"Dutch gamble yet to pay off" - Echo

[Fowllyd]

This piece makes interesting reading, not least as it seems to be something of a break with the uncritical cosiness that's characterised the Echo's reporting of Saints thus far this season.

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/3985982.Rupert_s_great_Dutch_gamble_yet_to_pay_off/

 

Apologies if it's already been posted elsewhere - if it has I didn't see it.

[stthrobber]

This piece makes interesting reading, not least as it seems to be something of a break with the uncritical cosiness that's characterised the Echo's reporting of Saints thus far this season.

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/3985982.Rupert_s_great_Dutch_gamble_yet_to_pay_off/

 

Apologies if it's already been posted elsewhere - if it has I didn't see it.

 

I think that's a pretty good summing up to be fair, particularly with regard to John's wages and the fringe loan players who can't get a game.

[Bailey]

Does make for interesting reading, particularly the bit about how many clean sheets we've kept.

 

I do believe that this idea has potential, but the lack of funds and the possible loss of key players in January makes it very hard.

 

Only time will tell if this Dutch gamble is a success. Having said that, what do we have to achieve for it to be considered a success?

 

Surely survival is the aim?

[londonsaint1604]

We're not in the relegation zone so it's working so far.

[St Marco]

Very good write up from the Echo, which makes a change. The reality is were in free fall once more and it has shown no signs of stopping as much as we look for them. For three weeks almost all football results from the 3 teams below us have gone our way. If they had gone the opposite way and didnt have the luck we could of found ourself almost 9 points adrift of 21st place. How long can we rely on that trend happening? The only thing for certain to keep us out of the relegation zone is for us to get the points from our games. And were not doing that, 3 points from the last 15 on offer is pretty awful going. The biggest indicator for the fact the system has failed/is failing is the goals ratio. As they mention we have had 9 games of our 23 where we failed to score. That is only 2 games short of 50% of our games. Add to that in 8 games we have scored only 1 goal. So that means for 17 games we scored only 8 times. It does not take a genius to see if you have that sort of goal record you will struggle. So if we can't score how can you be described as an attacking side such as Lowe/Wilde/JP try and claim? Obviously we can't and that is why i agree with this article.

[Scudamore]

Very good write up from the Echo, which makes a change. The reality is were in free fall once more and it has shown no signs of stopping as much as we look for them. For three weeks almost all football results from the 3 teams below us have gone our way. If they had gone the opposite way and didnt have the luck we could of found ourself almost 9 points adrift of 21st place. How long can we rely on that trend happening? The only thing for certain to keep us out of the relegation zone is for us to get the points from our games. And were not doing that, 3 points from the last 15 on offer is pretty awful going. The biggest indicator for the fact the system has failed/is failing is the goals ratio. As they mention we have had 9 games of our 23 where we failed to score. That is only 2 games short of 50% of our games. Add to that in 8 games we have scored only 1 goal. So that means for 17 games we scored only 8 times. It does not take a genius to see if you have that sort of goal record you will struggle. So if we can't score how can you be described as an attacking side such as Lowe/Wilde/JP try and claim? Obviously we can't and that is why i agree with this article.

 

I think we can rely on teams in the relegation losing more games than they win...we can also rely on teams above us going on bad runs and dropping down.

 

Seriously you've done it again and it's such a weak argument. What if this hadn't happened? Well it did.

 

Also i suspect you get a hard on over spreadsheets and pie charts. Tell me i'm wrong...

[Sheff Saint]

We're not going to go back up under the current board.

 

The 'Dutch Gamble' is doing as we generally predicted at the start of the season. Lumping us into a relegation fight.

 

Let's say we escape, what comes next season?

 

What i don't know is are we still losing money?

I can't see how we are so let's assume we aren't.

 

In that case, and say we've earnt 2/3 million on players to clear the overdraft - what then?

 

Will Rupert sanction the signings of a few older players to support the better youngsters we have left? Coupled with some good old and young loans we should be able to slowly work up the table and bring the crowds back.

 

But then what, come Jan 2010 or even summer 10/11. Assuming things go well, we should have a bit, a bit, of money flowing through.

 

This is the best case. But what will happen in the best case?

 

Will Lowe spend the extra cash or will he continue the policy of not gambling, not overspending on ANY wages (i dare say he'll have limits for this division) and, assuming it goes well and JP is still in charge, will Lowe give him the funds he needs?

 

And this is just in reaction to the best case scenario. If we drop down a league, i'm sure the same will apply there. A small fish in League 1, getting smaller.

 

This is why this is experiment will fail.

 

Not spending and relying on medoricity will, barring a lucky combination, not win us promotion. And then if you're not going forward, you're going backwards...

 

And this is Lowe's policy based over 10 years. Why will he change now?

[Legod Third Coming]

We're not going to go back up under the current board.

 

The 'Dutch Gamble' is doing as we generally predicted at the start of the season. Lumping us into a relegation fight.

 

Let's say we escape, what comes next season?

 

What i don't know is are we still losing money?

I can't see how we are so let's assume we aren't.

 

In that case, and say we've earnt 2/3 million on players to clear the overdraft - what then?

 

Will Rupert sanction the signings of a few older players to support the better youngsters we have left? Coupled with some good old and young loans we should be able to slowly work up the table and bring the crowds back.

 

But then what, come Jan 2010 or even summer 10/11. Assuming things go well, we should have a bit, a bit, of money flowing through.

 

This is the best case. But what will happen in the best case?

 

Will Lowe spend the extra cash or will he continue the policy of not gambling, not overspending on ANY wages (i dare say he'll have limits for this division) and, assuming it goes well and JP is still in charge, will Lowe give him the funds he needs?

 

And this is just in reaction to the best case scenario. If we drop down a league, i'm sure the same will apply there. A small fish in League 1, getting smaller.

 

This is why this is experiment will fail.

 

Not spending and relying on medoricity will, barring a lucky combination, not win us promotion. And then if you're not going forward, you're going backwards...

 

And this is Lowe's policy based over 10 years. Why will he change now?

 

The only difference is that originally when Lowe was keeping a tight hold of the purse strings, others were gambling on big signings (Bolton) to maintain their Premiership status and move to this 'next level'.

 

Now, everyone bar four clubs are in the brown stuff and having a bloke who is tight is actually a blessing. Unless we can find someone who is prepared to throw cash around.

 

But they're all going bust!!!

[NickG]

Very good write up from the Echo, which makes a change. The reality is were in free fall once more and it has shown no signs of stopping as much as we look for them. For three weeks almost all football results from the 3 teams below us have gone our way. If they had gone the opposite way and didnt have the luck we could of found ourself almost 9 points adrift of 21st place. How long can we rely on that trend happening? The only thing for certain to keep us out of the relegation zone is for us to get the points from our games. And were not doing that, 3 points from the last 15 on offer is pretty awful going. The biggest indicator for the fact the system has failed/is failing is the goals ratio. As they mention we have had 9 games of our 23 where we failed to score. That is only 2 games short of 50% of our games. Add to that in 8 games we have scored only 1 goal. So that means for 17 games we scored only 8 times. It does not take a genius to see if you have that sort of goal record you will struggle. So if we can't score how can you be described as an attacking side such as Lowe/Wilde/JP try and claim? Obviously we can't and that is why i agree with this article.

 

the easier thing about being at the bottom is that by the very nature of it the other teams don't tend to pick up many points. Its not about relying on it, its just fact of life at the bottom.

 

We are in a bad run yes, but no more in freefall than the others.

 

The last 6 games -not one team in bottom 7 has bettered our points. Charlton and Derby are in free fall (2 points out of last 18 available).

[krissyboy31]

the easier thing about being at the bottom is that by the very nature of it the other teams don't tend to pick up many points. Its not about relying on it, its just fact of life at the bottom.

 

We are in a bad run yes, but no more in freefall than the others.

 

The last 6 games -not one team in bottom 7 has bettered our points. Charlton and Derby are in free fall (2 points out of last 18 available).

 

Conversely, we have failed to take advantage of their poor runs. Whereas we may have been well clear of the relegation zone by now, if we were to lose on Saturday, we could quite easily find our self in the botton 3.

[SaintDonkey]

A very good article and one that's fair on Poortvliet while being damning of Lowe. An approach that I wish a few more posters on here would take!

[NickG]

Yes, not condoning our form but its not the right off stated.

 

Others are below and they are getting worse -we are in the just, only just doing enough bracket.

 

We are four points clear of relegation zone.

[krissyboy31]

Yes, not condoning our form but its not the right off stated.

 

Others are below and they are getting worse -we are in the just, only just doing enough bracket.

 

We are four points clear of relegation zone.

 

I apologise, I thought with Charlton's point they had moved within 3 of us, but looking at the table ALL of the bottom 3 are within 4 points of us.

[NickG]

hope its at least as good as that going into last game!

[St Marco]

I think we can rely on teams in the relegation losing more games than they win...we can also rely on teams above us going on bad runs and dropping down.

 

Seriously you've done it again and it's such a weak argument. What if this hadn't happened? Well it did.

 

Also i suspect you get a hard on over spreadsheets and pie charts. Tell me i'm wrong...

 

Another scudamore post aimed at insulting people, are there any other types?

 

The thing is though you fail to understand what it is your actually talking about, again. We were actually further away from the teams below us. They are gaining on us. This is what you don't quite grasp Scudamore because as always you see the name and not the content of the post. You simply disagree for the sake of disagreeing. If you bothered to actually put a bit of effort into it rather then just go for the high post count you would of known that Forest have lost only 2 of their last 8 games and Doncaster have lost 3 while we have lost 4 of our last 8. We are in the relegation zone in form while they are mid-table. That suggests they are improving while we are not. As i stated how long can you expect people to not win games and not win your own?

So to you that might mean a "weak argument" but to me it is just a case of law of averages. Managers always say things level themselves out so by that lodgic just a matter of time until results go against us. Hopefully that does not happen this weekend!

And your wrong i get a hard on thinking of banging your gf, but then i realised your gf was actually a blow up doll and that don't quite do it for me!

[Scudamore]

Another scudamore post aimed at insulting people, are there any other types?

 

The thing is though you fail to understand what it is your actually talking about, again. We were actually further away from the teams below us. They are gaining on us. This is what you don't quite grasp Scudamore because as always you see the name and not the content of the post. You simply disagree for the sake of disagreeing. If you bothered to actually put a bit of effort into it rather then just go for the high post count you would of known that Forest have lost only 2 of their last 8 games and Doncaster have lost 3 while we have lost 4 of our last 8. We are in the relegation zone in form while they are mid-table. That suggests they are improving while we are not. As i stated how long can you expect people to not win games and not win your own?

So to you that might mean a "weak argument" but to me it is just a case of law of averages. Managers always say things level themselves out so by that lodgic just a matter of time until results go against us. Hopefully that does not happen this weekend!

And your wrong i get a hard on thinking of banging your gf, but then i realised your gf was actually a blow up doll and that don't quite do it for me!

 

*snigger*

 

If i commented on every post you made that i disagree with i'd never get anything done

[Saint Benali]

I think we can rely on teams in the relegation losing more games than they win...we can also rely on teams above us going on bad runs and dropping down.

 

Seriously you've done it again and it's such a weak argument. What if this hadn't happened? Well it did.

 

Also i suspect you get a hard on over spreadsheets and pie charts. Tell me i'm wrong...

 

Teams above us have lost more games but are still ahead of us. As St Marco said you have to win your own games. You won't get anywhere hoping/relying on everyone elses performances going your way, our own are what matter.

So your actually wrong and your snide marks just make you looklike an arsehole.

[Wes Tender]

We're not in the relegation zone so it's working so far.

 

The three bottom teams are all just 4 points below us. If they all win their next match, we'll have three teams just one point behind us.

 

For anybody with any sense, it is not working at all, just that it hasn't placed us in the drop zone by the skin of our teeth. Personally I wouldn't want to be in this position with two games to go at the end of the season.

[St Marco]

*snigger*

 

If i commented on every post you made that i disagree with i'd never get anything done

 

As i said you disagree simply for the sake of disagreeing. If we don't win games then we will suffer for it eventually. If you disagree with that then that is your opinion. But don't preach or imply that your opinion is right and mine is somehow wrong, or that because i don't share your opinion must mean your allowed to insult people for it, that is just being a cry baby. I bet you wouldn't say those things to people face to face would you? Because you know you would be in A&E on a daily basis if you did.

[Scudamore]

Teams above us have lost more games but are still ahead of us. As St Marco said you have to win your own games. You won't get anywhere hoping/relying on everyone elses performances going your way, our own are what matter.

So your actually wrong and your snide marks just make you looklike an arsehole.

 

What? We need to win games??! Didn't realise that...ffs

 

Of course we need to. But there's no point looking at it retrospectively is my point. We are where we are. Four points clear. We now need to push on and get more points than those below us...and drag others down below us. But then i'm just stating the obvious now...or is it obvious? I don't know...

[Legod Third Coming]

What? We need to win games??! Didn't realise that...ffs

 

Of course we need to. But there's no point looking at it retrospectively is my point. We are where we are. Four points clear. We now need to push on and get more points than those below us...and drag others down below us. But then i'm just stating the obvious now...or is it obvious? I don't know...

 

LOL - it is obvious!!!

 

What we need is a win on Saturday - 1-0 with a disputed off-side goal - who gives a to55. But we need a win. A thumping win - brilliant becase that would be a bog confidence booster.

 

Then we need a nice turkey lunch, a break, and to come out gung-ho against Reading and give them a game irrespective of the score. (I think we'll lose cos they won't under-estimate us again and are a bloody good side!) but I would be happy if we lost as long as we gave it both barrells big time!!

[Scudamore]

As i said you disagree simply for the sake of disagreeing. If we don't win games then we will suffer for it eventually. If you disagree with that then that is your opinion. But don't preach or imply that your opinion is right and mine is somehow wrong, or that because i don't share your opinion must mean your allowed to insult people for it, that is just being a cry baby. I bet you wouldn't say those things to people face to face would you? Because you know you would be in A&E on a daily basis if you did.

 

I really don't Marco. I'm not sure if it's just the way you post or the actual content. But something in a large quantity of your posts gets on my t:ts...i believe it may be the self important tone of them...

 

That and the fact that you could plainly argue with a brick wall. The amount of times you've argued with me over a point that i haven't even made is funny...but a little disturbing...

[St Marco]

What? We need to win games??! Didn't realise that...ffs

 

Of course we need to. But there's no point looking at it retrospectively is my point. We are where we are. Four points clear. We now need to push on and get more points than those below us...and drag others down below us. But then i'm just stating the obvious now...or is it obvious? I don't know...

 

What is obvious is that our situation can change every game. If we beat Forest (fingers xd) we move to 7 points from them. That is a nice big gap for us. If we draw we could be 1 point in front of two teams. If we lose we could be 1 point from 3 teams as Wes mentioned. It is all about momentum and taking as many points as you can. If we do lose on saturday that will mean we have taken 3 points from 18 and really as i tried to say you will not stay 21st forever with that sort of points per game ratio. Such is what The Echo were trying to say....If things (results) remain as they are we will drop back into the bottom 3 sooner rather then later. So the point is for the "others to be dragged in" means we must pick up points to bring them into it. Norwich are just 1 point above us. But Barnsley are 3 points from us. Seeing as we have won only once in 8 games what is the likelyhood we will win to get back that 3 points? On current form not very likely. So once again we have to win our own games, if we don't do that were fooked. But i thought that was obvious?

[St Marco]

I really don't Marco. I'm not sure if it's just the way you post or the actual content. But something in a large quantity of your posts gets on my t:ts...i believe it may be the self important tone of them...

 

That and the fact that you could plainly argue with a brick wall. The amount of times you've argued with me over a point that i haven't even made is funny...but a little disturbing...

 

Think your reading/seeing things that are not there. If someone makes a point i disagree with i will engage in debate about that issue. That is normal. This is a discussion forum. Not agreeing with the person's rebutle and then going for the insults is not normal. I don't do that do i? If you think im using a self important tone then im sorry i give off that impression, that is not what i aim to do. However do not get it mixed with me defending myself, if someone says something insulting i will say something equally imature back to them .

[londonsaint1604]

The three bottom teams are all just 4 points below us. If they all win their next match, we'll have three teams just one point behind us.

 

For anybody with any sense, it is not working at all, just that it hasn't placed us in the drop zone by the skin of our teeth. Personally I wouldn't want to be in this position with two games to go at the end of the season.

 

That would still be an improvement on last season, and Jan has far less resources.

 

I agree that it's not going very well, but I don't think it's fair to say that it's not working at all. By what parameters do you measure it? If we survive, and I genuinely believe we will, then it would be fair to say it has worked.

[Scudamore]

What is obvious is that our situation can change every game. If we beat Forest (fingers xd) we move to 7 points from them. That is a nice big gap for us. If we draw we could be 1 point in front of two teams. If we lose we could be 1 point from 3 teams as Wes mentioned. It is all about momentum and taking as many points as you can. If we do lose on saturday that will mean we have taken 3 points from 18 and really as i tried to say you will not stay 21st forever with that sort of points per game ratio. Such is what The Echo were trying to say....If things (results) remain as they are we will drop back into the bottom 3 sooner rather then later. So the point is for the "others to be dragged in" means we must pick up points to bring them into it. Norwich are just 1 point above us. But Barnsley are 3 points from us. Seeing as we have won only once in 8 games what is the likelyhood we will win to get back that 3 points? On current form not very likely. So once again we have to win our own games, if we don't do that were fooked. But i thought that was obvious?

 

Conversely if we win it will be 9 points from our last 21. Which doesn't sound too bad. Not great but then we aren't great. I'm pretty sure we can take Forest. As i believe they're as bad as us. And if we play to our capabilities could tear them a new one. Not sure the same could be said of them though. Of the 3 games they've won all season not one has been by more than a one goal. Of course this being Saints i'm sure that can be changed.

 

Still form is temporary, class is permanent

 

Still looking at the form tables might put a bit of perspective into losing away from home to Palace.

 

http://www.footballanorak.com/Coca-Cola-Championship-Form-Guide-1.html

 

The manner of performance however was not acceptable. But that's a different matter...

[NickG]

Current Form

Taking the last 6 performances in the Coca-Cola Championship this table shows just who's hot and who's not right now.

 

You can check those winning (or losing) streaks on the right hand side as the last 6 matches are broken down :

 

W = Win

D = Draw

L - Loss

Team Pd W D L F A GD Pts Form

1 Crystal Palace 6 5 1 0 13 5 8 16 W W D W W W

2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 6 4 1 1 11 3 8 13 W W D L W W

3 Reading 6 4 1 1 10 5 5 13 L D W W W W

4 Birmingham City 6 4 1 1 10 7 3 13 W W D W W L

5 Preston North End 6 4 1 1 8 5 3 13 W D W L W W

6 Burnley 6 3 2 1 13 9 4 11 D L W W D W

7 Watford 6 3 2 1 11 7 4 11 W D D L W W

8 Sheffield Wednesday 6 3 2 1 7 4 3 11 L W W D W D

9 Cardiff City 6 2 3 1 11 9 2 9 L D D W D W

10 Sheffield United 6 2 2 2 11 10 1 8 W L D L W D

11 Coventry City 6 2 2 2 8 9 -1 8 W D L D W L

12 Queens Park Rangers 6 2 2 2 4 6 -2 8 L W D W L D

13 Ipswich Town 6 2 1 3 8 8 0 7 W L D L W L

14 Blackpool 6 2 1 3 4 6 -2 7 L L W W L D

15 Nottingham Forest 6 1 3 2 4 5 -1 6 L D W D L D

16 Doncaster Rovers 6 1 3 2 3 4 -1 6 D D D W L L

17 Norwich City 6 2 0 4 8 10 -2 6 W L L W L L

18 Southampton 6 1 3 2 5 8 -3 6 W D D D L L

19 Swansea City 6 0 5 1 8 9 -1 5 L D D D D D

20 Plymouth Argyle 6 1 2 3 4 6 -2 5 W D L L L D

21 Barnsley 6 1 1 4 6 10 -4 4 L W L L D L

22 Bristol City 6 0 3 3 4 10 -6 3 L D L D L D

23 Charlton Athletic 6 0 2 4 6 13 -7 2 L L D L L D

24 Derby County 6 0 2 4 5 14 -9 2 L D L L L D

 

http://www.4thegame.com/statistics/championship/tables/currentform.html

[NickG]

The three bottom teams are all just 4 points below us. If they all win their next match, we'll have three teams just one point behind us.

 

For anybody with any sense, it is not working at all, just that it hasn't placed us in the drop zone by the skin of our teeth. Personally I wouldn't want to be in this position with two games to go at the end of the season.

 

if they all lose their next one -more likely as that's why they are where they are we will be 7 points clear of all of them;)

[krissyboy31]

if they all lose their next one -more likely as that's why they are where they are we will be 7 points clear of all of them;)

 

Yes but one of them is playing us.

[eelpie]

About time The Echo told the truth about Saints. So what has happened between the local press and Rupert?

 

They seem to be very itk. Clairvoyant too:

 

"Many of the players who have left St Mary’s since Poortvliet’s arrival would still have left under Pearson, such was the state of the finances.

The youngsters who have formed the nucleus of Poortvliet’s squad would have done the same under Pearson"

[Legod Third Coming]

Current Form

Taking the last 6 performances in the Coca-Cola Championship this table shows just who's hot and who's not right now.

 

You can check those winning (or losing) streaks on the right hand side as the last 6 matches are broken down :

 

W = Win

D = Draw

L - Loss

Team Pd W D L F A GD Pts Form

1 Crystal Palace 6 5 1 0 13 5 8 16 W W D W W W

2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 6 4 1 1 11 3 8 13 W W D L W W

3 Reading 6 4 1 1 10 5 5 13 L D W W W W

4 Birmingham City 6 4 1 1 10 7 3 13 W W D W W L

5 Preston North End 6 4 1 1 8 5 3 13 W D W L W W

6 Burnley 6 3 2 1 13 9 4 11 D L W W D W

7 Watford 6 3 2 1 11 7 4 11 W D D L W W

8 Sheffield Wednesday 6 3 2 1 7 4 3 11 L W W D W D

9 Cardiff City 6 2 3 1 11 9 2 9 L D D W D W

10 Sheffield United 6 2 2 2 11 10 1 8 W L D L W D

11 Coventry City 6 2 2 2 8 9 -1 8 W D L D W L

12 Queens Park Rangers 6 2 2 2 4 6 -2 8 L W D W L D

13 Ipswich Town 6 2 1 3 8 8 0 7 W L D L W L

14 Blackpool 6 2 1 3 4 6 -2 7 L L W W L D

15 Nottingham Forest 6 1 3 2 4 5 -1 6 L D W D L D

16 Doncaster Rovers 6 1 3 2 3 4 -1 6 D D D W L L

17 Norwich City 6 2 0 4 8 10 -2 6 W L L W L L

18 Southampton 6 1 3 2 5 8 -3 6 W D D D L L

19 Swansea City 6 0 5 1 8 9 -1 5 L D D D D D

20 Plymouth Argyle 6 1 2 3 4 6 -2 5 W D L L L D

21 Barnsley 6 1 1 4 6 10 -4 4 L W L L D L

22 Bristol City 6 0 3 3 4 10 -6 3 L D L D L D

23 Charlton Athletic 6 0 2 4 6 13 -7 2 L L D L L D

24 Derby County 6 0 2 4 5 14 -9 2 L D L L L D

 

http://www.4thegame.com/statistics/championship/tables/currentform.html

 

I like that you thought W D L needed explanation...

 

That aside - and I hate these form things - but it does put our results against Palace and Burnley into perspective and shows that (but for conceding 6 ridiculous goals in those two games) we had started to get the defence right!! Even with those 6 goals we've conceded only 3 more than Palace!!!!

 

What we have to do now, is forget this horsesh!t and just win games!!!!

Edited 18 December, 2008 by Legod Third Coming

[NickG]

I like that you thought W D L needed explanation...

That aside - and I hate these form things - but it does put our results against Palace and Burnley into perspective and shows that (but for conceding 6 ridiculous goals in those two games) we had started to get the defence right!! Even with those 6 goals we've conceded only 3 more than Palace!!!!

 

What we have to do now, is forget this horsesh!t and just win games!!!!

 

 

not me mate -sorry I must have selected their explanation when cutting and pasting!

[Saint Fan CaM]

On the current form across the start to the season, I would say there is every likelyhood we will be relegated. There are some significant factors...

1. Better players leaving in Jan firesale.

2. Jan not knowing what the hell to do to improve the tactics.

3. And perhaps most importantly, other teams are working hard to change things round to suit conditions because their managers understand the CCC...ours thinks that wearing a silly hat before taking a jolly courtesy of Flybe, will endear him to the fans and save the day. Utter, utter prat - has no idea.

[um pahars]

Current Form

Taking the last 6 performances in the Coca-Cola Championship this table shows just who's hot and who's not right now.

 

18 Southampton 6 1 3 2 5 8 -3 6 W D D D L L l

 

And interestingly the last 8 performances have us third bottom in 22nd according to Football 365:

 

Recent Form Pld W D L.F.A. GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank

Last 8 Overall8...1.3.4.6.11.-5..0.75 1.37 0.75 6 22

[NickG]

On the current form across the start to the season, I would say there is every likelyhood we will be relegated. There are some significant factors...

1. Better players leaving in Jan firesale.

2. Jan not knowing what the hell to do to improve the tactics.

3. And perhaps most importantly, other teams are working hard to change things round to suit conditions because their managers understand the CCC...ours thinks that wearing a silly hat before taking a jolly courtesy of Flybe, will endear him to the fans and save the day. Utter, utter prat - has no idea.

 

we may lose better players but also hear Charlton maybe -who knows.

Hopefully we will see a lot more of Schneiderlin and Holmes.

We may have the benefit of returning loan players.

 

Remember it was stated, as fact, on here during the summer that even more players than did actually go would be sold -and no-one would come in.

 

Can't see any logic in your 2nd and 3rd points?

[NickG]

And interestingly the last 8 performances have us third bottom in 22nd according to Football 365:

 

Recent Form Pld W D L.F.A. GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank

Last 8 Overall8...1.3.4.6.11.-5..0.75 1.37 0.75 6 22

 

yes, much of a muchness -certainly not losing ground which was what I was responding to.

 

Derby and Charlton look awful in both!

[alpine_saint]

we may lose better players but also hear Charlton maybe -who knows.

Hopefully we will see a lot more of Schneiderlin and Holmes.

We may have the benefit of returning loan players.

 

Remember it was stated, as fact, on here during the summer that even more players than did actually go would be sold -and no-one would come in.

 

Can't see any logic in your 2nd and 3rd points?

 

Wow, you are on a roll.

 

Really covering some ground in your valliant defence of your beloved...

[NickG]

another reasoned football post -well done.

[NickG]

we may lose better players but also hear Charlton maybe -who knows.

Hopefully we will see a lot more of Schneiderlin and Holmes.

We may have the benefit of returning loan players.

 

Remember it was stated, as fact, on here during the summer that even more players than did actually go would be sold -and no-one would come in.

 

Can't see any logic in your 2nd and 3rd points?

 

Wow, you are on a roll.

 

Really covering some ground in your valliant defence of your beloved...

 

it really is a strong build up for Lowe isn't it? Are you really this petty and thick or on a wind up?

[sadoldgit]

"Gamble"? Surely employing any manager is always a gamble? We gambled on Redknapp's nous keeping us up and that failed miserably. That was a short term gamble. This is a long term gamble and I don't think it can be properly judged over a few months. They seem to have a 3 year plan. We will not know whether the "gamble" paid off or not for another two seasons.

[um pahars]

"Gamble"? Surely employing any manager is always a gamble?

 

Of course employing every manager is somewhat of a gamble.

 

But if you can't see how some are perhaps more of a gamble than others, and that ours fits in slightly past the median of those gambles, then you're more of a fool than I've already got you down for.

[Legod Third Coming]

Of course employing every manager is somewhat of a gamble.

 

But if you can't see how some are perhaps more of a gamble than others, and that ours fits in slightly past the median of those gambles, then you're more of a fool than I've already got you down for.

 

 

Was a man who had succesfully overseen Coventry's relegation from the Premiership as his only management experience less of a gamble, in your view?

[um pahars]

Was a man who had succesfully overseen Coventry's relegation from the Premiership as his only management experience less of a gamble, in your view?

 

Yes.

 

Why, are you going to say that you think it was more of a gamble:rolleyes:???

[Amesbury Saint]

 

But they're all going bust!!!

 

 

when?

 

I cannot see it myself

[saintwarwick]

And interestingly the last 8 performances have us third bottom in 22nd according to Football 365:

 

Recent Form Pld W D L.F.A. GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank

Last 8 Overall8...1.3.4.6.11.-5..0.75 1.37 0.75 6 22

 

You can use any amount of games to suit your argument but the most important figure to use is the latest league table, that show's us in 21st position and out of the relegation spots (for now )by four points. This is one stat that cannot be distorted.

[Legod Third Coming]

when?

 

I cannot see it myself

 

Stanford pulling out of cricket.

 

The Kuwaiti's putting their share of Aston Martin up for sale.

 

Hicks and Gillet trying to sell Liverpool and no buyers.

 

The money's running out Ames.

 

It's just they don't want you to know how badly, yet.

 

You'll know by June.

[Legod Third Coming]

Yes.

 

Why, are you going to say that you think it was more of a gamble:rolleyes:???

 

How much less tho? all things considered? 50%, 25%?

 

Given the circumstances and likey age of players, etc?

 

I agree with you, of course, it was a gamble. But not as big maybe. Not if you factor in interviews, etc. He's managed at a low level. The bloke at Watford has never managed at all has he?

[um pahars]

You can use any amount of games to suit your argument but the most important figure to use is the latest league table, that show's us in 21st position and out of the relegation spots (for now )by four points. This is one stat that cannot be distorted.

 

I was actually suggesting that if you compare our 8 game current form to our 6 game current form, then we have actually moved up a few places!!!!!!

 

C'est la vie.

[um pahars]

How much less tho? all things considered? 50%, 25%?

 

Given the circumstances and likey age of players, etc?

 

I agree with you, of course, it was a gamble. But not as big maybe. Not if you factor in interviews, etc. He's managed at a low level. The bloke at Watford has never managed at all has he?

 

How about answering my question first?:rolleyes:

 

With all due repsect, you've come across pretty poorly tonight, best thing for you to do would be to apply for a job on the OS;)

[Legod Third Coming]

How about answering my question first?:rolleyes:

 

With all due repsect, you've come across pretty poorly tonight, best thing for you to do would be to apply for a job on the OS;)

 

No, no. I do think it was more of a gamble than WGS, that was my point. Sorry, not clear. But I would say only 20% more risky. That's what I meant.

 

And as for Pearson, only 10% more risky all things considered. After all, much as I liked him, only Leicester and Coventry failing to score actually saved us, not Pearson alone. (That said, I liked him and would have kept him - but that as AJP Taylor would say, is history).