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

[alpine_saint]

What a strange thing to say .

 

Please explain exactly why we have to back the opinion of the Manager/Chairman/Owner/Uncle Tom Cobbley , at all times . Are we not allowed to express our own views on here anymore then ?

 

I had been under the impression that this was supposed to be a FORUM - a medium for open discussion or the voicing of ideas - rather than some dull teenage fan club where we are obliged to park our brains outside and sit around all day congratulating ourselves on just how wonderful everything is in the SFC garden .

 

Does anybody with even half a brain in their head really think that debating some perfectly reasonable doubts regarding the true strength in depth of the squad at this time will somehow effect the real team in the real world ? If we all keep 'mum' on the subject then does that mean the potential problem go will away ?

 

 

Very, very well said...

[Professor]

As a very mature teenager...I back the Manager AP and the CEO NC 149%...

In George we trust.

[John B]

What a strange thing to say .

 

Please explain exactly why we have to back the opinion of the Manager/Chairman/Owner/Uncle Tom Cobbley , at all times . Are we not allowed to express our own views on here anymore then ?

 

I had been under the impression that this was supposed to be a FORUM - a medium for open discussion or the voicing of ideas - rather than some dull teenage fan club where we are obliged to park our brains outside and sit around all day congratulating ourselves on just how wonderful everything is in the SFC garden .

 

Does anybody with even half a brain in their head really think that debating some perfectly reasonable doubts regarding the true strength in depth of the squad at this time will somehow effect the real team in the real world ? If we all keep 'mum' on the subject then does that mean the potential problem go will away ?

 

 

 

I am sorry I totally disagree although signing more players may make our team more competetive the current squad is more than capable of getting promotion.

 

WE are favourites most fans from SFC and other clubs expect us to be promoted as our form last season proved.

 

It is now up to Pardew and the Squad with probably a couple of additions to get down to work and justify the expectations

[shurlock]

The fallacy is that because there hasn't been a blitz of transfer activity, we've been sitting on our arses. Nothing is probably further away from the truth.

 

People forget that as our team takes shape, it becomes more difficult to improve on what we have - and, by the same token, the more we improve, the less likely players will want to come just to warm the bench. Of course we could simply get around this by shopping in the higher leagues but then that raises the question of who would want to drop down to L1.

 

Even with the greatest will in the world, getting players in at our particular stage of development aint that easy...

[Chez]

the current squad is more than capable of getting promotion.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Waigo and Anotnio need replacing for sure. No matter what ******** people are posting on here about the number of games Antonio and Waigo started, they played in a combined 63 league games, not to mention the cup runs. Neither were perfect but in Antonio we had genuine pace and a real impact player from the bench. If we can't get him we are going to need more than a Holmes or a Chamberlain to win tight games.

 

A central midfielder is also a must. Hammond is not the be all and end all. If Gobern doesn't step up to the plate we maybe even need another as Pulis and Wotton can't be relied upon to win games for us. A five man midfield stood us in good stead last season at times, but you need the right bodies to play that formation. I also personally think we need another centre back as well as Seaborne and Martin haven't impressed me to date, but then again I'm perhaps just greedy.

 

IMO we certainly need to add to the squad to win this league and I expect us to do just that.

Edited 21 July, 2010 by Chez

[alpine_saint]

The fallacy is that because there hasn't been a blitz of transfer activity, we've been sitting on our arses. Nothing is probably further away from the truth.

 

People forget that as our team takes shape, it becomes more difficult to improve on what we have - and, by the same token, the more we improve, the less likely players will want to come just to warm the bench. Of course we could simply get around this by shopping in the higher leagues but then that raises the question of who would want to drop down to L1.

 

Even with the greatest will in the world, getting players in at our particular stage of development aint that easy...

 

Its a reasonable point, but the simple fact is we hammered a lot of teams last year but had too much to do because of the points deduction and poor start. This year was all about maintaining our superiority on the field, which combined with a flying start would ENSURE promotion.

 

Its clear to me that the flying start is NOT going to materialise. Therefore we are back in the lottery, hoping everything works out OK rather taking our destiny in our own hands. Everyone was clear, including AP, about the importance of pre-season preparation and a flying start.

[Turkish]

Its a reasonable point, but the simple fact is we hammered a lot of teams last year but had too much to do because of the points deduction and poor start. This year was all about maintaining our superiority on the field, which combined with a flying start would ENSURE promotion.

 

Its clear to me that the flying start is NOT going to materialise. Therefore we are back in the lottery, hoping everything works out OK rather taking our destiny in our own hands. Everyone was clear, including AP, about the importance of pre-season preparation and a flying start.

 

Why?

[alpine_saint]

Why?

 

Call it instinct. I am feeling totally underwhelmed about the way we are going about preparing for this season. I think its caused by the inability to keep Antonio or Papa and not having got another CM. Strangely, although the RB need was probably more critical, I never felt that would be an issue.

[Chez]

The fallacy is that because there hasn't been a blitz of transfer activity, we've been sitting on our arses. Nothing is probably further away from the truth.

 

People forget that as our team takes shape, it becomes more difficult to improve on what we have - and, by the same token, the more we improve, the less likely players will want to come just to warm the bench. Of course we could simply get around this by shopping in the higher leagues but then that raises the question of who would want to drop down to L1.

 

Even with the greatest will in the world, getting players in at our particular stage of development aint that easy...

 

Agreed. We could fill the positions without any problem. I mean we could have offered Gillet and James new deals for starters, but we are trying to win the league this year so we need the best and they are hard to recruit. If we are trying to get the likes of Antonio, Stock, Danns, Edwards, Dawson and Aliadiere in at the right price and wage it's little wonder it is taking time.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Call it instinct. I am feeling totally underwhelmed about the way we are going about preparing for this season. I think its caused by the inability to keep Antonio or Papa and not having got another CM. Strangely, although the RB need was probably more critical, I never felt that would be an issue.

 

'Instinct' does not mean it will be true. What a load of cobblers you do speak Alpine.

[Chez]

Everyone was clear, including AP, about the importance of pre-season preparation and a flying start.

a good start is important but you can get promoted without one. Norwich last season and Sunderland a few before that are good examples.

 

Are you saying that if we sign say Dawson, Edwards, Stock and Aliadiere between now and the end of the window we still can't have a good start?

[Chez]

Call it instinct. I am feeling totally underwhelmed about the way we are going about preparing for this season. I think its caused by the inability to keep Antonio or Papa and not having got another CM. Strangely, although the RB need was probably more critical, I never felt that would be an issue.

 

its not really Saints' fault that Reading won't let Antonio go. It looks like AP doesn't want Waigo. Not having gotten another CM won't effect our start as Hammond and Schneiderlin are still here, touch wood, although as the season progresses we certainly need more competition there thats for sure.

 

I'm not concerned about the quality of the starting side, so with a little luck they will all be fit for the opening games. But like almost everyone on this forum I know that more quality is needed to win the league - hopefully we can secure it. Why don't you cheer up a little. If we don't sign the players by the end of the window then is the time to lament our lack of signings not now.

[John B]

I'm not so sure about that. Waigo and Anotnio need replacing for sure. No matter what ******** people are posting on here about the number of games Antonio and Waigo started, they played in a combined 63 league games, not to mention the cup runs. Neither were perfect but in Antonio we had genuine pace and a real impact player from the bench. If we can't get him we are going to need more than a Holmes or a Chamberlain to win tight games.

 

A central midfielder is also a must. Hammond is not the be all and end all. If Gobern doesn't step up to the plate we maybe even need another as Pulis and Wotton can't be relied upon to win games for us. A five man midfield stood us in good stead last season at times, but you need the right bodies to play that formation. I also personally think we need another centre back as well as Seaborne and Martin haven't impressed me to date, but then again I'm perhaps just greedy.

 

IMO we certainly need to add to the squad to win this league and I expect us to do just that.

 

I do expect a couple of other players but I really think you are being a little greedy as you say.

 

I am certain Dickson Butterfield and Richardson when fit are going to make the defence a much better unit and we will make life a lot easier

 

Having a large squad sometimes is counter productive as the manager keeps changing the team I like having a settled team

Edited 21 July, 2010 by John B

[Turkish]

Call it instinct. I am feeling totally underwhelmed about the way we are going about preparing for this season. I think its caused by the inability to keep Antonio or Papa and not having got another CM. Strangely, although the RB need was probably more critical, I never felt that would be an issue.

 

But Antonio and Papa were on loan, its not a case of failing to keep them. If Lambert, lallana, Fonte, Schneiderlin had left, then we would have failed to have kept them. All our main players are still here, we have added quality in our weakest position and can still put out the team that beat Huddersfield 5-0plus a better right back. Why are you and CEC the only ones that are underwhelmed?

[CB Fry]

I've asked you about 3 times now. WHO should we have signed?

 

And don't say, 'a midfielder'....WHO?!!!!

 

 

Why should Alpine answer that question - especially from you who has said over and over again that you let the manager make the decisions.

 

It's perfectly acceptable to say "I think we need someone creative" or "we need a wide man/attacker to replace Papa/Antonio" without being barracked by the likes of you to name names. Some of us, funnily enough, aren't scouting the leagues or the globe for footballers. We're just commenting on a forum.

 

Get off your high horse and accept this is a football forum where we're allowed to debate the make up of the squad. Not "the manager decides, lock thread" like you seem to want.

[Turkish]

Why should Alpine answer that question - especially from you who has said over and over again that you let the manager make the decisions.

 

It's perfectly acceptable to say "I think we need someone creative" or "we need a wide man/attacker to replace Papa/Antonio" without being barracked by the likes of you to name names. Some of us, funnily enough, aren't scouting the leagues or the globe for footballers. We're just commenting on a forum.

 

Get off your high horse and accept this is a football forum where we're allowed to debate the make up of the squad. Not "the manager decides, lock thread" like you seem to want.

 

I think that expression is a load of bollo*ks anyway, i remember when Strachan was manager people were saying we needed a 'creative guy' we had at that time Anders Svenson, Matt Oakley, Fernandes and pahars when fit who could all be considered that. A lot is to do with the way the team is set up to play, Strachans teams here were set up to be water tight defensively, (best defensive record in the league outside of the top 4 2003 season i believe). what we needed ws a goal scoring midfielder, which is why i cant believe we never moved for Tim Cahill, £2m at the time an absolute steal.

 

This team has Puncheon, lallana & Schniderlin who could be considered creative players. 3 good strikers and a goal scoring midfielder in lallana, all we need is to complete the squad is players as cover or to put pressure on those in possession of the shirt, on CM, one RM and one cover for Lambert. The first XI is the best in the league.

[Smirking_Saint]

Call it instinct. I am feeling totally underwhelmed about the way we are going about preparing for this season. I think its caused by the inability to keep Antonio or Papa and not having got another CM. Strangely, although the RB need was probably more critical, I never felt that would be an issue.

 

My instinct is that Huddersfield will struggle to make the playoffs this year, god knows why as it has no basis in reality looking at their squad.

My instinct is also that we will sign someone today, i doubt that would happen either.

 

That said, we are not as bad as you are making out, we have not been severely weakened TBF, we do need a midfielder and some pace for this season, but as i said on another thread and as Chez said it does need addressing but getting the right men in is far more important and if that waits until a few games in then so be it.

 

IMO we definately need a replacement for if Lambert gets injured, not necerssarily a goal scorer but a strong and effective target man that can set up others just to suit who we play really.

 

I also think we will probably play 4-5-1 this season anyways.

[saintwarwick]

Why should Alpine answer that question - especially from you who has said over and over again that you let the manager make the decisions.

 

It's perfectly acceptable to say "I think we need someone creative" or "we need a wide man/attacker to replace Papa/Antonio" without being barracked by the likes of you to name names. Some of us, funnily enough, aren't scouting the leagues or the globe for footballers. We're just commenting on a forum.

 

Get off your high horse and accept this is a football forum where we're allowed to debate the make up of the squad . Not "the manager decides, lock thread" like you seem to want.

 

Yip just like adriansfc is allowed to debate over someones negative post, get off your high horse and allow others to post something that is not to your liking.

[RonManager]

Yip just like adriansfc is allowed to debate over someones negative post, get off your high horse and allow others to post something that is not to your liking.

 

Yip, and you get off your high horse telling others to get of their high horses.

[Professor]

Why?

We all hope the flying start materialises but the longer you've been a Saints' fan the more seasons you can remember when we went into the first match full of optimism, only to see the team struggle until October!

This year the doubts are around the limited signings, all 3 at FB, and even if we do have a marginally better RB thats hardly game changing. Midfield still looks sparse after the first 4, especially with Wotton being another year older and cover from a 16-yr old. On top of that we have the injuries to Richardson and Lallana. Having 3 top quality strikers is great but as AP will probably only play one of them in 4-5-1, the two sitting games out won't be much help.

Optimism will rise if there are one or two more additions to the squad, especially if one is a first choice in midfield.

[once_bitterne]

Can't quite get my head around those who say we need backup for Lambert. Given the players we have it is likely that Barnard will be on the bench and considering he had actually scored more goals for Southend than Lambert had for us at the time we signed him then I think that is pretty good back up.

[Scummer]

Can't quite get my head around those who say we need backup for Lambert. Given the players we have it is likely that Barnard will be on the bench and considering he had actually scored more goals for Southend than Lambert had for us at the time we signed him then I think that is pretty good back up.

 

It's Pardew who said he wanted backup for Lambert. We don't another tall striker who can play if he's injured.

[Turkish]

Can't quite get my head around those who say we need backup for Lambert. Given the players we have it is likely that Barnard will be on the bench and considering he had actually scored more goals for Southend than Lambert had for us at the time we signed him then I think that is pretty good back up.

 

Its not just goals, our whole game plan revolves around Lambert, we were ****e at Gillingham without him because Barnard and Connolly are different type of strikers to RL. AP wants back up so we can play that way if RL is injured or suspended.

[The Kraken]

We all hope the flying start materialises but the longer you've been a Saints' fan the more seasons you can remember when we went into the first match full of optimism, only to see the team struggle until October!

This year the doubts are around the limited signings, all 3 at FB, and even if we do have a marginally better RB thats hardly game changing. Midfield still looks sparse after the first 4, especially with Wotton being another year older and cover from a 16-yr old. On top of that we have the injuries to Richardson and Lallana. Having 3 top quality strikers is great but as AP will probably only play one of them in 4-5-1, the two sitting games out won't be much help.

Optimism will rise if there are one or two more additions to the squad, especially if one is a first choice in midfield.

 

Some valid points, and overall I agree; saying that, I don't agree that either Butterfield or Richardson will prove to be "marginally" better than Semi, I think we will now be much improved in that area. Also, with both Harding and Dickson available on the other side our attacking full back options are very good; there were times last season when Harding looks a bit jaded so having cover there is very important. I agree that the injury to Lallana is a slight worry, though I'll wait and see how much action he gets in the upcoming games before passing judgement fully. And it may well be that if Holmes is back to fitness he (or Dickson or Mills) will provide adequate cover in that area anyway.

 

Not sure if you're not making a complete contradiction in your post though? You lament only having Hammond and Morgan at centre midfield, but state that having potentially two strikers as back-up "won't be much help". Though I still think we'll sign another CM (hopefully Danns) to give competition and a range of options there; and as you say, when that happens hopefully the optimism of all, and not just the majority, will be lifted.

[Turkish]

Some valid points, and overall I agree; saying that, I don't agree that either Butterfield or Richardson will prove to be "marginally" better than Semi, I think we will now be much improved in that area. Also, with both Harding and Dickson available on the other side our attacking full back options are very good; there were times last season when Harding looks a bit jaded so having cover there is very important. I agree that the injury to Lallana is a slight worry, though I'll wait and see how much action he gets in the upcoming games before passing judgement fully. And it may well be that if Holmes is back to fitness he (or Dickson or Mills) will provide adequate cover in that area anyway.

 

Not sure if you're not making a complete contradiction in your post though? You lament only having Hammond and Morgan at centre midfield, but state that having potentially two strikers as back-up "won't be much help". Though I still think we'll sign another CM (hopefully Danns) to give competition and a range of options there; and as you say, when that happens hopefully the optimism of all, and not just the majority, will be lifted.

 

Some will still complain, if we signed Kaka people would complain it wasn't Messi, that he should have been signed earlier in the summer to give him a full pre season and we dont have adequate cover for him if he gets injured as Hammond is clearly not as good.

[oxfordshire_saint]

I'll be happy if by the 31st August we've signed a central midfielder and a pacy right winger/striker, both as decent squad players.

 

Even better if they arrive sooner (especially cover at CM), but I suspect Pards may want to see how Oxlade-Chamberlain fares if he features in the first few games.

 

Despite all this, very happy with the fact that we've already got a cracking squad, we just need to add a bit of cover/different options and we're sorted.

 

Give it time, no side in the country has a fully finalised squad right now.

[JibMcdo]

Call it instinct. I am feeling totally underwhelmed about the way we are going about preparing for this season. I think its caused by the inability to keep Antonio or Papa and not having got another CM. Strangely, although the RB need was probably more critical, I never felt that would be an issue.

 

You do write some rubbish some times - the bolded bits are classics. The lightning quick start will NOT materialise because you have... instinct? Come on man!

 

And you were only telling us two weeks ago how you'd be proved right about our right back situation just like Burley and the centre backs.

[Jez]

Its clear to me that the flying start is NOT going to materialise. Therefore we are back in the lottery, hoping everything works out OK rather taking our destiny in our own hands. Everyone was clear, including AP, about the importance of pre-season preparation and a flying start.

 

Why?

 

Call it instinct. I am feeling totally underwhelmed about the way we are going about preparing for this season. I think its caused by the inability to keep Antonio or Papa and not having got another CM.

 

Possible the most bizarre statement you've ever made on here? And that says a lot! Not sure you can say it is clear to you and seem so convinced a flying start would not happen? You sound like you are comparing our team (or even squad) with what we had at the beginning of last season, which is nonsense!!!! (I'm sure you've seen the thread with our first 15 now compared to last year)

 

Surely if you are worried about our lack of signings, and our SQUAD strength, then we'd be more likely to make a flying start to the season, but then falter when we suffer injuries/suspensions/suffer from tiredness. Surely you agree we have one of the strongest TEAMS in the league, perhaps even the strongest and our first 11 are pretty much all fit (currently - baring Richardson) so what reason is there for us not getting a good start?

 

Oh, instinct due to us not yet signing another midfielder.... Unbelievable negativity!

 

Don't get me wrong, I agree we need another midfielder, and probably one more winger, but there is still plenty of time to sign one, and even if they didn't come till xmas transfer window, then we'd still be able to cope with what we have and put out a strong enough side to (hopefully) keep our promotion push up.

[Johnny Shearer]

I think the general feel is that we need:

 

DM/CM cover

Back-up striker for Lambert

Pacey winger/attacker

 

If we get these positions filled with decent signings then I would be happy however as others have mentioned I think a couple loans will come in after the season has started but either way the way the club is set up we won't know about any signings until they are done!

[alpine_saint]

The attitude on this thread is bizarre. I have a gut feeling about how things will go and it gets ridiculed by the same people who criticise my apparent self-opinionatedness...

 

I'll wager some people arent even reading what I wrote properly...

[alpine_saint]

Alpine knew that, yet now he wants more signings and doesn't seem to care who they are.

 

What a load of complete b*ll*cks. It's APs job to find the right players - that is what he is paid for.

[alpine_saint]

You do write some rubbish some times - the bolded bits are classics. The lightning quick start will NOT materialise because you have... instinct? Come on man!

 

And you were only telling us two weeks ago how you'd be proved right about our right back situation just like Burley and the centre backs.

 

Mental. How can expressing your feelings be rubbish. Can you read minds ?

[alpine_saint]

Some will still complain, if we signed Kaka people would complain it wasn't Messi, that he should have been signed earlier in the summer to give him a full pre season and we dont have adequate cover for him if he gets injured as Hammond is clearly not as good.

 

Daft. Plain daft. A child argues like this; no middle ground.

[oxfordshire_saint]

The attitude on this thread is bizarre. I have a gut feeling about how things will go and it gets ridiculed by the same people who criticise my apparent self-opinionatedness...

 

I'll wager some people arent even reading what I wrote properly...

 

I sat through last season's 1-0 loss away to Swindon, which was early on in the season and was during the period where we had yet to pick up a win.

 

The current squad, even without the couple more additions we need, is lightyears ahead.

 

That night our centre-halves were Lancashire and Thomas. FFS we even had Matt Paterson playing right wing!

 

If you sat through that dross, you'd know that there is no way we can start a season that badly again with the squad that we have right now.

 

Sit back, relax and accept that we'll most probably have a CM and an attacking player in by the start of the season or at least by the time the window slams shut.

 

Why do we have to had signed them by now? Like I said before, no squad in the country if fully finalised by 21st July......

[benjii]

It is daft to say "it's clear to me that x, y and z" and when asked why it's "clear" to reply "instinct" and expect people to be even the least bit impressed.

 

Maybe if you wrote in a style that wasn't so unequivocal your unrelenting misanthropy wouldn't be quite so difficult to bear. In turn, this might reduce the amount of mocking you get.

[benjii]

Daft. Plain daft. A child argues like this; no middle ground.

 

 

!!!

[Turkish]

Daft. Plain daft. A child argues like this; no middle ground.[/QUOTE]

 

lol at that comment!!!!

 

In any case, no it isn't, we have signed Puncheon in January, who is better than Antonio and Waigo, yet people are moaning we dont have adequate cover for him.

Edited 21 July, 2010 by Turkish

[Saint_clark]

Daft. Plain daft. A child argues like this; no middle ground.

 

Oh the ironing...

[Smirking_Saint]

Can't quite get my head around those who say we need backup for Lambert. Given the players we have it is likely that Barnard will be on the bench and considering he had actually scored more goals for Southend than Lambert had for us at the time we signed him then I think that is pretty good back up.

 

Because our whole game revolves around him, very rarely do we actually spread the ball around and play the pretty football that our players would probably be able to achieve.

When he doesn't play or he gets dominated by opposition defenders we look very average.

I love winning, but sometimes hate watching the hoof ball we play at times, but then, Lambert the battering ram does the job so hey ho.

[JibMcdo]

Mental. How can expressing your feelings be rubbish. Can you read minds ?

 

You said it is quite clear the strong start to the season will not materialise (written as fact). You were asked why, and you replied you had an "instinct". Can you see how someone would find that laughable?

[SFKA South Woodford]

You said it is quite clear the strong start to the season will not materialise (written as fact). You were asked why, and you replied you had an "instinct". Can you see how someone would find that laughable?

 

I share Alpine's worry, and I think you'll find that it's down to the fact that we have no plan b. We have an impressive starting 11, but then so do other teams and they also have the ability to change things when plan a is not working, we don't.

 

Perhaps we are putting too much store in our oppositions negativity, in that we are expecting most teams to park a bus in the goalmouth when playing us at St Mary's and even in some cases on their home pitch, which will mean attempting to draw them out and then having the pace to get in behind them or using the ball that much better to create openings and cut out opposition players which we didn't do last season.

 

Another thing we disagree on is Puncheon, I have grave doubts about his ability, but the way some of you are talking about him, you make him sound like Le God or Beckham. I would much rather be seeing Antonio playing in his position this season. I know Pardew can't make Reading sell him to us, before anyone points that out, but given the fact that one of the first things Pardew did last season was to expensively assemble a scouting system, is it wrong to expect them to earn their wages by being able to identify a replacement for him especially having had three months to do so? Or is that just a waste of our resources, after all two of our three signings so far were in the League one team of the season, so it hardly took much to identify them did it!

 

I suppose the pertinent questions are: is the assembled scouting system any good, and: is Pardew listening to his scouts? As they must be identifying players to him!

[Saint_clark]

I don't know why people think other teams in this league have outstanding players on their bench ready to mix things up - they really don't.

[The Godfather]

The only position I worry about is central midfield, if we have to relyon Wotton too much as back up when either Hammond or Schneirderlin are injured we will have similar problems to last season. McNish looks a decent prospect but has hardly played and I don't want Puncheon playing in the middle as he is to lightweight and wasted there.

 

I know AP has stated that he's after a central box to box midfileder but I'd like to see one sooner rather than later.

[Turkish]

The only position I worry about is central midfield, if we have to relyon Wotton too much as back up when either Hammond or Schneirderlin are injured we will have similar problems to last season. McNish looks a decent prospect but has hardly played and I don't want Puncheon playing in the middle as he is to lightweight and wasted there.

 

I know AP has stated that he's after a central box to box midfileder but I'd like to see one sooner rather than later.

 

Just like Bale, Walcott, Surman? They have to break into the team sooner or later, i dont know much about Mcniesh and only seen him against Southend last game but AP seems to like him, but no one knew much about Bale when he broke into th side. I'd have thought on the bench behind Hammond and Schneiderlin was the ideal way to break into the first team?

[Chez]

I share Alpine's worry, and I think you'll find that it's down to the fact that we have no plan b. We have an impressive starting 11, but then so do other teams and they also have the ability to change things when plan a is not working, we don't.

 

I'm not saying we have one, although the mid game change from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 worked well last season, but who are these other teams with such impressive plan Bs?

[John B]

but who are these other teams with such impressive plan Bs?

 

Totally agree

 

We are in League 1 not the Championship or Premier League

[Thedelldays]

all we are missing is some pace IMO..

 

antonio would be great..but lets be honest..apart from huddersfield and wednesday...the rest would dream of the squad we have right now

who else would have signed the league 1 right back of the season..only for him to get injured so sign another one from the league above...

[Chez]

I given the fact that one of the first things Pardew did last season was to expensively assemble a scouting system, is it wrong to expect them to earn their wages by being able to identify a replacement for him especially having had three months to do so? Or is that just a waste of our resources, after all two of our three signings so far were in the League one team of the season, so it hardly took much to identify them did it!

to be fair to the scouting system, Puncheon was bought long before he appeared in the PFA team of the year - and there was only a few people suggesting him before that, besides they don't just identify them, they have to watch them and put their heads on the block as to whether they are good enough and the right players for the club. Also they have clearly identified other players that not many on this forum knew anything about like Calderon, Dickson and Adomah. Calderon looked a gem from the videos posted - did you spot that talent in the games against us? Edited 21 July, 2010 by Chez

[Chez]

I know AP has stated that he's after a central box to box midfileder but I'd like to see one sooner rather than later.

any suggestions? Lines and Danns appear to be the only ones anyone on here knows of since I stopped nagging about signing Stephen Dawson. Whether either is the answer I'm not sure.

[The Kraken]

I share Alpine's worry, and I think you'll find that it's down to the fact that we have no plan b.

 

You're going to have to explain this one to me, because I've got no idea how you can justify it.

 

In formations alone we can (and have) comfortably accommodated 442, 451 and 433.

 

Puncheon is left footed but can (and has) played all across the midfield. And while you may have grave doubts about his ability, I'll happily go with the votes of his fellow professionals, AP's view if him, and my view having watched him action on a number of occasions, and say that he's definitely one of the better players in this division.

 

Lalllana can play anywhere across the midfield, plus also up front or just off the main striker.

 

We have excellent attacking fulll backs and 4 very capable centre backs, so could easily adapt to 352 if necessary.

 

I agree with DellDays, we are currently missing Antonio; Oxo is very quick but will need to be introduced gradually and being young his form will be up and down so can't be relied upon for ever-presence. To say we have no plan B makes no sense to me whatsoever; we have an extremely adaptable squad of players.