Dig Dig

AP was quoted as saying yesterday was his strongest side and this was the first opportunity he had to play them. Perhaps he meant strongest side availible that day but I doubt it

It seemed for a long time that AP would try and accomodate James into the team. I'm glad that he now doesn't see him as part of his strongest 11. Good squad player to have but should not be starting in front of anyone who started yesterday

One of them could well still have a blip though.....almost always happens at this stage of the season to some team. If it does happen we have to make sure that we take full advantage in order to have a chance of making it.

Excellent..........here we go again.......

This is a quote from AP on the OS: "We managed to field our strongest team, with the Cup games we have had I have had to mix it up a little bit, but today I picked what I felt was our strongest side and we performed admirably," Seems that injury and suspension permitting we'll be seeing this team more often than not!

Great post

Thats because he is a Norwich fan isn't he? Seems to bang on about them all the time anyway.

Huddersfield and MK Dons both winning- need a result today!

I agree, not sure where the opinion that Lallana doesn't track back or work hard comes from but everytime I see him, he always puts a shift in. Did you not see him against Pompey 1977?

2-2 for me today, in keeping with our earlier results against them. A draw today wouldn't be a bad result but I feel it will be close and could go either way

It's a combination of not having the squad we have now at the start of the season, starting on -10 and not converting enough draws into wins lately. This doesn't mean that we are average, just a couple of tweaks away from being a very good side for this level.

there is no way that we are an average league one team. Give us our -10 back and if it wasn't for a poor start (pre transfers) we'd be right up there with Norwich and Leeds

well then the future is bright for you. You too will be able to forge a successful banking career for yourself, earn millions, persuade a Swiss billionaire to take over a club on the brink and then run it yourself. Let me know how it goes won't you

ok Glasgow you win..... I was enjoying this season but your persitent and well thought out arguments have won me over. Saints are **** and AP is **** and rather than wasting my time going to any more games I'll come up there and sit with you and we can listen to the Solent and post on here during and after the games about how awful our form is. I say let's keep getting new managers in until they can match the form of Norwich and the second form dips below this level, we'll just sack em and get someone else in. If you're thinking it I'm sure NC is as well, seeing as you two are kindered souls and all

I agree with 19c in the sense that questioning and debating the actions of ML, AP or NC isn't moaning but generating a discussion on a forum. Otherwise, what's the point of this place? I don't want to come on here and just talk about how nice it is that ML wears a saints tie to the games. There are some posters on here though that do moan and persist with their opinions to the point where they just end up trying to ram them down our throats and hijack loads of threads banging on about the same things. As much as I'm enjoying our current situation and the work of NC and AP Im not at all against debating if they get things wrong because both will at some point. I thought that NC was naive to release those comments to the press just days after backing him with 2 million in the transfer window. But you could expect that right? He is young for a chairman of a football club and new to football. He is obviously very competent as a buisness man and I'm sure he'll succeed but that doesn't mean we shouldn't scrutinise some actions

yep, really hoping for a strong finish to the season, one which will hopefully see us within 10 points of play offs or better. If we finish poorly then summer may be a good time to make a change ( I would prefer that than to make a change mid season) obviously a few results have been a little dissapointig but have to say that I've enjoyed his season, depending what happens in jpt final could rival 2003 as the best season for me since supporting saints.

How difficult will it be for non ST holders to get a ticket? My old man usually picks up tickets for me as I don't live in Soton so I'm not on the database either. If it's going to be difficult I might go for hospitality option.

No not "untill he gets it right" but at least until we have seen a whole season through. As I've said before, if we are not 1st or 2nd (or very close to) this time next year then my patience would be shot. The only difference in opinion here is how long to give the manager. Considering that one of his biggest Jan signings only made his debut on Sat, I think talk of AP's departure is premature. And for what it's worth, don't patronise others on the board by claiming that you are others "are in sync with the clubs ambition" whilst the rest of us are happy to loiter in L1. I would rather have some continuity here as lack of it has been the reason why we were in free fall for so long and I really don't want us to be another QPR. They seem to adopt your philosophy and look at them now....an absolute laughing stock.

if this is the case then I guess the question is, has AP had enough time with the new signings in order to work out what to do with the rope? punch only made his debut on sat for example. if cortese decides to get someone in soon then whoever that is must be happy to work with the current squad instead of bringing in their own lot

if NC is having doubts re AP then I would question why he sanctioned around 2 million in transfers and then a couple of weeks later put out a statement which could be interpretated as an ultimatum? providing someone that kind of financial support is usually a sign of trust

but the question was which would you prefer. if we had a realistic chance of making the play offs, would you sacrifice them over beating the skates?

+ 1

you're obsessed with Norwich

Exactly- this is why I couldn't understand the reaction from some to us drawing against Millwall and Brentford. I understand that the circumstances around the results were not ideal but I hate the mentatility which suggests that because we spent x amount of money we should expect to beat the other team who hasn't. We also need to remember that most teams will be aware of the money we have spent and that this will probably give them an incentive to up their game a bit against us. As well as having time to gel, our players have the added weight of managing huge expectations from everyone now associated with the club and this takes time. I think the success of Pardew and the current crop of players can only really be established this time next year as by that time we should have time to gel, know our best starting 11 and our best system....all these things are more important than individual players and I fully expect promotion to be a formality come this time next year.

I don't believe that any of us will ever be content with being in League One. I am however content with the progress that is being made on and off the pitch, campared to the complete and utter diarrhea he have seen in recent seasons. I don't see a 1-1 draw with Brentford away (or Millwall for that matter) as being indicative of our overall progress which is why I believe some on here find it hard to understand the type of reaction which questions the players and the manager just because we don't go to these places and steamroller teams.