derry Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 The trouble with injuries is the recovery time. Lallana looks like a problem, it's a knee not responding to treatment, injected this week, still not right, what's next, a scan followed by exploratory surgery? If that happens it's long term. Richardson already out for three months, Puncheon hasn't played for two weeks, Schneiderlin hasn't played much and without Lambert we struggle. Wotton in midfield isn't sustainable. Without Lallana and Puncheon it will be a left back in midfield with Wotton and Hammond and a 17 year old who is nowhere near ready on the right. Waigo and Antonio would have covered this but they haven't been replaced. The back four is strong, the strikers provided Lambert is fit will cope, but without Lallana, Puncheon and Schneiderlin the midield is sub standard, and when has a championship winning team had a sub standard midfield? If the injured players are ready and fit to play competitively next week, fine, but if not there needs to be at least two reinforcements next week to prevent weakness.
alpine_saint Posted 31 July, 2010 Author Posted 31 July, 2010 The trouble with injuries is the recovery time. Lallana looks like a problem, it's a knee not responding to treatment, injected this week, still not right, what's next, a scan followed by exploratory surgery? If that happens it's long term. Richardson already out for three months, Puncheon hasn't played for two weeks, Schneiderlin hasn't played much and without Lambert we struggle. Wotton in midfield isn't sustainable. Without Lallana and Puncheon it will be a left back in midfield with Wotton and Hammond and a 17 year old who is nowhere near ready on the right. Waigo and Antonio would have covered this but they haven't been replaced. The back four is strong, the strikers provided Lambert is fit will cope, but without Lallana, Puncheon and Schneiderlin the midield is sub standard, and when has a championship winning team had a sub standard midfield? If the injured players are ready and fit to play competitively next week, fine, but if not there needs to be at least two reinforcements next week to prevent weakness. Apparently we are waiting until the best midfielder in the world begs us for a contract.
derry Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 Apparently we are waiting until the best midfielder in the world begs us for a contract. At the end of last season after he was given the dreaded vote of confidence from Cortese, Pardew made a pretty strong statement of intent. Wasn't it along the lines of I'm going to build a Championship winning standard team to go straight on up, so what happened to that? At the moment we are definitely short of cover in vital positions, no wide midfielders fit against four last year, hardly strengthening. As far as I am concerned we are better defensively but woefully weak in midfield.
Genk Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 At the end of last season after he was given the dreaded vote of confidence from Cortese, Pardew made a pretty strong statement of intent. Wasn't it along the lines of I'm going to build a Championship winning standard team to go straight on up, so what happened to that? At the moment we are definitely short of cover in vital positions, no wide midfielders fit against four last year, hardly strengthening. As far as I am concerned we are better defensively but woefully weak in midfield. As it is at the moment, you can see these midweek trips to the likes of Tranmere being the same as last season. We won't be able to break them down as we don't have enough options going forward. As you say, defensively we are sound, but minus Antonio, our 'alternative' threat has gone, so we effectively only have one option now. This worries me.
sfc4prem Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 We're screwed. Promotion? Dream on. Our midfield is woefully short of cover. No chance of even reaching a Play-Off position.
voteforpedro Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 Alpine you seem to know so much about football. Why aren't you involved in the game professionally?.....oh Spot on. It may be possible that AP and the rest of the staff know more about professional football than Alpine. But then again Alpine could well be Sir Alex Ferguson in disguise, I'll probably never know for sure...
NickG Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 We're screwed. Promotion? Dream on. Our midfield is woefully short of cover. No chance of even reaching a Play-Off position. this team would have got us promoted last season but for the -10.
St Landrew Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 No, but the impact of the loss of Schneiderlin and Lambert has been clear to anybody with more than one brain cell for MONTHS. To not even attempt to cover them is plain mental. Yes, but hang on...!?! How do you provide proper cover for Schneiderlin and Lambert..? Almost certainly the two best players in the division in their respective roles. If they stay fit, the covering players, that you want, have to spend most of their time in the reserves, but be good enough to come in and do a seamless job. It's just not do-able. What you do is what we already have, that is Barnard, Connolly, etc... who are part of a slightly different system of attack, but able to fill in with Lambert, or instead of him. Or you can possibly rotate them, as and when required. It's not a perfect system, but it's an affordable one. Who's to say that players won't be coming in, as you suggest, in any case..? The transfer window is wide open, and last year Rickie Lambert didn't appear until after the first game of the season. There is time, although I also wish they'd get a move on.
derry Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 Spot on. It may be possible that AP and the rest of the staff know more about professional football than Alpine. But then again Alpine could well be Sir Alex Ferguson in disguise, I'll probably never know for sure... Alpine is an easy target. It doesn't mean that in this instance he is wrong. He has voiced these concerns consistently over the last month and as yet hasn't been proved wrong. Unless there is a sea change and somebody throws a magic switch and as a lot of people think, we will suddenly perform despite a pretty unconvincing pre season. After next Saturday, there will be nowhere to hide, last season was the excuse season, this season, it's perform or else, no excuses. If Pardew hasn't got it right, and we don't hit the ground running, he won't be around too long.
St Landrew Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 Tbf, cautious people will always be right eventually. The don't do that, or, we haven't done enough, mentality, will always win through at some point. Then there will be the inevitable told you so statement, that follows. As long as those same people are as ready to come along with the I'll admit I was wrong attitude, when it is appropriate, then fair enough. But it rarely works out like that, because that's the hardest thing to do. Second guessing, with little or no responsibility behind it, is an easier game than making the decisions that count. Who is to say that Saints policy of leaving the transfers until later is not the correct one, in this instance..? Just because we fans get a little jumpy doesn't mean that Saints are doing the wrong thing. Are we suggesting they're doing the wrong thing because we feel it is so, or because it would just make us feel easier if they got people in earlier..? FWIW, I felt that Alpine was striking the alarm bell rather too early, i.e. before the WC had even started, but by the time the Switzerland tour was well underway I, too, was hoping we'd completed our transfer business. You see, even I have my bell ringing time limit.
Um Bongo Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 I'm sorry, some people are deluded. You have to wonder if they post on here just to try and wind other people up. Jeez.
dune Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 You see, even I have my bell ringing time limit. Do you also have tatoos?
St Landrew Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 Do you also have tatoos? No. Go back to TMS, Dune.
mitch01 Posted 31 July, 2010 Posted 31 July, 2010 I agree we need some reinforcements, 3 more players capable of pushing their way into the first team would be very healthy. However, judging from Pardew's comments, previous judgement and overall ability as a football manager I suspect he knows this, too. He won't want Wotton starting the plymouth game. He won't want us relying on Mills too much this season. He won't want a Lambert injury severely denting our chances. So when he says that he is waiting to get the best quality of player in for the football club, I believe him. Ideally that happens before the first match, but we should remember that Rickie hadn't signed this time last season, so if it comes to pass that Wotton and Mills etc do start the first game, I won't be throwing my toys out the pram just yet.
westofshannonsaint Posted 1 August, 2010 Posted 1 August, 2010 I can't wait for the season to start. Mod's can we have some moderation, how many threads do we need on the same topic?
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 1 August, 2010 Posted 1 August, 2010 Deferring all judgement until the action starts proper next weekend.
Danish Saint Posted 1 August, 2010 Posted 1 August, 2010 This is still PRE-season right?!.... Jebus, somebody needs to relax in a big way! I mean, slacking off the entire club, players, coach and management for losing in pre-season? Wonder how he's going to react if we actually win a game......
patred44 Posted 1 August, 2010 Posted 1 August, 2010 Our overall strength as a squad has deteriorated since the end of last season IMO. Yes, we signed a good left back, but we already one, and we had cover in Mills. Signed two right backs, got shot of 3... Thomas, James, and Semi. If we sign Carter, our midfield options improve, but we also have to take into consideration that we have let Papa go without any obvious effort to keep him, the same goes for Antonio. No new signings up front, despite AP's stated intent on doing so. He also stated he wanted his squad in place early. Obviously that hasn't happened, unless this was the extent of recruitment. Last season we were very lucky with injuries and suspensions. As we have seen already that doesn't mean we will be as lucky again this season. We have only to scratch the surface of this squad to reveal Wooton, and more worryingly PULIS. God forbid a long term injury to Ricky, Spider, or Fonte. The question is why have we lagged behind our rivals in the transfer market, is it the manager failing to identify realistic targets? Doubt that, we know he has tried one or two options, albeit with derisory offers. Is it NC reluctant to back the manager he so obviously tried to get rid of earlier in the close season? As I have no season ticket, I will venture that as a suggestion. That Nicola is playing silly buggers, and risking us having a a slow start. NC now has to prove he backs AP and provide him with some real cash to get in some real players. 6 DAYS TO GO...
Wycombe Saint Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Nope, still dont get the point you are trying to make. Ha ha that is brilliant. Its like a small child who refuses to give in or wont accept someone else has made a good point!
alpine_saint Posted 2 August, 2010 Author Posted 2 August, 2010 Ha ha that is brilliant. Its like a small child who refuses to give in or wont accept someone else has made a good point! Yeah, I wont give in because his point was complete garbage. He was arguing that we dont need to cover our injuries, because other teams havent taken on large humbers of players to cover injuries that havent happened to them. One of the most ridiculous arguments Ive heard in a long time.
Master Bates Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Lallana to miss Saturdays game. Lambert, Schneiderlin and Puncheon facing a race against time. At least we've made lots of signings as cover......
alpine_saint Posted 2 August, 2010 Author Posted 2 August, 2010 Lallana to miss Saturdays game. Lambert, Schneiderlin and Puncheon facing a race against time. At least we've made lots of signings as cover...... Yep, thank f**k for that, eh ? Where does this news come from ?
Master Bates Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Yep, thank f**k for that, eh ? Where does this news come from ? I'm gonna get slated for this from some now but still, the Echo, however the quotes are from Alan Pardew.
PaulGilchrist_76 Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Even if we do make one or two further signings, as usual we will have left it TOO LATE. Then we will get all the excuses about the team needs time to 'gel' etc. AP bemoaned a lack of pre-season last time around but if we do sign players this late, then once again we will have lost valuable preparation time. I cannot believe that there were no decent players at this level, who were keen to join us before now. I am not having a go at AP but I do wonder what is going on, especially as he keeps playing the likes of Pulis. What's the point?
alpine_saint Posted 2 August, 2010 Author Posted 2 August, 2010 Even if we do make one or two further signings, as usual we will have left it TOO LATE. Then we will get all the excuses about the team needs time to 'gel' etc. AP bemoaned a lack of pre-season last time around but if we do sign players this late, then once again we will have lost valuable preparation time. I cannot believe that there were no decent players at this level, who were keen to join us before now. I am not having a go at AP but I do wonder what is going on, especially as he keeps playing the likes of Pulis. What's the point? +1. Spot on. Been apparent for weeks, and those of us who said so were villified for it.
Doctoroncall Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 I'm gonna get slated for this from some now but still, the Echo, however the quotes are from Alan Pardew. Any news on Holmes? I thought he could do well at this level, but if he is injured again only after preseason, then his future must be question. Lallana, Puncheon, Schneiderlin and Holmes out which leaves Hammond, Wotton, Pulis, Mills (sustained injury on sat), O-C Gobern and McNish.
S-Clarke Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Even if we do make one or two further signings, as usual we will have left it TOO LATE. Then we will get all the excuses about the team needs time to 'gel' etc. AP bemoaned a lack of pre-season last time around but if we do sign players this late, then once again we will have lost valuable preparation time. I cannot believe that there were no decent players at this level, who were keen to join us before now. I am not having a go at AP but I do wonder what is going on, especially as he keeps playing the likes of Pulis. What's the point? we haven't left it too late though, we'd have left it too late if we needed upwards of 5 players, then you could use the gelling reason. but we need 2 players, maybe 3, they shouldn't need to gel and should intergrate into the team without much problem. So i don't see a big issue with ''leaving it'' late, we already have the basis of the team here that has gelled over the season - we just need a couple of additions to make certiain positions more competitive.
Teddy Nutkins Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Our overall strength as a squad has deteriorated since the end of last season IMO. Yes, we signed a good left back, but we already one, and we had cover in Mills. Signed two right backs, got shot of 3... Thomas, James, and Semi. If we sign Carter, our midfield options improve, but we also have to take into consideration that we have let Papa go without any obvious effort to keep him, the same goes for Antonio. No new signings up front, despite AP's stated intent on doing so. He also stated he wanted his squad in place early. Obviously that hasn't happened, unless this was the extent of recruitment. Last season we were very lucky with injuries and suspensions. As we have seen already that doesn't mean we will be as lucky again this season. We have only to scratch the surface of this squad to reveal Wooton, and more worryingly PULIS. God forbid a long term injury to Ricky, Spider, or Fonte. The question is why have we lagged behind our rivals in the transfer market, is it the manager failing to identify realistic targets? Doubt that, we know he has tried one or two options, albeit with derisory offers. Is it NC reluctant to back the manager he so obviously tried to get rid of earlier in the close season? As I have no season ticket, I will venture that as a suggestion. That Nicola is playing silly buggers, and risking us having a a slow start. NC now has to prove he backs AP and provide him with some real cash to get in some real players. 6 DAYS TO GO... Agree, my feelings also Pat. Don't know why but i feel after going 2-1 up on Saturday, maybe AP was trying to make some sort of statement about the depth of his squad, and made too many substitutions, indicating that with 4 first team players out, he has a team to compete with Reading, but not much more.At least i can say i have seen Pulis perform, now.Was AP making a point? Anyway looking forward to the long battle,football is back.
HurleyBurley Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 So with four TOP first team players out we have a team that can compete with Reading, a team from the league above (and until last season the Premier LEague), yep I think it's time to panic
SaintBobby Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Apparently we are waiting until the best midfielder in the world begs us for a contract. Possibly a slight exaggeration....
SaintDonkey Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 So with four TOP first team players out we have a team that can compete with Reading, a team from the league above (and until last season the Premier LEague), yep I think it's time to panic +1 We need to strengthen but it's nowhere near the crisis situation some seem to want to paint it
Thorpe-le-Saint Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 So with four TOP first team players out we have a team that can compete with Reading, a team from the league above (and until last season the Premier LEague), yep I think it's time to panic THIS!! (Although Reading were in the Championship last season as well )
Andyb1 Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 He wasn't watching. He never watches, he just moans from afar. That's why there is no point in listening to anything he says. Too many people on this board give him what he craves and that is ATTENTION,. There looked to be width to me today. What game were you watching?
alpine_saint Posted 2 August, 2010 Author Posted 2 August, 2010 You know what I truly already hate about this season? What's ruining the most optimistic time in years? YOU! Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!! Someone make him stop, for the love of god, someone, please....make him stop :-( Calm down and get a grip, mate.
Barry the Badger Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Pre season is a sack of crap and anybody who reads too much into the results is way off the mark, I've done it before and it's pointless. Remember the "Dutch total football" relegation season, we played West Ham pre season and were all jumping about thinking we were going to walk the league with our youngsters. Then the real season started...
Andyb1 Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 He's right, please just leave us all alone. Calm down and get a grip, mate.
oxfordshire_saint Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Is it possible to have any rational debate here? Yes, we need some more bodies, most certainly a CM, RM and backup target man, but the levels of hysteria that some are working themselves up into is embarrassing. I would class myself as only mildly concerned right now TBH. The XI we put out vs Reading was missing Lallana, Lambert, Puncheon and Schneiderlin, yet was still leading a pretty strong Championship side until subs aplenty were made. If we lose the first 4 league games and we haven't signed another 2 or 3, then perhaps I'll start sinking to the depths of negativity that some on here seem to have plummeted to. Football transfers are a complex and murky world, it's not as easy as just going out and signing X,Y and Z and putting your feet up with weeks to go until the start of the season, how many other teams have all their business done and dusted? Almost every team will sign at least one more player before 31st August. Just get behind the team vs Plymouth and for the moment, let those who are paid to worry about it, worry about it.
suewhistle Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 I am not having a go at AP but I do wonder what is going on, especially as he keeps playing the likes of Pulis. What's the point? Leaving aside Pulis who he has only played the once AFAIK and is leaving anyway (don't think the shop window helped, by the sound of it!), surely he needs to look at the youngsters in a slightly more competitive situation. He knows how Puncheon, Lambert, Lallana etc. can perform from last season. I'm sure he's looking but as others have pointed out it's not as easy as the glib talk here would make out. The player has to be right for us, want to come here, at a price we are prepared to pay and at a mutually acceptable price for the clubs if a fee is involved. To take two examples we know: Antonio is subject to contract to Reading who, I reckon, are trying to take the p*** over price. They didn't want him last season but know that we do and I think there may be some brinkmanship going on. Somebody used the word "derisory" in relation to offers we might have made: I don't they were saying that's what had happened but it does raise the question, should we be like Pimpley and pay whatever someone asks for? I think we'd probably all agree on the answer! The second example is Papa Waigo, and reading the Italian sites I get the impression he used us as a springboard last season and has no wish to return, or at least wants to play at a higher level if not for Fiorentina itself. No doubt we could have signed someone and no doubt we are looking in spite of the hysterical opinions here that we aren't doing anything but would the sort of player we could have easily signed have made the OP happy? Answers on a post-card... Those available might have been too expensive for what they were, might not have been good enough, may not have wanted to come to play second-fiddle to Lallana or Morgan etc. (Not every player is like Pulis). I suspect we're holding out for some championship or more likely Premiership loans, and they won't be confirmed until the other clubs have confirmed their squads. But we are a good destination for such players with our training and medical facilities, decent pitch, ground, team and crowds. We'll no doubt have had contact already to make our interest known after our scouts had identified likely targets. There's no doubt we need our squad strengthening, but when I say wearily "give me strength" it's not talking about the squad!
saintsmike25 Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Has Alpine Saint EVER been positive, before a season? After a season? IN THE season. Gah. I give up the guy is a pathetic negative whining loser.
Saint_clark Posted 2 August, 2010 Posted 2 August, 2010 Has Alpine Saint EVER been positive, before a season? After a season? IN THE season. Gah. I give up the guy is a pathetic negative whining loser. The season we got relegated he came over to watch the Birmingham carling cup game I believe, and he was convinced we would be fine after that.
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