Papa Waigo

[saint_stevo]

should always start ahead of antonio

[shurlock]

should always start ahead of antonio

 

I don't actually think its an either/or. The more i see Papa, the more I think he's not a RM but a striker whereas Antonio can play on the wing. I would play both. For me the question is whether Papa starts ahead of Barnard if we play 4-4-2.

 

4-5-1 is another matter - if you want natural width i would pick Antonio over Papa; if you're effectively playing with three strikers up top -a 4-3-3- I would opt for Papa.

[beatlesaint]

I don't actually think its an either/or. The more i see Papa, the more I think he's not a RM but a striker whereas Antonio can play on the wing. I would play both. For me the question is whether Papa starts ahead of Barnard if we play 4-4-2.

 

4-5-1 is another matter - if you want natural width i would pick Antonio over Papa; if you're effectively playing with three strikers up top -a 4-3-3- I would opt for Papa.

 

Totally agree with that.

 

I would start him ahead of Barnard next week unless he saves him for the JPT of course.

[Legod Third Coming]

Play Papa up front. He has pace to burn, he twists and turns like a Labour spin doctor and his control is more than good enough to trouble the defences in this league.

 

I would play Lambert off Papa.

[derry]

You were doing OK until you suggested Gillett was quick, incisive and attacking. I'd describe him as ineffective, prone to fouling and prone to giving the ball away but that's opinion for you. FWIW today was the first time Waigo convinced me he's got what it takes - he showed class, skill and pace. I'd start him. Antonio has been given a few starts now and personally I think Waigo deserves the same chance that he's got. Before today I thought Waigo was probably best on the bench but he's obviously been working hard and has earned a starting place - that could be right mid or up front but either way the lad has done enough to show us what he can do with a few starts.

 

Waigo.

[derry]

Did you go today? I thought Wotton was one of our best players.

 

Are you a hockey player?

[derry]

All of Wotton's determination(which is good to see of course) doesn't take away that nearly every touch of the ball he has is poor, negative and quite often an aimless hoof that losses possession and breaks up Saints attacks.

 

When Hammond replaces Wotton it will make a huge difference!

 

When anybody replaces Wotton it will make a huge difference.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Waigo was great and gave stockport something very different to handle..

 

 

I wonder what the comments would be like if he had not scored??

 

I bet he would be remembered for his two missed sitters...

[Avenue Saint]

When anybody replaces Wotton it will make a huge difference.

 

 

 

very true.

[samoakley]

To be fair Wagio battled for his goal yesterday, i think he needs to score to get notcied by some fans even in games when he hasnt scored hes such a threat with his pace and movement, to be fair if he could cross or finish more chances he wouldnt be here and would still be in serie a, he has come here to better his game and i think to prove he can become a top/good player, and hopes a good team in the championship buys him in the summer or we go up and we sign him.

[Smirking_Saint]

I don't really know why we signed Barnard tbh, apart from the fact we obviously got him cheap.

 

He moves in similar ways to Lambert and so the two of them get in each others ways quite often.

 

I would have said we would be far more potent with both Lambert and Waigo starting.

[John B]

I don't really know why we signed Barnard tbh, apart from the fact we obviously got him cheap.

 

He moves in similar ways to Lambert and so the two of them get in each others ways quite often.

 

I would have said we would be far more potent with both Lambert and Waigo starting.

 

What happens if either is injured or suspended

 

It is not that we have many other strikers

[Matthew Le God]

What happens if either is injured or suspended

 

It is not that we have many other strikers

 

Lambert

Barnard

Papa Waigo

Connolly

Lallana

Antonio

 

Have all played upfront this season

[John B]

Lambert

Barnard

Papa Waigo

Connolly

Lallana

Antonio

 

Have all played upfront this season

 

Well if you are happy with that it is OK by me.

 

But thankfully AP disagrees and has bought in both Barnard and Puncheon

[derry]

We could now go for a lethal 4-3-3 with Antonio and Puncheon wide, Waigo up front. Hammond and Schneiderlin with Lambert (Lallana, Barnard, Connolly) in front of them.

 

It would give us real pace up front and allow Lambert to come on the burst. We can then play a passing game. Mr Negative won't do it though.

[saint-crinny]

Papa has an unpredictable streak that terrifies defenses at this level, and I would love to see him start the next game. Watching Barnard, he seems really desperate to impress - bags of running - but needs a goal badly. People say that Papa is a great impact player is true, but if he started I think Barnard would also make a great impact from the bench with his energy against tiring defenses.

 

As for Wotton - I cant stand watching him play. Lots of commitment but his first thought, and his first touch is always back towards our goal. We dont need that, least of all against such a poor team like Stockport, who were awful yesterday. Compare him to Morgan - his first touch and awareness is fantastic and he always turns out of trouble, and his first thought is always looking for that incisive pass to set us on our way. A class act who makes us tick and the stand out player for me. Will be great when Hammond is back and we can pair him up with Morgan.

[Legod Third Coming]

We could now go for a lethal 4-3-3 with Antonio and Puncheon wide, Waigo up front. Hammond and Schneiderlin with Lambert (Lallana, Barnard, Connolly) in front of them.

 

It would give us real pace up front and allow Lambert to come on the burst. We can then play a passing game. Mr Negative won't do it though.

 

Er, he's played 4-5-1 and been slated by people like you who now want him to play... wait for it... 4-5-1...

 

And Mr Negative is still the manager of the 5th top scorers in the league.

 

Just like he was last time I pointed this out and you ignored it.

[Andy_Porter]

Er, he's played 4-5-1 and been slated by people like you who now want him to play... wait for it... 4-5-1...

 

And Mr Negative is still the manager of the 5th top scorers in the league.

 

Just like he was last time I pointed this out and you ignored it.

 

Being the 5th top scorers is about par, with the quality we have we should be the top scorers.

 

The problem with the way we play rather than the formation, we've got the quality to control and beat teams but we play negative long ball and totally ignore our midfield which imo is our strongest area.

[Legod Third Coming]

Being the 5th top scorers is about par, with the quality we have we should be the top scorers.

 

The problem with the way we play rather than the formation, we've got the quality to control and beat teams but we play negative long ball and totally ignore our midfield which imo is our strongest area.

 

We played rubbish in the first half on Saturday and in the second after Waigo came on we played fine. Some long and some good.

 

All last season we played with it in midfield and look what fecking happened.

 

All we need to do is win. How is totally immaterial.

 

Manager gets slated for winning the wrong way.

 

Feck me, when did we start playing at the Emirates??

[Andy_Porter]

We played rubbish in the first half on Saturday and in the second after Waigo came on we played fine. Some long and some good.

 

All last season we played with it in midfield and look what fecking happened.

 

All we need to do is win. How is totally immaterial.

 

Manager gets slated for winning the wrong way.

 

Feck me, when did we start playing at the Emirates??

 

I'm not slating Pardew I just think he's a bit negative, that's not a bad thing as such just an observation.

 

I've enjoyed this season more than anyother since I've been a fan so obviously Pardew is doing something right, I just feel at times he's too negative. Millwall away is a good example, we almost won the game but we should have started with either Waigo or Antonio and really took the game to them rather than play with two more defensive wingers.

 

You say winning is all that matters and in a way you're right but I'd like to see us play to our strengths as i'm sure we will end up winning more games.

[Legod Third Coming]

I'm not slating Pardew I just think he's a bit negative, that's not a bad thing as such just an observation.

 

I've enjoyed this season more than anyother since I've been a fan so obviously Pardew is doing something right, I just feel at times he's too negative. Millwall away is a good example, we almost won the game but we should have started with either Waigo or Antonio and really took the game to them rather than play with two more defensive wingers.

 

You say winning is all that matters and in a way you're right but I'd like to see us play to our strengths as i'm sure we will end up winning more games.

 

If our new defenders had done their job at Millwall and Barnard could finish a ham sandwich we would have nine points from our last three games. So I can't blame Pardew for that.

 

I agree with you that I feel if we continued to play with 5 in midfield, which is not remotely negative in my view, it plays to our strengths.

 

I haven't seen a negative game though. I can't believe anyone felt MK Dons away was negative? And Brentford we should have been 3-0 by halftime (see above).

 

I didn't think Saturday was negative either, just that we (and I include the fans) came out with some arrogant air of 'it's only Stockport' rather than coming out like Roger Federer and simply crushing them.

 

Not only that, but where is the credit for a manager making one change which led to two goals within ten minutes of his change?????

 

When we were winning 3-1 and 3-2, people whinged like buggery we couldn't keep a clean sheet.

 

Now we keep it tight and people complain we're negative.

 

What should the manager do??

[derry]

Er, he's played 4-5-1 and been slated by people like you who now want him to play... wait for it... 4-5-1...

 

And Mr Negative is still the manager of the 5th top scorers in the league.

 

Just like he was last time I pointed this out and you ignored it.

 

It's probably lost on you but it isn't 4-5-1, secondly it bears no resemblance to what we played before because of the pace of the three up front and Lambert isn't the target he is now able to come from outside the box which he is much more suited to.

 

We might be the 5th top scorers but we haven't scored many against the top 10, we've only won one game against them.

[Legod Third Coming]

It's probably lost on you but it isn't 4-5-1, secondly it bears no resemblance to what we played before because of the pace of the three up front and Lambert isn't the target he is now able to come from outside the box which he is much more suited to.

 

We might be the 5th top scorers but we haven't scored many against the top 10, we've only won one game against them.

 

Oh, now another thing to slate the manager with... we haven't beaten the top ten...

 

Shall we play them all home and away before we make an assessment??

 

How have MK Dons done against us? When did Charlton beat us? Or Norwich?

 

I think you need to find a team to support who can live up to your ludicrous expectations. We're in League One, with League One players (even if they are some of the best League One players) some of whom have been with the club for three weeks.

 

For the record Pardew is the most successful manager we have had in five years. By the end of the season he might be the most successful we've had since Lawrie McMenemy.

 

Can you not cope with that?

[Andy_Porter]

 

What should the manager do??

 

Go back to playing the expansive 4-5-1 that worked so well.

[derry]

Oh, now another thing to slate the manager with... we haven't beaten the top ten...

 

Shall we play them all home and away before we make an assessment??

 

How have MK Dons done against us? When did Charlton beat us? Or Norwich?

 

I think you need to find a team to support who can live up to your ludicrous expectations. We're in League One, with League One players (even if they are some of the best League One players) some of whom have been with the club for three weeks.

 

For the record Pardew is the most successful manager we have had in five years. By the end of the season he might be the most successful we've had since Lawrie McMenemy.

 

Can you not cope with that?

 

And there I was thinking that George Burley was, in a higher league.

 

And I happen to think this manager might not be around as long as you seem to think.

[Legod Third Coming]

Go back to playing the expansive 4-5-1 that worked so well.

 

I agree!!!!

 

However, there are forces at work who consider this negative...

 

But have no fear, we will win our remaining games and make the play-offs.

 

Our best players are now returning from injury/rested.

[Matthew Le God]

Go back to playing the expansive 4-5-1 that worked so well.

 

During that time that I think you are referring it was switching to 442 and brining on Connolly that made the difference.

 

Pardew will continue to use both systems(442 and 451) and switch during and between games.

[Legod Third Coming]

And there I was thinking that George Burley was, in a higher league.

 

And I happen to think this manager might not be around as long as you seem to think.

 

You would prefer player-scrabble Burley with his 41% win ratio over two years to a man who already has a 48% win ratio and has managed the team for just a little under 6 months? Blimey, pinch me...

 

Despite your attitude towards Pardew, we are in in with a great chance of going to Wembley, at least once, remain in the FA Cup and could easily reach the play-offs.

 

Were it not for the minus 10 we would probably be in the play-offs. (We are three points off them with a game in hand and better goal difference).

 

And yet he's failing in your view?

 

I think you have simply taken against him and his tactics and I have no idea why?

[derry]

You would prefer player-scrabble Burley with his 41% win ratio over two years to a man who already has a 48% win ratio and has managed the team for just a little under 6 months? Blimey, pinch me...

 

Despite your attitude towards Pardew, we are in in with a great chance of going to Wembley, at least once, remain in the FA Cup and could easily reach the play-offs.

 

Were it not for the minus 10 we would probably be in the play-offs. (We are three points off them with a game in hand and better goal difference).

 

And yet he's failing in your view?

 

I think you have simply taken against him and his tactics and I have no idea why?

 

His team selections and leaving better players out. Wotton in midfield is bizarre. He will now have a problem because of his increased options and favourite players. He doesn't seem to have any idea what his best team is or the way it should play.

[Legod Third Coming]

His team selections and leaving better players out. Wotton in midfield is bizarre. He will now have a problem because of his increased options and favourite players. He doesn't seem to have any idea what his best team is or the way it should play.

 

Wotton was again in a WINNING team, sigh.

 

Our home form over the past five games is this:

 

4 wins, 1 draw. Scoring 11 goals, conceding 3 sounds horribly negative to me that. over 2 goals per game scored...

 

Just because the manager doesn't play your favourite players does not make him wrong does it?

 

What damage is Wotton doing to you or the team?

 

Did he play in our win over a Championship side? Did we concede after he went off?

 

Despite what you say the form of our last 25 games is outstanding.

 

The last five away games have not been great. But is that team selection or the failure of those selected to do their job?

 

Was it a mistake to pick Barnard and watch him miss a sitter? Or shouldn't the manager make him feel welcome and build his confidence to do what's required for the remainder of the season?

 

What was wrong with a team selection that won 2-0??

 

What if Waigo has started and we'd been beaten?

 

I am all for questioning managers always. It's just a bit daft to question one whose record is better than any other in recent memory...

 

I'm sure Arsenal fans would rather have beaten Manchester United 1-0 with a long punt to Arshavin today.

[derry]

We've just spent £3m on players and for an hour on Saturday we were just lumping it up front. That doesn't cut it for me.

 

Waigo is one of the sharpest players we have on a bad day, sitting him on the bench match after match and playing hoofball isn't clever. He proved how stupid that was, in half an hour on Saturday.

[Legod Third Coming]

We've just spent £3m on players and for an hour on Saturday we were just lumping it up front. That doesn't cut it for me.

 

Waigo is one of the sharpest players we have on a bad day, sitting him on the bench match after match and playing hoofball isn't clever. He proved how stupid that was, in half an hour on Saturday.

 

We won.

 

And given that we have bought Barnard we surely have to give him a chance?

 

That team was selected to win against a poor Stockport.

 

They couldn't cut it, so the manager changed it.

 

That's good management surely?

[derry]

We won.

 

And given that we have bought Barnard we surely have to give him a chance?

 

That team was selected to win against a poor Stockport.

 

They couldn't cut it, so the manager changed it.

 

That's good management surely?

 

No, because Wotton stops us playing. He is too slow in defence and it is an illusion that he gives us cover. He gives the ball away incessantly and consequently we don't play.

 

That team was never going to be any good. Barnard may prove me wrong but he seems a weaker version of Lambert and lacks pace. Pace is the vital ingredient but leaving it on the bench is nonsensical. That team had no pace except on the right. Puncheon I think is quickish, which should help, but I'm not sure Lambert and Barnard will do well together unless we have Waigo and Puncheon wide when they play together.

[Legod Third Coming]

No, because Wotton stops us playing. He is too slow in defence and it is an illusion that he gives us cover. He gives the ball away incessantly and consequently we don't play.

 

That team was never going to be any good. Barnard may prove me wrong but he seems a weaker version of Lambert and lacks pace. Pace is the vital ingredient but leaving it on the bench is nonsensical. That team had no pace except on the right. Puncheon I think is quickish, which should help, but I'm not sure Lambert and Barnard will do well together unless we have Waigo and Puncheon wide when they play together.

 

Look, Wotton is not Patrick Viera, but we did absolutely brilliant with him in the team for thirty minutes against Ipswich in the 2nd half, so he is clearly not the problem.

 

On Saturday we had pace throughout the game (Antonio was on throughout), just we lacked any fluency anywhere because we were playing pants. When Barnard came off we looked a different side because Waigo gave us energy - but everyone started playing better and the formation did not change. Explain that??

 

You could lay the blame for that at the manager's door, but that starting 11 could have, should have and eventually did, take Stockport apart.

 

Wotton played no worse that anyone else in the team, they were all poor - even Waigo while playing well missed a bloody sitter and a better chance than the one he scored.

[derry]

Look, Wotton is not Patrick Viera, but we did absolutely brilliant with him in the team for thirty minutes against Ipswich in the 2nd half, so he is clearly not the problem.

 

On Saturday we had pace throughout the game (Antonio was on throughout), just we lacked any fluency anywhere because we were playing pants. When Barnard came off we looked a different side because Waigo gave us energy - but everyone started playing better and the formation did not change. Explain that??

 

You could lay the blame for that at the manager's door, but that starting 11 could have, should have and eventually did, take Stockport apart.

 

Wotton played no worse that anyone else in the team, they were all poor - even Waigo while playing well missed a bloody sitter and a better chance than the one he scored.

 

That starting eleven was flawed because it couldn't pass the ball. Holmes was too slow, Lambert isn't that mobile and waits for the ball to be thumped at him, but Waigo was terrific with his movement, which opened things up, gave Schneiderlin the chance to play, consequently Holmes got more room.

 

Waigo ran 30 yds to get that header in that went wide nobody else would have got there. The manager looked really stupid for the way he has misused him recently.

[Legod Third Coming]

That starting eleven was flawed because it couldn't pass the ball. Holmes was too slow, Lambert isn't that mobile and waits for the ball to be thumped at him, but Waigo was terrific with his movement, which opened things up, gave Schneiderlin the chance to play, consequently Holmes got more room.

 

Waigo ran 30 yds to get that header in that went wide nobody else would have got there. The manager looked really stupid for the way he has misused him recently.

 

If they can't pass, they can't pass. Suddenly Wotton could pick a pass because Waigo came on? Don't buy that.

 

Barnard missed a header one yard out after about fifteen minutes.

 

Had that gone in it would have been a different game.

 

Sometimes you just get dragged down to your opponents level. We've seen it time and again.

 

And you should be crediting the manager with recognising the failings and changing the line-up to win. That is a skill George Burley did not have.

[John B]

. That is a skill George Burley did not have.

 

Unlike Posters on here;)

[derry]

If they can't pass, they can't pass. Suddenly Wotton could pick a pass because Waigo came on? Don't buy that.

 

Barnard missed a header one yard out after about fifteen minutes.

 

Had that gone in it would have been a different game.

 

Sometimes you just get dragged down to your opponents level. We've seen it time and again.

 

And you should be crediting the manager with recognising the failings and changing the line-up to win. That is a skill George Burley did not have.

 

Wotton had no real part in the last half hour. Waigo was the key and Schneiderlin and Holmes responded.

 

Pardew not for the first time got it wrong, he made the only change he could because he had four defenders and a goalkeeper on the bench in fact a complete back four, plus Gillett. Gillett should also have been brought on for Wotton.

 

I personally think we have a decent squad but the manager isn't getting the best out of them. I don't rate his team selections or the way we play.

 

It is better result wise, and so it ought to be, but this is a not the CCC.

 

Anyway we aren't going to agree.

[sotonian]

waigo is a far better striker than as a wide man, for me he adds something that we lack, i would start him up front with lambert every time