either. We do need to be harder in all senses of the word. Just not consistent enough and I'm sure Ferguson wouldn't put up with that, nor would lesser managers. Going back to my original post, several managers in our league say we have the best squad in the league but the crucial question is why are we so inconsistent and not leaders in our league. Any suggestions? "so inconsistent". What? Just rubbish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserableoldgit Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Not much fun to watch for the paying punters though............................ This is what live sport is all about. You never know what you are going to get. It is unpredictable. If you want a pretty well guarenteed enjoyment, go and see a well reviewed film or show or see your favourite band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 ...several managers in our league say we have the best squad in the league but the crucial question is why are we so inconsistent and not leaders in our league. Any suggestions? Because after the first 6 games of the season we had 4 points and Brighton had 11. Since then (22 games) we've been as consistent as the league leaders, and more consistent than any other team in the league. Will that do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dellboypete Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 This is what live sport is all about. You never know what you are going to get. It is unpredictable. If you want a pretty well guarenteed enjoyment, go and see a well reviewed film or show or see your favourite band. Yes, this is the most predictable thing about watching saints for over 40 years!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isking Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Was Lambert carrying an injury on Saturday? It was the first time I've noticed someone else take a free kick within scoring range since he joined last season. Maybe thats why he was taken off early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Secret Site Agent Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Probably going to get some flak for this. After yesterdays game I'm not sure if we have the right mindset to get promoted. I'm not sure why but one thing we need to sort out are the players who can put in 100% effort week in and out. There are other teams around us with far less resoources who perform week in week out We apparently have the best squad in the League but lack consistency. Great to see Adam back back but his best position is out wide. Carlisle go down to 10 men so we take off Lambert in the 2nd half and we play 1 up. We play Tranmere a couple of weeks ago. After the home game against Tranmere their manager admits their team couldn't cope with us so we lose at their place. Sorry Nigel but stop tinkering with the side unless you have injuries. OK we have no divine right to win matches but lets be more professional in our approach so we have a chance to get automatic promotion. Rant over Sorry, but in reply to your question, 'Where are we going?' I must answer that 'No man knows his own destiny'. And leave it at that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Was Lambert carrying an injury on Saturday? It was the first time I've noticed someone else take a free kick within scoring range since he joined last season. Maybe thats why he was taken off early. Well, he hasn't scored a free kick since Bournemouth in August.... and even that was deflected. It was time to try something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Here we go again its the end of the world ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Oh no they are not. Winning but certainly not well. Clichés become so by being well used. There is truth in them. So they are winning just about every game. Or at least enough to see them at the top of the table. Clichés become so because people are too lazy to think of actual things to say so just parrot stuff out in order to sound knowledgeable. Football pundits are amongst the worst for this because you have semi-literate numskulls parachuted into a job that expects some ability to communicate using words and ideas. In the case of this beauty, does that mean that Barcelona are not a good team as they play well and win? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 (edited) So they are winning just about every game. Or at least enough to see them at the top of the table. Clichés become so because people are too lazy to think of actual things to say so just parrot stuff out in order to sound knowledgeable. Football pundits are amongst the worst for this because you have semi-literate numskulls parachuted into a job that expects some ability to communicate using words and ideas. In the case of this beauty, does that mean that Barcelona are not a good team as they play well and win? Barcelona at the moment are one of the best club teams the world has ever seen. Even they have off days though, as proven at the weekend when they were frankly terrible away to Sporting Gijon. They had an off day and still collected a point. Their superiority in depth and squad allowed them resource to pull on when they needed it. The better team that wasn't playing to it's best managed to salvage a point. I accept your point that it may be lazy to use a cliché to make a point. But I am sticking to my guns, they have become so tired and overused because they are based on a fundamental truth. Edited 14 February, 2011 by Colinjb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthamSteve Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 So they are winning just about every game. Or at least enough to see them at the top of the table. Clichés become so because people are too lazy to think of actual things to say so just parrot stuff out in order to sound knowledgeable. Football pundits are amongst the worst for this because you have semi-literate numskulls parachuted into a job that expects some ability to communicate using words and ideas. In the case of this beauty, does that mean that Barcelona are not a good team as they play well and win? No, but they were awful at the weekend and drew. Make of that what you will but I'd say that cliches are so for a reason, there steeped in truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulSaint Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 We apparently have the best squad in the League but lack consistency. Win our two games in hand & we go 2nd, fans of most of the teams below us would jealously say that is very conistent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Oh no they are not. Winning but certainly not well. Clichés become so by being well used. There is truth in them. What do you call 'playing well' if it's not winning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 What do you call 'playing well' if it's not winning? Wolverhampton Wanderers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Durman Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 A football manager needs to be level headed. To not get carried when we play fantastic or dejected when we play below our standards. We are fans and thus we must accept the roller coaster and put our faith and trust in the manager and players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Was Lambert carrying an injury on Saturday? It was the first time I've noticed someone else take a free kick within scoring range since he joined last season. Maybe thats why he was taken off early. He plays virtually every minute of every game. We have two games per week in many of the weeks left this season. We have plenty of strikers. Barnard is keen to win his place back. So all in all no drama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Two seasons in the 3rd division is enough for me I'm afraid. I really enjoyed last season, and have also really enjoyed this one too. I've seen some really dire games (far worse than saturday's) and also some absolute crackers. And also a lot of fairly decent stuff too - so over a season I reckon I get more entertainment than not from saints. But I also want to get out of this league and if it means winning 1-0 every week with ****-poor performances then I don't care. Spot on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkie Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 I was lucky enough to be at Oldham the other week and all I can say is the team is just that - entertaining (I also went to Tranmere and saw the other side to the team!). Admittedly Lalanna came on in the second half to save Chaplow being sent off and the balance (and agression) in the side went awry. Back to full strength with Chaplow and Lalanna in the side at Rochdale and I don't think there will be much wrong. We cried out for more width and Rickie was dropping out wide - but now we have wing men he seems to more central again and our main target for the ball out from the back. I confess to not understanding starting with N'Guessan - I thought these players were bought to make an impression from the bench? We had good shape and understanding with Guly and Lambo up front, Adam, Chappers and Oxo in support - with Morgan playing the holding role. Hammond is probably a better holding player than Morgan - but the Frenchman offers us a bit more style. Apart from Charlton - no one can take 2nd spot from us providing (and that's a big providing) we win our games in hand - and don't lose to Charlton and Bournemouth! Destiny (the "P" word) is all in our hands. The players have shown a lot pride and passion wearing the sash - but just need to really focus on the job in hand. Injuries aside and the odd suspension we should be comfortably in second after we have played Bournemouth! Never mind where do we go...I know, Nigel knows and the bus driver knows and the building is being prepared for on big party come 7th May 2011. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philelec Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Win our two games in hand & we go 2nd, fans of most of the teams below us would jealously say that is very conistent? I am surprised that Charlton is not being mentioned, they are 6 points behind Bournemouth's 53 points with 3 games in hand, so IF they win them all will have 56 points. We are 5 points behind Bournemouth with 2 games in hand so when we win them all we will have 54 points. Lets hope they don't win them all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 Probably going to get some flak for this. After yesterdays game I'm not sure if we have the right mindset to get promoted. I'm not sure why but one thing we need to sort out are the players who can put in 100% effort week in and out. There are other teams around us with far less resoources who perform week in week out We apparently have the best squad in the League but lack consistency. Great to see Adam back back but his best position is out wide. Carlisle go down to 10 men so we take off Lambert in the 2nd half and we play 1 up. We play Tranmere a couple of weeks ago. After the home game against Tranmere their manager admits their team couldn't cope with us so we lose at their place. Sorry Nigel but stop tinkering with the side unless you have injuries. OK we have no divine right to win matches but lets be more professional in our approach so we have a chance to get automatic promotion. Rant over Can give you very easy answer to this! Other teams around us performing week in week out??? Since Adknis has been here we have consistently out performed teams around us. In the time he has been here we have got 2 more points than B'mth(in less games), 5 more than Huddersfield, 8 more than Oldham and MK, 10 more than Charlton, 13 more than Colchester, 14 more than Peterborough. So who are these teams around us who are more consistent - or was it made up??!! Adkins tinkering has taken us from depths of the league to the most, bar Brighton just, consistent side in the league. IMHO You are wrong. Rant over (feel better now ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 I blame Championship Manager. If you set the level of play to 'easy' and give yourself unlimited funds to manage Manchester United, you will see a team that performs week in week out and wins every game. Meanwhile in the real world, we have off days. One was against Tranmere. One was on Saturday. Not a bad result to still end up with three points eh? But like others, I would prefer to be entertained so hopefully not too many games like Saturday. People do lose perspective a bit, hence the the comments about Rickie (5 goals in 3 games) being out of form and N'Guessan being judged by some before he has played a full game for us. The stats that matters for me is that we are pushing the top three all the time and in the last 9 league games have won 6 drawn 2 and lost 1. 26 goals for and 9 against (4 of which came in one game). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 I am surprised that Charlton is not being mentioned, they are 6 points behind Bournemouth's 53 points with 3 games in hand, so IF they win them all will have 56 points. We are 5 points behind Bournemouth with 2 games in hand so when we win them all we will have 54 points. Lets hope they don't win them all! Our games in hand are against Charlton so does that make them 12-pointers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintalan Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 On a lighter note... Where are we going? I don't know When will we get there? How can I be certain All I know, is we are on our way! Courtesy of "Paint Your Wagon Red & White " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Uwe Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 A few weeks ago we were destroying teams, creating 10+ chances a game and looking well beyond the quality required to win this league. Now we're a bit off form, but scraping the points together, after a couple of games where we let ourselves down. That's our year so far. If you judge it week by week then you'll form a lot of contradicting opinions. Fact is, anyone with even a borrowed brain cell can see the squad is good enough. I'm not sure those crying out for infinite signings have noticed it's Bournemouth above us. We play Rochdale next week, and if they beat us, they'll only be a couple of points behind, despite the huge gulf in money. I believe we have enough quality for the league above, as Leeds, Norwich and others have showed when going up and doing well immediately. So what's the problem? Well, to my mind it can only be expectation. These aren't players experienced with success. Winning is a great habit to have but it's still new to us. Being expected to walk the league,and rightly so, is a huge pressure. I think we'll make it, there are a lot of games and teams will slip up. We'll get second, which for me is gutting watching a club like Brighton win the league and not something I'll be able to celebrate. It'd just be job done and move on. We'll slip up a couple more times I'm sure, but our quality will take us up by May just be patient. Very good point. The expectation on Saints to win the league this year has been very high, but to be fair it is not exactly an unwarranted tag with the resources available at the club. As you rightly point out, there needs to be patience. League One footballers are where they are in most cases because they are not quite good enough or consistent enough to play at the very top. Just because we have the money and some of the best players in this division, it doesn't mean that we are guaranteed to perform week in, week out. Overall we are doing OK at the moment; there's still room for improvement of course, but we are well in the mix for promotion. I'd love us to win it this year, but we know that the overall goal of the club is to get back to the Premier League - if we scrape through via the play-offs this year, so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 right, so even though we win...its still worrying..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 I think our position, and this thread just highlights what most of us have known for years - a poor start is costly! Ok no-one could have predicted the off the field developments, but Pardew started poorly this season when it was all set up to start well. He can't blame a history of poor opening day results for that. He lost at home to Plymouth, that's fcking shocking. As someone pointed out, Adkins started adrift of Brighton and has kept pace with them, but it hasn't been enough to catch them. I'm sure we'll close the gap, but not sure we'll catch them now. Often the believe and confidence a run like Brighton's brings gives you enough to keep going until summer and wrap up the league. It's Bournemouth I worry about. They're doing amazingly well, but we should finish above them easily. SHOULD. However, will be beat them at their place? Their position is largely about spirit, over-performing IMO, and it could continue. Saints at their ground is their biggest game for years, again IMO and they'll be almost as up for it as Pompey were first time they played us at home in the top flight. I hope our players realise that. It's time for a big more arrogance, not paying so much respect to opposition, knowing we're better and going out and showing it week in, week out. Lambert is doing his bit now, so it's time everyone stepped it up. Can't disagree with that. Although I think it was Wilkins little tenure that ****ed us the most (if you count MK away as a Wilkins match) it was played 3 - pts 0 give us back some of those points now and we'd be laughing. Thats why no matter how well Nige is doing we need to do better every loss or even draw will hurt us considering how close the top of the table is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 14 February, 2011 Share Posted 14 February, 2011 basically...Nige has kept pace with the team top of the league.....considering they have been brilliant all season, there is not much more he can do.........it was the pre adkins points score that has put us 4th (albeit, a few games in hand).. there is deffo going to be more twist, turns, adkins bashing and praising to come yet.......easter is going to be very interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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