AP School Report

[alpine_saint]

last until post 4

 

Agenda driven again, I see.

 

There is a lot worse stuff on this thread directed against me and you know it. But you chose to quote that one post. How unexpected.

 

Why have you posted the same sermon every day for the past month anyway ?

[eurosaint]

Why do you keep bringing up England vs Japan?

1) Saints players had just had 2 months holiday and are currently playing friendlies to build up fitness for a new season.

 

2) England players should have already been fit when they played Japan as they just finished a League season.

 

There is a huge difference between the two situations. The games were used for different reasons.

Cos that was a match that he actually WENT to !!

[alpine_saint]

Cos that was a match that he actually WENT to !!

 

Yep. Got a problem with that ? I go to everything I can.

[Hopkins]

Yep. Got a problem with that ? I go to everything I can.

 

Just so you know Englands display in the WC was not just down to two poor friendlies. They have been a truly terrible international team for a long time now and when faced against a team with some quality about them they struggle. Those two friendlies were against much better opposition than anyone we faced in qualifying which just masked the fact that when it comes down to subtle footballing ability England lack any whatsoever. Some of the best impact players in the world yes but without anyone doing the unnoticed subtle work in midfield at an international level your impact players won't get the opportunity to shine at all.

 

Two poor friendlies and preparation had very little to do with the poor performance at the world cup. The mentality of coaches and therefore young players (except for a few, who are in-spite of the system and not because of it) is so focused on scoring, winning and results it will very rarely produce footballers capable of shining at an international level. Just look at Spain. Ask Xavi and Iniesta what they did when they were kids, I can guarantee they played shed loads of keep ball and pass and move. Check out the majority of coaches in this country and you'll find them encouraging kids to score goals like there heroes do on a Saturday.

 

The problem with this country is that its full of people with a lack of intelligence when it comes to football and they all get sucked into the media frenzy which is designed to make money therefore tells everyone how good we are.

 

You simply can't use England in any kind of debate about preparation because there short term preparation was fine, the long term preparation is what has led them to being a shambles and it's something many people predicted when everyone was bumming Capello and co during qualification.

[Super_Uwe]

I'll bring this back on topic.

 

Last season I think AP achieved a B+ for his efforts - the way the season panned out was certainly not what anyone really would have expected, and I'm certainly grateful for his efforts. Our start last season was poor and ultimately killed us, but the way in which AP shaped a squad (admittedly with vast resources for a League 1 club) and got us to average approx 2 points a game for the final three quarters of the season was great. Winning a trophy - yes, some actual silverware for once - was a great feeling.

 

This season is a completely different kettle of fish as we are rightly hot favourites to go up. Pre-season results have been disappointing so far but I am willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt as they proved for the vast majority of last season that they were a class above the majority of this league. AP will have his work cut out this year in keeping everything in check; both he and the players know they have the ability to win this league, but it's a question of whether they can remain consistent and not be complacent. I believe that they won't be complacent, but obviously time will tell.

 

I hope that this thread may now remain on topic and not be dominated by the usual "exchanges" from the same old people. Thanking you all muchly.

[NickG]

Agenda driven again, I see.

 

There is a lot worse stuff on this thread directed against me and you know it. But you chose to quote that one post. How unexpected.

 

Why have you posted the same sermon every day for the past month anyway ?

 

first post off discussion - yours at number 4.

[alpine_saint]

first post off discussion - yours at number 4.

 

Whereas you c n' p your post #3 on every thread you can, frequently going off-topic.

[Professor]

How about your report for the 2 Dutch clowns? You know, the ones you said were going to be vast improvement over the boot boy. And while you're at it, how about a progress report on the boot boy's achievements since he was dumped by the duck hunter?

Since leaving Southampton, where he was obliged by the club's board to field a team of players just out of the youth team, Jan Poortvliet has made considerable strides at resurrecting his career. In the second division in The Netherlands he took his team, FC Eindhoven to the promotion playoffs. (FC is not to be confused with PSV Einhoven for whom Jan played in the 1970s, when he was also Left Back in the Dutch side that were runners up after extra time to the home team, Argentina, in the 1978 World Cup Final). Jan is now employed by the Dutch first division club, AZ Alkamaar, for whom the second division club, Telstar is a feeder club. Jan's current role is to manage the Telstar club. Whilst Jan may well disapprove of the tactics employed by the Dutch national team in the 2010 World Cup Final, there is every indication that football in The Netherlands is currently producing a more reliable national side than in England.

[NickG]

it was indeed, my opinion - which is what the OP asked for!

[alpine_saint]

Oh, and of course when I give my opinion, no one jumps on it....

[NickG]

did you answer it?

 

you first post didn't just sent straight to personal insults.

 

me, and many others, have given you opportunity to discuss issues/opinions on this thread and you ignore them.

[Professor]

It's just his opinion ffs (this refers to NickG). And he doesn't make any excuses for this season, just says good start, which it was. Not a very good start, not a brilliant start, but good. There are no excuses this season, no-one is saying there are. 2nd is acceptable, but not brilliant IMO. I personally won't be impressed with less than first given our resources and squad. But right this second I'm perfectly happy with Pardew.

I don't disagree with the main sentiment. I'm happy with Pardew although not perfectly happy. I do think he could have done better after Xmas last season and I am worried about the limited transfer activity. He is a good manager and has made some excellent signings but unless he takes Saints upwards this year, his chances of getting back to the Prem with us or anyone else will fade. In praising his strengths, some people may be reluctant to examine his weaknesses, but ultimately it will be building on his strengths and overcoming his weaknesses that will determine how well he and his team does. All of us who are lifetime Sainst fans will want him to do well, but because managers do come and go, maybe some of us suspect that no manager can love our club quite as much as we do.

[eurosaint]

Yep. Got a problem with that ? I go to everything I can.

 

Dear Alpsy,

Did you not notice the smiley thing at the top and the bottom of my little throwaway statement ??

This indicates a 'p!sstake' and was intended to remove some of the heat from the thread !

Please don't take me too seriously, cos I always try to do the same with you !!

[St_Tel49]

Alpine's wind ups are getting worse and worse.

Is there any chance that Alpine can be given a whole area of his own where he can indulge in his petty areguments with other posters and allow threads to remain on their original topic?