Brutally honest, forget its me posting this - who is disappointed in our transfers ?

[alpine_saint]

Only ones that are dropped in August count as it'll prove the 'we should have a squad of 90 players' brigade right.

 

Cant you discuss ANYTHING sensibly ?

[Amesbury Saint]

as it currently stands I am disappointed with the lack of signings.

Hardly encouraging a last minute surge for STs

[Andy_Porter]

OK. Quick, without thinking, tell me how many fit decent wide players we've got, and how many decent GKs we've got.

 

I think you will find that Turkish agreed we needed a wide man / striker to replace Waigo. You've lost me with the GK part though it looks like Bart will sign so we're more than sorted there.

 

Lallana, Puncheon, Mills, Dickson, Holmes, Oxlade-Chamberlain and another possibly Tyson would be more than good enough to cover the wide areas.

[alpine_saint]

I think you will find that Turkish agreed we needed a wide man / striker to replace Waigo. You've lost me with the GK part though it looks like Bart will sign so we're more than sorted there.

 

Lallana, Puncheon, Mills, Dickson, Holmes, Oxlade-Chamberlain and another possibly Tyson would be more than good enough to cover the wide areas.

 

Bart has looked like signing for weeks. He also looked like going to Portugal for a while. As with everything else, its still hanging in the air.

 

Lallana - not fit

Puncheon - 1

Mills - Hmmmm....

Dickson - Not fit, not proven

Holmes - Lousy injury record

Oxlade-Chamberlain - young & unproven

[alpine_saint]

as it currently stands I am disappointed with the lack of signings.

Hardly encouraging a last minute surge for STs

 

Yeah, we were going to get it sorted out early and hit the ground running........

[S-Clarke]

I'm still somewhat bemused by the general impression that we need all these new players and ''big signings'' in order to hit the ground running.

 

The squad we have is easily good enough to start the season, and it will be added to before - or during the august window.

[Andy_Porter]

I'm still somewhat bemused by the general impression that we need all these new players and ''big signings'' in order to hit the ground running.

 

The squad we have is easily good enough to start the season, and it will be added to before - or during the august window.

 

Indeed, it's almost like people forget how strongly we finished the season.

[alpine_saint]

I'm still somewhat bemused by the general impression that we need all these new players and ''big signings'' in order to hit the ground running.

 

The squad we have is easily good enough to start the season, and it will be added to before - or during the august window.

 

yeah, yeah, blah, blah, been saying "its just round the corner" for weeks now.

 

Some of us are under the impression the squad is not strong enough for promotion. Capish ?

[alpine_saint]

Indeed, it's almost like people forget how strongly we finished the season.

 

More like some people have forgotten that some of the players have gone, and one particular player lost for the last four games made a huge difference because he couldnt be replaced.

[S-Clarke]

yeah, yeah, blah, blah, been saying "its just round the corner" for weeks now.

 

Some of us are under the impression the squad is not strong enough for promotion. Capish ?

 

Why do you always reply to a sensible post with such utter drivel?

 

 

All this fuss about losing papa and antonio...they were good players for us, antonio more so. Papa was a sub/bit part player AT MOST - he was at his best in the JPT and didn't ever really set the league alight.

 

Antonio came to his fore in the 2nd half of the season, but was still very raw and you could get some utter rubbish games from him at times. They're not irreplaceable, which is why we will replace them with players as good, or better. Pardrw has alluded to the fact twice already.

 

But that's all we need, a bit of pace and an extra presence in midfield - that will finish us off nicley. But we would still get promotion with this squad if we weren't allowed to strengthen IMO. This is L1, not La Liga.

[Singeon Sears]

I agree with this. We might have a number of wide players on paper but when you go through them its not good enough to break down defences, mainly due to a lack of pace.

Without Papa and Antonio we are currently weaker overall than at the end of last season.

 

I am not too concerned though, the club have it in hand i am sure, and I think Pardew's transfer record is excellent in the main.

[Andy_Porter]

More like some people have forgotten that some of the players have gone, and one particular player lost for the last four games made a huge difference because he couldnt be replaced.

 

Fair point. We are ****ed.

[S-Clarke]

I agree with this. We might have a number of wide players on paper but when you go through them its not good enough to break down defences, mainly due to a lack of pace.

Without Papa and Antonio we are currently weaker overall than at the end of last season.

 

I am not too concerned though, the club have it in hand i am sure, and I think Pardew's transfer record is excellent in the main.

 

Agree with you - most people recognize that we need more pace in the team and we trust that the club recognize it too (pardew has said it).

 

What does my head in, in particular, is the constant rubbish coming out of certain posters mouths alluding to the club ''not being bothered'' ''going about half-arsed''. Madness.

[alpine_saint]

Why do you always reply to a sensible post with such utter drivel?

 

 

All this fuss about losing papa and antonio...they were good players for us, antonio more so. Papa was a sub/bit part player AT MOST - he was at his best in the JPT and didn't ever really set the league alight.

 

Antonio came to his fore in the 2nd half of the season, but was still very raw and you could get some utter rubbish games from him at times. They're not irreplaceable, which is why we will replace them with players as good, or better. Pardrw has alluded to the fact twice already.

 

But that's all we need, a bit of pace and an extra presence in midfield - that will finish us off nicley. But we would still get promotion with this squad if we weren't allowed to strengthen IMO. This is L1, not La Liga.

 

Wow, and you have the nerve to describe my posts as drivel...

[S-Clarke]

Wow, and you have the nerve to describe my posts as drivel...

 

It's not really, because i had the pleasure of going to 90% of home games last season and i recognize and appreciate that even without Antonio and Papa, we are still dangerous and will still win lots of games.

[Sheff Saint]

another myth. I dont recall me moaning at the signing of any player.

 

Another piece of bullsh*t made up to fit the hype about me.

 

bart has looked like signing for weeks. He also looked like going to portugal for a while. As with everything else, its still hanging in the air.

 

Lallana - not fit

puncheon - 1

mills - hmmmm....

dickson - not fit, not proven

holmes - lousy injury record

oxlade-chamberlain - young & unproven

 

hth

[Andy_Porter]

The squad is stronger than the squad that finished last season without a doubt.

 

Antonio, Waigo, James and Ostemebor vs Dickson, Butterfield and Richardson

 

It's an easy choice and we're quite likely to add another player or two before the deadline. Obviously it's unforunate Richardson got injured so early on and that Lallana is unfit but that's just one of those things that happens to all clubs.

 

If Connolly can keep himself fit that's like a new signing as well, in 2009 our best football came with Connolly in the side, we looked lost without him untill we made a few signings in January.

[hypochondriac]

Bet we sign a midfieder before next week.

[S-Clarke]

Bet we sign a midfieder before next week.

 

I predict we'll get a pacey attacking man and a CM before plymouth, then the 3rd player Pard's wants will prob be on loan at some point.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

The squad is stronger than the squad that finished last season without a doubt.

 

 

No , it really isn't

 

You and everyone else on here very well know that we've released a lot more that we've signed .

[S-Clarke]

No , it really isn't

 

You and everyone else on here very well know that we've released a lot more that we've signed .

 

But releasing lots of players doesn't necessarily mean the squad is massively weaker. The majority of the players we released were not good enough, were never going to play or had entered the end of their careers, and we've replaced the likes of Llloydy with Butterfield/Richardson, and have added more competition down the left with the signing of Dickson.

 

We also now have the room in the squad to introduce a few of the promising youngsters, young CB Racine will play a part this season IMO - he is a really big prospect. Young Chamberlain is the same...

 

Pardew did say the squad was too big last year, which was true - he's now got a workable squad which he can rotate and work with, and we're closing in on having 2 players for each position - and 2 quality players at that.

 

We will be much much stronger than last season in a few weeks time IMO. (but it's already the envy of most clubs in this league)

Edited 30 July, 2010 by S-Clarke

[Andy_Porter]

No , it really isn't

 

You and everyone else on here very well know that we've released a lot more that we've signed .

 

Of course we have, but then we had already replaced people like Thomas and Perry they where just playing because Ostemebor and Fonte where cup tied.

 

Would you really rather have the squad that finished last season over this one?

[alpine_saint]

hth

 

Thats moaning, is it ? Stating a fact ?

 

Mental...

[alpine_saint]

It's not really, because i had the pleasure of going to 90% of home games last season and i recognize and appreciate that even without Antonio and Papa, we are still dangerous and will still win lots of games.

 

What about the hod-carriers we floundered against ?

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

But releasing lots of players doesn't necessarily mean the squad is massively weaker. The majority of the players we released were not good enough, were never going to play or had entered the end of their careers, and we've replaced the likes of Llloydy with Butterfield/Richardson, and have added more competition down the left with the signing of Dickson.

 

We also now have the room in the squad to introduce a few of the promising youngsters, young CB Racine will play a part this season IMO - he is a really big prospect. Young Chamberlain is the same...

 

Pardew did say the squad was too big last year, which was true - he's now got a workable squad which he can rotate and work with, and we're closing in on having 2 players for each position - and 2 quality players at that.

 

We will be much much stronger than last season in a few weeks time IMO.

 

I don't want to labour the point (too late I hear you say !) but most of the players released did actually contribute quite regularly last season (Perry , Antonio, Ostemebor, Papa Waigo, Thomas, etc) and we only signed 3 defenders to replace them so far - at least one of which is already injured . Looking at it objectively the squad just has to be weaker at this time when compared to last May . I count our squad has around 18 senior pros now - not good with a long season ahead .

 

 

There is still time to correct this problem of course , and I hope and believe the club are working on exactly that as we speak almost .

[S-Clarke]

What about the hod-carriers we floundered against ?

 

I did go to some really annoying games last year, one of the more frustrating ones was the 0-0 against Oldham at the end of the season - but we threw everything at them and iirc Papa and antonio (or one of them at least) played for a significant part of the game, but we couldn't get the break through. You get games like that during a season and away from home, you sometimes have to grin and bear it and look at the bigger picture.

 

but I also managed to see the fantastic displays against Huddersfield and Wallsal, which Papa and antonio didn't play much of a part in (Papa had a cameo role in the Hudersfield game to get the 5th). That's why i still have confidence in these lads without papa and antonio.

[JibMcdo]

A pacy winger/striker (linked with Tyson) and a central midfielder (trialled Carter but hoping for better) and we're sorted. We still have over a month to sign them and if we have to wait a month to get our men that that's fine by me. I'd rather sign quality later then quantity in July. In an ideal world you sign the quality in July and let then team gel (I've grown to hate that word), but if that's not possible, and it clearly hasn't been, then fine, we will be patient. I think that's fair enough but moaners, please correct me if I'm wrong.

[benjii]

What about the hod-carriers we floundered against ?

 

Well, what?

[Turkish]

Bart has looked like signing for weeks. He also looked like going to Portugal for a while. As with everything else, its still hanging in the air.

 

Lallana - not fit

Puncheon - 1

Mills - Hmmmm....

Dickson - Not fit, not proven

Holmes - Lousy injury record

Oxlade-Chamberlain - young & unproven

 

Or alternatively

 

Lallana - in squad for tomorrow, 20 goals from midfield last season.

Puncheon -

Mills - Hmmmm....- your pal CEC has been banging on for him to get his chance and to be fair he deserves one

Dickson - Not fit, not proven - not proven? L1 team of the year not proven, are you for real? Slight groin strain, should be fit for tomorrow, in squad

Holmes - Lousy injury record, i agree with you on this one

Oxlade-Chamberlain - young & unproven- will be an understudy for Puncheon and Lallana, hot prospect

 

So i make that no unfit wide players. Our two first choice wide players who are arguably the best in this divison, with a hot prospect and a decent young player as back up along with L1 tea of the year player who can play there. We do need one more, but the cupboard is hardly bare. Most clubs in this league would love to have Mills as their 'reserve' left midfielder.

 

Now answer me, how many players do you think we need in a squad?

Edited 30 July, 2010 by Turkish

[Turkish]

What about the hod-carriers we floundered against ?

 

What about our form after christmas being championship form? Our wins at Norwich, Bristol R, at home to Huddersfield, Leeds, Charlton?

Edited 30 July, 2010 by Turkish

[John B]

What about our form after christmas being championship form? Our wins at Norwich, Bristol City, at home to Huddersfield, Leeds, Charlton?

 

I dont know why you bother the bloke is totally unreasonable.

 

 

Nothing is guaranteed in football but SFC has a really good chance of doing well in the coming season of course things may go wrong

[alpine_saint]

I dont know why you bother the bloke is totally unreasonable.

 

Is that right ?

 

I find answering my every comment with accusations that I have demanded signing hundreds of PL-standard players as being unreasonable.

[NickG]

with Pardew's excellent track record in transfer market, finding what we need and attracting good players - many who we had never heard of, and fact he has said he hasn't finished - I am pretty relaxed about it

[Turkish]

Is that right ?

 

I find answering my every comment with accusations that I have demanded signing hundreds of PL-standard players as being unreasonable.

 

So what exactly are you demanding? We have signed not one, but two right backs who are better than what we had last season. We are lacking a midfielder and a pacy wide man/striker, everyone knows that and AP has said he is looking at 2-3 signings to address it. Our first XI is better now than it was last season yet you continue to preach this prophecy of doom that with this squad we have no pace, no fit wide players, shouldn't expect promotion, no strength in depth etc. The squad is smaller now, but really were Lancashire, Molyneux, McLaggon, Perry etc the answer? A big squad does not mean a good squad.

Edited 30 July, 2010 by Turkish

[Turkish]

Alpine, you haven't answered my questions. How many should we have in a squad and what are you demanding? I notice that you were quiet after our win at Barnet, but now vocal after our defeat, why do you only appear after a loss? CAn you answer that while you are there too.

[Simon_UK]

There is still a month of the transfer window left, i'm sure there are some quality signings yet to come

[alpine_saint]

There is still a month of the transfer window left, i'm sure there are some quality signings yet to come

 

Why ?

 

The same thing has been said for two months.

[alpine_saint]

Alpine, you haven't answered my questions. How many should we have in a squad and what are you demanding? I notice that you were quiet after our win at Barnet, but now vocal after our defeat, why do you only appear after a loss? CAn you answer that while you are there too.

 

Have no problem with the current squad size.

 

We should have addressed the CM, GK and wide player situation. It seems to me we've only played lip service to it.

 

What do you expect me to say after a win ? If I said it doesnt matter the squad is still weak and it needs addressing, you'd only accuse me of moaning anyway. If I said "Well done team" which I did after every win last season, its never enough and doesnt get noticed anyway because the likes of you are only looking for my negative posting.

 

So, again, what should I say after a win ? "We will walk this league" ? "In AP we Trust" ? Sorry, dont believe either....

[croydonsaint]

Just a question. Why does anyone on here give a.s any time. This is my opinion only, but i honestly feel he pollutes this site. I cant work out if hes a scared little boy, whose fear comes out in his constant negativity or he is simply a wind up merchant enjoying the attention. If he said anything intelligent ever [not that there would be any danger of that] i would have to ignore it because of what he is.

[Andy_Porter]

So, again, what should I say after a win ? "We will walk this league" ? "In AP we Trust" ? Sorry, dont believe either....

 

Maybe you should stop being such a drama queen all the time. This is almost as embarassing as when you spent 6 or 7 months banging on about Schneiderlin being some sort of 'luxury' player when the alternative was Wotton.

 

You the man.

[Turkish]

Have no problem with the current squad size.

 

We should have addressed the CM, GK and wide player situation. It seems to me we've only played lip service to it.

 

What do you expect me to say after a win ? If I said it doesnt matter the squad is still weak and it needs addressing, you'd only accuse me of moaning anyway. If I said "Well done team" which I did after every win last season, its never enough and doesnt get noticed anyway because the likes of you are only looking for my negative posting.

 

So, again, what should I say after a win ? "We will walk this league" ? "In AP we Trust" ? Sorry, dont believe either....

 

No problem with the current squad size, yet claim it lacks depth? Contradiction if ever i heard one.

 

What is your take on the signings of Richardson and Butterfield? Undoubtedly two better right backs than what we had last season. All we hear from you is a prophecy of doom, i honestly just think you are a wind up merchant, you sometimes raise valid points and everyone agrees that we need a wide player and cover in CM but your constant negativity leads me to believe that you just enjoy winding people up on here.

[saintsmike25]

I wish Alpine Saint supported another team. Thats how much he irritates me he's a tit of the highest order.

[alpine_saint]

No problem with the current squad size, yet claim it lacks depth? Contradiction if ever i heard one.

 

What is your take on the signings of Richardson and Butterfield? Undoubtedly two better right backs than what we had last season. All we hear from you is a prophecy of doom, i honestly just think you are a wind up merchant, you sometimes raise valid points and everyone agrees that we need a wide player and cover in CM but your constant negativity leads me to believe that you just enjoy winding people up on here.

 

Two statements, both clearly reinforcing the perception gained from your "We should have 10 cover players for each position" sarcastic remarks, that you have absolutely no understanding of the words "grey" or "subtlety" when judging the opinions of others.

 

Apparently we either have to agree with you or we are an idiot / the enemy....

[alpine_saint]

I wish Alpine Saint supported another team. Thats how much he irritates me he's a tit of the highest order.

 

Tough. Put me on ignore.

[Turkish]

Two statements, both clearly reinforcing the perception gained from your "We should have 10 cover players for each position" sarcastic remarks, that you have absolutely no understanding of the words "grey" or "subtlety" when judging the opinions of others.

 

Apparently we either have to agree with you or we are an idiot / the enemy....

 

Are you for real?!! 99% of people on here agree, you included that we need a couple of extra players, but to say we lack depth is ridiculous. At the back we have two good players for each positon. We have three of the best strikers in the league and in midfield we have 4 quality players who would walk into every team in this league and half of the teams in the league above. yes we need a CM and RM to complete the squad, we lack depth on one area, everywhere else is as strong as you could wish for. Do you or do you not agree that the first XI is better today than the first XI which finished last season?

[alpine_saint]

Are you for real?!! 99% of people on here agree, you included that we need a couple of extra players, but to say we lack depth is ridiculous. At the back we have two good players for each positon. We have three of the best strikers in the league and in midfield we have 4 quality players who would walk into every team in this league and half of the teams in the league above. yes we need a CM and RM to complete the squad, we lack depth on one area, everywhere else is as strong as you could wish for. Do you or do you not agree that the first XI is better today than the first XI which finished last season?

 

I have said so on several occasions.

 

But I cannot get past the fact nothing has been done about the CM position or making good the loss of Antonio or Papa. And as today proved, you cannot assume the first XI is always going to be available.

[Viking Warrior]

Croydon Saint/ Turkish SaintMike et al

Your right about toblerone he does pollute this site, He alawys plays the victim or the martyr. Its his way or not at all

 

I try to ignore him but then even when hes on my ignore list I still see his posts due to cut and paste technology

 

I wish he would stop being negative about saints. Most of the time I enjoy watching or hearing about saints, but this toblerone spoils my enjoyment of reading this forum . His negativity is so infectious

 

Oh and somebody should tell him we were a better side than reading for 60 minutes until there were loads of substitutions.

Its good to give the youngsters 30 minutes, it gave them a bit of experience of what they can expect if they get called into the squad. but AP will not use that mant or will not make that many substitutions come next weeks league game

[alpine_saint]

Croydon Saint/ Turkish SaintMike et al

Your right about toblerone he does pollute this site, He alawys plays the victim or the martyr. Its his way or not at all

 

I try to ignore him but then even when hes on my ignore list I still see his posts due to cut and paste technology

 

I wish he would stop being negative about saints. Most of the time I enjoy watching or hearing about saints, but this toblerone spoils my enjoyment of reading this forum . His negativity is so infectious

 

Oh and somebody should tell him we were a better side than reading for 60 minutes until there were loads of substitutions.

Its good to give the youngsters 30 minutes, it gave them a bit of experience of what they can expect if they get called into the squad. but AP will not use that mant or will not make that many substitutions come next weeks league game

 

Dont see the point in using them then. We should be preparing for Plymouth.

[Turkish]

Dont see the point in using them then. We should be preparing for Plymouth.

 

Because like VW said, it gives them experience if they are called into the squad. They have to start somewhere and some when, or the likes of Bale, Walcott, even Rooney, etc would still warming the bench or in the reserves. So when do you think is the right time to give our promising young players a chance?

[alpine_saint]

Because like VW said, it gives them experience if they are called into the squad. They have to start somewhere and some when, or the likes of Bale, Walcott, even Rooney, etc would still warming the bench or in the reserves. So when do you think is the right time to give our promising young players a chance?

 

In the earlier pre-season games. The whole idea of pre-season is to get ready for the season, especially the first game.

 

And if you cannot see the psychological boost that the first win gives, and the best time therefore to get it is the first game, I dont know what else to say to you.