Thedelldays Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 we have a really good spine of the team...I can see why we are being picky and choosy about who we get in... Kelvin - good keeper at this level Fonte - say no more...pure class Morgan - has the tools to stand out and I think he will do Lallana - pure genuis OxO - enough said Lambert - The way I saw him change his game last season leads me to believe he will be good enough for at least 15 league goals with as many assists.. shouts also to.. Chappers - experienced barny - potential to do well at this level connolly - easily..EASILY good enough...if/when fit harding - been there, done that in the NPC I can see why we are not just signing anyone at silly money I really think we have a good foundation of a team..even if OxO goes...he is probably easier to replace out of the list at the top just my opinion....please verbally abuse me for daring to have one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Spot on as always Delldays - one of the best posters on here imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asaint4ever Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 +1 good points! our squad is very good! but just a few tweeks and we can fight for promotion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 You're spot on DD. The spine is already championship standard and doesn't require massive surgery. Adkins has apparently been quoted in saying that he wants to add to the spine of the team - so they're going to need to be very good to add to what we already have. Hence the links with proven top level championship performers (Cork/Maynard/Sharp) etc. I'm really happy with the state of our club at the moment and I think that the momentum we can take from last year, added to the spirit in the group, can create a good atmosphere. Remember as well - these lads have pretty much been together for 2 years and have been winning regulary for 2 years, 2 trophies in 2 years etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 4 July, 2011 Author Share Posted 4 July, 2011 You're spot on DD. The spine is already championship standard and doesn't require massive surgery. Adkins has apparently been quoted in saying that he wants to add to the spine of the team - so they're going to need to be very good to add to what we already have. Hence the links with proven top level championship performers (Cork/Maynard/Sharp) etc. I'm really happy with the state of our club at the moment and I think that the momentum we can take from last year, added to the spirit in the group, can create a good atmosphere. Remember as well - these lads have pretty much been together for 2 years and have been winning regulary for 2 years, 2 trophies in 2 years etc. very good point..when was the last time we had a group like this... WGS team circa 2002-2003 perhaps..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Nelson Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 I think Hammond is desperately underrated. He held on to the centre of midfield over the whole second half of the season, and did so very effectively as the results show. It doesn't look to me that NA intend to replace him with anybody yet. Another mention for Guly who causes conflict in the opinions department whenever he is mentioned. For me he is as much class as we could possibly hope for in L1 and the CC, but a winger he ain't, and shouldn't be. He has got far too much talent for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graffito Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 we have a really good spine of the team...I can see why we are being picky and choosy about who we get in... Kelvin - good keeper at this level Fonte - say no more...pure class Morgan - has the tools to stand out and I think he will do Lallana - pure genuis OxO - enough said Lambert - The way I saw him change his game last season leads me to believe he will be good enough for at least 15 league goals with as many assists.. shouts also to.. Chappers - experienced barny - potential to do well at this level connolly - easily..EASILY good enough...if/when fit harding - been there, done that in the NPC I can see why we are not just signing anyone at silly money I really think we have a good foundation of a team..even if OxO goes...he is probably easier to replace out of the list at the top just my opinion....please verbally abuse me for daring to have one Good post which I would largely agree with though I think it's the spine of the team that Adkins will try to strengthen. CM in particular is where games are won and lost so there's always room for improvement if the right player is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warsash saint Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 I would not class OXO & Lallana as the spine of team. I would class the spine as GK, CB, CM & ATT ... your list only has 1 CB & IMO we need another experienced one. We wont get a full season out of Jaidi & Seabourne etc are too inexperienced at this level CM wise, I reckon we need a tough tackling ball winner to accompany Hammond/Morgan ATT, i reckon we need a goal poacher that can play alongside Lambert. Like Jaidi, we wont get a season out of Connelly & I have my reservations on Barnard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 (edited) I think they are good players; but a spine is different - a spine implies a few key players who are indispensible to everything we do and give us recognisable strength in the key areas down the middle of the side. Only Fonte and Lallana really meet that definition in my book - and Lallana is a winger. A few other points: With the exception of KD, Fonte and to a lesser extent Adam Lallana, none of the names mentioned by the OP are proven at this level - nowhere is this more obvious or important than upfront. Lambert definitely finished better than he started (and his pens will always put a gloss on the stats); but if his form as a whole last season was extended to next season, we would struggle for goals. Lambert is not a straightforward centre-forward, something required by a spine. Over time he has dropped deeper and deeper, with the team relying more on the likes Guly, Barnard, Connolly or Forte to lead the line, run behind, meet balls in the box. The position they fill is arguably more important than Lambert's. however, whether they are good enough (Forte, Barnard), fit enough (Connolly) or suited to the position (Guly) is unclear. A spine requires strength in the centre of teh park - I rate Morgan but pinning our hopes on him is still a big ask at this stage - people still view Morgan throught the lens of the player they would like him to be rather than the player he is. Its not altogether clear that he's even NA's first choice. NA's thinking has evolved from the days of viewing Hammond and Chaplow as his starting CMs; but the chopping-and-changing (along with our transfer activity) suggests that NA doesn't have a clear idea of our best CM partnership. And for good reason. Interesting that Hammond's name is omitted, even though he's captained the team and played the majority of games. By contrast, can't think of many spines have missed so many games through injury or tactical reasons as Oxo, Morgan, Lallana (regardless whether Oxo is here next season). I definitely agree that we don't need to change the team wholesale - in part, because we have decent players; in part, because we have a strong team spirit. But that's quite not the same as claiming we have a spine in the key areas. Edited 4 July, 2011 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 The spine, by definition, is the bit that runs down the middle. Wingers can't be part of the "spine", essential or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 The spine, by definition, is the bit that runs down the middle. Wingers can't be part of the "spine", essential or not. Agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danbert Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 I would not class OXO & Lallana as the spine of team. I would class the spine as GK, CB, CM & ATT ... your list only has 1 CB & IMO we need another experienced one. We wont get a full season out of Jaidi & Seabourne etc are too inexperienced at this level CM wise, I reckon we need a tough tackling ball winner to accompany Hammond/Morgan ATT, i reckon we need a goal poacher that can play alongside Lambert. Like Jaidi, we wont get a season out of Connelly & I have my reservations on Barnard. This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 4 July, 2011 Author Share Posted 4 July, 2011 The spine, by definition, is the bit that runs down the middle. Wingers can't be part of the "spine", essential or not. I know this. Did not realise I was not allowed to elaborate, extend my point to beyond what was advertised Thank you for correcting me in a very efficient saintsweb fashion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildgoose Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Good sensible post and discussion. Makes the Forum still worth reading...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 even if OxO goes...he is probably easier to replace out of the list at the top All of those players would be extremely tough to replace, but I don't see Chamberlain as being easier. If he goes it would leave a massive hole down that right hand side - a position we have struggled to fill over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Every player we currently have could do a nPC job IMO. I'd stick Guly in your first list though TDD. I think he'll shine in the nPC, and I say that despite criticising him on one or two occassions last season. He could be a key player for us next season. I also think Morgan will shine, we really do have some great young talent in this squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWD Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 I think Hammond is desperately underrated. He held on to the centre of midfield over the whole second half of the season, and did so very effectively as the results show. It doesn't look to me that NA intend to replace him with anybody yet. Another mention for Guly who causes conflict in the opinions department whenever he is mentioned. For me he is as much class as we could possibly hope for in L1 and the CC, but a winger he ain't, and shouldn't be. He has got far too much talent for that. Totally agree, Hammond has earned a chance to prove himself at NPC level and deserves to be given that chance. Guly is a difficult guy to predict. I'd like to think he'll thrive in the higher quality of the NPC, but having him and Lambert up front may put a lot of pressure on the likes of Lallana and Chamberlain to get up ahead of them to make up for the front line's lack of pace. This is the reason why I think we need a pacier striker, with Guly maybe dropping deeper or acting as one of NA's 'impact players'. Anyway it will be interesting to see the differences in the starting line up against Leeds compared to the end of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 I know this. Did not realise I was not allowed to elaborate, extend my point to beyond what was advertised Thank you for correcting me in a very efficient saintsweb fashion Tbf your title says about the spine of the team an then you go and talk about something else. IMO the flanks are where we are strongest and it is the spine that needs strengthening. Most people agree that we need quality upgrades for jaidi and Hammond and a fast proven striker to play with lambert. Get them and I think we will have a good season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 4 July, 2011 Author Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Tbf your title says about the spine of the team an then you go and talk about something else. IMO the flanks are where we are strongest and it is the spine that needs strengthening. Most people agree that we need quality upgrades for jaidi and Hammond and a fast proven striker to play with lambert. Get them and I think we will have a good season. did I mention the spine...yes did i mention other things...yes in future, I will stick to SWF posting conduct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 we have a really good spine of the team For the league below we did; for this league I think we'll struglle if we don't improve in most areas. Fonte is obviously good for this level; whether he's one of the best Cbs in the league we'll have to wait and see, but I have no concerns with him. Have seen him a bit for Palace in the NPC and I think he's the real deal. Kelvin is a great shot stopper; still there are question marks about his all round play, but I think he's good enough. Aside from that, we don't have anyone in the spine who has previously produced the goods at this level of football other than Jaidi, and I really think he will struggle this season (particularly against quicker forwards). Hammond I just don't think is good enough to be a starter for a top level NPC side. Schneiderlin IMO still has a massive amount to prove; bags of potential but needs to turn it into performances. Lambert has never played this high, I think he can make the step up but we will see. Connolly and Barnard IMO at this level have a mssive amount to prove, and the fact that we've apparently been in for maynard/Sharp suggests Adkins sees that as a key area to improve. On the wings then yes, we do look strong. I'm comfortable with what we have at left back, right back could potentially be improved. But I maintain we are 4 or 5 players short of a team who can challenge for the title, with three main holes at CB, CM and CF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daren W Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 we have a really good spine of the team...I can see why we are being picky and choosy about who we get in... Kelvin - good keeper at this level Fonte - say no more...pure class Morgan - has the tools to stand out and I think he will do Lallana - pure genuis OxO - enough said Lambert - The way I saw him change his game last season leads me to believe he will be good enough for at least 15 league goals with as many assists.. shouts also to.. Chappers - experienced barny - potential to do well at this level connolly - easily..EASILY good enough...if/when fit harding - been there, done that in the NPC I can see why we are not just signing anyone at silly money I really think we have a good foundation of a team..even if OxO goes...he is probably easier to replace out of the list at the top just my opinion....please verbally abuse me for daring to have one I think we're all being a bit pedantic with this spine malarky, Delldays is right in so much as theose players he's mentioned are as good as any players in the Championship. What we should be saying is that the wings are probably the strongest points of the team which actually makes his original point even stronger. I've thought this all along, that we are already a mid table Championship side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Connolly and Barnard IMO at this level have a mssive amount to prove, and the fact that we've apparently been in for maynard/Sharp suggests Adkins sees that as a key area to improve. Does Connolly have a lot to prove at this level? He has played at a higher level than the second division, both at Premiership and National level and for Feyenoord and Rotterrdam in Holland. Admittedly he has to prove that he can remain fit and free from injury, but in my opinion, he has nothing to prove regarding his ability at this level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Does Connolly have a lot to prove at this level? He has played at a higher level than the second division, both at Premiership and National level and for Feyenoord and Rotterrdam in Holland. Admittedly he has to prove that he can remain fit and free from injury, but in my opinion, he has nothing to prove regarding his ability at this level. Connolly was great for Sunderland at this level, so def. has nothing to prove. As you said, it's only really fitness issues that he needs to put behind him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Does Connolly have a lot to prove at this level? He has played at a higher level than the second division, both at Premiership and National level and for Feyenoord and Rotterrdam in Holland. Admittedly he has to prove that he can remain fit and free from injury, but in my opinion, he has nothing to prove regarding his ability at this level. Yes, probably correct; ability wise, history suggests he will score goals, but fitness is still a doubt. That said, his goal scoring record at this level is solid but not spectacular, averaging around 1 goal in 3 games (or 15 goals over a league season). Decent, for sure, but arguably not enough for a first choice striker in a promotion-seeking team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Yes, probably correct; ability wise, history suggests he will score goals, but fitness is still a doubt. That said, his goal scoring record at this level is solid but not spectacular, averaging around 1 goal in 3 games (or 15 goals over a league season). Decent, for sure, but arguably not enough for a first choice striker in a promotion-seeking team. I might be wrong, but although he has injury problems in his past recent background, it could be that our medical staff have sorted them. Certainly he looked both fit and sharp towards the end of the season. There is no doubting his quality at this level or even in the Premiership and his mental attitude also seems to be very good. I think that he has a role to play as a second-half sub, something different to introduce into the mix to bamboozle defenders and score some poacher's goals, the fox in the box. If he can remain fit and free from injuries, I'm very happy to have him available to us, even as back-up to Lambert + A.N.Other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Block 5 Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 I think many NPC clubs will look at the foundation of our team and be quite envious. You're right Jamie, NA should be picky about who we bring in. It's only the juvenile bedwetters on this forum who think differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 I know this. Did not realise I was not allowed to elaborate, extend my point to beyond what was advertised Thank you for correcting me in a very efficient saintsweb fashion My pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulGilchrist_76 Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Tbf your title says about the spine of the team an then you go and talk about something else. IMO the flanks are where we are strongest and it is the spine that needs strengthening. Most people agree that we need quality upgrades for jaidi and Hammond and a fast proven striker to play with lambert. Get them and I think we will have a good season. Agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 I agree that we have some real quality in the squad, however there are generic weaknesses that still need to be addressed to compete let alone push for promotion. For a start we need both pace and grit in central midfield. We need more pace in attack. Then there's the specifics. We need to find a real replacement for Jaidi and I think our full-backs could get exposed if they're too busy attacking (although this might be more a tactical issue rather than specific player competence). We have one player (Forte) who has not really been given a good run in the side to show us what he's about (although I do think he will be a real asset this season). We have Barnie possibly not being able to play for an unknown amount of time. These are not negatives as such - just issues that need to be addressed before the season starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L1Minus10 Posted 4 July, 2011 Share Posted 4 July, 2011 Spine of team last year was ..... Davis.... ok but not brilliant - anyone remember his near post-itis from the end of last season. Fonte & Jaidi - yes to Fonte and Jaidi will be fine. People seem to think the nPC is some sort of fabulous league where everyone plays like Barcelona. It isn't and many of the teams will still hoof it down the middle Hammond - as long as he plays as the defensive midfielder, he'll be fine. Schneiderlin ???? - Hell of a lot to prove in my book. More ability than most but doesn't use it effectively enough. We had our best form last year when he was out injured. Lambert - yes, reckon he'll get 20 goals again this year My prediction for player of next year - Guly. He'll be settled in England now and settled around the club. He has loads of ability and will be exceptional this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now