This is NOT a 'Pardew out' thread but...

[SuperMikey]

The form recently hasn't been great, but our aim for this season was survival, and without jinxing it, I think we've achieved that comfortably. We need to strengthen the team more in the summer transfer window in order to build a team that can go up to the CCC and be comfortable enough to stay up and maybe challenge for the play-offs. It'd be stupid to sack Pardew after one season, and after all, he's here for the long term. Cortese, Liebherr and Pardew all agree on that and I can't see him going if we don't make the play-offs.

[Thedelldays]

The form recently hasn't been great, but our aim for this season was survival, and without jinxing it, I think we've achieved that comfortably. We need to strengthen the team more in the summer transfer window in order to build a team that can go up to the CCC and be comfortable enough to stay up and maybe challenge for the play-offs. It'd be stupid to sack Pardew after one season, and after all, he's here for the long term. Cortese, Liebherr and Pardew all agree on that and I can't see him going if we don't make the play-offs.

says........?

[SuperMikey]

says........?

 

Pardew at the start of the season? Something like "primarily our aim this season is to stay up and stay clear of the relegation zone". Can't remember the exact quote. Do some trawling on the OS if you want the accurate quote.

[Thedelldays]

Pardew at the start of the season? Something like "primarily our aim this season is to stay up and stay clear of the relegation zone". Can't remember the exact quote. Do some trawling on the OS if you want the accurate quote.

and NC said he wanted top 2.....I wonder who would win in that pizzing contest..?

[SuperMikey]

and NC said he wanted top 2.....I wonder who would win in that pizzing contest..?

 

I don't remember seeing anything about that, but i'll take your word for it. With all due respect to NC, with -10 points the top 2 would be a huge ask. Virtually impossible actually, given the state of the team when Pardew took over. To use one of those cringeworthy football cliches, at the end of the day Pardew is the man in charge of the team and ultimately it rests on him where he takes the team.

[JackFrost]

I'm satisfied with this season so far, our main problem has been a classic Southampton FC problem for many years, throwing away a winning position. We've drawn so many games we should have won, if AP can sort this out and strentghen the team in the summer, and we keep hold of Lambert we've got a great chance next season.

[alpine_saint]

As for our 'blind faith in AP' brigade which pops up on all threads hysterically yelling to quell all signs of intelligent discussion: You remind me most of the revolutionaly guards on the streets of Teheran, trying to beat down the voices of reason. And here is news for you: AP is not a descendant from a higher plane, nor an appointed Ayatollah, who is here to be obeyed.

 

Spot on.

 

Its the old "In George We Trust" routine all over again, and I fear that the outcome will be the same too.

[alpine_saint]

Unrealistic IMO.

 

With AP at the helm, clearly so.

 

Something has caused NC and ML to put their foot on the gas in the trasnfer market. I consider it highly likely they have sped up the plan, and the rumours of this seem to be coming from different sources, and it is being inferred in a very oblique manner by AP himself.

[Saint_clark]

Nobody has ever put "blind faith" in Pardew. I was one of the ones shouting at him to make a sub when we played away to Swindon.

What the majority of people are saying is that we will not judge him completely until the end of next season. That is not blind faith, it is just good old fashioned normal faith.

[Saint_clark]

With AP at the helm, clearly so.

 

Something has caused NC and ML to put their foot on the gas in the trasnfer market. I consider it highly likely they have sped up the plan, and the rumours of this seem to be coming from different sources, and it is being inferred in a very oblique manner by AP himself.

 

If you try to make out ever again that you have never said you think Pardew isn't up to it, I will quote this. Cheers.

[NickG]

We are in year 1 and likely to fail, we need to be promoted in year 2 and be in the top 6 of the Championship for year 3. If we do that Pardew will have achieved a lot and I am sure he will then be given a further year as publically those at the top have said 5 years and will not lose face but..............

 

I am not knocking Pardew (although I have my doubts he is capable enough) as I think he did a great job up to Christmas. He has to move forward now. He was given the money to take us to the next level. He has to produce results. Yesterday he did not get the right result.

 

I would say that out of these possibles;

this year - promotion from league 1

next year - or promotion for league 1 if failed this year

year 3 challenging for promotion from CCC

 

The challenging for promotion this year would always have been the long shot.

 

We should be looking at promotion next year, (no god given guarantee) and no reason that if promoted we could challenge in first year in CCC

[JackFrost]

Spot on.

 

Its the old "In George We Trust" routine all over again, and I fear that the outcome will be the same too.

 

You have a point, but the main difference is our performances this season have been good enough to challenge for promotion but we've been drawing too many games we should have won plus we have a competant board to oversee AP's reign, whereas under Burley it was quite clear to the vast majority of fans he had totally lost the plot and was overstating the bare minimum he had to acheive, but we had boards too gutless and disinterested to do anything about it.

[Glasgow_Saint]

If you try to make out ever again that you have never said you think Pardew isn't up to it, I will quote this. Cheers.

 

The results so far ( 11 wins in 28 ) would suggest that AP is not the man for the job.

 

We will see - I hope im wrong (I really do)

 

I will continue to support him 100%, but between me and you I have some doubts.

 

Please delete after reading.

[NickG]

and NC said he wanted top 2.....I wonder who would win in that pizzing contest..?

 

sure Pardew wanted to win the league, FA cup, League cup and JPT.

[Thedelldays]

sure Pardew wanted to win the league, FA cup, League cup and JPT.

your point..?

 

NC has the power to wave good bye to pardew..or give him a massive pay rise...

[Glasgow_Saint]

your point..?

 

NC has the power to wave good bye to pardew..or give him a massive pay rise...

 

If AP does mess this up, he will struggle to find another good job.

 

He has a million reasons to suceed here and if he cant do it here, I doubt he will recover.

 

This is his 2nd (& last) chance after failing at Charlton.

[NickG]

With AP at the helm, clearly so.

 

Something has caused NC and ML to put their foot on the gas in the trasnfer market. I consider it highly likely they have sped up the plan, and the rumours of this seem to be coming from different sources, and it is being inferred in a very oblique manner by AP himself.

 

what do you mean, put their foot on the gas... last transfer window, when they were only here for the second half of it (if that?) and bought half a dozen players including Lambert.

[derry]

It wasn't so much the changes of Managers, we had some decent ones that performed reasonably or well, Jones, Hoddle, Strachan, however it was the fill ins that caused the problem together with a chairman with wierd ideas culminating in SCW and HR, who should have known he couldn't work with Mr Micro Manager.

 

If it isn't working, it is worse to stay with the problem than change. If we haven't produced a side that is the equal of the top two, irrespective of the finishing position, that with the addition of a strengthened midfield, is going to be the best team in the division next year, Pardew will have failed.

 

We won't have time to build next year after the season starts. Cortese could well feel that before pre season would be the time to change.

[NickG]

your point..?

 

NC has the power to wave good bye to pardew..or give him a massive pay rise...

 

clear difference between wants and expectations.

 

Pardew only ever spoke about achieving the next step etc.

[JackFrost]

The results so far ( 11 wins in 28 ) would suggest that AP is not the man for the job.

 

We will see - I hope im wrong (I really do)

 

I will continue to support him 100%, but between me and you I have some doubts.

 

Please delete after reading.

 

but 6 losses in 28 would LOL

 

At the moment we are a hard side to beat who are drawing too many games we should win. Barring a complete disaster, I sincerely hope AP is still our manager this time next season otherwise the club as a whole would have learnt nothing from the past.

[Thedelldays]

clear difference between wants and expectations.

 

Pardew only ever spoke about achieving the next step etc.

unless he is in charge of what the expectations are then............

[SFC Forever]

Think about it. If the club is winning and is on a good run, what is there to say except "well done, Player X is doing well" ? If the club is serving up dross, of course there is more to say !!!

 

Does this REALLY surprise you ?

 

Obviously it does.we are not allowed to challenge the majority view on here. To do so is a crime nearly as bad as being a pompey fan. Or so it seems from the way some people react to a few words.

 

For the last couple of months we seem to have lost our way. Except for our cup runs we seem to have no real hunger. The urgency is missing. My belief is that this is caused in the main by having too many players and the manager being unsure of his best team. Not that he could play it at the mo with the injuries.

We were doing reasonably until we went to Leeds. That followed by Colchester has caused a lot of soul searching in my book. Like most I am relatively pleased with the result so far this season. Unlike some I am not blinkered and can see that performance levels have dropped. How can it be so wrong to ask why and what AP is doing about it?

[sidthesquid]

At the end of September we were still on -1 after 10 games. Since then we have played 18 W 10 D5 L 3. (Excluding 8 cup games that we have won or W 6 D 2 if you are being picky.) If you calculated our form since the end of Sept for the whole season it would be W 25 D13 L8 = 88 points. The problem is the -10 to start with then 10 games to still not get to zero. We have lost 3 games out of 26 in three months - get a grip.

[Glasgow_Saint]

clear difference between wants and expectations.

 

Pardew only ever spoke about achieving the next step etc.

 

He also spoke to the players about wanting top 2!

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4509079.Joining_Saints_was_an_easy_decision_says_Harding/

 

Quote: “The ambition of the manager, he wants top two, so that shows the ambition of the manager."

 

Easy to change your targets after the event!

[NickG]

look up these words;

 

want

like

expect

aim

target

 

you seem to get them very confused

[greg_hill]

Moan, moan ****ing moan, even if we were top of the league, some of you would find something to whinge about. Wasn't even expecting the play-offs this season personally so not too bothered, next season however is totally different - we have to aim for automatic promotion.

 

+1 , I'm always saddened by this kind of gratutious negativity.

 

 

 

"This is NOT a Pardew out thread but........."

 

 

I DON'T want you to think about a pink elephant right now but..........

[sadoldgit]

...would anyone be surprised if Cortese acts as ruthlessly as his reputation and asks Pardew to leave before the end of the season if we fall well short of the playoffs?

 

As I say, read the question I'm posing, not between the lines please.

 

"Would you be surprised?" is the question. Yes or no?

 

Yes I would be totally amazed. I doubt very much if the pay offs were seen as a realistic target this season and Pardew has done a decent job. Why on earth would you sack him or even start threads about sacking him?

 

Haven't you had enough of the manager merry-go-round at this club?

[SFC Forever]

but 6 losses in 28 would LOL

 

At the moment we are a hard side to beat who are drawing too many games we should win. Barring a complete disaster, I sincerely hope AP is still our manager this time next season otherwise the club as a whole would have learnt nothing from the past.

 

I do not agree.

We have been playing sides who don't take their chances no matter how simple.

We have in Lambert and Barnard the two leading goalscorers in this league. We have bought possibly the best CB now in this league and he has settled in already. We in no way needed 5 players in the transfer window. Or to be quite blunt not the ones we have bought. Our performances have suffered for longer than before the transfer window so you can in no way blame our malaise on the incoming players alone.

[NickG]

Sure I am more optimistic than Pardew or Cortesse and I didn't expect play offs!

[St. Jason]

...would anyone be surprised if Cortese acts as ruthlessly as his reputation and asks Pardew to leave before the end of the season if we fall well short of the playoffs?

 

As I say, read the question I'm posing, not between the lines please.

 

"Would you be surprised?" is the question. Yes or no?

 

Yes, I'd be absolutely gob smacked, disappointed and p***ed of with the new owner and board. Pards has had no pre-season, everything he is doing is for next year. Yes, he'd like the play off's this year but with the -10 this season it was all ways going to be a massive ask this year.

 

As for some fans saying our form is worrying............7 home wins in a row, 3 defeats in 26?????????????? Come on lads lets be realistic!!!!!!!

[St. Jason]

I do not agree.

We have been playing sides who don't take their chances no matter how simple.

We have in Lambert and Barnard the two leading goalscorers in this league. We have bought possibly the best CB now in this league and he has settled in already. We in no way needed 5 players in the transfer window. Or to be quite blunt not the ones we have bought. Our performances have suffered for longer than before the transfer window so you can in no way blame our malaise on the incoming players alone.

 

I really dont get this post, you praise Fonte and Barnard yet say " We in no way needed 5 players in the transfer window. Or to be quite blunt not the ones we have bought." which is mate, right players or wrong players??? Add to the 2 you like Puncheon, which everyone seems to rave about, also Otsemobor as right back which we've been crying out for since Murty's been injured only really leaves Sebourne to question...............all obviously in my own opinion!!

[SFC Forever]

St Jason if you re read my post in context to the one I am replying to.

He says we are a difficult side to beat. The only reason we have not lost more recently is because teams have not been taking some very simple looking chances.

He also says that he hopes AP is still manager in a year - that is a very dangerous statement if we continue to go backwards as a unit.

 

I apologise if my level of English is not high but I will now try to explain my thoughts.

I agree I praised Fonte who does look as though he could be with us godwilling for a while if we can do the 5year thing.

All I said about Barnard is that he has scored a lot of goals not that I like him or we needed him. In my post I may have actually overlooked Beckford as a leading goalscorer.

The next bit speaks for itself. Our defence has by general consensus looked a lot better since Jaidi arrived. Posters on here and fans at the games have been clamouring for a CB,strong holding/ midfield general and RB.

We have been given a good possibly more than that CB in Fonte.

Barnard could be a player to0 many up front especially at this level. Otsemobor has not yet shown he is better than Thomas. Seaborne could be a good player in the near future. Puncheon likewise could be a good player but in the future i would have said not straight away. IMO

Jaidi has had an injury but has not been on Mo Gimpel's injury list for a couple of weeks. He had made the CB spot his which nobody complained about. I believe that Jaidi and Fonte would make a more solid partnership for the here and now. Like many others I am not impressed by JO and would have Thomas playing there as we have nobody better. He is not a RB by definition but he is big and strong and has not let us down. He has also improved and deserves on performance to play.

Finally as I say, our performances have slipped since before the window so calling the new players needing time to gel is in my mind not part of the story.

I believe we have bought for the future and not for now. That said why play the future players when we need players now. We have 2 very important games coming up which nearly everyone in Hampshire will know about. (There will always be someone not interested) If AP was going to play different players in the way he has perhaps he could have blooded them in a bit slower. Why play them all from day one at the expence of the team which I feel has suffered accordingly.

We still need in my book a midfield general. Either that or another Hammond type of player which would then give the like of Lallana or Morgan freedom to stray.

All IMHO of course.

[keithd]

Nicola agrees

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/4993892.Cortese_puts_Pardew_under_pressure/

 

can't see another post yet apologies if i've missed it

[Greenridge]

Nicola agrees

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/4993892.Cortese_puts_Pardew_under_pressure/

 

can't see another post yet apologies if i've missed it

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=20047

[trousers]

So, that's me and Nicola then. Anyone else wouldn't be surprised?

[SFC Forever]

If the form continues in the same vein I would be surprised if Pardew stayed.

[Clifford Nelson]

have you not thought that there maybe a reason for that, ie no pre-season, -10, complete team rebuild with 15 players in, 3 defeats in 20 odd games, 1 game away from wembley, a southcoast derby to look forward to and alot of younger signings clearly building for the future. I wonder what peoples reactions will be if we win the 2 games this week.

 

I think your argument is a good one for not getting the results. My argument is about that I can't see what it is that AP is trying to achieve. The formations keep changing and the players withing those formations through the games. I'm no longer sure that there is a really coherent thought in it all, a game plan, if you like.

[John B]

I think your argument is a good one for not getting the results. My argument is about that I can't see what it is that AP is trying to achieve. The formations keep changing and the players withing those formations through the games. I'm no longer sure that there is a really coherent thought in it all, a game plan, if you like.

 

I thought he was just sorting out the best way to play as the Club were consolidating for promotion next season but that appears not to be the case So you are right to question what Pardew is trying to achieve.