Striker

[Professor]

The Nicholas Bignall loan hardly suggests that SFC are trying to add real quality to the side. No offence to Nicholas, but a reserve player from an nPC side, regardless of whether he has potential, is not a proven star striker. The signings of Lambert, Connolly and Barnard all made a statement that bringing in NB on loan does not.

 

Maybe the view is that the current 3, plus Goble are adequate, but lets face it, they are struggling to find the net.

 

There is a rumour in Sussex, denied by Gus Poyet, that Brighton are looking at taking David Healy on loan from Sunderland. Apparantly Healy hasn't played for the Black Cats yet this season. If that suggests he's available, Saints should be in there looking.

[SNSUN]

Our first three strikers are,in my opinion, better than any in the division. But Connolly is injury prone, Lambert's out of form and Barnard, whilst our most in form striker, has seemingly been dropped due to off the field indiscretions. Loans will plug the gaps but we need a major striker signing in January if we're to even think of hitting the play-offs. Adkins will know this, let's hope Cortese has the funds to support him.

[Wes Tender]

The Nicholas Bignall loan hardly suggests that SFC are trying to add real quality to the side. No offence to Nicholas, but a reserve player from an nPC side, regardless of whether he has potential, is not a proven star striker. The signings of Lambert, Connolly and Barnard all made a statement that bringing in NB on loan does not.

 

Maybe the view is that the current 3, plus Goble are adequate, but lets face it, they are struggling to find the net.

 

There is a rumour in Sussex, denied by Gus Poyet, that Brighton are looking at taking David Healy on loan from Sunderland. Apparantly Healy hasn't played for the Black Cats yet this season. If that suggests he's available, Saints should be in there looking.

 

This must be exactly the same lack of ambition shown when we brought in Antonio last season, eh? Bignall isn't anything more than cover for Lambert and Barnard. And we already have Lallana and De Prado as options too.

[Professor]

This must be exactly the same lack of ambition shown when we brought in Antonio last season, eh? Bignall isn't anything more than cover for Lambert and Barnard. And we already have Lallana and De Prado as options too.

I suppose you could say that failing to bring in a replacement for Antonio has shown a lack of ambition this year, that was not apparant last season, although thats not what I'm saying. My point is that we need some poven quality rather than the risk of a young player, who might suceed as Antonio did, but could equally just get a handful of games like Jacob Mellis last year.

[MarkSFC]

I suppose you could say that failing to bring in a replacement for Antonio has shown a lack of ambition this year, that was not apparant last season, although thats not what I'm saying. My point is that we need some poven quality rather than the risk of a young player, who might suceed as Antonio did, but could equally just get a handful of games like Jacob Mellis last year.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with ambition. I think it's the major failing of Pardew not to get the 4th striker he went on and on about and nor did he get an extra CM or a nippy winger.

 

I'm sure we will see some permanent signings in those areas come January.

 

Until then carry on finding anything to moan about......

[Wes Tender]

I suppose you could say that failing to bring in a replacement for Antonio has shown a lack of ambition this year, that was not apparant last season, although thats not what I'm saying. My point is that we need some poven quality rather than the risk of a young player, who might suceed as Antonio did, but could equally just get a handful of games like Jacob Mellis last year.

 

Do Prado. Signing a Brazillian who would have been playing in Seria A is a real lack of ambition, eh? As it is, otherwise we had signed the leading scorer in this division in Lambert and another of the top scorers in Barnard and also had already Lallana who has been scouted by Premiership clubs. How unambitious can we be? Chamberlain is also a developing player too.

[benjii]

We don't score therefore we need to sign a Galactico striker. Rarely has such infantile twaddle been peddle under more absurd a soubriquet.

[supersonic]

Bignall has just signed a new 2-year contract with Reading just so you know

[Saint_clark]

It's Doble FFS.

[Professor]

Contrary to what Wes Tender has said, Do Prado was not lined up to play in Serie A. His club was promoted from Serie B at which point they were looking to move him on. There were no firm offers for him from Serie A clubs and the suggestion that there was, proved to be unsubstantiated rumour. Neither is he an automatic first choice for Saints, and when given a start yesterday, he was subbed. I agree HCDAJFU but to make a real impact we need one or two new players to give us more quality.

 

Maybe we will have to wait until the January window but by then automatic promotion might be unreachable, so if someone like David Healy is available on loan, I would hope we are looking.

[Matthew Le God]

someone like David Healy is available on loan, I would hope we are looking.

 

There is a rumour in Sussex, denied by Gus Poyet, that Brighton are looking at taking David Healy on loan from Sunderland. Apparantly Healy hasn't played for the Black Cats yet this season. If that suggests he's available, Saints should be in there looking.

 

Why do you keep harping on about Healy? He really isn't anything special and hasn't done anything in football for years, in the last 4 seasons combined he has only scored a total of 6 goals!

[Professor]

Why do you keep harping on about Healy? He really isn't anything special and hasn't done anything in football for years, in the last 4 seasons combined he has only scored a total of 6 goals!

 

It is easy to see why we had a thread about "Why This Forum has Gone Downhill" when instead of discussion you get aggressively worded responses to a question that merits discussion about (1) the current recruitment policy, which seems to be aimed at 'squad players'; and (2) whether there might be some former quality players, maybe over the hill for the top tier, but well able to shine in Div 1.

[Window Cleaner]

It is easy to see why we had a thread about "Why This Forum has Gone Downhill" when instead of discussion you get aggressively worded responses to a question that merits discussion about (1) the current recruitment policy, which seems to be aimed at 'squad players'; and (2) whether there might be some former quality players, maybe over the hill for the top tier, but well able to shine in Div 1.

 

Are 30+ strikers actually effective in this league ??(honest question) or is it rather a place for young bucks on the make.

[Matthew Le God]

It is easy to see why we had a thread about "Why This Forum has Gone Downhill" when instead of discussion you get aggressively worded responses to a question that merits discussion about (1) the current recruitment policy, which seems to be aimed at 'squad players'; and (2) whether there might be some former quality players, maybe over the hill for the top tier, but well able to shine in Div 1.

 

What is your opinion of Healy based on? It can't be anything after 2006. Even before 2006 he was hardly prolific.

[sammysaint]

We need a pacey striker all strikers are slowish you need one striker to be quick and iMO banard cant start over lambert and hes going soon away.

[Matthew Le God]

We need a pacey striker all strikers are slowish you need one striker to be quick and iMO banard cant start over lambert and hes going soon away.

 

Where is he going?

 

(innocent until proven guilty!)

[saintsforlife7]

What is your opinion of Healy based on? It can't be anything after 2006. Even before 2006 he was hardly prolific.

 

Surely that is because he hasn't had the chance to play, when playing he was the top goalscorer in a European qualifying campaign as he broke Davor Suker's record of 12 in one campaign as he scored 13, this included a hat trick against Spain. He can hardly be bad if he has that record to his name. Just because he's not good enough to get in at Sunderland doesn't mean he's rubbish, he just hasn't played to be able to score goals that he has proven he can do in the past, even for a poor international side like Northern Ireland.

 

I'm not saying we should sign him, but we could do a lot worse than him, he's a fitter Connolly imo and would score goals in this league

[Dalek2003]

Apparently Wayne Rooney is out of favour at Manure.

[SuperMikey]

I think we need to get rid of Connolly in the window tbh. He's never fit and when he plays he hardly sets the world alight. Lambert and Barnard are a quality strikeforce, and we have Guly who can also play up front too. We have to see who's available in January really, although we do still have weak areas in the squad that need to be filled (CM and ST being the priorities).

[Appy]

Did you say the same about Antonio when he arrived?

[sfc4prem]

I think we need to get rid of Connolly in the window tbh. He's never fit and when he plays he hardly sets the world alight. Lambert and Barnard are a quality strikeforce, and we have Guly who can also play up front too. We have to see who's available in January really, although we do still have weak areas in the squad that need to be filled (CM and ST being the priorities).

 

This.

 

We need to buy a CM that is really good, someone that can easily replace Hammond, because, IMO, he's one of those players that shirks responsibility far too often, especially for a captain.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Whatever the players names are, something is different and not working thus season in terms of goals scored. You can't get away from the facts - we need more creativity and pace in the team.

[SuperMikey]

Anyone know if Adkins had any particular favourites at Scunny who may be tempted to follow him here? Didn't Mackail-Smith play for him there at one point? He would be a good signing up front.

[Wes Tender]

Contrary to what Wes Tender has said, Do Prado was not lined up to play in Serie A. His club was promoted from Serie B at which point they were looking to move him on. There were no firm offers for him from Serie A clubs and the suggestion that there was, proved to be unsubstantiated rumour. Neither is he an automatic first choice for Saints, and when given a start yesterday, he was subbed. I agree HCDAJFU but to make a real impact we need one or two new players to give us more quality.

 

Maybe we will have to wait until the January window but by then automatic promotion might be unreachable, so if someone like David Healy is available on loan, I would hope we are looking.

 

A little research into his past career unearthed the following about him on Wikopedia:-

 

"He was later signed by Perugia (at that time belonging to Luciano Gaucci, who was also the majority shareholder of Catania), where he had the chance to make his debut in the Italian top flight.

 

In 2005, following the cancellation of Perugia from Italian football, he found himself without a club, being then signed by Fiorentina. However, due to a career-threatening injury, he never played a single match for the viola..."

 

Now, unless I'm mistaken because the article is badly worded, that infers to me that he played in Serie A for Perugia before they were chucked out and then was signed by Fiorentina and could have played in the top flight for them until an injury prevented it. But in any event, even in Serie B, he was playing football at a higher level than most of the players in our team or in this division and probably the Championship division too.

[Junior Mullet]

We have missed Papa and Antonio this year. Last year they provided a pacy and direct plan B in games where we found it hard to break down the oppo. Failure to sign them both was a misjudgement IMO.

[SaintRichmond]

Anyone know if Adkins had any particular favourites at Scunny who may be tempted to follow him here? Didn't Mackail-Smith play for him there at one point? He would be a good signing up front.

 

By the time that Cortese "allows" any decent signings, our season will be virtually over

 

If no monies are available UNTIL January, we will be too far behind Sixth spot, let alone the Top Two

 

If Cortese REALLY has Promotion as his No 1 priority, then from a BUSINESS point of view, he had better rethink, and Fast

[rolosfc]

Healy would be a fantastic signing. I don't think we should continue to consider Connolly as a real first team option, far too injury prone and has played no where near enough games in his time here. As soon as he gets any kind of a run of form/fitness he seems to get another injury.

 

Therefore, if Bignall is not good enough, which I doubt he is, we only have two real options. One dropped and the other lacking form, a big signing in January is a must.

[Alanh]

By the time that Cortese "allows" any decent signings, our season will be virtually over

 

If no monies are available UNTIL January, we will be too far behind Sixth spot, let alone the Top Two

 

If Cortese REALLY has Promotion as his No 1 priority, then from a BUSINESS point of view, he had better rethink, and Fast

 

Disagree with just about all of this.

 

There is no evidence that Cortese is preventing signings, loans or otherwise as we have just seen two players arrive following Adkins assessment of the squad. Obviously January is the earliest that money can be spent on permanent transfers so that's hardly a stick to beat anyone with.

 

Why would Cortese, or anyone at the club be less focussed on promotion this season. We have just had a 5 match unbeaten run and lost to a decent top six team. The same thing happened last year and we ended up close to the play-offs. There is every reason to believe that we will achieve promotion this season.

[OldNick]

We have missed Papa and Antonio this year. Last year they provided a pacy and direct plan B in games where we found it hard to break down the oppo. Failure to sign them both was a misjudgement IMO.

 

++1

[Village Saint]

Why do you keep harping on about Healy? He really isn't anything special and hasn't done anything in football for years, in the last 4 seasons combined he has only scored a total of 6 goals!

 

Like you I just dont get the idea that some people have about Healey. Frankly I am shocked he has scored as many as 6 as he has probably only played about 80 games in that time and I would have expected his strike rate to be nore like 1 every 20 games. He is frankly pants and I have just never been able to understand why some many managers have been prepared to pay so much for him. Bringing him in would simply block a starting place that could be used by Lambert to work his way back to his best form, do Prado to continue his adjustment to English football or Barney to finally show he is worth a starting place.

[supersonic]

Anyone know if Adkins had any particular favourites at Scunny who may be tempted to follow him here? Didn't Mackail-Smith play for him there at one point? He would be a good signing up front.

 

Gary Hooper or Jermaine Beckford?

[supersonic]

Like you I just dont get the idea that some people have about Healey. Frankly I am shocked he has scored as many as 6 as he has probably only played about 80 games in that time and I would have expected his strike rate to be nore like 1 every 20 games. He is frankly pants and I have just never been able to understand why some many managers have been prepared to pay so much for him. Bringing him in would simply block a starting place that could be used by Lambert to work his way back to his best form, do Prado to continue his adjustment to English football or Barney to finally show he is worth a starting place.

 

Because about 4 or 5 years ago, he was immense, but only when he played for Northern Ireland.

 

I seem to reemember him being the top goalscorer in qualifying for Euro 2008 i think? or possibly for germany 2006. Even so, he scored more goals than Scotland did in that time (not hard though really!)

[SaintRichmond]

Disagree with just about all of this.

 

There is no evidence that Cortese is preventing signings, loans or otherwise as we have just seen two players arrive following Adkins assessment of the squad. Obviously January is the earliest that money can be spent on permanent transfers so that's hardly a stick to beat anyone with.

 

Why would Cortese, or anyone at the club be less focussed on promotion this season. We have just had a 5 match unbeaten run and lost to a decent top six team. The same thing happened last year and we ended up close to the play-offs. There is every reason to believe that we will achieve promotion this season.

 

 

The Evidence ???? We did not sign Papa or Antonio, and we have NOT replaced. Whichever way you look at it, we ARE Two strikers short from last term

 

January ??? As I said, if he waits that long, we will be too far behind, and NOT in contention of the Top Six

 

Reason to believe we can get Promotion ??? Only IF we have a Balanced Squad, who play consistently well. IMHO, we are NOT balanced because we are short of GOALSCORERS

 

IMHO, for whatever the reason, the failure to address our LACK of Goalscorers is going to cost us

 

January is Too Late to try to do what should have been done during the close season, and Cortese SHOULD have had his finger on the pulse regarding that

[saintwiz]

The Evidence ???? We did not sign Papa or Antonio, and we have NOT replaced. Whichever way you look at it, we ARE Two strikers short from last term

 

January ??? As I said, if he waits that long, we will be too far behind, and NOT in contention of the Top Six

 

Reason to believe we can get Promotion ??? Only IF we have a Balanced Squad, who play consistently well. IMHO, we are NOT balanced because we are short of GOALSCORERS

 

IMHO, for whatever the reason, the failure to address our LACK of Goalscorers is going to cost us

 

January is Too Late to try to do what should have been done during the close season, and Cortese SHOULD have had his finger on the pulse regarding that

 

The transfer window does not open until January.....

[OldNick]

Pardew left us short. He oversaw the non replacement of Antonio and Papa, the same mistake the club not replacing Killer, we will live to rue the fact. It is obvious you cant rely on your centre forward to score 30 goals every season. LB and Connelly are of no pace and can only play of a big man not play alone up front.

I fortunately did not believe that we would walk the league and others have overtaken us.

[Professor]

What is your opinion of Healy based on? It can't be anything after 2006. Even before 2006 he was hardly prolific.

 

Its based on the rumour that Poyet is looking at Healy for Brighton. With Brighton top of the table, it seems reasonable to think that Poyet knows what he's doing so if they are interested, so should we, but I only cite Healy as an example of former top quality players and that there might be one who could do a job for us where we need it, up front, or a CM. I am not saying Healy is the answer, he might be too far gone as you suggest, but are we looking beyond the untried youngsters?

 

It is true that Guly is 28, but he hasn't played at the highest level and is not an automatic first choice for Saints. My suggestion is that we need another signing or two, like Lambert, Fonte, Richardson, a player or two who would go straight in as first choice. For speed, we do need younger players at WMF, and it is still the case that we haven't properly replaced Antonio or Waigo, unless you accept that Chamberlain, at 17, is the answer, although it seems that Adkins doesn't see Alex as the first name on the team sheet yet, possibly because he doesn't feel he can burn him out at his age.

[Smirking_Saint]

Antonio was never the first name on the team sheet either Proff ? Puncheon and Lallana were in their respected positions so IMO a winger is not needed. What with Holmes, Dickson, Ox-C and Mills all on the books.

 

We now have Chaplow in the CM role covering, hopefully we sign him on for a longer period.

 

As for the striker role. Lambert and Barnard are easily good enough at this level, Guly had a quality game against Tranmere and from people that were at Hudds was hardly the worst player their either. We are not in a bad place right not, Bignall was probably the sort of player we were going to get down here right now due to Barnard and Lambert being probably all but definate first 11's, who would want to sit behind them ?

 

We are not in a bad place right now, Adkins has come in and given us a new lease of life and confidence, Lambert is getting back to his game. Huddersfield would always be a hard game, they are pretty good at home TBF so i was never 100% confident. I expect more of Tranmere at home against Oldham and we will push on from there.

 

Don't get me wrong i wouldn't be against signings in Jan but we would have to A. Rid ourselves of Holmes, Mills etc and replace with more quality or B. put up with that fact that we will probably end up with a squad far too big, too expensive and bordering of becoming stale. We have the players at the moment, and are playing well (5 games unbeaten before Sat) Clark got his tactics right and the team were obvious very up for playing us, we won't win them all.

[The Kraken]

Pardew left us short. He oversaw the non replacement of Antonio and Papa, the same mistake the club not replacing Killer, we will live to rue the fact. It is obvious you cant rely on your centre forward to score 30 goals every season. LB and Connelly are of no pace and can only play of a big man not play alone up front.

I fortunately did not believe that we would walk the league and others have overtaken us.

 

I think its a bit too easy to solely blame Pardew. Throughout the summer AP was constantly banging the drum about the need to bring in new players, and to replace Antonio/Waigo, so he clearly knew there were gaps to be filled. We also supposedly have a transfer committee including Cortese, Les Reed and others still at the club, so its disingenuous to solely blame Pardew for the squad's current deficiencies.

[SaintRichmond]

I think its a bit too easy to solely blame Pardew. Throughout the summer AP was constantly banging the drum about the need to bring in new players, and to replace Antonio/Waigo, so he clearly knew there were gaps to be filled. We also supposedly have a transfer committee including Cortese, Les Reed and others still at the club, so its disingenuous to solely blame Pardew for the squad's current deficiencies.

 

Yes he was "banging the drum" as you say

 

BUT, he did SOD ALL about it did he not ??

[Smirking_Saint]

I think its a bit too easy to solely blame Pardew. Throughout the summer AP was constantly banging the drum about the need to bring in new players, and to replace Antonio/Waigo, so he clearly knew there were gaps to be filled. We also supposedly have a transfer committee including Cortese, Les Reed and others still at the club, so its disingenuous to solely blame Pardew for the squad's current deficiencies.

 

Was there decent recruits available ?? This is two fold, both from the transfer comitte point of view and Pardews continued bleating of waiting for the 21 man squads to be released, which i think was a big let down really and didn't actually free anyone up.

[OldNick]

I think its a bit too easy to solely blame Pardew. Throughout the summer AP was constantly banging the drum about the need to bring in new players, and to replace Antonio/Waigo, so he clearly knew there were gaps to be filled. We also supposedly have a transfer committee including Cortese, Les Reed and others still at the club, so its disingenuous to solely blame Pardew for the squad's current deficiencies.

apparently he could have taken Papa back and did nothing to get Antonio signed up.

[Wes Tender]

It is true that Guly is 28, but he hasn't played at the highest level and is not an automatic first choice for Saints. My suggestion is that we need another signing or two, like Lambert, Fonte, Richardson, a player or two who would go straight in as first choice. For speed, we do need younger players at WMF, and it is still the case that we haven't properly replaced Antonio or Waigo, unless you accept that Chamberlain, at 17, is the answer, although it seems that Adkins doesn't see Alex as the first name on the team sheet yet, possibly because he doesn't feel he can burn him out at his age.

 

In the second sentence, you contradict your first sentence, as Lambert and Fonte also haven't played at the highest level either and arguably Guly has certainly played at a higher level than Lambert and probably Fonte too. Richardson was with Leeds when they were in the Premiership, but that was some years ago now. Of course, your argument is further contradicted in that neither Antonio nor Weigo were first choice names on Pardew's starting line up either. So quite where should these proposed new signings play? You say up front or CM, but we have Lambert, Barnard, Connolly, perhaps Guly or Lallana up front and Schneiderlin, Hammond, Chaplow and Wotton for CM. Admittedly, CM looks as if it could be further strengthened, but we don't seem to be short anywhere else. In fact, as somebody else proved on the pre-Huddersfield match thread, we could put out a perfectly respectable second team that on paper would look stronger than nearly every other team in this division.

[Mowgli]

The Nicholas Bignall loan hardly suggests that SFC are trying to add real quality to the side. No offence to Nicholas, but a reserve player from an nPC side, regardless of whether he has potential, is not a proven star striker. The signings of Lambert, Connolly and Barnard all made a statement that bringing in NB on loan does not.

 

Maybe the view is that the current 3, plus Goble are adequate, but lets face it, they are struggling to find the net.

 

There is a rumour in Sussex, denied by Gus Poyet, that Brighton are looking at taking David Healy on loan from Sunderland. Apparantly Healy hasn't played for the Black Cats yet this season. If that suggests he's available, Saints should be in there looking.

 

lol. Write off a loanee on the basis of 20 minutes play and replace him with a striker who has scored six goals in 55 league appearances over the last 3 years.

[Mowgli]

It is easy to see why we had a thread about "Why This Forum has Gone Downhill" when instead of discussion you get aggressively worded responses to a question that merits discussion about (1) the current recruitment policy, which seems to be aimed at 'squad players'; and (2) whether there might be some former quality players, maybe over the hill for the top tier, but well able to shine in Div 1.

 

Sorry - just seen someone made the same comment. Neither intended as aggressive though, I'm sure. I think Bignell still has something to offer but we need more time to assess him. I don't think I need to know more about Healy to conclude he has nothing to offer but as with all posts - it's all about opinions. I'm not knocking yours just disagreeing.

[saintsforlife7]

Like you I just dont get the idea that some people have about Healey. Frankly I am shocked he has scored as many as 6 as he has probably only played about 80 games in that time and I would have expected his strike rate to be nore like 1 every 20 games. He is frankly pants and I have just never been able to understand why some many managers have been prepared to pay so much for him.

 

But we have seen the facts about his record, and it's not half bad, 13 goals(a record) in European Championship qualifying - beating Davor Suker's record in the process. OK that could be against rubbish sides but he scored a hat trick against Spain, and if you have that in your bag you are not a bad player, it's just that he chose the wrong move and hasnt had a chance to play regularly. I think if we signed him, at this level he would be a top player, with added experience and a few years on Connolly who imo he would replace

[Doctoroncall]

Well, it looks like Vassell is off to Leicester so we can forget about him.

[The Kraken]

Yes he was "banging the drum" as you say

 

BUT, he did SOD ALL about it did he not ??

 

No, he didn't do "sod all". He took Carter on trial, which shows he was at least looking to address our problem positions. I have no idea exactly how much AP personally did about signing new recruits. He could have recommended any number of players and been refused them; or he could have sat around with his feet up most of the time. There's no way to tell either way, but given that he consistently made reference to needing players and didn't get them, the club as a whole should take a fair share of the blame, which was the point I was trying to make.

 

apparently he could have taken Papa back and did nothing to get Antonio signed up.

 

Waigo agreed; I can only presume he didn't rate him and therefore didn't want him. I actually agree, I was never a fan of Waigo anyway. Though saying that I'd rather have him than nobody, as we currently have.

 

Antonio; I'm not sure what more was possible for Pardew to do. He told the chairman he wanted to sign him, from then on it's the chairman's decision whether to meet Reading's valuation. As it turned out, from his point of view Antonio probably thought he was doing the best thing for his career, playing a division above and being given plenty of chances in the first team to break through.

[Lord Duckhunter]

Forget about Healy, he hasn't played enough lately and is pretty one paced. There's obviously something wrong about Healy, even when banging them in for NI, he couldn't get a game at Leeds and has struggled to find a team willing to pick hm up. He's even stopped scoring for NI lately.

 

We're not going to pick up a ready made League One striker on loan unless its a club trying to offload his wages. Premiership fringe players are going to be picked up by Championship clubs as the gulf is getting wider and wider.Perhaps there's someone out of favour somewhere like Puncheon was at Plymouth and hopefully our scouting network will be aware and working on it. On paper Lambert,Barnard, Guly and Connely look ok, but the reality is Lambert has been poor, Connelly is injury prone, Guly untried and Barnard has this issue hanging over him.Personally I'm not convinced Lambert's form is a blip, I hope I'm wrong, but I just have a gut feeling we've had the best out of him.Certainly we need someone in a similar mould to put pressure on him so he cant take his place in the side for granted.Where we are going to get him from I dont know, but NA's and the scouts should, that's what their paid for.

[15saints]

This bloke is still on the free transfer list - Jeremie Aliadiere as is James Scowcroft and Darius Vassell

[SaintRichmond]

No, he didn't do "sod all". He took Carter on trial, which shows he was at least looking to address our problem positions. I have no idea exactly how much AP personally did about signing new recruits. He could have recommended any number of players and been refused them; or he could have sat around with his feet up most of the time. There's no way to tell either way, but given that he consistently made reference to needing players and didn't get them, the club as a whole should take a fair share of the blame, which was the point I was trying to make.

 

 

 

Waigo agreed; I can only presume he didn't rate him and therefore didn't want him. I actually agree, I was never a fan of Waigo anyway. Though saying that I'd rather have him than nobody, as we currently have.

 

Antonio; I'm not sure what more was possible for Pardew to do. He told the chairman he wanted to sign him, from then on it's the chairman's decision whether to meet Reading's valuation. As it turned out, from his point of view Antonio probably thought he was doing the best thing for his career, playing a division above and being given plenty of chances in the first team to break through.

 

Taking a player on trial is in no way comparable to actually SIGNING someone, and, IMHO Pardew made no REAL attempt to get anyone

 

Pardew did not want Waigo, and made that obvious

 

As regards Antonio. Reading did nor really want to sell, and quoted Cortese circa £1M. Cortese (quite rightly IMHO ) said no, and Pardew threw the few remaining toys out of his Pram

 

Bringing on Guly for FIVE minutes was nothing short of a Two Fingered Salute to Cortese

 

IMHO, Pardew had lost interest and made it obvious to many that he wasn't really interested in bringing anyone in

 

By the time that that was fully realised, it was too late for anyone to upgrade the Squad

 

That is why the Squad is "lopsided", with not many "Striker" options