saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 (edited) Is there anything to be really worried about this coming season or are we comfortably well enough equipped for the campaign? Barring the CB debate,which appears to be being somewhat addressed, all be it slowly,We really are relying on a squad that we had last season. Cork and De ridder have been added,thankfully.But i'm unsure they alone will be the difference to a league one side and what now needs to become a Championship side. Some have said we were a championship side,all bar the shouting,last season...but did we perform like one? We did well last season and alot is being said reference 'Team spirit',but is that alone enough for us to compete at a decent level? Will NA step up to the plate,this will be new territory for him,we differ hugely from Scunny,in many ways. Many of the managers he will be facing in the opposite dugout have considerable experience in this league. Were we so outstanding in League one that many think now that we can utilise what we have available in the NPC,if so,i am not convinced. I sincerely hope i am wrong. But i am approaching this season with a mild trepadation. Im sure many will point to what other sides are doing and what they percieve as weakenesses in their squads,so all will be well at saints......but nothing is as cut and dried as that,imo. Complacency and underestimating our opposition could prove costly. Just had to get that off my chest. I suspect this will be met with the usual derision by some. Edited 3 August, 2011 by saint lard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
once_bitterne Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 We'll be ok. Midtable. Can't see anything much better but then again not much worse. A season of consolidation wouldn't be a bad thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Mustn't grumble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 We will be champions by March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustapha Fag Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 lets be honest, you've been beating out the same message for a year now yes we know you don't rate Adkin yes we know you dont rate the team yes we know you think we will struggle yes we know you think we should have spent millions on a whole sale turn over of players But do you know what, we got promoted despite your misgivings, despite the fact we were not on top for 93 mins per game as you thought we should be, even despite the fact our manager was inept and not as good as Pardew, and despite the fact you thought our style of football was rubbish, but we just kept on winning Dont think anyone expects automatic promotion, maybe a play off challenge, most will be happy to consolidate and grow stronger as a club, give the boys a chance before lowering your head in miserable desperation, we are on the up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2011 (edited) We'll be ok. Midtable. Can't see anything much better but then again not much worse. A season of consolidation wouldn't be a bad thing. Maybe i want just a little more than consolidation,is that a bad thing? Fine line between settling for what we have and walking the tightrope of lower table mediocraty. Edited 3 August, 2011 by saint lard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Ash Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Not worried at all, really looking forward to the season. It is just football afterall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick1976.4.38 Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 lets just see how the first few months go,we will have a good idea of where saints are heading.mid table i feel is where we will finish,we arent a bad side,we will probably lose when we shouldnt but thats saints.enjoy the bus ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essruu Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 We will be champions by March. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 I'm really excited, for me we're going into a season where we can just relax. There's no real pressure on us as has been in previous years (last year for e.g.) Let's just relax, enjoy it, and see where it takes us. We've got a good bunch of players here, who have created a real team unit and we may surprise people this year. The signing of Jemal will, for me, complete the jigsaw in this window. We may need a striker if Connolly picks up a knock, but we'll be able to pickup some pretty decent ones in the loan window if we need to, I'm sure of that. Bring it on...it's been a long summer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Some need saints to fail to satisfy their egos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2011 lets be honest, you've been beating out the same message for a year now yes we know you don't rate Adkin yes we know you dont rate the team yes we know you think we will struggle yes we know you think we should have spent millions on a whole sale turn over of players But do you know what, we got promoted despite your misgivings, despite the fact we were not on top for 93 mins per game as you thought we should be, even despite the fact our manager was inept and not as good as Pardew, and despite the fact you thought our style of football was rubbish, but we just kept on winning Dont think anyone expects automatic promotion, maybe a play off challenge, most will be happy to consolidate and grow stronger as a club, give the boys a chance before lowering your head in miserable desperation, we are on the up Wrong on so many levels. Read my post properly,Christ a couple of posts in and the bickering a and attempted point scoring starts. You have hardly addressed the issues,just berated my view. It is obvious by your comments reference my views you are blinkered and wide of the mark. The people that don't share exactly the same view as you....put them on ignore,then you can live in your rosey garden. Enjoy the season,you have already decided we will be fine and all is dandy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Some need saints to fail to satisfy their egos. Where have i said i want us to fail,completely the opposite if you read the OP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 FFS saint lard, why do you have to try and **** on everyones parade all the time? I think it is attention you crave (ironically, something i seem to be giving you now) mid-table will be fine this season and within the '5 year plan' so maybe wait until we are struggling in the league before you spout your negative drivvel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Honestly amazed at the quality of the squad we've formed in a couple of years. Full backs and keeper could be better, but are hopefully good enough and deserve their chance anyway. Countless good attacking options, central midfield competition. Couldn't have asked for more. All I'm dreading is the reaction from the predictables on here once we lose a couple or if we lose the first game. Guess I'll just have to avoid the forum, but besides that I'm looking forward to the season and don't think there's any limits to what we could achieve. indeed...had we signed Fonte, connolly, lambert, OxO, Lallana now...we would be absolutely creaming ourselves....but we have these and by most have them very long term for once..the team is infact..A TEAM..not a collection of random players picked up by previous managers etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowllyd Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Is there anything to be really worried about this coming season or are we comfortably well enough equipped for the campaign? Barring the CB debate,which appears to be being somewhat addressed, all be it slowly,We really are relying on a squad that we had last season. Cork and De ridder have been added,thankfully.But i'm unsure they alone will be the difference to a league one side and what now needs to become a Championship side. Some have said we were a championship side,all bar the shouting,last season...but did we perform like one? We did well last season and alot is being said reference 'Team spirit',but is that alone enough for us to compete at a decent level? Will NA step up to the plate,this will be new territory for him,we differ hugely from Scunny,in many ways. Many of the managers he will be facing in the opposite dugout have considerable experience in this league. Were we so outstanding in League one that many think now that we can utilise what we have available in the NPC,if so,i am not convinced. I sincerely hope i am wrong. But i am approaching this season with a mild trepadation. Im sure many will point to what other sides are doing and what they percieve as weakenesses in their squads,so all will be well at saints......but nothing is as cut and dried as that,imo. Complacency and underestimating our opposition could prove costly. Just had to get that off my chest. I suspect this will be met with the usual derision by some. What makes you think that we're likely to be complacent, or to underestimate our opponents? I've seen no indication of either from Adkins or the players - and that's where it matters, after all. We have a very good squad, to which we have made two additions so far. I think it likely that we'll see another one or maybe two before the window closes; after that, we may get the odd loan in, depending on how we've done in the permanent market. So I'd expect us to be comfortably in mid table at the very least, quite possibly better than that. As a matter of interest, what would lessen the level of trepidation which you feel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 indeed...had we signed Fonte, connolly, lambert, OxO, Lallana now...we would be absolutely creaming ourselves....but we have these and by most have them very long term for once..the team is infact..A TEAM..not a collection of random players picked up by previous managers etc Exactly, a team that's played together for 2 years now. That is such a huge factor IMO. Harding and Lallanas partnership for e.g. is excellent, and they know each others games inside out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John D Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Is there anything to be really worried about this coming season or are we comfortably well enough equipped for the campaign? Barring the CB debate,which appears to be being somewhat addressed, all be it slowly,We really are relying on a squad that we had last season. Not true - as you admit next line we have added 2 players and it seems likely there will be one or two extra Cork and De ridder have been added,thankfully.But i'm unsure they alone will be the difference to a league one side and what now needs to become a Championship side. We were a good league 1 side (in fact the second best league one side - as the table showed) Also we have players who have played at Championship level and those who many believe are capable of doing so namely Fonte,Harding, Butterfield, Spiderman, Chaplow, Connelly plus Lallanna and Chamberlain. So yes we were League one but have Championship players in the team. The rest may or may not be good enough but the majority should be ok at least. Some have said we were a championship side,all bar the shouting,last season...but did we perform like one?Impossible to answer as we were in League but see my point above about experience of championship and potential. We did well last season and alot is being said reference 'Team spirit',but is that alone enough for us to compete at a decent level?no but it helps significantly. As proved by many teams an average team with a good spirit and work ethic can overachieve e.g. Greece / Denmark in Euros, Blackpool 2 years ago etc. Also there is nothing to suggest our team is not good enough but there is a strong argument that says it is Will NA step up to the plate,this will be new territory for him,we differ hugely from Scunny,in many ways.We are but he has not failed us so far and will have learnt from his time at Scunny so will be better prepared. Many of the managers he will be facing in the opposite dugout have considerable experience in this league.So what,it depends on a lot more than previous experience and Adkins is not a complete novoice Were we so outstanding in League one that many think now that we can utilise what we have available in the NPC,if so,i am not convinced.Your choice but I have seen a lot as noted in my reply to say we will. I sincerely hope i am wrong.I expect you will be But i am approaching this season with a mild trepadation.Suggest you have some toilet roll handy then Im sure many will point to what other sides are doing and what they percieve as weakenesses in their squads,so all will be well at saints......but nothing is as cut and dried as that,imo. Complacency and underestimating our opposition could prove costly.I have seen zero evidence of this anywhere from the manager, chairman or players. Most fans are thinking mid table and if we do well we may make a challenge for higher place. So an irrelevant comment Just had to get that off my chest. I suspect this will be met with the usual derision by someCant think why!. Overall your argument seems to be that as we were in League 1 last year unless we signed loads of champ players and had a manager with buckets of champ experience we will fail. A very weak argument in my opinion as I have explained. Each to their own I will go into the season with a relaxed and optimistic mind - I am happy for you to **** yourself and worry Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 indeed...had we signed Fonte, connolly, lambert, OxO, Lallana now...we would be absolutely creaming ourselves....but we have these and by most have them very long term for once..the team is infact..A TEAM..not a collection of random players picked up by previous managers etc Actually I don't think people would be creaming themselves if we signed them now... people would say Lambert is untried at this level Connolly is past it and injury prone Oxo is to young and untested above league one Lallana has only had one season at champ level and got relegated and who's Fonte? Most of us are happy with these players (me included) becuase we've seen then in action and have faith in them if we were signing them right now people would be saying they are not the players to get us out of the championship. Going back to the op personally I'm happy with the team and reckon they will do OK at mid table. Which seeing as I personally have no desire to get back to the PL in it's current form is fine by me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brussels Saint Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 I think we will finish between 7th & 9th which is a pretty good season. Anything below 12th a disappointment. 6th or above a pleasant surprise. To be honest I dont consider there to be that much difference between us last year and a mid table Championship side. Adding Cork and De Ridder pushes us a little higher. A decent CB and we could well be set for the play-offs. As such not that much apprehension. Guess a lot depends on expectations and most Saints fans have these set traditionally low based on, well, its the Saints and its what we expect. I'm betting NC is expecting playoffs however, as he perhaps has a different view on what we should be able to achieve, not having lived through all the previous years soul crushing average-ness (is that a word?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Wrong on so many levels. Read my post properly,Christ a couple of posts in and the bickering a and attempted point scoring starts. You have hardly addressed the issues,just berated my view. It is obvious by your comments reference my views you are blinkered and wide of the mark. The people that don't share exactly the same view as you....put them on ignore,then you can live in your rosey garden. Enjoy the season,you have already decided we will be fine and all is dandy. To be honest you set yourself up here by suggesting a range of scenarios based purely on random thoughts. NA is clearly an up and coming manager and has tried to keep the nucleus of the team together with just one or two additions. On paper they are clearly good additions. Until the season starts no one really knows which players will step up and which will be completely out of their depth. It would be far more sensible to have this debate at the beginning of September. But in answer to the general question, no I'm not too worried. This is not a season where we must gain promotion. This is a squad that can hold its own in the championship and maybe surprise us with a push for the playoffs. The pre season preps have gone well. No injuries. We still have Oxo and Lallana. Can't ask for much more really. Roll on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2011 (edited) FFS saint lard, why do you have to try and **** on everyones parade all the time? I think it is attention you crave (ironically, something i seem to be giving you now) mid-table will be fine this season and within the '5 year plan' so maybe wait until we are struggling in the league before you spout your negative drivvel I think i have asked valid questions just prior to the new campaign. If you can't manage to answer them in a coherant and constructive manner then it tells alot more about you than me.Carry on berating me please it gives me the attention i so crave. But hey,should i expect anymore from some on here. Although some manage to accept my OP for what it is,a topic for discussion.....perhaps they are the more astute ones on here. Mods,close the thread....no forum for discussion here. Edited 3 August, 2011 by saint lard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerceSaint28 Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Pretty excited about the season...i still don't buy the old line...let's see where we go this season and we will be better equipped in a year blah blah I feel we have a good team and a few more quality additions and we will be a real threat. Fortunately it looks like Jemal is coming in and that is great news but unlike Clarke, i feel we must get another quality striker. We were going to splash £3.2 mill on Sharp so clearly a striker is on the radar, i just hope we have other targets set up. I don't see how people are so relaxed about having the same strike force as last season. Connolly cannot be relied upon, news about Barnard and maybe going in the nick is rife and Forte is never a striker, ditto Do prado. If we can get another quality striker in as well as Jemal, i will be really happy and feel we can do well (TOP 6)...without a striker addition i think we are looking at top 10-12. Come on Saints fans...don't just accept mediocrity...we are so close to filling all the pieces but a defender is alone is not enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stmusicdude Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Wrong on so many levels. Read my post properly,Christ a couple of posts in and the bickering a and attempted point scoring starts. You have hardly addressed the issues,just berated my view. It is obvious by your comments reference my views you are blinkered and wide of the mark. The people that don't share exactly the same view as you....put them on ignore,then you can live in your rosey garden. Enjoy the season,you have already decided we will be fine and all is dandy. There will be bickering & point scoring & I might be wrong, but in this case I dont think as such his responce was specifically to your opening post, but more to your over the last few months tone? so I don't think poster was trying to bicker at you or point score? I think it was more of a I think we know these aspects of what you think about Saints at the moment? To answer your question .. worried .. No . If I thought Saints was relegation fodder this season I might be disapointed or frustrated but worrying about it is pointless! But why are you so frustrated because in your opinion that poster thinks we will be fine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian the Red Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Frankly, I do not believe we have anything to worry about. We have quality Championship players throughout the squad; team spirit is essential and worth more than a few points throughout the season - remember at Wimbledon, no real quality players but huge team spirit kept them in the top flight for many a season!! As for complacency and underestimating, cant see this happening. NA, if anything shows too much respect at times. The area we need to strenghten is the defence. As noted on many postings a CB and another fullback would certainly have us challenging at the top. Have faith, we will do very well this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stmusicdude Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 I think i have asked valid questions just prior to the new campaign. If you can't manage to answer them in a coherant and constructive manner then it tells alot more about you than me.Carry on berating me please it gives me the attention i so crave. But hey,should i expect anymore from some on here. Although some manage to accept my OP for what it is,a topic for discussion.....perhaps they are the more astute ones on here. Mods,close the thread....no forum for discussion here. Yes the OP was great, but the replys thereafter have let you down somewhat as you p*ss on people who opinion is different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2011 To be honest you set yourself up here by suggesting a range of scenarios based purely on random thoughts. NA is clearly an up and coming manager and has tried to keep the nucleus of the team together with just one or two additions. On paper they are clearly good additions. Until the season starts no one really knows which players will step up and which will be completely out of their depth. It would be far more sensible to have this debate at the beginning of September. But in answer to the general question, no I'm not too worried. This is not a season where we must gain promotion. This is a squad that can hold its own in the championship and maybe surprise us with a push for the playoffs. The pre season preps have gone well. No injuries. We still have Oxo and Lallana. Can't ask for much more really. Roll on Saturday. He's done well in league one. Untried,untested under pressure in the NPC.His last visitation was so/so,albeit with Scunny. Hopefully he will succeed in the NPC,then i think you can say he is up and coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 TBF Lard, i'd say that keeping Scunny mid-table in the championship was succeeding at this level. Now he's got a chance to go even further. As soon as he left they were relegated. I think that tells you all you need to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IFHP Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Is there anything to be really worried about this coming season or are we comfortably well enough equipped for the campaign? Barring the CB debate,which appears to be being somewhat addressed, all be it slowly,We really are relying on a squad that we had last season. Cork and De ridder have been added,thankfully.But i'm unsure they alone will be the difference to a league one side and what now needs to become a Championship side. Some have said we were a championship side,all bar the shouting,last season...but did we perform like one? We did well last season and alot is being said reference 'Team spirit',but is that alone enough for us to compete at a decent level? Will NA step up to the plate,this will be new territory for him,we differ hugely from Scunny,in many ways. Many of the managers he will be facing in the opposite dugout have considerable experience in this league. Were we so outstanding in League one that many think now that we can utilise what we have available in the NPC,if so,i am not convinced. I sincerely hope i am wrong. But i am approaching this season with a mild trepadation. Im sure many will point to what other sides are doing and what they percieve as weakenesses in their squads,so all will be well at saints......but nothing is as cut and dried as that,imo. Complacency and underestimating our opposition could prove costly. Just had to get that off my chest. I suspect this will be met with the usual derision by some. So what would be an acceptable finish for you? Where is the minimum you think Saints should finsh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martel Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 We'll be ok. Midtable. Can't see anything much better but then again not much worse. A season of consolidation wouldn't be a bad thing. I have to agree with that for the most part, however, the season before last we gave Norwich and Leeds some real competition and we have got better since then, therefore I do think we could make the play offs this season, I honestly believe we are a lot stronger than we all think at the moment, could be the freefall we went into under Lowe that makes all a bit nervous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notnowcato Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Mods,close the thread....no forum for discussion here. Agreed close the thread. The wetting of pants should really be done in private. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustapha Fag Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Wrong on so many levels. You have hardly addressed the issues,just berated my view. so, one rule for some and not for others eh as for my view, yes we could do with another centre back, but as youve said, we are addressing that, so wheres the problems given that sentence? full backs? Three experienced championship full backs, four if you include Mills. Out wide? Chamberlain, Lallana, De Ridder, all capable? Holmes, Forte backing up Centre Mid? Cork, Morgan, Chaplow or the skipper Hammond, perm two from them four should be a decent platform, from a personal point of view i would take Morgan and JC as first choice but can see arguments for all four. Must be upfront then, please dont deny slating Lambert last season as static and out of form despite scoring 50 goals in two seasons, surely worth a punt to see what hes capable of, Connelly and Guly have the skill levels, although DC fitness is a question, Barnard will run all day, similar to Ormorod back in the days with Beats Yes it could be improved upon, but why the pessimistic view on everything Saints? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonjoe Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Does anyone know why Saintlard writes in lists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilippineSaint Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Dont think anyone expects automatic promotion, maybe a play off challenge, most will be happy to consolidate and grow stronger as a club, give the boys a chance before lowering your head in miserable desperation, we are on the up I expect Automatic promotion. But I have done every year we have not been in the top division and when we were in the top league I expected a winning trophy My success rate is not that good but I still have faith in the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Overall your argument seems to be that as we were in League 1 last year unless we signed loads of champ players and had a manager with buckets of champ experience we will fail. A very weak argument in my opinion as I have explained. Each to their own I will go into the season with a relaxed and optimistic mind - I am happy for you to **** yourself and worry Cheers John think this post with bits added to OP answers all very well. I am looking forward, as most are, to our season. Less pressure and apprehension than last year (and they coped pretty well with that!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2011 (edited) So what would be an acceptable finish for you? Where is the minimum you think Saints should finsh? I would want us to go into this campaign fighting for promotion,that should be the mindset of everyone at SFC and the fans also. Although i think if we can achieve around the play offs,even down to 8th/9th we would have had a reasonable campaign.But i think that will be a tall order perhaps. What i don't subscribe to is how some seem happy with consolidation/mid table obscurity. That does not mean however i expect us to steamroller the opposition and the league in one foul swoop,before some posters think i do. And my OP was questioning do we have the capabilities both in players and management to also deliver more than consolidaion/mid table. Edited 3 August, 2011 by saint lard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Yes the OP was great, but the replys thereafter have let you down somewhat as you p*ss on people who opinion is different He only replies when he thinks people are berating him for having a different opinion. He hardly ever replies to those who provide a decent enough argument as to why they disagree. Just shows his inability to fully rationalise his argument. He'll keep plugging away with the anti adkins crap until the point comes where he starts to look very silly. Won't be long now imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Lard has a point to make and he's said it. And as he says, there are the usual posters who can only attack the OP rather than debate the issue - such a shame for this forum - it could be so much better without the *****y backbiting. Anyway - I'm truly looking forward to the season start (despite the rubbish kickoff time Sat.). I think the squad has the potential to surprise and delight, however (as my thread on the subject states), I feel there are unanswered questions regarding the ability of the defence to cope with the strength of attacking players seen in the NPC. Having watched NPC matches my view is our backline could struggle, although it is very difficult to predict I accept. A really good complimentary CB for Fonte will go a long way to helping the cause. Not worried about midfield or attack options atall - we have scoring potential throughout the side. Midfield looks very strong in particular now. I would be quite happy to finish just outside the play-offs with Pimpley and Brighton below us. Not overly concerned with going up this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Actually I don't think people would be creaming themselves if we signed them now... people would say Lambert is untried at this level Connolly is past it and injury prone Oxo is to young and untested above league one Lallana has only had one season at champ level and got relegated and who's Fonte? Most of us are happy with these players (me included) becuase we've seen then in action and have faith in them if we were signing them right now people would be saying they are not the players to get us out of the championship. Going back to the op personally I'm happy with the team and reckon they will do OK at mid table. Which seeing as I personally have no desire to get back to the PL in it's current form is fine by me. This i agree with,100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 guessing there aren't many teams made up of players all proven at this level, young but experienced, not suffered injuries, played together for a while, with a manager successful in this league...can't think of any! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 3 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2011 He's done well in league one. Untried,untested under pressure in the NPC.His last visitation was so/so,albeit with Scunny. Hopefully he will succeed in the NPC,then i think you can say he is up and coming. He only replies when he thinks people are berating him for having a different opinion. He hardly ever replies to those who provide a decent enough argument as to why they disagree. Just shows his inability to fully rationalise his argument. He'll keep plugging away with the anti adkins crap until the point comes where he starts to look very silly. Won't be long now imo. Hardly anti Adkins,more pro and wishing him to succeed. Best to read my posts before commenting on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Hardly anti Adkins,more pro and wishing him to succeed. Best to read my posts before commenting on them. Oh don't worry I've read them. Time and time again....we all have.....on multiple threads ever since Adkins came in. Probably time to give it a rest now and just see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustapha Fag Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 so, one rule for some and not for others eh as for my view, yes we could do with another centre back, but as youve said, we are addressing that, so wheres the problems given that sentence? full backs? Three experienced championship full backs, four if you include Mills. Out wide? Chamberlain, Lallana, De Ridder, all capable? Holmes, Forte backing up Centre Mid? Cork, Morgan, Chaplow or the skipper Hammond, perm two from them four should be a decent platform, from a personal point of view i would take Morgan and JC as first choice but can see arguments for all four. Must be upfront then, please dont deny slating Lambert last season as static and out of form despite scoring 50 goals in two seasons, surely worth a punt to see what hes capable of, Connelly and Guly have the skill levels, although DC fitness is a question, Barnard will run all day, similar to Ormorod back in the days with Beats Yes it could be improved upon, but why the pessimistic view on everything Saints? ive addressed the issues, and Stmusicdude was correct i have no interest in point scoring, infact i normally avoid posting for that very reason, so why does supporting Saints bring you down so far so often that i hardly see a positive post from you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 I'm not worried about the quality of our squad. However, I am worried about the quality of other squads. I reckon we'll finish between 10th and 14th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
del boy Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Thing is... its not a league one team. That why they're not there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 We will walk this league. Seriously I think we have the squad to beat anyone already, and that's before any additions are made in August and January. Losing Oxo would be a blow, but I think overall people are being over-cautious. Look to finish first this season, anything else, bar relegation battles, is a good season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scudamore Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 Saint Lard - for the times when one Alpine Saint just isn't quite enough... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowllyd Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 He only replies when he thinks people are berating him for having a different opinion. He hardly ever replies to those who provide a decent enough argument as to why they disagree. Just shows his inability to fully rationalise his argument. He'll keep plugging away with the anti adkins crap until the point comes where he starts to look very silly. Won't be long now imo. This is all too true. Various posters, including me, have asked questions and/or made valid, non-abusive points on this thread. SaintLard has chosen to take on the pattacake stuff (complaining of abuse, agreeing with posts which support his view) but hasn't attempted to answer anything else. Furthermore, he's done exactly the same thing on numerous other threads. So, to give him a second shot at them, here are the same questions I asked earlier: What makes you think that we're likely to be complacent, or to underestimate our opponents? What would lower the level of trepidation that you currently feel? Any chance of a response this time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 (edited) One difference between this season and the last two seasons is that, during the current pre-season, I've not heard Adkins or Cortese say "we are building a team that can compete in the league above", whereas this was their 'mantra' during the last two seasons. In other words, in League One we were building a team that Adkins/Cortese felt would be competitive in the Championship. They clearly stated that as their aim. However, as we prepare for our first season back in the Championship, I'm not hearing the "we are building a team that can compete in the league above" message this time around, which, to me, suggests that Adkins/Cortese are first and foremost looking at a season of consolidation. Of course, they won't be ruling out the possibility of promotion, but I detect a different level of expectation in the management this year compared to last year (in relative terms). So, to put this in the context of the OP? All this means I'm less apprehensive about this season than I was last season because the expectations were much greater last season (again, in relative terms). Edited 3 August, 2011 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 3 August, 2011 Share Posted 3 August, 2011 One difference between this season and the last two seasons is that, during the current pre-season, I've not heard Adkins or Cortese say "we are building a team that can compete in the league above", whereas this was their 'mantra' during the last two seasons. In other words, in League One we were building a team that Adkins/Cortese felt would be competitive in the Championship. They clearly stated that as their aim. However, as we prepare for our first season back in the Championship, I'm not hearing the "we are building a team that can compete in the league above" message this time around, which, to me, suggests that Adkins/Cortese are first and foremost looking at a season of consolidation. Of course, they won't be ruling out the possibility of promotion, but I detect a different level of expectation in the management this year compared to last year (in relative terms). So, to put this in the context of the OP? All this means I'm less apprehensive about this season than I was last season because the expectations were much greater last season (again, in relative terms). Good points Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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