Nicola wants better League Results

[Saint_clark]

If he doesn't give Pardew next season to get us promoted then it is ridiculous IMO.

[Window Cleaner]

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

 

Incorrect, Glasgow started by saying that the results weren't good enough compared to the money spent.So he was just preempting what NC has apparently said.Says AP isn't getting the best out of the players and he's probably not wrong.But it's not just AP, it's the coaches working with him as well.It's quite obvious that the players follow instructions most of the time they don't just ad-lib the game plan to suit themselves. Perhaps some of them are having all their natural talent coached out of them.l

[Window Cleaner]

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.

 

I could see that a bloke with the intelligence of Coppell (Economics Degree)

would appeal to Cortese.

[RonManager]

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

 

Don't try and set yourself up as some kind of standalone prophet, screaming that no-one will listen to you.

 

A large percentage of posters have said exactly the same as you, except in a far, far, far more intelligent and adult way. Also they just don't feel the need to post it every 5 seconds on every thread, thereby infecting and demeaning the board and making it difficult for others to post their views for fear of being constantly shouted down.

 

I'm starting to understand why a lot of posters now ignore or post less on the main board (myself included and I've only been on here a few months), after witnessing the childish vitriol of yourself and a few others over the past few weeks.

 

You are capable of witty repartee and intelligent comment but practise it all too seldom.

 

 

My view is that firstly AP was never on our radar back in the summer and his appointment came as surprise. I find his tactics to be conservative to say the least and would have liked to have seen a more aggressive and imaginative manager appointed along the lines of Lee Clark etc etc. I'm not sure AP can change his ethos, so maybe, like the rapid evolving of the squad since the takeover, the position of manager will evolve rapidly too. If it is going to happen, then Cortese needs to get on with it so that preparations can begin for next year.

 

Whoever the staff is, I will always give my club my total support come thick or thin, and always want the best for the Saints. But screaming and spitting and throwing dummies about on an internet forum is not my cup of tea thanks. It's unnecessary and does the forum, nor those mods and admin who put in a lot of time and effort keeping it going, no credit whatsoever.

 

Keep the Faith

 

COYS

[alpine_saint]

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.......

 

Yep, this confirms what was already being touted on here - this "5-year plan" thing has gone out of the window for some reason. Why ? Who knows. Maybe NC and/or ML dont want to give 5 years and an open cheque book to the project.

 

The message from NC is clear - he will not indulge this cosy slow-train gelling preparing for next season anymore.

 

Perhaps some of you will not get of the back of DellDays, Glasgow Saint and myself.

[trousers]

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.

 

Didn't he say he only wanted a six month sabatical though? I appreciate that may have been a throw away quote though, assuming I recall it correctly of course

[Weston Saint]

I have a feeling from snippets I have picked up from various sources that the 5 year plan was for public consumption. The real plan linked to substantial bonuses at a very high level was 3 years.

[Shroppie]

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?

 

The problem is we had a winning team befiore Christmas, but with no backup. If it lacked one player, it was a good CB and we signed Fonte. So far so good.

 

However, we needed cover for CB, RB, CM and ST and obviously went for the best we could get. But would players of the quality we managed to bring in have come, dropping a league in some cases, knowing they were going to be warming the bench? I doubt it.

 

So were some assurances about starting given? IMO probably yes, which is why the new faces have all started just about all games since they arrived, even though there is a good case that they aren't the strongest team. I would certainly have Jaidi ahead of Seabourne and probably Thomas at LB too.

 

We've seen Papa push Barnard out (ironically on a pitch better suited to Barnard, you could argue). Jaidi and Thomas will presumably play in the cup games and it will be interesting to see if they keep their places if they do well.

[ottery st mary]

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.

 

 

 

You had the cheek to call me a nut job the other day...Border line abuse.. But no doubt your buddy.. A respected poster ?.(A friend of yours per chance)...

Maybe respected by you.... but IMO a very disgruntled poster with an axe to grind..like a few others on here.

 

Does everyone make things up as they go along...

 

Back to the medication then matey...

 

Keep taking the medicine..Pal:smt052

[Saint_clark]

The problem is we had a winning team befiore Christmas, but with no backup. If it lacked one player, it was a good CB and we signed Fonte. So far so good.

 

However, we needed cover for CB, RB, CM and ST and obviously went for the best we could get. But would players of the quality we managed to bring in have come, dropping a league in some cases, knowing they were going to be warming the bench? I doubt it.

 

So were some assurances about starting given? IMO probably yes, which is why the new faces have all started just about all games since they arrived, even though there is a good case that they aren't the strongest team. I would certainly have Jaidi ahead of Seabourne and probably Thomas at LB too.

 

 

These two statements contradict each other. Out of all of the players we brought in, Seaborne and Otsemobor wouldn't be expecting a place in the starting line up.

[Shroppie]

These two statements contradict each other. Out of all of the players we brought in, Seaborne and Otsemobor wouldn't be expecting a place in the starting line up.

 

I don't see the contradiction, but in any case then , why are Seabourne and Ostemobor starting?

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I have a horrible feeling we may well take on the QPR model. God, I really, really hope not.

[alpine_saint]

I have a feeling from snippets I have picked up from various sources that the 5 year plan was for public consumption. The real plan linked to substantial bonuses at a very high level was 3 years.

 

This would not surprise me at all. I made a similar point myself just yesterday.

[Saint_clark]

I don't see the contradiction, but in any case then , why are Seabourne and Ostemobor starting?

 

I think Otsemobor is a lot better than people give him credit for, and Seaborne has been better than I expected (although I would still have Jaidi ahead of him).

HOWEVER;

Seaborne cannot play in the JPT or the FA cup and Fonte cannot play in the FA cup either, so it makes sense to ROTATE your squad.

[Charlie Wayman]

And you still have me down as negative? It's flaming obvious that he won't be very happy. haven't you guys sussed yet that Pardew's rhetoric has changed? H's under real pressure now to deliver and his Monday morning meetings with Cortese in all probability are becoming more and more acrimonious as success eludes him. I still bet evens money he'll not be given anew contract in the summer.

 

It's great to have a few million to spend but as that **** Hughes proved at ManC you've still got to spend it wisely. Just buying old bangers is not the way to do it. Who would you have bought out of all the guys who've come here in the past year. The best of them like Scneiderlin, Lallana and James were already here or came here on frees to end their careers.

[Saint_clark]

And you still have me down as negative? It's flaming obvious that he won't be very happy. haven't you guys sussed yet that Pardew's rhetoric has changed? H's under real pressure now to deliver and his Monday morning meetings with Cortese in all probability are becoming more and more acrimonious as success eludes him. I still bet evens money he'll not be given anew contract in the summer.

 

It's great to have a few million to spend but as that **** Hughes proved at ManC you've still got to spend it wisely. Just buying old bangers is not the way to do it. Who would you have bought out of all the guys who've come here in the past year. The best of them like Scneiderlin, Lallana and James were already here or came here on frees to end their careers.

 

What a load of rubbish.

Lambert, Fonte, Hammond, Puncheon - load of old bangers?

[alpine_saint]

AP has bought reasonable players.

 

He just hasnt got a f**king clue how to use them.

[NickG]

And you still have me down as negative? It's flaming obvious that he won't be very happy. haven't you guys sussed yet that Pardew's rhetoric has changed? H's under real pressure now to deliver and his Monday morning meetings with Cortese in all probability are becoming more and more acrimonious as success eludes him. I still bet evens money he'll not be given anew contract in the summer.

 

It's great to have a few million to spend but as that **** Hughes proved at ManC you've still got to spend it wisely. Just buying old bangers is not the way to do it. Who would you have bought out of all the guys who've come here in the past year. The best of them like Scneiderlin, Lallana and James were already here or came here on frees to end their careers.

 

Lambert

Hammond

Harding

Puncheon

Fonte

Barnard

 

old bangers?

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

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.

 

This strikes me as true .

 

Trying to second guess what Nicola Cortese will do in the future is a particularly fruitless occupation as we don't really know him , or Marcus Liebherr for that matter . For me our (slim) play-off hopes died a quite death several weeks ago in reality , and the season is now all about cup competitions . Nevertheless you'd think Pardew's position is safe for now but who really knows ? At the very least we have to make a convincing start (without anymore excuses) next season for face the consequences .

[alpine_saint]

I just read a summary of these comments by NC on the Echo site (yes, I know it might have been twisted).

 

But I am wondering if NC has delivered an ultimatum about the Norwich result. The last paragraph on the Echo article sounds very ominous.

[surrey1saint]

I am not surprised that Nicola has taken this hard line approach,good CEO's have to make many such decisions along their way up the ladder.

 

Good for the club with a management change if we don't get close to playoffs?

We will have to wait and see.

 

Obviously ML wants early success for his dosh.

IMO we should have signed Danns,or someone like him.

Edited 8 February, 2010 by surrey1saint
addition

[Shroppie]

Seaborne cannot play in the JPT or the FA cup and Fonte cannot play in the FA cup either, so it makes sense to ROTATE your squad.

 

I respect your view, but still feel that rotation, except where enforced because of cuptied players, is a luxury we can't afford. We need the best eleven for every league game. I accept that Jaidi may still be carrying an injury, though, and that may be part of the reasoning.

 

Will be very interesting to see the back four against Norwich.

 

And, of course the other problem is that we have no-one to rotate in for Hammond.

[Saint_Jim]

We will be the next QPR

[shurlock]

This strikes me as true .

 

Trying to second guess what Nicola Cortese will do in the future is a particularly fruitless occupation as we don't really know him , or Marcus Liebherr for that matter . For me our (slim) play-off hopes died a quite death several weeks ago in reality , and the season is now all about cup competitions . Nevertheless you'd think Pardew's position is safe for now but who really knows ? At the very least we have to make a convincing start (without anymore excuses) next season for face the consequences .

 

I hope that NC realises how improbable the playoffs are - we could go on a blinding run the end of the season and still narrowly miss them. My question is whether NC would accept this as "progress" (indeed would some of the other posters)? If not it feels as if AP is working with a bit of a poisoned chalice.

[saintfully]

I have a horrible feeling we may well take on the QPR model. God, I really, really hope not.

 

+1

 

My feelings exactly. A huge part of why Saints fell into disarray and division under Lowe was constant managerial changing and comments about footballing matters from the board.

 

Stability is the key - issuing 'ultimatums' like this appears to me to be hugely counterproductive. Unnecessary public pressure. I'd rather we diidn't wash our dirty laundry in public, and weren't considering a sacking when our record is 2 losses in the last 26 (I think).

 

If another team was acting like this we'd all be saying they were mental.

[Under Weststand]

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

That's exactly what I said on one of the other AP threads. If we put a good run together & look like genuine promotion candidates then AP will still be here. Continue to stutter in the league no matter what happens in the cup games, then he will be gone. NC has backed him with most of the players he wanted, time to put the jigsaw together & produce week in week out.

[Scudamore]

AP has bought reasonable players.

 

He just hasnt got a f**king clue how to use them.

 

[Channon's Sideburns]

We will be the next QPR

 

I don't think we will -this issue is all about motivation.

 

Perhaps Cortese thinks Pards has become a little blase about things? In a comfort zone thinking that no-one expects?

 

My bet is that Pardew already gets the message, it could be that it hasn't quite reached the players yet.

[shurlock]

That's exactly what I said on one of the other AP threads. If we put a good run together & look like genuine promotion candidates then AP will still be here. Continue to stutter in the league no matter what happens in the cup games, then he will be gone. NC has backed him with most of the players he wanted, time to put the jigsaw together & produce week in week out.

 

 

I hope that's the deal - show us that next year we'll be challenging - not playoffs or your p 45. That sounds reasonable to me.

[NickG]

I just read a summary of these comments by NC on the Echo site (yes, I know it might have been twisted).

 

But I am wondering if NC has delivered an ultimatum about the Norwich result. The last paragraph on the Echo article sounds very ominous.

 

The statement on the radio was very short.

 

When asked by reporter for his thoughts on week ahead

He said - that whilst a trip to wembley and progress in fa cup are nice things to have the reason for serious investment in the team is about getting into the league one play offs its our top priority, the latest league results have not been satisfactory against that objective and he looks forward to the team getting back to winning says against Norwich on Saturday.

[Minty]

+1

 

My feelings exactly. A huge part of why Saints fell into disarray and division under Lowe was constant managerial changing and comments about footballing matters from the board.

 

Stability is the key - issuing 'ultimatums' like this appears to me to be hugely counterproductive. Unnecessary public pressure. I'd rather we diidn't wash our dirty laundry in public, and weren't considering a sacking when our record is 2 losses in the last 26 (I think).

 

If another team was acting like this we'd all be saying they were mental.

 

Fully agree.

 

Some of the comments on this board and from some fans have been ridiculously, and unrealistically, demanding IMO.

 

It doesn't matter who the chairman or owner is, football is not a simple business, and results do not come quickly easily, especially when too much pressure is brought to bear on the manager. Spending more money on better players does not automatically mean they will get used to each other on the pitch, learn the tactics and set-plays quicker, and suddenly play together like they have done so already for 3 years.

 

We are supposed to have a team, not a collection of individuals. The way some fans talk it's as though just putting them on the pitch should be enough. Well, sorry, but most things worth having in life need working at, and this is no exception, and improvement in any field is rarely if ever linear. There will be setbacks while players learn about each other and the manager learns about them and how they work together.

 

AP needs full support, without fear of recrimination for at least this season and up until at least Xmas next year IMO.

 

Impatience will kill us if we're not careful.

[Window Cleaner]

+1

 

My feelings exactly. A huge part of why Saints fell into disarray and division under Lowe was constant managerial changing and comments about footballing matters from the board.

 

Stability is the key - issuing 'ultimatums' like this appears to me to be hugely counterproductive. Unnecessary public pressure. I'd rather we diidn't wash our dirty laundry in public, and weren't considering a sacking when our record is 2 losses in the last 26 (I think).

 

If another team was acting like this we'd all be saying they were mental.

 

2 losses realy doesn't come into the equation.Not losing to sides like Brentford and Exeter and beating Stockport 2-0 isn't to be taken as a sign of success.With the players we have at our disposal we should beat Stockport 5.,6 or even 7 nil .The players that we have are really good for our league,

the fact that we've taken the better players from other sides and haven't been able to get the same results with them is pretty damning for the coaching staff and I don't really mean just AP here. It has crossed my mind more than once that perhaps the talent of our coaches isn't great enough,or at least too staid, for the talent of our players..Remember Georges Prost, when he left we just didn't produce class players any more,but at Lyon they do

Edited 8 February, 2010 by Window Cleaner

[Minty]

The statement on the radio was very short.

 

When asked by reporter for his thoughts on week ahead

He said - that whilst a trip to wembley and progress in fa cup are nice things to have the reason for serious investment in the team is about getting into the league one play offs its our top priority, the latest league results have not been satisfactory against that objective and he looks forward to the team getting back to winning says against Norwich on Saturday.

 

Further to my little outburst above, I think it's only fair to say that this could all have been blown out of proportion.

 

On a very basic level, I do fully agree with the above, in that the latest league results have not been satisfactory. But we know that AP thinks the same (obviously) and that things never go exactly as you want them to (if they did, we'd win 46 games)... He just doesn't need an intensive dissection of things and pressure to achieve something in unrealistic timescales IMO.

[SNSUN]

Getting these next two games out the way will go a long way to restoring our league form. Granted we have a tough few games coming up in the League, but if we're as good as we think we are, there's no reason why we can't become a formidable force this season.

[up and away]

I have heard so many times from the start of the season that the league is the priority. Frankly, I never believed that, because it is clear we actually did the opposite and sacrificed the league for the cups. I assumed this was down to Cortese wanting to win something, but it is very clear now that is not the case and this is down to Pardew alone.

The worrying thing I find with Pardew is the repetition of the same mistakes time and time again. With all the resources available, little was done in the window to address our main problem. If you look at his previous history, both good and bad, it’s all been on display this season. I believe Pardew has the ability to eventually sort these problems out, just totally exasperated in the manner it’s being done.

I believe even though Pardew has made errors, that Cortese will not sack him this season. Why, he has to be able to get someone who he is sure will perform better, someone like Billy Davies or Paul Lambert. Even with a suitable candidate, Cortese will have to be sure he can work with him. What makes sense is to give Pardew the start of next season to see if he has wised up, otherwise bounce him. He has just made too many errors so far to justify any further faith, unless he can install that faith between now and the end of this season.

[Professor]

Very much like this public statement by Cortese. This is the Chairman doing his job of managing the manager, which no doubt he usually does in private, but going public with this statement must be calculated to add to the pressure on Pardew. Pardew's own statements have tended to lower expectations and to blame the team but this makes it clear that he is expected to do better. That should cover selection, team line-up, tactics, change of line-up and tactics during games and timing of substitutions. All of those are areas where Pardew has not convinced 100%. He has done a lot that is right and he is good for the club, but he can and must do better.

[Master Bates]

Ooooooooo, I like it

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

+1

 

My feelings exactly. A huge part of why Saints fell into disarray and division under Lowe was constant managerial changing and comments about footballing matters from the board.

 

Stability is the key - issuing 'ultimatums' like this appears to me to be hugely counterproductive. Unnecessary public pressure. I'd rather we diidn't wash our dirty laundry in public, and weren't considering a sacking when our record is 2 losses in the last 26 (I think).

 

If another team was acting like this we'd all be saying they were mental.

 

What I want to know is whether NC just wants to get to the Playoffs, or if his expectation is promotion via the playoffs. If he expects promotion, I feel he is being unrealistic due to the lottery of the playoffs and as such, possibly needs to reign in expectations.

[BARCELONASAINT]

Fully agree.

 

Some of the comments on this board and from some fans have been ridiculously, and unrealistically, demanding IMO.

 

It doesn't matter who the chairman or owner is, football is not a simple business, and results do not come quickly easily, especially when too much pressure is brought to bear on the manager. Spending more money on better players does not automatically mean they will get used to each other on the pitch, learn the tactics and set-plays quicker, and suddenly play together like they have done so already for 3 years.

 

We are supposed to have a team, not a collection of individuals. The way some fans talk it's as though just putting them on the pitch should be enough. Well, sorry, but most things worth having in life need working at, and this is no exception, and improvement in any field is rarely if ever linear. There will be setbacks while players learn about each other and the manager learns about them and how they work together.

 

AP needs full support, without fear of recrimination for at least this season and up until at least Xmas next year IMO.

 

Impatience will kill us if we're not careful.

 

Could not have put it better Minty.

This time last year we were on the brink of having no club to support.

One year on and most people seem to have forgotten all about that. I applaud NC for wanting success and showing determined ambition....but please lets walk before we start to run!!!

 

For gods sake tomorrow lets show AP he has our support in what he is trying to achieve. This has been a really enjoyable season so far and as far as i'm concerned it has so far been very succesful....lets not forget the -10 points we started with.

[ottery st mary]

Pards is getting an A in every area..but some posters suggesting NC wants A*...

I am certain that Pards aspires to be way up the league but IMO some of you naughty boyzz are taking things out of context... I have read the statement several times...

 

Especially some of you naughty boyzz who wanted to give Coach Rupes and his Dutch Managers another two seasons to rebuild..

 

We all want wins this week and for the rest of the season.....Or am I being greedy.

 

As stated NC is just saying anddoing what we would expect..Pards knows it and IMO will get the results or head back to London...At least xmas time please...

 

Starting with a couple of cup victories this week..A big bonus..

 

COYRs

[doddisalegend]

2 losses realy doesn't come into the equation.Not losing to sides like Brentford and Exeter and beating Stockport 2-0 isn't to be taken as a sign of success.With the players we have at our disposal we should beat Stockport 5.,6 or even 7 nil .The players that we have are really good for our league,the fact that we've taken the better players from other sides and haven't been able to get the same results with them is pretty damning for the coaching staff and I don't really mean just AP here. It has crossed my mind more than once that perhaps the talent of our coaches isn't great enough,or at least too staid, for the talent of our players..Remember Georges Prost, when he left we just didn't produce class players any more,but at Lyon they do

 

With thinking like that it's no suprise some fans are unhappy 7-nil really ? It's not enough to win we have to win by six + goals?

Also players have to prove they are really good surely. Now most of the new signings haven't had much time to prove themselves but at the the end of the day their past history is irrelevant it's what they do in a Saints shirt that counts for me. We've had plenty of players who did well for us and failed elsewhere or did bad for us but have been good at other clubs.

[Saint Without a Halo]

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.

 

True but let us look at some perspective

 

We are a league 1 side who has spent some £3m on transfers already this season! we have outspent all league one sides and probably all championship sides as well as many Premier sides. Many sides in our divison have never paid more than 300k for a player.

 

We are not yet seeing the results and hence the frustration! We are not even in the playoffs with the 10 points added back! When we should have concievably expected to be at least top 3 without the 10 point penalty.

We need at least 70 to 75 points to make the playoffs giving us a whopping 37 to 42 to get in just 18 games left! This is one hell of a target!

 

The FA and Tin pot cup will not even cover the half the investment made to date and hence the need to make the play offs! I can fully understand Cortese's frustration at the recent league results.

[John B]

The statement on the radio was very short.

 

He said - that whilst a trip to wembley and progress in fa cup are nice things to have the reason for serious investment in the team is about getting into the league one play offs its our top priority, the latest league results have not been satisfactory against that objective and he looks forward to the team getting back to winning says against Norwich on Saturday.[/b]

 

I dont think anybody can disagree with that statement .

 

 

But what it means to Pardew's future is open to discussion .

 

 

We just need to get good results against the top teams in the next few weeks but away to Norwich next game is not the best game for fortunes to change

[Kingsland Red]

I would expect the real force here is ML, after all he is the successful businessman and NC is merely his rottweiler.

Unfortunately in football complacency is rife due to the comfort zone of the wages being so disproportionate to society in general.

Let's hope the culture NC is instilling at SM is slightly different and the standard, 'As I said earlier', 'triffic', ' Lads let me down',crap spewed out by football managers for the general football public consumption is not accepted by NC/ ML.

[saintfully]

2 losses realy doesn't come into the equation.Not losing to sides like Brentford and Exeter and beating Stockport 2-0 isn't to be taken as a sign of success.With the players we have at our disposal we should beat Stockport 5.,6 or even 7 nil .The players that we have are really good for our league,

the fact that we've taken the better players from other sides and haven't been able to get the same results with them is pretty damning for the coaching staff and I don't really mean just AP here. It has crossed my mind more than once that perhaps the talent of our coaches isn't great enough,or at least too staid, for the talent of our players..Remember Georges Prost, when he left we just didn't produce class players any more,but at Lyon they do

 

I don't think anyone is saying that our recent results (or performances) have met expectations. However, since when do you judge a manager on the last couple of games ? I think its more prudent to judge over the course of a season myself - but maybe thats too long ? My main complaint is the public nature of the statement and the unrealistic demand for a play-off place. I think we all hoped to get there, but I think making it a necessity is too much... and I think that the cost to the club of sacking AP exceeds the potential benefit at this stage.

 

On the subject of coaches... I agree. Georges Prost is/was an absolute legend and should be an all-time Saints hero. How much money did he make for the club when he was here ???? I think its too early to judge our current set-up, but I think its unlikely they will be able to match George Prosts achievements.

[Thedelldays]

Quick...

 

Someone tell nicola he is a troll and unrealsitic

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

By the way all, anyone saying we should have signed Danns, he turned us down. Nothing to do with a cheap or expensive option, he just didn't want to drop a division.

[WATERSIDEIFASAINT]

AP should stop tinkering with the team.IMO the team is weaker with Seabourne,Semi and Barnard in at this particular time than playing Jaidi,Thomas and Waigo in their positions.I would also pick Harding infront of Mills.Then Holmes gets back in the team does nothing wrong and is then dropped.This tinkering can not be helping with team morale.

 

same could be said for Bart.

 

I wonder if this tinkering has contributed along with Hammond & Connelly's injuries with the downturn in performances on the pitch.

 

I'm glad that NC has put pressure on AP.At least he now knows he can't just coast for the rest of the season and needs to get this team back on track

 

I want AP to succeed and be our manager next season as we need stability at this club.Another change would not be great but NC & ML will not accept failure so AP needs to get this team motoring either this season or certainly next

[Nineteen Canteen]

I have a feeling from snippets I have picked up from various sources that the 5 year plan was for public consumption. The real plan linked to substantial bonuses at a very high level was 3 years.

 

With respect WS I find that difficult to believe because we have not spent like a club determined to get out of this league this season whilst overcoming a 10point deficit. IMO Cortese saw the chink of light that was the play offs before Christmas and now the light has gone out he is not happy to be reverting to the public plan.

 

If the league was the be all and end all why did he seemingly support Pardew's approach of fielding almost full strength teams for the JPT and FA Cup matches? I like others have advocated from round 1 of both competitions the folly to our play off hopes of not playing a reserve team in cup comps and if we had I think the injuries and now fixture conjestion would not be hurting us.

 

Cortese's time will be better suited to throwing his support behind the team as fear like money is a short term and ultimately destructive motivator. I'm sure for instance we could have attracted Dann's or a player of similar ability especially if their was the 'will' to back the manager or some of the 'young potential talent' we have invested in was sacrificed. I don't believe Pardew and Cortsese did not have some open discussion and shared buy in to our transfer activity and this press release is therefore all the more surprising. If we had been buying players for a promotion push this season only Fonte is fit for purpose IMO.

[doddisalegend]

True but let us look at some perspective

 

We are a league 1 side who has spent some £3m on transfers already this season! we have outspent all league one sides and probably all championship sides as well as many Premier sides. Many sides in our divison have never paid more than 300k for a player.

 

We are not yet seeing the results and hence the frustration! We are not even in the playoffs with the 10 points added back! When we should have concievably expected to be at least top 3 without the 10 point penalty.

We need at least 70 to 75 points to make the playoffs giving us a whopping 37 to 42 to get in just 18 games left! This is one hell of a target!

 

The FA and Tin pot cup will not even cover the half the investment made to date and hence the need to make the play offs! I can fully understand Cortese's frustration at the recent league results.

 

Half of which has only been spent in the last couple of weeks. How much of an impact are Fonte, Seabourne, Barnard and Puncheon supposed to have made after only two or three matches. Surely people weren't excpecting them to slot in to a new team and start scoring hatricks within 15mins where they?