Only One Person To Blame - Pardew

[the stain]

he had every oppurtunity to make the best possible start - yet he has made the worst....

 

No pre-season, squad in tatters, barely enough players to send out a team, club just emerging from it's biggest ever upheaval, starting on -10 points... he really couldn't have asked for more.

[Doctoroncall]

yeah and Parkindson came off last season with a good winning side.They did not have a summer of administration and losing some usefl players, and Pinnacle of course.I stated that Charlton would do well as they had stability and did look decent at the 3end of last season.it was obvious we needed to have a good start and I was like a few others wanting us to get some players in quicker so we could get the -10 gone.it hasnt happened and soon we could be 15 points away from safety.We are fortunate a lot of clubs are still withing striking distance.We need a goalscorer and get that first win, after that e wil then claw our way back.

 

I don't think it's the goalscoring forwards we should be worrying about. It's making the gilt-edge chances from a midfield which lacks cohesion to do that or score any goals.

 

It's not the negativity that saddens me - people are entitled to have a negative outlook if they wish - it's the mind-numbing ignorance and emotional incontinence. Inadequate people.

 

Agreed.

[The9]

I don't think I've ever read a thread on here where I've disagreed with so many of the opinions on our performance. We were uncreative in front of goal, but not in the way so many people have been saying.

 

We didn't play hoofball. In fact I don't think we hit a launched hoof out of defence in the whole game. What we did was throw a lot of crosses into the box from wide midfield positions, the vast majority of which were dealt with comfortably by Colchester, who by the way are better than us at the moment and in the Play-Off places, not sure why people have this "but Colchester???!?!?" mindset.

 

Having said we don't play hoofball, whoever said we also don't have the team to play hoofs is also utterly wrong, we've got a big target man who wins most balls in his direction, and a couple of nippy wide players in the squad who'd thrive on flick-ons - so if we WANTED to do that we probably could.

 

I also thought Mellis had a pretty decent half, other than the fact he ran straight into the second defender three times having turned his marker - no end product yet but he gives us a pace and quick passing that few others do.

 

Paterson looked a yard off in his head and I can only assume it was lack of confidence or tiredness.

 

Lallana must have been glad to get up front after having seven shades hoofed out of him for 60 minutes, he did well. Having Wayne Thomas as our main crosser and creative force with overlapping runs just isn't going to work, is it ?

 

Disappointed in Hammond, who looked like Lee Holmes infield and only seemed to pass sideways - I hope that's not The Wilkins effect ?! He did well to keep his cool though, he was obviously getting a fair bit of verbals out there. Lacked urgency though, which cost Lambert, who must have been fed up of getting fouled and having to make his run too late to have any effect as we delivered the balls too slowly.

 

Problem in that match was just that we didn't find our players with the balls into the box - but at least those balls were getting into the box quicker than last season, when we'd have been playing it square for 30 minutes first. We are, however, running out of new blood to have that miraculous impact, and the effort was 70% less than for the Birmingham game, for which most players should be ashamed.

 

I am now, completely fed up with people claiming that Lowe / administration is responsible for our slow start - a month ago there might have been a case, but it wasn't responsible for mostly the same players upping their game massively against Birmingham, so why is it to blame now for us being lazy on the pitch ?

Edited 7 September, 2009 by The9

[The9]

FFS

 

6 games in charge ?? 7 new players, a team that was relegated last year, had massive internal struggles, has lost it's best players, almost didn't exsist, one -10 points.

.

 

The "new players and relegated last year" argument doesn't hold much water when you look at Charlton's start, does it ?

[Wes Tender]

I listened to the game on solent so I did not have the advantage of actually seeing the game on saturday but I could not believe AP said we had enough chances to win two games of football! By my reckoning colchester nearly scrored 2 or 3 OG's which was the nearest we came to scoring other than that we were feeding on scraps. we lack creativity. we have thebest striker in the league with otu doubt but with out service what can he do? It seems that mellis is not up to the job yet nor is patterson IMO. Bring in Saga and Papa.

 

You see, this is the difference that being at the game would have made to your perception. I was given an excellent viewpoint behind the goal in the Northam for two of those chances that would have resulted in own goals but for some almost miraculous clearances.

 

The first was an off the line clearance where the ball appeared to have crossed the line, but somehow the defender managed to hook the ball clear by a superb bit of athleticism that IMO 9 out of 10 defenders would have been hard pressed to equal.

 

The second was where the defender mangaged somehow to hit the ball over the bar facing the goal from only a couple of yards out. Had it been a striker hitting it over from that distance, you would have been incredulous that he had missed, but instead you were incredulous that he had managed to put it over the bar when it semed an almost impossible feat.

 

So there you are; those two chances which could have resulted in us being two up, evaded us, whereas on another day they would have gone in. Otherwise, there were a lot of shots from distance, which went just wide, or just over, or straight at the keeper. I agree with you that Saga could well have made the difference over Paterson.

[Give it to Ron]

The "new players and relegated last year" argument doesn't hold much water when you look at Charlton's start, does it ?

 

This would be the Charlton who stuck with a manager for 20 games without a win yet we have on here people having a go after 6!

[The9]

You see, this is the difference that being at the game would have made to your perception. I was given an excellent viewpoint behind the goal in the Northam for two of those chances that would have resulted in own goals but for some almost miraculous clearances.

 

The first was an off the line clearance where the ball appeared to have crossed the line, but somehow the defender managed to hook the ball clear by a superb bit of athleticism that IMO 9 out of 10 defenders would have been hard pressed to equal.

 

The second was where the defender mangaged somehow to hit the ball over the bar facing the goal from only a couple of yards out. Had it been a striker hitting it over from that distance, you would have been incredulous that he had missed, but instead you were incredulous that he had managed to put it over the bar when it semed an almost impossible feat.

 

So there you are; those two chances which could have resulted in us being two up, evaded us, whereas on another day they would have gone in. Otherwise, there were a lot of shots from distance, which went just wide, or just over, or straight at the keeper. I agree with you that Saga could well have made the difference over Paterson.

 

First one was a fairly comfortable clearance that anyone but a complete donkey would have made, and was only made possible by Paterson not putting enough on the ball, though that was understandable given that he was leaping and poking the ball at around chest height.

 

The second one was a jammy slice from a fast cross that evaded everyone except the defender, which could have gone anywhere and the defender barely knew he'd done it, never mind how.

 

You're right that those chances would have changed the result, and the outlook, but they didn't go in, and you can argue just the same that Colchester's 2 on 2 breaks (two of them) could haev made things a lot worse. We can only deal with what actually happened, which was that we dominated 10 men for 60 minutes without looking remotely like scoring from inside the box.

[Give it to Ron]

I cannot see what else Pardew could of done.

His main option Saga was away, his new signing's loan was held up by the Italian FA so had to go with his third choice.

That third choice missed a glorious chance by not hitting it, he also missed his kick from 8 yards with the goal at his mercy.

At half-time he made changes - Mills who many had called for wide left, Lallana right.

Paterson off - Thomson wide right - Lallana up fron that many cry out for.

We go 3-5-2 Perry off and Schneideling on.

We have no other striker available. Lambert everytime he moves has a great big lump all over him and no protection from a ref who refuses to see it.

 

So thats at least 5 tactical changes Pardew made and he still gets slated.

[OldNick]

First one was a fairly comfortable clearance that anyone but a complete donkey would have made, and was only made possible by Paterson not putting enough on the ball, though that was understandable given that he was leaping and poking the ball at around chest height.

 

The second one was a jammy slice from a fast cross that evaded everyone except the defender, which could have gone anywhere and the defender barely knew he'd done it, never mind how.

 

You're right that those chances would have changed the result, and the outlook, but they didn't go in, and you can argue just the same that Colchester's 2 on 2 breaks (two of them) could haev made things a lot worse. We can only deal with what actually happened, which was that we dominated 10 men for 60 minutes without looking remotely like scoring from inside the box.

Normally i agrre with most things you put.From my standpoint we created lots of chances.The 2 Wes stated, it was a dluke how the defender put the ball over the batr, and 99/100 it would have gone in.In the second half Trottman had a clear header thompson seemed to head it off the line and over the bar, and Mills had 2 great opportunities to score.Add to that hammonds superb dipping shot and morgans attempt and we were not that bad.We just have wide men who make the wrong choicews when and where to pass. as for the chipped floaty corners dont get me started on that!

[bungle]

I am amused at the assertion we went 3-5-2.

 

Thomas moved to centre-half, Lloyd James went to right back, Schneiderlin went into centre mid and we continued playing 4-4-2.

Edited 7 September, 2009 by bungle

[The9]

This would be the Charlton who stuck with a manager for 20 games without a win yet we have on here people having a go after 6!

 

I've only seen one person have a go at Pardew to the extent that they think he should go so far, and there's always one.

 

It seems reasonable to expect that Charlton's manager was appointed with a view to either miraculously keeping them up or being given time to get them back up, given how far adrift they were when he came in - which is not quite the same as buying a load of the best players in the League and failing to have them repeat their level of performance they're shown at previosu clubs.

 

I don't think Pardew's to blame as much as the total lack of effort and imagination the players have shown on too many occasions. Their abilities when trying were displayed against Birmingham, and I haven't seen them repeat anything like that in the 5 league games I've seen so far (missed Brentford and Stockport). Once they cross the line, whose fault is it then ?

 

Strangely the one I can't criticise for effort on Saturday was Wayne Thomas - and you can make a case to blame the manager when HE is our main attacking threat via overlapping right wing crosses and set-piece headers for most of the first half.

[Scummer]

I am amused at the assertion we went 3-5-2.

 

Thomas moved to centre-half, Lloyd James went to right back, Schneiderling went into centre mid and we continued playing 4-4-2.

 

Yes I agree with that.

[Gorgiesaint]

I'd like to see a smaller squad, some of the kids out on loan and a stable 11 played every week barring injury! But I think managers don't play like that any more sadly...

 

Actually, I don't think Pardew's thoughts are that much different (IMO).

 

He has said he would like some of the fringe players out on loan to get experience, I just don't think he's had the squad long enough to decide on his first 11. That will come in the next couple of weeks when the final blocks of Jaidi & Papa Waigo drop into place. I then expect a pretty stable 11 to be fielded but we'll see.....

[The9]

I am amused at the assertion we went 3-5-2.

 

Thomas moved to centre-half, Lloyd James went to right back, Schneiderling went into centre mid and we continued playing 4-4-2.

 

Indeed. And Lloyd James then spent 15 minutes crossing to the first defender from halfway into Colchester's half, with Thomson standing still outside him.

 

Sideways, sideways, sideways, cross. Lambert didn't have a hope.

[The9]

Normally i agrre with most things you put.From my standpoint we created lots of chances.The 2 Wes stated, it was a dluke how the defender put the ball over the batr, and 99/100 it would have gone in.In the second half Trottman had a clear header thompson seemed to head it off the line and over the bar, and Mills had 2 great opportunities to score.Add to that hammonds superb dipping shot and morgans attempt and we were not that bad.We just have wide men who make the wrong choicews when and where to pass. as for the chipped floaty corners dont get me started on that!

 

Trouble for me was we never actually looked like scoring until one rebound melee in the box and Hammond's good late effort. We dominated possession so you'd expect us to have clear cut chances rather than 30 yard shots and maybe-he-might-reach-this-crappy-cross lunges.

 

I don't think it's even pace that's the issue, rather urgency and the desire to shift the ball quickly to open gaps in the defence. Even parks teams can defend effectively for 90 minutes if you give the 9 outfield players time to get between the ball and the goal.

[Charlie Wayman]

Not calling for his head .

 

But Pardew needs to come out and take it on the chin and own up to getting his tactics, formation and subs wrong today.

 

He f o o ked up and didnt come close to owning up to it in his interview.

 

Great squad =time for manager to deliver

 

That's where you've been too gullible my friend. Who said we had a "great squad" other than people like Pardew who brought in a load of nonentities and got rid of what little talent we had left?

 

Smell the coffee, we have now an overage, under-skilled set of plodders and rejects from other more ambitious clubs who are probably rejoicing in having been able to offload these people from their payrolls.

[Give it to Ron]

I've only seen one person have a go at Pardew to the extent that they think he should go so far, and there's always one.

 

I have seen a few others!!

 

I don't think Pardew's to blame as much as the total lack of effort and imagination the players have shown on too many occasions. Their abilities when trying were displayed against Birmingham, and I haven't seen them repeat anything like that in the 5 league games I've seen so far (missed Brentford and Stockport). Once they cross the line, whose fault is it then ?

 

I totally agree with you - how can Pardew be responsible for a winger/defender or whovever fails to pick out any team mate so consistently with crosses? Its just either pumped far too deep or never beats the first defender..

I am coaching my nipper to play wider at the moment and use live games as examples I watch how many times our players actually look up before crossing

on saturday it was hardly at all.

As you say not Pardews fault

 

Strangely the one I can't criticise for effort on Saturday was Wayne Thomas - and you can make a case to blame the manager when HE is our main attacking threat via overlapping right wing crosses and set-piece headers for most of the first half.

 

He tried options on the right..Mellis, Thomson, Lallana so how is it the managers fault if they fail to deliver?

 

In bold responses.

[hoozonside10]

That's where you've been too gullible my friend. Who said we had a "great squad" other than people like Pardew who brought in a load of nonentities and got rid of what little talent we had left?

 

Smell the coffee, we have now an overage, under-skilled set of plodders and rejects from other more ambitious clubs who are probably rejoicing in having been able to offload these people from their payrolls.

 

It's people like you who make me stare at the screen for several minutes trying to understand what you are on - TBF not just you but anyone who (at the risk of repeating several other posters) think all is lost after a fistful of games when we have had to suffer the utter shambolic last 12 months.

 

ML and his people have stated that is is going to take a long time before we can consider the ship to be turned. 5 year plan, just keep thinking that. We will not be relegated this season, I am convinced of it. Next season is the time to start making judgements, or at least wait until after Christmas (gah - now I'm doing it).

 

No doubt the ridiculous "Happy-Clapper" phrase will be used as it is for anyone who is in the slightest bit optimistic on this forum.

 

Going back to staring at my screen in bewilderment now.

[Wes Tender]

That's where you've been too gullible my friend. Who said we had a "great squad" other than people like Pardew who brought in a load of nonentities and got rid of what little talent we had left?

 

Smell the coffee, we have now an overage, under-skilled set of plodders and rejects from other more ambitious clubs who are probably rejoicing in having been able to offload these people from their payrolls.

 

I think that you get the award for the most inane post on this entire thread, which is some achievement, it must be said.

 

Who are these non-entities of whom you speak and which is the talent that Pardew got rid of? Which are the players that the other clubs are rejoicing over for getting rid of them to us?

 

Show me the evidence that Bristol Rovers wanted to sell us Lambert, that Colchester wanted to sell us Hammond, that Dan Harding would not walk into any other team in this division, the same for Jaidi and Weigo when they are part of the playing team. The fact is, that for once we have money behind us and that instead of being a club forced to sell our best players, we are now in a position to force some clubs to sell to us if we make them an offer they can't refuse.

 

You cannot include Rasiak or John as being got rid of by Pardew, as they wanted to move to higher division clubs and Surman had already gone before Pardew arrived. So who did you have in mind? I'm sure that your response will be illuminating. It was definitely a really crap squad that looked better than Premiership Birmingham for over 70 minutes, wasn't it?

[OldNick]

Trouble for me was we never actually looked like scoring until one rebound melee in the box and Hammond's good late effort. We dominated possession so you'd expect us to have clear cut chances rather than 30 yard shots and maybe-he-might-reach-this-crappy-cross lunges.

 

I don't think it's even pace that's the issue, rather urgency and the desire to shift the ball quickly to open gaps in the defence. Even parks teams can defend effectively for 90 minutes if you give the 9 outfield players time to get between the ball and the goal.

I think we are in the same camp but to me the ball was in and around the box quite a lot but we have no drive or purpose to shoot or take the chances.Lambert did set up chances as players were in better position but they were not quick minded enough to tke the chance.A Mickey Quinn/Ted mcDougall who was useless outside the box but lethal inside is the type of player we need.

[OldNick]

That's where you've been too gullible my friend. Who said we had a "great squad" other than people like Pardew who brought in a load of nonentities and got rid of what little talent we had left?

 

Smell the coffee, we have now an overage, under-skilled set of plodders and rejects from other more ambitious clubs who are probably rejoicing in having been able to offload these people from their payrolls.

As I have said before you do the great man who you use as a user name a great disservice with the posts you make.You have been very anti club ever since you have been on here and suspect you posted as toomanypies on SF a few years ago.Then you were a 5th columnist niggling away.

[kpturner]

That's where you've been too gullible my friend. Who said we had a "great squad" other than people like Pardew who brought in a load of nonentities and got rid of what little talent we had left?

 

Smell the coffee, we have now an overage, under-skilled set of plodders and rejects from other more ambitious clubs who are probably rejoicing in having been able to offload these people from their payrolls.

Better do what you promised then:

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=300992&postcount=81

[OldNick]

Better do what you promised then:

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=300992&postcount=81

It probably was him on 5live calling for Wenger to be sacked. lol

[The9]

I think we are in the same camp but to me the ball was in and around the box quite a lot but we have no drive or purpose to shoot or take the chances.Lambert did set up chances as players were in better position but they were not quick minded enough to tke the chance.A Mickey Quinn/Ted mcDougall who was useless outside the box but lethal inside is the type of player we need.

 

Rasiak ?

[The9]

In bold responses.

 

In normal font, broadly agreed with !

 

The point I was making with Wayne Thomas is that we know what his skillset is, and pinpoint crosses into the box and beating players down the line probably isn't that.

 

Accepted that Mellis, Lallana, James and Thomson had little more success than the meaty defender, it was just that the gameplan probably shouldn't have relied on an erstwhile centre-back being our creative force in the first place (though relatively speaking he actually did quite well at it).

 

As you can probably tell, I'm in constant bewilderment that XI professional footballers haven't got the tactical nous to work out stuff like "run more and try harder and you will be more successful" for themselves.

[St Marco]

It is interesting those talking about Parkinson and Charlton. Charlton have started very well this year. Their manager has now had 28 games and won 4. A massive 14% win ratio. It has taken him 10 months to turn Charlton into what they are now. They have had to do what we are doing now in getting rid of a lot of players who simply either don't want to be there or can't be arsed. To expect those things to happen in 6 games after the past few months we have had is slightly mental.

[Scummer]

It is interesting those talking about Parkinson and Charlton. Charlton have started very well this year. Their manager has now had 28 games and won 4. A massive 14% win ratio. It has taken him 10 months to turn Charlton into what they are now. They have had to do what we are doing now in getting rid of a lot of players who simply either don't want to be there or can't be arsed. To expect those things to happen in 6 games after the past few months we have had is slightly mental.

 

Whilst I broadly agree with you, I'd better point out that Charlton have won all 6 games this season, so unless someone took over for a couple of them he's won more than 4 games. Pretty sure they finished last season quite well also.

[OldNick]

Whilst I broadly agree with you, I'd better point out that Charlton have won all 6 games this season, so unless someone took over for a couple of them he's won more than 4 games. Pretty sure they finished last season quite well also.

if you have been on the end of St Marcos stats before you'd accept this as the norm . lol

[St Marco]

Whilst I broadly agree with you, I'd better point out that Charlton have won all 6 games this season, so unless someone took over for a couple of them he's won more than 4 games. Pretty sure they finished last season quite well also.

 

Think someone needs to update Wiki

 

He was manager on 22nd nov 2008. Had 29 games last season of which

Won 4 - Drew 11 and lost 14. So for last season he had a win ratio of 13% from his 29 games. He actually had to wait until jan 27th for his 1st league win which was 66 days after he took over.

 

So if we take his results this season and put them with last seasons means he has had 35 games and 10 wins. Which is a 28% ratio.

 

So i guess whoever did the wiki entry needs to update it.

 

But either way the point is still the same. The guy took over and it took him 10 months almost with 2 transfer windows to get to the team they have now, with the pre-season that goes with it. If we had that amount of time and those windows we would probably be in a similar situation. That is why i think we will finish the season a lot stronger then how we start it. We will not be getting promoted this year but i would think next season we will be a force in the league and get promoted easily.

[Saint Benali]

if you have been on the end of St Marcos stats before you'd accept this as the norm . lol

 

I think generally he is right with what he say's. Where as you on the other hand....

[bungle]

Think someone needs to update Wiki

 

He was manager on 22nd nov 2008. Had 29 games last season of which

Won 4 - Drew 11 and lost 14. So for last season he had a win ratio of 13% from his 29 games. He actually had to wait until jan 27th for his 1st league win which was 66 days after he took over.

 

So if we take his results this season and put them with last seasons means he has had 35 games and 10 wins. Which is a 28% ratio.

 

So i guess whoever did the wiki entry needs to update it.

 

But either way the point is still the same. The guy took over and it took him 10 months almost with 2 transfer windows to get to the team they have now, with the pre-season that goes with it. If we had that amount of time and those windows we would probably be in a similar situation. That is why i think we will finish the season a lot stronger then how we start it. We will not be getting promoted this year but i would think next season we will be a force in the league and get promoted easily.

 

Spot on. It takes time to re-build completely. Charlton didn't even have the same level of difficulty as us (e.g. it is the same boardroom), and they started preparing for this season pretty much from last Christmas. You could see that by April last year they were a better side, and with a full pre-season they are now making progress.

 

We, on the other hand, hit rock bottom with administration, wasted all summer faffing around, got a new manager in 3 weeks before the season and clearly are going to be some way behind where we need to be. I am more than happy with the job Pardew is doing at the moment, and expect us to improve over the season, finishing strongly.

[Whitey Grandad]

If you are looking for somebody to blame, then there are a lot of people in the queue ahead of Pardew.

[CB Fry]

Think someone needs to update Wiki

 

He was manager on 22nd nov 2008. Had 29 games last season of which

Won 4 - Drew 11 and lost 14. So for last season he had a win ratio of 13% from his 29 games. He actually had to wait until jan 27th for his 1st league win which was 66 days after he took over.

 

So if we take his results this season and put them with last seasons means he has had 35 games and 10 wins. Which is a 28% ratio.

 

So i guess whoever did the wiki entry needs to update it.

 

But either way the point is still the same. The guy took over and it took him 10 months almost with 2 transfer windows to get to the team they have now, with the pre-season that goes with it. If we had that amount of time and those windows we would probably be in a similar situation. That is why i think we will finish the season a lot stronger then how we start it. We will not be getting promoted this year but i would think next season we will be a force in the league and get promoted easily.

 

 

It's worth also pointing out that Parkinson was Pardew's assistant so had the "Wotte factor" of knowing the players, club, fans etc. Meaning he had an even longer head start.

 

All is far from lost and I still think come the end of the season we will be challenging for the play offs (apparently, this is a "negative" viewpoint).

 

I said it at the start of the season, and I stand by it now in the face of a load of supposedly "super positive" fans saying how delighted they will be if we achieve the super human effort of fourth from bottom in a league with Exeter, Yeovil, Gillingham and Oldham.

[saint1977]

I find it hard to blame Pardew. He's lost McGoldrick - lazy but would have scored goals in L1, Surman who would have offered some offensive help to Lambert and Rasiak. He's been left with garbage like James, Thomson and W@nkershire (all 3 in my worst ever XI and James has even dislodged Steve Baker at RB), the three academy players that can play any football have either been injured (Mills - very untimely but will excel once fully match-fit and Mclaggon who at least has pace) or lost form (Lallana). The buys he has made - Harding, Trotman, Lambert - have done well and Hammond will improve IMO with some urgency and leadership added from Waigo and Jaidi.

 

If we don't win soon then fair enough but even Wenger or Fergie couldn't have got this mess off to a flyer. By the end of January, you'll see the back of last season's academy dross and more of Pardew's players. I am concerned at how adrift we are getting but with 40 games to go, wins could be accrued quickly.

[OldNick]

It's worth also pointing out that Parkinson was Pardew's assistant so had the "Wotte factor" of knowing the players, club, fans etc. Meaning he had an even longer head start.

 

All is far from lost and I still think come the end of the season we will be challenging for the play offs (apparently, this is a "negative" viewpoint).

 

I said it at the start of the season, and I stand by it now in the face of a load of supposedly "super positive" fans saying how delighted they will be if we achieve the super human effort of fourth from bottom in a league with Exeter, Yeovil, Gillingham and Oldham.

CB id take 5th from bottom now, if we get to the play offs that would be superlative.

[Legod Third Coming]

It's worth also pointing out that Parkinson was Pardew's assistant so had the "Wotte factor" of knowing the players, club, fans etc. Meaning he had an even longer head start.

 

All is far from lost and I still think come the end of the season we will be challenging for the play offs (apparently, this is a "negative" viewpoint).

 

I said it at the start of the season, and I stand by it now in the face of a load of supposedly "super positive" fans saying how delighted they will be if we achieve the super human effort of fourth from bottom in a league with Exeter, Yeovil, Gillingham and Oldham.

 

CB you and I have discussed this before and I value your judgement on numbers. How many games would we need to win on the trot (given other results) to be around the play off places??

[Gingeletiss]

CB.........again, I see your post via another. What you have posted, is far from negative.........so stop with this wounded Plover thing, and show a wee bit of maturity.

[Whitey Grandad]

CB you and I have discussed this before and I value your judgement on numbers. How many games would we need to win on the trot (given other results) to be around the play off places??

I'll start the ball rolling... a net 76 points which means about 82 from the next 40 games so we need better than 2 wins out every 3 games. I can't see that with the current team, tbh, but hope springs eternal and all that.

[Gingeletiss]

I'll start the ball rolling... a net 76 points which means about 82 from the next 40 games so we need better than 2 wins out every 3 games. I can't see that with the current team, tbh, but hope springs eternal and all that.

 

 

See.....I can. We have the players, the manager, the stadium, and in most cases, the fans. All it needs is one win to kick start our season......IMHO of course

[Whitey Grandad]

See.....I can. We have the players, the manager, the stadium, and in most cases, the fans. All it needs is one win to kick start our season......IMHO of course

"the man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can't are both right"

[Gingeletiss]

Yes..........but only time will tell. If they get the time;)

[Wes Tender]

Depending on various factors, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we could still achieve the play-offs. We have had some bad luck up to this stage, what with the time required to sort out the buy-out from administration, appointment of a new manager, him having to juggle several balls in the air whilst taking training, looking at players and searching for a backroom staff to take some of the weight off his shoulders.

 

Even up to the closing of the transfer window we couldn't proceed until we knew who might stay and who would go. From that viewpoint we had luck with Saga staying and the reverse with John leaving having said he wanted to stay and Rasiak also leaving. The bad luck has also meant that Murty, who looked a very solid and experienced player was injured and there was not enough time to get in cover, although we could make loans. Also, another two players, Jaidi and Weigo, have been delayed and would certainly have made a difference had they been in the team earlier (Jaidi) or last match (Weigo)

 

The way that these things go, some teams will forge ahead and look to be out of reach. They will then falter and fall back into the melee. Other teams that have settled squads will have key players suddenly having bad injuries and will suffer reverses as a result. Good teams will take points away from each other.

 

I have a strong feeling that in many parts of the team we are nearly there. There is no indication that Pardew has settled on what he has now and might well make other signings or loans. Now the transfer window is shut, it is much clearer to many managers who is still available and who is surplus to requirements. I feel sure that once we gain the first win, confidence will grow and we are capable of stringing together a decent run that not only wipes out the remaining points deficit, but also allows us to climb away from the bottom and towards contention with most of the other teams.

 

At the time when we were appointing the manager, I had hoped for either Curbishley or Coppell and was a bit disappointed with Pardew. But I have changed my mind based on what I have seen of him and who he has brought in. I don't think he has done much wrong. Like one or two others, I am just grateful that we still have a club after Lowe almost took us to the knacker's yard and I am also enjoying the feeling that this is our team once more and that the club is run by people who respect us and have ambition to take us back to the top flight. They are going about it the right way so far, taking things in a measured and reasoned progression which should provide stability in the future with a good base.

[Gingeletiss]

Wes............I think there is another factor, that could influence things..administration!!!!..........not for us, but I fear that there will be other teams around us, who have to drink from the poisoned chalice. So we could sudenly find teams dropping below us.........a thought is all!!.

[Give it to Ron]

Ginge...I am with you, I cannot believe that Colchester were 7th when I looked at the table. In the whole game they created 2 chances - one was only caused by indecision between Kelvin and defender who should of booted it into orbit!

You only had to look at them line up at the start to see what sort of game they would play and every substitution they bought on a bigger player!...we just need that monkey off our back and then we will be away.

 

The main problem as I see it is that throughout the club, watched the ressies last year a bit and nearly all our squads are lightweight, decent on the ball players with no height or bulk who get kicked off the ball.

Pardew is addressing this in the first team but it will take some time to filter through to the other squads.

We no longer need French lightweights like Gasmi but lads who are big, strong and the Baseya/Kenwynne mould who can also play pretty well but this will take time and building to which will not suit some fans who demand instant success.

We are ALL disappointed with the start - no-one was more ****ed off than I was on Saturday but as soon as I saw the team thought we would struggle to score goals.

[Legod Third Coming]

Ginge...I am with you, I cannot believe that Colchester were 7th when I looked at the table. In the whole game they created 2 chances - one was only caused by indecision between Kelvin and defender who should of booted it into orbit!

You only had to look at them line up at the start to see what sort of game they would play and every substitution they bought on a bigger player!...we just need that monkey off our back and then we will be away.

 

The main problem as I see it is that throughout the club, watched the ressies last year a bit and nearly all our squads are lightweight, decent on the ball players with no height or bulk who get kicked off the ball.

Pardew is addressing this in the first team but it will take some time to filter through to the other squads.

We no longer need French lightweights like Gasmi but lads who are big, strong and the Baseya/Kenwynne mould who can also play pretty well but this will take time and building to which will not suit some fans who demand instant success.

We are ALL disappointed with the start - no-one was more ****ed off than I was on Saturday but as soon as I saw the team thought we would struggle to score goals.

 

I don' know why but that really tickled me... all those times we fannied around with it last season, orbit would have done!!!

[sandwichsaint]

See.....I can. We have the players, the manager,

 

*** the stadium, ****

 

and in most cases, the fans. All it needs is one win to kick start our season......IMHO of course

 

 

 

LOL, where's 'the stadium' playing next week?

 

Quick quiz question: On average, and compared to other sides in our league, how many points-per-season is playing at SMS worth?

 

On average since we've been there;

 

a) approx -10

b) approx -20

c) approx -30

 

I can see some signs of green shoots but I'm not sure it's got much to do with our stadium.

[AJ09]

IMO we actually played well on saturday. Yes, we should be beating temas at home with 10 men, but we absolutely pummeled their goal for the last half an hour. By far deserved the 3 points.

People starting to blame Pardew already is just a complete joke. I think he's made some decent signings and looking at the best 11 we have a real solid team as far as im concerned. The back 4 looked rock solid saturday (with Jaidi still to come in).

Give Pardew time. Looking for instant success is unrealistic. Comfortable mid-table finish and then a real push nxt year.

Best 11

Davis

Murty Jaidi Trottman Harding

Lallana Morgan Hammond Mills

Lambert Papa

 

Easily good enough to get us out of this mess

[Smirking_Saint]

The "new players and relegated last year" argument doesn't hold much water when you look at Charlton's start, does it ?

 

I can agree with that, charlton have made a fantastic start. But surely you cannot disagree with the other points that must be so damaging to players mindsets. Plus with the -10 points thing, a good start was a must, now that has not happened i think that could have a negative effect, we are coming up to it but need to turn the corner.

 

I honestly think it will click all of a sudden, we will destroy someone and that should generate the positivity the team needs.

[Smirking_Saint]

nick........just a moote point...........we have just bought one of the leagues top goal scorers from last year..we have Saga, he who 'will score goals for fun' in this division..........we have the goal scorers....what we need is a White witch....then maybe we can rid our ground of this curse we seem to be under!!!!!!!!

 

Strikers are only as good as the midfield behind them, they cannot do much without a bit of creativity and chances being created.

 

Thats not happening.

[up and away]

Strikers are only as good as the midfield behind them, they cannot do much without a bit of creativity and chances being created.

 

Thats not happening.

 

I believe it will only require 1 player who has the ability to pull the opposition out of shape and everyone else will pile in. Whether this is a forward or a midfielder, I don't think it much matters. Until we start playing like a team or find that individual, teams look too comfortable against us.