James and Hammond out Saturday

[krissyboy31]

According to Solent.

 

Saints captain Dean Hammond (shoulder) again out for home game with Stockport. Lloyd James who limped off midweek will miss out.

 

No surprise that Hammond is not ready to return but with James out the balance of the side will suffer (even though I'm not his greatest fan),

[Appy]

Christ its lucky that Morgan's ban was overturned.

[Saint_clark]

Wotton and Morgan then.

[krissyboy31]

Wotton and Morgan then.

 

We may need Gillett to sit in there to give us more stability.

[david in sweden]

Christ its lucky that Morgan's ban was overturned.

 

Yes, but I'm not SO confident about a midfield bulit around Schneiderlin and

Wotton. Though good as individuals, neither of them is a " midfield general".

 

Bit better if you add Lee Holmes maybe, but the 4th man would be PapaWaigo / Antonio.. .and can't say I'm happy about that :confused:

 

 

No hard man and no leader !

[Saint_clark]

Wotton is a pretty ineffectual hard man, but I think he's certainly a leader. If he stops hoofing it at every opportunity, just gets the ball and plays it short to Morgan or one of the wingers, then he will do OK.

[Saints foreva]

I thought someone said we would be signing a new midfielder at some point this week?

 

Someone on TUI I think.

 

I guess that was ********.

[Saint_clark]

I thought someone said we would be signing a new midfielder at some point this week?

 

Someone on TUI I think.

 

I guess that was ********.

 

There's still another 21-something hours to sign someone for the Stockport game.

[Saint_Si]

Its Stockport we're playing. We should be able to take them without Hammond and James, in fairness!

[beancounter saint]

Wotton is a pretty ineffectual hard man, but I think he's certainly a leader. If he stops hoofing it at every opportunity, just gets the ball and plays it short to Morgan or one of the wingers, then he will do OK.

 

And I'm sure you would tell him that to his face!!

[croydonsaint]

Need our midfielder signing in by tomorrow morning.

[Thedelldays]

if we cant beat stockport at home without these two then...we are crap....

I would rest lambert too..

 

we will win this game anyway

[saint_stevo]

Wotton is useless. Get Lieutenant Dan out there instead

[Thedelldays]

Wotton is useless. Get Lieutenant Dan out there instead

,

[SaintDonkey]

I'd like to see Gillett back, a Wotton, Scheiderlinn central midfield is just too static.

[John B]

if we cant beat stockport at home without these two then...we are crap....

I would rest lambert too..

 

we will win this game anyway

 

Yes I agree we dont have to put out the best team to beat Stockport

[kpturner]

Dean Hammond (shoulder)

I thought it was his achilles that was buggered :confused:

[Thedelldays]

Yes I agree we dont have to put out the best team to beat Stockport

I know I go on about the money we spent...but the bottom team who have won 3 games or so all season should be brushed a side by any team at home wishing to be even top 10 of league 1....

 

ffs

 

I would play barnard and waigo up front

[John B]

I know I go on about the money we spent...but the bottom team who have won 3 games or so all season should be brushed a side by any team at home wishing to be even top 10 of league 1....

 

ffs

 

I would play barnard and waigo up front

 

I think you could play up front and we would still win.

 

Any team we put out from those who have started recent games should win easily

 

That said I think Wotton needs a rest but unlike Burley who collected midfielders Pardew seems to collect Defenders. so Fonte for midfield?

[del boy]

Its Stockport we're playing. We should be able to take them without Hammond and James, in fairness!

 

Agreed, lets play nine and make a game of it

[ericofarabia]

LOL .... was wondering if this might be a how dare players go out after a game and have a life when there is another game coming up on Tuesday type fred

[Saint_clark]

I think you could play up front and we would still win.

 

Any team we put out from those who have started recent games should win easily

 

That said I think Wotton needs a rest but unlike Burley who collected midfielders Pardew seems to collect Defenders. so Fonte for midfield?

 

Criticisms of Pardew have started already I see.

[The Godfather]

Paul Wotton football genius, Paul Wotton football genius....

[Golden Balls]

Why not put Lallana in there? Holmes on the left, Papa or Antonio on the right. Makes perfect sense.

 

Keep Lambert and Barnard upfront so they can improve on the partnership.

 

And please stop taking Stockport so lightly. Yes they are crap, but they will be so up for it!

[John B]

Criticisms of Pardew have started already I see.

 

No just an observation I thought there was general agreement that we need a good CM.

 

and we have loads of defenders

[Saint_clark]

No just an observation I thought there was general agreement that we need a good CM.

 

and we have loads of defenders

 

There is a difference between having loads of defenders and having some good defenders and loads of average ones.

Fonte/Seabourne/Thomas/Perry/Jaidi at CB are the decent ones. Two of those are nearing the end of their career, if not have reached it.

LB, Harding and Mills.

RB, Murty and Otsemobor.

[SFC Forever]

Every team we face is so up for it so what is new.

We have a manager who still doesn't seem to know his best players. That is my sole concern.

[Saint_clark]

Every team we face is so up for it so what is new.

We have a manager who still doesn't seem to know his best players. That is my sole concern.

 

I don't understand why you think this? We have had injuries, suspensions and had to leave people out due to being cup tied.

[John B]

There is a difference between having loads of defenders and having some good defenders and loads of average ones.

Fonte/Seabourne/Thomas/Perry/Jaidi at CB are the decent ones. Two of those are nearing the end of their career, if not have reached it.

LB, Harding and Mills.

RB, Murty and Otsemobor.

 

I dont disagree with what you are saying but I just think a DM is more important but he may well get one in.

 

He said he was going to replace Mellis if he had we would be OK for Saturday

[SFC Forever]

There is a difference between having loads of defenders and having some good defenders and loads of average ones.

Fonte/Seabourne/Thomas/Perry/Jaidi at CB are the decent ones. Two of those are nearing the end of their career, if not have reached it.

LB, Harding and Mills.

RB, Murty and Otsemobor.

 

On performances seen so far i would have thomas, Fonte, Jaidi and Mills as our back four. I have been saying the same thing now for over two years. We have not got a midfield. I am not alone in thinking that this is a weakness. If we can see it why the hell can't the people that matter?

[Saint_clark]

I'd like to remind people that during the run of 3-1 games our midfield was touted as our best area, not just by us but by opposition fans as well.

[John B]

Every team we face is so up for it so what is new.

We have a manager who still doesn't seem to know his best players. That is my sole concern.

 

I think he knows who the best players are and those that may not be match fit but posters on the forum may not agree with him.

 

AS nobody ever seems to get the team right before match Day

[Alanh]

On performances seen so far i would have thomas, Fonte, Jaidi and Mills as our back four. I have been saying the same thing now for over two years. We have not got a midfield. I am not alone in thinking that this is a weakness. If we can see it why the hell can't the people that matter?

 

Picking a strong defence isn't a problem at all, personally I'd go for Ostemobor, Fonte, Jaidi and Harding assuming all are fit, but I don't think that they would perform much differently to the four you picked.

 

Got to disagree with you about our midfield though. We've definitely got one and we have had loads of variation there this season. We have chopped and changed it a lot in the last 4 - 5 games due to suspensions, injuries and cup tied players, but if everyone is fit and available a five of Lallana, Harding, James, Schneiderlin and Waigo is a strong balanced unit that can support the lone attacker or provide a defensive shield. Als, we know that AP is looking for another midfielder to fill the gap created by Mellis's departure. We onbiously can't put that midfield out on Sunday so back up players like Holmes, Antonio and Wotton come into contention. That might weaken the unit but doesn't fundamentally indicate that we don't have a midfield (your words).

[oggiee]

Wotton is useless. Get Lieutenant Dan out there instead

 

This lad is non stop...

[saint_stevo]

This lad is non stop...

 

Wotton?

[.comsaint]

It really shouldn't matter against Stockport. Morgan and Wotton will do just fine. Could even put Fonte in there too. Or Gobern.

 

Gobern limped off for the rezzies last night with a nasty whack on the shin.

[jasoneuelllfanclub]

what about connolly? any news? I fear it is long term as normally when OS goes quiet the injury is pretty serious.

[Toadhall Saint]

Wotton is useless. Get Lieutenant Dan out there instead

 

 

In his wheel chair!

[Guan 2.0]

PW

Antonio-Morgan----Lallana-Holmes

 

Butler

 

Giving Lambert a rest, or a chance to come on with papa as a double impact sub.

[SFC Forever]

I don't understand why you think this? We have had injuries, suspensions and had to leave people out due to being cup tied.

 

I still await the arrival of a RB that is worth calling a RB. He has played James there for most of the games murty has been imjured. Thomas who has done the job best gets the odd game. Now we have Otsemobor who has to improve drastically if he is going to show he can do the job. Thomas is the one for me unless we play Fonte there.

We have been struggling in midfield all season. At the beginning AP couldn't do much but he keeps bringing in players that may have a bit of class but seem injury prone and are not midfielders. Now, I only ever ran a sunday side in the Croydon and Mitcham league against the likes of Brixton united. but I do know the importance of a solid hard working midfield. AP plays James,Wotton,Lallana and Holmes all without pace and you say he knows his best team. We have two out injured and with a squad of such large numbers we have nobody to replace them.

I am sorry but if that is the case then the players that he is bringing in to the club are simply not good enough.

AIMO

[John B]

I still await the arrival of a RB that is worth calling a RB. He has played James there for most of the games murty has been imjured. Thomas who has done the job best gets the odd game. Now we have Otsemobor who has to improve drastically if he is going to show he can do the job. Thomas is the one for me unless we play Fonte there.

We have been struggling in midfield all season. At the beginning AP couldn't do much but he keeps bringing in players that may have a bit of class but seem injury prone and are not midfielders. Now, I only ever ran a sunday side in the Croydon and Mitcham league against the likes of Brixton united. but I do know the importance of a solid hard working midfield. AP plays James,Wotton,Lallana and Holmes all without pace and you say he knows his best team. We have two out injured and with a squad of such large numbers we have nobody to replace them.

I am sorry but if that is the case then the players that he is bringing in to the club are simply not good enough.

AIMO

 

 

Seems a very reasonable post to me Fonte Jaidi Harding and Lambert have been good signings but I am not sure about the rest although Barnard may turn out OK

[Glasgow_Saint]

Good help us if we cant beat Stockport!

 

They have lost 16 times already this season!

 

We somehow managed to only draw with them last time out - if we fail to win this time, then questions have got to be asked.

[SFC Forever]

I shall be there with my 11yo girl and 6yo boy. He will be singing his little heart out unless we get another misery in front of us.

3 points is a minimum requirement.

 

We would like an improved performance as well but the points first. PLEASE.

[saint1977]

I still await the arrival of a RB that is worth calling a RB. He has played James there for most of the games murty has been imjured. Thomas who has done the job best gets the odd game. Now we have Otsemobor who has to improve drastically if he is going to show he can do the job. Thomas is the one for me unless we play Fonte there.

We have been struggling in midfield all season. At the beginning AP couldn't do much but he keeps bringing in players that may have a bit of class but seem injury prone and are not midfielders. Now, I only ever ran a sunday side in the Croydon and Mitcham league against the likes of Brixton united. but I do know the importance of a solid hard working midfield. AP plays James,Wotton,Lallana and Holmes all without pace and you say he knows his best team. We have two out injured and with a squad of such large numbers we have nobody to replace them.

I am sorry but if that is the case then the players that he is bringing in to the club are simply not good enough.

AIMO

 

Wayne Thomas isn't the greatest player we've ever had but blimey, he's like Cafu compared with Ostemobor. Ostemobor has been awful in his first 2 games - did anyone see his positioning (or lack of) at Brentford? Ask any Norwich fan what they think or indeed any Saints fan that was at the Norwich home game. Yes he's quick but when I think about some of flak Antonio gets on here it makes my blood boil. Antonio is doing grand, this is his first proper pro season. Ostemobor has probably played the best part of 200 League games and is 26 yet he can't keep his positional shape and has no idea what's happening in the game.

 

For those of you that haven't seen him yet - which must be those posters saying he should be first pick - I'd describe him as a poorer quality Olivier Bernard.

[Thedelldays]

Good help us if we cant beat Stockport!

 

They have lost 16 times already this season!

 

We somehow managed to only draw with them last time out - if we fail to win this time, then questions have got to be asked.

agreed

[Chez]

Yes, but I'm not SO confident about a midfield bulit around Schneiderlin and

Wotton. Though good as individuals, neither of them is a " midfield general".

 

Bit better if you add Lee Holmes maybe, but the 4th man would be PapaWaigo / Antonio.. .and can't say I'm happy about that :confused:

 

 

No hard man and no leader !

 

so many things wrong with this post David its not true. For starters Wotton is not `good' as an individual, partnership or any other quantity. What he is thugh is `hard' and a leader so we have both of them, what he doesn't offer if the ability to cover the ground or play in congested areas. The centre of midfield usually is congested so that represents a real problem.

 

Lee Holmes is not hard, a leader or a midfield general in any way shape or form. His game is keeping the ball and putting in the right service. If you meant him being in the side gives you more confidence then fair enough. But he's yet to get his match fitness up so he doesn't inspire me with any confidence at all, never mind the fact he doesn't track ba.ck

 

No problem with Antonio. He was our only outlet at Brentford. I wouldn't worry about Morgan either. If we get the ball down and play he will be that midfield general (whatever that means). The key is getting the ball down. The combination of Seabourne and Wotton clearing the danger even when they have time is what hurt us at Brentford. A bit more composure and the ball will be on the deck a bit more and we can play the football to take Stockport apart.

Edited 28 January, 2010 by Chez

[Window Cleaner]

 

No problem with Antonio. He was our only outlet at Brentford. I wouldn't worry about Morgan either. If we get the ball down and play he will be that midfield general (whatever that means). The key is getting the ball down. The combination of Seabourne and Wotton clearing the danger even when they have time is what hurt us at Brentford. A bit more composure and the ball will be on the deck a bit more and we can play the football to take Stockport apart.

 

 

Unless of course the deck is too sh*tty to play on and AP had told them to go route 1 anyway.Don't forget Morgan wasn't in the starting line up, the poor pitch might have affected that, unless he'd been on leave for a few days because he was supposed to be suspended.