Our weakness this season.

[Thedelldays]

Are you NickG in disguise?

 

Why's your opinion.

Family looking to sell. No fan on the board? Adkins not up to it?

 

What's your views

 

I think we very much need a NPC quality CB to add to the squad. And would not mind if Billy sharp changed his mind

[dannysfc]

I believe we have the strongest attacking force in this division and it could get even better with another coming in.

The problem we will have this season is our defence, although it showed on paper as being the best last season the team sometimes got over run by some lesser teams.

The defence is not just about the back five but also the offence players form part of it, however I really hope that the club get another CB and a true loud mouth leader too.

IMHO we need to dominate more this season and if so I see us knocking on the playoffs door.

 

Well I take it that you seem confident that we are going to bring another striker in or are you just asking or something Pilchards Mate!?!

Would be Pretty Good if we did bring another striker in like Maynard or whoever but we'l see!

COYR!!!

[SNSUN]

Biggest weakness may well be mongy fans who boo after we lose a game at home. Or who spread around rumours that Liebherr's family are looking to sell.

 

If neither of those then pace coming off the bench.

 

Jonno Quick has that last one covered.

[sfc4prem]

Didn't Adkins say somewhere that he was looking to strengthen the "spine" of the team? I'm sure I read that on here. For that reason I expect us to announce the signing of a decent CB soon enough. Someone with a big build and bit of pace.

[1976_Child]

Didn't Adkins say somewhere that he was looking to strengthen the "spine" of the team? I'm sure I read that on here. For that reason I expect us to announce the signing of a decent CB soon enough. Someone with a big build and bit of pace.

 

probably just meant he wants to buy in some more marrows.

[John Boy Saint]

Stupid connection double post: sorry

Edited 8 July, 2011 by John Boy Saint

[John Boy Saint]

Rusty razor blades, ropes, rickety stools and stout branches available at special offer prices from my website http://www.johnboysaint@theendisnigh.co.uk

 

Once again we have a thread with an underlying tone of every single player on our books is useless in the position they hold in the team.

Just about every single game we played last season was a Cup Final, we even had the crack about asking the FL to investigate why teams upped their game by 10-20% against us and were ordinary against our closest rivals.

 

Our Nigel is no fool, when he was in this league with Scunny the only thing holding his team back was a bobbins budget (I can remember Scunny coming to SMS a couple of years ago, how they were not 4-0 up in the first 15mins was a miracle) the team he has at Southampton is Gold plated by comparison.

 

Chill folks and have faith.

[Chez]

I'd like another wide man that can dribble in case we lose either of the two Al's to injury (the Cork signing has me in such a positive mood even Alex is staying now in my mind...). I don't rate Guly out wide despite the couple of great goals he scored from that position. Holmes hasn't got the pace, energy or ability. Lee Cook would be perfect so long as he passes a medical.

 

I'm not totally convinced at right back. I think both looked OK at League 1 level, but wingers will be better and Butterfield is the slowest fullback I've seen since Makin. A bit of pace to cover round for Jaidi would be nice.

 

Up front is the criticial position though. Goals change games. I like Barnard, but that yard of pace is just not there. Mind you just as I think he isn't up to it he'll score a beauty. Forte looks to me like he has something about him. The trouble is he needs a long run in the side to allow him to blossom. I'm not sure Adkins rates him enough to do that despite his words of backing. Not sure about Sharp, if I'm honest I actually thought we'd buy better.

 

I have few more doubts and niggles, but right now I'd prefer to ignore them and think positive.

Edited 8 July, 2011 by Chez

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Are you NickG in disguise?

 

No idea what you mean. Was just giving my opinion that four players in most positions should be enough in most squads.

[david in sweden]

No, sorry, just don't agree with that. We have two strikers in Lambert and Barnard who, despite their obvious qualities, have rarely/never played at this level. Connolly has proved he will score goals at this level, but not at a hugely prodigous rate (1 in 3).

 

There's a very good reason NA is looking to shell out £3M plus on a striker, and IMO it really isn't because we already have the best strikeforce in the division.

 

YOU'RE RIGHT ..that we had the best strike force last season and I'd agree with that and a lot of logical arguments make sense - on paper, BUT .......

 

(a) do we know for certain that the above mentioned will be injury free for the whole season?

(b) are we certain that one or more (ditto) won't have a dramatic loss of form...?

© are we sure that none of the (ditto) won't be subject to a long suspension at some point or (in Barnard's case ...)

that we know the outcome of his unfinished business with the judiciary...?

 

If your crystal ball gives you a positive answer to that, then tell Nicola Cortese and we can save ourselves £3 million...

on the other hand, I'm concerned in case one or more of a, b or c might happen and we'll be " in the penalty box without a striker "

or " really in the s*it " - if you prefer that ...

 

for my part ..I'd like to see the £3 million paid out on some " insurance " in the strike force, in the form of a tough, proven striker!

 

Whilst I agree that we gave away a few silly goals last season, we still ended up with one of the best defensive records in L1.

Edited 11 July, 2011 by david in sweden

[hughieslastminutegoal]

You need to read the thread again Turkish.

 

Attacking/Offence/Attacking half/Opposition's half/Going forward.......Whatever people what to call it - We have the best force IMHO as it's exciting and not predictable as Oxy goes either flank and inside out, Lallana will twist you all day, Lambert great free kick, knock downs, hold ups, poachers etc.....I could go on with Guly, Barnard, Connolly, Chaplow, Spider, Hammond and Cork.

 

Just remember we held our own against Premiership opposition last season during our cup run so that does suggest they can mix it in this league at least.

 

We lost 4-1 at home to the skates (wash my mouth out for reminding you). We lost to MU (ok we were up for it, but then I can recall little Exeter pushing MU a while back.)

A swallow and a half doesn't make a summer. A healthy dose of realism helps to make a good manager though.

[Jack]

Can't see why KD is being doubted on last season's performance. He was absolutely immense and ensured we hung on at the end of games on numerous occasions. He's a perfectly good championship keeper, but if Bart or someone else can put pressure on his place, that would be an added bonus. I think NA has bigger concerns than getting a new GK

[Pilchards]

We lost 4-1 at home to the skates (wash my mouth out for reminding you). We lost to MU (ok we were up for it, but then I can recall little Exeter pushing MU a while back.)

A swallow and a half doesn't make a summer. A healthy dose of realism helps to make a good manager though.

 

4-1 Pompey?!?

 

Think you will find that was the season before.

[Itchen_block4]

We should never underestimate the power of a great team ethic. Swansea have kept a lot of players from their time in L1/L2, kept playing the same way, not been crazy with the chequebook and look where they are now. Man for man, are they that much better than us? I'd say probably not, but they have managed to play some fantastic football and get themselves promoted. Because of their team chemistry, IMO they stand the best chance of staying up of the promoted teams. That and everyone will be expecting them to be ****.

 

With that sort of continuity, I think we can go far. The best teams are the ones that have played together for years - Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Puyol and Valdez have all been together at Barca for yonks. Other than Messi, you could probably replace all of those on paper, but it would be unthinkable to do it all at once because they're so good as a group. It would be great to have a core of good, loyal players that can be our future. A great team chemistry is far kinder on the eyes than a team struggling to gel.

[S-Clarke]

We should never underestimate the power of a great team ethic. Swansea have kept a lot of players from their time in L1/L2, kept playing the same way, not been crazy with the chequebook and look where they are now. Man for man, are they that much better than us? I'd say probably not, but they have managed to play some fantastic football and get themselves promoted. Because of their team chemistry, IMO they stand the best chance of staying up of the promoted teams. That and everyone will be expecting them to be ****.

 

With that sort of continuity, I think we can go far. The best teams are the ones that have played together for years - Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Puyol and Valdez have all been together at Barca for yonks. Other than Messi, you could probably replace all of those on paper, but it would be unthinkable to do it all at once because they're so good as a group. It would be great to have a core of good, loyal players that can be our future. A great team chemistry is far kinder on the eyes than a team struggling to gel.

 

Totally agree with that, great post.

 

People fail to realise sometimes that this team has been together for 2 years, and has been successful for 2 years winning lots of football matches. That's momentum that money can't buy.