Nicola wants better League Results

[doggface]

Beat back 4 for us this season murty, jaidi, fonte, Harding.

Jury still out on otsemobor to replace murts.

[doddisalegend]

You are right

 

we should hve stood by wotte

 

No we should have stuck with Nigel P but we didn't, still nothing to stop the club making the same mistake again. The truth is unless we find someone of fergies standard some fans will always dis-like the manager not matter who he is.

[NickG]

I don't like fergie

[gordonToo]

Cortese has a 3/5 year plan to implement and, if he thinks AP cannot deliver, changes will be made. The status quo is not an option and AP must know that an improving set of results from the remaining matches is essential to retain confidence.

[doddisalegend]

I don't like fergie

 

Fair enough he's not a likeable person. But it's hard to argue that he isn't a good manager, unless of course he became our manager at which point he'd be crap and have no idea what he was doing;).

[sandwichsaint]

Beat back 4 for us this season murty, jaidi, fonte, Harding.

Jury still out on otsemobor to replace murts.

 

What a funny thing to say: Murty has played what, 6-7 games this season? I think I'm right in saying Jaidi and Fonte haven't yet played together? Harding has been our best left back by some distance.

 

This is where too many fans get it soooo wrong, it's not all about lobbing names on a piece of paper and expecting the 'team' to go out and perform, it's not a computer game!

 

A proper back 4 works together as a unit (and prob ought to be extended to include the GK and call it a back 5).

 

On the basis of who's played together and who combines well our 'best' back 5 this season has probably been: Bart / James / Perry / Jaidi / Harding. (and if you play Fonte, which is understandable, then you are effectively starting again in terms of a back 4 and a back 5)

 

PS The Jury should have no problem in deciding between Otsemobor and Murty ... neither (for different reasons) are what is required and neither offer anything more than a short-term fix.

 

I fully expect us to start next season with a new 'proper' right back. If LJ is to play every game then I would prefer it to be at RB rather than CM.

[Secret Site Agent]

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.......

 

 

I have had a chance to see that statement now.

 

And I read it as 'Don't forget, I know we are all excited, children, BUT our main focus should be on the league, not the cups. So please try and put a little bit of effort in there as you can do better. I am slightly disappointed in your league performance lately.'

 

I see no warning to Pardew, no attack on the team, no shot across anyones bows. This is a focusing statement that we want to go up the league, and we are all excited about cup games, but winning the cup wont get us out of this league. And I find it a little bit crafty as Graham Murty put it, (and those that berate him and call him thick, they can **** off. Come and lay some concrete for me and lets see how 'thick' you appear out of your confiort zone. He gets paid to kick the ball, not as a pundit. BUT i did like his open and honest frshness),he has taken the pressure off of the players by saying, 'Hey, don't worry if you win or lose in the cup. It's no big deal. just go out and have fun.' Which, from a psycological point of view equates to giving them a BIG push.

 

We all know this, and we all want this. I guess others take it as a 'If you don't perform I will be sacking you, killing your friends, selling your kids into white slavery, putting your wife on the game, and crippling you and taking your livelyhood away.' Which is a shame, as the man, NC, has shown he is both professional and has an understanding of getting the best out of your team.

[Secret Site Agent]

What a funny thing to say: Murty has played what, 6-7 games this season? I think I'm right in saying Jaidi and Fonte haven't yet played together? Harding has been our best left back by some distance.

 

This is where too many fans get it soooo wrong, it's not all about lobbing names on a piece of paper and expecting the 'team' to go out and perform, it's not a computer game!

 

A proper back 4 works together as a unit (and prob ought to be extended to include the GK and call it a back 5).

 

On the basis of who's played together and who combines well our 'best' back 5 this season has probably been: Bart / James / Perry / Jaidi / Harding. (and if you play Fonte, which is understandable, then you are effectively starting again in terms of a back 4 and a back 5)

 

PS The Jury should have no problem in deciding between Otsemobor and Murty ... neither (for different reasons) are what is required and neither offer anything more than a short-term fix.

 

I fully expect us to start next season with a new 'proper' right back. If LJ is to play every game then I would prefer it to be at RB rather than CM.

 

Aaahh. Are you perhaps alluding to the, dare I say it, Gelling thing?

 

And by the way, I agree.

[broncoboy]

It is probably expecting too much for the Saints to get promoted this season. There was too much disarray to deal with.

 

I think the Cup matches exciting as they are are a major distraction.

 

If AP doesnt get us close to the playoffs( within 3-4 points) he had better start next season well or NC will have him out the door by mid October.

[SFC Forever]

If performances in the league don't improve he will not last past the end of the season.

[Window Cleaner]

It is probably expecting too much for the Saints to get promoted this season. There was too much disarray to deal with.

 

I think the Cup matches exciting as they are are a major distraction.

 

If AP doesnt get us close to the playoffs( within 3-4 points) he had better start next season well or NC will have him out the door by mid October.

 

Is AP not on just a 1 year contract? I very much doubt that if league performances are deemed "unsatisfactory" for the rest of this season he would be offered a new contract which would have to be paid off if he were to be sacked.

[Armitage Shanks]

If performances in the league don't improve he will not last past the end of the season.

 

I think that this is the real question. If we do not reach the play offs is that the end of Pardew ? I would hope that is not the case and Pardew would be given until Christmas next season at the very least. We dont want to be going down the route of regularly sacking managers. The stats clearly show that the clubs who can bear with a manager and give him time, ultimately succeed.

[NickG]

my guess,

Cortesse of course wants play offs

aimed for them

around 2 points per game is enough for automatic promotion

 

from October to now we have done that.

 

if we achieve 2 points per game for the rest of the season Cortesse will be optomistic that this will continue next and gain automatic promotion next season.

 

if we drop below that he will need convincing as to how Pardew will improve next season

[Window Cleaner]

my guess,

Cortesse of course wants play offs

aimed for them

around 2 points per game is enough for automatic promotion

 

from October to now we have done that.

 

if we achieve 2 points per game for the rest of the season Cortesse will be optomistic that this will continue next and gain automatic promotion next season.

 

if we drop below that he will need convincing as to how Pardew will improve next season

 

Depends how you process the stats really. We have obtained 44 points from

28 games, that's only just over 1.5 per game. Take away the 4 from 6 at the start and it makes 40 from 22, probably still not good enough for automatic promotion and probably only just good enough for the lottery of the play-offs.

At no time this season have we averaged more than 2 points per game for a sustained period, there's always been a Brighton at home or two successive away defeats (Leeds and Colchester) to take the wind out of our sails.

 

There may well be players who have expressed their intention to leave next summer if we're still in League 1, so we'd probably have to start the rebuilding process all over again.

 

So in fact what expect NC would want to see is something like 14 points from every 6 games, winning at home and drawing away against bad sides won't be good enough.

Edited 9 February, 2010 by Window Cleaner

[NickG]

I think 2 points is the grey area.

 

Noticeably more than that he will be happy, and vice versa.

[Window Cleaner]

I think 2 points is the grey area.

 

Noticeably more than that he will be happy, and vice versa.

 

Well why is he contesting our results then? Obviously winning at home and drawing away is judged to be unsatisfactory even though that brings an average of 2 points a game.If he was content with 2 points a game at present I'm sure he would have said so. You're wrong on this one Nick he probably wants 45 points from our last 18 games and less won't do. He wants us to win away, it's not rocket science to interpret what he's said.We should be getting results as good as Norwich,Leeds and Colchester..but we aren't.

[John B]

Makes me think ML/NC are in it for financial gain and not just a hobby as many have suggested

[Window Cleaner]

Makes me think ML/NC are in it for financial gain and not just a hobby as many have suggested

 

That's why they've always said it would be run as a business. Probably more about not failing than the money though. People who've made stacks don't usually like losing,even relatively small amounts of money, dents their ego.

[John B]

That's why they've always said it would be run as a business. Probably more about not failing than the money though. People who've made stacks don't usually like losing,even relatively small amounts of money, dents their ego.

 

Yes that is what I have always thought but Cortese's statement reinforces it

[scotty]

Makes me think ML/NC are in it for financial gain and not just a hobby as many have suggested

 

hold the front page

[NickG]

Well why is he contesting our results then? Obviously winning at home and drawing away is judged to be unsatisfactory even though that brings an average of 2 points a game.If he was content with 2 points a game at present I'm sure he would have said so. You're wrong on this one Nick he probably wants 45 points from our last 18 games and less won't do. He wants us to win away, it's not rocket science to interpret what he's said.We should be getting results as good as Norwich,Leeds and Colchester..but we aren't.

 

think you are reading far too much into a two line response to a question, maybe have a read of it again?

 

You have read from those two lines that if we don't get 45 points from next 18 games Pardew will be sacked?

[Window Cleaner]

think you are reading far too much into a two line response to a question, maybe have a read of it again?

 

You have read from those two lines that if we don't get 45 points from next 18 games Pardew will be sacked?

 

 

He won't be sacked, his contract as likely as not won't be renewed, trust me, I've worked with people like Cortese.45 points is a fairly arbitrary figure but it would bring our total (real) up around the figure that was probably the target at the outset of the season.

[SaintRichmond]

Well why is he contesting our results then? Obviously winning at home and drawing away is judged to be unsatisfactory even though that brings an average of 2 points a game.If he was content with 2 points a game at present I'm sure he would have said so. You're wrong on this one Nick he probably wants 45 points from our last 18 games and less won't do. He wants us to win away, it's not rocket science to interpret what he's said.We should be getting results as good as Norwich,Leeds and Colchester..but we aren't.

 

I expect Cortese thinks the same as me

 

With the Players we now have, we SHOULD beat the likes of Colchester, Exeter, Brentford, Millwall, Orient etc etc

 

The fact that Pardew's "myterious" tactics, or lack of them, has resulted in Many dropped points, and it is that fact that has prompted Cortese to criticise:cool:

 

QUITE RIGHTLY SO, IMHO

[Toadhall Saint]

I have had a chance to see that statement now.

 

And I read it as 'Don't forget, I know we are all excited, children, BUT our main focus should be on the league, not the cups. So please try and put a little bit of effort in there as you can do better. I am slightly disappointed in your league performance lately.'

 

I see no warning to Pardew, no attack on the team, no shot across anyones bows. This is a focusing statement that we want to go up the league, and we are all excited about cup games, but winning the cup wont get us out of this league. And I find it a little bit crafty as Graham Murty put it, (and those that berate him and call him thick, they can **** off. Come and lay some concrete for me and lets see how 'thick' you appear out of your confiort zone. He gets paid to kick the ball, not as a pundit. BUT i did like his open and honest frshness),he has taken the pressure off of the players by saying, 'Hey, don't worry if you win or lose in the cup. It's no big deal. just go out and have fun.' Which, from a psycological point of view equates to giving them a BIG push.

 

We all know this, and we all want this. I guess others take it as a 'If you don't perform I will be sacking you, killing your friends, selling your kids into white slavery, putting your wife on the game, and crippling you and taking your livelyhood away.' Which is a shame, as the man, NC, has shown he is both professional and has an understanding of getting the best out of your team.

 

Thats how I see it - more a rallying call for the league as NC see's this as the aim.

[NickG]

I have had a chance to see that statement now.

 

And I read it as 'Don't forget, I know we are all excited, children, BUT our main focus should be on the league, not the cups. So please try and put a little bit of effort in there as you can do better. I am slightly disappointed in your league performance lately.'

 

I see no warning to Pardew, no attack on the team, no shot across anyones bows. This is a focusing statement that we want to go up the league, and we are all excited about cup games, but winning the cup wont get us out of this league. And I find it a little bit crafty as Graham Murty put it, (and those that berate him and call him thick, they can **** off. Come and lay some concrete for me and lets see how 'thick' you appear out of your confiort zone. He gets paid to kick the ball, not as a pundit. BUT i did like his open and honest frshness),he has taken the pressure off of the players by saying, 'Hey, don't worry if you win or lose in the cup. It's no big deal. just go out and have fun.' Which, from a psycological point of view equates to giving them a BIG push.

 

We all know this, and we all want this. I guess others take it as a 'If you don't perform I will be sacking you, killing your friends, selling your kids into white slavery, putting your wife on the game, and crippling you and taking your livelyhood away.' Which is a shame, as the man, NC, has shown he is both professional and has an understanding of getting the best out of your team.

 

IMHO a more likely explanation of it than get 48 points and you lose your job.

[SaintRichmond]

It is probably expecting too much for the Saints to get promoted this season. There was too much disarray to deal with.

 

I think the Cup matches exciting as they are are a major distraction.

 

If AP doesnt get us close to the playoffs( within 3-4 points) he had better start next season well or NC will have him out the door by mid October.

 

I could not agree more

 

Nice as it is, they are THE reason why we will not now reach the Play Offs this season, and you can bet your bottom dollar, the Play Offs WERE the target for this season, that is why so many new players were brought in:cool:

[Window Cleaner]

I could not agree more

 

Nice as it is, they are THE reason why we will not now reach the Play Offs this season, and you can bet your bottom dollar, the Play Offs WERE the target for this season, that is why so many new players were brought in:cool:

 

but this is exactly what NC has said. The key words in all this are not satisfactory If he'd meant that he was just mildly displeased or surprised by recent league results he wouldn't have used those precise words.The Swiss are a very punctilious people, not satisfactory means exactly that, ie absolutely not good enough compared to the investment which had just one object, improving league results.

Too many of you are interpreting the statement wrongly, it is quite clear, we either get to the play-offs,the reason for the team being refunded, or those responsible probably won't be around afterwards.

Wouldn't be surprised if we field slightly weakened teams tonight and then again on Saturday.

[doddisalegend]

Didn't NC start the season saying he wanted silverware (rather than some sword that was a gift). So if (and its still an if) AP wins the JPT where does that leave the situation. "Thanks for winning us our first trophy in 34 years now do one your crap" I know most people think the JPT is a tin pot trophy but still clubs don't normally sack managers that win them a trophy do they?

[SFC Forever]

I think that this is the real question. If we do not reach the play offs is that the end of Pardew ? I would hope that is not the case and Pardew would be given until Christmas next season at the very least. We dont want to be going down the route of regularly sacking managers. The stats clearly show that the clubs who can bear with a manager and give him time, ultimately succeed.

 

 

Failing to make the playoffs was always going to be a possibility. Most of us will be happy to see us firmly entrenched in the higher middle part of the table. Just behind the Playoff places I would accept but it is the way the team is playing that is not good enough.

Because a few are unhappy with our performances others jumop in and accuse us of wanting to start hiring and firing managers. What most of us who don't believe Pardew is doing well want, is to see our team showing signs of improvement.

Bringing 5 players in and chucking them in at the deepend will never be my idea of good management. Too many changes and not all bettering what we already have will only worsen team bonding and moral. IMO

[Window Cleaner]

Didn't NC start the season saying he wanted silverware (rather than some sword that was a gift). So if (and its still an if) AP wins the JPT where does that leave the situation. "Thanks for winning us our first trophy in 34 years now do one your crap" I know most people think the JPT is a tin pot trophy but still clubs don't normally sack managers that win them a trophy do they?

 

you're missing the point. We could have probably won the JPT without re-enforcing the squad to the tune of a couple of million £ and another 35K on the weekly wage bill (nigh on a million £ up until the end of June).The money was spent and budgeted to obtain a play-off place this season,we then take 5 points from 3 games when we really need at least 7 if not 9.AP has probably sold the management on the need for these 5 players (being as he only talked of 2 replacements at the start) and this is the management response to the very poor results since the signings began.

[doddisalegend]

you're missing the point. We could have probably won the JPT without re-enforcing the squad to the tune of a couple of million £ and another 35K on the weekly wage bill (nigh on a million £ up until the end of June).The money was spent and budgeted to obtain a play-off place this season,we then take 5 points from 3 games when we really need at least 7 if not 9.AP has probably sold the management on the need for these 5 players (being as he only talked of 2 replacements at the start) and this is the management response to the very poor results since the signings began.

 

No I'm not missing the point. The point is NC and many fans have changed their expectations this season due to a good run in the autumn, NC spent to achieve his new goals and now he's likely not going to get what he wants he's going to spit his dummy out.

 

My question still stands. NC stated at the start of the season he wanted silverware if AP delivers him silverware will he still sack him for not getting to the play offs? simply question really

[SaintRichmond]

but this is exactly what NC has said. The key words in all this are not satisfactory If he'd meant that he was just mildly displeased or surprised by recent league results he wouldn't have used those precise words.The Swiss are a very punctilious people, not satisfactory means exactly that, ie absolutely not good enough compared to the investment which had just one object, improving league results.

Too many of you are interpreting the statement wrongly, it is quite clear, we either get to the play-offs,the reason for the team being refunded, or those responsible probably won't be around afterwards.

Wouldn't be surprised if we field slightly weakened teams tonight and then again on Saturday.

 

 

As some players are ineligible for tonight, that will happen in any case

 

We should NOT lose to a Div 1 side at St Mary's

 

Losing against a (still) Prem team on Saturday would NOT be a surprise, though it would not be paletable to many on here.

 

The LEAGUE is the most important Competition we are in THIS season, IMHO:cool:

[Window Cleaner]

No I'm not missing the point. The point is NC and many fans have changed their expectations this season due to a good run in the autumn, NC spent to achieve his new goals and now he's likely not going to get what he wants he's going to spit his dummy out.

 

My question still stands. NC stated at the start of the season he wanted silverware if AP delivers him silverware will he still sack him for not getting to the play offs? simply question really

 

AP only has a 1 year contract (or so I believe) it will be up for renewal, the outcome will very much depend on our next 18 league games but I wouldn't doubt that it will not be renewed if we don't make a real surge towards the play-off positions.

 

10 home and 8 away, we'd need to take 27 points at home and 18 away, the home points I can see happening, not much margin for error away though.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

my guess,

Cortesse of course wants play offs

aimed for them

around 2 points per game is enough for automatic promotion

 

from October to now we have done that.

 

if we achieve 2 points per game for the rest of the season Cortesse will be optomistic that this will continue next and gain automatic promotion next season.

 

if we drop below that he will need convincing as to how Pardew will improve next season

 

"Rumour" has it though that he gets a multi million bonus if we get to the Prem in 3 which means if we don't get up this seson we are going to have to do the dirty double in 2 consecutive seasons. NC has a lot riding on Ap's abilities.

[Window Cleaner]

As some players are ineligible for tonight, that will happen in any case

 

We should NOT lose to a Div 1 side at St Mary's

 

Losing against a (still) Prem team on Saturday would NOT be a surprise, though it would not be paletable to many on here.

 

The LEAGUE is the most important Competition we are in THIS season, IMHO:cool:

 

 

I meant weakened in respect of our strongest possible side given the unavailable players. Perhaps not even Fonté and Lallana (or Morgan)

[doddisalegend]

AP only has a 1 year contract (or so I believe) it will be up for renewal, the outcome will very much depend on our next 18 league games but I wouldn't doubt that it will not be renewed if we don't make a real surge towards the play-off positions.

 

10 home and 8 away, we'd need to take 27 points at home and 18 away, the home points I can see happening, not much margin for error away though.

 

Fair enough. A sad comment on modern football if a manager actual wins our club something for the first time since 76 only to be shown the door. Still I'm sure his replacement will get the full backing of the board and fans for a whole six months (if he's lucky) before the knives come out.

[dubai_phil]

"Rumour" has it though that he gets a multi million bonus if we get to the Prem in 3 which means if we don't get up this seson we are going to have to do the dirty double in 2 consecutive seasons. NC has a lot riding on Ap's abilities.

 

FF this is a key point that most on here should keep at the fornt of their minds.

 

NC is here for the chance to make a LOT of money. He could do that in his old job and hasn't given that up to suddenly become a charity worker.

 

It is about making the club better so that it becomes worth a lot more. AP's current run of results show that the improvement has stopped. That will not be tolerated and it is good to see the reaction is quick, simple and polite, as well as cleverly timed.

 

It isn't an ultimatum, just a well crafted kick up the ass reminder

[Window Cleaner]

Fair enough. A sad comment on modern football if a manager actual wins our club something for the first time since 76 only to be shown the door. Still I'm sure his replacement will get the full backing of the board and fans for a whole six months (if he's lucky) before the knives come out.

 

 

we can but hope that the away results will improve and all will be for the best in the best of possible worlds.I said during the transfer window that in my (humble) opinion we were signing players we had no need of and that will

be the downfall of AP if it backfires on him. We didn't need Barnard,we probably didn't need 2 centre backs and we didn't really need another left winger, not without getting rid of players that we had.AP commented at the end of the window that we hadn't lost any players and that he had to thank "Nicola and Markus" for that because it was like extra signings.

[doddisalegend]

we can but hope that the away results will improve and all will be for the best in the best of possible worlds.I said during the transfer window that in my (humble) opinion we were signing players we had no need of and that will

be the downfall of AP if it backfires on him. We didn't need Barnard,we probably didn't need 2 centre backs and we didn't really need another left winger, not without getting rid of players that we had.AP commented at the end of the window that we hadn't lost any players and that he had to thank "Nicola and Markus" for that because it was like extra signings.

 

Actually I agree with you there we went over the top in the transfer window in light of the chairman's aims. I wanted a good right back and maybe a creative midfielder. The team were playing ok before the window but now we've got to many players. The wierd thing is as fans we've craved a transfer window like this for years, now we've had one it's not all it's cracked up to be. The new players need to learn to play as a team (yes the gelling excuse) after a few weeks they probably will but by then the playoffs will be gone. I assumed NC would understand this which is why I figured we're planning ahead for next season rather than this one.

[derry]

"Rumour" has it though that he gets a multi million bonus if we get to the Prem in 3 which means if we don't get up this seson we are going to have to do the dirty double in 2 consecutive seasons. NC has a lot riding on Ap's abilities.

 

One of my regular golf partners went to dinner the other night with a well respected ex director (I'll tell you who tomorrow evening).

 

He was quite open about that and confirmed a figure which Ron had already mentioned to me. In general terms a pretty good lottery jackpot.

[Ian the Red]

Let's put this into prospective:

 

First 10 league games: W1 D6 L3 pts: 9

Last 18 League games: W10 D5 L3 pts:35

 

Think there is a big improvement.

 

The average pts total for finishing 6th in League 1 over the last 6 season is 73.6pts. the past 2 season 76 pts has been needed. From 18 remaining games we need at least 40 points, ie 12 wins 4 draws. I think that is very possible.

 

If we take all games from the beginning of October we played 26:

W18 D5 L3

That is a very good return!!

 

Get behind the club, the team, the manager and you never know what will happen!!!

 

COYR!!

[derry]

We needed a good central midfielder, a right back, another centre back and a natural quick left midfielder.

 

We didn't get the first, the jury is still out on the second, the centre back reinforcement was good and allegedly we signed the left midfielder.

 

Pardew played the left midfielder up the middle to accommodate Lallana, and Waigo who was brilliant up front v Stockport was wide right. I felt these were bad decisions.

 

Gillett despite performing well at a higher level was out of the squad and James was shoehorned in. Antonio who was part of the good attacking performance with Waigo was dropped.

 

It is this tinkering, playing players out of their best positions, preferring to pick certain players every match and putting them in somewhere, that as much as any thing is contributing to the poor performances.

 

Compromising when selecting a team and putting in players that don't mix always leads to poor performances.

[shurlock]

Actually I agree with you there we went over the top in the transfer window in light of the chairman's aims. I wanted a good right back and maybe a creative midfielder. The team were playing ok before the window but now we've got to many players. The wierd thing is as fans we've craved a transfer window like this for years, now we've had one it's not all it's cracked up to be. The new players need to learn to play as a team (yes the gelling excuse) after a few weeks they probably will but by then the playoffs will be gone. I assumed NC would understand this which is why I figured we're planning ahead for next season rather than this one.

 

This is a common fallacy - you're not the only person to make it, however. With the exception of Barnard, our new players have adapted fine - the defence looks much less leaky than before - compare our current defensive record with that during our fantastic run - its much better now; my only criticism with our transfer activity is that we didn't sign a strong central midfielder. Otherwise I think Puncheon -at least from what he showed on Saturday- is a decent acquisition. He will add a bit of guile and flair to a team that has struggled to score goals recently - but give him time.

 

The tendency to attribute recent poor results to new signings also misses the point that four out of our five leagues games since boxing day have been away from home and against teams with the 2nd, 3rd, 8th etc best home records in the division. Norwich who we face in ten or so days have the best record.

 

On one level, points from home, especially against teams with such strong home records i is not to be sneezed at. Derry makes the point that we're not attacking enough - i find it odd that we should be gung-ho away from home (what we do at home is another matter).

 

No our problem is the lack of a midfield that can win possession and get a foothold in the game while allowing us to counterattack effectively (again, contrary to Derry, though we could have more, we do have adequate pace in the team). Rather its our softness in midfield -James, Schneiderlin, Lallana- that encourages teams to come onto us. And being at home, teams don't need a second invitation...

[derry]

This is a common fallacy - you're not the only person to make it, however. With the exception of Barnard, our new players have adapted fine - the defence looks much less leaky than before - compare our current defensive record with that during our fantastic run - its much better now; my only criticism with our transfer activity is that we didn't sign a strong central midfielder. Otherwise I think Puncheon -at least from what he showed on Saturday- is a decent acquisition. He will add a bit of guile and flair to a team that has struggled to score goals recently - but give him time.

 

The tendency to attribute recent poor results to new signings also misses the point that four out of our five leagues games since boxing day have been away from home and against teams with the 2nd, 3rd, 8th etc best home records in the division. Norwich who we face in ten or so days have the best record.

 

On one level, points from home, especially against teams with such strong home records i is not to be sneezed at. Derry makes the point that we're not attacking enough - i find it odd that we should be gung-ho away from home (what we do at home is another matter).

 

No our problem is the lack of a midfield that can win possession and get a foothold in the game while allowing us to counterattack effectively (again, contrary to Derry, though we could have more, we do have adequate pace in the team). Rather its our softness in midfield -James, Schneiderlin, Lallana- that encourages teams to come onto us. And being at home, teams don't need a second invitation...

 

If we had Puncheon, Waigo and Antonio plus Lambert in the same team it would make it much more difficult for teams to overpower the central midfield. Because of the pace the defenders/midfielders would have to be much more defensive. This applies even more away, as the tendency for home sides to be more open would make them even more vulnerable.

[SFC Forever]

The soft underbelly undid us last season and got us relegated. This season it is destroying any chance we had of making the playoffs.

[SaintRichmond]

If Pardew deliberately does not put out his strongest available side tonight, then he should refund circa 27000 Saints Fans IMHO

[up and away]

I think that this is the real question. If we do not reach the play offs is that the end of Pardew ? I would hope that is not the case and Pardew would be given until Christmas next season at the very least. We dont want to be going down the route of regularly sacking managers. The stats clearly show that the clubs who can bear with a manager and give him time, ultimately succeed.

 

Pardew has to show something between now and the end of the season that he is capable of gaining automatic promotion next season. You do not want to be changing a manager next Christmas as the damage could be done by then, though I would doubt it.

 

The stats clearly show **** all like that, what they show is that managers who do a good job tend to stay, those that don't go. Pardew has made significant errors in the league this season to question his judgement. And anyone who believes that the league has been given even minor preference over the cups, needs a quick refresher. If Cortese sat down with Pardew and clearly told him the league must be the priority, then Pardew is on dodgy ground and it's a question of whether Cortese can hold his emotions together for the new set of circumstances laid before him.

 

Alot will come into this decision, Pardews performances, Cortese's trust in Pardew, what alternatives are on the market and so forth. But I will put money on Cortese having a manager he believes that can do the job installed at the end of this season, whether that be Pardew or someone else!

[Clifford Nelson]

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.

 

So the players suddenly started to become inconsistent? I find that difficult to accept. What we could see at one point was a way of playing the game, which was changed to another way of playing the game, which was exactly the same way as the opposition. That has nothing to do with inconsistency.

[shurlock]

If we had Puncheon, Waigo and Antonio plus Lambert in the same team it would make it much more difficult for teams to overpower the central midfield. Because of the pace the defenders/midfielders would have to be much more defensive. This applies even more away, as the tendency for home sides to be more open would make them even more vulnerable.

 

Possibly, though they frequently drop deep and come inside in effort to help a struggling midfield or pick up the ball, basically neutering what they bring to the team. By contrast, a strong midfield would allow them to take up much more advanced positions. One reason why Antonio (as well as Papa) has been successful upfront is that it frees him of defensive duties so he can use his pace for the right purpose.

[shurlock]

If we had Puncheon, Waigo and Antonio plus Lambert in the same team it would make it much more difficult for teams to overpower the central midfield. Because of the pace the defenders/midfielders would have to be much more defensive. This applies even more away, as the tendency for home sides to be more open would make them even more vulnerable.

 

Andy Gray who often talks alot of sh*t made one interesting observation on Sunday. He said the hardest thing in football is to attack through the middle - and its the thing defenders hate most because of the options it opens up either side and the opportunities it presents to get a shot away. By contrast, using the wings allows teams to double up while defenders know there's no shot on.