Our team for the second half of the season...

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Actually the lad Antonio does it on a regular basis. He may not have the touch of Lallana but he has the pace, power and desire to get to the byeline. He took their fullback on brilliantly yesterday, beat him, got the byeline and delivered...a **** cross. Bugger. He's clumsy, but at this level he's still a major handful. I will be dissapointed if his loan is not extended. Ryan Giggs is not going to join us folks.

 

 

Davis

New RB Jardi New CB Harding

Waigo/Antonio New CM Schneiderlin Lallana/New LM

Lambert Connelly

 

Bart, Mills, Thomas, Perry, Hammond, Gobern, James, New striker, McClaggan, Patterson

 

Hammond on the bench?!

[Chez]

Hammond on the bench?!

 

yep. I like him, he's decent, but he's not the best around. Against Leeds he was totally non existant, and the same could be said yesterday (again against decent oponents). The problem is that he's so slow.

 

I hope there is a midfielder out there that can play like he does but also can get about the pitch a bit quicker and thats the first position I'd look to fill. Stephen Dawson at Bury is worth a look.

 

Never any harm in improving. Wouldn't you like to have Hammond in reserve rather than Wotton?

[for_heaven's_Saint]

yep. I like him, he's decent, but he's not the best around. Against Leeds he was totally non existant, and the same could be said yesterday (again against decent oponents). The problem is that he's so slow.

 

I hope there is a midfielder out there that can play like he does but also can get about the pitch a bit quicker and thats the first position I'd look to fill. Stephen Dawson at Bury is worth a look.

 

Never any harm in improving. Wouldn't you like to have Hammond in reserve rather than Wotton?

 

I certainly would rather have Hammond in reserve rather than Wotton, but I think that he's good enough for the first team. I'd rather see Morgan on the bench with a defensive midfielder bought in, allowing Hammond to push forward more often.

[Andy_Porter]

Schneiderlin is the one we should be building the midfield around not Hammond.

 

Personally I think they work well together, the only midfielder who needs replacing is Wotton. Morgan, Hammond, James and another more attack minded central midfielder and we're sorted in the centre of midfield.

[Rebel]

We need another striker - one with some real pace and power to lead the line and play in front of Connolly or Lambert

 

we also need a first choice right back and reserve left back

 

and probably another first choice centreback

 

a left winger would be good as well

[EBS1980]

In terms of musts i'd say a right back, centre back and a cover forward.

 

I'd also like to see a defensive midfielder, cover left midfielder and someone on the right of midfield. Waigo is a bit hit and miss although a good option up front to use his pace.

[Chez]

I certainly would rather have Hammond in reserve rather than Wotton' date=' but I think that he's good enough for the first team. I'd rather see Morgan on the bench with a defensive midfielder bought in, allowing Hammond to push forward more often.[/quote']

 

personally I think Schneiderlin is the better of the two and someone we should be offering a 5 year deal to right now - he's that good.

[Saint_lambden]

-Offload the crap like the one's mentioned above

 

-Sort out the loan players:

 

IMO, extend Antonio's loan and bring him on as an impact sub.

I'm still undecided on Trotman, has been a bit inconsistent and maybe look to bring somebody different in even if it is a loan.

 

Bring in a new:

 

CB like said above

Right-back (Moritz Volz still a free agent and about 27)

Extend Antonio's loan

Bring in wide player who can play on both wings

One more striker (Simeon Jackson or Lee Barnard)

 

Sorted

[for_heaven's_Saint]

personally I think Schneiderlin is the better of the two and someone we should be offering a 5 year deal to right now - he's that good.

 

hmmm. I am a big fan of Schneiderlin, and I agree he's definitely someone who has a big future ahead of him and we'd do well to hold on to. I wouldn't like to drop Hammond though as I think he's very good in this league. Perhaps we could play 3 in the middle?

 

I think it's clear that in order to change the team, particularly the midfield, someone who most people consider is an integral part of the team is either going to have to move positions or drop to the bench. We're not going to be able to leave Lallana, Schneiderlin and Hammond on if we bring in another CM, and we're not going to be able to leave Connolly playing if we play five in the middle. There's going to have to be a few tough decisions and perhaps some tinkering and testing of different players and systems, but In Pardew and his team we trust.

[hypochondriac]

Schneiderlin is the one we should be building the midfield around not Hammond.

 

Personally I think they work well together, the only midfielder who needs replacing is Wotton. Morgan, Hammond, James and another more attack minded central midfielder and we're sorted in the centre of midfield.

 

I will have to strongly disagree with you there. Them not working together is one of our key areas of weakness.

[eharty9]

New Gk

New RB New CB New CB New LB

New RW New CM Lloyd James New LW

New ST New ST

Bench : New GK, New DF, New Mid, New Mid, New ST

Manager : Me[/quote

 

that was hilarious

[benjii]

personally I think Schneiderlin is the better of the two and someone we should be offering a 5 year deal to right now - he's that good.

 

If we're planning on staying in League One, maybe.

[Junior Mullet]

I'd like to see another pacey striker come in to partner Lambert. Then we can rotate Lambert, Connolly and the new striker. Gives us an excellent option off the bench if one of the strikers is having an off day.

 

I believe one quality CB to partner Jaidi and another quality striker could be enough for us to reach the playoffs. Would obviously like to see another winger come in but thats not the most important area at the moment.

 

I'm getting a bit fed up of this whole pacey striker thing. We have Papa FFS.

 

Look at the goals Papa scored vs Norwich bursting through the middle and then again vs. Exeter - classic pacey striker's goal showing all the strength, composure and ball control you could ever ask for from a 'pacey striker' in League 1. Is this not the player you crave? Has he not already proven his class? If not, then who better?

 

Someone I'm sure will remind me how often Papa gets caught offside. I agree - he does need to learn to hold his runs but I reckon he is capable of learning and will either learn or be out of the door - Pardew doesnt seem to suffer fools gladly. The rest of the players also need to learn to play him in a little earlier instead of dwelling on the ball so long and linesmen need to learn to watch the line when the ball is played rather than the line when he receives the ball. Not all offside decisions vs Papa are his fault and personally I can forgive him being at fault a few times in return for goals.

[Junior Mullet]

personally I think Schneiderlin is the better of the two and someone we should be offering a 5 year deal to right now - he's that good.

 

I am not going to debate how good a player Morgan is, but IMO the TEAM would function better with a quality holding midfielder who is cultured enough to pass the ball and want the ball as well as doing the dirty work. A Thomas Graverson type. We can then say goodbye to Wotton and rotate between Hammond (my first choice) and Morgan as the more attacking of two CM players.

 

I would be playing 4-4-2 for the rest of the season too. Our quality up front in a 4-4-2 is as important a defensive tactic as it is an attacking one because opponents sit deeper against us in a 4-4-2.

[Window Cleaner]

I am not going to debate how good a player Morgan is, but IMO the TEAM would function better with a quality holding midfielder who is cultured enough to pass the ball and want the ball as well as doing the dirty work. A Thomas Graverson type. We can then say goodbye to Wotton and rotate between Hammond (my first choice) and Morgan as the more attacking of two CM players.

 

I would be playing 4-4-2 for the rest of the season too. Our quality up front in a 4-4-2 is as important a defensive tactic as it is an attacking one because opponents sit deeper against us in a 4-4-2.

 

Holding midfielder is not Morgan's main job, he's supposed to win the ball and distribute it. Morgan is what is known as a milieu recuperateur, it's what he does.

Edited 30 December, 2009 by Window Cleaner

[benjii]

I'm getting a bit fed up of this whole pacey striker thing. We have Papa FFS.

 

Look at the goals Papa scored vs Norwich bursting through the middle and then again vs. Exeter - classic pacey striker's goal showing all the strength, composure and ball control you could ever ask for from a 'pacey striker' in League 1. Is this not the player you crave? Has he not already proven his class? If not, then who better?

 

Someone I'm sure will remind me how often Papa gets caught offside. I agree - he does need to learn to hold his runs but I reckon he is capable of learning and will either learn or be out of the door - Pardew doesnt seem to suffer fools gladly. The rest of the players also need to learn to play him in a little earlier instead of dwelling on the ball so long and linesmen need to learn to watch the line when the ball is played rather than the line when he receives the ball. Not all offside decisions vs Papa are his fault and personally I can forgive him being at fault a few times in return for goals.

 

Completely agree. Papa Waigo is clearly much better than League One standard. Pardew's reluctance to include him in the starting 11 is beginning to annoy me.

[Clifford Nelson]

Actually the lad Antonio does it on a regular basis. He may not have the touch of Lallana but he has the pace, power and desire to get to the byeline. He took their fullback on brilliantly yesterday, beat him, got the byeline and delivered...a **** cross. Bugger. He's clumsy, but at this level he's still a major handful. I will be dissapointed if his loan is not extended. Ryan Giggs is not going to join us folks.

 

 

Davis

New RB Jardi New CB Harding

Waigo/Antonio New CM Schneiderlin Lallana/New LM

Lambert Connelly

 

Bart, Mills, Thomas, Perry, Hammond, Gobern, James, New striker, McClaggan, Patterson

 

I think we just have to disagree on that one. I didn't see him against Colchester, but I haven't seen him successfully getting to the byeline and delivering a useful cross yet. I would be very worried if we went and signed him. We already have too many players we need to get rid of. Otherwise I agree on new RB, CB, CM and possibly also another striker.

[saint_ed]

New CB in the mold of Elliott Ward please, a bit of pace off of lambo wouldn't go a miss either.

 

Would agree with that.

[Chez]

I am not going to debate how good a player Morgan is, but IMO the TEAM would function better with a quality holding midfielder who is cultured enough to pass the ball and want the ball as well as doing the dirty work. A Thomas Graverson type. We can then say goodbye to Wotton and rotate between Hammond (my first choice) and Morgan as the more attacking of two CM players.

 

A holding midfielder would allow Morgan to push on - which would be a good thing if you ask me. I always thought Gravesen was more of an attacking midfielder who people mistakenly thought was a holding midfielder. Carsley did that role at Everton.

[Chez]

Completely agree. Papa Waigo is clearly much better than League One standard. Pardew's reluctance to include him in the starting 11 is beginning to annoy me.

 

as a striker or a right midfielder? At right midfield he has had quite a lot of decidedly quiet games. Leeds away for example he was a complete waste of space.

[Chez]

I'm getting a bit fed up of this whole pacey striker thing. We have Papa FFS.

 

Look at the goals Papa scored vs Norwich bursting through the middle and then again vs. Exeter - classic pacey striker's goal showing all the strength, composure and ball control you could ever ask for from a 'pacey striker' in League 1. Is this not the player you crave? Has he not already proven his class? If not, then who better?

 

Someone I'm sure will remind me how often Papa gets caught offside. I agree - he does need to learn to hold his runs but I reckon he is capable of learning and will either learn or be out of the door - Pardew doesnt seem to suffer fools gladly. The rest of the players also need to learn to play him in a little earlier instead of dwelling on the ball so long and linesmen need to learn to watch the line when the ball is played rather than the line when he receives the ball. Not all offside decisions vs Papa are his fault and personally I can forgive him being at fault a few times in return for goals.

 

very good post. Clearly Papa is more comfortable in the centre and I'm not worried about the offsides at all. If we release it earlier in midfield he won't be offside so often.

[Chez]

If we're planning on staying in League One, maybe.

 

He's improved greatly on last season. I think he'd do a job in the ccc right now. Pardew needs to stop subbing him, we go to pieces when he goes off.

[Chez]

I think we just have to disagree on that one. I didn't see him against Colchester, but I haven't seen him successfully getting to the byeline and delivering a useful cross yet. I would be very worried if we went and signed him. We already have too many players we need to get rid of. Otherwise I agree on new RB, CB, CM and possibly also another striker.

 

you've not seen him get to the byeline or just not seen him deliver a telling cross from that position?

[Window Cleaner]

He's improved greatly on last season. I think he'd do a job in the ccc right now. Pardew needs to stop subbing him, we go to pieces when he goes off.

 

Someone said he got smacked round the head on Saturday and was subbed with concussion.Doesn't appear officially anywhere though.

[RonManager]

Someone said he got smacked round the head on Saturday and was subbed with concussion.Doesn't appear officially anywhere though.

 

That was me. I think the incident was about 10 mins before half time. He was down for a while until play stopped. We watched him afterwards when he jogged back on and he was unsteady on his feet and a couple of passes were to no-one and then he stopped with his hands on his hips. It was obvious something was wrong. When he walked off at half time he was holding his head.

[Chez]

Someone said he got smacked round the head on Saturday and was subbed with concussion. Doesn't appear officially anywhere though.

 

if that's the case fair enough, but I didn't see that incident.

 

In general when our midfield starts to tire its always Morgan that gets subbed and not Hammond. Once he goes off we stop doing the basics like bringing the ball down and keeping it. Someone like Wotton comes on, we don't get anywhere near enough pressure on the ball, we drop too deep and we give posession away cheaply. I'd say we would be better off keeping a tired Schneiderlin on until we find a suitable replacement.

[sandwichsaint]

That was me. I think the incident was about 10 mins before half time. He was down for a while until play stopped. We watched him afterwards when he jogged back on and he was unsteady on his feet and a couple of passes were to no-one and then he stopped with his hands on his hips. It was obvious something was wrong. When he walked off at half time he was holding his head.

 

And me...!

 

I can't believe more people didn't see this at the time, some people round me certainly did see it. Morgan was absolutely done with a leading elbow straight to the side of the head and left poleaxed on the ground; it should have been a red card but seeing as how the game went on and there was no yellow either, I can only assume the ref and lino both missed it (it was blind side to the lino but no excuse for the ref not seeing it; I saw it clearly from 75m away!)

 

I'm pretty sure this was why MS came off at HT (as per Big Ron's interpretation above) but strange this hasn't been commented on officially? Perhaps Saints have made some sort of complaint? Pardew's comments after the game were certainly fairly strong in a non-specific sort of way.

[Window Cleaner]

And me...!

 

I can't believe more people didn't see this at the time, some people round me certainly did see it. Morgan was absolutely done with a leading elbow straight to the side of the head and left poleaxed on the ground; it should have been a red card but seeing as how the game went on and there was no yellow either, I can only assume the ref and lino both missed it (it was blind side to the lino but no excuse for the ref not seeing it; I saw it clearly from 75m away!)

 

I'm pretty sure this was why MS came off at HT (as per Big Ron's interpretation above) but strange this hasn't been commented on officially? Perhaps Saints have made some sort of complaint? Pardew's comments after the game were certainly fairly strong in a non-specific sort of way.

 

AS for official news,I don't think the OS has been updated very much at all this week, there's not much news about anything. Just about 2 minutes of "highlights" on th Colchester game and a couple of "sick as a parrot/over the moon" interview which actually say very little.

[IamLeGod]

Absolutely.

 

We should bite Wenger or Mourinho's hand off.

 

i love this, clearly you know more than wenger and mourinho

[Clifford Nelson]

you've not seen him get to the byeline or just not seen him deliver a telling cross from that position?

 

I haven't successfully seen him deliver a cross from that position, at least as far as I can recall, and I have been at all home games except Brighton. I have repeatedly seen him having awful and embarassing games, but not a good one. I have doubts about his pace since firstly when he scored his only goal he never got past the centrebacks, and the fullbacks he's been up against have usually kept up with him.

 

What is even more embarassing is that he hasn't got a first touch. The ball keeps bouncing off him.

 

I am at a total loss why people rate him, or thinks he's got potential, when we have Waigo on the bench with talents he has demonstrated with goals and assists. I am bewildered that he is kept out of the team by a talentless non-league player.