A Lot of Positives from that display

[up and away]

Exactly.

 

If you know you have a problem with something, you work your f**king arse off to address that problem.

 

When I did my O levels, I did most revision on my weakest subject, not my strongest.

 

What did we do pre-season ? F**k around with line-ups, formations and tactics that it was obvious were never going to be used in anger when the League started. Todays team had never played together before.

 

Hopeless. Pre-season was a waste of time.

 

Without doubt a couple of the underlying problems still exist from last season, something not addressed after all this time and I doubt ever will. There was a lot of good in that performance, but I kept looking at their goalie as our best opportunity of a goal. The real worry is that I believe Plymouth are a poor / mediocre team and we will see nearly every team turn up with everyone in front of the goal at home, something we have had problems with and will continue so.

 

This team just looks like a tarted up version of last years, an improvement in a lot of areas but nothing sufficient to see our major faults removed. The absence now of any real pace (Waigo, not Antonio) gives us no options for changing things round and allows the opposition to push their back four up with relative impunity.

 

We will be reproducing those great performances we saw against the likes of Huddersfield at home and any team that has a go at us will get mullahed when we are up and running. The trouble is most teams will not have a go at us and disappointments of last season will still happen. It's just a question of whether we gain sufficient points to get where we need to be!

[St BATman]

Thought we should have been out of site by half time. The balls into the box first half were fantastic. Defending for the goal was SHOCKING and Harding and Jaidi never recovered from it. I have doubts about Jaidi, yeah he's a brute but he gets caught out too often and hoofs every single time. All in all thought we edged the game but if we had taken our first half chances I think it could have ended up being 3 or 4. However the number of hopeful chips down the channels was hugely frustrating, at least when Lallana came on we had some creativity and flair around the box. We look much better when we get it down and play!! We could do with some pace (wither wide or up front), a new CM as Hammond worries me and possibly a CB, although I reckon Martin and Seaborne can do a goo job in this league.

[miserableoldgit]

Looked at the facts - Plymouth were relegated last year and ripe for the taking, we'd had a good run at the end of last season and should have carried that on. Either they've improved or we've got worse - which is it?

It is quite simple. It is called "Football". If things were as easily predicted and logical as you seem to think, we would be able to win the football pools every week. Look at some of the other results yesterday. A number of so-called favourites for promotion in all of the divisions suffered bad results. It`s one game (which we played well in for 45 mins). "We`re doomed, we`re all doomed!"

[SaintRichmond]

A good performance, despite players missing due to injury or fitness;

A good workout against a side that were in the Championship last year;

We took our chances up front well, but were just unlucky that shots hit defenders legs or boots;

Our defence played well and restricted them to just the one goal;

We don't have the pressure of being favourites now;

Norwich lost their first game last season but still came top;Southampton are traditionally slow starters so this result is quite normal for us;

Every team loses a few games, so we've got one of our defeats out of the way early.

 

If any more are needed Mr P will provide them in his post-match assessment.

 

An excellent point , they did

 

They sacked Gunn, and went on to get promotion

 

So, all we need do is sack Pardew, and we will do the same

[NickG]

think if we had let in 7 we NC might have done!

[dune]

It is quite simple. It is called "Football". If things were as easily predicted and logical as you seem to think, we would be able to win the football pools every week. Look at some of the other results yesterday. A number of so-called favourites for promotion in all of the divisions suffered bad results. It`s one game (which we played well in for 45 mins). "We`re doomed, we`re all doomed!"

 

The lethargy and lack of ideas was the biggest worry for me. If plan A doesn't work there is no plan B.

[LostBoys]

We outplayed an alleged Championship side for most of the game and gave away a numpty goal. We will still win the league and Plymouth will end up only mid table as you cannot rely on riding your luck with last ditch blocks all season

[niceandfriendly]

We are supposed to be red hot favourites to win the league and I saw nothing to back that up. Very disapointing and nothing positive on show as far as i'm concerned aside from the probability that it can't get any worse.

 

You clearly haven't been a Saints fan for very long. A 1-0 defeat which could have easily gone our way without some brilliant last gasp defending from the opposition? Trust me, it can get a whole lot worse than that son. A lot worse.

 

Prepare yourself, if that was as bad as it gets for you, you should probably stop watching now for fear of your own health.

[patred44]

I went through every gambit of emotions yesterday, after a very tiring and expensive day. But mainly they were of frustration, anger, and disappointment.

I am not even going to comment on the game, that's been done, and I agree with 99.9% of what's been posted.

 

But Why were we dished up this platter by a team that was supposed to easily win this division ?

I was surprised to see we weren't physically fit, after being told that the preseason was hard. I suggest anyone who looked like they did yesterday should go through a training session that WGS had planned.

They looked unbalanced from the start, even considering the injured few.

They looked unmotivated from the start, and even worse in the second half. Tactically they were reactive rather than proactive

All a damning testament to manager and his coaching staffs preseason training plans.

The recruitment of players in the close season was restricted to free agents. Some normal transfer targets were tried for, but those offers were just a cosmetic exercise being derisory and plain insulting to both the target player and his club.

Whether the chairman is financial backing Pardew's promotion plans is open to question, but certainly the manager is making himself an easy target with yesterdays effort on the field.

Anyhow.. It will be a long time, and more than that shown yesterday should be on offer, before I make this tiring expensive journey again.

I felt I had been conned.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

No doubt the usual suspects are annoyed with yesterday but it wasn't that bad; Plymouth obviously did their homework as the RB swallowed up Dickson all day. However one thing that is clear is that the team is geared toward supplying Lambert which, when he isn't playing, leaves Barnard et al with service they can't use.

[sadoldgit]

An excellent point , they did

 

They sacked Gunn, and went on to get promotion

 

So, all we need do is sack Pardew, and we will do the same

 

It is not just a question of sacking the manger, it is who you bring in...

[jamesfp1]

First half we were unlucky, second half we were **** apart from lallana. If we don't win at least 5 of the first 7 I think pards will be off.

[RonManager]

First half we were unlucky, second half we were **** apart from lallana. If we don't win at least 5 of the first 7 I think pards will be off.

 

If we lose at home to Bournemouth it could be sooner

[Singeon Sears]

We've lost the pace we had last season and as a result are going to find it very difficult to break down the better sides of league one.

 

Apart from a total lack of pace in the team, we have no replacement for Lambert, not in terms of quality, but in terms of physical presence. Two small forwards trying to get on the end of crosses is a hopeless mess to be in.

 

We are on the brink of being the best side in this league but we have to buy in 2 or 3 to become it, without it I suspect its play off's at best

[smart_one]

I thought towards the end of last season, AP said we were building a team that could take us to the premier league? and the 3 recruits we have got suggest to me differently...

[SW11_Saint]

Agree, plenty of positives, and I for one am glad to have the dreaded first game out of the way (predictably with the usual result).

 

The hysteria on some of the other threads is ridiculous, and frankly, somewhat embarrassing. Get a grip! (you know who you are). The sky is not falling in, and the season is not over. We remain the strongest squad, and I am still convinced we'll go up. Some people are such drama queens.

[SW11_Saint]

I thought towards the end of last season, AP said we were building a team that could take us to the premier league? and the 3 recruits we have got suggest to me differently...

?!? And you proclaim yourself 'smart'?!

[RonManager]

Agree, plenty of positives, and I for one am glad to have the dreaded first game out of the way (predictably with the usual result).

 

The hysteria on some of the other threads is ridiculous, and frankly, somewhat embarrassing. Get a grip! (you know who you are). The sky is not falling in, and the season is not over. We remain the strongest squad, and I am still convinced we'll go up. Some people are such drama queens.

 

I have to say that I am pleasently surprised by the lack of hysteria really. It was with great trepidation that I logged on late yesterday afternoon, but I think most of the criticism has been qualified with reasons and/or alternatives and is constructive. Not ALL, but most.

 

However, if we lose to Bournemouth then the forum may explode.

[dune]

However, if we lose to Bournemouth then the forum may explode.

 

You better get the tin hat ready then because if we play as badly again we will lose.

[SW11_Saint]

A comment from the bowels of desperation if ever I heard one.

 

Search you feelings...you know it to be true...promotion is a long, long way off.

Oh get a grip FFS!

 

(though I guess you are right in one sense - promotion IS a long way off, about 40 games away).

Edited 8 August, 2010 by SW11_Saint

[Legod Third Coming]

Isn't it funny that two people can look at the same match and come away with a different view point

 

I had a completely different take on it

 

Plymouth were not great, but they were worth their win

 

They came for a point, then got a goal, and ended up with all three

 

Saints Team was Pardew's Team, playing to HIs "system" or "tactics", and they did not have a clue as to how to break down a packed defence minde opponent

 

Don't think Plymouth will be the last, because EVERY visiting Team will be playing the same way, all 22 of them

 

Pardew once again showed himself to be tactically inept. He does not know how to CHANGE things if things are going against

 

OK, people will say I should not criticise after just one match, and we were up against a Team rated to be a Top Six contender, but I say Eyewash. This is the sort of Team that HAS to be beaten. What we saw on Saturday was just a continuation from last season when things were against us. Pardew doesn't know what to do, and he didn't try to change anything

 

Far too many people on here were of the opinion that we would "walk" the League, well, we arn't. Time for a reality check, and the reality is we are just an ordinary Division One Team, who cannot change tactics mid match to turn things around

 

Ricky Lambert missing ?? well, if people are just relying on a free kick specialist to get us out of the mire, then that just about sums it up

 

"A good workout" ??? It was a LEAGUE MATCH , or do you mean it was "A good workout" for Plymouth as well ???

 

As I said, Two people, Two views

 

Funny old game innit ??

 

You can't really blame Pardew's tactics.

In the first half we created a shed load of opportunities which our players failed to convert.

Most noticably, I blame Hammond who had two clear headers, Puncheon whose crosing was abysmal and Barnard for not being in the right place when Connolly laid the ball back brilliantly... We simply did not score when we were in the ascendency and that failing sits with those on the pitch.

 

And what about the players we should have had on the pitch that our Chairman is too tight to buy?

[Thedelldays]

 

And what about the players we should have had on the pitch that our Chairman is too tight to buy?

 

is that a joke...?

[Legod Third Coming]

is that a joke...?

 

No. Where is the holding midfielder we need?

[S-Clarke]

No. Where is the holding midfielder we need?

 

Still at his club because they want too much for him, we're not going to over-pay for players. That's the first step towards another administration.

[Badger]

I was surprised to see we weren't physically fit, after being told that the preseason was hard. I suggest anyone who looked like they did yesterday should go through a training session that WGS had planned.

 

The recruitment of players in the close season was restricted to free agents. Some normal transfer targets were tried for, but those offers were just a cosmetic exercise being derisory and plain insulting to both the target player and his club.

.

 

Agree about the fitness where we appeared ill prepared both physically at times, and mentally for the battle this season.

 

Transfer targets ? Care to share any further knowledge on this ?

[Legod Third Coming]

Still at his club because they want too much for him, we're not going to over-pay for players. That's the first step towards another administration.

 

No it isn't. Please tell me how close Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real and Arsenal are to adminstration. When will people stop this mantra. Overpaying for players is the ONLY route to success. Doesn't world football tell you that?

 

Or are Manchester City planning a garage sale?

[Johnny Shearer]

A comment from the bowels of desperation if ever I heard one.

 

Search you feelings...you know it to be true...promotion is a long, long way off.

 

Oh behave dude.

[Thedelldays]

No. Where is the holding midfielder we need?

we have spent more than any league 1 club in years...if ever..?

 

did millwall need millions to go up..? no

[S-Clarke]

 

 

The recruitment of players in the close season was restricted to free agents. Some normal transfer targets were tried for, but those offers were just a cosmetic exercise being derisory and plain insulting to both the target player and his club.

 

That claim is pretty much thrown in the bin since we bid 500k for a L1 RB, which the club described as an offer too good to refuse. But we're being sensible with our money, and i also don't understand why people think it's just us doing sod all.

 

look at all the other clubs in England, it's dead - the market is totally flat, nothing is happening. That makes it much much harder for clubs like us to recruit as there just isn't the movement to make players avaliable. People need to realize it's not just a case of - ''here's 1m for a player'' ''we want 2m'' ''ok, here's 2m''.

[Legod Third Coming]

we have spent more than any league 1 club in years...if ever..?

 

did millwall need millions to go up..? no

 

Look DD, if the manager says he needs x, you have to give it to him or sack him.

[Thedelldays]

Look DD, if the manager says he needs x, you have to give it to him or sack him.

 

yes...we did that in 2006...then we nearly went bust

 

what if the manager asks for rooney..or more realistically £10m for carlton cole..?

[dune]

Look DD, if the manager says he needs x, you have to give it to him or sack him.

 

I think AP will be gone before August is out. When does the transfer window close?

[Legod Third Coming]

yes...we did that in 2006...then we nearly went bust

 

what if the manager asks for rooney..or more realistically £10m for carlton cole..?

 

I would be surprised if Pardew thought he needed Carlton Cole, but I have the impression our Chairman does not trust our manager and/or isn't willing to back him in the transfer market. I might be wrong, but if I'm not we have no chance of promotion.