Are we going up or what..?

[Smirking_Saint]

I think if we had backed Pardew from the start and kept him all season we'd finish top two. I think if Adkins had a full pre season to work with we'd finish top two.

 

With the way things have panned out with Pardew getting the sack after a handfull of games and the terrible run of form under Wilkins that we will probably finish in the play offs with an outside chance of getting top two.

 

I agree with this

[ericb]

I'm really worried about our lack of fire power but as i keep saying to the cherries that i work with i won't be worried until the end of November, if we're not in the play off spots by then it's going to be a mighty tall ask to do.

 

I do believe we have the right manager though, and there's some real talent in the team squad IF they can start playing together as a team. Also got to say i'm worried about our lack of ideas if Lallana isn't playing, but then any team in this division would look a lot worse without him.

 

As for the others i've seen no one looks that special and it is a funny league where (if you'll excuse the cliché) everyone can beat everyone, so i'd expect a few more shocks - and the ensuing panics on here - along the way.

 

One thing i would say is this is about the worst place to ask this, there really is an odd band of people that post on internet football forums and some of the opinions (for and against) can be utterly bizarre. As can the over reaction to any result, good or bad, and scaremongering/psychosis.

[Ziggy]

I still think we will go up but probably not automatically. Apart from Huddersfield we have been on a good run. If we only lose one in every six for the rest of the season then we will be alright.

[DrunkenSaint]

nope, we are simply not good enough and too many ppl have high expectations. We'll need to buy well in January and i hope NA will change the formation very soon we are not aggressive enough using the 442 imo.

[saint lard]

No,i can't see us going up.Truly hope i am wrong.

We appear to have underperforming players that show no consistancy and desire to show their full potential.

Unlike last season,everytime we took to the field we looked as though we could win against anyone...and comfortably at times,especially in the second half of the season.

Now ,we appear mediocre at best and without the same commitment and belief.

Perhaps we have found our level,mediocre middle of the table side.

We played well against Tranmere,a **** poor side on the day.

I don't think Adkins will get the players playing to their full potential,for whatever reason that maybe.

Quite possibly they won't/can't do it for him in the same way as Pardew...who knows.

Good luck Adkins you are going to need it,however, i think time will be against you.

[Topcat]

I think if we had backed Pardew from the start and kept him all season we'd finish top two. I think if Adkins had a full pre season to work with we'd finish top two.

 

With the way things have panned out with Pardew getting the sack after a handfull of games and the terrible run of form under Wilkins that we will probably finish in the play offs with an outside chance of getting top two.

 

Exactly right. Cortese reduced our chances of promotion. If we now get automatic promotion, Adkins will deserve a medal - or a statue. 66% win ratio for the remaining games?

[John B]

I think if we had backed Pardew from the start and kept him all season we'd finish top two. I think if Adkins had a full pre season to work with we'd finish top two.

 

With the way things have panned out with Pardew getting the sack after a handfull of games and the terrible run of form under Wilkins that we will probably finish in the play offs with an outside chance of getting top two.

 

Yep I agree

[West End Saint]

I think if we had backed Pardew from the start and kept him all season we'd finish top two. I think if Adkins had a full pre season to work with we'd finish top two.

 

With the way things have panned out with Pardew getting the sack after a handfull of games and the terrible run of form under Wilkins that we will probably finish in the play offs with an outside chance of getting top two.

 

I think that you are right both Pards & NA backed properly for a full season would have us top 2, I still think we will go up but we cant have another wobble and have to put a few back to back wins together we need to get in and around the play off's by the end of the year.

[MarkSFC]

I find it hilarious that after losing away from home to the 2md best "home team" in the country a thread like this pops up.

 

Sure, we are not top two, nor indeed top 6 but we are very close with 34 games to go!!

 

In the last six games we have only conceded 3 goals, one from a corner, one from a free-kick, and one from a penalty. Hardly the sign of a poor team.

 

Some may argue that we have just had that so-called " honeymoon period" of the new manager. Well I suppose we have in some terms...fresh face, different voice, but what Adkins has done very quickly is instill confidence and a style of play that will build and build.

 

Defensively we are looking very strong. This is the basis of a championship winning team. Going forward it is seriously only a matter of time before we click and (thanks Echo) as Lambert is basically on the same level as this time last year it shows that there is plenty of time.

 

Bournemouth will fade considerably with a few more injuries. Brighton will also, indeed my brother works with 3 of their season ticket holders and even they dint believe what's happening. They expect play-offs and nothing more!!

 

We do need to string some wins but that's par for the course anyway. Top 6 at least come Jan 1st and no more than 10 points behind first and I am certain two or three good signings will power us to the title.

 

If the players have the outlook and nerve of a lot of people on here then there would be no hope!!

 

As they proved last year they do know how to win and win consistantly.

 

5-0 Saturday anyone?!!!

[doddisalegend]

I find it hilarious that after losing away from home to the 2md best "home team" in the country a thread like this pops up.

 

Sure, we are not top two, nor indeed top 6 but we are very close with 34 games to go!!

 

In the last six games we have only conceded 3 goals, one from a corner, one from a free-kick, and one from a penalty. Hardly the sign of a poor team.

 

Some may argue that we have just had that so-called " honeymoon period" of the new manager. Well I suppose we have in some terms...fresh face, different voice, but what Adkins has done very quickly is instill confidence and a style of play that will build and build.

 

Defensively we are looking very strong. This is the basis of a championship winning team. Going forward it is seriously only a matter of time before we click and (thanks Echo) as Lambert is basically on the same level as this time last year it shows that there is plenty of time.

 

Bournemouth will fade considerably with a few more injuries. Brighton will also, indeed my brother works with 3 of their season ticket holders and even they dint believe what's happening. They expect play-offs and nothing more!!

 

We do need to string some wins but that's par for the course anyway. Top 6 at least come Jan 1st and no more than 10 points behind first and I am certain two or three good signings will power us to the title.

 

If the players have the outlook and nerve of a lot of people on here then there would be no hope!!

 

As they proved last year they do know how to win and win consistantly.

 

5-0 Saturday anyone?!!!

 

and we've only scored six (two of which were pens) hardly the sign of a great team either. If we're going to score an average of one goal a game the defence is going to have be very very tight. Last season we lost 9 matches in the league all told, so far we've lost 5 in the league already. Something is different about the team this season they just don't seem the same team they where at the end of last season. There is still a chance to go up of course but my confidence that we will do it has been knocked about by the less than ideal start to the season so far.

[Miltonaggro]

The bottom line is that we still need two or three additions to give Adkins options and to put pressure or ease pressure on certain players. Until this happens I think that we will be hit and miss. The fear is that hit and miss up to Christmas may see a mass exodus come January, if that happens we are back to square one and the five year plan becomes a seven year itch!...

[MarkSFC]

and we've only scored six (two of which were pens) hardly the sign of a great team either. If we're going to score an average of one goal a game the defence is going to have be very very tight. Last season we lost 9 matches in the league all told, so far we've lost 5 in the league already. Something is different about the team this season they just don't seem the same team they where at the end of last season. There is still a chance to go up of course but my confidence that we will do it has been knocked about by the less than ideal start to the season so far.

 

and I've commented on the goalscoring!! Whatever has happened over the summer has happened and we are where we are. Your "glass half empty" attitude is not what's needed.

 

Criticise where criticism is warranted but have the ability to look at the bigger picture and asses logically.

 

Successful sportsmen and women are so mainly because of their never say die approach, there desire to win and the belief in their ability. Those traits will be within some very naturally and those people tend to have sustained success throughout their lives. Others can learn those attitudes and train their minds to think like that. That's the main role of a coach at the top level. At league one level the coach will spend more time on technique and organisation than at Prem level but what makes him successful is how he communicates.

 

Your approach "seems" to be old school...."you're doing great at this BUT not very good at this". This style ( and I apologise if I seem to be going off topic, but it's symptematic of this forum in general) of coaching/feedback only created a cycle of peaks and troughs in performance where one element is foccussed on at a time and the good bit is not and round the cycle goes.

 

Anyway,the ability to see "half empty" is useful AND the ability to see "glass half full" in equal measures is key.

 

Adkins is so obviously a good coach, and a modern type of coach, I'm just glad that he's not like a few people on here, then we would be in trouble!!

[SaintRichmond]

nope, we are simply not good enough and too many ppl have high expectations. We'll need to buy well in January and i hope NA will change the formation very soon we are not aggressive enough using the 442 imo.

 

I agree with the first part, but re the January bit, I think that will be too late

 

Pardew should have strengthened in the close season, but for whatever reason DID NOT

 

Come January, Adkins will be on a "catch up" mission, through no fault of his own

[saint lard]

Pehaps there are similarities between us and the Leeds side that continualy underachieved and found it tough to get out of this league.

I think there are,imo.

[NickG]

More chance of relegation imo

 

promotion 6/5 the favs

 

relegation 50/1 the outsiders.

 

You could make a lot of money

[NickG]

Last season after 12 games we had earnt 15 points, went onto earn another 68 points.

 

Norwich had 19, went onto earn another 76

 

Leeds had 30, went on to earn another 56

 

Millwall had 15, went onto earn another 70

 

We currently have 15 points, if we have a remaining 34 games like we did last season, or Norwch, or Millwall - we will probably go up automatically.

 

Last 6 games form - 3 of which against top 6 sides, have given us 11 points, continued over remaining games will give us 62 more points, total of 77. (play off place)

 

 

This all goes to prove...nothing.

 

Average over 2 points per game from now on and should be ok.

[Saint Fan CaM]

do we look like promotion certs..?

 

how on earth are brighton and bournemouth at the top..????

 

Because they have had more than 6 weeks with their managers, because they both have teams assembled to get out of this league rather than play attractive football, because their collective strength as a team is greater than the sum of the individual players, because their managers have been able to convince them they are better than they are so they play for their managers and pride.

 

I don't know - it may be one of those things, all of those things or indeed none of them. I suspect a combination of those things, but one things is f'sure - it ain't because of the huge sums of money spent.

[the saint in winchester]

Two things that worry me are our lack of goals I just can't understand how we've gone from one of the leagues top scoring teams to struggling to find the net in the space of a few months. Also if Hudders can do their homework and figure out how to stop the new "Southampton style" football we've started playing already (after only a couple of games) you can bet the rest of the league will to, I'm waiting to see if Nigel will stick to his style and beliefs or if he'll mix it up to get results.

 

I can tell you its in the scouting report. I can't say much, as someone's employment as scout depends on his anonymity. He is employed by Huddersfield FC, but is a Saints fan, . He told me he had to report on potential weaknesses in the Saints setup and his report was used by Lee Clark to take advantage of our setup. He felt sick that he had to write it.

We need to have someone doing homework on our opponents in the same way Mr X is for Huddersfield. Maybe we already do?

[Wildgoose]

There is still a fair chance of getting automatic, there is still tons of points to play for.

 

I would be more confident if our manager wasn't talking about "learning lessons" like he did after Saturday. I thought he knew this league back to front, going to Huddersfield shouldn't be a lesson in anything.

 

It was the for the team! and also what he learned further about it! I'd be far more worried if he wasn't talking about learning lessons. That's how you develop......

[Wildgoose]

I can tell you its in the scouting report. I can't say much, as someone's employment as scout depends on his anonymity. He is employed by Huddersfield FC, but is a Saints fan, . He told me he had to report on potential weaknesses in the Saints setup and his report was used by Lee Clark to take advantage of our setup. He felt sick that he had to write it.

We need to have someone doing homework on our opponents in the same way Mr X is for Huddersfield. Maybe we already do?

 

If they wanted to dig, you've probably just revealed his identity anyway to the people who would know him in Huddersfield by identifying him as a scout and a Saints fan haven't you?

[Window Cleaner]

We will go up if we can find someone to score goals

[Micky]

Because they have had more than 6 weeks with their managers, because they both have teams assembled to get out of this league rather than play attractive football, because their collective strength as a team is greater than the sum of the individual players, because their managers have been able to convince them they are better than they are so they play for their managers and pride.

 

I don't know - it may be one of those things, all of those things or indeed none of them. I suspect a combination of those things, but one things is f'sure - it ain't because of the huge sums of money spent.

 

Errr without a doubt, this. I'm prepared for yet more years in this league and yet more managerial changes before we actually achieve promotion, the sooner the 'money myth' is kicked the better - it is giving everybody false expectations which results in nothing but constant pressure.

 

Teams that play with no pressure to achieve - probably outfits like Bournemouth, Brighton and Blackpool.

[Jez]

We will go up if we can find someone to score goals

I hear that Richard Lambert is quite potent, wonder if Bristol Rovers will sell him?

[Window Cleaner]

I hear that Richard Lambert is quite potent, wonder if Bristol Rovers will sell him?

 

wrong tense used was instead of is

 

He's over the hill and going down the other side, happens when hills are very steep,there's no plateau between up and down.

[Wes Tender]

Exactly right. Cortese reduced our chances of promotion. If we now get automatic promotion, Adkins will deserve a medal - or a statue. 66% win ratio for the remaining games?

Ah! That prediction from your crystal ball is so clear, isn't it? Pardew would have got us promoted, but Cortese has spoilt it all by replacing him, eh? Pardew had obviously overcome his poor start to the season with the Bristol Rovers match and would have won every ensuing match, whereas Wilkins has ruined it all and given Adkins an almost impossible task.

 

I really feel like going out and topping myself, as the remaining 34 matches give us nowhere near enough time to turn the season around.

[NickG]

wrong tense used was instead of is

 

He's over the hill and going down the other side, happens when hills are very steep,there's no plateau between up and down.

 

shame these players being past it at 28

[Window Cleaner]

shame these players being past it at 28

 

It's surprising how quickly your legs can go when you've not led a particularly healthy life style beforehand.

[benjii]

If the players have the outlook and nerve of a lot of people on here then there would be no hope!!

 

 

Abso-flipping-lutely!

[pressingon]

It's surprising how quickly your legs can go when you've not led a particularly healthy life style beforehand.

 

I assume this would explain why Rooney, Torres, Adebayor, Gerrard etc can't buy a goal between them would it?

[Window Cleaner]

I assume this would explain why Rooney, Torres, Adebayor, Gerrard etc can't buy a goal between them would it?

 

ah that would be too much of a generalisation, Gerrard is past it for sure, Adebayor has probably been led astray by the money,Rooney wants to move on and Torres doesn't look fit....same as Lambert....but then that's probably Hodgson's fault cos he obviously doesn't know what he's doing with the players he has. Won't last much longer .

[Dark Munster]

What.