corsacar saint Posted 3 December, 2012 Share Posted 3 December, 2012 Reading and Sunderland our next 2 [ home ] games are absolutely pivotal to our season.Anything less than 4 points and we really will be going into the new year,in a very precarious position. With Fulham and Stoke away over Christmas [ 2 very hard games ] and Arsenal at home on New Years day,with Walcott and Oxlade Chamberlain coming back,that is another extremely hard game. [ it is difficult to see us picking up more than 3 ppoints from those 3 games ] Unless we are in touch on January 2nd,we will find it very hard to attract decent players and will face a very hard task to stay up.Maybe this is a very negative scenario,but unfortunately it maybe a prophetic one and if we do not get a minimum of 4 points in the next 2 games,it will be even more desperate. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_lambden Posted 3 December, 2012 Share Posted 3 December, 2012 Gotta be 6 points really. Don't have the excuse this time that we'll be tired come the 2nd game (Sunderland) as we have a 2 week break between the 2 games. No point aiming for 4 points from 2. The players won't be, so why should we? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsacar saint Posted 4 December, 2012 Author Share Posted 4 December, 2012 I agree we need 6 points,but what I actually said,was that any thing less than 4 points and we are in real trouble. Not splitting hairs,perhaps I did not word it very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 Two MASSIVE games with how our season could fare. Both are simply must wins. Liverpool aside, I still think our attacking outlets are better than any team in the bottom half of the table, but I exclude Sunderland from that, as with the talent they have (Sessegnon, Johnson, Fletcher) they really should be looking at top half of the table. That said, it seems we've managed to get them at a time when they're struggling for form, and that's a plus. 18 points after these two games would give us a fantastic Christmas. Anything less and we're really struggling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
student Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 Should definately beat Reading taking anything off Sunderland would be a great result for you. They're going to click eventually. For me its between you Villa, Wigan, Reading and QPR on who goes down, atleast 2 of those will go down with the most likely being Reading and QPR. Fulham and Sunderland might slip in and around the relegation places but I think their quality will see them through. As far as im concerned, barring the Goalkeepers, you are better than all 4 of those teams I think could realistically go down. A long term injury to Ramirez or Lallana would be a serious concern for you though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 6 points please. Reading really are poor, anything less than a win will be a disaster, which is why I'm dreading it. Expecting a really nervous atmosphere that will get worse the longer we're not winning. Sunderland is a strange one. I was at Carrow road on Sunday, and Sunderland were absolutely woeful in the first half. They didn't travel well, fans were quiet, and they couldn't string 3 passes together. But then the same could be said of Norwich in the second half, and Sunderland were unlucky not to get something from the game in the end. Both there for the taking really IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graffito Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 To make it more interesting Reading and Sunderland play on Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodles34 Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 I agree we need 6 points,but what I actually said,was that any thing less than 4 points and we are in real trouble. Not splitting hairs,perhaps I did not word it very well. you should have put it (brackets) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocco boxo Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 No more stage fright hopefully! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 2 must wins, looking at our fixtures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 I'd rather we were pivotal to our season, if you get my meaning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Who? Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 Need to beat Reading for sure, Sunderland in the first half against Norwich looked terrible, but in the second half should have least got a draw out of the game. I think we will get 4 points, but 6 would be great. Fulham are not on the best form at the moment, so we maybe able to take something there? Stoke, I cannot see us getting anything, as they are very good at home and have turned the corner with their form. Would be be happy with 7 points from 12? I think we would, but I think it could be 5/6 points from these games. Southampton 4 - 1 Reading Southampton 2 - 1 Sunderland (maybe a draw) Fulham 2-1 Southampton (maybe a draw) Stoke 3 - 1 Southampton Then on a Arsenal..... we will see how they do in December before I go and say we will beat them!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Who? Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 To make it more interesting Reading and Sunderland play on Tuesday. Draw please, but I can see Reading winning this game, oh hold on it is at Sunderland, the game that was called off? DRAW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 To think of it, the games we have won are down to bad teams that gave us far too much space, Reading and Sunderland are the type of teams who never sit back which will be a problem to us. I would be amazed if get the full max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaneNero Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 We need to out of the drop zone come the new year that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 We really need to win these We have thrown away a few points at home where the game was really there to win We have had a very very good run of fixtures... To be in the drop zone after the Sunderland game would be pretty poor going from the team and the manager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 We really need to win these We have thrown away a few points at home where the game was really there to win We have had a very very good run of fixtures... To be in the drop zone after the Sunderland game would be pretty poor going from the team and the manager A total of 3 points from Wigan, Swansea, Fulham and Norwich at home - really not good enough. 4 points is the absolute minimum from these two games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 I said that Nigel should get the full backing until the Sunderland game, but eyebrows will have to be raised if we're not out of the bottom 3 after that one. I'm one of his biggest fans, but after our tough games we really weren't in that bad position, but we're going to have had all of these home games, we desparately need to win these two. After the Sunderland game we would have played 7 of the bottom 8 at home and would have played 10 home games and 7 away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandwichsaint Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 I said that Nigel should get the full backing until the Sunderland game, but eyebrows will have to be raised if we're not out of the bottom 3 after that one. I'm one of his biggest fans, but after our tough games we really weren't in that bad position, but we're going to have had all of these home games, we desparately need to win these two. After the Sunderland game we would have played 7 of the bottom 8 at home and would have played 10 home games and 7 away. Sobering .... 6 points minimum needed from these two games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie May Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 I thought the Liverpool game was more pivotal to our season. A win against an average "big team" would have got us out of the relegation area and given us a huge confidence boost. Now we're still in the bottom three and I'm not so confident about three points against Reading. They might not be playing well but will give us a tough time, like they always do. If we don't beat Sunderland, it's clear we're still not good enough for this league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 Reading and Sunderland our next 2 [ home ] games are absolutely pivotal to our season.Anything less than 4 points and we really will be going into the new year,in a very precarious position. With Fulham and Stoke away over Christmas [ 2 very hard games ] and Arsenal at home on New Years day,with Walcott and Oxlade Chamberlain coming back,that is another extremely hard game. [ it is difficult to see us picking up more than 3 ppoints from those 3 games ] Unless we are in touch on January 2nd,we will find it very hard to attract decent players and will face a very hard task to stay up.Maybe this is a very negative scenario,but unfortunately it maybe a prophetic one and if we do not get a minimum of 4 points in the next 2 games,it will be even more desperate. Any thoughts? gives a whole new meaning the the expression ....."six-pointers" . Two wins here will give us a breathing space and move us up the league.....if not...we struggle on ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint 76er Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 Sorry, but at this stage we simply can't afford to drop any home points at all to such close relegation rivals. A draw in either game would be an awful result for us and probably cause for celebration by the opposition. Furthermore, I am guessing that Nigel's immediate future probably depends on beating Reading, particularly as he apparently fell out with NC the last time we failed to beat them in a critical game. If it goes that way we may well see RDM installed for the Sunderland match. Let's hope not and we win both games, 3-1 v R and 2-1 v S for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 (edited) A total of 3 points from Wigan, Swansea, Fulham and Norwich at home - really not good enough. 4 points is the absolute minimum from these two games. ......OR ..looking at it another way ....we've already had the ......" we lost to the top 10 sides thread " (ex Chelsea of course), ZERO points. but on the other hand... we shared the points with Fulham, Swansea and Norwich ....3 points (all midtable sides)... and beat Villa, Newcastle and QPR. ....9 points (sides nearer the bottom). Points tally games 1- 10 conceded 28 goals and gained...4 points. .............. .games 11-15 conceded 4 goals and gained...8 points. Though far from perfect we are definitely improving....if slowly. If this is a trend, then 6 points would be a real bonus. Edited 4 December, 2012 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano6 Posted 4 December, 2012 Share Posted 4 December, 2012 Sobering .... 6 points minimum needed from these two games. At least, if not more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 5 December, 2012 Share Posted 5 December, 2012 Definately need 6 points from these next two games. Anything less than 4 points and I think NC will act - he has to otherwise (a) he's not being seen to do his job properly and (b) RDM will not be hanging around too long waiting for an appointment and IF anyone new is to be appointed, it will best be done before the end of the year. For me, the Liverpool loss was one of the biggest disappointments - not just because of the defeat, but the manner in which the team played...lack of spirit and determination. Thing is, if NA can't get the team playing above their ability for a game against Liverpool, when will he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr X Posted 5 December, 2012 Share Posted 5 December, 2012 Definately need 6 points from these next two games. Anything less than 4 points and I think NC will act - he has to otherwise (a) he's not being seen to do his job properly and (b) RDM will not be hanging around too long waiting for an appointment and IF anyone new is to be appointed, it will best be done before the end of the year. For me, the Liverpool loss was one of the biggest disappointments - not just because of the defeat, but the manner in which the team played...lack of spirit and determination. Thing is, if NA can't get the team playing above their ability for a game against Liverpool, when will he? Two massive massive games! Gonna be nerveracking to watch that's for sure! Saints being saints I can definitely see us slipping up against reading. We looked totally uninterested against Liverpool we were overawed they should have won at least five or six nil only poor finishing from them meant they didn't as gazza was all over the show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted 6 December, 2012 Share Posted 6 December, 2012 6 points is very realistic here and needs to be gained after the disappointing performance against Norwich. If we can't beat Reading at home, we don't deserve to stay in this league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westofshannonsaint Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 these are 2 important games but for now at least lets continue to take one game at a time. We are in the sh*t but it isn't even Christmas yet & there are a few clubs with worries about going down next May (villa/Wigan?). A win against reading would is important, I think they are definitely going to be in the relegation zone at the end of the season & we owe them one after last season. Then we have a break, the team will probably go away somewhere & have the christmas party. We'll probably come back "sluggish" and having picked up "training ground injuries" I would take a point against Sunderland right now. Provided we pick up 3 points against Reading, if we don't, it might be as good a time as any for NC to appoint RDM. IF that is his intention anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westofshannonsaint Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 sorry for the poor grammar/wording, had to many Guinness & I'm too scabby to pay for the privilege of the edit function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armchair Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 Sorry, but at this stage we simply can't afford to drop any home points at all to such close relegation rivals. A draw in either game would be an awful result for us and probably cause for celebration by the opposition. Furthermore, I am guessing that Nigel's immediate future probably depends on beating Reading, particularly as he apparently fell out with NC the last time we failed to beat them in a critical game. If it goes that way we may well see RDM installed for the Sunderland match. Let's hope not and we win both games, 3-1 v R and 2-1 v S for me. Because the manager and players have resigned themselves to not picking up any points in away games the pressure on winning the home games is just going to increase as we progress through the season. Home form is pretty mediorce at the moment so at some point this will need to improve if we are to avoid relegation. Reading and Sunderland has to be 6 points imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 Graeme Bailey @GraemeBailey Bad news for Sunderland as captain Lee Cattermole has been ruled out for two months with a knee injury.http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11695/8315329/Sunderland-captain-Lee-Cattermole-ruled-out-for-two-months-with-knee-injury … Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 Graeme Bailey @GraemeBailey Bad news for Sunderland as captain Lee Cattermole has been ruled out for two months with a knee injury.http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11695/8315329/Sunderland-captain-Lee-Cattermole-ruled-out-for-two-months-with-knee-injury … As opposed to missing a couple of months of the season due to suspension like he usually does. Their midweek game against Reading will be an interesting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 I thought the Liverpool game was more pivotal to our season. A win against an average "big team" would have got us out of the relegation area and given us a huge confidence boost. Now we're still in the bottom three and I'm not so confident about three points against Reading. They might not be playing well but will give us a tough time, like they always do. If we don't beat Sunderland, it's clear we're still not good enough for this league. Looking back upon his in a couple of weeks time and you could well be right. Liverpool were at their weakest but if you go there with such a sycophantic attitude, you deserve what you get. Anyone who has the slightest doubts about who is running the dressing room just needs to hear the same message coming from all angles, players and management. Then to just capitulate at 1-0 down was unacceptable. Just hope there's no more boyhood clubs left in the Premier or managers to get star struck over. I can envisage exactly how both teams will be at St Mary's and it's not going to be pretty or different. Reading hold us at the back and counter attack in 2-3's against any weakness. Sunderland less adventurous but none the less effective but it will come down to how much stamina they have left in the tank. The Reading game is absolutely vital and will have a huge say in what we do against Sunderland. Against Liverpool we ran out of legs in the second half, as did Liverpool. If we don't up our efforts from that game we are done for with Ramirez not being able to put in a full shift. I doubt we will be getting in reinforcements to well into January to influence what ever position we are in, so these games are going to be decisive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 Against Reading, if we play anything like we did in the QPR and Newcastle games, and the first half against Norwich, we'll be fine. Gazza's mistake against Norwich really knocked us back and we don't seem to have got that confidence back yet. I think we'll do Reading, they really don't have much quality, and very fragile confidence. Sunderland is different. They do have some quality and players that can hurt you, but only if you let them play. I'm sure loads saw it on tv, and I was at Carrow Road for their game vs Norwich, and they were woeful in the first half. Norwich got in their faces, and they just panicked and gave away possession, every time. They got a bit of a lucky break just before HT which brought it back to 2-1, and Norwich sat back and let them knock it about, which they did fairly well, and would've snatched a point had their finishing been anything like competent. Like the Newcastle game, get in their faces and play with a high tempo, we should be ok. Surely can't be too much to ask after a 2 week break. 6 points IMO, and we'll be buzzing going into the Xmas period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graffito Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 sorry for the poor grammar/wording, had to many Guinness & I'm too scabby to pay for the privilege of the edit function. At 5 euros a pint I'm not surprised you can't afford your subs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 7 December, 2012 Share Posted 7 December, 2012 Actually looking at the fixtures remaining in December, is four wins beyond the realms of possibility? Our next two are imminently winnable if we play as we have at times this season, but are Fulham and Stoke that tough? Fulham are somewhat of a Jekyll and Hyde side this season, after selling Dempsey and Dembele I thought they'd be weak, but the signing of Berbatov has inspired them. I still think we can win that, even away. Against Stoke it'll be tough, they're a hard side to break down, but with our four attacking players at our disposal, we're good enough to beat them too. I guess all will be revealed tomorrow. Beat Reading and we'll be on a high for the remaining 2012 fixtures. Anything less and it could be a right old struggle. Our fixtures in January and February are tough, getting as many points as we can now would have a massive bearing on our season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jawillwill Posted 8 December, 2012 Share Posted 8 December, 2012 We can't lose either of the next 2 games. If anything I'd prefer 2 points (from 2 draws) to 3 points (from 1 win and 1 loss). That's how important not losing is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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