alpine_saint Posted 30 October, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 October, 2011 Exactly right. Our squad is very, very good, and we have genuine competition for almost every position on the pitch plus in Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana a couple of players who every team in the division would love to have in their side. The Palace game, if anything, just shows how deep our squad is. We made ten changes from the previous league game, and it was perhaps only our slight lack of options up front with Barnard not ready yet and Connolly rested that led to our ultimate demise. Palace themselves also changed things around a bit but, as a Palace supporting mate told me at the time, they just don't have the options available to change it all as much as we did and fielded a number of genuine first teamers. Trying to find some negatives out of our current situation is just a bit daft. About as daft as resting on your laurels, being complacent after 14 games and assuming we are the real deal. But the bits I've highlighted are especially amusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 About as daft as resting on your laurels, being complacent after 14 games and assuming we are the real deal. But the bits I've highlighted are especially amusing. Why? Losing away to Palace with 10 changes is nothing to be ashamed about. We will not be making 10 changes when we go there in the league, so what is the problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 30 October, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 October, 2011 Why? Losing away to Palace with 10 changes is nothing to be ashamed about. We will not be making 10 changes when we go there in the league, so what is the problem? It was a totally wasted exercise. Nobody stepped up to the plate and made a claim for a league starting spot or convincing argument that they could fill in for the first choice when injured, and NA didnt use the opportunity to attempt some sort of away match psychological acclimatisation/build-up, as preparation for away league matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 About as daft as resting on your laurels, being complacent after 14 games and assuming we are the real deal. But the bits I've highlighted are especially amusing. What difference to the team does it make if I get complacent? Is Nigel Adkins going to read out an excerpt from me to the team? "Hand on lads, this random lad from the internet thinks we're doing really well and we can rest on our laurels". Its entirely ridiculous to think that anything I believe has any effect on the team whatsoever. I'm not even complacent, I still think finishing in the playoffs would be a great achievement, there's a number of very good teams in this division and a hell of a lot of football still to be played. As for the bits you've highlighted, you either have difficulty understanding or have a weird sense of humour if you find them funny. We do have genuine competition for almost every position on the pitch; if you disagree with that then you're either blind or stupid. For the Palace game we dominated posession and created more chances than they did, despite going with a complete second XI; with some better finishing we could have easily got a result there. I know that doesn't fit in with your obsessive need to be critical at all times and therefore bypass actually enjoying the moment, but different strokes I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 It was a totally wasted exercise. Nobody stepped up to the plate and made a claim for a league starting spot or convincing argument that they could fill in for the first choice when injured, and NA didnt use the opportunity to attempt some sort of away match psychological acclimatisation/build-up, as preparation for away league matches. Sorry, Bullsh1t IN NA's own words http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/oct/29/southampton-middlesbrough-championship Fraser Richardson has been our right-back for most of the season and has been outstanding but we brought in Danny for this one to get in positions to help break down a resolute Middlesbrough side who have been very tough to beat away this season," Southampton manager Nigel Adkins said Butterfiled got a run out at Palace, stepped up to the plate and laid on our first goal. His first League start of the Season I recall DM saying If you are going to moan that is your right BUT please ensure you have your facts right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 Butterfiled got a run out at Palace, stepped up to the plate and laid on our first goal. His first League start of the Season I recall DM saying If you are going to moan that is your right BUT please ensure you have your facts right Phil, you left out a few other things that NA commented on from the game. That it was great for JWP to get a game and how well he did. That it was good for Ben Reeves to get another run out and do well. That we managed to get Lee Barnard a 20 minute run out on his road to recovery. And that Bart got another game under his belt. Saying it was all a wasted exercise is just a childish distortion of the truth. Even the negative aspects can be of some benefit, for example the poor showing from Forte will probably reinforce the view that he's not good enough as a striker, and we therefore perhaps need to dip into the transfer market to give us more options up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnersaint Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 It was a totally wasted exercise. Nobody stepped up to the plate and made a claim for a league starting spot or convincing argument that they could fill in for the first choice when injured, and NA didnt use the opportunity to attempt some sort of away match psychological acclimatisation/build-up, as preparation for away league matches. Not being funny, but how the fook do you know this? I was going to post something less abrasive, but quite frankly I can't be arsed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 30 October, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 October, 2011 Not being funny, but how the fook do you know this? I was going to post something less abrasive, but quite frankly I can't be arsed. The usual moronic response from you, underlined by the fact you are even questioning yourself about it at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 It was a totally wasted exercise. Nobody stepped up to the plate and made a claim for a league starting spot or convincing argument that they could fill in for the first choice when injured, and NA didnt use the opportunity to attempt some sort of away match psychological acclimatisation/build-up, as preparation for away league matches. I don't know if you were able to get to the game or watch/listen to it. My own view was that Butterfield got some match fitness, Schneiderlin showed what a good anchor he can be and the two academy boys showed some promise. Barnard was also able to get 30 mins under his belt. Martin showed again he has the composure and skill to play for the first team. Other lessons (more negative ones): Forte is def a reserve player not a top drawer striker. Holmes and de Ridder are both quite good on the wings but leave the backline more open. Cork can cover at centre back but only in extremis. Harding is error prone at times and can get caught out of position too easily. All in all, despite a disappointing result, I'd imagine NA learnt a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 30 October, 2011 Author Share Posted 30 October, 2011 I don't know if you were able to get to the game or watch/listen to it. My own view was that Butterfield got some match fitness, Schneiderlin showed what a good anchor he can be and the two academy boys showed some promise. Barnard was also able to get 30 mins under his belt. Martin showed again he has the composure and skill to play for the first team. Other lessons (more negative ones): Forte is def a reserve player not a top drawer striker. Holmes and de Ridder are both quite good on the wings but leave the backline more open. Cork can cover at centre back but only in extremis. Harding is error prone at times and can get caught out of position too easily. All in all, despite a disappointing result, I'd imagine NA learnt a lot. Which is why I have been saying since that game that he might have concluded he has less depth in the squad than he thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 Not being funny, but how the fook do you know this? I was going to post something less abrasive, but quite frankly I can't be arsed. The doesn't, he's just a trolling cock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 Which is why I have been saying since that game that he might have concluded he has less depth in the squad than he thought. Surely that contradicts your assertion that it was a wasted exercise. If NA learned that he needs stronger back up options surely that's a positive result from the exercise, despite the defeat. Personally I think the points made in SaintBobby's post 110 are more likely to have made NA's famous five positives after the match, thn your suggestion that the whole thing was a waste of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 Which is why I have been saying since that game that he might have concluded he has less depth in the squad than he thought. That's possible, in which case that's a good thing to learn and a most valuable exercise. But, I think he's likely to have reached the opposite conclusion (or rather a more nuanced conclusion) Questions would be: 1. Do we have enough cover at centre back? Answer: prob yes. Martin looks like good cover. Cork like acceptable cover in a pinch. Plus, DS and RJ to return (at some point, I hope). I'm basing this on Hoovield staying, though. 2. Do we have enough cover at full back? Answer: yes at right back (where Cork can fill in); perhaps not at left back. But with the 5 subs rule, there's a limit to how much cover for this position it's worth having. Seaborne has shown he can play in this slot too if nrcessary. 3. Are we deep enough in midfield? Answer: def yes in centre midfield. Slight query over right midfield/right wing (where Guly has typically been playing out of position). But Holmes, de Ridder and Lallana can play both flanks and Chaplow has shown he can play a wide role too. So prob just about fine, but shld keep our eyes peeled for a player who cld fit here. 4. Are we deep enough in terms of strikers. Answer: prob not. Forte is not good enough for us to wish to rely on him for more than a bit part. Questions over Barnard's fitness and criminal proceedings. Connolly can't be expected to play 90 mins week in week out. So, only Guly and Rickie really tick the "def fine" box. Decision is whether to just strengthen squad here or to really splash out on some £3m - £5m speedy player who can naturally partner Lambert. Given the offers made in the Summer, I'd say NA and NC probably lean to the expensive option if the right player and terms can be agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st.sj Posted 30 October, 2011 Share Posted 30 October, 2011 The doesn't, he's just a trolling cock. What truely shocks me is that any of us feel it worth reacting to the troll A_S. Can we just all please ignore it as at that point it just may stop wasting its time. I would say with certainty that this particular troll is a Portsmouth supporter, simple enough to keep enjoying the same repetetive joke, Ie winding up true saints fans by continually decrying the teams status and efforts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 31 October, 2011 Share Posted 31 October, 2011 This weekend I spent 2 hours on Saturday afternoon listening to Dulcet Dave's commentary with my SaintsPlayer subscription, rather than spending those same 2 hours out in the garden shredding the clippings so I could keep a couple of hours free on Sunday afternoon to post crap on the internet. But then I'm probably not a proper Saints fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 31 October, 2011 Author Share Posted 31 October, 2011 What truely shocks me is that any of us feel it worth reacting to the troll A_S. Can we just all please ignore it as at that point it just may stop wasting its time. I would say with certainty that this particular troll is a Portsmouth supporter, simple enough to keep enjoying the same repetetive joke, Ie winding up true saints fans by continually decrying the teams status and efforts. Oh, that is priceless... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 31 October, 2011 Share Posted 31 October, 2011 Oh, that is priceless... I'd say an irritation for some people - well, for me, anyway - is that you always respond to side-swipes against you, but often not to substantive points that wholly rebut your original point. Just a thought. Not that this makes you into a Portsmouth supporter, but I'm sure you can appreciate people's frustration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 31 October, 2011 Share Posted 31 October, 2011 Which is why I have been saying since that game that he might have concluded he has less depth in the squad than he thought. But Alps, sure he might conclude that if planning to make 10 changes all at once in a league game, but in terms of getting fringe players game time it was a valid jaunt yup the road... although we have seen several first teamers raise their game over the last weeks, I still believe the key to the success so far has been the depth of the squad - a squad that is better than teh sum of its parts - a squad that plays the same way and players to come oin and not upset teh balance of teh side. Yes when Adam was out we lacked creativity, but we still won 2 and drew 2 as NA shuffeled the pack. No side is is ever going to have the 11 or 22 best playesr in a divison, so yes other clubs have better players within their squads than some of our fringe players, but on the whole I dont think I would swap our squad with anyone... as its a real 'team' We may not have the depth to sustain the results if we had several long term injuries, that is just the way it is, but one thing is for sure, it wont be for the lack of trying or effort - luck does play a role in all this with players staying injury free... long season still to go, but we really count not have asked for a better first 3rd or so of the season. I dont believe that any defeat we suffer will be down to 'complacency' either - NA wont let them do that. Defeats will come, they always do, for a veriety of reasons, but I suspect that the mentality of this squad is one that it wont effect them long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokingFun Posted 31 October, 2011 Share Posted 31 October, 2011 It was a totally wasted exercise. Nobody stepped up to the plate and made a claim for a league starting spot or convincing argument that they could fill in for the first choice when injured, and NA didnt use the opportunity to attempt some sort of away match psychological acclimatisation/build-up, as preparation for away league matches. I went and we had plenty of possession but no cutting edge up front. If Lambert had played up front I think we would have won that game against Palace even though our performance was not that great. In addition, it is simply not easy to win away from home for any team in the country I'm afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjay77 Posted 31 October, 2011 Share Posted 31 October, 2011 It was definitely a "make" month. The only slight cloud on the horizon is our lack in depth in the squad, clearly illustrated against Palace. I think the Palace game included many of our 3rd choice players so it showed there was a fair bit of depth IMO. The result obviously wasnt important to the club so young players got a chance and others were played out of position to see how they would do in case of an emergancy. In CB we have Fonte, Jos, Martin, DS and RJ who if fit would all get in the 1st team spot ahead of Cork IMO. Also for a 1st team league match even if one of the options used in that palace game were brought it I doubt it would be more than 1 of them. No where near the 10 changes that were made so depth wouldnt be my worry in this league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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