Unrealistic expectations

[David Strover]

My hero - it's a shame ignore doesn't work when people quote him otherwise I'd be very happy. Oh well I'll just be careful what thread I look at when I on occasion drop by.

 

I don't bother so much now because I can guess most of the content on here anyway.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

My hero - it's a shame ignore doesn't work when people quote him otherwise I'd be very happy. Oh well I'll just be careful what thread I look at when I on occasion drop by.

 

I don't bother so much now because I can guess most of the content on here anyway.

 

I think I can speak for the whole forum when I say what an enormous privilege it is you grace us with your presence at all , even if it's just on a part time basis from now on . If only more on here could be as non condescending and not at all supercilious as your good-self this site would be an immeasurably better place .

[Glasgow_Saint]

My hero - it's a shame ignore doesn't work when people quote him otherwise I'd be very happy. Oh well I'll just be careful what thread I look at when I on occasion drop by.

 

I don't bother so much now because I can guess most of the content on here anyway.

 

Tell me the title of the next three threads :smt047

[eurosaint]

Tell me the title of the next three threads :smt047

 

1) New signings needed now !

2) Wotton is a wanchor !

3) Come back Rupert, all is forgiven !

[SaintRobbie]

1) New signings needed now !

2) Wotton is a wanchor !

3) Come back Rupert, all is forgiven !

 

1) YES YES YES YES YES YES - one for each player needed!

2) YES.

3) errr NO.

[Nineteen Canteen]

could you let me have the 8 score draws for this Saturday or the lottery numbers please' date=' Meg[/quote']

 

I'll take that as an acknowledgement that i do post on team matters and not just the politics and that I do sometimes know what I am talking about.

 

I would give you the lottery numbers Mike but you would probably only moan that you had to share the prize with me. What is this 8 score draws you speak of old man.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Absolutely spot on post.

Matt is the greatest Saints player of all time imo and a top notch bloke to boot but, he screwed up by not delving deep enough into a bogus consortium who wanted to use his popularity. And then he allowed the farce to continue far too long.

 

Matt would never have made a good chairman. Icon yes, Legend yes, Hero to young and old, yes but he needs a kick up his arse for swallowing, without question, the Pinnacle Pill.

 

Absolutely correct and some explanation to the fans in the role he played would be nice before his next lap of honour at SMS.

[SaintRobbie]

Absolutely correct and some explanation to the fans in the role he played would be nice before his next lap of honour at SMS.

 

The only role MLT played was to try and secure a deal to rescue the club. It failed due to his backer pulling out.

 

MLT will always be a legend regardless, your friend Lowe will always be seen as the architect of disaster 19... always. Frankly your judgement is highly questionable if you are prepared to look at it any other way... but then we all know your judgement is questionable.

 

Still in denial? Havent read your posts for several weeks... several refreshing weeks.

[eelpie]

One thing is for certain if we voice dissent or reduce our support in any numbers then IMO Mr Liebherr's pockets will grow deeper but his arms shorter.

 

 

This is laughable from the poster who causes more dissent than anyone else.

 

It is not unrealistic to expect a strengthened squad that can compete sufficiently to survive the difficult relegation struggle ahead. Next season's rebuild can wait.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

The only role MLT played was to try and secure a deal to rescue the club. It failed due to his backer pulling out.

 

MLT will always be a legend regardless, your friend Lowe will always be seen as the architect of disaster 19... always. Frankly your judgement is highly questionable if you are prepared to look at it any other way... but then we all know your judgement is questionable.

 

Still in denial? Havent read your posts for several weeks... several refreshing weeks.

 

Robbie I beg to differ.

IMO Pinnacle (MLT and perhaps TL apart) never were "interested" in saving Southampton. They were just a couple of men who intended to use leveraged debt to purchase the club and ultimately move it on for a profit. TL and MLT were used because of local connections and also Matt's profile. I think we have to be careful when we refer to Pinnacle because there is no doubt elements of the so called Pinnacle group were not being totally honest with each other. The FL issue was just an excuse. We came very close to losing ML because of Pinnacle (see Cortese'srecent interviews in the Echo) and to give them praise by saying they tried to save saints is wide of the mark.

 

I think MLT was trying to "save the Saints" but he was unwittingly used by a bunch of glorified con artists.

[eelpie]

 

I think MLT was trying to "save the Saints" but he was unwittingly used by a bunch of glorified con artists.

 

 

Surely you can put it more positively than that, FF.

 

There can be no doubt that MLT's motives were to save Saints (though he was duped).

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Surely you can put it more positively than that, FF.

 

There can be no doubt that MLT's motives were to save Saints (though he was duped).

 

Yes I stand corrected. He was trying to save the club no doubt about it but he had tied his ribbon to the wrong mast.

[Thedelldays]

Yes I stand corrected. He was trying to save the club no doubt about it but he had tied his ribbon to the wrong mast.

so have many others..

 

did you go "wilde" for saints a few years back..?

I did..

[ottery st mary]

To be honest I went with The Go Wilde dream and The Pinnacle dream AND the Paul Allen one....Even the rumour about LLoyd Webber......The Gavyn Davies.Frostie plan AND many others....Like a lot of other posters/Saints fans I am a Saints dreamer and just HOPED.....Still hoping that someone will believe in our little club and look after it for me my children and now my grandchildren.

 

 

But Lowey...From day one.....What I was told and what I saw after all the information I obtained from my own investigations and that of Financial colleagues...SMELT big time from the off...But that was an opinion which I don't need to say anymore....or Nineteen, jonah and the crew will be after me...

 

Thank you Swiss dream team ML/NC and family for saving our lovvverly little club and continuing this little dreamers fantasy.

 

Not really an unrealistic expectation anymore......Lots of light at the end of the tunnel.

 

COYRs...........My opinion counts for something but only if her indoors sanctions it.

[Weston Saint]

I have to say I agree with the original post. However I do not see MLT as tarnished or that he should not have attended the first match. I am sure our new owner would have been delighted with the fan reaction.

 

However, I had doubts about MLT as Chairman without experience to hold that position. It would have always been the "money men" and Lynam who would have been making all the decisions so I am on the side of those who say he was manipulated and to some extent, in my opinion, shafted by a good friend who himself may have been shafted by the "money men" but should have known better.

[Weston Saint]

so have many others..

 

did you go "wilde" for saints a few years back..?

I did..

Not me. I listened to what Guided Missile had to say. He has always been pretty much on the ball with such matters

[Thedelldays]

Not me. I listened to what Guided Missile had to say. He has always been pretty much on the ball with such matters

being honest..I went wilde buit quickly changed my mind..

 

to be fair, I never really bought into Pinnacle once GM posted his findings on here...

 

funnily enough, I was called (and I quote) a disgrace for doubting pinnacle by a fair few on here..

 

I know that GM ultimately got banned on saintsforever for his views doubting wilde...

[Verbal]

Not me. I listened to what Guided Missile had to say. He has always been pretty much on the ball with such matters

 

But as I recall, you were part of the SOS gang of four who were actually given advance notice by Wilde that he was going to team up with Lowe to oust Crouch - but decided to keep quiet about it, even though Wilde had lied flat out about how you, as a group, wanted him to return as chairman.

 

It also took you and a few other ITKs a while to wake up to the dangerously crackpot antics of tommac.

 

Not pointing fingers, just saying that, as with other events in the club's recent murky past, not everything is really cut and dried.

[Weston Saint]

But as I recall, you were part of the SOS gang of four who were actually given advance notice by Wilde that he was going to team up with Lowe to oust Crouch - but decided to keep quiet about it, even though Wilde had lied flat out about how you, as a group, wanted him to return as chairman.

 

It also took you and a few other ITKs a while to wake up to the dangerously crackpot antics of tommac.

 

Not pointing fingers, just saying that, as with other events in the club's recent murky past, not everything is really cut and dried.

Actually I spotted tommac the day he first posted. I even posted "is that you Tom?" but then edited his name out. His early phrases was exactly the same as he had commented direct to someone I know before he registed. I never supported him. I knew his background.

 

As for Wilde..... I was not going to be part of a political tool so took the SOS involvement no further.

 

Anyway, I am not going to rake over this as it is past.

[OldNick]

Absolutely correct and some explanation to the fans in the role he played would be nice before his next lap of honour at SMS.

Nineteen.Your point is valid, but the snipe as in 'lap of honour' IMO is not called for.

MLT did it because he genuinely wanted to save the club.He was a talented footballer,but that did not make him a chairman with the financial or political accumen to do that, i agree.

Lets not tar him for his best intentions, thankyou

[Nineteen Canteen]

Nineteen.Your point is valid, but the snipe as in 'lap of honour' IMO is not called for.

MLT did it because he genuinely wanted to save the club.He was a talented footballer,but that did not make him a chairman with the financial or political accumen to do that, i agree.

Lets not tar him for his best intentions, thankyou

 

Nick, sorry I dont agree and especially with the term that I see used quite a lot 'best intentions'. The word best indictates a major effort or significant achievement etc. In sport if someone performs to the best of their ability then they have usually given it everything and done all they possibly can to cover all the angles e.g a personal best.

 

Taking things solely at face value IMO MLT obviously intended to save the club but did he do his best? IMO the conclusion has to be no and given his own reputation was on the line not to mention the survival of the club I think the word best in this instance is inapproriate.

 

It goes back to Weston's appraisal of MLT's playing career and the suggestion that a 'laziness' in his play probably held him back from sporting greatness away from Southampton. IMO his role in Pinnacle suggests to me some of that laziness crept into his decision to stake his reputation on the bid and his role thereafter.

[Greenridge]

Nineteen.Your point is valid, but the snipe as in 'lap of honour' IMO is not called for.

MLT did it because he genuinely wanted to save the club.He was a talented footballer,but that did not make him a chairman with the financial or political accumen to do that, i agree.

Lets not tar him for his best intentions, thankyou

 

And hence why virtually every post that this person(s) scribes is so pathetic. Occasionally there are points of note and debate but he can't help himself by putting an oh-so-controversial statement in there to get a ride from the few that feed him. I can only assume it is some form of lack of self-esteem that drives him on to gain minor noteriety on a small forum such as this. Bit sad really.

[Nineteen Canteen]

And hence why virtually every post that this person(s) scribes is so pathetic. Occasionally there are points of note and debate but he can't help himself by putting an oh-so-controversial statement in there to get a ride from the few that feed him. I can only assume it is some form of lack of self-esteem that drives him on to gain minor noteriety on a small forum such as this. Bit sad really.

 

I expect you're right - still passes the time Greenridge, don't you think?

[OldNick]

Nick, sorry I dont agree and especially with the term that I see used quite a lot 'best intentions'. The word best indictates a major effort or significant achievement etc. In sport if someone performs to the best of their ability then they have usually given it everything and done all they possibly can to cover all the angles e.g a personal best.

 

Taking things solely at face value IMO MLT obviously intended to save the club but did he do his best? IMO the conclusion has to be no and given his own reputation was on the line not to mention the survival of the club I think the word best in this instance is inapproriate.

 

It goes back to Weston's appraisal of MLT's playing career and the suggestion that a 'laziness' in his play probably held him back from sporting greatness away from Southampton. IMO his role in Pinnacle suggests to me some of that laziness crept into his decision to stake his reputation on the bid and his role thereafter.

best intentions IMO is done when somebody does/says something to help the situation. In no way is it to jepodise or hurt in way.

MLT was obviously approached and a scheme put to him, that in his limited experience seemed great.Wanting the club to survive he went with it.

Iam going to avoid a long debate on MLT as it is not needed and you will get embroiled into a lot of nonsense.

[Nineteen Canteen]

best intentions IMO is done when somebody does/says something to help the situation. In no way is it to jepodise or hurt in way.

MLT was obviously approached and a scheme put to him, that in his limited experience seemed great.Wanting the club to survive he went with it.

Iam going to avoid a long debate on MLT as it is not needed and you will get embroiled into a lot of nonsense.

 

OK but only because I think we are playing with the semantics.

[Daren W]

best intentions IMO is done when somebody does/says something to help the situation. In no way is it to jepodise or hurt in way.

MLT was obviously approached and a scheme put to him, that in his limited experience seemed great.Wanting the club to survive he went with it.

Iam going to avoid a long debate on MLT as it is not needed and you will get embroiled into a lot of nonsense.

 

Exactly, the man made a mistake but made one with the very best of intentions. The way he's been pilloried on here makes you think people feel Le Tiss wantonly waded on in here not caring about the ramifications of his actions...

 

That is simply not true. But hey, why let facts get in the way of a good slagathon?

[Wes Tender]

Nick, sorry I dont agree and especially with the term that I see used quite a lot 'best intentions'. The word best indictates a major effort or significant achievement etc. In sport if someone performs to the best of their ability then they have usually given it everything and done all they possibly can to cover all the angles e.g a personal best.

 

 

You prove yet again that your comprehension of the English language is often severely lacking and as a result, you go way off on a tangent trying to construct an argument built on foundations of sand.

 

Best intentions, is a two word phrase and indicates that somebody was acting with the best motives or good reasons, but not necessarily achieving the desired result.

 

Whilst I'm at it, would you like me to explain what the difference is between acting with the best of intentions and performing to the best of one's ability?

[EFM]

Exactly, the man made a mistake but made one with the very best of intentions. The way he's been pilloried on here makes you think people feel Le Tiss wantonly waded on in here not caring about the ramifications of his actions...

 

That is simply not true. But hey, why let facts get in the way of a good slagathon?

 

As with you Daren, IMO the great man is a Southampton legend for his extraordinary footballing abilty, his magnificent loyalty to the club and as an unashamed real (high profile) fan of this club. Aswell as being an all round decent, modest, articulate bloke whose name will be mentioned by a fan of every club if you mention you're a Saints fan.

 

How all of this is now "tarnished" by him being misled or misinformed in a business matter is beyond me also. I don't and didn't love the bloke for his business skills and nor will I will accept that any of his achievements for our club can or ever will be questioned by his believing he was doing the best thing for SFC and turned out to be wrong.

 

The idea of him needing to answer questions before receiving a round of applause at SMS is the most farcical loads of sxxt I've ever read on here.

[Toadhall Saint]

Legend is a much over used term IMHO but it can't be used enough when talking about MLT.

[Verbal]

Legend is a much over used term IMHO but it can't be used enough when talking about MLT.

 

Exactly.

 

I see the usual suspects are on MLT's back again with a drip-feed of coulda-shoulda-known-better.

 

The problem with being ITKs on here - as historians especially should know - is that they have ALWAYS been recipients of whispers from one source or another, but NEVER had sight of the full picture.

[Nineteen Canteen]

You prove yet again that your comprehension of the English language is often severely lacking and as a result, you go way off on a tangent trying to construct an argument built on foundations of sand.

 

Best intentions, is a two word phrase and indicates that somebody was acting with the best motives or good reasons, but not necessarily achieving the desired result.

 

Whilst I'm at it, would you like me to explain what the difference is between acting with the best of intentions and performing to the best of one's ability?

 

Thank you Wes. Smug is a single word best defined by your post and as always you dissect every little detail of my incorrect use of the English language to avoid commenting on the point being made in a sad and deeply unwitting attempt to belittle the poster. Why on Why....Wes it may work on Points of View but not here. If were only all as worthy and diligent as you Wes our best intentions would all be as excellent as yours.

 

Guided Missile has your card marked and long indentified the type of character you are and that you seem intent on consistently proving him right is not surprising.

[Nineteen Canteen]

I see the unrealistic expectations have been taken to another level once again after another dissappointing but not exactly surprising defeat. My fears from the OP on this thread about the fans reaction is bearing it's ugly fruit once again.

 

We are playing catch up on our peers and Pardew is effectively only 2 weeks into a pre-season. Of course if they had been afforded the opportunity to start 6 weeks earlier.....

 

Can we make sure our 'displeasure' is targetted at the right individuals and not the manager, team, board or new owners, its these people who need our unstinting support.

 

Look how Bournemouth started last season but surged away eventually and I can't see our season be any different courtesy of the 'best intentions' of others. Shame on them and shame on you, all those who are on Pardew's back already.

[Verbal]

I see the unrealistic expectations have been taken to another level once again after another dissappointing but not exactly surprising defeat. My fears from the OP on this thread about the fans reaction is bearing it's ugly fruit once again.

 

We are playing catch up on our peers and Pardew is effectively only 2 weeks into a pre-season. Of course if they had been afforded the opportunity to start 6 weeks earlier.....

 

Can we make sure our 'displeasure' is targetted at the right individuals and not the manager, team, board or new owners, its these people who need our unstinting support.

 

Look how Bournemouth started last season but surged away eventually and I can't see our season be any different courtesy of the 'best intentions' of others. Shame on them and shame on you, all those who are on Pardew's back already.

 

I'm appalled to say I agree with most of that.

[Katalinic]

I see the unrealistic expectations have been taken to another level once again after another dissappointing but not exactly surprising defeat. My fears from the OP on this thread about the fans reaction is bearing it's ugly fruit once again.

 

We are playing catch up on our peers and Pardew is effectively only 2 weeks into a pre-season. Of course if they had been afforded the opportunity to start 6 weeks earlier.....

 

Can we make sure our 'displeasure' is targetted at the right individuals and not the manager, team, board or new owners, its these people who need our unstinting support.

 

Look how Bournemouth started last season but surged away eventually and I can't see our season be any different courtesy of the 'best intentions' of others. Shame on them and shame on you, all those who are on Pardew's back already.

 

For once I agree with you. When you strip out from your posts the usual snide remarks about the people in your "circle of hate" you sometimes make some good points. Keep it up.

[John B]

I see the unrealistic expectations have been taken to another level once again after another dissappointing but not exactly surprising defeat. My fears from the OP on this thread about the fans reaction is bearing it's ugly fruit once again.

 

We are playing catch up on our peers and Pardew is effectively only 2 weeks into a pre-season. Of course if they had been afforded the opportunity to start 6 weeks earlier.....

 

Can we make sure our 'displeasure' is targetted at the right individuals and not the manager, team, board or new owners, its these people who need our unstinting support.

 

Look how Bournemouth started last season but surged away eventually and I can't see our season be any different courtesy of the 'best intentions' of others. Shame on them and shame on you, all those who are on Pardew's back already.

 

Surely a realistic expectation is for the team not to be as poor as it is now.

 

 

Making an excuse that the Pre-season has been lost is not valid poor tactics is probably valid

[SaintRobbie]

 

I think MLT was trying to "save the Saints" but he was unwittingly used by a bunch of glorified con artists.

 

Fair one Duncan. But, as I was intimating, you can't fault MLTs motives.

 

I am sure in time he'll admit he was duped.

[Wes Tender]

Thank you Wes. Smug is a single word best defined by your post and as always you dissect every little detail of my incorrect use of the English language to avoid commenting on the point being made in a sad and deeply unwitting attempt to belittle the poster. Why on Why....Wes it may work on Points of View but not here. If were only all as worthy and diligent as you Wes our best intentions would all be as excellent as yours.

 

Guided Missile has your card marked and long indentified the type of character you are and that you seem intent on consistently proving him right is not surprising.

 

If you only stopped one minute and took the trouble to read back to the beginning of this thread, then you'd see that I had indeed taken the trouble to comment on your OP. But then again, you admitted yourself that you didn't read it.

 

I'm afraid I didn't read your dissection of my comments as usual you revert to your anal windbag approach and tbh I couldn't get past your opening 3 words - 'Why oh Why' - I am not Barry Took and this is not Points of View.

 

Are we to assume that as well as a MLT, Crouch and McMenemy fixation, you have now added Barry Took too?

 

So Misguided has marked my card, eh? What course of action do you recommend? Should I be quaking in my boots, be taking some prescription medicine to calm myself, or just shrug my shoulders?

 

As for your last post, what exactly does this mean?

 

Can we make sure our 'displeasure' is targetted at the right individuals and not the manager, team, board or new owners, its these people who need our unstinting support.

 

Is this you bleating on and on again about MLT, Pinnacle, etc, and does it include the previous board, or do they escape your bile?

 

Personally, I would be quite happy to bury the past and move on. Obviously you still prefer to rake over the coals.

[miserableoldgit]

Surely a realistic expectation is for the team not to be as poor as it is now.

 

 

Making an excuse that the Pre-season has been lost is not valid poor tactics is probably valid

Of course it is valid! Whilst other teams have had settled, organised pre-seasons, Pardew has had what - 3 - 4 weeks? He inherited a very poor squad, has in that time added 5 players and convinced KD to stay. This time last week, everyone was happy after a draw against Millwall, a win in the Carling Cup, and the signing of last years FL top scorer. A week later after two bad displays, Pardew is tactically inept, and doesn`t know what he is doing. After a week!!! Some fans on here don`t deserve a club!!

[Nineteen Canteen]

Surely a realistic expectation is for the team not to be as poor as it is now.

 

 

Making an excuse that the Pre-season has been lost is not valid poor tactics is probably valid

 

John the best tactics in the world isn't going to help Pardew in the short term make a slik purse out of a sow's ear. He needed the time to have a good look at his sqaud, play half a dozen friendlies and sort the wheat from the chaff.

 

Not only that on a limited budget he is trying to find players the best of which have no doubt been cherry picked a long time ago. Poor players can make good tactics look poor and we know Pardew hasn't suddenly become a bad manager and perhaps at this stage we should assume the players aren't playing to their instructions. Lets face it if this blip happened mid season it would probably pass but for a few disgruntled murmurs and nothing more but because we have the 10 point deficit everyone are like cats on a hot tin roof and I expect so are the players.

 

I think a show of faith in the club is needed not critiscism especially after 3 games it's a tad ridiculous and playing into the hands of fans like myself who largely blame the fickle nature of our fans for stripping the team of confidence and the club of funds. That certainly has been the case in the past 3 years and i was hoping the positive season ticket sales were a sign that your attitude and those like yours would be a thing of the past.

 

Still I suppose you're right it has been 3 games after all.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Fair one Duncan. But, as I was intimating, you can't fault MLTs motives.

 

I am sure in time he'll admit he was duped.[/QUOTE]

 

Robbie, if it was that simple surely he would have done that already or is he more worried about impacting his book sales?

[Frank's cousin]

I for one right now are simply gald we have a club - ML came in and took on a BIG job and its the wonderful (if slightly mad) beauty of football fans that the moment that happened - we were thinking of ourselves no longer as a club rescued from the brink by a huge slice of fortune, but a s apremiership club in waiting again. - I disagree with NIck Hornby's quote, yet a fair bit of NCs post - I think the natural state is blind optimism - after every defeat, we mostly look for excuses as to why the 'NEXT TIME' we will be better - or for negative sof defeat are rapidly dispelled as we look towards the next glorious victory that we surely deserve!

 

Football fans in general need the ebb and flow - the defeats make th changes in fortune so much more inspirational - we are delusional by nature but in a positive way as it feeds our dreams and aspirations.

 

I think the players and club SHOULD have high and lofty ambitions to progress as rapidly as possible, that losing is not acceptable and that there are NO excuses for lacklustre or uninspiring performances. pLayesr and coaches should eb instilling a work ethic that is demanding - the professional nature and basic psychology of sport dictates that to be winners you need a winning attitude, not relying on excuses such as the pre-season etc...

 

... But as fans we need to temper our own lofty dreams with a bit of realism simply so that our frustrations dont run over - dont impact on our support and gate and generally keep us sane!

 

Aspiration leads to inspiration and add that to hard graft and strong minds, we will be successful - but what that means in terms of league position is different matter - you need to add good fortune to that as well.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Of course it is valid! Whilst other teams have had settled, organised pre-seasons, Pardew has had what - 3 - 4 weeks? He inherited a very poor squad, has in that time added 5 players and convinced KD to stay. This time last week, everyone was happy after a draw against Millwall, a win in the Carling Cup, and the signing of last years FL top scorer. A week later after two bad displays, Pardew is tactically inept, and doesn`t know what he is doing. After a week!!! Some fans on here don`t deserve a club!!

 

Totally agree and its fairly clear why clubs like Derby, Leeds and Norwich can draw big crowds regardless of their performance or league and we only get near to capacity in big one off games or the Premiership. 27 years of top flight football has in a way ruined our fan base and its a pity many of those spoilt by at times our good fortune are so quick to knock or walk away instaed of showing some support and gratitude.

[John B]

John the best tactics in the world isn't going to help Pardew in the short term make a slik purse out of a sow's ear. He needed the time to have a good look at his sqaud, play half a dozen friendlies and sort the wheat from the chaff.

 

Not only that on a limited budget he is trying to find players the best of which have no doubt been cherry picked a long time ago. Poor players can make good tactics look poor and we know Pardew hasn't suddenly become a bad manager and perhaps at this stage we should assume the players aren't playing to their instructions. Lets face it if this blip happened mid season it would probably pass but for a few disgruntled murmurs and nothing more but because we have the 10 point deficit everyone are like cats on a hot tin roof and I expect so are the players.

 

I think a show of faith in the club is needed not critiscism especially after 3 games it's a tad ridiculous and playing into the hands of fans like myself who largely blame the fickle nature of our fans for stripping the team of confidence and the club of funds. That certainly has been the case in the past 3 years and i was hoping the positive season ticket sales were a sign that your attitude and those like yours would be a thing of the past.

 

Still I suppose you're right it has been 3 games after all.

 

 

We have played poorly in pre season and played poorly in the League should I be happy and look forward to the future experience tells me no.

 

Since 2008 results have been appalling so why should I feel optimistic

[miserableoldgit]

Totally agree and its fairly clear why clubs like Derby, Leeds and Norwich can draw big crowds regardless of their performance or league and we only get near to capacity in big one off games or the Premiership. 27 years of top flight football has in a way ruined our fan base and its a pity many of those spoilt by at times our good fortune are so quick to knock or walk away instaed of showing some support and gratitude.

And even more importantly - Patience!!

[John B]

Of course it is valid! Whilst other teams have had settled, organised pre-seasons, Pardew has had what - 3 - 4 weeks? He inherited a very poor squad, has in that time added 5 players and convinced KD to stay. This time last week, everyone was happy after a draw against Millwall, a win in the Carling Cup, and the signing of last years FL top scorer. A week later after two bad displays, Pardew is tactically inept, and doesn`t know what he is doing. After a week!!! Some fans on here don`t deserve a club!!

 

We have had the same length of time if not longer than other teams in Pre season and have little idea on how to win games in Div 1.

 

We have had games v Ajax Hearts QPR N'Hampton Huddersfield Millwall and Swindon with Pardew in charge

 

I dont dispute that things may change but I am not confident but lets hope they do.

 

I can only post how I see it

[miserableoldgit]

We have had the same length of time if not longer than other teams in Pre season and have little idea on how to win games in Div 1.

 

We have had games v Ajax Hearts QPR N'Hampton Huddersfield Millwall and Swindon with Pardew in charge

 

I dont dispute that things may change but I am not confident but lets hope they do.

 

I can only post how I see it

I didn`t hear too many grumbles after the Millwall and Cobblers games a week ago. Pardew did not have anything like the same amount of time as other managers pre-season, bearing in mind that most teams start preparations for one season before the last one has ended. For people to have made a decision on Pardew after two games in four days is quite clearly lunacy. What will happen if we win the next two well? Are you going to change your opinion and say that Pardew is brilliant and that we will win the league, or will you stick to your knee-jerk negative stance?

[Nineteen Canteen]

We have played poorly in pre season and played poorly in the League should I be happy and look forward to the future experience tells me no.

 

Since 2008 results have been appalling so why should I feel optimistic

 

I can't answer that John simply because I'm staggered you feel you need to be told the answer.

[John B]

I didn`t hear too many grumbles after the Millwall and Cobblers games a week ago. Pardew did not have anything like the same amount of time as other managers pre-season, bearing in mind that most teams start preparations for one season before the last one has ended. For people to have made a decision on Pardew after two games in four days is quite clearly lunacy. What will happen if we win the next two well? Are you going to change your opinion and say that Pardew is brilliant and that we will win the league, or will you stick to your knee-jerk negative stance?

 

I can only comment on what has happened I am not a clairvoiant.

 

I do not think I am in anyway be negative just being realistic as I have said a couple of wins will make a difference but we are where we are now.

 

I am not saying sack Pardew but just think that it is going to be very difficult to get out of the relegation zone for sometime.

 

 

I hope you are right that promotion is just around the corner

[miserableoldgit]

I can only comment on what has happened I am not a clairvoiant.

 

I do not think I am in anyway be negative just being realistic as I have said a couple of wins will make a difference but we are where we are now.

 

I am not saying sack Pardew but just think that it is going to be very difficult to get out of the relegation zone for sometime.

 

 

I hope you are right that promotion is just around the corner

Sadly, I don`t think that promotion is just around the corner. I think that this season is going to be, at best, a difficult season of consolidation. We are -9, have a good manager (probably better than we should have given our situation), a team that needs changing virtually completely ( and he did have no pre-season time to start this process), and so we hear, no real "football" structure behind the scenes. To get this right is going to take blood, sweat, tears (mainly from us fans I expect!) but mainly time! I suspect that there will be a few more Huddersfields and Swindons before we get to where we want to be, but I am much more confident that we will get there.

[John B]

Sadly, I don`t think that promotion is just around the corner. I think that this season is going to be, at best, a difficult season of consolidation. We are -9, have a good manager (probably better than we should have given our situation), a team that needs changing virtually completely ( and he did have no pre-season time to start this process), and so we hear, no real "football" structure behind the scenes. To get this right is going to take blood, sweat, tears (mainly from us fans I expect!) but mainly time! I suspect that there will be a few more Huddersfields and Swindons before we get to where we want to be, but I am much more confident that we will get there.

 

Yes I agree but after five years of dross I thought we would be in a slightly better position after three games.

 

I never expected promotion or the play offs this season or even a relegation fight either but I dont think we will lose on Saturday

Edited 19 August, 2009 by John B