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Sending Out A Message


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Sending Out A Message

Many have said we have sent shockwaves through the league, surprised a few, caused some raised eyebrows and made other teams sit up and take notice. But really does seem to be the case.

 

Reading this week's edition of the Football League Paper, they were full of praise for Saints style of play, saying it is at times one touch and a joy to watch. They comment that Millwall struggled first half due to our "hogging" nature of play. We are also often described as being "in control". They particularly heap praise on Jack Cork, who they say runs the midfield, and Rickie who the say drops into space, creating more space and gets involved in a lot of build up play.

 

After criticism from Saints fans of poor coverage it was certainly nice to see this:

 

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And after being asked if we are sending a message to the league, Adkins said he believed so, this is echoed by Doncaster skipper Richard Naylor, who says he sees it being West Ham and Southampton battling it out for the title:

 

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Just for the record, TFLP had the following ratings for the Saints Players:

 

Davis - 8, Richardson - 7, Fonte - 7, Seaborne - 7, Harding - 6, Guly - 7, Hammond - 7, Cork - 8, Lallana - 7, Connolly - 7, Lambert - 9.

 

Lambert also got into Team of The Week.

 

Just though some would like to read this and hear of some good coverage rather than some of the widely criticised non-coverage of recent days.

 

And they finish with a lovely picture:

 

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DTLW

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I think some of us are getting a bit carried away after what can only be judged as a promising start. League titles are not won in August! What will be interesting is how we react after a defeat or two. My initial prediction this season was 8th and competing for the play offs. I do not see why I should change that yet. 10 games in things may be different!

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Maybe that would account for your reply to me! View the images and my reply will make sense!!

 

My reply to faraway saints re the not being able to see the images came up against your post for some reason. I cannot view the images so your second sentence has lost me.

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I think some of us are getting a bit carried away after what can only be judged as a promising start. League titles are not won in August! What will be interesting is how we react after a defeat or two. My initial prediction this season was 8th and competing for the play offs. I do not see why I should change that yet. 10 games in things may be different!

 

More or less agree and our lack of key signings will be crucial in the end. Stand by my prediction of 17th.

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I think some of us are getting a bit carried away after what can only be judged as a promising start. League titles are not won in August! What will be interesting is how we react after a defeat or two. My initial prediction this season was 8th and competing for the play offs. I do not see why I should change that yet. 10 games in things may be different!

 

Err this too. No point getting all premature - great start, but it's only four games in so let's not start the back slapping just yet eh. As a very clever man said, 'it's not where you start that counts, it's where you finish'.

 

If there were 3 weeks to go and we were where we are now I'd be wetting myself. We're not, 3 weeks gone - bloody long way to go. If we make the play offs I'd be delighted.

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It's way too soon to start believing such propaganda. As we saw yesterday, our players are struggling to stay the pace already - maybe we over train - whatever, the lads need to be super fit to keep playing the run and pass game at the high tempo that Adkins insist upon and that may not be physically possible.

 

It was noticeable that Millwall kept going despite the heat with their more 'pedestrian' approach to the game. The lesson is obvious, if you want to stay energetic "KEEP THE BLOODY FOOTBALL'. Spending 70% of the game chasing after shadows will not win us anything.

 

So, lessons to others? 'Yes' as long as we can deliver what our spasmodic excellence promises but 'no' if we fold easily as we did yesterday.

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Charlie is back with the classics.

its mental, we dont even have to draw a game and it begins..we won ffs....shame millwall never kept up with us really

 

I fear when we go on a slump (which we will) how this place will react...some are rubbing their hands in anticipation no doubt

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It's way too soon to start believing such propaganda. As we saw yesterday, our players are struggling to stay the pace already - maybe we over train - whatever, the lads need to be super fit to keep playing the run and pass game at the high tempo that Adkins insist upon and that may not be physically possible.

 

It was noticeable that Millwall kept going despite the heat with their more 'pedestrian' approach to the game. The lesson is obvious, if you want to stay energetic "KEEP THE BLOODY FOOTBALL'. Spending 70% of the game chasing after shadows will not win us anything.

 

So, lessons to others? 'Yes' as long as we can deliver what our spasmodic excellence promises but 'no' if we fold easily as we did yesterday.

 

Don't they do football forums for pompey you sad, relentless, pathetic excuse of a man?!

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It's way too soon to start believing such propaganda. As we saw yesterday, our players are struggling to stay the pace already - maybe we over train - whatever, the lads need to be super fit to keep playing the run and pass game at the high tempo that Adkins insist upon and that may not be physically possible.

 

It was noticeable that Millwall kept going despite the heat with their more 'pedestrian' approach to the game. The lesson is obvious, if you want to stay energetic "KEEP THE BLOODY FOOTBALL'. Spending 70% of the game chasing after shadows will not win us anything.

 

So, lessons to others? 'Yes' as long as we can deliver what our spasmodic excellence promises but 'no' if we fold easily as we did yesterday.

 

What an absolute load of tosh. In case you missed it, we won yesterday and we are top of the league. Almost every manager bemoaned the fact that the 2 games per week phase had taken its toll on the players. Far too many people are reading too much into the fact that Hammond and Lallana were subbed to 'freshen things up'. We sat back on a 1-0 lead and for a while Millwall had their tails up - just as we did when we were playing keep ball in the last five minutes. This is the same Millwall team that ran out of steam against Posh and threw away a 2 goal lead so will have been making sure they paced themseves a bit in the first half. If we were chasing the game for 70% of the time how coem we had 51% possession. Jeez.

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its mental, we dont even have to draw a game and it begins..we won ffs....shame millwall never kept up with us really

 

I fear when we go on a slump (which we will) how this place will react...some are rubbing their hands in anticipation no doubt

 

We've been spoilt for the last few years, but for some utterly bizarre reason which is over my head, people have agendas and are looking for reasons to critisise just so they can justify their outlandish opinions. At the moment they are scraping the barrel and looking as utterly clueless as they are. I'm actually embarrassed for them.

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It was noticeable that Millwall kept going despite the heat with their more 'pedestrian' approach to the game. The lesson is obvious, if you want to stay energetic "KEEP THE BLOODY FOOTBALL'. Spending 70% of the game chasing after shadows will not win us anything.

 

Posession: Southampton 51%, Millwall 49%.

 

Have another go, genius.

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We've been spoilt for the last few years, but for some utterly bizarre reason which is over my head, people have agendas and are looking for reasons to critisise just so they can justify their outlandish opinions. At the moment they are scraping the barrel and looking as utterly clueless as they are. I'm actually embarrassed for them.

 

wayman says we we could not keep up with millwall and spent 70% of the game chasing shadows...

 

but how can this be...when..

 

we won

we had more possession

we had more corners

we had more shots on target

we had more shots off target

 

sure stats dont tell a whole story but ffs.....:lol:

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It's way too soon to start believing such propaganda. As we saw yesterday, our players are struggling to stay the pace already - maybe we over train - whatever, the lads need to be super fit to keep playing the run and pass game at the high tempo that Adkins insist upon and that may not be physically possible.

 

It was noticeable that Millwall kept going despite the heat with their more 'pedestrian' approach to the game. The lesson is obvious, if you want to stay energetic "KEEP THE BLOODY FOOTBALL'. Spending 70% of the game chasing after shadows will not win us anything.

 

So, lessons to others? 'Yes' as long as we can deliver what our spasmodic excellence promises but 'no' if we fold easily as we did yesterday.

Did I miss the Millwall goals?

 

Fortunately we have a strong squad that when one or two are finding it tough we can bring on more than adequate replacements. We also have a week off now, whereas many other teams have a game midweek.

 

See your lot lost yesterday though, Mr Wenger must be disappointed. Perhaps he should try playing his new 15mill signing.

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More or less agree and our lack of key signings will be crucial in the end. Stand by my prediction of 17th.

That Jack Cork, what a waste of space. And only another 10 days to go before the xfer window closes, and then the loan window opens. Still Mr Hoddle would have done things so differently, wouldn't he, his career really blossomed after he left us didn't it, just goes to show the monley and organ grinder saying is so true, Hoddle without Gorman, like Morecambe without Wise. I looked in the paper today and they reckon we are top of the league, but I know different now after reading what dalek and charlie are writing we must be bottom.

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wayman says we we could not keep up with millwall and spent 70% of the game chasing shadows...

 

but how can this be...when..

 

we won

we had more possession

we had more corners

we had more shots on target

we had more shots off target

 

sure stats dont tell a whole story but ffs.....:lol:

What is the saying about statistics? There are lies, damn lies and Charle Wayman's posts

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Can't we just enjoy the ride while it lasts?

We clearly have a side that is entertaining to watch (even when winning 1-0) and is currently getting results at the moment. We could spend 10 million on 2 players and see them get injured a week later...or we could be lucky and not get a serious injury all season with the excellent players we currently have in place. We have strength in depth for a side at this level. At the moment we have a manager who is picking a winning team. ENJOY!! :)

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Even though we have been dished up some very fine fare by the team over the past months. There were times on Saturday when I still wanted someone to pinch me as the football the lads were playing was sumptuous.

I am sure there will be a few times when we have a bit of a face plant, but there is a great deal of intelligence in our play, in the latter stages of the game I got the impression that we were not having a go at the Millwall goal simply because that would give them the chance to punt the ball downfield and put us under un-neccessary pressure: anyone remember Everton a few years back?

 

I think 17th is a tad harsh. I think we will be in the mix at the end. My only fear is when we get to Christmas and the league has settled those teams feeling the draft from the division trapdoor will be parking the bus, and it won't be the claggy pitches providing the frustration.

 

Ramble over.

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Pre-season I thought the tough 5 games in August would be an indicator of whether the team had been adequately strengthened. Of the 3 signings, Cork is definitely a key player already but I'm not sure Fox makes a lot of difference compared to Dickson and de Ridder isn't the first choice wide right that Chamberlain had become. So, not a lot of strengthening, but the story of the first 5 games is that a good L1 side can make an impact in the NpC without a lot of tinkering. Brighton seem to be doing the same. At worst now, we will have 12 points from those first 5 games, and it could yet be 13 or 15. But 10 pts from 5 games would be promotion form so to have already exceeded that with a game in hand is a message in itself but I'm not sure it will make any difference to how teams approach playing us. Every team tries to win every game, regardless of past form and reputation.

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I won't comment on 17th. The problem with such comments, is that should we finish low, you'll no doubt say 'look we didn't sign players and I was proved right'. Sounds plausible, but given some real thought, it's impossible to prove where we'd finish with X, Y, Z signings. There are many examples of sides spending big, signing lots and struggling. Lack of team spirit, upsetting the squad etc. Of course, many examples of signings improving and helping achieve success too, but the point is, it's completely unknown.

 

That's what annoys me with negative posts like this. It's not the negativity itself, I actually agree a couple of good signings would be needed for the full season. But it seems pointless to say given that Adkins and Cortese clearly know that and are trying to sign people. If they don't it'll be because they didn't feel there were value deals out there, not because they didn't read our insightful advice about 'good signings being helpful'.

 

However, IMO it's bizarre thinking a team will struggle badly (17th), but with a couple of signings could do well. Or do you think a couple of signings will only put us 10th-16th? In which case, I'd ask what you've seen in the last year or so that's so bad in our team and so good in other Championship teams.

 

I don't think we'll go up personally, but I think we'll challenge, and I think our team is up there with the best in terms of quality. What it may need it time, a few players to mature more and adapt to the new level, and maybe experience of challenging at the top of this division. Signing countless players to get up can work of course, but it hurts your long term prospects because you then need to do it all over again in the top flight. I've said it before but it's clearly what Adkins and Cortese are going for and I can't see any reason why it's not the best strategy for a club like ours: evolution not revolution. We can go a lot further with a steadily improving, gelled team playing the right way, knowing each others game and knowing the club, that we can with a short term/high player turnover strategy that's been tried and failed by many, many clubs.

 

Regardless, let's just try not to simplify everything. 17th or not, debating players we didn't sign is fairly futile. I'd be extremely disappointed if this squad was 17th, with or without signings. I almost want us to sign no-one to show you we can finish a lot higher than that, but I can only imagine you'd then say 'we'd have been higher with X, Y, Z signing' and the whole depressing circus can continue again.

 

I'm just grateful we have someone that properly understands in charge.

 

a very good post mate, although I hate to be the one to tell you... You wasted it on Dalek.

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It's way too soon to start believing such propaganda. As we saw yesterday, our players are struggling to stay the pace already - maybe we over train - whatever, the lads need to be super fit to keep playing the run and pass game at the high tempo that Adkins insist upon and that may not be physically possible.

 

It was noticeable that Millwall kept going despite the heat with their more 'pedestrian' approach to the game. The lesson is obvious, if you want to stay energetic "KEEP THE BLOODY FOOTBALL'. Spending 70% of the game chasing after shadows will not win us anything.

 

So, lessons to others? 'Yes' as long as we can deliver what our spasmodic excellence promises but 'no' if we fold easily as we did yesterday.

 

Look on the bright side Charlie. I reckon we need 40 points to stay up. With 12 on the board, that leaves 28 to get. I reckon 9 wins and a draw from 42 games should be enough. Now I'm no expert, but I think we have a reasonable chance of achieving this.

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Wonderful , sometimes naive optimism is surely what is in most fans blood - its what keeps you going when in the darkest corners after relagtions and players sales. To have a start that we have had, is fantastic and provides everything a proper fan could ask for - it allows you to dream again and believe that all things are possible.

 

But, no one is getting carried away. There is a long way to go and some tough times ahead - we will deal with thsoe when they happen. I really cant understand the likes of these doom and gloom wind up merchants - if they get so little pleasure from watching saints, or the moment we have some success to celebrate are masochistically whipping themselves into an orgasmic frenzy, not about the success, but because they believe it will herald misery and pain to come, then why dont tehy just feck off and support ManU, City or Chelski like the millions of other feckwit moronic armchair fans. That way they can leave supporting clubs like saints to real fans who enjoy teh good times because they know there are always challenges ahead.

 

The good news for saints is, that we finally after many years of struggle have a manager, a chairman and a team that is truely united in its vision, its passion and direction. That does NOT guarrantee success or promotion or even fullfilment of the '5 year plan' - but it it gives you the best possible foundation to try and improves your chances.

 

As said football is all about dreams - if some want to dream of saints in the champions league, why not let them? Those dreams are what keeps fans on the terraces in all divisions. There is enough misery in football as it is, given the way in which money has made it a closed shop at the very top and created sides playing in fear of relegation rather determined to entertain whatever the impact on the result, without dim wit arseholes like Darlek and Wayman adding to it... Jeez. Wind up or not its not funny anymore.. just sad.

 

We will lose a game at soem point, we will lose a few this season, we may yet lose more than we win... but you know what? At least we finally know that the team, players, manager and chairman and staff are all TRYING to do their best. As a SUPPORTER, I cant ask for more than that.

 

So Darlek, Waymen and all you other doom and gloom miserable feckers.... go **** yourselves. I will enjoy our form while it lasts.

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For what its worth I was walking home behind 3 Millwall fans (peaceful types actually!) and they were having a real old moan about how Saints had spent much of the match passing the ball in triangles around Millwall's players - and "why can't we play that sort of football?"

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I won't comment on 17th. The problem with such comments, is that should we finish low, you'll no doubt say 'look we didn't sign players and I was proved right'. Sounds plausible, but given some real thought, it's impossible to prove where we'd finish with X, Y, Z signings. There are many examples of sides spending big, signing lots and struggling. Lack of team spirit, upsetting the squad etc. Of course, many examples of signings improving and helping achieve success too, but the point is, it's completely unknown.

 

That's what annoys me with negative posts like this. It's not the negativity itself, I actually agree a couple of good signings would be needed for the full season. But it seems pointless to say given that Adkins and Cortese clearly know that and are trying to sign people. If they don't it'll be because they didn't feel there were value deals out there, not because they didn't read our insightful advice about 'good signings being helpful'.

 

However, IMO it's bizarre thinking a team will struggle badly (17th), but with a couple of signings could do well. Or do you think a couple of signings will only put us 10th-16th? In which case, I'd ask what you've seen in the last year or so that's so bad in our team and so good in other Championship teams.

 

I don't think we'll go up personally, but I think we'll challenge, and I think our team is up there with the best in terms of quality. What it may need it time, a few players to mature more and adapt to the new level, and maybe experience of challenging at the top of this division. Signing countless players to get up can work of course, but it hurts your long term prospects because you then need to do it all over again in the top flight. I've said it before but it's clearly what Adkins and Cortese are going for and I can't see any reason why it's not the best strategy for a club like ours: evolution not revolution. We can go a lot further with a steadily improving, gelled team playing the right way, knowing each others game and knowing the club, that we can with a short term/high player turnover strategy that's been tried and failed by many, many clubs.

 

Regardless, let's just try not to simplify everything. 17th or not, debating players we didn't sign is fairly futile. I'd be extremely disappointed if this squad was 17th, with or without signings. I almost want us to sign no-one to show you we can finish a lot higher than that, but I can only imagine you'd then say 'we'd have been higher with X, Y, Z signing' and the whole depressing circus can continue again.

 

I'm just grateful we have someone that properly understands in charge.

 

Good argument here and very much understand your sentiments. However, if we had a chance of going up, due to a few key signings, it would seem a bit short sighted not to make the signings. If we could get into the Premiership the money from even a short stay in this division would make the gamble worthwhile. Furthermore, if we believe that we have the backking of the Liebherr's it seems a case of speculate to accumulate.

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Good argument here and very much understand your sentiments. However, if we had a chance of going up, due to a few key signings, it would seem a bit short sighted not to make the signings. If we could get into the Premiership the money from even a short stay in this division would make the gamble worthwhile. Furthermore, if we believe that we have the backking of the Liebherr's it seems a case of speculate to accumulate.

 

And yet again you entirely miss the point; it seems you want signings just for the sake of it, regardless of quality.

 

It's been said before, it'll be said again. Sometimes the right signing just isn't available in early June. We'd all like transfers to be completed by then, but often it just doesn't happen. If we have to wait until late August, but by waiting it ensures we get a much better quality of player, then we'd be complete idiots not to wait.

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And yet again you entirely miss the point; it seems you want signings just for the sake of it, regardless of quality.

 

It's been said before, it'll be said again. Sometimes the right signing just isn't available in early June. We'd all like transfers to be completed by then, but often it just doesn't happen. If we have to wait until late August, but by waiting it ensures we get a much better quality of player, then we'd be complete idiots not to wait.

 

Well,lets see what happens this week. You sound like a stuck record, like many posters. First of all we were going to sign in late June, then 1st of July, then early July, then mid July, then late JUly, then early August, then just before the start of season then at the start of season then mid August, then late August, maybe a loan after the end of transfer window, then January transfer window, maybe June 2012, or late June 2012, or end of June 2012, or early July 2012, def late JUly 2012 etc etc etc etc.

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Well,lets see what happens this week. You sound like a stuck record, like many posters. First of all we were going to sign in late June, then 1st of July, then early July, then mid July, then late JUly, then early August, then just before the start of season then at the start of season then mid August, then late August, maybe a loan after the end of transfer window, then January transfer window, maybe June 2012, or late June 2012, or end of June 2012, or early July 2012, def late JUly 2012 etc etc etc etc.

 

Brilliant! That was a good one, well done you.

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I think the signing issue is a classic case of being 'conditioned' into believeing its so vitally important... The issue is IMPROVING the team and quality of play to ensure the hifghest possible number of victories. That can be done in far more ways than just signings:

 

1. best possible pre season training and fitness

2. best quality coaching including ball skills

3. Conistent squad - familiarisation with team players/gelling if you like and a side that has been together for 2-3 years can do wonders

4. General improvement in individuals - as they get older, more coaching and importantly more experience

5. solid team spirit/confidence.

 

Yes better players can be part of that, but only a part - if you can tick the other 5, you will see improvement - whether its enough to see you progress at the pace each of us fans expect is another matter, but as we have seen on countless examples - often far more is achieved by the sum of the parts than by shining stars.

 

A single transfer can upset that balance and disrupt the spirit if not done right or by panicking and getting someone in for teh sake of it, even if on paper they are better than what we have... I trsut NC and NA to do things their way and given that NA has achiived 100 points in just 45 games (2.2+ points per game), he must have gotten something right!

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Just for you Kraken, you sound like a stuck record If you look at my post history they are very diverse. I am mostly criticised for commenting on the Hoddle issue in 2004 but my posts were actually much more diverse.

 

On this note I see that Gary Neville recently described Hoddle as an outstanding England coach with some unorthodox ideas. Still shame we appointed Sturrock, from that moment we put our premier neck on the guillotine !

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Just for you Kraken, you sound like a stuck record If you look at my post history they are very diverse. I am mostly criticised for commenting on the Hoddle issue in 2004 but my posts were actually much more diverse.

 

On this note I see that Gary Neville recently described Hoddle as an outstanding England coach with some unorthodox ideas. Still shame we appointed Sturrock, from that moment we put our premier neck on the guillotine !

 

On the issue of transfers this summer, you have been a stuck record. We should have bought in early June, repeat ad nauseam. Judge the transfers made at the end of the transfer window.

 

I have no comment to make about your Hoddle-weirdness, because its as boring as it is irrelevant right now.

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