Nicola wants better League Results

[S-Clarke]

it does seem that the Exeter result has had a bad effect on morale all round. seemed to be saying that the players aren't (as yet) up for either of this week's matches.

 

which is kind of good in a way, at least they don't have that ''oh well, never mind'' attitude which has haunted us for so many years.

 

''oh well, we lost, but we played well! so it doesn't matter'' - i'm sure it wasn't' like that, but you get what i mean - if they're not as accepting of poor results, then eventually we'll win most weeks.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

well...either way

 

lets see if Pardew is up to dealing with the pressure..

 

Yep let`s hope so as we don`t really want a managerial change

and all the changes that come with it.

 

We also need the players to stand up and be counted too.

[Thedelldays]

Yep let`s hope so as we don`t really want a managerial change

and all the changes that come with it.

 

We also need the players to stand up and be counted too.

I dont want change either..but if it does not look like we are in good form at the end of the season and we are still stuttering along, chaning formation and players every game...then, with the comments we have read...pardew could be gone.

 

lets ALL hope he puts us on another run like we had before xmas

[saintofme]

Isnt he just saying what we are all thinking ?

[ALWAYS_SFC]

I dont want change either..but if it does not look like we are in good form at the end of the season and we are still stuttering along, chaning formation and players every game...then, with the comments we have read...pardew could be gone.

 

lets ALL hope he puts us on another run like we had before xmas

 

Fingers crossed...

 

Who else would come to league one side without a silly pay package...

 

Not that i`m suggesting AP is on silly money as i have no idea but you would

expect to have to pay big bucks to attract a top manager.

 

Do we really want a manager who is only here for the money?

 

I really don`t think Pardew is,i reckon he wants to prove he can do it

[Topcat]

Pardew should have been putting out the kids and reserves in the cup games. Instead he went with most of the first team, we won, we progressed, but we got more games and were too jaded when the League games came up.

 

Simples.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Think we should have a new manager each month and out do QPR. History tells us changing the manager each season always works. I have my doubts if a monthly change would be enough for some on here who would still be moaning if Saints won the champions league.

[shurlock]

I dont want change either..but if it does not look like we are in good form at the end of the season and we are still stuttering along, chaning formation and players every game...then, with the comments we have read...pardew could be gone.

 

lets ALL hope he puts us on another run like we had before xmas

 

yes and no -i don't think it should be playoffs or his P45 but unless there's some sense of momentum and direction, AP will be under pressure. lets have a run like before Xmas but please not the performances. i posted this at the time of the Walsall game, supposedly our best result of the season.

 

"Just back from the game - thought we were pretty ordinary and disjointed for the first and last third of the game...I remember saying after the Stockport game that despite our frustrating results, there was no team that had truly frightened us or had us on the backfoot. Yes there are exceptions in this league - Norwich for instance- but that observation still applies today. Only difference is that we are now scoring goals. But whether we have really hit our stride or are relying on the mediocrity of the opposition is still unclear. We still seem unable to play in top gear for long, consistent spells. No doubt we'll find out in the next few months as the playoff push unfolds"

 

That run masked alot of problems and it has now caught up with us.

Edited 8 February, 2010 by shurlock

[Thedelldays]

Think we should have a new manager each month and out do QPR. History tells us changing the manager each season always works. I have my doubts if a monthly change would be enough for some on here who would still be moaning if Saints won the champions league.

or...NC gets in someone who provides results to his liking and then keeps him

 

it is his toy now

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Does anyone have the full statement in writing or is there

a audio version available?

[NickG]

Does anyone have the full statement in writing or is there

a audio version available?

 

its on one of my earlier posts will find it

[NickG]

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.

 

there you go.

 

Not much there to argue with and not OTT as some on here would have you believe!

[John B]

there you go.

 

Not much there to argue with and not OTT as some on here would have you believe!

 

Yes I could have said that but I am not the chairman and it puts pressure on AP who surely must be given time

[SFC Forever]

Trouble is we all read what he says and take our own interpretations from what he said.

For me he has simoply implied that he is not satisfied with the performances being displayed currently and in the recent past.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Think we should have a new manager each month and out do QPR. History tells us changing the manager each season always works. I have my doubts if a monthly change would be enough for some on here who would still be moaning if Saints won the champions league.

 

Chelsea?

[Tomobz]

i love this guy and think saints are really heading in the right direction! how weird is it that twelve months ago we were in dire straights in-fighting about our feelings of distaste for the chairman now we have a brillaint one

[Glasgow_Saint]

i love this guy and think saints are really heading in the right direction! how weird is it that twelve months ago we were in dire straights in-fighting about our feelings of distaste for the chairman now we have a brillaint one

 

We are still fighting - some on here want to give AP a chance "until he gets it right" while others are in sync with the clubs ambition and feel if you cant do the job, find someone that can.

 

You wont find an easier job than this one - L1, spend millions, huge squad ect ect

 

I could get us promoted.

[Thedelldays]

at the end of the day..NC is a man who demands results when people are given the tools to do the task...NC is not a saints fans so does not really have that emotional attachment..

 

lastly...to NC, there has been no manager merry-go-round...as far as he is concerned, this is a clean slate for everyone...started again so to speak

 

quote simply..if results continue to unimpress...he will replace pardew with someone else. (imo)

[Glasgow_Saint]

at the end of the day..NC is a man who demands results when people are given the tools to do the task...NC is not a saints fans so does not really have that emotional attachment..

 

lastly...to NC, there has been no manager merry-go-round...as far as he is concerned, this is a clean slate for everyone...started again so to speak

 

quote simply..if results continue to unimpress...he will replace pardew with someone else. (imo)

 

Has anyone apologised for calling you a troll (and other unkind things) when you suggested that results have not been good enough?

 

If they havent they should - im owed a few apologies too!

[AndyNorthernSaints]

We are still fighting - some on here want to give AP a chance "until he gets it right" while others are in sync with the clubs ambition and feel if you cant do the job, find someone that can.

 

You wont find an easier job than this one - L1, spend millions, huge squad ect ect

 

I could get us promoted.

 

Without going to a game? that would be difficult.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Without going to a game? that would be difficult.

 

With the squad we have I could do it from home.

 

This squad should be walking this league.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

With the squad we have I could do it from home.

 

This squad should be walking this league.

 

You could have your two mates as assistant manager and coach. Like the modern day football fan i will give you 2 games before calling for your head.

[SuperSAINT]

Yes, we should be beating Exeter, but this (IMO) was bad timing for Cortese to come out with the statement that he did. I knew something was up in the Guardian piece, with the 5 year, being replaced by a 3 year plan.

 

Yes, we should be doing better than we are, but I don't want us to become another QPR-esque laughing stock.

[Clifford Nelson]

If there is anybody out there who could explain what it is AP is trying to do, then please tell me.

 

I remember Bristol Rovers at SMS. I was elated going home, thinking that I've seen a pre-view of the future. So we lost, but I thought with a few changes and one or two new players we would be unbeatable in this league. The direction was clear as daylight. And here we are....

 

What the h*ll happened!?

[shurlock]

If there is anybody out there who could explain what it is AP is trying to do, then please tell me.

 

I remember Bristol Rovers at SMS. I was elated going home, thinking that I've seen a pre-view of the future. So we lost, but I thought with a few changes and one or two new players we would be unbeatable in this league. The direction was clear as daylight. And here we are....

 

What the h*ll happened!?

 

Absolutely, that performance left me more encouraged than many of our subsequent wins.

Edited 8 February, 2010 by shurlock

[Dig Dig]

We are still fighting - some on here want to give AP a chance "until he gets it right" while others are in sync with the clubs ambition and feel if you cant do the job, find someone that can.

 

You wont find an easier job than this one - L1, spend millions, huge squad ect ect

 

I could get us promoted.

 

No not "untill he gets it right" but at least until we have seen a whole season through. As I've said before, if we are not 1st or 2nd (or very close to) this time next year then my patience would be shot.

 

The only difference in opinion here is how long to give the manager. Considering that one of his biggest Jan signings only made his debut on Sat, I think talk of AP's departure is premature.

 

And for what it's worth, don't patronise others on the board by claiming that you are others "are in sync with the clubs ambition" whilst the rest of us are happy to loiter in L1. I would rather have some continuity here as lack of it has been the reason why we were in free fall for so long and I really don't want us to be another QPR.

 

They seem to adopt your philosophy and look at them now....an absolute laughing stock.

[Bwanamakubwa]

If there is anybody out there who could explain what it is AP is trying to do, then please tell me.

 

I remember Bristol Rovers at SMS. I was elated going home, thinking that I've seen a pre-view of the future. So we lost, but I thought with a few changes and one or two new players we would be unbeatable in this league. The direction was clear as daylight. And here we are....

 

What the h*ll happened!?

 

This. I am one who always looks for positives, and wants time etc. However I can only do that if I can see what we are trying to do. Early on with signings etc it was clear we were addressing things, and the first 10 odd games there was improvement. We are now going sideways and the concern is, as above, I like many others cant quite see where we are going and how we are going to do it.

 

Having said that, I am a fickle bastard - beat Mk Dons, Pimpley and Norwich (ok ok im getting carried away) and we are the back on it! ;-)

[alpine_saint]

which is kind of good in a way, at least they don't have that ''oh well, never mind'' attitude which has haunted us for so many years.

 

''oh well, we lost, but we played well! so it doesn't matter'' - i'm sure it wasn't' like that, but you get what i mean - if they're not as accepting of poor results, then eventually we'll win most weeks.

 

You what !?!

 

He gave the impression that they are not up for the matches. Not that they dont care, and not that they are determined to put the Exeter performance right. It sounds like to me they expect to lose, which is the worst-case they could think !!

[alpine_saint]

there you go.

 

Not much there to argue with and not OTT as some on here would have you believe!

 

Realy ?

 

I see a veilled threat about the Norwich game there...

[Clifford Nelson]

Absolutely, that performance left me more encouraged than many of our subsequent wins.

 

It seems like you're as bewildered as me.

[Dark Munster]

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?

 

Sacking Wotte 5 minutes after the takeover?

[Clifford Nelson]

This. I am one who always looks for positives, and wants time etc. However I can only do that if I can see what we are trying to do. Early on with signings etc it was clear we were addressing things, and the first 10 odd games there was improvement. We are now going sideways and the concern is, as above, I like many others cant quite see where we are going and how we are going to do it.

 

Having said that, I am a fickle bastard - beat Mk Dons, Pimpley and Norwich (ok ok im getting carried away) and we are the back on it! ;-)

 

To get three wins out of the above would be fantastic, but I'm still looking for a direction. Three wins from huffing and puffing is not going to convince me that it is the way forward.

[up and away]

I don't get it. We have most people saying the playoffs aren't realistic this season. So given that, what are we moaning about? If it's unrealistic, then this season is about giving time to build a good team from a good squad. We have players who've played a handful of games together, we clearly have excellent attacking options.

 

Once again, most of you said at the start of the season you'd give Pardew time, probably until the end of next season give the -10 and lack of time this season. It's always the same with new managers. Saints fans moan about the frequent managerial changes, say they'll be patient with the next one, say they have no unrealistic expectations this time, then get fed up in the first season and change their minds. Surely you can't say the playoffs were unrealistic AND we're underachieving? Which is it? Should we be going up this season or waiting for next season? Is starting yet again with another manager going to help? Will that manager get more time to start again and build a team?

 

I imagine we'll lose at Norwich the form they're in, but we have plenty of winnable games after that and I'm sure with the cup games out the way and a more settled side we'll start to show what we can do and go on a winning run. Doesn't mean we'll get in the playoffs, but if we finish within 10 points, it's not Pardew's fault we didn't make it, it's the administration ruling. And given the lack of any team for the first 5-10 games, making the playoffs in the real table is good enough for me.

 

Several valid points there, but far from painting the whole picture. I have no issue when we struggled in the beginning, though I did take issue with Pardew when he said we had turned the corner against Yeovil, with the only creative aspects for Saints coming from the officials and the opposition. Where I was in full of praise for Pardew, was the home loss against Bristol Rovers, where I could easily see we had turned the corner. Following that we went on a good run to make the playoff's a real option.

 

By desperation we went to the 451 with Wooton sitting in front of the defence and for some reason it worked very well, even when we had to switch things round. Pardew decided to drop a winning election to get all his big guns on at once against Brighton, but it upset the balance of our success because we no longer had any control in midfield. If it's not Pardews responsibility for changing a winning formula, who is it? The other big plus with that system was that Connolly was only doing 45 minutes a game and it's more than possible we could have extended his involvement up to the present time.

 

Then Gillett, how he has not taken back from Doncaster in the beginning of December is beyond me, playing well in a league higher. At least give him some playing time in the cups to take the load off other players. This is not that I believe Gillett deserves a starting place, but it was foolish not to bring him back in an area we were extremely short. Then the small fact we never really rested any players in the cup only to suffer directly afterwards in the league, just where is the priority here we keep being told about?

 

Then the transfer window and everyone and his dog knew that midfield was the one area we were desperate to fix, but that hardly looks like a priority after the window has closed. From that we got Barnard, a good player but very similar to Lambert. I remember Pardew saying we need back up for Ricky and that is what he is. As one poster succinctly put it, slightly slower version of Ricky who knows where the net is. But how many times have we seen our defence lumber when we have no pace there. Something we have seen sorted by Waigo.

 

When you look at our position going into that Brighton game, we had a very good shout of the play offs but Pardew decided to roll the dice, he got it badly wrong and he admitted as such. From that point onwards there has been a succession of self inflicteds which have taken the play offs out of our reach. Was this bad luck or bad management, well after reverting to what worked in the 2nd half against Ipswich then again against MK Dons, only to be ignored to play with a whole bunch of new toys. I firmly believe anyone with common sense could be giving us a far better shot at the play offs now.

 

Pardew has to the end of this season to show he can turn things around and give a clue he can get automatic promotion next season. If he cannot you are taking a major risk that after all this time and resources he has learnt nothing and still does not know the way forward. As articulate and intelligent as Pardew is, a boot up the arse and a round of fecks can be far more effective with a footballer. If Pardew does not show enough for the remainder of this season, you are seriously risking the following season and a manager having no pre season to sort the team out as he wishes.

[sadoldgit]

i love this guy and think saints are really heading in the right direction! how weird is it that twelve months ago we were in dire straights in-fighting about our feelings of distaste for the chairman now we have a brillaint one

 

So if he goes through several managers and holds on to the purse strings that is fine...hang on a minute, haven't we been here before?

[Thedelldays]

So if he goes through several managers and holds on to the purse strings that is fine...hang on a minute, haven't we been here before?

or...sticks with a manager who he feels will deleiver him the results he wants and provides alot of funds..

[sadoldgit]

If there is anybody out there who could explain what it is AP is trying to do, then please tell me.

 

I remember Bristol Rovers at SMS. I was elated going home, thinking that I've seen a pre-view of the future. So we lost, but I thought with a few changes and one or two new players we would be unbeatable in this league. The direction was clear as daylight. And here we are....

 

What the h*ll happened!?

 

Inconstistancy, that is what happens. It happens to lots of teams who are good but just not good enough. sadly it is all about the people who play and how they perform. Pardew can only do so much but no doubt he will end up getting the chop because he wasn't an overnight success.

[sadoldgit]

or...sticks with a manager who he feels will deleiver him the results he wants and provides alot of funds..

 

Pardew's team has lost 6 games. His teams have done very well in cup competions. We are finally winning our homes games. Just where has he gone wrong exactly? He had had half a season. Are people supposed to prove themselves over a few months nowdays?

[sadoldgit]

I can't remeber how many times that this Board has complaind about a previous CEO going through managers to quickly, yet here we have probably the same people champing at the bit and waiting for the new CEO to dump Pardew. WTF?

Not so long ago SFC couldn't buy a win. We are now riding high in 2 cup competitions and rarely lose league games. To say that things have turned round is an understatement and who is that down to? Pardew. Give the bloke a break and some support FFS. Isn't it bad enough that our current CEO sounds like Alpine?

[Glasgow_Saint]

Pardew's team has lost 6 games. His teams have done very well in cup competions. We are finally winning our homes games. Just where has he gone wrong exactly? He had had half a season. Are people supposed to prove themselves over a few months nowdays?

 

11 wins in 28 (league). Can you see dramatic improvements this season?

[shurlock]

Several valid points there, but far from painting the whole picture. I have no issue when we struggled in the beginning, though I did take issue with Pardew when he said we had turned the corner against Yeovil, with the only creative aspects for Saints coming from the officials and the opposition. Where I was in full of praise for Pardew, was the home loss against Bristol Rovers, where I could easily see we had turned the corner. Following that we went on a good run to make the playoff's a real option.

 

By desperation we went to the 451 with Wooton sitting in front of the defence and for some reason it worked very well, even when we had to switch things round. Pardew decided to drop a winning election to get all his big guns on at once against Brighton, but it upset the balance of our success because we no longer had any control in midfield. If it's not Pardews responsibility for changing a winning formula, who is it? The other big plus with that system was that Connolly was only doing 45 minutes a game and it's more than possible we could have extended his involvement up to the present time.

 

Then Gillett, how he has not taken back from Doncaster in the beginning of December is beyond me, playing well in a league higher. At least give him some playing time in the cups to take the load off other players. This is not that I believe Gillett deserves a starting place, but it was foolish not to bring him back in an area we were extremely short. Then the small fact we never really rested any players in the cup only to suffer directly afterwards in the league, just where is the priority here we keep being told about?

 

Then the transfer window and everyone and his dog knew that midfield was the one area we were desperate to fix, but that hardly looks like a priority after the window has closed. From that we got Barnard, a good player but very similar to Lambert. I remember Pardew saying we need back up for Ricky and that is what he is. As one poster succinctly put it, slightly slower version of Ricky who knows where the net is. But how many times have we seen our defence lumber when we have no pace there. Something we have seen sorted by Waigo.

 

When you look at our position going into that Brighton game, we had a very good shout of the play offs but Pardew decided to roll the dice, he got it badly wrong and he admitted as such. From that point onwards there has been a succession of self inflicteds which have taken the play offs out of our reach. Was this bad luck or bad management, well after reverting to what worked in the 2nd half against Ipswich then again against MK Dons, only to be ignored to play with a whole bunch of new toys. I firmly believe anyone with common sense could be giving us a far better shot at the play offs now.

 

Pardew has to the end of this season to show he can turn things around and give a clue he can get automatic promotion next season. If he cannot you are taking a major risk that after all this time and resources he has learnt nothing and still does not know the way forward. As articulate and intelligent as Pardew is, a boot up the arse and a round of fecks can be far more effective with a footballer. If Pardew does not show enough for the remainder of this season, you are seriously risking the following season and a manager having no pre season to sort the team out as he wishes.

 

Good post - you rightly identify the period around the Brighton game as the turning point. the inconsistencies as well as the chopping and changing, initially to accomodate Connolly and Antonio go that far back.

Edited 8 February, 2010 by shurlock

[ToreSF]

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.

 

It doesn't make any sense to invest in a football club either.

[doddisalegend]

To get three wins out of the above would be fantastic, but I'm still looking for a direction. Three wins from huffing and puffing is not going to convince me that it is the way forward.

 

So what do you want?

 

It seems that winning is not enough now, we have to win while playing like Brazil every match before the fans are happy. Every match is different sometimes you have to dig a result out, sometimes you can pass the ball around like Arsenal and still lose. All AP needs to do is convert more of our draws into wins. As a team we're not losing many games we're going in the right direction but the journey's still only just started really.

[musesaint]

it does seem that the Exeter result has had a bad effect on morale all round. seemed to be saying that the players aren't (as yet) up for either of this week's matches.

 

I had the dubious pleasure of witnessing that game at the mighty St James Park .....quite possibly one of the the sh*itest games we have played this season on a truely sh*te pitch full of holes ...worryingly we looked like a bunch of very talented individuals who had little idea how to play as a team ..too much chopping and changing of the team is not helping us ...despite the "need" to rotate the squad for the cups etc

 

I am usually the on the "stupidly optimistic" side of the fan base but ....I came away from the game on Saturday worrying about Tuesday night's game and fearing that the worst could happen on Saturday ...our best hope for the Pompey game might be that they extend their magnificent run of own goals :-) We might need the help tbh!

[Thedelldays]

Pardew's team has lost 6 games. His teams have done very well in cup competions. We are finally winning our homes games. Just where has he gone wrong exactly? He had had half a season. Are people supposed to prove themselves over a few months nowdays?

dont tell me...

 

tell this guy.. NicolaCortese@saintsfc.co.uk

[derry]

To put a bit of perspective on this, yes we have won 11 games but 10 were against teams in the bottom half of the table. We have beaten only one team in the top half. In fact we have picked up only 10 points against teams in the top half whilst 34 points have been achieved against the bottom half, that really says it all.

 

On Boxing day we were 7 points off the playoffs, 5 games later we are 15 points off the playoffs. If the playoffs weren't deemed achievable on Boxing day only 7 points behind and half the season to go then there was no ambition.

 

I can see exactly where Cortese is coming from, he is absolutely right, from an ideal position we have just about blown it despite unbelievable spending and support.

 

If we had been playing good football there would be some defence for Pardew, but it has been unadulterated rubbish and Cortese and Leibherr can see this as well as anybody. They are not prepared to spend millions on a project and have it ruined by a manager who is a self confessed middle of the road pragmatist.

 

This statement is a wake up call, either get it sorted or I will. Pardew has been negative instead of going for it. In the cups we have had to give it a go and except for Ipswich and Torquay we have upped the tempo and got results.

 

We need to up the tempo now and give it a go if we don't get there at least we will have seen what we can do. What we are playing at the moment won't do it next season either.

[NickG]

With the squad we have I could do it from home.

 

This squad should be walking this league.

 

troll!

[doddisalegend]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2009/09/back_from_the_brink_southampto.html

 

This article is quite intresting to re-read in light of the chairman's latest comments, it was written back at the start of the season.

[sadoldgit]

11 wins in 28 (league). Can you see dramatic improvements this season?

 

Let me see, one game away from Wembley, good chance to progress in the FA Cup, only lost 6 games this season, unbeaten in 22 league games. Yes I can see a dramatic improvement this season on last. Can't you?

Edited 8 February, 2010 by sadoldgit
spelling

[dune]

I reckon Nicola Cortese is in the Mafia.

 

Anyone that gets in his way had better watch out.

[doddisalegend]

To put a bit of perspective on this, yes we have won 11 games but 10 were against teams in the bottom half of the table. We have beaten only one team in the top half. In fact we have picked up only 10 points against teams in the top half whilst 34 points have been achieved against the bottom half, that really says it all.

 

On Boxing day we were 7 points off the playoffs, 5 games later we are 15 points off the playoffs. If the playoffs weren't deemed achievable on Boxing day only 7 points behind and half the season to go then there was no ambition.

 

I can see exactly where Cortese is coming from, he is absolutely right, from an ideal position we have just about blown it despite unbelievable spending and support.

 

If we had been playing good football there would be some defence for Pardew, but it has been unadulterated rubbish and Cortese and Leibherr can see this as well as anybody. They are not prepared to spend millions on a project and have it ruined by a manager who is a self confessed middle of the road pragmatist.

 

This statement is a wake up call, either get it sorted or I will. Pardew has been negative instead of going for it. In the cups we have had to give it a go and except for Ipswich and Torquay we have upped the tempo and got results.

 

We need to up the tempo now and give it a go if we don't get there at least we will have seen what we can do. What we are playing at the moment won't do it next season either.

 

Thats not true we've beaten Charlton, Bristol Rovers and Norwhich this season in the cups. So we have the ability to beat top half sides. Why we play better in the cups than the league is a mystrey though.