Nicola wants better League Results

[Channon's Sideburns]

Solent read out a statement from Cortese, which he provided when asked about the upcoming cup games this week.

 

Basically the gist was that although it is great to have the opportunity of progression in the FA Cup, and a Wembley appearance, that the League is the main priority.

 

He stated that the investment was made in order to reach the play offs this season - and expects better performances, starting with the Norwich game in 12 days time.

 

---

 

This guy means business.

Perhaps the kick up the ar$e that some players need - yes, we are in a great position as a club, but if you don't perform.......

[Glasgow_Saint]

Hate to say it but I told you so..........

[sadoldgit]

Yes but he wants it at a price. Fair enough as that is his job, but if he is blocking some moves and sanctioning cheaper ones he needs to take some of the flak if, as looks likely, we don't reach the play offs this season.

 

A goal scoring midfielder like Danns would have been ideal.

[Ampersound]

Hopefully this kick up the backside will get them going again.

[Graffito]

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/400226928?-11205

[Glasgow_Saint]

Yes but he wants it at a price. Fair enough as that is his job, but if he is blocking some moves and sanctioning cheaper ones he needs to take some of the flak if, as looks likely, we don't reach the play offs this season.

 

A goal scoring midfielder like Danns would have been ideal.

 

We will always be ok - if only we could sign just one more player.

 

I remember when our defence would be sorted if we could only sign Jaidi!

 

Always one more...........

[St_Tel49]

What happened to the 5 year plan?

[sadoldgit]

I think that many agreed that we weren't quite the biz in midfield. I didn't want one more, I wanted a player like Danns. Hopefully Puncheon will turn out to be a good buy but they are different kinds of players.

[Glasgow_Saint]

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/400226928?-11205

 

I like this man - wants results and not happy with 2nd best.

 

Hopefully his ambition is contagious, as this board proves how content everyone is with 2nd best now days.

[Greenridge]

Yes but he wants it at a price. Fair enough as that is his job, but if he is blocking some moves and sanctioning cheaper ones he needs to take some of the flak if, as looks likely, we don't reach the play offs this season.

 

A goal scoring midfielder like Danns would have been ideal.

 

And of course we do NOT know the answer on this one and it get's a little tiring to hear such supposition. NC and ML don't seemt the type to penny pinch a few 10's or even the odd 100K considering what they have invested so far in the Club. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever that they would adopt such a strategy.

[Channon's Sideburns]

What happened to the 5 year plan?

 

I guess it's been reassessed - probably due to the bigger fan support than expected?

 

Could explain the spending in the window - Nicola won't want to lose the momentum built up...because the last thing we need is another Burley scenario, where you start getting the same excuses each week.

 

I'm not going to lay into Pardew yet, but he really needs to decide on one team and formation and stick to it.

 

The chopping and changing (a la Burley) is costing us.

 

As my Dad has always told me...'NEVER change a winning side'

[Greenridge]

I guess it's been reassessed - probably due to the bigger fan support than expected?

 

Could explain the spending in the window - Nicola won't want to lose the momentum built up...because the last thing we need is another Burley scenario, where you start getting the same excuses each week.

 

I'm not going to lay into Pardew yet, but he really needs to decide on one team and formation and stick to it.

 

The chopping and changing (a la Burley) is costing us.

 

As my Dad has always told me...'NEVER change a winning side'

 

I think this is where a lot of the problems lie. Look at Birmingham, something like 13 games unchanged and it's not doing them any harm. AP seems to have the ability of indentifying and signing good individual players but slotting them into the team and finding the right team formation seems a little way off at the moment. More time needed.

[trousers]

What happened to the 5 year plan?

 

People have been too pre-occupied with moaning about the moaners to Re-assess that Cortese may well have been taking a harder and more ambitious line since making the '5 year plan' statement at the beginning of the season. It has been quite obvious to some that he has progressively become more overtly aggresive and ambitious in his goals over the last few months.

 

I wonder what the 'ruthless' mr cortese will do next?

 

P.s. And I wonder why Coppell has never taken up another post at another club since being linked with Saints earlier in the season...

Edited 8 February, 2010 by trousers

[northam soul]

Well i am afraid this happens in all buisness, if the people in charge are not happy with results then they will say so.

They have put a lot of money into the team and are fully entitled to expect better league results.

I am not going to critcise Pardew too much but for me he changes the team far too often and yes i know he has too for cup games. I cannot understan why Jaidi has not played for over a month as IMO he is our best centre half.I also believe Harding should be playing left back and Wayne Thomas right back.

I would imagine these 3 will be in tomorrow night due to availability of others and why they dont stay in the side god only knows.

He tinkers around with antonio and waigo all the time which i still cant quite work out.

He is unlucky to have had hammond injured for so long who we miss badly.

I just hope he gets it right as the last thing we need is another manager merry go round but also our owner becoming unhappy with proceedings.

I have enjoyed this season but at the end of the day if you are provided with the tools and dont deliver then questions will be asked.

[Window Cleaner]

Bolleau:Dx, that's 1-0 to the moaning minnies then.

 

I really do think AP is on quicksand over this, as I indicated in the not an AP out thread.If there's one thing that people who have made stacks of cash hate it's wasting money with no end result.

[doggface]

Have not heard the full statement, however it does appear to be piling the pressure on AP directly - a public warning shot if you will.

 

There have been a few rumours around but no public statemnts to date, however on the basis of this statement I am starting to believe it is a real possibility that we may have a new manager before next season. The jury is still out on AP imo however I wanted him to be given next year, time will tell I guess.

[The Saturday Boy]

 

I'm not going to lay into Pardew yet, but he really needs to decide on one team and formation and stick to it.

 

The chopping and changing (a la Burley) is costing us.

 

As my Dad has always told me...'NEVER change a winning side'

 

I agree with this. Seabourne may turn out to be a good signing but why Jaidi has suddenly been sidelined? We seem to have conceded a few goals lately from crosses and corners. So why leave such a presence like Jaidi on the bench for league games?

When he played in the FA Cup, he dealt with most things that came into the box. And Wayne Thomas must be wondering what he has done wrong?

[Greenridge]

 

I wonder what the 'ruthless' mr cortese will do next?

 

Did we establish yet why he has been given the label of 'ruthless'? Was it his arranging of tea and biccies at the ticket queues last week or arranging for all the ticketing staff who worked the long hours to be treated to a meal in the Channon suite?

[Window Cleaner]

Have not heard the full statement, however it does appear to be piling the pressure on AP directly - a public warning shot if you will.

 

There have been a few rumours around but no public statemnts to date, however on the basis of this statement I am starting to believe it is a real possibility that we may have a new manager before next season. The jury is still out on AP imo however I wanted him to be given next year, time will tell I guess.

 

A very small bird told me,and I have been ridiculed for it already, that AP got his arse kicked into next week after we lost at home to Brizzle, there was no public statement after that,just some really decent results, this time it looks like

a sort of public warning.

Edited 8 February, 2010 by Window Cleaner

[forever a red and white]

I like this man - wants results and not happy with 2nd best.

 

Hopefully his ambition is contagious, as this board proves how content everyone is with 2nd best now days.

 

i don't at all.

 

The desire to succed is one thing, but being impatient and putting so much pressure on the manager is stupid. Does he not understnad that throwing money at something doesn't gurantee instant success. Pardew needs time and we, and the board need to give it to him. Next season should be the real challenge. Even if we went up this season, with out current squad we would never stay up. Answer have a mass overhaul. Rarely works.

[trousers]

Did we establish yet why he has been given the label of 'ruthless'? Was it his arranging of tea and biccies at the ticket queues last week or arranging for all the ticketing staff who worked the long hours to be treated to a meal in the Channon suite?

 

You'll be telling me that the big bad wolf didn't lure little red riding hood into a false sense of security next..."oh what lovely teeth yo have grandma"... ;-)

[INFLUENCED.COM]

I think this public statement should go some way to make certain posters think before they dismiss out of hand and question the motive of other posters, I know its our nature to try and dissect every detail of an ITK post but when a poster, respected by many, suggests all is not what it seems then maybe, just maybe he has information he is unable to divulge but would like to give us a heads up and does not deserve the borderline abuse directed toward them.

Clearly NC is ambitious and wants a quick return to the premiership, should we be concerned by that ? in essence no, why would we as fans, however, it may be at the sacrifice of things that some put before our success.

[sadoldgit]

What happened to the 5 year plan?

 

Apparently now it is a 3 year plan. Far less realistic and puts more pressure on the management but there you go...it didn't take Cortese too long to fall into the "success overnight" trap.

[Window Cleaner]

i don't at all.

 

The desire to succed is one thing, but being impatient and putting so much pressure on the manager is stupid. Does he not understnad that throwing money at something doesn't gurantee instant success. Pardew needs time and we, and the board need to give it to him. Next season should be the real challenge. Even if we went up this season, with out current squad we would never stay up. Answer have a mass overhaul. Rarely works.

 

 

 

 

trouble is we wre getting decent results, one's that if continued would have got us into the play-offs.Then we started chopping and changing,some it it forced by injury,and the results took a downturn,mainly because of the loss of Connolly I suppose.Then we spent a lot of money on central defenders,but we still concede stupid goals from set pieces.What we have to admit is that Connolly is vital to good league results and that Lambert for all his goals probably can't cut it on his own, not from open play.

[sadoldgit]

Did we establish yet why he has been given the label of 'ruthless'? Was it his arranging of tea and biccies at the ticket queues last week or arranging for all the ticketing staff who worked the long hours to be treated to a meal in the Channon suite?

 

I am sure even Hilter was good to his staff.

[Badger]

I guess it's been reassessed - probably due to the bigger fan support than expected?

 

Could explain the spending in the window - Nicola won't want to lose the momentum built up...because the last thing we need is another Burley scenario, where you start getting the same excuses each week.

 

I'm not going to lay into Pardew yet, but he really needs to decide on one team and formation and stick to it.

 

The chopping and changing (a la Burley) is costing us.

 

As my Dad has always told me...'NEVER change a winning side'

 

To some extent though we are victims of our own success here ,albeit success in cup competitions.

 

As long as we remain in the JPT and FA Cup,Pardew will out of necessity be permutating his line up depending on availablity - ie those not cup tied - with one eye always on the next fixture.Jaidi we all knew would not be up to two games a week so the centre of defence would always be more of a rotation.

[sadoldgit]

And of course we do NOT know the answer on this one and it get's a little tiring to hear such supposition. NC and ML don't seemt the type to penny pinch a few 10's or even the odd 100K considering what they have invested so far in the Club. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever that they would adopt such a strategy.

 

No we don't know the answer. We also know that NC is not going to pay wages he doesn't agree with to get ceratin players, which as I said is fine but then if you don't get the better qulity players you are not going to necessarily get the results that you are demanding in short order are you.

[yorkiesaint]

I'm sure Cortese can give pardew as many warnings as he likes in private. A public warning is not for pardew's benefit, but is a message for the fans- we can still make the playoffs, I am leaning on pardew to improve, so don't stop coming to the show.

[sadoldgit]

I am sure that Mr Cortese does want a better return for his bosses money. I am also sure that Alan Pardew would rather we won more matches too.

[Window Cleaner]

To some extent though we are victims of our own success here ,albeit success in cup competitions.

 

As long as we remain in the JPT and FA Cup,Pardew will out of necessity be permutating his line up depending on availablity - ie those not cup tied - with one eye always on the next fixture.Jaidi we all knew would not be up to two games a week so the centre of defence would always be more of a rotation.

 

Still there was no reason to continue with Mills over Harding on Saturday was there? Apparently(according to my cousin) some of our corners and free kicks could have been better if they had been taken by a tyro league player. You work hard,get corners and free kicks (and you do work to get them) and then you just waste them through basic kickng faults.

Edited 8 February, 2010 by Window Cleaner

[NickG]

Solent read out a statement from Cortese, which he provided when asked about the upcoming cup games this week.

 

Basically the gist was that although it is great to have the opportunity of progression in the FA Cup, and a Wembley appearance, that the League is the main priority.

 

He stated that the investment was made in order to reach the play offs this season - and expects better performances, starting with the Norwich game in 12 days time.

 

---

 

This guy means business.

Perhaps the kick up the ar$e that some players need - yes, we are in a great position as a club, but if you don't perform.......

 

 

 

good to hear how serious and ambitious he is - we should be aiming for play offs. Just hope its not the start of too much interferring and a managerial short term hot seat.

A boss should be demanding the best - but its how he deals with any shortcomings is the important thing

[Window Cleaner]

I'm sure Cortese can give pardew as many warnings as he likes in private. A public warning is not for pardew's benefit, but is a message for the fans- we can still make the playoffs, I am leaning on pardew to improve, so don't stop coming to the show.

 

Play-offs?? not unless we win 15 out of our last 18 and even then it might not happen.The top 5 plus Millwall and Huddersfield just need to win at home and draw away and then we'd need 80 points or more.

[Weston Saint]

Basically he has now come out in public what I was told he was previously saying privately.

 

It is also what a lot of supporters have been saying for a little while now. We are not good enough and part of that has to be down to Manager tactics.

 

Make no mistake, Cortese will fire Pardew if he does not demonstrate an ability to improve our lot by results on the field. Sad that we are talking about the possibility of losing a Manager again when it has been the most enjoyable and fruitful season for years but these guys, or particularly Cortese, mean business.

[Channon's Sideburns]

I'm sure Cortese can give pardew as many warnings as he likes in private. A public warning is not for pardew's benefit, but is a message for the fans- we can still make the playoffs, I am leaning on pardew to improve, so don't stop coming to the show.

 

Exactly my thoughts.

 

This is probably in reaction to seeing how many queued up for Pompey tickets, and how well received he was.

 

He knows they are on the cusp of something good - accepting second best when we spent 10% of the overall Transfer Window spend is not acceptable.

 

In a way, Pardew stated on Solent on Saturday that the pressure on him is always there - I think this is more a public declaration to the players to pull their fingers out.

 

It could prove to be the best public statement of our season if it has the desired effect over the next 14 days.

 

Wembley, Pompey Out the Cup, and a win against the League Leaders?

 

The guy's a genius. Let's hope our players aren't as thick as pig sh1t and understand this.

[Greenridge]

No we don't know the answer. We also know that NC is not going to pay wages he doesn't agree with to get ceratin players, which as I said is fine but then if you don't get the better qulity players you are not going to necessarily get the results that you are demanding in short order are you.

 

I would hope that he doesn't plan to adopt a promotion at all costs strategy...we have seen the downside of this approach all too often. We need a team that will get us out of League 1 then I am sure we will see another team for getting out of the CCC and so on. Some players will make the transition, some won't. We started the season slowly and of course we had the -10 so for me this season looks beyond us especially considering our recent performances. Other than circumstantial evidence however there is nothing to support your view he took the cheap option on recent signings. There could be a 101 reasons why other targets didn't come to fruition.

[Window Cleaner]

Basically he has now come out in public what I was told he was previously saying privately.

 

It is also what a lot of supporters have been saying for a little while now. We are not good enough and part of that has to be down to Manager tactics.

 

Make no mistake, Cortese will fire Pardew if he does not demonstrate an ability to improve our lot by results on the field. Sad that we are talking about the possibility of losing a Manager again when it has been the most enjoyable and fruitful season for years but these guys, or particularly Cortese, mean business.

 

I suspect few of our co-forumists will ever have had any dealings with a Swiss banker or a Swiss in general.Obviously there are exceptions but most of them fit the description involving velvet gloves and iron fists, even the womenfolk.

The swiss do not mess about....over anything.

[doddisalegend]

So AP's a victim of his own succsess then. He starts the season being told 5 years to get to the EPL things start slow, -10 etc people think safety this season prepare for next season. We have a good couple of months and bang it's EPL in three years the board start sharpening the knives and some of the fan base are already scanning for the next sucker... er sorry manager. What worries me is I thought NC was going to be more realistic and pragmatic chairmen building a solid future for SFC. Sadly it looks increasingly like he's going to be another hire'em and fire'em type of chairmen who wants everything yesterday.

Edited 8 February, 2010 by doddisalegend

[NickG]

hope we are not going back to hearing from board all of the time

[once_bitterne]

I would think that if we finish a lot more than 10 points adrift of the play-offs then Pardew will be gone.

[trousers]

I suspect few of our co-forumists will ever have had any dealings with a Swiss banker or a Swiss in general.Obviously there are exceptions but most of them fit the description involving velvet gloves and iron fists, even the womenfolk.

The swiss do not mess about....over anything.

 

 

So...they're fairly 'ruthless' then....? ;-)

[Window Cleaner]

I would think that if we finish a lot more than 10 points adrift of the play-offs then Pardew will be gone.

 

Maybe even before that.I'm sure they have a contigency plan in place already.

Coppell perhaps.

[Greenridge]

I suspect few of our co-forumists will ever have had any dealings with a Swiss banker or a Swiss in general.Obviously there are exceptions but most of them fit the description involving velvet gloves and iron fists, even the womenfolk.

The swiss do not mess about....over anything.

 

I'm in Geneva all week, I'll let you know first hand I'd be more than a little surprised if NC wasn't 'ruthless' afterall you don't find many large company CEO's, Chairmen, MD's etc who aren't. Whether he is any more 'ruthless' is yet to be determined and the only 'evidence' being provided so far is his spat with the Daily Echo which seems more childish than ruthless and the fact he got rid of Wotte straight away. Then again that seems normal protocol in similar circumstance.

[doddisalegend]

Maybe even before that.I'm sure they have a contigency plan in place already.

Coppell perhaps.

 

Will he do any better though? I assume he won't want APs players so another round of team changes and then out on his ear if were no top in 6 months. It was this sort of crap that got us in so much trouble last time. I don't think AP should be untouchable I just think managers should be given a fair crack of the whip. A lot of our new signings have only played 3-4 games for us a bit early to be judging surely. I'm happy to give AP next season if he doesn't do the business then send him on his way but after six months just seems pointless.

[yorkiesaint]

I would think that if we finish a lot more than 10 points adrift of the play-offs then Pardew will be gone.

 

I agree with this, I think pardew has to convince cortese he will get automatic promotion next year, or he will go.

[INFLUENCED.COM]

Maybe even before that.I'm sure they have a contigency plan in place already.

Coppell perhaps.

 

Would of thought that kind of decision will only be made/justified after it becomes mathematically impossible for us not to reach play offs, then what would be gained by making that change ? Do they make the change even if we have secured our place at Wembley ?

[trousers]

Will he do any better though? I assume he won't want APs players so another round of team changes and then out on his ear if were no top in 6 months. It was this sort of crap that got us in so much trouble last time. I don't think AP should be untouchable I just think managers should be given a fair crack of the whip. A lot of our new signings have only played 3-4 games for us a bit early to be judging surely. I'm happy to give AP next season if he doesn't do the business then send him on his way but after six months just seems pointless.

 

How do we know that Coppell hasn't been involved in some capacity behind the scenes?

 

I've no idea if he has or not but I'm surprised that Coppell hasn't taken up another post in football after all this time...

[Window Cleaner]

Will he do any better though? I assume he won't want APs players so another round of team changes and then out on his ear if were no top in 6 months. It was this sort of crap that got us in so much trouble last time. I don't think AP should be untouchable I just think managers should be given a fair crack of the whip. A lot of our new signings have only played 3-4 games for us a bit early to be judging surely. I'm happy to give AP next season if he doesn't do the business then send him on his way but after six months just seems pointless.

 

I'm sure it's not the new signings that are being judged.I'm sure that NC is going back further than just the last few league games.Colchester was a poor result and that was before the new boys were here.We have a great squad,some players may have wanted to move on in the last window but NC was perhaps persuaded by AP not to let them go,but certain results just aren't good enough,Brentford and Exter of late,Colchester before that.

[Scudamore]

Don't we all...

[JustMike]

Hate to say it but I told you so..........

 

no you didnt, we all want better league results you just want AP out which NC is not saying...yet

[Weston Saint]

How do we know that Coppell hasn't been involved in some capacity behind the scenes?

 

I've no idea if he has or not but I'm surprised that Coppell hasn't taken up another post in football after all this time...

The story going around earlier in the season was that Coppell was Nicola's first choice but on his way to complete terms Coppell called to cancel saying he had promised himself a period away from Management after leaving Reading and was going to stick to that for the present. That would explain him not taking any other job.