saint_stevo Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 I don't know. Lambert-alikes (although RL is by far more competent) are not as common as people think. Howard's one, Henderson is possibly another, Jon Parkin is one, as is Ben Burgess... I can't think of any other alternatives? Stephens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintwarwick Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Connolly will get injured, Pucheon will be consistently inconsistent. You know this as fact do you? Puncheon was consistant last season but you wouldn't know that from your armchair. You do realise it's not only Southampton that will have injuries or players having an off day, we might only beat Huddeersfield 3-0 this season and not 5-0, a game Puncheon scored in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanowl Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Take apart our squad, player for player and tell me which team in this league has more quality than us? Yes, we're lacking depth in a couple of positions, but although we reckon Huddersfield and Sheff Weds will be strong, do they really have any depth to their squads? Yes both teams have a handful of quality players, but even without additions our squad is currently the best in League 1. This isn't complacency, I'm taking nowt for granted, we won't get promotion by just turning up to games, but I just don't understand the complete lack of confidence some people have. We all know that we've not finished in the transfer market, so sit back, relax and look forward to the season ahead. Life must be pretty depressing when your outlook is as negative as some on here..... Personally I would say we have more strength in depth than you. It's all opinions though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintwarwick Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Take apart our squad, player for player and tell me which team in this league has more quality than us? Yes, we're lacking depth in a couple of positions, but although we reckon Huddersfield and Sheff Weds will be strong, do they really have any depth to their squads? Yes both teams have a handful of quality players, but even without additions our squad is currently the best in League 1. This isn't complacency, I'm taking nowt for granted, we won't get promotion by just turning up to games, but I just don't understand the complete lack of confidence some people have. We all know that we've not finished in the transfer market, so sit back, relax and look forward to the season ahead. Life must be pretty depressing when your outlook is as negative as some on here..... The voice of reason. I agree our first 11 will be hard to beat, yes we will have injuries and suspensions but all teams will have this not just us. We are maybe lacking in a CM as back up but I suspect AP has his targets anyway. I am certainly looking forward to the season ahead full of confidence. Pity a few on here cannot see further than their half empty glass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintwarwick Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Personally I would say we have more strength in depth than you. It's all opinions though. Yes but are they quality or players just to make the numbers up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxfordshire_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Personally I would say we have more strength in depth than you. It's all opinions though. Indeed, I'm not doubting that you do have some quality (some of your signings like Morrison and Teale should produce the goods, alongside the decent players you already have, Grant, Potter, Tudgay etc ), but I don't think you have players who are in the same class bracket as Fonte, Lallana or Lambert. You'll definitely be our main challengers (I can only see Huddersfield making playoffs again), but I don't think we need to panic like some are suggesting on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanowl Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Yes but are they quality or players just to make the numbers up I genuinely think on paper our squad (currently) is stronger than yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanowl Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Indeed, I'm not doubting that you do have some quality (some of your signings like Morrison and Teale should produce the goods, alongside the decent players you already have, Grant, Potter, Tudgay etc ), but I don't think you have players who are in the same class bracket as Fonte, Lallana or Lambert. You'll definitely be our main challengers (I can only see Huddersfield making playoffs again), but I don't think we need to panic like some are suggesting on here. I agree. Whilst Huddersfield have signed some decent players I don't think they have enough to win the league. It's going to be a difficult season for us but I expect us to both make the top 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRichmond Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Why because we haven't signed 23 players in the window? We signed 5 in January, 4 discounting JO, 3 in the summer, 7 new signings in 7 months 5 of which have undoubtedly improved the first XI. You forget we have "lost" Antonio and Papa, both Very Good squad players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 No-one is going to change their opinion either way, so let's see what happens in the tranfer market between now and the 7th August and see how the season starts. I am totally convinced the same crowd will be making the same old excuses for the same old sh*te start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 I genuinely think on paper our squad (currently) is stronger than yours. I agree, i think our first XI is better than yours, but your squad, on paper, is better. However, we have a number of young players in ours just breaking through, Martin, Oxlaide-Chamberlain, Mcneish, Mills who will be squad players but if they come of age this season then we are stronger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 No-one is going to change their opinion either way, so let's see what happens in the tranfer market between now and the 7th August and see how the season starts. I am totally convinced the same crowd will be making the same old excuses for the same old sh*te start. The transfer window doesn't shut until the 31st, is any players signed after the 7th irelevant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 The transfer window doesn't shut until the 31st, is any players signed after the 7th irelevant? The most important thing is the way we start the season. If our first XI are what we all think they are, and no transfers are needed, it will become immediately apparent. I expect Plymouth to park the bus and a bore draw to ensue.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Stephens? A good shout though I've heard he's being operated on and spliced with a gentleman called Lewis Apsey. Apparently, the combination of this strange hybrid will contribute to an almost identical Rickie Lambert clone. It's just a rumour though, mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 The most important thing is the way we start the season. If our first XI are what we all think they are, and no transfers are needed, it will become immediately apparent. I expect Plymouth to park the bus and a bore draw to ensue.. I think you are probably right about the Plymouth game and in fairness they should provide one of our tougher challenges for the year so a draw won't be the end of the world. Over the first six league games I expect us to pick up 3 or 4 wins and lose a maximum of one and that will be a good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint1977 Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Losing 1 of 6 in a poor league when we have the best squad and are clear, clear favourites with the bookies doesn't reflect a good start. I hope for and expect to be unbeaten for a while. Winning 3 or 4 is bare minimum, a 'good' start would be winning the first 3 or 4. A brilliant start would be winning 9 or 10 of the first 10. Totally agree and a draw Vs Plymouth would be a disappointment although Peter Reid will have Plymouth a lot more fired up than last season. I'd like to see an aggressive 2 or 3-0 win that sets down a marker for the rest of the season. The club has been too self-effacing in the past and needs to adopt the approach that we expect to win every league game next season. We probably won't but Pards will have instilled in the players since last Jan when Fonte, Barnard etc came in what is expected of them and they are going to need to thrive under the pressure of being favourites and shine. If we can bring in those extra players to give our first XI a push - that elusive fast wide forward that is must for us to break teams down, a CM and a tall striking back-up, we can and should finish top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 The suggestion to make Alpine is preposterous in the extreme if he were to take the reigns my betting on his first signing being the samaritans together with a season long supply of prozac for all season ticket holders As for this post I am totally convinced the same crowd will be making the same old excuses for the same old sh*te start can i safely make this prediction that what ever the season holds for us Alpine you will remain totally negative about the team and manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Depressed of Shirley Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 The key to automatic promotion is to get 10 points per calendar month for the whole season, giving 90 points by May 2011. It doesn't matter whether we beat Plymouth or not, as long as by the end of August we have 10 points, 20 by the end of September, and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 The most important thing is the way we start the season. If our first XI are what we all think they are, and no transfers are needed, it will become immediately apparent. I expect Plymouth to park the bus and a bore draw to ensue.. No it isn't, its our performance over 46 games, if we lose the first five and win all others then how we started is irrelevant. Its nice and helpful to get off to a good start but if we dont it's not the end of the world. You win nothing at Christmas, look at Leeds, you'd have put your mortagage on them winning the division after they were so far top and won at Old Trafford. They started better but Norwich were superior over 46 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John D Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 No it isn't, its our performance over 46 games, if we lose the first five and win all others then how we started is irrelevant. Its nice and helpful to get off to a good start but if we dont it's not the end of the world. You win nothing at Christmas, look at Leeds, you'd have put your mortagage on them winning the division after they were so far top and won at Old Trafford. They started better but Norwich were superior over 46 games. I agree with you. But my concern is that a poor start will mean the fans and chairman getting restless, pardew getting the boot and a new manager having to find his feet etc and before we know it we are in October and well off the pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintNeil90 Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 I genuinely think on paper our squad (currently) is stronger than yours. Another owl who is very biast and wearing their blue and white tinted glasses. Living in Sheffield I see alot of Wednesday fans who are like this. Ones who are so confident that they will be in an automatic place based on friendly peformances despite only playing non-league teams in pre-season. One also thinks Wednesdays strike force is much better than ours, despite the fact our strikers + lallana scored around 90 goals between them last year. Then again maybe I myself am biased considering my family all support the better team in Sheffield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 No it isn't, its our performance over 46 games, if we lose the first five and win all others then how we started is irrelevant. Its nice and helpful to get off to a good start but if we dont it's not the end of the world. You win nothing at Christmas, look at Leeds, you'd have put your mortagage on them winning the division after they were so far top and won at Old Trafford. They started better but Norwich were superior over 46 games. Rubbish. If we lose the first five AP will be gone and we will be back to square one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Rubbish. If we lose the first five AP will be gone and we will be back to square one. No he won't, what a stupid thing to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 TBF if we lose the first 5 games i will be beginning to get worried Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 We won't lose the first 5 anyway, why are we even discussing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 what if we lose our first 6? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Losing 1 of 6 in a poor league when we have the best squad and are clear, clear favourites with the bookies doesn't reflect a good start. I hope for and expect to be unbeaten for a while. Winning 3 or 4 is bare minimum, a 'good' start would be winning the first 3 or 4. A brilliant start would be winning 9 or 10 of the first 10. Our first 6 matches are (my thoughts on the result): Plymouth Home (Win or draw) MK Dons Away (Win or draw) Orient Home (Win) Bristol Rover Away (Win or draw) Rochdale home (Win) Sheff Wed Away (Draw or lose) I reckon 12 points from those games would constitute a good start as it's 2 points per game and over the course of the season would be promotion form. More than 12 would be excellent, less would be poor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 (edited) Rubbish. If we lose the first five AP will be gone and we will be back to square one. Ask Charlton fans if the most important thing is how you start the season. Top after 6 games, failed in the play offs, obvously that doens't matter as they re still celebrating winning the league in September. Edited 20 July, 2010 by Turkish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Our first 6 matches are (my thoughts on the result): Plymouth Home (Win or draw) MK Dons Away (Win or draw) Orient Home (Win) Bristol Rover Away (Win or draw) Rochdale home (Win) Sheff Wed Away (Draw or lose) I reckon 12 points from those games would constitute a good start as it's 2 points per game and over the course of the season would be promotion form. More than 12 would be excellent, less would be poor. No, we should win every game 10-0. Anything less is faliure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 So it is rubbish to say that if we lose the first 5 games but win all other 41, giving us 123 points, probably a record in any professional league anywhere in the world, Pardew and saints will have failed? It is rubbish to say Leeds and Charlton started briliantly, but Leeds stumbled across the line and Charlton failed in the play offs. Ask Charlton fans if the most important thing is how you start the season. Nope, you have missed the point completely, my friend.... I said the most important thing is how we start the season. If we start sh*te, NC will get rid of AP while he has the chance to make a change and still mount a half-decent promotion campaign. Nobody wants it to happen, but it will if we have a sh*te start, seeing as conventional wisdom is of the opinion that AP only just kept hold of his job at the end of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 No he won't, what a stupid thing to say. Its not stupid at all. You seem to have disregarded how NC will react. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 We won't lose the first 5 anyway, why are we even discussing it. Yet more complaicency and arrogance. "We are Southampton - the rest of the league should kneel in our presence..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Ash Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Yet more complaicency and arrogance. "We are Southampton - the rest of the league should kneel in our presence..." You actually think we might lose the first five games then! haha! It's not arrogance saying we won't lose them it's common sense! I doubt many teams will lose their first 5 in all of the leagues! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 ffs complacency is now expecting 1 point from first 15! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Yet more complaicency and arrogance. "We are Southampton - the rest of the league should kneel in our presence..." Well we have a very good squad a very good stadium and facilities so why should we be worried about any other team. We are in League 1 purely because of financial mismanagement we are a big club in a small pool and most people are right to expect promotion I would have thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Well we have a very good squad a very good stadium and facilities so why should we be worried about any other team. We are in League 1 purely because of financial mismanagement we are a big club in a small pool and most people are right to expect promotion I would have thought It has to be earned. Cautious tactics and an inate inability to go to crapholes and unlock teams intent on playing for a draw, or mugging a win on the counter attack is, not earning it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Pardew's side last season, once up and running, after only 7 games, was good enough for auto promotion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 It has to be earned. Cautious tactics and an inate inability to go to crapholes and unlock teams intent on playing for a draw, or mugging a win on the counter attack is, not earning it. Thank you for that negative rubbish just get a grip we are going to have a good season so enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Thank you for that negative rubbish just get a grip we are going to have a good season so enjoy it. Why is it rubbish ? Its exactly what happened on several occasions, and as of now we have no indication that its been dealt with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 (edited) Why is it rubbish ? Its exactly what happened on several occasions, and as of now we have no indication that its been dealt with. Still dont think you understand much about football but you maybe just posting to get a reaction anyway most of what you are saying seems to be based on panic Of course we will lose a handful of games but will win most Edited 20 July, 2010 by John B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Why is it rubbish ? Its exactly what happened on several occasions, and as of now we have no indication that its been dealt with. 2 or 3 times alpine, out of a season of 40+ games ffs. I also still see you have not answered anything i said in post 81 outlining our squad and reasons for your so called complacency. As for cautious tactics, i see nothing of the sort, and it certainly wouldn't amount to 3-1, 5-1 wins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 2 or 3 times alpine, out of a season of 40+ games ffs. I also still see you have not answered anything i said in post 81 outlining our squad and reasons for your so called complacency. As for cautious tactics, i see nothing of the sort, and it certainly wouldn't amount to 3-1, 5-1 wins. Remind me what how many league goals did we score Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Remind me what how many league goals did we score A very cautious 85, second highest...........sorry, second most cautious in the devision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 85. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 85. Plus a few in the Cups as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cestrian Saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 I'm more concerned about Swindon Town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Its the same old sh*t on here every year at this time.... Blood is pounding through the veins, the andrenalin is peaking, the "Father Christmas is coming" like excitement is rocketing, and anyone who dares to say that we are going blow the season for whatever reason, however carefully pointed out, is savaged like some sort of insane heretic. Ah well, should have expected that objective discussion is pointless by now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Its the same old sh*t on here every year at this time.... Blood is pounding through the veins, the andrenalin is peaking, the "Father Christmas is coming" like excitement is rocketing, and anyone who dares to say that we are going blow the season for whatever reason, however carefully pointed out, is savaged like some sort of insane heretic. Ah well, should have expected that objective discussion is pointless by now... So lets wait and see and enjoy the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 (edited) I really, really do NOT get this complaicency... Do you distinguish between complacency and confidence? I am confident that we have the best team - and will have the best squad by Aug 7th - in the division. I expect Saints to win the League and probably by a clear margin of 8-10 points. Our performances since the January transfer window reinforce my confidence here. The fact that we will be adding to a squad that performed so well means we should perform better still. We are also helped enormously by Norwich, Leeds and Milwall being out of the division. This isn't complacency. It isn't the far fetched dreams of a dyed-in-the-wool Saints fan. The markets share my view. Saints are the very clear favourites to win the division at 5/2 or 9/4 with most bookies. Sheff Weds are available at 5/1 or 6/1 and Huddersfield at 8/1. Southampton are the only team in the whole of the Football League to be odds on to secure promotion. Now, not a single ball has been kicked. I'm not advocating that we only need to perform at 60% of our potential to walk the league. That would be complacent. But there is every reason to be very confident that we will win promotion and quite probably win the division - and those who put their money where their mouth is agree. Edited 20 July, 2010 by SaintBobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 20 July, 2010 Share Posted 20 July, 2010 Its the same old sh*t on here every year at this time.... Blood is pounding through the veins, the andrenalin is peaking, the "Father Christmas is coming" like excitement is rocketing, and anyone who dares to say that we are going blow the season for whatever reason, however carefully pointed out, is savaged like some sort of insane heretic. Ah well, should have expected that objective discussion is pointless by now... I tried to discuss it Alps, and made my points in relation to yours, so really you are being a bit hypocritical there, you carefully pointed out your reasons of negativity, i pointed mine of positivity, i didn't savage your points, but alas, no reply. Not being funny but you have dodged it again, post 81 BTW, incase you have forgotton. Oh and BTW, i have just checked the latest odds and even with Hudds and Wednesdays latest signings we are still favourites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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