NickG Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 those who are being negative were saying things like we should concentrate on play offs as we are not good enough, or during that amazing winning run that they can't enjoy it as the manner of wins makes them believe it won't last. The realistic view is that saints are currently amibitious, well run, with a good manager and on the up. If you can't enjoy that go support Barcelona as you will never enjoy saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghq Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 I think we'd all be a whole lot happier if we had a 3-4 Million pound signing already announced. There again perhaps not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 It's difficult to believe but last season we absolutely dominated last season when the attitude was right in the squad. A big problem was the players thinking we were too good for league 1 and not putting the work in. As soon as Adkins banged a few heads together and got the squad attitude right we were practically unstoppable and the run of results at the end of the season were amongst the best in the club's history. People talk about Adkins record with S****horpe in the Championship but we have a far better team than they had. If the attitude is right we will simply be too good to get involved in a relegation scrap. I certainly think we challenge in the top half of the league next season. Another point is we'll be playing on far less 'ploughed fields' than in the last couple of seasons and poor pitches were something we consistently struggled with. It is another refreshing and very overdue time where I am feeling optimistic at the start of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATERSIDEIFASAINT Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 We have been pretty unactive on the transfer front in the last 2 transfer windows with only Guly,Chaplow and Forte brought in permanently and a couple of loan signings.But we have kept Lallana and Lambert signing new contracts and we held onto Oxo in january.It will be interesting to see whether Morgan and Fonte sign new contracts to extend their stay as Morgan must be in his last year now. So its difficult to comment at this stage if we're being ambitious or not.If we don't manage to add a couple of quality players by the end of August then I will question the ambition and finances available but then again if we needed money for signings we would cash in on Oxo. Jack Cork will be an interesting case for me.Surely we can show him the vision for our club over the next 10 years of his career and be a better bet than Burnley or Blackpool and even Forest with the supposed resources and plan behind us.If we can't sell the club to him or similar type players then we will struggle with our longer term aims imo.Yes he has had a good time at Burnley and Howe will be saying they are an ambitious club blah blah blah but surely with £14k gates Cork can see through this bulls**t and know Burnley at best will be a yoyo team with the prem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Is our squad as it stands good enough to survive in the NpC? Yes without a doubt Is the squad strong enough to cope with injuries and survive in the NpC? Hmm maybe needs some re-inforcements Is the squad good enough to get Playoffs or even promotion? Yes they can put in a good run but likely not strong enough So IMHO we need two or three players - BUT if we are to progress then they MUST be better than those we already have. So what do we actually NEED? Cover for Rickie? Why buy cover IF we get to the PL we need to sign someone BETTER than Rickie that can play at the next level. CMS Sharp? Hmm Cover out wide, so we need someone better than AL & AOC - oh yeah that's easy. Why on earth would we want an NpC level player? we only intend to be here a maximum of 3 years so why buy a player who cannot make the step up. CM cover? Buy someone better than Hammond or Chaplow - well that may be possible, but better than Morgan? The point is we spent many years buying squad players (Look at Wolves they have 44 players FFS) Buying a has been from the PL at silly wages just to get us out of this league? Why. Come September with the Fair Play & PL Squad rules there will be a lot of almost PL ready players to take on loan, some may not even need wages paying (Bellamy last year as eg) Or better to go out and find some younger players who fit into a team dynamic and who can develop this season into the players we need when we get promoted. One thing is sure, this TEAM could actually outperform it's component parts and get us promoted, but it would need a lot of surgery IF we got up this year AND a lot of money. better to buy players who can develop and make that step up rather than FM press touted can do a job at this level. So, where do you find THOSE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 This close season is beginning to look too much like last year. The ultra loyal supporters on here (and loyalty is a great asset, but it can harm your eyesight) have been saying don't worry about the lack of signings, or missing out on players in June, they'll be announced on 1st July. Oh Yes? Don't worry about not bidding for Mackail-Smith, Saints have targetted someone better. Oh Yes? Don't worry if no one comes in as the existing squad is good enough. Oh Yes? Adkins has consistently said he wants to strengthen the team with 2 or 3 quality players yet the only signings have been existing players signing longer contracts. This sounds very much like the things Pardew was saying last year, only he didn't make any significant improvements in the close season either. The constant in this is the Chairman so could it be that Cortese is saying one thing to his managers and the fans but is doing another? If dedicated fans start to question the club's ambition you can be certain beyond doubt that any potential transfer target will do the same. To get the best out of a new player from Day 1 they need to be involved in pre-season but time for that is now very short so where is the evidence that we have any ambition for the coming year other than to play a season in the Championship? It's here.... ... http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2388516,00.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Don't go wasting your time Nick. They'll go quiet for a week or so now, before popping back up as we've only made 1 signing so far etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 personally, wouldn't be disappointed if window shut now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Don't go wasting your time Nick. They'll go quiet for a week or so now, before popping back up as we've only made 1 signing so far etc. Oh I doubt it; most probably come out with something like "this is what we've been urging the club to do", as if NA and co have been sat around scratching their arses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 personally, wouldn't be disappointed if window shut now. Still think we will go for / get 1 or 2 more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Get a striker and hang on to Chambo and I will be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 A new first choice striker is very likely by the end of the window, given the club has already confirmed it made one £3.25m bid for one this summer. Adkins clearly thinks he needs a striker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Still think we will go for / get 1 or 2 more. You would so. For a strong npc squad there are a couple more obvious places to strengthen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 A new first choice striker is very likely by the end of the window, given the club has already confirmed it made one £3.25m bid for one this summer. Adkins clearly thinks he needs a striker. Absolutely. You don't talk to strikers if you're not interested in strikers. Who though, is the question, given who we have discounted so far and who has already moved on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Still think we will go for / get 1 or 2 more. agree, and hope we do - but keeping Ox-C etc would make decent window imho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Absolutely. You don't talk to strikers if you're not interested in strikers. Who though, is the question, given who we have discounted so far and who has already moved on. overseas player? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 overseas player? That's what I worry about, as our 'fans' will immediately dismiss it as a bad move if they aren't playing in the top tier in Europe somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 (edited) You would so. For a strong npc squad there are a couple more obvious places to strengthen Well, for a strong NPC side (I'm thinking top two here) I still think we're at least 3 players short. Definitely a CB to partner Fonte and a striker to partner Lambert. If we lose AOC (I really think we will) that will be another; however, even if he stays it's not wise to place such high dependence on someone so young and he will, at some point, have lulls in performance and times when he needs to be rested. Aside from that I still think we could improve at right back, and Schneiderlin has a job to turn his potential into dominating performances at this level. It will be interesting to see just how good Lallana, Guly and AOC (if he stays) are in this league; with Adkins saying we may make only 1 more signing, perhaps 2, its clear that he thinks all our players can make the step up, so I guess time will tell. Edited 7 July, 2011 by The Kraken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 7 July, 2011 Author Share Posted 7 July, 2011 It's here.... ... http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2388516,00.html Absolutely. This is the evidence we needed, (and which wasn't here until now). But now it is, its not just the good news of the signing, it's also the reasons that Cork has given for choosing to come, which might influence any other potential signing. Signing current u-21 international is definitely a sign that the ambition is alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Absolutely. This is the evidence we needed, (and which wasn't here until now). But now it is, its not just the good news of the signing, it's also the reasons that Cork has given for choosing to come, which might influence any other potential signing. Signing current u-21 international is definitely a sign that the ambition is alive. good on you. (won't get into your bit in brackets ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Absolutely. This is the evidence we needed, (and which wasn't here until now). But now it is, its not just the good news of the signing, it's also the reasons that Cork has given for choosing to come, which might influence any other potential signing. Signing current u-21 international is definitely a sign that the ambition is alive. Applauds the Professor for adopting a different hypothesis in the light of new scientific evidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Absolutely. This is the evidence we needed, (and which wasn't here until now). But now it is, its not just the good news of the signing, it's also the reasons that Cork has given for choosing to come, which might influence any other potential signing. Signing current u-21 international is definitely a sign that the ambition is alive. FFS... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 (edited) I'll do it... Absolutely. This is the evidence we needed, (and which wasn't here until now). - Lambert new long term contract - Lallana new long term contract - Adkins new long term contract - Martin new long term contract - Chamberlain still here - Massive recruitment drive in academy, medical, sports science, commercial and coaching staff - Club to be one of the few in England with category one academy status (that costs a huge amount of money to do) - 15 new 1st year scholars, some of a very high potential - Bid for Cork made weeks ago (before Under 21's and Jack's holiday afterwards, deal now concluded) - Bid for Sharp of £3.25m, indicated money available - Training ground costing 3x as much as the plans originally laid out before Markus' death Edited 7 July, 2011 by Matthew Le God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steeleye Saint Posted 7 July, 2011 Share Posted 7 July, 2011 Is everybody discounting Connolly as a striker option? He was pretty good at the tail end of the last season, and if he stays clear of injuries should show his class in the NPC. Great foil for Rickie I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 8 July, 2011 Share Posted 8 July, 2011 I'll do it... Originally Posted by Professor Absolutely. This is the evidence we needed, (and which wasn't here until now). - Lambert new long term contract - Lallana new long term contract - Adkins new long term contract - Martin new long term contract - Chamberlain still here - Massive recruitment drive in academy, medical, sports science, commercial and coaching staff - Club to be one of the few in England with category one academy status (that costs a huge amount of money to do) - 15 new 1st year scholars, some of a very high potential - Bid for Cork made weeks ago (before Under 21's and Jack's holiday afterwards, deal now concluded) - Bid for Sharp of £3.25m, indicated money available - Training ground costing 3x as much as the plans originally laid out before Markus' death There was never any need to look at the facts, that was painfully obvious for anyone who has mastered the ability to hold their breath for a second. All this topic is good for is identifying those who formed a liking for laying on supermarket floors crying and screaming in their formative years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 8 July, 2011 Share Posted 8 July, 2011 Is everybody discounting Connolly as a striker option? He was pretty good at the tail end of the last season, and if he stays clear of injuries should show his class in the NPC. Great foil for Rickie I think. Big fan of his. But I think the thing we lack most in the team - and up front in particular - is real pace. AOC is the exception to this, but hardly certain to stay. I want a real fast striker to pair with Lambert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
23rdSaint Posted 8 July, 2011 Share Posted 8 July, 2011 I'll do it... - Lambert new long term contract - Lallana new long term contract - Adkins new long term contract - Martin new long term contract - Chamberlain still here - Massive recruitment drive in academy, medical, sports science, commercial and coaching staff - Club to be one of the few in England with category one academy status (that costs a huge amount of money to do) - 15 new 1st year scholars, some of a very high potential - Bid for Cork made weeks ago (before Under 21's and Jack's holiday afterwards, deal now concluded) - Bid for Sharp of £3.25m, indicated money available - Training ground costing 3x as much as the plans originally laid out before Markus' death I'm just waiting for somebody to protest our obvious lack of ambition, despite this spot on post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris Posted 8 July, 2011 Share Posted 8 July, 2011 I like your delivery MLG... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVEADAMS Posted 8 July, 2011 Share Posted 8 July, 2011 Seriously a lot of our fans need to chill out and trust in the powers that be. NC has not really put a foot wrong he obviously loves the club and we are where we are supposed to be on our plan. I know we have all been thru the ringer the last few years but seriously some people just cannot enjoy the ride back and all the positive things that have happened without looking for alterior motives etc etc. All the whining about money, leave it alone we have resigned lallana long term, resigned rickie and now signed cork. Just accept that this club now does business the right way quietly. I love this club but the negativity needs to stop it was never there before, we are on our way back. Enjoy it, I see a bright future for a huge club. COYR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1976_Child Posted 8 July, 2011 Share Posted 8 July, 2011 The thing that really ****es me off about the lack of ambition at our club is that it has been now more than two years since Cortese arrived and we still haven't won the UEFA Champions League. Frankly, he needs to decide if he really wants to run a football club or not because this is not a job for a part-timer with no ambition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 8 July, 2011 Share Posted 8 July, 2011 Is there any such thing as comfortable mid-table? If you are mid-table you are not many points off relegation zone. A couple of injuries, a minor dip in form at the wrong time can suddenly change a side's psychology, fear creeps in, results deteriorate. If you go into a season with don't worry we're a comfortable mid-table side, don't be surprised if that bites you on the arse. Saying a side is a play-off contender really is not saying a lot. 7th - 12th (or so) would make us a contender for play-offs in the final quarter of the season, but similarly below 10th you could anticipate the possibility of getting dragged into a relegation scrap. The last thing the club want to do is delude themselves that promotion from L1 is proof that life will be comfortable in Div1 without too much bother. It's a fair point but what I mean is that on balance, taking everything into consideration, including the likelihood of injuries, suspensions, players excelling or whatever, as it stands at the moment I think the probability is that we'd finish midtable. If everything goes wrong and the club loses it's owners, I still think it's unlikely we'd go down, if we have good luck and the side do well I think it's unlikely we'll get automatic. So on balance, comfortable mid-table. I'd go so far as to say top half, maybe play-off contenders with a couple of months to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 9 July, 2011 Share Posted 9 July, 2011 FWIW the bookies, according to the consensus over on oddschecker, think that on balance, taking everything into consideration, including the likelihood of injuries, suspensions, players excelling or whatever, as it stands at the moment, we'll finish 7th. We've been there for a few weeks, despite comings and goings at Saints and other clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 11 August, 2011 Share Posted 11 August, 2011 It's worthy of a bump, just for a laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellone Posted 11 August, 2011 Share Posted 11 August, 2011 There are so many players that could be called marquee signings but would be of no use to us. In answer to where is the ambition - try the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkymojo44 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Good things come to those who wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 It's worthy of a bump, just for a laugh. Damn you Kraken - I was gonna go look for this in the morning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Best laff of the day, this zombie thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Convinced yet ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 12 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Convinced yet ? It requires evidence to convince. Belief without evidence is not science it is Faith. Many fans have faith in their clubs and much of that faith is not rewarded. Before the signing of Cork, there was no evidence of SFC's ambition for the coming year. Since then, the evidence has mounted with the signings of de Ridder and Fox. Chamberlain going the other way can be discounted as it was clearly enforced. I make no apology for questioning why there was a lack of activity in the early close season but I am convinced now, that the ambition is clearly being demonstrated, that the club did now they needed to strengthen, and very pleased to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldsaint Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 It requires evidence to convince. Belief without evidence is not science it is Faith. Many fans have faith in their clubs and much of that faith is not rewarded. Before the signing of Cork, there was no evidence of SFC's ambition for the coming year. Since then, the evidence has mounted with the signings of de Ridder and Fox. Chamberlain going the other way can be discounted as it was clearly enforced. I make no apology for questioning why there was a lack of activity in the early close season but I am convinced now, that the ambition is clearly being demonstrated, that the club did now they needed to strengthen, and very pleased to see it. So that's a yes then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 (edited) It requires evidence to convince. Belief without evidence is not science it is Faith. Many fans have faith in their clubs and much of that faith is not rewarded. Before the signing of Cork, there was no evidence of SFC's ambition for the coming year. Nonsense, as I outlined ages ago in this thread, on the day you made this thread all this had already happened... - Lambert new long term contract - Lallana new long term contract - Adkins new long term contract - Martin new long term contract - Massive recruitment drive in academy, medical, sports science, commercial and coaching staff - Club to be one of the few in England with category one academy status (that costs a huge amount of money to do) - 15 new 1st year scholars, some of a very high potential - Bid for Cork made weeks ago (before Under 21's and Jack's holiday afterwards, deal now concluded) - Bid for Sharp of £3.25m, indicated money available - Training ground costing 3x as much as the plans originally laid out before Markus' death Why did you discount this "evidence" you speak so highly of wanting? Edited 12 August, 2011 by Matthew Le God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 It requires evidence to convince. Belief without evidence is not science it is Faith. Many fans have faith in their clubs and much of that faith is not rewarded. Before the signing of Cork, there was no evidence of SFC's ambition for the coming year. Since then, the evidence has mounted with the signings of de Ridder and Fox. Chamberlain going the other way can be discounted as it was clearly enforced. I make no apology for questioning why there was a lack of activity in the early close season but I am convinced now, that the ambition is clearly being demonstrated, that the club did now they needed to strengthen, and very pleased to see it. You posted this on the 5TH day of the transfer window being open. Given the benefit of hindsight don't you think you looked an utter mug? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Lets see where we are after about 6 games before people begin to count their chickens ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Lets see where we are after about 6 games before people begin to count their chickens ! we will probably be around 18th I expect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Lets see where we are after about 6 games before people begin to count their chickens ! You seem to like killing chickens before they have hatched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 we will probably be around 18th I expect Maybe a few places higher, possibly mid table, no higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I never thought getting 3 points this early was possible! Count those chickens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Maybe a few places higher, possibly mid table, no higher. define mid table (so we can re live this thread next month and once and for all, show everyone you dont have a clue) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 its getting higher every time he makes a prediction, by next month he will definitely have us going up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 define mid table (so we can re live this thread next month and once and for all, show everyone you dont have a clue) OK mid table say 10th to 15th. I am happy for you to re-live this thread next month, which may show that you and many others don't have a clue, and my prediction of 17th at the end of the season still stands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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