Graffito

No Saints are not aggressive enough. Are Barcelona cloggers?

The saddest part is poor old Ted forever waving at the cement works. Whose fault is that?

We must be nice to Nicola or we'll lose him to AC Milan.

Wtf. I need a lie down after reading that!

Yes and in the previous two seasons I would say if asked to describe Adkins in a nutshell I would have said team builder and confidence builder. It's a real concern. There comes a point where you would expect to see the players say sod it if we are going to lose then we do it by playing the way we have played to get to PL. But there doesn't seem to be that leadership or character on the pitch.

Had to listen on the radio tonight. Great support from our fans. They're a good example of what's required when things are not going well.

Mayuka did well on the right against Spurs. If all PL teams must have pace up front then all must have it at the back as well. Some in midfield wouldn't go amiss.

Just watched it. Not your greatest moment Nige.

They get few locals. Fulham used to be a working class area but long ago became gentrified. Anecdotally they draw in support from further afield like parts of Surrey.

From where does this wind blow?

In the position he plays there's a big responsibility to create for the team. He's done ok this season but never does enough IMO. He's hampered by the fact that he has insufficient pace to go on the outside. This is a problem Lallana has also but Lallana is much the more creative player. Defensively Puncheon doesn't do enough either but he's not alone there.

Correct. They played quite well in that match as I mentioned above.

LOL. That makes two of us then ...I think.

No idea mate. What do you think?

If you saw the match you'd know we gifted it to them. I readily admit I don't watch them regularly as I'm generally watching Saints though I did see them live in a couple of matches the season before last as I've lived in London for over 30 years and have West Ham supporting mates. Wasn't impressed with those games either but we're going back a couple seasons there so probably not fair to judge. Do you watch them much live?

You're being a bit hard on them there. They have more nous or know.

Remains to be seen. It's a long season. I posted my opinion already.

He's wrong about the quality bit too.

West Ham's PL experience and quality is being overstated a little here. They have more PL nous, worst example being Carroll's diving, but I didn't see much quality on Saturday. They were gifted the win. I saw both games against them last season too. In the draw at Upton Park they played quite well but their performance at SMS was dismal.

Unfortunately it's not just the Echo though. It goes much wider than that. As for keeping his mouth shut. Yes in principle. The trouble is there are times to keep your counsel and times when it's necessary to show a bit of leadership and speak out. If you don't, gossip and innuendo fills the void. You need only read this Board recently to see that.

I agree. The club is missing a trick. Positive PR can only be beneficial to the club and to NC himself, especially when things aren't going so well. He's delivered success up to now which ultimately is what we consider most important but there may come a time when NC needs to help Adkins keep the supporters on side. The kind of loyalty many supporters display, especially those that stump up for season tickets, would be like gold dust to most businesses and would be treated accordingly. Dealing with the media is something NC admitted in an interview with the Echo early doors (obviously) that he was finding difficult. Matters haven't improved since but I think we have to take the rough with the smooth with Cortese.

Who do you think you are Bamber Gascoigne? Look there's no vacancy and no place for B@llocks Chops in the Saints set up. No emotion, just seems obvious.

He won't be coming back. His face didn't fit first time and it don't fit now. Remember that Fratton performance? Remember the wink? Remember the whinging and whining about how useless the players were and compare and contrast with Adkins positivity. I'm not naming anyone. We've got a Manager. Adkins deserves a bit more respect.

West Ham looked a poor side too on Saturday. They may well struggle as the season progresses. There's no substitute for quality.

Can anyone on this thread honestly say they are not taking the p!ss?