Apprehension for the coming season....

[Dalek2003]

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.

 

I agree with many of your sentiments and think the season will be harder than many imagine. We have not invested in CB or another striker plus we have a relatively inexperienced manager hence my prediction of 17th/18th. In a way i will be happy with this as we need about 3 or 4 years to build a squad ready to push for the premiership with our current policy.

[Dalek2003]

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.

 

Don't agree with you. It seems that some people cannot accept an alternative point of view. I should know after my eight year campaign to bring the truth about the 2004 debacle.

[Professor]

I'm feeling confident that we'll make a good start by beating Leeds and that this squad will be competing in the top six. I was equally confident last year before we lost to Plymouth. This year I might revise my expectations at the end of August if it looks like my confidence is not well-founded, but at the moment I believe we have the players and the playing systems to be up there with the best.

[PhilippineSaint]

Don't agree with you. It seems that some people cannot accept an alternative point of view. I should know after my eight year campaign to bring the truth about the 2004 debacle.

 

Yes but you stated in an earlier post on this thread or another that basically every body agreed you were right.

 

Well I reckon 90 % of the people on here think you are wrong.

 

Mods can we have a poll to put this Hoddle thing to bed once and for all.

 

yes the troll got me again.

[latter day saint]

Don't agree with you. It seems that some people cannot accept an alternative point of view. I should know after my eight year campaign to bring the truth about the 2004 debacle.

most people can accept an alternative point of view on here its the constant moaning/whinging/bleating no matter what the circumstances are,that fooks everyone off !

i seriously wonder what enjoyment some people get from following Saints, from there posts on here ?

[stmusicdude]

most people can accept an alternative point of view on here its the constant moaning/whinging/bleating no matter what the circumstances are,that fooks everyone off !

i seriously wonder what enjoyment some people get from following Saints, from there posts on here ?

 

My last post of day but you earned that lol great post . you hit nail on head

[egg]

Bit of a strange thread tbh. Whether someone is apprehensive depends on their expectations.

 

I am not apprehensive, but I do not have high expectations. This should be a season of consolidation before we fine tune next summer ready for a real promotion push. Anything above that would be a bonus. My view is that we are in reasonable shape to achieve that. We are a top half side with a small chance of sneaking a play off spot, imo.

 

If I had expectations of promotion then I would be apprehensive as I think that's unrealistic with our current squad and the quality of other teams.

[The9]

Going back to the OP...

 

I'm confident this squad will at least finish mid-table, and might even mount a bid for promotion in the right circumstances, and will certainly have a chance to do so with the addition of a top-flight standard CB to partner Fonte and the addition of a proven Championship or above level striker.

 

My concerns are a little that Adkins is unproven above half way in the Championship and may not be able to acquire the kind of players we need to get back into the Prem and stay there - but we'll see on that front. Other than that, only that the club is sold, causing everything to fall apart with us still in nPC limbo - and there's precisely zero evidence to suggest this will happen, or that we have a really really bad injury crisis, and even then I don't think we'd be struggling unless we lost Fonte, Cork and all competent replacements for a sizable period.

 

Off the field I have some concerns about the whole nature of the club's customer relations, but on the pitch I think we look pretty well placed.

[doddisalegend]

most people can accept an alternative point of view on here its the constant moaning/whinging/bleating no matter what the circumstances are,that fooks everyone off !

i seriously wonder what enjoyment some people get from following Saints, from there posts on here ?

 

I think if reading the posts on saintsweb proves anything it's that most posters can't accept an alternative view and frenquently describe any poster with a different view as moaning/whinging/bleating..........

 

I seriously wonder why some posters feel everyone must share their view, from the posts on here?

Edited 3 August, 2011 by doddisalegend

[Minsk]

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.

 

I am not apprehensive at all. As I mentioned on another thread, I believe we will finsh between 7th and 12th - which I will be happy with. Of course, I would be happier still if we got into the play-offs, and in 7th heaven should we get promoted.

 

Perhaps you could answer a few questions:

 

1. Which of our players do you NOT think are championship standard? Where are our main faults?

 

2. Why do you think Adkins, or the players or coaching staff, will underestimate any opposition this season?

 

3. If championship experience in a manager is so important, how do you think West Ham and Leicester will get on this season? Afetr all, neither of their managers has as much experience of this division as Nigel. Similarly Clotterill has more experience than Nige, do you think this means the Skates are in a better place than us right now?

 

Thanks.

Edited 3 August, 2011 by Minsk
Thanks

[doddisalegend]

Bit of a strange thread tbh. Whether someone is apprehensive depends on their expectations.

 

I am not apprehensive, but I do not have high expectations. This should be a season of consolidation before we fine tune next summer ready for a real promotion push. Anything above that would be a bonus. My view is that we are in reasonable shape to achieve that. We are a top half side with a small chance of sneaking a play off spot, imo.

 

If I had expectations of promotion then I would be apprehensive as I think that's unrealistic with our current squad and the quality of other teams.

 

Nail head.

 

Last season I expected a lot and got a bit worked up about it.....this season not expecting much so pretty chilled about it.

[Minsk]

I think if reading the posts on saintsweb proves anything it's that most posters can't except an alternative view and frenquently describe any poster with a different view as moaning/whinging/bleating..........

 

I seriously wonder why some posters feel everyone must share their view, from the posts on here?

 

Excepting them is okay, however some people have a problem with ACCEPTING them.

[doddisalegend]

Excepting them is okay, however some people have a problem with ACCEPTING them.

 

fair dues sir....shall I head up to the head masters office for six of the best now?

[The Kraken]

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.

 

To be fair, this is a bit of a re-writing of history.

 

In NA's first season in the Championship Scunny were relegated.

In NA's second season back in the Championship, they finished in 20th place. The only team that finished below Scunny and stayed up were Crystal Palace, who were docked 10 points for going into administration.

 

This is a venture into new territory for NA, with a chairman who will expect a bit more than those types of finishes. Time will tell just how well equipped we are for it.

[Dig Dig]

To be fair, this is a bit of a re-writing of history.

 

In NA's first season in the Championship Scunny were relegated.

In NA's second season back in the Championship, they finished in 20th place. The only team that finished below Scunny and stayed up were Crystal Palace, who were docked 10 points for going into administration.

 

This is a venture into new territory for NA, with a chairman who will expect a bit more than those types of finishes. Time will tell just how well equipped we are for it.

 

You simply can't compare though. You can only do so much on little resources. The fact that a club like scunny were in the championship itself is an achievment. The time he spent with Scunny in the championship simply isn't comparible to being there with us. And that's if you are looking at it either negatively or positively

[The Kraken]

You simply can't compare though. You can only do so much on little resources. The fact that a club like scunny were in the championship itself is an achievment. The time he spent with Scunny in the championship simply isn't comparible to being there with us. And that's if you are looking at it either negatively or positively

 

I agree, I'm not comparing, which is why I said "this is a venture into new territory for NA, with a chairman who will expect a bit more..."

 

And I do stand by that. NA has no personal experience of just how good his players need to be to challenge at the top of this division; you could argue that he's never managed that quality of player in his history as a manager. Does he have the calibre of player now? As I said, time will tell. I really don't know, I'm confident of a top half finish with the squad we have but until we get started and see the comparable quality around us, it's only speculation.

[derry]

Year 3 is it not?

[Minsk]

fair dues sir....shall I head up to the head masters office for six of the best now?

 

Only if you're into that sort of thing.

 

Personally, I usually fine my students in beers or shots of vodka!

[Gigersaint]

I'm really looking forward to the new season, albeit with some trepidation. Looking at the sides in the Championship it looks quite tough and so trying not to get my hopes up as to where we will finish. I'd love it if we were to finish in a promotion spot and would like to think we could emulate what Norwich achieved or at least get as close as Leeds.

 

With new signings we have certainly strengthened and although some players still have to prove themselves at this level I think they have the stamina and ability to step up. Although Adkins has been in the Championship before with S****horpe he didn't have the same resources at his disposal so it will also be a good season to see what he is truly capable of getting out of the players.

 

I believe this is the most telling season yet to see how good our current squad actually is, the level of Adkins managerial experience and the best he can get out of them and how much they can achieve, and how much our current ownership will put in to continue their support and patience to providing the entire set up to keep us on track to the Premier League and onwards.

[up and away]

Assuming we get our new centre back and he delivers, we don't look that bad and should be there, or there abouts come the window. With the opportunity of buying out any weaknesses or limitations to push on.

 

The key to me will be Ricky and how Adkins uses him strategically. I have heard him say Ricky will be the #1 striker next season, so he obviously has faith from what he has seen in pre-season. For me the real discussion comes away from home and using 442, unbalances and weakens the midfield allowing the defence to be exposed. 442 away from home will drain your stamina to an extent it will have a knock-on. Certain teams like Leicester with their quality could easily make it work, but we really are in the mix in the Championship, unlike League 1. Playing 451 with the option of going 442 has far better percentages away from home. But there is no way I would play Rickie in a counter attacking role, he just does not have the pace and has to wander into neutral areas to be able to get possession.

 

I believe Adkins will continue in the same vein as we ended last season. Which should not be too bad at home but I do question the outcome against clubs of a similar standing to us away. I can't remember Adkins ever playing 451 without Ricky being in there, an inherent weakness in trying to achieve the original objective. I keep looking back to Brighton, no where near the better players but without doubt the better team. The priority being to have a sound balanced and defensively capable side that then extended their range when in control.

[saint lard]

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?

 

A reason for any complacency or underestimating our opponents i feel will come from us the fans,they seem to have done so from many quarters already.

How many think we will be in a relegation fight come towards the end of the season?.

I have not seen one person with that apprehension,but the blind faith that our squad is strong enough to remain in this league,we have no devine right too.

We had a sqaud that many would be envious in league one,but in the NPC?

We had a manager that proved capable of doing well in league one,how many other clubs would swap managers for NA in the NPC?

 

What would lower my trepidation....a season in the NPC under our belts already with this squad.

Apologies for the delay in responding.

[saint lard]

I am not apprehensive at all. As I mentioned on another thread, I believe we will finsh between 7th and 12th - which I will be happy with. Of course, I would be happier still if we got into the play-offs, and in 7th heaven should we get promoted.

 

Perhaps you could answer a few questions:

 

1. Which of our players do you NOT think are championship standard? Where are our main faults?

 

2. Why do you think Adkins, or the players or coaching staff, will underestimate any opposition this season?

 

3. If championship experience in a manager is so important, how do you think West Ham and Leicester will get on this season? Afetr all, neither of their managers has as much experience of this division as Nigel. Similarly Clotterill has more experience than Nige, do you think this means the Skates are in a better place than us right now?

 

Thanks.

 

Would i rush out to buy Lambert,Guly,Hammond,Jaidi,Davis,Connolly,Richardson,Seabourne,Oxo,Forte,i could go on i suspect, and say look a promotion winning side,nope.But that is what we haveat our disposal.

Oxo,unproven in the league above,De ridder unproven in English football,Lallana only ever relegated from the Championship.

 

Adkins has no pedigree of success besides league one,Whereas Errikkson and Big Sam have proven credentials in leagues above, and beyond in Errikksons case.

Whatever you think of Cotterill he has kept a side in the championship,again more than Adkins has done.

 

 

Lets just hope it all goes to plan and we have a stunning campaign.

But lets just bare in mind,we are just as possible to succombe to struggling as anyone else in this league,i wish i could be in the camp of let's just consolidate but i do want more....but i am not going to be nieve enough to think that cosolidation is a given.

I want more of the feeling of success that last season brought i can assure you.

Edited 3 August, 2011 by saint lard

[Dalek2003]

A reason for any complacency or underestimating our opponents i feel will come from us the fans,they seem to have done so from many quarters already.

How many think we will be in a relegation fight come towards the end of the season?.

I have not seen one person with that apprehension,but the blind faith that our squad is strong enough to remain in this league,we have no devine right too.

We had a sqaud that many would be envious in league one,but in the NPC?

We had a manager that proved capable of doing well in league one,how many other clubs would swap managers for NA in the NPC?

 

What would lower my trepidation....a season in the NPC under our belts already with this squad.

Apologies for the delay in responding.

 

Agree with this post. Although i am not too worried about relegation i think we will find it tougher than many, hence my prediction of 17th or 18th.

[Dalek2003]

Would i rush out to buy Lambert,Guly,Hammond,Jaidi,Davis,Connolly,Richardson,Seabourne,Oxo,Forte,i could go on i suspect, and say look a promotion winning side,nope.But that is what we haveat our disposal.

Oxo,unproven in the league above,De ridder unproven in English football,Lallana only ever relegated from the Championship.

 

Adkins has no pedigree of success besides league one,Whereas Errikkson and Big Sam have proven credentials in leagues above, and beyond in Errikksons case.

Whatever you think of Cotterill he has kept a side in the championship,again more than Adkins has done.

 

 

Lets just hope it all goes to plan and we have a stunning campaign.

But lets just bare in mind,we are just as possible to succombe to struggling as anyone else in this league,i wish i could be in the camp of let's just consolidate but i do want more....but i am not going to be nieve enough to think that cosolidation is a given.

I want more of the feeling of success that last season brought i can assure you.

 

Again, bang on. People are getting ahead of themselves. Consolidation would be to avoid relegation after our first year of promotion. I am sure that Norwich City will feel the same as they start their premier campaign !

[saint lard]

Why do you think we're so much worse and less equipped than millwall?

 

But the same could be said 'why do you think we are so much better equipped than Milwall'

 

But then i never stated that we are so much worse.Dalek,over to you.

[Dalek2003]

Comparing the top flight doesn't do much for your validity. All promoted clubs to the top flight would take safety. There's a lot more to aim for in the championship.

 

Just avoiding relegation will likely see Adkins sacked. I very much doubt that sort of target is in the mind of cortese or Adkins.

 

I'm all for not getting carried away, but you and a couple of others seem to be getting carried away in the other direction! It's still over the top and I really don't think you'd be saying the same if you were a neutral. I also think some views would be very different if we'd just signed fonte, lambert, guly, Connolly as some of you just seem to love change. Silly thing is, we're in a stronger position for having had these players together for longer.

 

Just do me a favour, don't sit there waiting for our first defeat or bad run and moan all over again. For one thing, it's a 46 game season so we can't see what happens until may, and additionally, you seem happy with 17/18th which surely lessens your expectations and disappointment with poor results?

 

Still, enjoy the season.

 

Thanks for a good reasoned reply, instead of the abuse i often get. I know that the premiership is a very tough league, but so is the Championship if you are newly promoted. I don't think Adkins should be sacked if we finish 17th or 18th as i believe we have still some way to go before we build our championship winning team. Indeed, i am positive that Adkins will learn from this season and consolidation is success.

 

I will try not to moan and slit my wrist after the first couple of defeats. However, I will not bury my head in the sand either. I also think it is fair that if we nail our views and predictions to the mast before the season starts and then are proved right, that we have the right to remind people of this fact.

 

BTW, i will enjoy the season and can't wait. I dream of saints finishing champions, but at the moment i know that this is probably just a dream.

[Matty's Caddy]

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?)

 

8th then lol

[Fowllyd]

A reason for any complacency or underestimating our opponents i feel will come from us the fans,they seem to have done so from many quarters already.

How many think we will be in a relegation fight come towards the end of the season?.

I have not seen one person with that apprehension,but the blind faith that our squad is strong enough to remain in this league,we have no devine right too.

We had a sqaud that many would be envious in league one,but in the NPC?

We had a manager that proved capable of doing well in league one,how many other clubs would swap managers for NA in the NPC?

 

What would lower my trepidation....a season in the NPC under our belts already with this squad.

Apologies for the delay in responding.

 

Do you honestly think that the views of the fans - particularly the few hundred who post regularly on here - have the remotest effect on the attitude of Adkins or the team? Hell, even if you talk regularly to a fair number of fans outside of this forum, it's hardly the most representative sample you could possibly come up with. And, as I've already said, what the fans think doesn't matter. If every single fan thinks it'll be an easy season, will this affect our performance? Of course it won't. What Nigel Adkins thinks matters, and the attitude he instils into the players matters - and I've seen nothing whatever there to suggest complacency or underestimation of our opponents. Have you?

 

I have no idea how many nPC clubs would swap their manager for Adkins, nor do I care. It simply isn't relevant. How many Championship clubs would have longed for Paul Lambert as their manager this time last year?

 

We have a squad which excelled in League One (and yes, it did excel - let's not forget that our performance under Adkins exceeded that of any other League One team over the same period) and which contains numerous players with Championship experience, plus others who have played elsewhere at a similar level (Guly, de Ridder) or who look like a good bet to take that step up (Lambert, Chamberlain).

 

Blind faith? Divine right? Where do you see those then? Assuming you mean on here, I've seen various posters concerned that we need to strengthen in various positions (and, for the most part, pleased that we've done so in two of those positions); many reckon that we're fine for a mid-table finish at worst. Only one or two on here think we're in for a relegation struggle (Dalek springs to mind), but maybe that's because the view of the majority is actually realistic. How about you - do you think we'll be in a relegation struggle come the end of the season?

 

It seems to me that you weren't happy about Adkins' appointment in the first place, and have done your utmost since then to reinforce and justify this prejudgement in your own mind. You certainly give the impression of one who will not be satisfied no matter how well we do, as long as Adkins is still manager - and that you'll always find reasons to belittle anything he achieves with us. Any praise for Adkins you regard as fawning over him, any positive comments about him you see as indicating that their maker thinks that Adkins can do no wrong; neither of these is the case, at least not so far as I can see. Maybe this is a false impression of you, and you're as open-minded as you constantly claim to be, but your comments suggest otherwise.

 

You do yourself no favours at all by posting stuff or starting threads, then simply refusing to answer the more challenging points or questions that others raise, preferring instead to take on the easy ones - complaining of abuse when people are less then polite in their response, for example. It's not that others are intolerant of your views, it's your unwillingness to defend them in the face of even the mildest questioning which gets on people's nerves. This is a regular trait with you. You say there's no proper debate on this forum, but I've yet to see you make any genuine attempt at it yourself.

[Dalek2003]

Do you honestly think that the views of the fans - particularly the few hundred who post regularly on here - have the remotest effect on the attitude of Adkins or the team? Hell, even if you talk regularly to a fair number of fans outside of this forum, it's hardly the most representative sample you could possibly come up with. And, as I've already said, what the fans think doesn't matter. If every single fan thinks it'll be an easy season, will this affect our performance? Of course it won't. What Nigel Adkins thinks matters, and the attitude he instils into the players matters - and I've seen nothing whatever there to suggest complacency or underestimation of our opponents. Have you?

 

I have no idea how many nPC clubs would swap their manager for Adkins, nor do I care. It simply isn't relevant. How many Championship clubs would have longed for Paul Lambert as their manager this time last year?

 

We have a squad which excelled in League One (and yes, it did excel - let's not forget that our performance under Adkins exceeded that of any other League One team over the same period) and which contains numerous players with Championship experience, plus others who have played elsewhere at a similar level (Guly, de Ridder) or who look like a good bet to take that step up (Lambert, Chamberlain).

 

Blind faith? Divine right? Where do you see those then? Assuming you mean on here, I've seen various posters concerned that we need to strengthen in various positions (and, for the most part, pleased that we've done so in two of those positions); many reckon that we're fine for a mid-table finish at worst. Only one or two on here think we're in for a relegation struggle (Dalek springs to mind), but maybe that's because the view of the majority is actually realistic. How about you - do you think we'll be in a relegation struggle come the end of the season?

 

It seems to me that you weren't happy about Adkins' appointment in the first place, and have done your utmost since then to reinforce and justify this prejudgement in your own mind. You certainly give the impression of one who will not be satisfied no matter how well we do, as long as Adkins is still manager - and that you'll always find reasons to belittle anything he achieves with us. Any praise for Adkins you regard as fawning over him, any positive comments about him you see as indicating that their maker thinks that Adkins can do no wrong; neither of these is the case, at least not so far as I can see. Maybe this is a false impression of you, and you're as open-minded as you constantly claim to be, but your comments suggest otherwise.

 

You do yourself no favours at all by posting stuff or starting threads, then simply refusing to answer the more challenging points or questions that others raise, preferring instead to take on the easy ones - complaining of abuse when people are less then polite in their response, for example. It's not that others are intolerant of your views, it's your unwillingness to defend them in the face of even the mildest questioning which gets on people's nerves. This is a regular trait with you. You say there's no proper debate on this forum, but I've yet to see you make any genuine attempt at it yourself.

 

Just a quick note, i have not suggested that we will get relegated but that we will finish towards the bottom end of the table. i don't think we will be in a relegation 'struggle', that is too strong a word. However, I think we will 'flirt' with the relegation positions.

[saint lard]

Do you honestly think that the views of the fans - particularly the few hundred who post regularly on here - have the remotest effect on the attitude of Adkins or the team? Hell, even if you talk regularly to a fair number of fans outside of this forum, it's hardly the most representative sample you could possibly come up with. And, as I've already said, what the fans think doesn't matter. If every single fan thinks it'll be an easy season, will this affect our performance? Of course it won't. What Nigel Adkins thinks matters, and the attitude he instils into the players matters - and I've seen nothing whatever there to suggest complacency or underestimation of our opponents. Have you?

 

I have no idea how many nPC clubs would swap their manager for Adkins, nor do I care. It simply isn't relevant. How many Championship clubs would have longed for Paul Lambert as their manager this time last year?

 

We have a squad which excelled in League One (and yes, it did excel - let's not forget that our performance under Adkins exceeded that of any other League One team over the same period) and which contains numerous players with Championship experience, plus others who have played elsewhere at a similar level (Guly, de Ridder) or who look like a good bet to take that step up (Lambert, Chamberlain).

 

Blind faith? Divine right? Where do you see those then? Assuming you mean on here, I've seen various posters concerned that we need to strengthen in various positions (and, for the most part, pleased that we've done so in two of those positions); many reckon that we're fine for a mid-table finish at worst. Only one or two on here think we're in for a relegation struggle (Dalek springs to mind), but maybe that's because the view of the majority is actually realistic. How about you - do you think we'll be in a relegation struggle come the end of the season?

 

It seems to me that you weren't happy about Adkins' appointment in the first place, and have done your utmost since then to reinforce and justify this prejudgement in your own mind. You certainly give the impression of one who will not be satisfied no matter how well we do, as long as Adkins is still manager - and that you'll always find reasons to belittle anything he achieves with us. Any praise for Adkins you regard as fawning over him, any positive comments about him you see as indicating that their maker thinks that Adkins can do no wrong; neither of these is the case, at least not so far as I can see. Maybe this is a false impression of you, and you're as open-minded as you constantly claim to be, but your comments suggest otherwise.

 

You do yourself no favours at all by posting stuff or starting threads, then simply refusing to answer the more challenging points or questions that others raise, preferring instead to take on the easy ones - complaining of abuse when people are less then polite in their response, for example. It's not that others are intolerant of your views, it's your unwillingness to defend them in the face of even the mildest questioning which gets on people's nerves. This is a regular trait with you. You say there's no proper debate on this forum, but I've yet to see you make any genuine attempt at it yourself.

 

Never said it has a bearing on Adkins or Playing squad.

It is relevant when people are talking as though NA has the proven credentials in the NPC,and claiming this as fact.I think it is important to remind ourselves that NA will be a novice in this league compared to many,that have managed in this league,or higher.

Guly and De Ridder,Italian Football and the Dutch leagues,you follow them closely then,tell me more.This is your opinion.Have we not had players from those aformentioned leagues that did not quite live upto the billing.Or of atleast similar ilk.

Lambert and OXo,"a good bet to step up",again this is your opinion.I'm not convinced.That is my opinion.

I answered the questions directed at me just above your post.Infact you responded with this reply i've quoted.

I will post on and start threads on topics that i think are valid.

Those posts and threads are my opinions.

I hoped to start a genuine debate,but the initial reaction is to be a critique of the poster,not what is posted.A bit like what you have just done.

 

I hope i have answered some of your queries, in what you deem a polite and concise manner.

 

Lets hope we can make the same headway we did in league one and transfer that into the coming season.

Edited 3 August, 2011 by saint lard

[sperm_john]

call me niave, and likely to be proved wrong, but i dont understand a) why so many people think we are going to finish mid table, b) why people think the squad isnt strong enough and c) why they think cortese, adkins or the squad (including people like ricky lambert who seems so up for this season like its all he's ever wanted to play in the chumpionship) will accept mid table? we could go all the way like norwich, or it could be a tough season, but lets not go in to it assuming we are going to be mid table ...if we can beat leeds saturday surely we can be leicster forest all the rest etc?

[egg]

call me niave, and likely to be proved wrong, but i dont understand a) why so many people think we are going to finish mid table, b) why people think the squad isnt strong enough and c) why they think cortese, adkins or the squad (including people like ricky lambert who seems so up for this season like its all he's ever wanted to play in the chumpionship) will accept mid table? we could go all the way like norwich, or it could be a tough season, but lets not go in to it assuming we are going to be mid table ...if we can beat leeds saturday surely we can be leicster forest all the rest etc?

 

 

All fair points and fair questions.

 

Personally, I think that there are more than 6 sides that are better equipped than us, both in terms of players, parachute payments and recent experience at this level or the prem.

 

For that simple reason I think it unlikely that we will make the top six. I hope I am wrong but I have to let my head rule my heart.

[Fowllyd]

Never said it has a bearing on Adkins or Playing squad.

It is relevant when people are talking as though NA has the proven credentials in the NPC,and claiming this as fact.I think it is important to remind ourselves that NA will be a novice in this league compared to many,that have managed in this league,or higher.

Guly and De Ridder,Italian Football and the Dutch leagues,you follow them closely then,tell me more.This is your opinion.Have we not had players from those aformentioned leagues that did not quite live upto the billing.Or of atleast similar ilk.

Lambert and OXo,"a good bet to step up",again this is your opinion.I'm not convinced.That is my opinion.

I answered the questions directed at me just above your post.Infact you responded with this reply i've quoted.

I will post on and start threads on topics that i think are valid.

Those posts and threads are my opinions.

I hoped to start a genuine debate,but the initial reaction is to be a critique of the poster,not what is posted.A bit like what you have just done.

 

I hope i have answered some of your queries, in what you deem a polite and concise manner.

 

Lets hope we can make the same headway we did in league one and transfer that into the coming season.

 

If it has no bearing on Adkins or the players, then what does it matter? If it's merely about what people on here think, what does that matter? What point exactly are you trying to make here? What is said on here is of no importance whatsoever, even if it's people saying that Adkins is a proven success in the Championship as if it's fact - and I've yet to see anyone suggest any such thing anyway. Have you?

 

Guly and de Ridder have played at a level roughly equivalent to the Championship. This doesn't mean that they'll shine here, but having seen Guly play a fair number of times I reckon he'll do well at this level. Any player can be a great success at one club and a flop at another, so I wouldn't state as fact that de Ridder will be a storming success this season. But then neither did I claim that; I merely said that, as he's been very successful at a similar level, there's a very good chance that he will do well with us. And yes, when I said I considered Lambert and Oxo as a good bet to step up that was my opinion, not a statement of fact. That's what the phrase 'look like a good bet' suggests, is it not?

 

Yes, you did indeed answer my questions - but only after I'd asked them a second time, with a hefty nudge. Prior to that, you picked the things you could either agree with or dismiss easily, and ignored several posts (my first one included) which contained rather more taxing questions. Hence my comments. My criticism of your posting is based on that tendency (as I said, it's not the first time I've seen you do this) and on the content of what you post; it's not a personal attack on you. Did I resort to name-calling or abuse? I did not. You can post what you like, and start whatever threads you like - it's entirely up to you (though I wouldn't recommend a Hypo-style mass thread-starting frenzy! ).

 

I can wholeheartedly agree with your last comment!

[Minsk]

Would i rush out to buy Lambert,Guly,Hammond,Jaidi,Davis,Connolly,Richardson,Seabourne,Oxo,Forte,i could go on i suspect, and say look a promotion winning side,nope.But that is what we haveat our disposal.

Oxo,unproven in the league above,De ridder unproven in English football,Lallana only ever relegated from the Championship.

 

Adkins has no pedigree of success besides league one,Whereas Errikkson and Big Sam have proven credentials in leagues above, and beyond in Errikksons case.

Whatever you think of Cotterill he has kept a side in the championship,again more than Adkins has done.

 

 

Lets just hope it all goes to plan and we have a stunning campaign.

But lets just bare in mind,we are just as possible to succombe to struggling as anyone else in this league,i wish i could be in the camp of let's just consolidate but i do want more....but i am not going to be nieve enough to think that cosolidation is a given.

I want more of the feeling of success that last season brought i can assure you.

 

The first question I asked was: 'Which of our players do you NOT think are championship standard?'

 

You answer comprised the following list of players: Lambert, Guly, Hammond, Jaidi, Connolly, Richardson, Seaborne, Chamberlain, Forte, Lallana and de Ridder.

 

Can you please clarify that you do not think these players are good enough to compete in the Championship? Or if this is not the case, could you please answer the question that I asked instead of sidestepping it, as a polititian might do?

 

I agree that Big Sam and Eriksson have experience at a higher level than Adkins has, but please remind me what exactly either of them has WON. And, whilst we are here on the subject of them and their teams, would you feel more optimistic about this season had Southampton spent as they have done this close season?

 

Adkins has also kept a team in the Championship, with far less money than Clotterill spent on transfers, loan fees and wages last season. Would you swap Adkins for Clotterill? And, I'll ask again, do you think the Skates are better prepared than us for the forthcoming season?

 

Whilst on the subject of managers, one more question for you: How much Championship managerial experience did Paul Lambert have this time last year?

 

Come to that, what do you think the majority of Norwich fans were expecting of their coming campaign at this time last year?

 

As for signing players who have not played in the Championship, or even in England, before.... At some stage NONE of the players plying their trade in this division had played there. Of course it is never a given that anybody will be a success, and we are all entitled to our opinion as to who will or wont do well with a step up, or moving to another country. I can only imagine you are a 'doubting Thomas' kind of person who will never believe anything until is proven to them. That is certainly how you are coming across on here. Therefore, you would probably only be happy if Saints had players who have successfully played at this level before. Players such as, Kelvin, Butterfield, Harding, Fonte, Cork, Chaplow, Jaidi and Connolly (oh no, wait, you don't think the last two are good enough for this division, my mistake). Lambert signed a number of players from Div 1 for Norwich last summer. I suppose they weren't good enough to compete in the Championship? Do you think Sneijder would fail in the Premiership if manUre buy him? After all, he has never played in England before.

 

There was also one other question I asked that you completely ignored, so I shall ask it again: Why do you think Adkins, or the players or coaching staff, will underestimate any opposition this season?

 

I look forward to reading your thought out reply to these questions, but please ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THIS TIME.

 

Many thanks.

[This Charming Man]

My biggest apprehension is that fan expectation is too high. The vast majority on here seem to think we'll be in and around the play-offs and some even think we'll do a Norwich.

 

If things aren't quite going as most planned, I can see the usual booing and fans turning on players happening. Whilst personally, I'd be more than happy with a mid-table finish this season. This is an incredibly hard league to get out of and I think some people are seriously under-estimating some of the others sides we'll be coming up against.

 

Plus I still think we're a few players short. A first choice striker, CB (which seems as if it will be sorted soon) and another fullback are essential, IMO.

[funkymojo44]

imho 3 very good signings would make a very good team for the championship, and we've made 2 with 1 more to come hopefully

[Charlie Wayman]

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.

 

For sure, it will not be easy especially over the first couple of months as we adjust our playing style to suit this more skillful league. However, it is only two years since we went down so we should not have forgotten everything from our history. Luckily too, there are always poor teams in the mix who through dodgy finances or whatever are on their own slide down the scale whereas we are most definitely on the up with high morale and no money worries. Any unsettling 'noises off' will be confined to team performance not whether they'll have jobs next month or get paid this. Stability in this league will be a big factor, no fire sales etc. so the lads can just get on with the job in hand.

 

We have some talent for sure especially in mid-field but I am concerned about our all too fragile defence despite Fonte who is not always brilliant. Two against from WBA.. OK but two against by Yeovil highlights a real problem. The trick will be to score first and keep the momentum going forward so that we don't let our back four get exposed otherewise if we choose o sit back and take it, then we will be in trouble.

 

At home we should do OK this way but away certainly during the first part of the season will be an uphill struggle.

 

Mid-table after October should be a decent start but we should not expect another Norwich phenomenon especailly with Leicester and West Ham spending big on quality but there again those teams have to gel whereas we are settled but don't rule out Leeds and Reading, well managed and there or thereabouts last year and also on the up.

 

I guess we will all be relieved to get the first win but we'll need to be patient and not expect miracles this Saturday. We'll do well to get a 1-1. It won't be the end of the world.

[Saint Fan CaM]

I would just like to offer up some advice to those that think we will storm the league and also those that are feeling nervous. It's the same advice.

 

In our first few games, don't react to the scoreline or the result, but react to the manner in which the team played. The heart, the spirit, the togetherness and understanding, the consistency of playing style (i.e. did panic set-in), the nature of the substitutions.

 

I just think that by concentrating on the above stuff, there will not be the usual elated highs or depressive lows spouted on here which lead to throwing of insults and petty squabbles.

[The Kraken]

I would just like to offer up some advice to those that think we will storm the league and also those that are feeling nervous. It's the same advice.

 

In our first few games, don't react to the scoreline or the result, but react to the manner in which the team played. The heart, the spirit, the togetherness and understanding, the consistency of playing style (i.e. did panic set-in), the nature of the substitutions.

 

I just think that by concentrating on the above stuff, there will not be the usual elated highs or depressive lows spouted on here which lead to throwing of insults and petty squabbles.

 

Sound enough advice. The problem you have with that is that the vocal minority on here tend to be the ones who don't go to many games, and therefore for whom the result is the be all and end all. I've had a look at match threads following games I've been to, and have seen things such as substitutions / lack of substitutions / tactics / individual performances torn to pieces in explicit detail by people who hadn't even seen the game. Pardew's very first season here was a prime point in case, whereby we took 10 games to actually get going. People who actually went to the games kept claiming that the team were turning the corner, looking better in ecery game, and better form was definitely on it's way; but they were consistently shouted down by the non-attenders who just looked at the results and declared it was season-over already, predicting a league finish lower than 16th and such like.

 

It's why I don't bother with the match threads any more for league games; they're just ful of over-reactionary and usually misleading nonsense.

[Thedelldays]

My biggest apprehension is that fan expectation is too high. The vast majority on here seem to think we'll be in and around the play-offs and some even think we'll do a Norwich.

 

If things aren't quite going as most planned, I can see the usual booing and fans turning on players happening. Whilst personally, I'd be more than happy with a mid-table finish this season. This is an incredibly hard league to get out of and I think some people are seriously under-estimating some of the others sides we'll be coming up against.

 

Plus I still think we're a few players short. A first choice striker, CB (which seems as if it will be sorted soon) and another fullback are essential, IMO.

 

We have many fans who now expect nothing leas than a win and a brazil like performance every game

[saint lard]

The first question I asked was: 'Which of our players do you NOT think are championship standard?'

 

You answer comprised the following list of players: Lambert, Guly, Hammond, Jaidi, Connolly, Richardson, Seaborne, Chamberlain, Forte, Lallana and de Ridder.

 

Can you please clarify that you do not think these players are good enough to compete in the Championship? Or if this is not the case, could you please answer the question that I asked instead of sidestepping it, as a polititian might do?

 

I agree that Big Sam and Eriksson have experience at a higher level than Adkins has, but please remind me what exactly either of them has WON. And, whilst we are here on the subject of them and their teams, would you feel more optimistic about this season had Southampton spent as they have done this close season?

 

Adkins has also kept a team in the Championship, with far less money than Clotterill spent on transfers, loan fees and wages last season. Would you swap Adkins for Clotterill? And, I'll ask again, do you think the Skates are better prepared than us for the forthcoming season?

 

Whilst on the subject of managers, one more question for you: How much Championship managerial experience did Paul Lambert have this time last year?

 

Come to that, what do you think the majority of Norwich fans were expecting of their coming campaign at this time last year?

 

As for signing players who have not played in the Championship, or even in England, before.... At some stage NONE of the players plying their trade in this division had played there. Of course it is never a given that anybody will be a success, and we are all entitled to our opinion as to who will or wont do well with a step up, or moving to another country. I can only imagine you are a 'doubting Thomas' kind of person who will never believe anything until is proven to them. That is certainly how you are coming across on here. Therefore, you would probably only be happy if Saints had players who have successfully played at this level before. Players such as, Kelvin, Butterfield, Harding, Fonte, Cork, Chaplow, Jaidi and Connolly (oh no, wait, you don't think the last two are good enough for this division, my mistake). Lambert signed a number of players from Div 1 for Norwich last summer. I suppose they weren't good enough to compete in the Championship? Do you think Sneijder would fail in the Premiership if manUre buy him? After all, he has never played in England before.

 

There was also one other question I asked that you completely ignored, so I shall ask it again: Why do you think Adkins, or the players or coaching staff, will underestimate any opposition this season?

 

I look forward to reading your thought out reply to these questions, but please ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THIS TIME.

 

Many thanks.

 

I hardly think the players i listed,in answer to your question again,are players that will fulfill there roles substantially over a season in the NPC.But if you could not gleam that info fron the answer i gave previously then i am at a loss.

 

You concur that other managers have more experience in this league,surely that tell you they have an advantage over someone who has minimal experience outside league one.

 

Adkins took Scunny up,then straight back down,who else has he managed in the Championship,no one.

Compiling a squad for the forthcoming season,which also compliments what you have enroute,does not mean you need to spend like other squads have,so i wouldv'e been extremely uncomfortable withe big spending.

 

Would i swap Adkins for Cotterill,no.But would i like to have cotterills' experience at the helm, certainly.

I do think PFC,however short in numbers have a very good starting 11 available,and again with more experience than many of our squad.

 

I feel i am being pragmatic and approching the new campaign with apprehension,which is the point made in the OP,nothing more ,nothing less.Is that a crime..no an opinion.

 

Jaidi and Connolly wont hack it week in week out in the NPC,imo.

 

Would Sneijder make an impact in the Prem,who knows.

But that could be said about De ridder and the others that have not played in the NPC at all or consistantly.

But it does not stop all and sundry taking it for granted that consolidation is a given.....this is my point about my apprehension,have we underestimsted the capabilities of sides that are deemed lesser than us,yet have vastly more experience of this league.

Do i think the coaching staff will underestimate other sides,you bet ya.

Top managers are often undone by underestimating the opposition,Adkins is not yet a top manager but he will come up agaist more tactically aware managers/coaches and this will be a learning curve and the acid test of his abilities outside league one.

 

 

Now, you have responded to my previous answers so i must have fillfilled your remit along the way,i have done so again.

Perhaps others will draw the info they requested of me,oncemore.debate the issue, not the merits of the poster in question would be a bonus.Some have managed to do so.

I hope we can agree to disagree,but i have not sidestepped any topics thrown at me,not on this thread or others.I will do the best to put my point over using the best symantics i can.......but unlike many politicians i did not have a private education.

 

Heres hoping for a successful season,under the stewardship of Adkins...who will then have proven his credentials to him becoming top manager.

Edited 4 August, 2011 by saint lard

[AndyNorthernSaints]

I can't see why Saints can't get promoted this season or do as well as Norwich, Leeds and Millwall did last season. Saints for once have had a settled pre season/summer and side and have many players proven at this level. The championship is not full of world beaters and has in it alot of poor and average teams. Leicester have spent alot of money but mostley on premier league failures and throwing together alot of new players does not always work. If Saints keep Oxo then we will be the one of the few clubs who have not lost any of their top players. West Ham have got Nolan but will lose Parker/Green i expect and according to their own fans have alot of over paid under-achievers who don't care about the club. Top ten or possibly 6 is realistic IMO. Keep the faith!

[Fowllyd]

1. Adkins took Scunny up,then straight back down,who else has he managed in the Championship,no one.

 

2. But it does not stop all and sundry taking it for granted that consolidation is a given.....this is my point about my apprehension,have we underestimsted the capabilities of sides that are deemed lesser than us,yet have vastly more experience of this league.

 

3. Do i think the coaching staff will underestimate other sides,you bet ya.

 

4. Top managers are often undone by underestimating the opposition,Adkins is not yet a top manager but he will come up agaist more tactically aware managers/coaches and this will be a learning curve and the acid test of his abilities outside league one.

 

5. Now, you have responded to my previous answers so i must have fillfilled your remit along the way,i have done so again.

 

1. Adkins also took Scunny up again and kept them there. You seem to be forgetting that. It doesn't mean that he's a top Championship manager, but it does mean that he has experience of keeping a side in the Championship - and a side with nowhere near our level of resources.

 

2. Who exactly are this 'all and sundry'? What reason do you have for thinking that they are underestimating our opposition in this league?

 

3. Why? Have they done so before?

 

4. Adkins will come up against other managers with more experience. So did Paul Lambert last season. So will Gus Poyet this season. We'll see how Adkins does, but it's hard not to get the impression that you're expecting him to flunk the test.

 

5. In case you missed his point altogether, Minsk was responding to your post by asking for a second time questions which you fail to answer. There is a difference between responding to a post and asnwering any questions it contains. In fact, you still haven't explained WHY you think that Adkins, the coaching staff or the players will underestimate our opponents this season. Would you care to do so now?

 

You continually avoid questions, while still claiming to have responded to them, and then moan when you will get stick for it. You can't just cherry-pick the things you want to answer and ignore the rest - not if you want to be taken seriously. This is not personal abuse, or picking on you; it's frustration at your unwillingness to engage in anything remotely resembling reasoned discussion.

[S-Clarke]

We have many fans who now expect nothing leas than a win and a brazil like performance every game

 

Well at least we have a similar kit now!

[PhilippineSaint]

Well at least we have a similar kit now!

 

Originally Posted by Thedelldays

We have many fans who now expect nothing leas than a win and a brazil like performance every game

 

I have expected that since 1970 dont always get it but I am still supporting them.

[saints-cris]

I'm pretty relaxed about this season, and as such will just try to enjoy it. I expect us to get around mid-table and maybe at one stage have a good run and have a slight chance of the playoffs. Next year my feelings will be a lot different.

 

I think our midfield is great, up front we are pretty good and defence is OK although it does worry me a little.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Sound enough advice. The problem you have with that is that the vocal minority on here tend to be the ones who don't go to many games, and therefore for whom the result is the be all and end all. I've had a look at match threads following games I've been to, and have seen things such as substitutions / lack of substitutions / tactics / individual performances torn to pieces in explicit detail by people who hadn't even seen the game. Pardew's very first season here was a prime point in case, whereby we took 10 games to actually get going. People who actually went to the games kept claiming that the team were turning the corner, looking better in ecery game, and better form was definitely on it's way; but they were consistently shouted down by the non-attenders who just looked at the results and declared it was season-over already, predicting a league finish lower than 16th and such like.

 

It's why I don't bother with the match threads any more for league games; they're just ful of over-reactionary and usually misleading nonsense.

 

Yep - absolutely agree - it's the way it is here unfortunately, however it's not just the depressives, you get it from the 'everything's gonna be OK' gang aswell. If you have an opinion you feel is worthy of discussion you're invariably shouted down by those who cannot bear to comprehend their POV might not be shared by everyone else!

 

Personally I think we'll have an OK season, but I don't think we'll be storming the league as some would like to think and (based on performances - not L1 results) I do think our defence could look weak when up against some of the strike options the top 10 teams will have.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

My biggest apprehension is that fan expectation is too high. The vast majority on here seem to think we'll be in and around the play-offs and some even think we'll do a Norwich.

 

If things aren't quite going as most planned, I can see the usual booing and fans turning on players happening. Whilst personally, I'd be more than happy with a mid-table finish this season. This is an incredibly hard league to get out of and I think some people are seriously under-estimating some of the others sides we'll be coming up against.

 

Plus I still think we're a few players short. A first choice striker, CB (which seems as if it will be sorted soon) and another fullback are essential, IMO.

 

Exactly this, we've seen it this Summer already with potential signings, and with end of season expectations.

[saint lard]

1. Adkins also took Scunny up again and kept them there. You seem to be forgetting that. It doesn't mean that he's a top Championship manager, but it does mean that he has experience of keeping a side in the Championship - and a side with nowhere near our level of resources.

 

2. Who exactly are this 'all and sundry'? What reason do you have for thinking that they are underestimating our opposition in this league?

 

3. Why? Have they done so before?

 

4. Adkins will come up against other managers with more experience. So did Paul Lambert last season. So will Gus Poyet this season. We'll see how Adkins does, but it's hard not to get the impression that you're expecting him to flunk the test.

 

5. In case you missed his point altogether, Minsk was responding to your post by asking for a second time questions which you fail to answer. There is a difference between responding to a post and asnwering any questions it contains. In fact, you still haven't explained WHY you think that Adkins, the coaching staff or the players will underestimate our opponents this season. Would you care to do so now?

 

You continually avoid questions, while still claiming to have responded to them, and then moan when you will get stick for it. You can't just cherry-pick the things you want to answer and ignore the rest - not if you want to be taken seriously. This is not personal abuse, or picking on you; it's frustration at your unwillingness to engage in anything remotely resembling reasoned discussion.

 

 

 

I'm not repeating myself anymore for your amusement.

If you can't grasp that i have answered what you want then i give up.

You just don't like the answers given,because they don't fall in line with yours.

You either want a forensic account of anything i post or you have aspergers.

Either way you can't seem to be able to read a post in the context it is written.

Infract me mods,it will be a honour to gain my first infraction just prior to my subscription expires.

[doddisalegend]

Yep - absolutely agree - it's the way it is here unfortunately, however it's not just the depressives, you get it from the 'everything's gonna be OK' gang aswell. If you have an opinion you feel is worthy of discussion you're invariably shouted down by those who cannot bear to comprehend their POV might not be shared by everyone else!

 

Personally I think we'll have an OK season, but I don't think we'll be storming the league as some would like to think and (based on performances - not L1 results) I do think our defence could look weak when up against some of the strike options the top 10 teams will have.

 

spot on assement of both saintsweb and the season ahead IMO