Running up the white flag and accepting defeat.

[um pahars]

My only comment on this thread would be that I think the OP is being a tad harsh on Henderson.

 

He knows he's not the first team manager and he also probably knows he's light years away from it.

 

He was overhyped and sold to us as a part of a Revolutionary Coaching Set Up by a former regime, when in truth he's a decent member of the backroom staff.

 

He really shouldn't have been in the spotlights last season and has only been filling in whilst someone tried to put us back together again.

[Thedelldays]

And there was me thinking is was a prestige match - with a trophy awarded to the winners - to honour one of Saints finest managers.

 

Pardew has already talked about getting a "winning mentality" and imo that includes friendlies against one of Europe's better sides. Had we won there would have been a lot of chest thumping.

it was a friendly....

 

who was it against last year...west ham.hardly prestige..

 

it is a match used to remember Ted Bates..but at the end of the day, it is a friendly and i fully expected more than 4 past us given the score they got in bristol, the state of our squad and everything else..

[Graffito]

OP. I disagree with some of what you have said but I won't dwell on that because essentially you are right. The winning mentality has been missing and it's encouraging that Pardew has spotted that straight away.

[derry]

Formations in themselves are not that important. 4-4-2 is probably the easiest to understand and play.

 

The narrow diamond midfield last year was played by us without any understanding by the players, together with 4-5-1, 4-2-2-1-1, 4-3-3 which are flexible formations that require awareness from the players to play in a flexible interchanging way making sure the team plays with width.

 

We don't do this, we pick a formation and stay rigidly narrow. Against Ajax we just sat back and invited them to pick us apart. Which they did.

 

Anybody know what formation Ajax played?

 

Second question can anybody remember the last time this approach to pre season gave us a successful start? We are one of the worst teams in the country at the start of the season.

 

Let's hope Pardew knocks that on the head, and the 10 points deficit acts as an incentive to get results.

[Deano6]

Shamrock Rovers? Don't think they're a part time team??

 

Then you are wrong. SSN did a feature on them before the game and most of their players have other jobs.

[derry]

Derry, I hope you'll remember that if Saints win their first 3 matches of the new season, and are on -1 points, that you look at the overall picture and not the fact that we're still bottom of League 1.

 

Quite, but to do that we have to break the mould.

[derry]

Then you are wrong. SSN did a feature on them before the game and most of their players have other jobs.

 

Half the players are on about £320, another third about £500, and the others between £500 and £800.

 

Some I believe don't work during the season and I understand they don't get paid out of season.

[Clifford Nelson]

There are quite a few who are missing the point in what has been discussed here, I think. I haven't seen any moans about the fact that we didn't beat Ajax. The question has been about the attitude on the playing side of the club. AP got it immediately with his first ever comment about a winning habit.

 

If you took in Stewart Henderson's interview it tells it all: Having lost most of our friendlies and won none of them matters not at all. We are very well prepared and ready to go in League 1! - Does anybody believe a word of that nonsense? It sounds like he is from the government defending another obvious blunder as if it never happened or that it's good for us.

 

With that attitude behind the scenes is there any wonder that the players often don't seem to care much and can be found celebrating in the watering holes from here to Poopey after losing another game. Is there time for a clear-out in the coaching ranks, I wonder.

[derry]

There are quite a few who are missing the point in what has been discussed here, I think. I haven't seen any moans about the fact that we didn't beat Ajax. The question has been about the attitude on the playing side of the club. AP got it immediately with his first ever comment about a winning habit.

 

If you took in Stewart Henderson's interview it tells it all: Having lost most of our friendlies and won none of them matters not at all. We are very well prepared and ready to go in League 1! - Does anybody believe a word of that nonsense? It sounds like he is from the government defending another obvious blunder as if it never happened or that it's good for us.

 

With that attitude behind the scenes is there any wonder that the players often don't seem to care much and can be found celebrating in the watering holes from here to Poopey after losing another game. Is there time for a clear-out in the coaching ranks, I wonder.

 

Pretty much says it all, spot on.

[Scummer]

Pretty much says it all, spot on.

 

So do you think Henderson should be let go Derry? Would I be right in saying you've had dealings with him in the past?

[Bearsy]

Trying to win matches?

 

Nah, it'll never catch on.

[londonsaint1604]

Absolutely spot on the money there Duncan. And how much extra feelgood factor would that have bought the team and the supporters?! Can't dismiss winning - it needs to become a habit.

 

It would have been great but the problem really was that we were playing against Ajax.

 

I thought we made a decent effort to be honest, but we were totally outclassed. If anyone is genuinely surprised by that then you are either completely deluded or are just really daft.

[derry]

So do you think Henderson should be let go Derry? Would I be right in saying you've had dealings with him in the past?

 

I think we need a complete clearout on the coaching side. Only retain those players that fit in to the new winning mentality and commit themselves.

 

It's going to happen anyway, the sooner the better.

[The9]

Last Saturday we surrendered and accepted defeat before the match even started.

 

The press, the tv, a big crowd, the new manager and most importantly the new owner at his first match.

 

What did we do, picked a side and formation that couldn't compete and tried to keep the score down.

 

On that day something else was needed to fuel the optimism certainly not accepting defeat.

 

Last night I watched a little Irish part time team take on Real Madrid including Ronaldo and give it a right go losing 1-0.

 

Over the years I've watched little clubs every season turning over big clubs in the cups, they didn't do it by surrendering, they gave it their best shot.

 

We don't seem to know how to give it our best shot, the smell of apathy and defeat is all over St Mary's.

 

Alan Pardew sounds as though he comes from the right school with a we are going to win attitude.

 

For thirty years under Ted and Lawrie every Saints side gave it their best shot win, lose, or draw that is what I demand from them from now on.

 

As a supporter I've had enough of coming to St Mary's week in, week out and watching players and managers going through the motions.

 

Last Saturday was a disgrace and should be seen as such, if it hadn't been for Kelvin Davis Ajax could have got 10 with a defensive formation FFS.

 

The simple fact is Henderson bottled it, the team should have been set up 4-4-2 and given it a go.

 

Any coach or player who doesn't grasp this should be cleared out now and I'm hope will be.

 

I don't think sticking our team out there in a 4-4-2 to get taken apart by a fitter, more technical, higher standard side would have achieved anything. As it was, we went for some time keeping level with them, until lack of fitness (it's preseason) and mistakes caused by poor defending AND lack of fitness cost us. Going out to attack a team that's significantly better than you in all departments is foolhardy and completely tactically naive.

 

Henderson's defensive formation was at least logical, even if it couldn't keep the score down.

Edited 21 July, 2009 by The9

[70's Mike]

for to long we have been a club obessed with style, passing etc and forgot about WINNING.

[The9]

Anybody know what formation Ajax played?

.

 

Having been on holiday and only having seen the goals online, I'd hazard a guess at the 4-3-3 they have long been known for playing throughout their entire set up, and the system that we were supposed to be copying last season - though as they've not been as successful recently it's possible all that has changed.

[derry]

I don't think sticking our team out there in a 4-4-2 to get taken apart by a fitter, more technical, higher standard side would have achieved anything. As it was we went for some time keeping level with them until lack of fitness (it's preseason) and mistakes caused by poor defending AND lack of fitness cost us. Going out to attack a team that's significantly better than you in all departments is foolhardy and completely tactically naive.

 

Henderson's defensive formation was at least logical, even if it couldn't keep the score down.

 

The allegedly defensive formation sat back and left the wings wide open as usual and allowed Ajax to pick us apart. Sitting back and an isolated striker up front meant we had almost no possession.

 

At no time did we pressure them and it's nonsense to say that 4-4-2 wouldn't work. Two banks of four plus two up front would have put a lot more pressure on the ball.

 

Wotton in front of the back four gave 90% of his possession back to Ajax whilst the lack of two up front and no width allowed them the freedom to do what they liked.

 

If Davis hadn't had a brilliant game this defensive formation could have let in double figures. I lost count of the number of last ditch saves he made.

[Scummer]

I think we need a complete clearout on the coaching side. Only retain those players that fit in to the new winning mentality and commit themselves.

 

It's going to happen anyway, the sooner the better.

 

But do you know Henderson? I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying, just have a nagging suspicion that there is something else to it.

[derry]

Having been on holiday and only having seen the goals online, I'd hazard a guess at the 4-3-3 they have long been known for playing throughout their entire set up, and the system that we were supposed to be copying last season - though as they've not been as successful recently it's possible all that has changed.

 

They were infinitely flexible except they always had at least one player on each touchline. They were continually changing shape due to pass and move as it should be.

[derry]

But do you know Henderson? I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying, just have a nagging suspicion that there is something else to it.

 

No, Only noted his name at the academy and reserves over the years. Saturday did it for me, plus the lack of awareness and fundamental skills of the young players. Lallana can't even kick the ball properly neither could McGoldrick.

Edited 21 July, 2009 by derry

[Wes Tender]

They were infinitely flexible except they always had at least one player on each touchline. They were continually changing shape due to pass and move as it should be.

 

I noticed that too, Derry. Last season in virtually every home match I saw, it was clearly evident that in most of the match, the players were all camped in only two-thirds of the pitch. At least against Ajax we did cover the width of the pitch, although it is a shame that we do not have the players with any pace on the wings currently. Perhaps Pardew will correct that and also get those wingers running to the byeline too. That would be good to watch for a change.

[Scummer]

No, Only noted his name at the academy and reserves over the years. Saturday did it for me, plus the lack of awareness and fundamental skills of the young players. Lallana can't even kick the ball properly nether could McGoldrick.

 

Ok fair enough. I always thought he had quite a good record as a youth coach. We've brought a lot of good young players through during his time at the club, that can't all be despite him.

 

We've seen before that decent coaches can be awful as managers, but I didn't see anything on Saturday which made me think he should be sacked.

[The9]

The allegedly defensive formation sat back and left the wings wide open as usual and allowed Ajax to pick us apart. Sitting back and an isolated striker up front meant we had almost no possession.

 

At no time did we pressure them and it's nonsense to say that 4-4-2 wouldn't work. Two banks of four plus two up front would have put a lot more pressure on the ball.

 

Wotton in front of the back four gave 90% of his possession back to Ajax whilst the lack of two up front and no width allowed them the freedom to do what they liked.

 

If Davis hadn't had a brilliant game this defensive formation could have let in double figures. I lost count of the number of last ditch saves he made.

 

From what I saw of the highlights the problem came from them playing quality passes behind our defence from not being pressured anywhere on the pitch, which is a different issue. But I'm not going to sit here and pontificate on the tactics of a match I didn't see, just to say I don't see how "being more attacking" would strengthen our defence, especially as Ajax are well known for swift counter attacks via their wide players.

[derry]

I don't think sticking our team out there in a 4-4-2 to get taken apart by a fitter, more technical, higher standard side would have achieved anything. As it was, we went for some time keeping level with them, until lack of fitness (it's preseason) and mistakes caused by poor defending AND lack of fitness cost us. Going out to attack a team that's significantly better than you in all departments is foolhardy and completely tactically naive.

 

Henderson's defensive formation was at least logical, even if it couldn't keep the score down.

 

How the hell can you make criticisms of my statement if you weren't even there.

 

As for fitness we had been back training for over three weeks. It wasn't the fitness as such. Wotton giving the ball away all the time was a big part of the problem. The totally negative approach just standing off and letting Ajax play was the biggest problem.

 

Davis made brilliant last ditch goal saving stops in double figures after Ajax strolled through our static defence. It really could have been 10.

[derry]

From what I saw of the highlights the problem came from them playing quality passes behind our defence from not being pressured anywhere on the pitch, which is a different issue. But I'm not going to sit here and pontificate on the tactics of a match I didn't see, just to say I don't see how "being more attacking" would strengthen our defence, especially as Ajax are well known for swift counter attacks via their wide players.

 

What I am saying is that 4-4-2 would have been better defensively as the two banks of four pressuring the ball, plus two up front to pressure the defenders, would have left Ajax with less of a comfort zone.

 

We left an isolated striker up front and withdrew everybody else but didn't try and press the ball but just backed off. Not only that, we left the flanks wide open and the front sweeper, Wotton, just kept passing players on to others, didn't do the job properly and when he did get the ball gave it away.

[bungle]

Good old stupid British attitude to football - "4-4-2 and that's it". Bonkers, it is. It's only since the top clubs started playing different formations that they have started dominating the Champions League.

 

We are a third tier side, and Ajax are in the top 25 clubs in Europe. If you 'pressure' teams that good too high up the field they just pass it 5/10 yards past you and then your midfield is utterly useless to you. It's this lack of any kind of tactical nous that set English football back years.

[Saint Fan CaM]

My only comment on this thread would be that I think the OP is being a tad harsh on Henderson.

 

He knows he's not the first team manager and he also probably knows he's light years away from it.

 

He was overhyped and sold to us as a part of a Revolutionary Coaching Set Up by a former regime, when in truth he's a decent member of the backroom staff.

 

He really shouldn't have been in the spotlights last season and has only been filling in whilst someone tried to put us back together again.

 

Thats all true. So, given that he is the main man at the Salisbury game this evening, do you think (a) he's being tested and/or (b) he's being set-up for a fall? Surely if he was just a stand-in, he would have retreated back to the shadows now AP is here? Looking at tonights squad I would say there are a few staff being watched carefully perhaps? :cool:

[madsent]

Last Saturday we surrendered and accepted defeat before the match even started.

 

The press, the tv, a big crowd, the new manager and most importantly the new owner at his first match.

 

What did we do, picked a side and formation that couldn't compete and tried to keep the score down.

 

On that day something else was needed to fuel the optimism certainly not accepting defeat.

 

Last night I watched a little Irish part time team take on Real Madrid including Ronaldo and give it a right go losing 1-0.

 

Over the years I've watched little clubs every season turning over big clubs in the cups, they didn't do it by surrendering, they gave it their best shot.

 

We don't seem to know how to give it our best shot, the smell of apathy and defeat is all over St Mary's.

 

Alan Pardew sounds as though he comes from the right school with a we are going to win attitude.

 

For thirty years under Ted and Lawrie every Saints side gave it their best shot win, lose, or draw that is what I demand from them from now on.

 

As a supporter I've had enough of coming to St Mary's week in, week out and watching players and managers going through the motions.

 

Last Saturday was a disgrace and should be seen as such, if it hadn't been for Kelvin Davis Ajax could have got 10 with a defensive formation FFS.

 

The simple fact is Henderson bottled it, the team should have been set up 4-4-2 and given it a go.

 

Any coach or player who doesn't grasp this should be cleared out now and I'm hope will be.

 

You failed to mention that the "little team" are already 10 games into their season and Real Madrid are still introducing their players to each other. The Spanish season doesn't start for another 6 weeks. On the other hand, Ajax's season starts a week before ours so it was always going to be a tough assignment.

 

As for Kelvin Davis keeping us in it, you could say that he opened for flood-gates by letting a near-post shot squirm through his arms. However, he did perform very well for most of the game and won't come across a team as good as Ajax in the league this season.

[derry]

Ok fair enough. I always thought he had quite a good record as a youth coach. We've brought a lot of good young players through during his time at the club, that can't all be despite him.

 

We've seen before that decent coaches can be awful as managers, but I didn't see anything on Saturday which made me think he should be sacked.

 

It was Jennings, Elias and Prost that set the standards for the Academy.

 

Henderson really peeed me off on Saturday, if ever there was a day to give it a go that was it. Then to say that Wotton had a good game with simple passing was total crap, as he gave 90% of his passes to the opposition.

[Thedelldays]

derry

 

this is way OTT

 

i was expected to ship more than 4...so I guess in my mind, the coaching staff did something right

[Fitzhugh Fella]

derry

 

this is way OTT

 

i was expected to ship more than 4...so I guess in my mind, the coaching staff did something right

 

our expectations have lowered considerably - expecting to concede 4 at home is a trait that AP must address.

[Thedelldays]

our expectations have lowered considerably - expecting to concede 4 at home is a trait that AP must address.

well yes...being in league 1 does that when face a giant of european football after they had just put 4 (without reply) past a team (and a decent one) a league higher in the week...

 

 

this would be the case with lowe/mcmenemy/leibherr/lord lucan in charge f the club

[bungle]

our expectations have lowered considerably - expecting to concede 4 at home is a trait that AP must address.

 

You do know we were playing Ajax, don't you?

 

And you do know that we haven't really had a chance to strengthen our squad yet (what with all the being in administration and all that), so when we made lots of subs in the 2nd half (which is what you do in a pre-season friendly) we didn't have a particularly strong team. And they were playing against Ajax.

 

I can imagine in our Premier League pomp people got annoyed that we didn't stick 4 or 5 past league 1 and 2 sides. Amazing stuff.

[Toadhall Saint]

Good old stupid British attitude to football - "4-4-2 and that's it". Bonkers, it is. It's only since the top clubs started playing different formations that they have started dominating the Champions League.

 

We are a third tier side, and Ajax are in the top 25 clubs in Europe. If you 'pressure' teams that good too high up the field they just pass it 5/10 yards past you and then your midfield is utterly useless to you. It's this lack of any kind of tactical nous that set English football back years.

 

Bungle - absolutely spot on. Most european sides are technically way ahead - our game is built on huff and puff - we'll out muscle you - football. Its no wonder our lads are not tactically adept after all they haven't even learned to trap a ball let alone shoot straight!

[Fitzhugh Fella]

You do know we were playing Ajax, don't you?

 

And you do know that we haven't really had a chance to strengthen our squad yet (what with all the being in administration and all that), so when we made lots of subs in the 2nd half (which is what you do in a pre-season friendly) we didn't have a particularly strong team. And they were playing against Ajax.

 

I can imagine in our Premier League pomp people got annoyed that we didn't stick 4 or 5 past league 1 and 2 sides. Amazing stuff.

 

Yea of course I do, but its all about mentality - if you think you're gonna get hammered before you start then you sure as hell will.

 

We really have got to change our way of thinking. The whole club from players through to fans need to start believing again. I accept its not easy and patience will be needed but let's start as we intend to go on. Christ it wasn't that long ago we were a Premiership club. And every player is capable of 100% effort no matter how crap they are.

[derry]

Good old stupid British attitude to football - "4-4-2 and that's it". Bonkers, it is. It's only since the top clubs started playing different formations that they have started dominating the Champions League.

 

We are a third tier side, and Ajax are in the top 25 clubs in Europe. If you 'pressure' teams that good too high up the field they just pass it 5/10 yards past you and then your midfield is utterly useless to you. It's this lack of any kind of tactical nous that set English football back years.

 

4-4-2 is only a basic set up, it is the pass and move and flexible movement of the players that is important. It is imperative also to pressure the opposition when they have the ball.

 

We actually played an inflexible two banks of four plus Wotton an appalling unqualified front sweeper and one up front who was really never in the game.

 

We didn't pressure Ajax at all. we stood off and let them play, however when we got the ball they pressured us and quickly got it back.

[Thedelldays]

Yea of course I do, but its all about mentality - if you think you're gonna get hammered before you start then you sure as hell will.

 

We really have got to change our way of thinking. The whole club from players through to fans need to start believing again. I accept its not easy and patience will be needed but let's start as we intend to go on. Christ it wasn't that long ago we were a Premiership club.

so

 

with our best 11 or so and their decent 11...it was 1-1

 

we change it around etc and we lose 3-0

 

happy with that

[Fitzhugh Fella]

so

 

with our best 11 or so and their decent 11...it was 1-1

 

we change it around etc and we lose 3-0

 

happy with that

 

Like I said DD, we may not be able to match Ajax like sides with skill, etc etc but we can match them for fitness and effort.

[Thedelldays]

Like I said DD, we may not be able to match Ajax like sides with skill, etc etc but we can match them for fitness and effort.

1-1 though with the best 11 we could put out

 

better than i would dream of...

[derry]

Yea of course I do, but its all about mentality - if you think you're gonna get hammered before you start then you sure as hell will.

 

We really have got to change our way of thinking. The whole club from players through to fans need to start believing again. I accept its not easy and patience will be needed but let's start as we intend to go on. Christ it wasn't that long ago we were a Premiership club. And every player is capable of 100% effort no matter how crap they are.

 

Bloody obvious isn't it. I bet Pardew thinks much the same.

[John B]

Like I said DD, we may not be able to match Ajax like sides with skill, etc etc but we can match them for fitness and effort.

 

Sometimes you have to realistic and try to stop the other team scoring too many.

 

I think the tactics worked well until the last quarter of the game

[saint1977]

Forgetting about Ajax, and indeed friendlies in general, there has been a problem with Saints teams since WGS left being

 

1) Not focused and a lack of leadership

2) Not fit enough

3) Not wanting to win as much as their opponents barring one night at Pride Park

4) Not being professional enough (late goals regularly conceded, sloppiness, lazy possession retention, poor skills focus not least set pieces, bottling 50/50 tackles)

 

All of the above must be tackled successfully if the club is to move forward. No more Southampton Football/Social Club unless this side are 20 unbeaten with a string of successive wins behind them. I want Pardew to make privileges earned and bring in players with some charisma and spirit that get the fans going - they don't have to be high earners or big names but players that want to improve and grow with the club. Players that we can identify with and know that they will always give us 100% if nothing else.

[skintsaint]

need to get this guy in

 

[derry]

When Havant & Waterlooville went to Anfield in the FA Cup they didn't think like this, they gave it a damn good go against one of the top sides in Europe and gave Liverpool a right scare.

 

We didn't even try. We gave in because we were scared of being beaten.

[Thedelldays]

When Havant & Waterlooville went to Anfield in the FA Cup they didn't think like this, they gave it a damn good go against one of the top sides in Europe and gave Liverpool a right scare.

 

We didn't even try. We gave in because we were scared of being beaten.

im sure we could cherry pick examples ffs

 

under WGS we went to highbury and got completely tonked 6-1 or what ever it was...

 

cherry picking is easy

[Pokerchampion]

What a load of rubbish , dont bother renewing your season ticket mate , your a born pesimist . Real Madrid were out for a stroll never got out of 1st gear in fact they were in neutral , that game for them was about building fitness up and not exerting themselves to hard did you see ronaldo sprinting at all NO , The first half was a good even exchange and a dodgy penalty given didnt do justice for the effort and performance put in . People like you really annoy me , remember Ajax are well into their pre season and we were playing trialists and yougsters in the 2nd half .

[modern matron]

Because of course 4-4-2 is the only formation that works as an attacking formation in football.

 

.....and AP likes 4-5-1 I think....

[NickG]

Last Saturday we surrendered and accepted defeat before the match even started.

 

The press, the tv, a big crowd, the new manager and most importantly the new owner at his first match.

 

What did we do, picked a side and formation that couldn't compete and tried to keep the score down.

 

On that day something else was needed to fuel the optimism certainly not accepting defeat.

 

Last night I watched a little Irish part time team take on Real Madrid including Ronaldo and give it a right go losing 1-0.

 

Over the years I've watched little clubs every season turning over big clubs in the cups, they didn't do it by surrendering, they gave it their best shot.

 

We don't seem to know how to give it our best shot, the smell of apathy and defeat is all over St Mary's.

 

Alan Pardew sounds as though he comes from the right school with a we are going to win attitude.

 

For thirty years under Ted and Lawrie every Saints side gave it their best shot win, lose, or draw that is what I demand from them from now on.

 

As a supporter I've had enough of coming to St Mary's week in, week out and watching players and managers going through the motions.

 

Last Saturday was a disgrace and should be seen as such, if it hadn't been for Kelvin Davis Ajax could have got 10 with a defensive formation FFS.

 

The simple fact is Henderson bottled it, the team should have been set up 4-4-2 and given it a go.

 

Any coach or player who doesn't grasp this should be cleared out now and I'm hope will be.

 

drama queen;)

[Gorgiesaint]

We really have got to change our way of thinking. The whole club from players through to fans need to start believing again. I accept its not easy and patience will be needed but let's start as we intend to go on. Christ it wasn't that long ago we were a Premiership club. And every player is capable of 100% effort no matter how crap they are.

 

Whilst I wasn't there on Saturday so won't comment other than to say 4-1 was a better result than I expected, I was pleased with Pardew's comments about a winning mentality. We have not had that since WGS was in charge.

 

I won't go as far as Derry, but I fully understand where he's coming from re Hendersons comments that the results in pre-season don't matter. Yes the result against Ajax wasn't the be-all & end-all but to draw 3 and lose 1 against Totten, Eastleigh, Bournemouth & Cheltenham does say much about attitudes at the club. And I bet the result mattered to those clubs.

 

This club was built on having players who maybe weren't the best or were slightly past their best but who gave it 110% - and sometimes gave the big boys a bloody nose. All I want is for whoever pulls on the shirt to go out & give it their best - and that means trying to win every game.

[derry]

Whilst I wasn't there on Saturday so won't comment other than to say 4-1 was a better result than I expected, I was pleased with Pardew's comments about a winning mentality. We have not had that since WGS was in charge.

 

I won't go as far as Derry, but I fully understand where he's coming from re Hendersons comments that the results in pre-season don't matter. Yes the result against Ajax wasn't the be-all & end-all but to draw 3 and lose 1 against Totten, Eastleigh, Bournemouth & Cheltenham does say much about attitudes at the club. And I bet the result mattered to those clubs.

 

This club was built on having players who maybe weren't the best or were slightly past their best but who gave it 110% - and sometimes gave the big boys a bloody nose. All I want is for whoever pulls on the shirt to go out & give it their best - and that means trying to win every game.

 

Of course like every other year after a superb pre season we will hit the ground running and win our first game as we always do.

 

Maybe just for once Alan Pardew will turn the club on it's head and win the first game.