doddisalegend Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 the championship to be harder? I know we're only three games in but two of the teams we've played I had down as being some of the better teams in the championship. I'm trying really hard to not get carried away it's a long season a lot could happen...but the standard of teams so far has been lower than I thought it would be. I'm already starting to think I might have to re-think my mid-table finish prediction. None of the three sides that came from league one look out of place in the championship IMO. Compare that to the PL were all three new sides look like they are going to struggle if the opening day is an indication.
RedArmy Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 Being completely honest, I didn't expect to have 1 single point so far.
Thorpe-le-Saint Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 Those opening 20 mins in the second half was the first time I've been worried. If we continue to play as we did in the first half we will tear teams to shreds.
Mattio Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 I expected a draw at Leeds, a Win Vs Barnsley and a draw or loss vs Ipswich
Crab Lungs Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 Only three games in a 46 game season (excluding Cups, of course) and we've still got another twenty teams to play..... and, as you might expect, there will probably be a few other clubs taking extra-special notice of our early season form and looking at ways to nullify/stifle us... If we're still there or thereabouts come November, I'm really going to start dreaming!
doddisalegend Posted 16 August, 2011 Author Posted 16 August, 2011 Only three games in a 46 game season (excluding Cups, of course) and we've still got another twenty teams to play..... and, as you might expect, there will probably be a few other clubs taking extra-special notice of our early season form and looking at ways to nullify/stifle us... If we're still there or thereabouts come November, I'm really going to start dreaming! Plenty of league one style bus parking to come then you reckon?
Crab Lungs Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 Plenty of league one style bus parking to come then you reckon? That's what I reckon... or sadly, the ol' Billy Davies tactic of kicking the crap out of the most influential players and bullying your way to victory
trousers Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 Were you expecting...the championship to be harder? No, not really. I remember a fair few of us were posting last season that we could well find life in the championship easier than League One because our "pretty football" approach to the game wasn't suited to League One. Early days I know, but it's no surprise to me that we appear to be thriving in this league.
Colinjb Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 It is not a question of it being easier, it's a matter of us being better prepared then we have been in any season for about 8 years. We have the foundations in place to push on, and what excellent foundations they are!
Benj Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 No, I think a lot of people shockingly underestimated the ability of our team. The freedom we've gotten from facing teams who actually look to play football rather than try for a draw has allowed us to step up to another level. We are however going to see a lot of ultra defensive displays at St. Marys that will be a challenge to break down however I can really see us continuing to rip everyone to shreds away from home this season.
S-Clarke Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 It is not a question of it being easier, it's a matter of us being better prepared then we have been in any season for about 8 years. We have the foundations in place to push on, and what excellent foundations they are! Absolutely. This is what a good, solid pre-season base can give you. It may only be the start, but I looked at our first few games and thought ''Will be good to get these toughies out of the way first" . We're making it look easy ffffs!
Saint_lambden Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 Put it this way - I didn't expect us to start THIS well. We haven't played who I expect to be in the top 2/3 yet but I think we can clearly compete with teams hoping for the play-offs like Ipswich.
SNSUN Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 I genuinely thought we'd do well this season but this start is more than I'd hoped for. I'd predicted us drawing the first three games as we started life in the higher league - I thought we'd try to find our feet before we started out=playing teams but we've really hit the ground running. As long as we haven't shot our load early, I'm not fussed!
benjii Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 Being completely honest, I didn't expect to have 1 single point so far. seriously? Mental. I expected us to get 9 or 10 points from our first five matches.
CanadaSaint Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 No, not really. I remember a fair few of us were posting last season that we could well find life in the championship easier than League One because our "pretty football" approach to the game wasn't suited to League One. Early days I know, but it's no surprise to me that we appear to be thriving in this league. That. The test will come when the pitches get heavier but I think we can handle that because the surfaces should still be better than what we saw last year.
doddisalegend Posted 16 August, 2011 Author Posted 16 August, 2011 No, not really. I remember a fair few of us were posting last season that we could well find life in the championship easier than League One because our "pretty football" approach to the game wasn't suited to League One. Early days I know, but it's no surprise to me that we appear to be thriving in this league. I never bought that excuse becuase A) apart from odd games we won more often than not quite often by several goals.. so we didn't really struggle in league one (other than the first 10 games under Pardew) B) we should in theroy be playing a better standard of player now than we did in League one making it harder
Saint Fan CaM Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 Didn't think we'd be starting this well for sure. I am feeling very confident with each passing match, not just because of the scorelines and points, but because the players are quite clearly learning very quickly from each successive game to improve for the next. Not only that, but Adkins preparation and in-game tactics are absolutely spot on. The squad mentality and spirit seems to be second to none too. Overall, we've not seen as good a set-up at Saints for...well, decades IMO. VERY exciting times ahead.
CanadaSaint Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 I never bought that excuse becuase A) apart from odd games we won more often than not quite often by several goals.. so we didn't really struggle in league one (other than the first 10 games under Pardew) B) we should in theroy be playing a better standard of player now than we did in League one making it harder Fair enough but your question was "Were you expecting the championship to be harder?", not "Why did we struggle in Division One?" I think we did well last year despite the fact that we had players who weren't best-suited to that division. Better players tend to let good players play, if you know what I mean.
hutch Posted 16 August, 2011 Posted 16 August, 2011 We've already got 5 more points than I thought we'd have at this stage of the season. And I had us down for around 65 at the start, so game on.
doddisalegend Posted 17 August, 2011 Author Posted 17 August, 2011 Fair enough but your question was "Were you expecting the championship to be harder?", not "Why did we struggle in Division One?" I think we did well last year despite the fact that we had players who weren't best-suited to that division. Better players tend to let good players play, if you know what I mean. Can't wait for the PL then Man U won't know what hit them;)
trousers Posted 17 August, 2011 Posted 17 August, 2011 Can't wait for the PL then Man U won't know what hit them;) I must admit, I've been having "getting ahead of myself" thoughts this morning about how many of this team would be able to hold their own in the premier league. With the self-belief that Adkins is drilling into this side and the bonds that are developing in the squad, the answer is probably a pleasant surprise.
Joey-deacons-left-nut Posted 17 August, 2011 Posted 17 August, 2011 I expect us to do well. It's a different style of football that is more fitting with hiow we now play. League 1, hit and hope, park the bus in their half - we struggled at times to break teams down and it just became a slugging competition. Championship - Teams actually try to play the ball around properly, making it more open and suited to our style of play. I'm guessing there will come a time when other teams figure out taht to get at us they need to be in our faces, not let us have any time on the ball and try to bypass our midfield.
Dr Who? Posted 17 August, 2011 Posted 17 August, 2011 Over the season I expected us to be mid table.... keep the winning run going and anything is possible. I had a dream before the start of the season that we won the first 20 games.....lol.
The9 Posted 17 August, 2011 Posted 17 August, 2011 I had us down for one win one draw and a defeat, so we're 5 points ahead of my expectations.
Graffito Posted 17 August, 2011 Posted 17 August, 2011 We have emerged from the depths of League 1. Having made an initial impact other teams will now study how Saints play and work out strategies to beat us. There will definitely be some bus parking at St Mary's but we're used to that.
up and away Posted 17 August, 2011 Posted 17 August, 2011 Originally Posted by doddisalegend Plenty of league one style bus parking to come then you reckon? That's what I reckon... or sadly, the ol' Billy Davies tactic of kicking the crap out of the most influential players and bullying your way to victory The trouble the opposition have at present is that there are too many to kick to effect a turnaround in our form. The whole midfield and attack are interchanging and playing in small groups and triangles that is is very difficult to stem. There are too many players on their game doing the same thing, a nightmare for any opposition.
hutch Posted 17 August, 2011 Posted 17 August, 2011 I must admit, I've been having "getting ahead of myself" thoughts this morning about how many of this team would be able to hold their own in the premier league. With the self-belief that Adkins is drilling into this side and the bonds that are developing in the squad, the answer is probably a pleasant surprise. I sincerely hope we don't find out next month
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