The Franchise v Saints Match thread

[Badger]

Last post of the day for me.

 

The following need to be "rested" (i.e. we've got alternatives):

 

Kelvin Davis

Dean Hammond

Sir Rickie Lambert

 

The following need a good kick up the arse (they can, and want to, do better):

 

Morgan Schneiderlin

Jose Fonte

 

 

and the following need to find a new club (my wife could do better):

 

Jason Puncheon

David Connolly

 

but I haven't got a diploma in Sports Psychology, so what do I know?

 

Not sure I dare risk resting Kelvin.

 

Hammond I might demote to the find another club bracket on this seasons performances.

 

Agree that Fonte and Morgan "can do better".

 

Connolly is living on a few good performances last season.

 

Puncheon - waste of space.

[Katalinic]

It's going to be hard, the playoffs are a lottery. I dreaded the thought of them, now to think this could possibly be the best we get is ****ing awful. If we fail to go up this year we'll have to start all over again and we'll never replace Lallana with someone of the same ability.

 

On the plus side we could get rid of the crap like Wotton and never replace them with someone of the same ability.

[CanadaSaint]

It's going to be hard, the playoffs are a lottery. I dreaded the thought of them, now to think this could possibly be the best we get is ****ing awful. If we fail to go up this year we'll have to start all over again and we'll never replace Lallana with someone of the same ability.

 

What scares me is this: the two most vital qualities at playoff time are heart and fitness, and I fear we lack both. Big time.

[Gordon Mockles]

Was it 4 times we beat them under Pardew last season? Nuff said!!

 

I realise Adkins has only just arrived so due some leniency but you've got to question Cortese and his catalogue of stupid f*ckin decisions, culminating in the winning *cough* move in removing a decent manager that had done well. Won us a cup, nearly hit play offs. Nicola - you're a complete f*ckin weapon!! Just my opinion!! Bad move removing a manager you couldn't control and manipulate eh? Let's hope your "yes Man" doesn't disappoint. FFS. Thought we'd bloody got rid of one meddling, clueless Chairman and secret (failed in football success football) advisor with the new owner but seems not. FFS!! Worried!

[CWD]

I'm still trying to be positive, despite feeling completely deflated, so:

 

1) we have more points than at this stage last year

2) the squad is thin, but we are able to strengthen now that the loan window is open

3) We have a new manager, and a new start, and it's not too late to kick start a promotion push

4) Barnard is back at the weekend

 

Anyone else, feel free to contribute...

[Katalinic]

Not sure I dare risk resting Kelvin.

 

Hammond I might demote to the find another club bracket on this seasons performances.

 

Agree that Fonte and Morgan "can do better".

 

Connolly is living on a few good performances last season.

 

Puncheon - waste of space.

 

Kelvin doesn't command his area and is indecisive on crosses imho. If there is to be true competition for places then nobody should be immune from being dropped.

[Saint Without a Halo]

all these 'new features' we get slow it down.......so 1 goal in a game and good night.

 

Quality eh

 

Ahhhhhhh we are not scoring as our team is trying to make sure the server doesn't melt down!

[Liquidshokk]

I'm still trying to be positive, despite feeling completely deflated, so:

 

1) we have more points than at this stage last year

2) the squad is thin, but we are able to strengthen now that the loan window is open

3) We have a new manager, and a new start, and it's not too late to kick start a promotion push

4) Barnard is back at the weekend

 

Anyone else, feel free to contribute...

 

We could support Arsenal if it gets too much?

[saint_stevo]

We've been bad before and we'll be bad again. It just hurts because 1) We didn't expect this and 2) Everyone else is laughing at us.

 

Whatever you may think of the AP situation, the clear fact is that something is not right in the club. The new man will not sort that out in 2 days, maybe not in 2 weeks.

 

The best players in the league last year don't go off for no reason.

 

Perhaps this is a good result as it will show Adkins where the problems lie and he can put his pre-match words into effect and bring in the players to shake this sorry shower of sh!te up.

 

Still, one good thing about tonight. Camel Toes were enjoyable.

 

Bad thing is they don't work. Playboy Playmates of the mont Saturday maybe?

 

 

Since i have been doing hoofs on match freds, we have been struggling!

[NickG]

I'm still trying to be positive, despite feeling completely deflated, so:

 

1) we have more points than at this stage last year

2) the squad is thin, but we are able to strengthen now that the loan window is open

3) We have a new manager, and a new start, and it's not too late to kick start a promotion push

4) Barnard is back at the weekend

 

Anyone else, feel free to contribute...

 

eerrr....only four points off Norwich were at same stage, and they went up with ten points to spare -therefore we are 6 points ahead of schedule for automatic promotion!

[steadyeddie]

Judging by the early season form, this time next year we will still be in this league. Too early to say ? Maybe.

NA has a hell of a job on his hands, and whilst the positivity of the manager has to be admired, I feel this (Pardew) team will be broken up sooner, rather than later. We have good players, but too many average ones. We desperately miss pace up front (Waigo & Antonio), and we are also missing Lallana. Lambert is struggling with his fitness, and Puncheon amongst others, form.

It will come good, I am sure, but the one thing everyone must realise is, that this is a long term job for NA. I hope NC has patience with him, because, as we all know Fans are never patient.

[ringwood]

well never seen saints play 4th division football before

[S-Clarke]

eerrr....only four points off Norwich were at same stage, and they went up with ten points to spare -therefore we are 6 points ahead of schedule for automatic promotion!

 

Problem is nick, we're going to need to go on one hell of a run now and we can only lose 3 more games if we're going to do as well as Norwich. I can't see where it's coming from as we're now going to take time to bed into the new managers ways. We've already lost 4 games, they lost 7 maximum last season. Looking at it that way, it's going to be one hell of a ****ing effort now.

[sotonswan]

We are so back to square one...

 

This square 1? In which case aptly named.

 

http://www.square1consulting.co.uk/

 

St Mary's and Saint Markus on the first graphic fade . . . . .

[NickG]

its ok - didn't even convince myself

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Adkins interview now...

[trousers]

If there's an OS article tomorrow from a Saints player saying "we must do better, it's down to us, it's only a matter of time before we go on winning run" I will kick the cat into next door's garden.

 

Don't wheel out any players for a hollow rallying call until we've won a few games.... FFS.

[David Strover]

Supporting Saints is nothing like supporting an 'normal' football club.

 

It is some sort of self torture and to be honest I've got tickets for the ice-hockey on Saturday and I'm going to that. I'm not going to even think about football, check the telly or any of the other things I do on Saturdays.

 

Pretty soon after that I'm off to Canada where I won't check a thing until I'm back.

 

I just don't give a damn any more. We don't seem to be able to stay at a moderate level of success in League Division Three so why do any of us bother? They couldn't complain if about 1,200 turned up on Saturday. They really would have no grounds for complaint.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

If there's an OS article tomorrow from a Saints player saying "we must do better, it's down to us, it's only a matter of time before we go on winning run" I will kick the cat into next door's garden.

 

Don't wheel out any players for a hollow rallying call until we've won a few games.... FFS.

 

Agree with this.

[NickG]

Adkins sounds ready to kick ass

[trousers]

Look on the bright side....we now stand a better chance of playing Pompey next season....

[brett24]

We will win Saturday, Barnard is back and will get us scoring again. Once we get the first win this week our season will restart, we will still go up.

[steadyeddie]

Supporting Saints is nothing like supporting an 'normal' football club.

 

It is some sort of self torture and to be honest I've got tickets for the ice-hockey on Saturday and I'm going to that. I'm not going to even think about football, check the telly or any of the other things I do on Saturdays.

 

Pretty soon after that I'm off to Canada where I won't check a thing until I'm back.

 

I just don't give a damn any more. We don't seem to be able to stay at a moderate level of success in League Division Three so why do any of us bother? They couldn't complain if about 1,200 turned up on Saturday. They really would have no grounds for complaint.

 

Dave, enjoy the Ice Hockey mate. I'll be at St Mary's supporting the team.

[InvictaSaint]

Anybody with access to Solent able to let us know what Adkins has said? Ta muchly.

[itchen_dan]

Adkins say's he'll either analyse the game tonight or tomorrow. There will be a debrief tomorrow at Staplewood. Fair play to him. He's thorough and if he keeps putting the effort in, we have to back him and the players have to perform for him. Simple as.

 

He realises we need to improve on set plays, we didn't create enough chances and we gave away 2 poor goals.

 

Congratulating the fanbase, "1500 is fantastic for a midweek game at MK Dons so we need to support them"

 

Overall, he didnt sound too concerned about the defeat. It sounded like a was expecting a poor result but, he's got one hell of a job on his hands and I will support him until it gets out of hand. Bring on Saturday IMO!

[trousers]

We will win Saturday, Barnard is back and will get us scoring again. Once we get the first win this week our season will restart, we will still go up.

 

Do you ghost write those player OS articles per chance...?! ;-)

[NickG]

Adkins - learnt a lot, need to be better set pieces at both ends, learnt about how players react, players need to play attractive football but rememeber in battle and get quality balls into forwards

 

 

 

Merrrington said it was superb response

[S-Clarke]

Adkins is a great fella, he's such an intelligent bloke and see's the game well - but I'm more disappointed with the players and their lack of any ''reaction''.

 

I reckon we could see some big changes on Saturday (from the way he was talking), and it's about bloody time.

[norwaysaint]

Never mind, I'm sure everybody's doing their best. Maybe next time they'll win, eh?

[Victor]

eerrr....only four points off Norwich were at same stage, and they went up with ten points to spare -therefore we are 6 points ahead of schedule for automatic promotion!

 

Ridiculous! You can argue anything with statistics at this stage of the season. What about form, spirit, fitness, right players for right position, depth of squad etc. - how do you reckon these compare with Norwich at the same stage?

[Katalinic]

Adkins - learnt a lot, need to be better set pieces at both ends, learnt about how players react, players need to play attractive football but rememeber in battle and get quality balls into forwards

 

 

 

Merrrington said it was superb response

 

Genuinely, I can't think of any battling players in our squad.

[Secret Site Agent]

Got to just say. ****. Can only get better( Please pick one of the following to end my sentence : ! ? )

[NickG]

Ridiculous! You can argue anything with statistics at this stage of the season. What about form, spirit, fitness, right players for right position, depth of squad etc. - how do you reckon these compare with Norwich at the same stage?

 

you serious?

[David Strover]

Dave, enjoy the Ice Hockey mate. I'll be at St Mary's supporting the team.

 

Eddie I'll see more shots in the first five minutes than you'll see in the next two games and more goals in the first twenty minutes than you'll see in the next three games. And I'll be entertained. Something that appears to be not in SFC's brief this season.

[NickG]

Genuinely, I can't think of any battling players in our squad.

 

biggest thing been missing since Marsden

[saint_stevo]

Get Robbie Savage in!

[steadyeddie]

get robbie savage in!

 

seven pairs of white trainers !!!

[trousers]

Get Robbie Savage in!

 

That's exactly the type of player we're missing! Cheque book time Mr Cortese...

[Kingsbridge Saint]

I reckon that's the last time we'll see Puncheon and Connolly in a Saints shirt. Adkins will have the pair of them out for Saturday then he'll be into the loan market and they'll be farmed out on loan to the Conference where they belong.

[Liquidshokk]

This square 1? In which case aptly named.

 

http://www.square1consulting.co.uk/

 

St Mary's and Saint Markus on the first graphic fade . . . . .

 

Blue square maybe...

[S-Clarke]

I reckon that's the last time we'll see Puncheon and Connolly in a Saints shirt. Adkins will have the pair of them out for Saturday then he'll be into the loan market and they'll be farmed out on loan to the Conference where they belong.

 

Don't be silly.

 

They will possibly be dropped because they need to get fit, and confident. We saw last season that when they're on form and fit they're bloody good players for us.

[Victor]

you serious?

 

Sorry, were you joking then, or did you just not understand my point?

 

How do we compare with Norwich on all matters other than points? You tell me because I do not know and cannot, therefore make a proper comparison. You, apparently, can.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Is anyone else feeling deja vu from the Lowe days in the CCC? It really is starting to feel like it's all happening again - lots of effort and focus on the youth and academy and no-where near enough investment in ensuring there is consistency and quality in the first team. NC may swear blind that the first team manager is getting no interference, however I do wonder who has NC's ear - for example when it comes to whether to bring new players in (or not). What I do know is that something is wrong - something has changed - and it seems to be too much of a co-incidence that the rot seems to have set-in since Reed stepped through the Staplewood door.

[Badger]

I reckon that's the last time we'll see Puncheon and Connolly in a Saints shirt. Adkins will have the pair of them out for Saturday then he'll be into the loan market and they'll be farmed out on loan to the Conference where they belong.

 

Hope so.

[GullyGully]

Not posted much but went to the game tonight as I live in MK. I expected to see a hungry, ambitious, organised football team. What I got was nothing like it. I was not clear how we thought we were going to score a goal, our main tactic seemed to be right out of the Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn school of attack (ie chip it as far down the wing as you can or pump it up the top to Lambert or mostly Connolly in the first half) and our passing was slow and inaccurate. I am not at all sure how things can have gone so wrong since May but if ever the end of the season came at the wrong time - 2010 seemed to have been it. The players looked sluggish and as if they'd been worked off their feet and already played 25-30 games, not just 5 games into a new season. Worrying. PS - Despite the banter on here about Franchise FC I think those there tonight would agree that their fans were excellent for the 1st 15-20 minutes of the second half. Incessant.

[Pat from Poole]

Bring back Euell.

 

Ha ha ha. I know we're desperate, but FFS........

[Dr Who?]

What happened in the second half? We lost our shape completely and were playing like it was the first time the players had stepped on the pitch together? Completely fell apart!

 

Puncheon was terrible, and lambert had one brilliant shot in the first half after he got ****ed off because he did not get a throw in!! I think he should get ****ed off a bit more!

[Smirking_Saint]

Not posted much but went to the game tonight as I live in MK. I expected to see a hungry, ambitious, organised football team. What I got was nothing like it. I was not clear how we thought we were going to score a goal, our main tactic seemed to be right out of the Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn school of attack (ie chip it as far down the wing as you can or pump it up the top to Lambert or mostly Connolly in the first half) and our passing was slow and inaccurate. I am not at all sure how things can have gone so wrong since May but if ever the end of the season came at the wrong time - 2010 seemed to have been it. The players looked sluggish and as if they'd been worked off their feet and already played 25-30 games, not just 5 games into a new season. Worrying. PS - Despite the banter on here about Franchise FC I think those there tonight would agree that their fans were excellent for the 1st 15-20 minutes of the second half. Incessant.

 

We have played the hoof ball for about 5 years now. Briefly changed during the dutch duo's experiment that looked pretty but was exceptionally toothless.

 

My guess is it will take time to get the players out of this routine.

 

We need to get on track quickly though, we need competition from the bench (why this wasn't addressed pre-season is beyond me) and start to kick on up the league, nobody is showing exceptional form so far but we need to get involved before anyone finds their pace.

[Danny R]

Dave, enjoy the Ice Hockey mate. I'll be at St Mary's supporting the team.

 

Disgraceful, you should only support the team when we're winning!

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

If there's an OS article tomorrow from a Saints player saying "we must do better, it's down to us, it's only a matter of time before we go on winning run" I will kick the cat into next door's garden.

 

Don't wheel out any players for a hollow rallying call until we've won a few games.... FFS.

 

Totally agree, I'm still traumatised by the "we've turned a corner" articles that popped up every couple of weeks in the Premiership relegation season.