Adkins: 1 or 2 new players by Saturday?

[NickG]

think we basically agree.

 

good manager - balanced side is best. Manager filled gaps with players who were not high up the ladder or big names touting themselves around. Do we have the same gaps?

 

are those players man for man better than we have already, or was their need greater? We will see

[The Kraken]

think we basically agree.

 

good manager - balanced side is best. Manager filled gaps with players who were not high up the ladder or big names touting themselves around. Do we have the same gaps?

 

are those players man for man better than we have already, or was their need greater? We will see

 

The team ethic (especially on the Adkins bus) is obviously mostly important.

 

I just have a notion that we needed to improve with 4 or 5 players if we were to have a realistic go at the top end of the table. Of course I have nothing else to base this on than my opinion of what I have seen of our team and the Championship in general, but it's also why the Norwich comparison concerns me.

[sotonist]

You make it sound like taking a penalty is easy and that a goal is a formality. You still need somene with the mental strength, skill and technique needed to score them. I don't hear people constantly taking anything away from le tiss when mentioning his goal scoring record

 

Sure, but strikers who score 20+ without penalties presumably still have a team mate who is still scoring the penalties, such as Andy Crosby at S****horpe when Sharp had a 30 league goal season.

[Tom & Gerry]

Over the years we have been compared with many clubs who in the short term appeared to be doing better than us. This was especially true during that long period when we were in the Premier league. More often than not in a year or two that club was relegated and we were still in the top flight. Where will Norwich be compared to us in three years time? If it takes us a couple of years or so to build up to the Premier league and stay there with the right signings surely that is better than going up for a year and then sinking without trace.

[Bensfcno1]

Luis boa morte! Blast from the past but on a free and a cheap contract could be worth a gamble?

[The Kraken]

Over the years we have been compared with many clubs who in the short term appeared to be doing better than us. This was especially true during that long period when we were in the Premier league. More often than not in a year or two that club was relegated and we were still in the top flight. Where will Norwich be compared to us in three years time? If it takes us a couple of years or so to build up to the Premier league and stay there with the right signings surely that is better than going up for a year and then sinking without trace.

 

That's totally theoretical though, isn't it? Norwich have just as much chance of doing that as they do of using the Sky money to further reinforce their squad and infrastructure to solidify their position in the league for years to come. Saying that our way is the right way, when we haven't even achieved it yet, is a bit naive.

[NickG]

The team ethic (especially on the Adkins bus) is obviously mostly important.

 

I just have a notion that we needed to improve with 4 or 5 players if we were to have a realistic go at the top end of the table. Of course I have nothing else to base this on than my opinion of what I have seen of our team and the Championship in general, but it's also why the Norwich comparison concerns me.

 

4 or 5 first teamers? What positions?

[The Kraken]

4 or 5 first teamers? What positions?

 

Well, we're talking an ideal world here, but I consider strengthening in these areas would put us up there with a team such as QPR, Swansea, Norwich etc from last year. But let me say that I think the current squad would finish between 10th and 16th, so its not as if I think we're in dire straits.

 

Centre Midfield, for which we now have Cork. Very good signing.

Centre Back, I think Jaidi will get exposed by a better quality of striker in this division and Fonte needs a better partner.

Centre Forward, Adkins seems to agree with this one as we've apparently seen with the progress with Sharp and possibly Maynard.

 

They're the most important 3. From there, I'm not overly impressed with our options at right back, particularly in an attacking sense, Butterfield and Richardson for me are lower level Championship / higher level League 1 players. And then, instead of last year's Forte & N'Guessan option, a better impact player to give a real option to Lallana & Chamberlain.

 

That's the ideal world of course.

[Smirking_Saint]

Davis

 

Fonte

 

Oxo Morgan Cork Lallana

 

Guly Barnard ?

 

Those are IMO decent level championship performers IMO

 

Add to that some average championship players in Butters, Dickson, Chappers, Lambert, Connolly, maybe Richardson, Harding. And I think we are ok

 

Jaidi is what he is, a monster, darren Moore done more of a decent job doing the same for Derby when they were promoted and he was arguably as slow.

 

If we want to be really challenging then we need to look at full-backs and perhaps a striker, I agree we will probably need another defender by the end of the season at the very latest, (january may be pushing him too far)

 

But we are certainly not in a bad position when you look at the way Millwall and Norwich got on with life.

 

More importantly we have a decent team spirit and changing too much risks damaging that.

[Thedelldays]

Guly over lambert???

 

What the Fuk?

[benjii]

Davis

 

Fonte

 

Oxo Morgan Cork Lallana

 

Guly Barnard ?

 

Those are IMO decent level championship performers IMO

 

Add to that some average championship players in Butters, Dickson, Chappers, Lambert, Connolly, maybe Richardson, Harding. And I think we are ok

 

Jaidi is what he is, a monster, darren Moore done more of a decent job doing the same for Derby when they were promoted and he was arguably as slow.

 

If we want to be really challenging then we need to look at full-backs and perhaps a striker, I agree we will probably need another defender by the end of the season at the very latest, (january may be pushing him too far)

 

But we are certainly not in a bad position when you look at the way Millwall and Norwich got on with life.

 

More importantly we have a decent team spirit and changing too much risks damaging that.

 

You think Barnard is better than Connolly?!

[saintscottofthenortham]

Davis

 

Fonte

 

Oxo Morgan Cork Lallana

 

Guly Barnard ?

 

Those are IMO decent level championship performers IMO

 

Add to that some average championship players in Butters, Dickson, Chappers, Lambert, Connolly, maybe Richardson, Harding. And I think we are ok

 

Jaidi is what he is, a monster, darren Moore done more of a decent job doing the same for Derby when they were promoted and he was arguably as slow.

 

If we want to be really challenging then we need to look at full-backs and perhaps a striker, I agree we will probably need another defender by the end of the season at the very latest, (january may be pushing him too far)

 

But we are certainly not in a bad position when you look at the way Millwall and Norwich got on with life.

 

More importantly we have a decent team spirit and changing too much risks damaging that.

 

Guly & Barnard over Lambo & Connelly!? Are you for real?

[Smirking_Saint]

You think Barnard is better than Connolly?!

 

Guly is my suprise pick for the season TDD, I'm going to go out on a limb and say he is better made for the championship, if teams open up against him, I also think Lambert will struggle, but we shall see, like I said, my guesses are Guly will do well and Lambert will struggle, but as long as one is on song whether I am right or wrong I don't mind.

 

I wonder if this is one season too far for DC, I thought he would have struggled last year but he made a great impact at the end of the season, Barnard IMO is a great little player, decent in front of goal and very busy, plus the added fact that Connolly could injure himself in his sleep.

[benjii]

I expect big things from Guly too but Connolly was simply a different class at the end of last season.

 

When fit, he is our best player.

[Thedelldays]

Why is he better made for the NPC??

Will he go missing less? Will he shoot horrifically wide/over less?

 

Why would anyone drop a player who has scored over 50 goals for us in the last two years and probably 35+ assists for a player who might do better in the NPC???

 

You talk a lot of sense but think you are way off on this. I have a feeling lambert will still be our main striker this season and can't think of a single reason why not

[Smirking_Saint]

Why is he better made for the NPC??

Will he go missing less? Will he shoot horrifically wide/over less?

 

Why would anyone drop a player who has scored over 50 goals for us in the last two years and probably 35+ assists for a player who might do better in the NPC???

 

You talk a lot of sense but think you are way off on this. I have a feeling lambert will still be our main striker this season and can't think of a single reason why not

 

I dont know, I am not saying I would drop him from the start, you simply have to play him, I mean, we played him through his lean streak at the start of last season and with respect I was saying at the time, give him a chance, let him get some confidence, because of how he performed in his first season.

 

He picked it up towards the end but IMO he was a shadow of the Ricky we grew to love and the championship will only be more difficult. Unless he makes an instant impact like Holt then I wonder if he will taper off.

 

Guly, he is quick and tricky, when on song is very very good, yes he goes missing, predominantly against sides that battle and hold back, thats not how the NPC works, more often teams play football and a cavalier approach is the way to play things, and this will only play to Guly's strengths. That is why I think he will do well, it is a hunch, a guess, but I think he will be ok.

 

Connolly, is a great little player, but growing older.

 

Now PM me this shirt n*bber.

[Dalek2003]

Actually we did. Despite huge turmoil, a poor pre-season under a disinterested manager, an owner death, manager leaving, an awful start and no management at all for quite a few games, Adkins having to get to know the squad, pick up morale, deal with the huge expectations of being favourites by such a long way, AND overhaul points on many teams above us....

 

Despite all that, we clocked up 92 points and werent far off winning the league. That's fcking impressive and only happened because of the sheer talent we have in the squad that made us such strong favourites in the first place, and Adkins doing what so many fail to do and actually getting he best from that talent.

 

Another year of development, another year of gelling, another year of Adkins getting his messages across, a few good additions, removal of huge expectations, better grounds, better pitches and the chance for our players to prove themselves at a higher level - all reasons to be optimistic.

 

Surely most would agree if Adkins had been here last summer we'd have topped 100 points? Sounds like walking it to me. The quality was always there, as it should be with the amount we've spent.

 

 

Re -write history if you like. Get a stick of Tippex, erase out Brighton and add another 10 points. BINGO.

[Dalek2003]

Over the years we have been compared with many clubs who in the short term appeared to be doing better than us. This was especially true during that long period when we were in the Premier league. More often than not in a year or two that club was relegated and we were still in the top flight. Where will Norwich be compared to us in three years time? If it takes us a couple of years or so to build up to the Premier league and stay there with the right signings surely that is better than going up for a year and then sinking without trace.

 

Actually I think Norwich is a very good comparison. Similar sized provincial club with similar sized support.

[Smirking_Saint]

Re -write history if you like. Get a stick of Tippex, erase out Brighton and add another 10 points. BINGO.

 

Brighton had a great season and we had a car crash of a start, how is that re-writing history ??

 

Man Utd had a poor season with a poor team and still won the prem.

 

Things happen.

[richardc]

my concern is that we are still 100% reliant on Lallana - if he lasts the season great but if he is injured then we will struggle - I cant see us getting a like for like cover but believe we need to bring in players or a player that we can change the shape and still be as affective

[Wilf]

Living in Norwich I get to see them a fair bit; my view is that we currently have a better squad of players than they had last year; however Lambert proved himself to be an astonishingly good manager; also their promotion depended on other teams failings (stating the obvious here); for example Cardiff self destructed in spectacular fashion with the finishing line in sight.

[dubai_phil]

my concern is that we are still 100% reliant on Lallana - if he lasts the season great but if he is injured then we will struggle - I cant see us getting a like for like cover but believe we need to bring in players or a player that we can change the shape and still be as affective

 

Now that IS a wise post.

 

IMHO if you picked a team from the players left AFTER NA selects his first 11 I think we would survive in the NpC with the reserves. Our best would be above mid table.

 

The critical piece of the jigsaw is that spark of something different/ Last season no doubt Lallana had an impact, as the season went on he wasn't as critical but was still missed.

 

The real issue this year is who will provide that spark. Will AOC have matured and cause mayhem? Will it be a healthy DC? Could Guly finally show consistency & clinical finishing ability? Or can Les Read & his team unearth another gem from Europe?

[Gordon Mockles]

[/b]

 

But I can turn that around and say people with adequate ambitions for Saints are just being realistic surely?

 

Take in what other clubs are doing, players leaving and coming in - would it not be realistic to think a top 10 finish would be good?

 

I'm not entirely disagreeing with you but I think you're missing my point. I think a top ten finish this season would be good but the goal is to strive for the best. Like Saints didn't do in the Premierhsip - where was our ambition? Hardly very inspirational, let's just survive! WOW! Adkins had the right idea last season...giving us goals, step by step, but not mounting too much pressure on the team (i.e. top 10 aim, then play offs, then auto promotion...etc.)

 

You mention adequate ambition but that phrase almost sounds contradictory, oxymoronic. Ambition in itself is to strive for the best results possible. Adequate suggests falling short of that mark. Capping that ambition. Not necessarily doing badly but also not pushing quite far enough, settling for second best. I'm always on the side of realistic but ambition and realism arent mutually exclusive.

[saint lard]

I wonder if Mr Adkins will re-think the number required to be brought in if, as speculated,Oxo will possibly be departing.

[Saint_John]

It will make no difference, Saints currently have 24 (Maximum allowed 25) players over the age of 21.

 

IMO that why Alex will stay (he is under 21) and that Nigel is looking at "one out/one in" deals involving Mills and Puncheon.

[Saint J 77]

I was hoping for a couple of new signings showing off the new kit this morning along with Jack Cork. Shame. I wonder if we will sign any one this week now? Two days left to find out, unless we do business on Match day Saturday. Even if its next week now it would be good to get any new signings in before preseason is over but I guess as long as we bring in some quality signings before the window shuts that's better than nothing.

[EBS1980]

Huddersfield's Roberts has rejected a new 2yr deal. I know he was linked with us, if that was true might be a step closer as he is now in the last year of his contract.

[beavis17]

Huddersfield's Roberts has rejected a new 2yr deal. I know he was linked with us, if that was true might be a step closer as he is now in the last year of his contract.

 

Played for them last night though. He probably wouldn't have if he was on the verge of a move...

[Chez]

my concern is that we are still 100% reliant on Lallana - if he lasts the season great but if he is injured then we will struggle - I cant see us getting a like for like cover but believe we need to bring in players or a player that we can change the shape and still be as affective

 

Some might point to Holmes being Lallana's natural replacement. But I won't.

[sussexsaint]

I suspect somone we have never heard of from Italy ala Papa and Guly as I remember we had absolutely no idea before they were announced and seems in keeping with the trend.

[saint lard]

I suspect somone we have never heard of from Italy ala Papa and Guly as I remember we had absolutely no idea before they were announced and seems in keeping with the trend.

 

The Guly Do Prado signing was 'out there' way before he signed.

Via the Italian press,which i was alerted too by some Italian ex work chums.

 

I have asked them oncemore to keep their ears to the ground and let me know.

[lobbster]

Think we should be in for Routledge. Chamberlin is obviously putting the feelers out for a move and he would be a decent replacment

[The Kraken]

If we lose Chamberlain I'd go with Hammond/Cork/Schneiderlin with Guly/Lambert/Lallana further forward. Loses some pace but we can't rush out and overspend on a replacement.

 

Seriously, do you think this has come as a surprise to the club in any way? They've clearly known he wants out since New Year. Chamberlain himself has said he's been in various discussions with Adkins about moving on, and it's fair to assume that those discussions have been going on for some time.

 

It would be massive dereliction of duty if the club haven't already sourced a replacement for him

[Saint Fan CaM]

Some might point to Holmes being Lallana's natural replacement. But I won't.

 

Perfectly capable if fit. What about Forte?

[S-Clarke]

Perfectly capable if fit. What about Forte?

 

''If'' fit is the prob though, as we all know he won't last a season.

[PaulGilchrist_76]

Where are these 2 signings then?

 

Are we still awaiting the sale of Chamberlain to finance them?

 

With the first league match looming, they will have little time to bed in. As usual.

[S-Clarke]

Where are these 2 signings then?

 

Are we still awaiting the sale of Chamberlain to finance them?

 

With the first league match looming, they will have little time to bed in. As usual.

 

I'd be more worried if I was a leeds fan. No strikers, sold their 2 mid fielders and replaced them with Brown...and that's it for them so far.

 

Without 2 additions we're still ok to start the season, it's not an urgent rush as people make out.

[Saint Matty 76]

Don't know if anyone else has brought it up but Wade Elliot was mentioned in the Sun.

[MOSaint]

Hopefully, that's the last time he is mentioned. Not a bad player, just don't see him as any kind of improvement and at 32 is only going to get worse.

[Saint Mikey]

Don't know if anyone else has brought it up but Wade Elliot was mentioned in the Sun.

 

When? He was a free agent at the end of the season (I think), but definitely signed a new deal with Burnley. Is mates with Howe too...

[Dalek2003]

Last minute.com.

 

19th we will finish !

[NickG]

idiot

[S-Clarke]

Last minute.com.

 

19th we will finish !

 

clueless.com

[latter day saint]

Last minute.com.

 

19th we will finish !

[Crazy Diamond]

Last minute.com.

 

19th we will finish !

 

Interesting.

 

Oh wait my mistake, it's not.

[Chez]

Perfectly capable if fit. What about Forte?

 

I don't rate Holmes at all, and given what little I have actually seen of Forte he looks like a pacey striker not a winger to me. In light of the Chamberlain quotes today it looks like cover for Lallana is less important than finding a right winger.

[Colinjb]

Last minute.com.

 

19th we will finish !

 

If at first no one listens, keep on shouting.

[Saint Matty 76]

When? He was a free agent at the end of the season (I think), but definitely signed a new deal with Burnley. Is mates with Howe too...

 

Today, it was right at the bottom of the page stating that us and Leeds are keeping tracks on him or something along those lines.

[Chez]

Think we should be in for Routledge. Chamberlin is obviously putting the feelers out for a move and he would be a decent replacment

right idea, but tough to compete with Prem clubs.

[Chez]

they will have little time to bed in. As usual.

if they are decent they won't need time. The term gelling is overused if you ask me and a massive excuse if players or team underperform. Lambert was on the money immediately after joining us as was Chaplow.