Are you kidding?

[oxfordshire_saint]

I wrote this season off a while ago.

 

If we're not in the top 2 come 3 months into next season, give him the boot then.

[Fan The Flames]

Some deluded fools actually believe Martin O'Neil would leave Villa for SFC.

 

Money may talk, but not that loudly.

 

You still going on about O'Neill, I never said O'Neill would leave Villa for us. If the rumours are to be believed he will not be at Aston Villa next season, so where does he go, apparently Liverpool is rumoured to fancy him. If that doesn't happen can you see O'Neill going to a Blackburn, Wigan etc, he's not wanted back at Celtic. Northern Ireland maybe or another international job, follow Maclaren to Holland, or take on an interesting project like Southampton where there is a transfer kitty, supportive chairman and a chance to build something for the long term. Notts County got Ericisson for the same reason. Who knows what's going through NC head.

 

I said it was a left field idea and backed it up so stop using it as a example of fan delusion.

[View From The Top]

You still going on about O'Neill, I never said O'Neill would leave Villa for us. If the rumours are to be believed he will not be at Aston Villa next season, so where does he go, apparently Liverpool is rumoured to fancy him. If that doesn't happen can you see O'Neill going to a Blackburn, Wigan etc, he's not wanted back at Celtic. Northern Ireland maybe or another international job, follow Maclaren to Holland, or take on an interesting project like Southampton where there is a transfer kitty, supportive chairman and a chance to build something for the long term. Notts County got Ericisson for the same reason. Who knows what's going through NC head.

 

I said it was a left field idea and backed it up so stop using it as a example of fan delusion.

 

The fact that you even entertained the thought in the first place is evidence enough of your delusion.

[captainchris]

Some truly absurd comments on here tonight even by the normal standard. The 3 posted originally by Saint_clark are 3 of those which stood out as I was reading through the match thread. I vote we have 2 match threads, one on here for those who can post sensibly and one on TMS for those who must either be wind up merchants or totally clueless. Pardew out ? That is so ridiculous, in fact one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in 45 years of supporting Saints ! He has turned this club around, made some very, very good signings and at this level is an excellent manager who we are damned lucky to have.

We didn't even reach a positive points tally until October 3rd when we beat Gillingham, that was ELEVEN games in and we were obviously bottom of the table at that point in time. Anyone who really thought we had a chance of the play offs then must be the most eternal of optimists as even with my positive nature I was more concerned at just getting to mid table safety. We have with some ease, in many ways the fact we are still mathematically in with a chance of the play offs is an excellent effort after our start albeit I suspect we will fall short.

Next season we'll know exactly what we can achieve, I expect automatic promotion, I also expect and want Pardew to be the man who delivers it. I'm not expecting Cortese to get rid of Pardew, shame on him if he does and for certain he'll alienate far more supporters than he pleases.

 

Wait a mo.........'He'll alientate supporters if he were to get rid of Pardew...........That's bit rich - If it wasn't for Cortese we would have no club at all - he chose Pardew and he has every right to decide if he wants to replace him - do give him credit where it's due. He was the one who brought SFC to Liebres attention in the first place. Without Cortese no team and no chance of promotion and probably no ground even. I think to threaten him with alienation is rather arrogant to say the least.

 

Lets trust the guy to do what's best and not suffer from short memories over who saved the club and his wise decisions so far......

[Fan The Flames]

The fact that you even entertained the thought in the first place is evidence enough of your delusion.

 

Oh well some of us are beautiful dreamers, that what supporting a team is all about.

[chrisobee]

Wait a mo.........'He'll alientate supporters if he were to get rid of Pardew...........That's bit rich - If it wasn't for Cortese we would have no club at all - he chose Pardew and he has every right to decide if he wants to replace him - do give him credit where it's due. He was the one who brought SFC to Liebres attention in the first place. Without Cortese no team and no chance of promotion and probably no ground even. I think to threaten him with alienation is rather arrogant to say the least.

 

Lets trust the guy to do what's best and not suffer from short memories over who saved the club and his wise decisions so far......

 

Indeed NC deserves credit for appointing Pardew but to replace him now would make no sense to me at all. At the time of the take over Cortese was quoted as saying :

 

"I realise that there are great expectations and I will ensure that every effort is expended to meet these expectations, but effectively we need to restructure and create a solid base from which we can build and become successful. This will take time. We will take our example from our supporters, who already are what we aim to become – Premier League. With their support we will again become a Premier League Club. The supporters, the City of Southampton and the region deserve nothing less. Everyone at the Club will be fully committed to responding to this great challenge. "

 

So far so good and indeed time is an issue but in my opinion we have created a very solid base to work from and achieve what we all want and indeed expect which is initially promotion back to CC1. However, even though I am an eternal optimist I never seriously believed we could achieve promotion this season so credit for the fact it is still an outside possibility at this stage of the season.

So we reach February and find NC saying :

 

"If you go back to the beginning of the season, Southampton were probably not in a much different position than Norwich or Charlton, with the difference that we started on minus ten points; but Norwich or Charlton had no money to spend in the window. We all know what we spent. Now we are approximately 30 points behind Norwich and 20 points behind Charlton. I think that gap is simply too big."

 

Well there I beg to differ since our total lack of a pre season meant we were in a different position to EVERY league 1 club, that's not an excuse but a reason for a poor start and one of course that will not wash next season. Whether the words were meant as a criticism of Pardew only Cortese knows for sure but I believed then and I believe now they were something to be kept "in house".

Lets not forget either that when Cortese was apparently approached by AC Milan in January to join their board of directors he declined saying ""Southampton is my baby I'm not going to abandon it. "

Probably an innocent remark but I always thought the club was for everyone and of course it's Markus Liebherr who owns the club and who appointed NC as Executive Chairman. So the credit is his as much as anyone's, arguably more so. FWIW I think the ML/NC/AP team has done an excellent job, my only concern is if Cortese gets ahead of himself. Getting rid of Pardew would definitely indicate to me he has so I for one would not be happy if that happened. I doubt very much I am the only one and certainly not from reading the posts on here.

[miserableoldgit]

I really do not understand any questioning AP for all of the reasons that have been posted on many threads. I genuinely believe that given a full pre-season and a liitle bit of money to start next season with his own team, we will be the ones to watch. I also noticed that after yesterday Man U were Played 33, Lost 7 whilst we were Played 38 Lost 8. I suppose SAF must be rubbish too.

[John B]

I really do not understand any questioning AP for all of the reasons that have been posted on many threads. I genuinely believe that given a full pre-season and a liitle bit of money to start next season with his own team, we will be the ones to watch. I also noticed that after yesterday Man U were Played 33, Lost 7 whilst we were Played 38 Lost 8. I suppose SAF must be rubbish too.

 

I just think we should possibly have done a little better as we took the lead on a number of occasions without getting the win

 

The Statistics you forgot to comment on

 

Man U 3 draws Saints 13 draws Goals Conceded 27 for Man U 27 Saints 46

 

Which tells something about our defence which still does not have many clean sheets

 

I know I have only watched a dozen or so games this season but the only clean sheet I saw was against Luton in the Cup

[Fan The Flames]

AP will be questioned when three teams with less resources than us have gone on storming runs in our division.

 

Fans are entitled to their say, it doesn't effect the team and AP is paid enough to take it. I'm sure he will turn it around next season.

[Secret Site Agent]

Please, please - do shut up.

 

I would just like to say to these people:

 

Blow it out of your kazoo, you finkle f uckwits

[John B]

AP will be questioned when three teams with less resources than us have gone on storming runs in our division.

 

Fans are entitled to their say, it doesn't effect the team and AP is paid enough to take it. I'm sure he will turn it around next season.

 

I hope he does turn it around but unlike you I am not sure

[miserableoldgit]

I just think we should possibly have done a little better as we took the lead on a number of occasions without getting the win

 

The Statistics you forgot to comment on

 

Man U 3 draws Saints 13 draws Goals Conceded 27 for Man U 27 Saints 46

 

Which tells something about our defence which still does not have many clean sheets

 

I know I have only watched a dozen or so games this season but the only clean sheet I saw was against Luton in the Cup

I am an ST holder and have been to every home game and some away games. Whilst I would love to have been in a better position, we have had, where ever we finish, a season that we couldn`t have dreamed of 12 months ago. AP said that he wanted to be judged after 18 months. I am more than prepared to give this amount of time. Let`s see where we are at Christmas when he has had a full close/pre-season to prepare his own team. I am not "Happy-Clappy" but, hopefully a realist.

 

AP will be questioned when three teams with less resources than us have gone on storming runs in our division.

 

Fans are entitled to their say, it doesn't effect the team and AP is paid enough to take it. I'm sure he will turn it around next season.

You mean teams that had a proper pre-season and not started -10 points?

 

I hope he does turn it around but unlike you I am not sure

 

Sir Alex had bad seasons when he first went to Man U and faced the sack a couple of times. Good job there was no "knee-jerk" reactions there then.

[JackFrost]

What makes me laugh is that a lot of the "Pardew out" brigade were among the first to bash Lowe with the "so many managers in so many years" line.

 

Whilst Lowe is totally irrelevant to this debate, it just highlights the delusion and short term fickleness of some of the people on here

[S-Clarke]

What makes me laugh is that a lot of the "Pardew out" brigade were among the first to bash Lowe with the "so many managers in so many years" line.

 

Whilst Lowe is totally irrelevant to this debate, it just highlights the delusion and short term fickleness of some of the people on here

 

Unfortunately it's not just on here, football fans in general are fickle and are taken in by the opinions of low-end tabloids and stupid sky sports Sunday supplement programmes. No one seems to look at the big picture anymore, it's all snapshots on 2/3 games or even 1 game - ignoring anything good that's gone before.

 

There were questions over Mancini staying at Man City after only a few games, and also after the decent season Leeds have had (it's tailed off big style, mind) there are already big noises to get Grayson out, although I'm sure if they now won every game until the end of the season and went up, he'd be the best manager in the world.

 

That's the way football is now and with the ever increasing media whores stiring the rumours, it will get worse.

[JackFrost]

Unfortunately it's not just on here, football fans in general are fickle and are taken in by the opinions of low-end tabloids and stupid sky sports Sunday supplement programmes. No one seems to look at the big picture anymore, it's all snapshots on 2/3 games or even 1 game - ignoring anything good that's gone before.

 

There were questions over Mancini staying at Man City after only a few games, and also after the decent season Leeds have had (it's tailed off big style, mind) there are already big noises to get Grayson out, although I'm sure if they now won every game until the end of the season and went up, he'd be the best manager in the world.

 

That's the way football is now and with the ever increasing media whores stiring the rumours, it will get worse.

 

and sky are THE worst are making a mountain out of a molehill. Sky LOVE hype, whether it's football, darts etc.etc.

[John B]

I am an ST holder and have been to every home game and some away games. Whilst I would love to have been in a better position, we have had, where ever we finish, a season that we couldn`t have dreamed of 12 months ago. AP said that he wanted to be judged after 18 months. I am more than prepared to give this amount of time. Let`s see where we are at Christmas when he has had a full close/pre-season to prepare his own team. I am not "Happy-Clappy" but, hopefully a realist.

 

 

You mean teams that had a proper pre-season and not started -10 points?

 

 

 

Sir Alex had bad seasons when he first went to Man U and faced the sack a couple of times. Good job there was no "knee-jerk" reactions there then.

 

I am not suggesting sacking Pardew just suggesting that he could have done a little better.

 

 

Forget the Bollix about where were this time last season once out of Administration and with the players we had our start should have been a lttle better

[View From The Top]

I am not suggesting sacking Pardew just suggesting that he could have done a little better.

 

 

Forget the Bollix about where were this time last season once out of Administration and with the players we had our start should have been a lttle better

 

But we didn't have the majority of the players at the start.

 

From Colchester (H) you could see the changes taking effect.

[John B]

But we didn't have the majority of the players at the start.

 

From Colchester (H) you could see the changes taking effect.

 

I know but the players at the start of the season should have done better.

 

That is why Pardew is not a top manager I would have thought and I doubt he will lead us to the Premier League but let see what happens in the next year or so.

 

It is easier spending money and getting in alledgedly better players

[View From The Top]

I know but the players at the start of the season should have done better.

 

That is why Pardew is not a top manager I would have thought.

 

It is easier spending money and getting in alledgedly better players

 

So you expected the dross we had left over to start winning straight away despite not having a pre-season?

 

Ask yourself this. How many of that dross get a game now at SFC and that should make it clear how desperate we were in those games.

[John B]

So you expected the dross we had left over to start winning straight away despite not having a pre-season?

 

Ask yourself this. How many of that dross get a game now at SFC and that should make it clear how desperate we were in those games.

 

Yes because they clearly were not dross but as you say they did not play well .

[sidthesquid]

I really don't get it with all the Pardew-bashing. We are never going to win every game, or be brilliant in every game. But overall this season has been excellent. His signings have been top-class without exception, we are plaing the right way and supporting Saints is fun again. But there are always off-days.

Pardew is putting a top-class squad together to carry us on into the Prem. (How many of you realise that the squad that took Reading up into & through the CCC into the Prem was almost entirely assembled by Pardew, not Coppell?)

He is a top, top manager and we will only realise that when he has gone. I will accept that if we fail to go up next season that I was wrong, but I am certain we will go up and be pushing for the Prem. We are seeing the start of something fantastic here; don't let's the odd shaky performance, four days after the biggest day in most of our players' lives, distract you from that

[Channon's Windmill]

This club (and any other club for that matter) have got nowhere sacking managers every time we hit a sticky patch of form.

 

Do our fans really have such short memories?

 

Give him at least the whole of next season to prove himself and then evaluate the clubs performance under his management.

 

Besides, who do you want in that is better? Mourinho? I hear he is unhappy at Inter!!

 

Get a grip.

[Channon's Windmill]

I really hope no one connected with the club reads this forum or they would really think their fans are the most unappreciative idiots in football.

[chrisobee]

I really hope no one connected with the club reads this forum or they would really think their fans are the most unappreciative idiots in football.

 

Lol, might they not be right

[Thedelldays]

I really hope no one connected with the club reads this forum or they would really think their fans are the most unappreciative idiots in football.

I know..heaven forbid booing the chairman at a wembley final..

[chrisobee]

I know..heaven forbid booing the chairman at a wembley final..

 

Disgraceful behaviour, ban them all !!!

[View From The Top]

Yes because they clearly were not dross but as you say they did not play well .

 

If vthey weren't dross why aren't they in the starting 11 now?

[JackFrost]

Seems to me that the vast majority of Saints fans are firmly behind AP, and it seems a minority haven't learnt from history, and think anything other than promotion this season is a failure and AP should be sacked.

 

To me, as long as we have a mathematical chance of the play-offs we should push for them. If we don't make the play-offs this season (which is increasingly likely) then the rest of this season is almost an irrelevance to me.

 

The key thing is NEXT season. We have to be in or very close to the automatic promotion spots next season, and that has to look a likely proposition by Christmas at the latest. If we're languishing in mid table at this time then I will start to understand the calls for AP's head.

 

I think what a lot of people are worried about (and understandably so) is getting into another 'George Burley situation', where we have one of, if not the best squad in the league and have a complete tactical numpty in charge, guiding us to scraping into the play-offs, more via luck than judgment.

 

Our squad is heading towards one of the best in the league at the moment, but next season 2 (minimum) of Leeds, Charlton and Norwich will be in the championship and they will be replaced by the likes of Peterborough, Plymouth etc. who IMO are worse teams.

 

Back Pardew to take us up next season and then come Christmas, we'll see how we're doing then.

 

Promotion next season will ever be so slightly easier with a united fan base. . .

[miserableoldgit]

I am not suggesting sacking Pardew just suggesting that he could have done a little better.

 

 

Forget the Bollix about where were this time last season once out of Administration and with the players we had our start should have been a lttle better

So you would say the same about Alex Ferguson if he doesn`t win the PL?

How many of our "star" players did we have right at the beginning of the season??

[miserableoldgit]

I really hope no one connected with the club reads this forum or they would really think their fans are the most unappreciative idiots in football.

Spot on! These are people who would win £8M on the lottery and complain that it wasn`t £9M! Unbelievable!

[miserableoldgit]

Lol, might they not be right

So what is the right thing to do? Change our manager every few months or find a decent one and give him a chance?

[chrisobee]

So what is the right thing to do? Change our manager every few months or find a decent one and give him a chance?

 

Now I'm lost ! That comment was tongue in cheek reply to :

 

"I really hope no one connected with the club reads this forum or they would really think their fans are the most unappreciative idiots in football. "

 

I've stated consistently that Pardew must stay HTBH.

[John B]

[/b]

So you would say the same about Alex Ferguson if he doesn`t win the PL?

How many of our "star" players did we have right at the beginning of the season??

 

I am not suggesting sacking Pardew just suggesting that he could have done a little better.

 

 

Forget the Bollix about where were this time last season once out of Administration and with the players we had our start should have been a lttle better.

 

What Sir Alex has to do with this discussion I have no idea.

[miserableoldgit]

Now I'm lost ! That comment was tongue in cheek reply to :

 

"I really hope no one connected with the club reads this forum or they would really think their fans are the most unappreciative idiots in football. "

 

I've stated consistently that Pardew must stay HTBH.

I apreciate that but there certainly seem to be some on here that think that AP should go because he "should have done better" and where we were 12 months ago is "bollix".

Besides, you didn`t put TIC or a TIC smiley.

[chrisobee]

I apreciate that but there certainly seem to be some on here that think that AP should go because he "should have done better" and where we were 12 months ago is "bollix".

Besides, you didn`t put TIC or a TIC smiley.

 

Lol, no the lol was the give away I thought- WRONG !! And just to be clear I was suggesting those who might think our fans are the most unappreciative idiots in football could be right

[John B]

I apreciate that but there certainly seem to be some on here that think that AP should go because he "should have done better" and where we were 12 months ago is "bollix".

Besides, you didn`t put TIC or a TIC smiley.

 

Who said anything about Pardew being sacked

 

I said he could have done better in the first part of the season he had a reasonable squad of players most of whom have played a lot of games this season.

 

We got relegated so did Charlton and Norwich but they did not go into melt down

[miserableoldgit]

 

I am not suggesting sacking Pardew just suggesting that he could have done a little better.

 

 

Forget the Bollix about where were this time last season once out of Administration and with the players we had our start should have been a lttle better.

 

What Sir Alex has to do with this discussion I have no idea.

O.K. Virtually every manager "could have done better" this season. Is AP the only manager that has failed to live up to expectations? IMHO he has done a remarkable job at this club. I realise that you think that the transformation that has taken place at this club over the last 12 months is "Bollix" so I suppose we should be calling for the board to go because they didn`t appoint a top manager that could get promotion, win the FA Cup, the League Cup, at the first attempt.

[miserableoldgit]

Who said anything about Pardew being sacked

 

I said he could have done better in the first part of the season he had a reasonable squad of players most of whom have played a lot of games this season.

 

We got relegated so did Charlton and Norwich but they did not go into melt down

Did they go into admin and get -10 points? Have we really gone into meltdown?? Get a grip FFS!

[John B]

[/b]

O.K. Virtually every manager "could have done better" this season. Is AP the only manager that has failed to live up to expectations? IMHO he has done a remarkable job at this club. I realise that you think that the transformation that has taken place at this club over the last 12 months is "Bollix" so I suppose we should be calling for the board to go because they didn`t appoint a top manager that could get promotion, win the FA Cup, the League Cup, at the first attempt.

 

No I just think he is an OK manager who has done a reasonable job.

 

I think he should be left to get on with the job as manager while others think he wont succeed and he will ultimately fail.

 

But only time will tell but in the meantime there will be a lot of discussion on how he is doing which I think you will have to accept.

 

Because this is a SFC we discuss our manager and not other teams .

 

 

Our first few games were dreadful we were in the Relegation zone on merit obviously the 10 deduction may have had an impact but we should have done better

Edited 4 April, 2010 by John B

[stmusicdude]

People who dared to raise questions on here following yesterdays results have been called w*nkers, berks, retards, f**ktards, wrist-slitters, tw*ts and now sp*stics.

 

Is there a f**king moderation of this site or not ?

I find it really odd that you slag ppl off that don't agree with you, then whinge when they respond, grow up!

[stmusicdude]

You won't get an answer. He prefers to zone in on other people's views (as long as that fit in with his negative viewpoint) and rehash them. Watching a live game for him only confuses the issue.

 

Interesting point here. I understand we have fans who can't get to the games & yes they have a right to voice opinion. But I find it rather stupid that some state thing like .. this teams sh*t bla bla .. then you see them asking questions that leaves you aware they dont even know what the teams colours are. or how good is saints player .. So they dont even use match comms to voice these opinions .. Some & i'm sure we all know who they are knock those who go to matches opinion based on results alone ..

 

How many teams go unbeaten ?

no matter how much they spend?

 

Man utd, Chelsea, Liverpool,Everton Spurs have ALL had poor runs this season..

What will change next season? Confidence? & Not playing "catchup"

Looking closer at us this season our biggest downfall was the first 12 games .. if we had won half of those we would be UP .. end of!!

[Baldsaint]

No I just think he is an OK manager who has done a reasonable job.

 

 

I haven't been following this thread, I do have a life as well as a season ticket, but I had to respond to this.

 

Reasonable job? Are you joking? 5th round of the FA cup, knocked out by a prem club (a sh1te one I'll grant you, but still a prem club). Knocked out of the League cup by another prem club. Won the other cup we were in (I enjoyed my day at Wembley, did you?). Two 5 goal games on the trot, something I have never seen before in over 40 years of supporting Saints. And, to cap it all, a top 10 finish in the league when at the start of the season most sensible fans were just hoping to not get relegated.

 

Some people are so hard to please.

[stmusicdude]

or take on an interesting project like Southampton where there is a transfer kitty, supportive chairman and a chance to build something for the long term. .

 

this is the part people miss, IF NC got rid of AP would ANY manager out there think here's a chairman who backs his manager gives him time & a chance? would they f**k they would look how well we have done & think oh god no way .. they cant even back a manager who lifted the dead team back from the brink

why people cant see if you take away our poor start how well we have done is beyond me, well it's not, its what they want to see & what the hear in arguments is selective!

[John B]

I haven't been following this thread, I do have a life as well as a season ticket, but I had to respond to this.

 

Reasonable job? Are you joking? 5th round of the FA cup, knocked out by a prem club (a sh1te one I'll grant you, but still a prem club). Knocked out of the League cup by another prem club. Won the other cup we were in (I enjoyed my day at Wembley, did you?). Two 5 goal games on the trot, something I have never seen before in over 40 years of supporting Saints. And, to cap it all, a top 10 finish in the league when at the start of the season most sensible fans were just hoping to not get relegated.

 

Some people are so hard to please.

 

I just dont think he is doing an outstanding job but well enough and I am not in anyway suggesting he should be replaced

 

I agree I have enjoyed the season and it has been our most successful season for some time buying the two leading League 1 scorers undoubtedly helps.

[Daren W]

Our form since the first 10 games of the season has been automatic promotion form.

 

We've picked up, on average, just over 1.9 points per game in the last 28 league games. Taking that average over the current 38 games played, and removing the 10-point deduction, that would put us in second place, three points ahead of Leeds and Millwall with a much easier run-in.

 

We're really not doing that badly. It's very rare that a team keeps up the same intensity and consistency through the whole 46-game season, players don't stay fit or available for the whole season so there's a certain degree of chopping and changing required anyway, but with the cup runs it's appeared as though we've had to change much more regularly because of cup-tied players etc. Maintain this form to the end of the season and into next season and we'll go up, simple as that.

 

Would you say then that our season was ruined by the first ten games, getting over that positive points hurdle?

[stevegrant]

Would you say then that our season was ruined by the first ten games, getting over that positive points hurdle?

Partially. I'd probably attribute more to the lack of fitness at the start of the season due to the uncertainty and Pardew's relatively late appointment.

 

The points deduction was a psychological barrier as well as a numerical one, but we were in winning positions in a number of those early-season games only to throw points away late on, so I think the fitness and stamina was a bigger contributor.

 

Points dropped against Millwall, Brentford and Stockport due to lack of fitness... those 6 points would have seen us move ahead of Huddersfield tomorrow night if we were to beat Oldham.

[Daren W]

Partially. I'd probably attribute more to the lack of fitness at the start of the season due to the uncertainty and Pardew's relatively late appointment.

 

The points deduction was a psychological barrier as well as a numerical one, but we were in winning positions in a number of those early-season games only to throw points away late on, so I think the fitness and stamina was a bigger contributor.

 

Points dropped against Millwall, Brentford and Stockport due to lack of fitness... those 6 points would have seen us move ahead of Huddersfield tomorrow night if we were to beat Oldham.

 

Pretty much what I thought Steve.

 

It just winds me up when people seem to think that chucking money at the issue should mean instant success. Lack of any pre-season, a real losers mentality, a virtually new squad plus that initial trudge to get to positive points all add up to a tough season.

 

All in all Pardew's done a blinding job...

[hughieslastminutegoal]

and sky are THE worst are making a mountain out of a molehill. Sky LOVE hype, whether it's football, darts etc.etc.

 

They merely pander to those who believe one must ALWAYS have something to say, and are the utterances of people who love the sound of their own voice far more than listening. They believe, and are probably right, that the average football fan wouldn't listen to 'let's take a longer term view' or 'let's wait and see', so white noise comes out of every orifice. It's the verbal equivalent of an everlasting Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.

 

We are, after all, in the era of the almost uniformly mindless drivel of Face Book and Twitter, where people find it essential to tell their 1001 "Friends" everything that rattles around in their almost empty heads.

 

Oops, almost forgot the mandatory "LOL".

 

I mean, just read the post-match threads on here - the vast majority being no more than "get in there" or "feckin crap" posts depending on the result, virtually NOTHING of any substance from people who have informed reasoned opinon or genuine information to share, who by and large have given up hoping to be heard.

[Wildgoose]

Without the minus 10 we would today be 4 points off automatic promotion with a game in hand and still 3 games to go...... nuff said surely! :-)

[CB Fry]

Pretty much what I thought Steve.

 

It just winds me up when people seem to think that chucking money at the issue should mean instant success. Lack of any pre-season, a real losers mentality, a virtually new squad plus that initial trudge to get to positive points all add up to a tough season.

 

All in all Pardew's done a blinding job...

 

 

You seem to be avoiding the fact that we have had instant success this season and it's down to

 

> Pardew being perfectly capable of delivering success within 18 months, like all successful modern managers from Wenger to Moyes down to Phil Brown, Owen Coyle and Paul Lambert.

 

> And the fact we have chucked money at the issue. Chucked money left right and centre at the best players in the division and at players better than this division.

 

Sorry, it's not 1981 anymore.

 

Successful managers deliver instantly. Money helps massively, especially in a division like League One. Fact, and fact.

 

 

Pardew has done a brilliant job, we are top two challengers +10 points. But that achievement is not somehow divorced from the money we have chucked at the issue. It's a direct link.

 

 

It winds me up when people desperately pretend that isn't the case and still make out that "money doesn't make any difference" when it is making a difference in front of our very eyes.