Pardew expects Southampton board to keep their word

[Weston Saint]

Whatever the outcome of the hearing on 1st March, Pompey were trading (maybe insolvent, but trading) so no illegal team put out against us. Birmingham will get a bye.

 

We do not need the FA cup anyway. It is an unwanted distraction at present.

[derry]

If NC wasn't putting pressure on AP he wouldn't be doing his job. Pressure comes with management positions no matter how favourable or adverse results are. There is always scope for improvement.

 

I find it strange that NC does business behind closed doors and then comes out with this comment. I think it was designed to take pressure off the cup games but also saying that the league is as important as ever rather than a public warning.

 

Its difficult to guage APs comment and its context as it came from a vague article.

 

I think Cortese's published comments were a measured response to Pardew's quotes in the Observer/Guardian site article the previous day. Also a shot across the bows because of the differing targets.

[madsent]

We've lost four games away from home all season I hardly call it poor form. At this date last season we had last nine away games. At this date the season before that we had lost nine away games. The season before that (our play off season) we had lost seven on the road by the middle of febuary. Our away form has improved drastically over the last few seasons.

 

We've only won 4 from 15 as well. For a team with our financial muscle, that's a bit poor. We've gained a lowly 9 points from our last 7 league games purely because we've only managed 3 points from the 5 games on the road in that run. I accept we weren't expected to win at Leeds and maybe not at Colchester and Millwall but we should be beating the likes of Brentford and Exeter home or away. Before that run, we were 9 points behind the play-offs and now we're 18 points behind. If we draw or lose at Norwich, we'll probably be 20 points behind.

 

I actually think Pardew is doing a decent job but something is clearly not right with our team when we go away from home at the moment. Since we have one of the best keepers, one of the best left-backs, 2 of the best centre backs and 2 of the best strikers (plus Connolly if he's ever fit again) in the division it must be a problem in midfield. Lets hope having Dean Hammond back proves the difference as he's been missed.

[doddisalegend]

We've only won 4 from 15 as well. For a team with our financial muscle, that's a bit poor. We've gained a lowly 9 points from our last 7 league games purely because we've only managed 3 points from the 5 games on the road in that run. I accept we weren't expected to win at Leeds and maybe not at Colchester and Millwall but we should be beating the likes of Brentford and Exeter home or away. Before that run, we were 9 points behind the play-offs and now we're 18 points behind. If we draw or lose at Norwich, we'll probably be 20 points behind.

 

I actually think Pardew is doing a decent job but something is clearly not right with our team when we go away from home at the moment. Since we have one of the best keepers, one of the best left-backs, 2 of the best centre backs and 2 of the best strikers (plus Connolly if he's ever fit again) in the division it must be a problem in midfield. Lets hope having Dean Hammond back proves the difference as he's been missed.

 

But how do we define best? is it because we paid a lot of money for them? If so that doesn't mean they're the best it just means we paid lots of money for them. As League one top scorer Lambert is the only one that can be claimed the best, most of the others have yet to prove they are.

 

We spent more money in our play off season (7 mil) and lost more away games than we have this year and still made the play offs. Our away form is not bad, It's our (the Fans and NC) idea that we have spent money so we must automatically beat teams that is the problem. Brentford have held most of the top teams at home, Leeds couldn't beat them there if I recall correctly. Exeter was a bad day at the office we could have done better there, but then they have beaten leeds this season.

 

Interesting that Colchester have exactly the same away record as us at the moment, and no one would say Colchester are doing badly this year the difference is they have won more games at home than we have. Yes I know Colchesters entire team cost less than Rickie Lamberts left testicle but money doesn't mean automatic success just ask Man city.

 

I still maintain we are heading in the right direction after watching us match an EPL (a crap one but still) team for 70mins I think AP will get us where we want to go given a bit of time.

[Window Cleaner]

But how do we define best? is it because we paid a lot of money for them? If so that doesn't mean they're the best it just means we paid lots of money for them. As League one top scorer Lambert is the only one that can be claimed the best, most of the others have yet to prove they are.

 

We spent more money in our play off season (7 mil) and lost more away games than we have this year and still made the play offs. Our away form is not bad, It's our (the Fans and NC) idea that we have spent money so we must automatically beat teams that is the problem. Brentford have held most of the top teams at home, Leeds couldn't beat them there if I recall correctly. Exeter was a bad day at the office we could have done better there, but then they have beaten leeds this season.

 

Interesting that Colchester have exactly the same away record as us at the moment, and no one would say Colchester are doing badly this year the difference is they have won more games at home than we have. Yes I know Colchesters entire team cost less than Rickie Lamberts left testicle but money doesn't mean automatic success just ask Man city.

 

I still maintain we are heading in the right direction after watching us match an EPL (a crap one but still) team for 70mins I think AP will get us where we want to go given a bit of time.

 

Our current form is about as good as anyone's, our problem is the first 8 matches of the season, we took about 7 points from them.If we'd had

the same sort of ratio as recent matches we'd have got 16 or so and that's the difference between our real points total and those of Norwich and Leeds.

 

Edit : in fact we got 9 from 10, so that means that from our last 18 matches we've got 35 points, form as good as anyone's

really.

Edited 16 February, 2010 by Window Cleaner

[doddisalegend]

Our current form is about as good as anyone's, our problem is the first 8 matches of the season, we took about 7 points from them.If we'd had

the same sort of ratio as recent matches we'd have got 16 or so and that's the difference between our real points total and those of Norwich and Leeds.

 

I agree and I'd expect us to do better next year, with none of the off field crap and a settled team. I just can't understand why some feel this season has been poor and are already sharpening the knives for AP. This time next year if we aren't up in the top 3-4 I to will start to question AP but for now I'm happy with the progress we're making.

[Mr X]

Pardew has my full support there has been real signs of progress, yes we are inconsistant but we will get better. For gods sake lets give him all of next season to see what he can do! changing manager before then would be suicide! surely noone wants him out yet do they?

[eurosaint]

Pardew has been here for 8 months !

Pardew has a 3 year contract !

The owners have been here for 8 months !

The owners have a 5 year plan !

Together they have steadied the ship which was on the rocks !

Why is everyone talking about 'giving it 18 months' ?

Now is the time for continuity and solidarity not criticism and threats !

FFS, Rome wasn't built in a day !

[St Landrew]

Pardew has been here for 8 months !

Pardew has a 3 year contract !

The owners have been here for 8 months !

The owners have a 5 year plan !

Together they have steadied the ship which was on the rocks !

Why is everyone talking about 'giving it 18 months' ?

Now is the time for continuity and solidarity not criticism and threats !

FFS, Rome wasn't built in a day !

 

Completely sensible comment, although the original post link has Pardew himself suggesting that he was told he would be judged after 18 months in the job. That means around Xmas this year, or newly into 2011. Hence many of the comments by posters.

[torsaint]

Pardew has been here for 8 months !

Pardew has a 3 year contract !

The owners have been here for 8 months !

The owners have a 5 year plan !

Together they have steadied the ship which was on the rocks !

Why is everyone talking about 'giving it 18 months' ?

Now is the time for continuity and solidarity not criticism and threats !

FFS, Rome wasn't built in a day !

 

Well said Eurosaint. From your neighbour on row w.

[alpine_saint]

Pardew has been here for 8 months !

Pardew has a 3 year contract !

The owners have been here for 8 months !

The owners have a 5 year plan !

Together they have steadied the ship which was on the rocks !

Why is everyone talking about 'giving it 18 months' ?

Now is the time for continuity and solidarity not criticism and threats !

FFS, Rome wasn't built in a day !

 

You'd give him the whole 3 years, considering how much investment the team has had, would you ?

[jam]

 

Pardew has been here for 8 months !

Pardew has a 3 year contract !

The owners have been here for 8 months !

The owners have a 5 year plan !

Together they have steadied the ship which was on the rocks !

Why is everyone talking about 'giving it 18 months' ?

Now is the time for continuity and solidarity not criticism and threats !

FFS, Rome wasn't built in a day !

 

You'd give him the whole 3 years, considering how much investment the team has had, would you ?

 

And after those 3 years decide if we were still on target to succeed with the 5 year plan?

[Thedelldays]

you do realise that they wanted playoffs this season...jam..?

[St Landrew]

you do realise that they wanted playoffs this season...jam..?

 

I'm not sure they initially did. Any owner can have ambition, but even a rich owner will admit that giving everyone else a head start in preparation and points is not going to be the best time for expectation. The fact is, is that despite a very slow start to the season, where Saints took an interminable time to overcome the deduction, the team began to overachieve for a while. This raised expectations, and hence much more money was spent. But in all honesty, I don't know where the idea of there being an absolute need to be promoted this season came about, and for there being a risk to Pardew's position if it didn't happen. I'm just enjoying the fact that Saints are in a position where the possibility of promotion isn't a complete fantasy.

[Saint Martini]

Of course Pardew will get his 18 months but that doesn't mean that the owners cannot voice their disappointment. Recent results haven't been great and we've seem to have taken a step back from two months ago. Why not voice you concerns?

[doddisalegend]

I'm not sure they initially did. Any owner can have ambition, but even a rich owner will admit that giving everyone else a head start in preparation and points is not going to be the best time for expectation. The fact is, is that despite a very slow start to the season, where Saints took an interminable time to overcome the deduction, the team began to overachieve for a while. This raised expectations, and hence much more money was spent. But in all honesty, I don't know where the idea of there being an absolute need to be promoted this season came about, and for there being a risk to Pardew's position if it didn't happen. I'm just enjoying the fact that Saints are in a position where the possibility of promotion isn't a complete fantasy.

 

I can't help but agree with that.

[SFC Forever]

My take on this is simple. (just like you, I hear)

 

We started 10 points adrift and did a fine job once the team settled closing to within 9 points of the playoff positions. All season we have wanted another midfielder. One who can do a good job breaking up attacks and can pass the ball. Being able to score the odd goal an added bonus.

We have brought in this January, a RB (supposedly) a CB who will hopefully be good for us next season and another who should be a success. In fact Fonte has shown touches of class so far. A midfielder who did quite well against our defence. I am amused by this because everyone and his dog has been moaning about our defence for years. I hardly think a good display against the defence we had is a good recommendation. Finally we get another forward to play presumably with Ricky. Trouble being with Lee is his lack of pace. Nowhere is there a sign of the one thing we have really been crying out for.

 

Now I am still relatively content with our position to what it was. i have been saying for weeks that all I want to see now is the team performing with heart and some skill. we have the rest of the season to sort out the players that are going to stay. All of a sudden we have every position covered up to a point bar the one I have mentioned.

 

I am left wondering whether AP is actually waiting for the close season to get his man. If so then next season should be a bloody great party for us who attend on a regular basis.

If not perhaps someone who goes to the reserves regularly could let us know if we have someone in the wings nearly ready to play that position.

[doddisalegend]

Of course Pardew will get his 18 months but that doesn't mean that the owners cannot voice their disappointment. Recent results haven't been great and we've seem to have taken a step back from two months ago. Why not voice you concerns?

 

I'm not sure thats true we've had to go to some tough places since December to get results. Only Exeter away is a blip I think (and I only think that because we'd already done them 3-1) At home we've been O.K. we might not have played like Brazil but we still got the result. In the cups we've been superb playing very well against MK Dons, beating Ipswhich and looking the better side against EPL oppostion for 70mins. I think as fans we often don't give rival teams enough credit for playing well sometimes.

[docker-p]

I wasn't jumping for joy when Pardew was appointed, not to say I was disapointed, just not leaping about.

Yes the team has made some progress, and I think Pardew does deserve to be judged over 18 months.

But unless we're at least within 10 points of the play-off places at the end of the season I think NC will sack him in the summer.

[jam]

you do realise that they wanted playoffs this season...jam..?

 

I should hope they did.

 

None of this 'we should just be grateful to stay up' crap - we need to get out of this division as soon as humanly possible.

 

I was trying to back up Alpine Saint's point. It's all well and good people going on about the five year plan and AP's three year contract but they aren't benchmarks to wait for and see how far we've got. NC has said that we need to be in or banging on the door of the Prem within five years, Pardew has got three years to earn himself a new contract (here or somewhere better if he gets offered it).

 

If after one year NC doesn't think that sufficient progress is being made then he's obliged to try and do something about it. That's life. I hope it doesn't come to that but then the play offs are looking rather distant right now.

[up and away]

I'm not sure they initially did. Any owner can have ambition, but even a rich owner will admit that giving everyone else a head start in preparation and points is not going to be the best time for expectation. The fact is, is that despite a very slow start to the season, where Saints took an interminable time to overcome the deduction, the team began to overachieve for a while. This raised expectations, and hence much more money was spent. But in all honesty, I don't know where the idea of there being an absolute need to be promoted this season came about, and for there being a risk to Pardew's position if it didn't happen. I'm just enjoying the fact that Saints are in a position where the possibility of promotion isn't a complete fantasy.

 

There has never been a play off's or else ultimatum, but there was clearly a directive to prioritise the league above all else. Something that clearly was not followed. The risk to Pardews position comes from the fact he blatantly ignored that direction, combined with poor league results this year.

 

All Pardew has to do is give Cortese some indication between now and the season end that he looks capable of gaining automatic promotion next year. It's too much to ask for the play off's this year, but he has to be able to instill enough confidence to be kept on. Pardew has done a lot of good things, but equally he has undone that good work with his own stupidity. Just imagine you were Cortese and we kept up this lack lustre run in the league, what to do? Do you stay with what you got and possibly risk the following season, or do you feel he has been given a fair shake?

 

I think Pardew will be here next season, starting with a win against Norwich. But if we were to continue our current run of form, it would not surprise me to see him gone at the end of the season.

[doddisalegend]

There has never been a play off's or else ultimatum, but there was clearly a directive to prioritise the league above all else. Something that clearly was not followed. The risk to Pardews position comes from the fact he blatantly ignored that direction, combined with poor league results this year.

All Pardew has to do is give Cortese some indication between now and the season end that he looks capable of gaining automatic promotion next year. It's too much to ask for the play off's this year, but he has to be able to instill enough confidence to be kept on. Pardew has done a lot of good things, but equally he has undone that good work with his own stupidity. Just imagine you were Cortese and we kept up this lack lustre run in the league, what to do? Do you stay with what you got and possibly risk the following season, or do you feel he has been given a fair shake?

 

I think Pardew will be here next season, starting with a win against Norwich. But if we were to continue our current run of form, it would not surprise me to see him gone at the end of the season.

 

I don't see that, our worst run of results were early on before the cups really got going. Everyone seems to be blaming the cups yet alot of our cup games came during our purple patch when we where doing well. Our dip in league form came in late December /January which is mostly to do with new faces appering in the team, an injury to Hammond and having to play some tough away fixtures.

[ringwood]

personally I thought NC's comments were to take pressure of the cup games and make sure we got a wembley day out,

 

the league has always been a long shot, still just about possible, but form would have to be amazing and not sure AP yet knows his best teams, I say teams because different opponents will need a different approach, still not sure on right back,or AP's midfield but I'd give him til the end of next season minimum

[Saint Fan CaM]

I like Pardew. I like the way he influences players to join us and the style of play he brings generally to matchday. I like the manner in which he talks too. In short I am enjoying my football more now than I have for 4 seasons and for that reason alone I don't want to see the ship rocked atall. However, I recognise that a 5 year plan for a businessman like Cortese means just that, so I can see the end of this year being a very intense time for AP if we're not in the top 6. However, all the indicators are telling us we will rip this league up next season (and that's without factoring in any additions in the summer).

[scotty]

I like Pardew. I like the way he influences players to join us and the style of play he brings generally to matchday. I like the manner in which he talks too. In short I am enjoying my football more now than I have for 4 seasons and for that reason alone I don't want to see the ship rocked atall. However, I recognise that a 5 year plan for a businessman like Cortese means just that, so I can see the end of this year being a very intense time for AP if we're not in the top 6. However, all the indicators are telling us we will rip this league up next season (and that's without factoring in any additions in the summer).

 

stfu and dont put the mockers on us before the season even starts!!!!! ffs

[dubsaint]

Pardew has been here for 8 months !

Pardew has a 3 year contract !

The owners have been here for 8 months !

The owners have a 5 year plan !

Together they have steadied the ship which was on the rocks !

Why is everyone talking about 'giving it 18 months' ?

Now is the time for continuity and solidarity not criticism and threats !

FFS, Rome wasn't built in a day !

 

well said, please give everybody the time thats required to bring this club forward.

[NickG]

you do realise that they wanted playoffs this season...jam..?

 

no, they really wanted automatic. Didn't mean it was going to happen!

[John B]

I think we were lucky to get AP as manager. Many good managers would not be prepared to "lower" themselves into the 3rd division. .

 

That might be true for most clubs in League 1 but Southampton are a big club with a Billionaire owner so I would have thought Pardew is being well paid

[madsent]

I don't see that, our worst run of results were early on before the cups really got going. Everyone seems to be blaming the cups yet alot of our cup games came during our purple patch when we where doing well. Our dip in league form came in late December /January which is mostly to do with new faces appering in the team, an injury to Hammond and having to play some tough away fixtures.

 

Our worst run of results was, as you said, at the start of the season. The current run of indifferent form has been more damaging, as has the scarcity of our league games. If you take every clubs' last 8 games, then we're mid-table in the form league with 12 points which sounds okay until you realise that Millwall have 19 points in their last 8 games, Swindon have 18, Huddersfield have 16 and Colchester have 14. If you also factor in that Millwall have played 10 times and gained 23 points in the time we've played 8 games, you can see why we've fallen so far behind. Swindon have played 11 league games gaining 22 points.

[thorpie the sinner]

win the next 18 games, end up on 88 points, go up via play offs, everyone happy, SIMPLES!!!

[alpine_saint]

There has never been a play off's or else ultimatum, but there was clearly a directive to prioritise the league above all else. Something that clearly was not followed. The risk to Pardews position comes from the fact he blatantly ignored that direction, combined with poor league results this year.

 

All Pardew has to do is give Cortese some indication between now and the season end that he looks capable of gaining automatic promotion next year. It's too much to ask for the play off's this year, but he has to be able to instill enough confidence to be kept on. Pardew has done a lot of good things, but equally he has undone that good work with his own stupidity. Just imagine you were Cortese and we kept up this lack lustre run in the league, what to do? Do you stay with what you got and possibly risk the following season, or do you feel he has been given a fair shake?

 

I think Pardew will be here next season, starting with a win against Norwich. But if we were to continue our current run of form, it would not surprise me to see him gone at the end of the season.

 

This is a good post, apart from the bit where you are almost stating a win against Norwich as a fact.

 

It IS a confidence thing. NC probably knows deep down play-offs aint gonna happen this season, but he needs to feel confidence that automatic promotion (NOT play-offs) is going to happen next season before he will sanction a continuation of the current course.

[doddisalegend]

Our worst run of results was, as you said, at the start of the season. The current run of indifferent form has been more damaging, as has the scarcity of our league games. If you take every clubs' last 8 games, then we're mid-table in the form league with 12 points which sounds okay until you realise that Millwall have 19 points in their last 8 games, Swindon have 18, Huddersfield have 16 and Colchester have 14. If you also factor in that Millwall have played 10 times and gained 23 points in the time we've played 8 games, you can see why we've fallen so far behind. Swindon have played 11 league games gaining 22 points.

 

You have to factor in who they've played as well (i don't know with out checking the fixitures) but these teams may have had easier (on paper) games than us we've had some tough away fixitures in the League.

All this balances out though as everyone has to play the same matches, we have games in hand, and (on paper) some easier games at home to come. It's not like playing cup games gives us less league games to play.

[doddisalegend]

That might be true for most clubs in League 1 but Southampton are a big club with a Billionaire owner so I would have thought Pardew is being well paid

 

Yes but top managers may still not want to drop down the leagues reputation some times means more than money the same as it does for players.

[Legod Third Coming]

You have to factor in who they've played as well (i don't know with out checking the fixitures) but these teams may have had easier (on paper) games than us we've had some tough away fixitures in the League.

All this balances out though as everyone has to play the same matches, we have games in hand, and (on paper) some easier games at home to come. It's not like playing cup games gives us less league games to play.

 

We have won what our last four/five home games?

Since Xmas (26/12), however, we have had only ONE home league game.

 

It's no good comparing other team's results without comparing who and where they played.

[John B]

Yes but top managers may still not want to drop down the leagues reputation some times means more than money the same as it does for players.

 

But Pardew is not a really top manager is he

[NickG]

He's no Fergie or Wenger but he was a top signing for us -where we are.

 

Did you hear WHU fan on 606 at weekend ranting that he couldn't believe they got rid of him and would take him back immediately.

 

I am sure most would have jumped at the chance of top manager like WGS and he is doing pretty badly.

 

Funny old game!

[John B]

He's no Fergie or Wenger but he was a top signing for us -where we are.

 

Did you hear WHU fan on 606 at weekend ranting that he couldn't believe they got rid of him and would take him back immediately.

 

I am sure most would have jumped at the chance of top manager like WGS and he is doing pretty badly.

 

Funny old game!

 

I think Pardew is the sort of manager we need at the moment not sure about him long term

 

Never really rated WGS although he brought us some success

 

 

Mind you we have not had that many good ones recently although Pearson may turn into one as he is doing well at Leicester at the moment

[Mr X]

I think Pardew is the sort of manager we need at the moment not sure about him long term

 

Never really rated WGS although he brought us some success

 

 

Mind you we have not had that many good ones recently although Pearson may turn into one as he is doing well at Leicester at the moment

 

how can you not rate our most sucessfull manager of the last god knows how many years? :confused:

[John B]

how can you not rate our most sucessfull manager of the last god knows how many years? :confused:

 

Just dont think he left the club in good shape and seemed to be a bit negative perhaps I should have said I think he was overated.

 

Would Rate Hoddle better who left the team in good shape and seemed to get the best out of his players.

[derry]

So I take it then, if we only take two points from the first four games next season that most people will consider the playoffs out of reach again. A lot has been made of the effect of minus 10 points, dropping 10 points in the first four games would not be the same but be similar in relation to the top six places.

[Legod Third Coming]

I read a brilliant article on WGS in the Times.

 

He told Steve Gibson - " I am a slow starter"

 

And when they failed to win their first five games he rang him again and said "Don't worry, this is perfectly normal for me"

 

Some managers take a bit of time to get going.

 

I am prepared to wager that Pardew is one of those and judge him accordingly.

 

Oh and for the record WGS HAS a replacement hip and has had for 2 and half years...

[doddisalegend]

We have won what our last four/five home games?

Since Xmas (26/12), however, we have had only ONE home league game.

 

It's no good comparing other team's results without comparing who and where they played.

 

Yeah thats what I was trying to say;)

[doddisalegend]

So I take it then, if we only take two points from the first four games next season that most people will consider the playoffs out of reach again. A lot has been made of the effect of minus 10 points, dropping 10 points in the first four games would not be the same but be similar in relation to the top six places.

 

As you say not the same. It's one thing dropping points but at least getting the chance to play for them it's total another to have them taken away with no chance of getting them.

 

If we did what you say in your example there would still be a chance those at the top can slip up and we can claw the points back becuase we are all playing for the same points. This year saints are playing for 10 pts less than everyone else we can't change that unless all the league one teams go bust and all take a 10 point penalty.

Edited 17 February, 2010 by doddisalegend

[up and away]

Originally Posted by doddisalegend

I don't see that, our worst run of results were early on before the cups really got going. Everyone seems to be blaming the cups yet alot of our cup games came during our purple patch when we where doing well. Our dip in league form came in late December /January which is mostly to do with new faces appering in the team, an injury to Hammond and having to play some tough away fixtures.

 

Our worst run of results was, as you said, at the start of the season. The current run of indifferent form has been more damaging, as has the scarcity of our league games. If you take every clubs' last 8 games, then we're mid-table in the form league with 12 points which sounds okay until you realise that Millwall have 19 points in their last 8 games, Swindon have 18, Huddersfield have 16 and Colchester have 14. If you also factor in that Millwall have played 10 times and gained 23 points in the time we've played 8 games, you can see why we've fallen so far behind. Swindon have played 11 league games gaining 22 points.

 

It all started going wrong for us against Brighton, where we sacrificed players for the previous JPT game and combined that with discarding the only formation we had any sustained success with. When we played Leeds, they had 8 fresh players starting after their midweek JPT line up, just shows where their priority lay. Upto this period Pardew had done a lot of good things, but he started redressing that imbalance with some very poor decisions.

 

Pardew went on that good run starting with the loss to Bristol Rovers at home, to start throwing it all away gradually from the Brighton game onwards. To take us so close to the play off's then throw all that away I found very difficult to take. To see the same errors repeated time and time again as the play off's wave goodbye is mind numbingly frustrating. If you don't have control of midfield, you don't have control of anything and very good individual players in both defence or attack start to look like donkeys. When you have the option, always play pace (Papa) alongside Lambert or you become predictable and easy to defend against.

 

Just look at our league form from this year against Millwall, Brentford, Stockport and Exeter. No losses, but only one win and a style of play that had us hanging on in large parts, apart from the last 40 minutes against the effectively relegated Stockport at home. The form we showed in these games was extremely worrying and no where near even play off form.

 

To act in temper over this may not be the best outcome. Pardew has shown some very good points and it's imposible to say he cannot sort things out and take us forward as we all see fit. It's just up to him to show he can take us that step further before the start of next season.

[John B]

It all started going wrong for us against Brighton, where we sacrificed players for the previous JPT game and combined that with discarding the only formation we had any sustained success with. When we played Leeds, they had 8 fresh players starting after their midweek JPT line up, just shows where their priority lay. Upto this period Pardew had done a lot of good things, but he started redressing that imbalance with some very poor decisions.

 

Pardew went on that good run starting with the loss to Bristol Rovers at home, to start throwing it all away gradually from the Brighton game onwards. To take us so close to the play off's then throw all that away I found very difficult to take. To see the same errors repeated time and time again as the play off's wave goodbye is mind numbingly frustrating. If you don't have control of midfield, you don't have control of anything and very good individual players in both defence or attack start to look like donkeys. When you have the option, always play pace (Papa) alongside Lambert or you become predictable and easy to defend against.

 

Just look at our league form from this year against Millwall, Brentford, Stockport and Exeter. No losses, but only one win and a style of play that had us hanging on in large parts, apart from the last 40 minutes against the effectively relegated Stockport at home. The form we showed in these games was extremely worrying and no where near even play off form.

 

To act in temper over this may not be the best outcome. Pardew has shown some very good points and it's imposible to say he cannot sort things out and take us forward as we all see fit. It's just up to him to show he can take us that step further before the start of next season.

 

If we win our two games in hand we are two points away from the playoffs if we did not have a two point deduction which is not too bad if you consider the start to the season we had.

 

You mention Leeds but their JPT game was against a League 2 team not a leading League 1 side like we had.

 

It was important for confidence that we beat both Charlton and norwich in the JPT

[doddisalegend]

It all started going wrong for us against Brighton, where we sacrificed players for the previous JPT game and combined that with discarding the only formation we had any sustained success with. When we played Leeds, they had 8 fresh players starting after their midweek JPT line up, just shows where their priority lay. Upto this period Pardew had done a lot of good things, but he started redressing that imbalance with some very poor decisions.

 

Pardew went on that good run starting with the loss to Bristol Rovers at home, to start throwing it all away gradually from the Brighton game onwards. To take us so close to the play off's then throw all that away I found very difficult to take. To see the same errors repeated time and time again as the play off's wave goodbye is mind numbingly frustrating. If you don't have control of midfield, you don't have control of anything and very good individual players in both defence or attack start to look like donkeys. When you have the option, always play pace (Papa) alongside Lambert or you become predictable and easy to defend against.

 

Just look at our league form from this year against Millwall, Brentford, Stockport and Exeter. No losses, but only one win and a style of play that had us hanging on in large parts, apart from the last 40 minutes against the effectively relegated Stockport at home. The form we showed in these games was extremely worrying and no where near even play off form.

 

To act in temper over this may not be the best outcome. Pardew has shown some very good points and it's imposible to say he cannot sort things out and take us forward as we all see fit. It's just up to him to show he can take us that step further before the start of next season.

 

Between the Brighton and Leeds games we won six (four in the league) and drew one game hardly throwing it away. Our blip in form has come in late December and January coincided with Hammonds injury, new faces joining the team and some tough away games. At home we've continued to win in that time. We might have (probably should have) done better at Exeter.

 

The thing is APs damned what ever he does it seems. If we win people say we didn't play well we should have scored at least six. If we lose people say why didn't we win, if we draw it's not good enough. In some cases they may have a point but I think people may see some of our results in a different light if they looked a bit further than a teams name when deciding what the score should be, teams don't just roll over becuase they're playing the mighty Southampton.

 

Interesting that Leeds and charlton fans on 606 are starting to complain about their managers being second and fourth isn't enough for them it seems:shock:.

Edited 17 February, 2010 by doddisalegend

[Legod Third Coming]

I think our current form is considerably better than Leeds or Charlton...

 

We need to get going again in the league and are piling up home games.

 

Our next two games are away again!!!

 

They are however winnable and we have to win them to start back on the road to the play-offs. All is nowhere near lost.

 

I have run and re-run the predictor on BBC and 18 games (especially when the last five are against very mediocre opposition) is enough for us to make up the 12 point gap (assuming we win both our games in hand - dangerous I know!).

 

The challenge is that we will not see the gap close considerably until the third week of March. Until then the fixtures do not do us any favours. Even if we win, until then the top teams play many of the bottom teams...

 

If we are ten points off at the end of March, the game is effectively up.

 

If we are six points off, the game is most definitely on!!!!

[madsent]

I think our current form is considerably better than Leeds or Charlton...

 

We need to get going again in the league and are piling up home games.

 

Our next two games are away again!!!

 

They are however winnable and we have to win them to start back on the road to the play-offs. All is nowhere near lost.

 

I have run and re-run the predictor on BBC and 18 games (especially when the last five are against very mediocre opposition) is enough for us to make up the 12 point gap (assuming we win both our games in hand - dangerous I know!).

 

The challenge is that we will not see the gap close considerably until the third week of March. Until then the fixtures do not do us any favours. Even if we win, until then the top teams play many of the bottom teams...

 

If we are ten points off at the end of March, the game is effectively up.

 

If we are six points off, the game is most definitely on!!!!

 

The poor form of Leeds and Charlton is not really relevant to us. We couldn't possibly overhaul Leeds as they are 28 points above us with 18 games left. Charlton are sinking like a stone and could be this season's version of Cardiff but are still a huge 23 points ahead. To get into the playoffs, we'll probably need to do better than 2 from Swindon, Millwall and Huddersfield. All three are in decent form.

 

As for Norwich away being a winnable game, all games are winnable otherwise there wouldn't be any point playing them. However, they have dropped 7 points at home all season and only 4 points with Paul Lambert in charge. Most of us would be pretty happy with a draw.