Professor Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 August is not an especially a tough start to life in the NpC except the 3 away games to 2 at home put the balance slightly against Saints. The teams we play were all in the Championship last year and finished in positions 7, 9, 10, 13 and 17. Leicester's position last year doesn't reflect their team building this summer, but overall these 5 games seem a fair test to show how Saints are likely to perform this season. We may be playing with Seaborne and Jaidi covering the 'vacant' CB position but otherwise the squad is pretty well complete. If we are in the top 6 by 31st August a genuine challenge will look to be on. If we are in the bottom six, then it will be a real concern. The law of averages would suggest somewhere in the middle but unlike Poyet at Brighton, Adkins has not been talking about a consolidation year, so top six is presumbly the aim. What are the prospects for where we'll be after those 5 games? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landford.saint Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 With Jaidi in defence going by his 'memorial' performance, we are sunk. He was absolute horrendous. Ponderous in body and mind, couldn't head, tackle, pass, read game or anything slightly productive. as bad a match as I have seen anyone play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 after last season...i dont think we can read too much into it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 August is not an especially a tough start to life in the NpC except the 3 away games to 2 at home put the balance slightly against Saints. The teams we play were all in the Championship last year and finished in positions 7, 9, 10, 13 and 17. Leicester's position last year doesn't reflect their team building this summer, but overall these 5 games seem a fair test to show how Saints are likely to perform this season. We may be playing with Seaborne and Jaidi covering the 'vacant' CB position but otherwise the squad is pretty well complete. If we are in the top 6 by 31st August a genuine challenge will look to be on. If we are in the bottom six, then it will be a real concern. The law of averages would suggest somewhere in the middle but unlike Poyet at Brighton, Adkins has not been talking about a consolidation year, so top six is presumbly the aim. What are the prospects for where we'll be after those 5 games? As Nigel made a point of asking Jaidi to stay another season I assume he wants him to play, everbody wrote Jiadi off last season and after a slow start he played well last season. I don't know why everyone thinks he has to be replaced now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 30 July, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 July, 2011 after last season...i dont think we can read too much into it...That isn't really true, because last year wasn't a bad start - by the end of August the record was P3, W1, D1, L1, (GF5 GA2), so 4 points after 3 games and a positive GD of plus 3 was a fair indication of top half and a 4-0 away win suggesting things would get better. It was parting company with the manager followed by 3 straight defeats in Sept that dropped us down the table so unless we are expecting Cortese to part company with Adkins this August, then common sense would suggest that the first 5 games will be used by fans and management to assess the prospects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 30 July, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 July, 2011 As Nigel made a point of asking Jaidi to stay another season I assume he wants him to play, everbody wrote Jiadi off last season and after a slow start he played well last season. I don't know why everyone thinks he has to be replaced now? This isn't just about Jaidi, but simply that the vacant No.5 shirt suggests that NA is not confident in Jaidi, Seaborne or Martin as first choice for that slot. On top of that he's said he's looking to make another signing, so having already strengthened in midfield and attack, where else in the squad is NA likely to have a higher priority? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 As Nigel made a point of asking Jaidi to stay another season I assume he wants him to play, everbody wrote Jiadi off last season and after a slow start he played well last season. I don't know why everyone thinks he has to be replaced now? because we know everything.Jaidi is over the hill, we are sunk with him in the side.Hammond is no leader and should not play, Davis is rubbish, our full backs aren't up to it, we always start badly, Nige i unproven at this level, we have no money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 That isn't really true, because last year wasn't a bad start - by the end of August the record was P3, W1, D1, L1, (GF5 GA2), so 4 points after 3 games and a positive GD of plus 3 was a fair indication of top half and a 4-0 away win suggesting things would get better. It was parting company with the manager followed by 3 straight defeats in Sept that dropped us down the table so unless we are expecting Cortese to part company with Adkins this August, then common sense would suggest that the first 5 games will be used by fans and management to assess the prospects. that was poor considering two of those games were at home and we were heavy favourites....it was a crap start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 We need to carry last season's tail end form into this season, how sweet it would be if we didn't start slowly like every other bloody season. Banging Leeds 6-0 and topping the table after one game would be lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 (edited) August will go some way to telling us quite a few things we currently can only speculate on: Has pre-season been a success; are the players as fit and as sharp as they can be? Can the likes of Lambert, Barnard, Hammond, Lallana, Seaborne make the step up to Championship level; in the case of Lambert & Lallana, can they show they are the match winners at this level that they were at League 1? Is Jaidi really past it; or can his aging legs get him through one more year at a higher level of football? Do we really look like a side who will be genuine contenders for automatic promotion; how about a play-off spot; is it likely to be a season scratching around mid-table; or are the minority of doom-sayers valid in suggesting we'll do well to avoid relegation? Of course, August alone will in no way answer those questions, but the results and perhaps more importantly the performances in those 5 games will certainly go some way to highlighting what type of season we're in for. Edited 30 July, 2011 by The Kraken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 that was poor considering two of those games were at home and we were heavy favourites....it was a crap start ideed, losing at home to relegated Plymouth and drawing with Orient were very poor results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMike Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 the last time i checked, the season doesnt end until May, why are so many so obsessed with August! Yes, it would be nice to have a good start for a change but I would be more than happy if we could put on another 15+ unbeaten run from March onwards. Marathon, not a sprint and all that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 ideed, losing at home to relegated Plymouth and drawing with Orient were very poor results. yep, if adkins dropped 5 points at home like that..the OP would be frothing at the gums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 the last time i checked, the season doesnt end until May, why are so many so obsessed with August! Yes, it would be nice to have a good start for a change but I would be more than happy if we could put on another 15+ unbeaten run from March onwards. Marathon, not a sprint and all that No-one is saying August is the be all and end all Mike, calm down. It's just an indicator to what the rest of the season MIGHT hold in store. A potential benchmark of things to come, if you like. Of course it may bear no relation whatsoever, but even still it would be a bit boring if we had to wait until May before we could actually discuss where we might finish in the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMike Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 No-one is saying August is the be all and end all Mike, calm down. It's just an indicator to what the rest of the season may hold in store. A benchmark of things to come, if you like. It would be a bit boring if we had to wait until May before we could actually discuss where we might finish in the league. haha I am calm The way that some are getting all hot and bothered over what August brings, I would suggest it is the that need to calm down. We always start badly, including last year, so August 2010 was not a benchmark for things to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 No-one is saying August is the be all and end all Mike, calm down. It's just an indicator to what the rest of the season MIGHT hold in store. A potential benchmark of things to come, if you like. Of course it may bear no relation whatsoever, but even still it would be a bit boring if we had to wait until May before we could actually discuss where we might finish in the league. in august we only have 2 home games (league) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 yep, if adkins dropped 5 points at home like that..the OP would be frothing at the gums I've been up all night with a poorly son but you have made me belly laugh, and I got a lotta belly! 'Frothing at the gums' and I pictured Professor immediately! Still giggling. Well done J! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 in august we only have 2 home games (league) How many home league games must I wait until I'm allowed to speculate (rightly or wrongly) on how we may fare for the whole season? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 How many home league games must I wait until I'm allowed to speculate (rightly or wrongly) on how we may fare for the whole season? i think an equal amount of home and away games in the league would be fair.... which would put us into sept...3 home, 3 away..... or just wait for say 8 games..??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 Wouldn't say its a particularly easy start. I'd say that Ipswich and Liecster are arguably top 4 material and Leeds will be around the playoffs along with Cardiff.Forest and Brum home games will be difficult along with Burnley away. There are some massive teams in this league, and after the first few months it will show us where abouts we are at and when we are playing the desired football that we want to play, or whether we have resorted to 'championship football' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 i think an equal amount of home and away games in the league would be fair.... which would put us into sept...3 home, 3 away..... or just wait for say 8 games..??? Or maybe if I waited for 16 games it would be much more accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 Speculate away - its a bit of a laugh but I'm with JustMike on this - Marathon n all that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 (edited) Or maybe if I waited for 16 games it would be much more accurate. yes....up to you...just think going by saints gone by that august does not really prove a great deal...even if we won every game I still wont believe we will win the league... as for the OP....adkins dropped 6 points at home in 20 games...pardew managed to drop 5 points at home in 2 games.....and yet you had many pops at nige during the season.....or does it show that august shows little...? Edited 30 July, 2011 by Thedelldays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 Speculate away - its a bit of a laugh but I'm with JustMike on this - Marathon n all that. JustMike is right; all speculation is premature, whether it be now, after August, September or whatever. I don't think anyone could have predicted our run in the last 15 games last season, which was necessary to clinch promotion. All I'm saying is that it would be a bit boring if we can't/weren't to use a chat forum to engage in what might be after we've played a handful of games. Of course it holds no real sway at all over the rest of the season, but as I've said, it's a bit boring waiting for a few months before having the conversation isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 Or maybe if I waited for 16 games it would be much more accurate. 17 or 15 games is usually a better benchmark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cestrian Saint Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 I think it will prove to be a generally dry month with temperatures about average for the time of year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 Bit dangerous to judge whether fixtures before a ball has been kicked in anger. I'll start thinking about that kind of thing when ten fixtures all have been played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 haha I am calm The way that some are getting all hot and bothered over what August brings, I would suggest it is the that need to calm down. We always start badly, including last year, so August 2010 was not a benchmark for things to come. Just a hint of complacency in this post. Sure, our position will be decided over the course of a season. However, in August we will play real football matches and our form and results will reveal a lot that at the moment we can only speculate about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulGilchrist_76 Posted 30 July, 2011 Share Posted 30 July, 2011 I think August might show that we should have signed a centre half long before now instead of scrabbling around trying to sign one just before the first league game of the season. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightspark Posted 31 July, 2011 Share Posted 31 July, 2011 What will August prove? That we remain one of the slowest starters out of the blocks in English football. I would be stunned if we were in the top half by months end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 31 July, 2011 Share Posted 31 July, 2011 In my view, our early games are slightly tougher than average but not insanely so (as the OP suggests). I wouldn't read too much into whether we're in the top or bottom six at then end of August. The difference between 6th and 19th place is likely to be about 3 points, which could well be down to a dodgy offside decision or a bit of luck. I'm expecting us to finish about 8th-12th, so if we get 6-9 points from those first five games, I'm happy. 4 or 5 wouldn't necessarily be a disaster and 10 or 11 wouldn't mean we're on track for promotion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted 31 July, 2011 Share Posted 31 July, 2011 The only thing August is likely to prove is that we have a load of reactionary drama queens on this site. Personally I think that the first couple of months look particularly difficult and we will have a reasonable idea of our chances this season by Christmas. Even then, I would expect us to get stronger and stronger as the season progresses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 31 July, 2011 Share Posted 31 July, 2011 It will show us that we are very average at Championship level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperm_john Posted 31 July, 2011 Share Posted 31 July, 2011 as mad as it sounds i wouldnt be too bothered if we dont come out of the traps too fast, wouldnt want us to be like one of those teams that burn out like a candle by christmas, just a win or two and a couple of draws would do me for starters, its not how you start its how you finish n all that (= end of last season) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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