BARCELONASAINT Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 seriously do we want Europa league football?.......we have been **** poor since January. The transfer window proved to me we were not serious about Europe unless they were deluded to think we could maintain our 1st half a season form throughout the whole season...really??? We have no way got a squad capable of competing on both fronts. Don't get me wrong, i think this has been a brilliant season considering what happened pre-season....just a shame we have been so poor since January Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 Hooray normal service returns.............. Wouldn't be a Saints season without a bit of tension imposed on ourselves. Does make you smile that tonight is the first time 7th place and Europe has been mentioned repeatedly. Come on you Saints!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewildered Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 seriously do we want Europa league football?.......we have been **** poor since January. The transfer window proved to me we were not serious about Europe unless they were deluded to think we could maintain our 1st half a season form throughout the whole season...really??? We have no way got a squad capable of competing on both fronts. Don't get me wrong, i think this has been a brilliant season considering what happened pre-season....just a shame we have been so poor since January 14 points in 14 games since we beat Man Utd on Jan 17th. Bordering on Relegation form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 14 points in 14 games since we beat Man Utd on Jan 17th. Bordering on Relegation form. Thing is, you can't criticise that the manager or the key players that have woefully underperformed. Pelle is just trash What was the point in spending so much money on long and then deploy him as a wide player No getting in an adequate reserve keeper Letting cork go for a couple of million. Elia and djuricic Tadic going missing completely for the last few months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Who? Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 My goodness, best win this one then and hope that City get a point at Swansea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monosaint Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 We are carrying too many players. Mayuka, Elia and Djuricic are all lightweight for thr PL. With JR back it's like we've bought a £15m striker. That will help next years cause immensely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 Thing is, you can't criticise that the manager or the key players that have woefully underperformed. What was the point in spending so much money on long and then deploy him as a wide player Long played one game up front for us - against Chelsea - he and we were superb that day. I have no doubt that when Pelle is on form he can score a hatful, but when he's off form get him out the f*cking team. He must have been gutted after this - http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/11859789.Long__Keep_me_up_front/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewildered Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 Thing is, you can't criticise that the manager or the key players that have woefully underperformed. Pelle is just trash What was the point in spending so much money on long and then deploy him as a wide player No getting in an adequate reserve keeper Letting cork go for a couple of million. Elia and djuricic Tadic going missing completely for the last few months The early season success is protecting Koeman for the time being, but if we start next season as we are finishing this one the club will learn that goodwill can erode quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 The early season success is protecting Koeman for the time being, but if we start next season as we are finishing this one the club will learn that goodwill can erode quickly. Unless we're getting relegated I don't think we should get rid of Koeman at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 Amazing that we go into such a big game with such a ****e goalkeeper. Probably the 4th best we own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Ash Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 I'm looking forward to the villa game even more now. Going to be great when we hammer them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeySFC Posted 11 May, 2015 Share Posted 11 May, 2015 Gazza in goal = loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Gazza in goal = loss. But did not RK say that KD would be back in goal on Saturday, some interview with Blackmore or other ? Mind you that's not very reassuring either actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No 2 to Maybush Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 We've had our chances throughout the season and generally blown them, we are not good when it comes to the pressure games - not necessarily against the big teams, but the games where there is a bit riding on it. Spurs and Liverpool have given us more than enough chances to catch them and we've not been good enough. You have to take your hat off to Swansea, big game, and they've coped much better than we ever could. Add to the fact that they are still giving their all for the cause, whilst we have been going through the motions for weeks. I don't see us getting another point this season, Villa heading for Wembley, we're heading on holiday, no chance of getting anything from city either. Bottom line, we had a great chance this season and blew it. I don't think we will have a better season for quite a few years now. Sums it up for me too. It raises big questions over a) our lauded recruitment team and the famous "black box" b) the tactical awareness of the Manager (we have played the same way since pre-season ffs! I thought Poch was one dimensional...) c) the motivational ability of the Manager (can't seem to get the team to raise their game and show consistent commitment). And before anyone starts with the "the boys are exhausted" line, I would point out that we went out of the League Cup and FA Cup early, and had NO OTHER distractions in our season. It's all very well for Les Reed to come out and say we are going to supplement our squad from the Academy, but are the players good enough to maintain a top half Prem position? It strikes me more of trying to maintain a position in the Prem on the cheap, and looking to maintain a Mike Ashley business model whereby we look to generate a significant amount of revenue off player sales. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 But did not RK say that KD would be back in goal on Saturday, some interview with Blackmore or other ? Mind you that's not very reassuring either actually. No, he said that Gazzaniga would be in goal for Leicester and then Villa. Davis will be back for the City game to play his 300th game. He wanted to see the position of these 2 before making decisions on goalkeepers in the summer, so hopefully he now realises we need 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Kint Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 No, he said that Gazzaniga would be in goal for Leicester and then Villa. Davis will be back for the City game to play his 300th game. He wanted to see the position of these 2 before making decisions on goalkeepers in the summer, so hopefully he now realises we need 2 You have to question just how seriously the management view Europa League qualification if we're giving Gazzaniga games to see if he's good enough for NEXT season and also then, for sentimental reasons, throw Davis back in for the City game to get his 300th appearance. That sort of attitude sends a strong message of "season is over, let's plan for next year" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 We've had our chances throughout the season and generally blown them, we are not good when it comes to the pressure games - not necessarily against the big teams, but the games where there is a bit riding on it. Spurs and Liverpool have given us more than enough chances to catch them and we've not been good enough. You have to take your hat off to Swansea, big game, and they've coped much better than we ever could. Add to the fact that they are still giving their all for the cause, whilst we have been going through the motions for weeks. I don't see us getting another point this season, Villa heading for Wembley, we're heading on holiday, no chance of getting anything from city either. Bottom line, we had a great chance this season and blew it. I don't think we will have a better season for quite a few years now. Which are these pressure games that you've decided we're not good at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 You have to question just how seriously the management view Europa League qualification if we're giving Gazzaniga games to see if he's good enough for NEXT season and also then, for sentimental reasons, throw Davis back in for the City game to get his 300th appearance. That sort of attitude sends a strong message of "season is over, let's plan for next year" Fair point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 You have to question just how seriously the management view Europa League qualification if we're giving Gazzaniga games to see if he's good enough for NEXT season and also then, for sentimental reasons, throw Davis back in for the City game to get his 300th appearance. That sort of attitude sends a strong message of "season is over, let's plan for next year" Don't think Koeman has much choice - Davis and Gazzaniga are on a par I reckon, neither are really Premiership class and the mistake RK made was relying on FF staying fit. Thanks to an over watered pitch he got caught out and we are now paying the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Gazza in goal = loss. Didn't happen away at Cardiff last season. That's all I've got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Don't think Koeman has much choice - Davis and Gazzaniga are on a par I reckon, neither are really Premiership class and the mistake RK made was relying on FF staying fit. Thanks to an over watered pitch he got caught out and we are now paying the price. Thanks to Forster slipping when clearing the ball, no confirmation pitch watering had anything to do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint in winchester Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 But did not RK say that KD would be back in goal on Saturday, some interview with Blackmore or other ? Mind you that's not very reassuring either actually. Apparently Gazza in goal v Villa and Kelvin in goal v Man City (300th appearance). Quotes from Koeman in his Dutch English, so must be genuine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 You have to question just how seriously the management view Europa League qualification if we're giving Gazzaniga games to see if he's good enough for NEXT season and also then, for sentimental reasons, throw Davis back in for the City game to get his 300th appearance. That sort of attitude sends a strong message of "season is over, let's plan for next year" Absolutely spot on, but Koeman's been very clear that's our goal for some time. Makes you wonder what's happened that makes us suddenly unmotivated... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Absolutely spot on, but Koeman's been very clear that's our goal for some time. Makes you wonder what's happened that makes us suddenly unmotivated... Reality attack I suppose, we probably can't afford to buy much without selling and if we sell it's only the better players that will be targetted. Vicious circle, too much money wasted on average players last summer. Now if we could sell Long ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 You have to question just how seriously the management view Europa League qualification if we're giving Gazzaniga games to see if he's good enough for NEXT season and also then, for sentimental reasons, throw Davis back in for the City game to get his 300th appearance. That sort of attitude sends a strong message of "season is over, let's plan for next year" Interesting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Reality attack I suppose, we probably can't afford to buy much without selling and if we sell it's only the better players that will be targetted. Vicious circle, too much money wasted on average players last summer. Now if we could sell Long ....... Massive looming increase in Prem cash, might be better to buy this summer compared to next. No idea why you'd want to sell Long. He's clearly a moneyball signing, identify the players you want and buy them when they're available. He's not played up front much so can't be judged on his goalscoring, and the last goal we scored at home was set up by him doing something we've been sorely lacking, an early ball into Pelle's head in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfahaji Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Didn't happen away at Cardiff last season. That's all I've got. During his 2013 run in the side, we won 1, drew 2, lost 3. Not too bad really, but when you consider this nice statistic... 5.5 games (1 Dec Chelsea - 26 Dec Cardiff). Opposition shots on target: 16. Goals conceded: 10. Excluding the Newcastle game the ratio would be 'Shots 11, Conceded 9'. Impressive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 During his 2013 run in the side, we won 1, drew 2, lost 3. Not too bad really, but when you consider this nice statistic... 5.5 games (1 Dec Chelsea - 26 Dec Cardiff). Opposition shots on target: 16. Goals conceded: 10. Excluding the Newcastle game the ratio would be 'Shots 11, Conceded 9'. Impressive! I am more than aware of that, even the Cardiff match it came across as absolutely chaos and them hitting him with the ball rather than him making saves. But he has clearly improved since then. Maybe not enough to be starting at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igsey Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 I'd rather we took the risk on Morgan for this one. Stick him in goal please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 I'd rather we took the risk on Morgan for this one. Stick him in goal please. What is Dexter Blackstock up to these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 I'd rather we took the risk on Morgan for this one. Stick him in goal please. What is Dexter Blackstock up to these days? We'd need to find him a shirt that fits and not a Bialkowski hand-me-down... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 (edited) This won't be the team.... ----------------- Davis ------------------- Clyne - Fonte - Alderweireld - Bertrand -------------- Schneiderlin* --------------- Djuricic ------ Hesketh ----Ward-Prowse -------- Mane ------- Gallagher --------- Subs: Cropper, Targett, Yoshida, Wanyama/Reed*, Seager, Long, Pelle (*depends if Morgan is fit) Edited 12 May, 2015 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 This won't be the team.... ----------------- Davis ------------------- Clyne - Fonte - Alderweireld - Bertrand -------------- Schneiderlin* --------------- Djuricic ------ Hesketh ----Ward-Prowse -------- Mane ------- Gallagher --------- Subs: Cropper, Targett, Yoshida, Wanyama/Reed*, Seager, Long, Pelle (*depends if Morgan is fit) Good, because it's a load of toss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Good, because it's a load of toss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 This won't be the team.... ----------------- Davis ------------------- Clyne - Fonte - Alderweireld - Bertrand -------------- Schneiderlin* --------------- Djuricic ------ Hesketh ----Ward-Prowse -------- Mane ------- Gallagher --------- Subs: Cropper, Targett, Yoshida, Wanyama/Reed*, Seager, Long, Pelle (*depends if Morgan is fit) Sadly Gallagher picked up an injury Monday night, back and pelvis, so is unlikely to be fit for Saturday. A shame having just broken into the first team squad for the Leicester game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Sadly Gallagher picked up an injury Monday night, back and pelvis, so is unlikely to be fit for Saturday. A shame having just broken into the first team squad for the Leicester game. He's made of glass ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 Sadly Gallagher picked up an injury Monday night, back and pelvis, so is unlikely to be fit for Saturday. A shame having just broken into the first team squad for the Leicester game. Even if he was available he'd probably be the one to make way for Ward-Prowse's return to the match day squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaptopSaint Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2015/may/12/david-squires-on-the-fight-to-avoid-the-europa-league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plumstead_Saint Posted 12 May, 2015 Share Posted 12 May, 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2015/may/12/david-squires-on-the-fight-to-avoid-the-europa-league Cheers for the link LOLtastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_TOAST Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 Got my ticket for sale in Northam Block 42, Row V £30 ono Needs to be picked up today / this evening from Soton city centre or Winchester email me on jamieuk_1999@ hotmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Kint Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 It would do if it was ignoring a good keeper, but Davis and Gazza are both poor. Experienced poor and inexperienced poor perhaps, but I've seen both make good saves and both concede soft goals. I don't feel any different with either of them in goal. Neither do I, in fact I've seen a bit more potential in Gazzaniga to make me think he might be an ok number 3 next year, and I don't in theory have a problem with Gazzaniga playing. But the point I'm making is Koeman went with Kelvin at first and has stated that the reason Gazzaniga played last week and will play on Saturday is because they want to learn something in preparation for next season, and he has also said Kelvin will play at City for sentimental reasons. These are not the reasons you pick players if you have a lot to play for and are fighting for every point you can get are they? And if that is the approach and attitude Koeman and the staff have to the last few games of the season is it any real surprise the intensity of the players was nowhere near what it should be against Leicester? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 With Gazza in goal of course we've lost, which makes it even more surprising why Koeman would start him. As a Saints manager I really expected him to want to win all his games, but to openly come out and state that your intention is to lose the game by playing Gazzaniga, it hugely surprising. If any one else in another profession came out and said they are going to intentionally damage the fortunes of the company they work for, they'd probably get the sack. Weird times at SMS. Sometime going on behind the scenes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 With Gazza in goal of course we've lost, which makes it even more surprising why Koeman would start him. As a Saints manager I really expected him to want to win all his games, but to openly come out and state that your intention is to lose the game by playing Gazzaniga, it hugely surprising. If any one else in another profession came out and said they are going to intentionally damage the fortunes of the company they work for, they'd probably get the sack. Weird times at SMS. Sometime going on behind the scenes. Gazzaniga was in goal when we beat Aston Villa 4-1... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19615244 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 With Gazza in goal of course we've lost, which makes it even more surprising why Koeman would start him. As a Saints manager I really expected him to want to win all his games, but to openly come out and state that your intention is to lose the game by playing Gazzaniga, it hugely surprising. If any one else in another profession came out and said they are going to intentionally damage the fortunes of the company they work for, they'd probably get the sack. Weird times at SMS. Sometime going on behind the scenes. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 Time for the players to deliver or they will seriously lose some goodwill with the fans. It's not been good enough by a long chalk over the last couple of months - relegation form. Time to put up or shut up about being a decent side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint in winchester Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 LOL at nicendfriendly comment "to openly come out and state that your intention is to lose the game by playing Gazzaniga" I think I read Prowsey saying that Koeman had told them to turn in a decent performance/result "for the fans' sake". Too right. £35 for sleepwalk football is a bit much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint86 Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 The early season success is protecting Koeman for the time being, but if we start next season as we are finishing this one the club will learn that goodwill can erode quickly. On course for the best ever finish in the premier league after having the first team ripped asunder and having to do a complete rebuild.... And dopey feckers like you are actually implying he will soon be considered for the sack.... Get a serious grip of your teats. Never heard so much BS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2015/may/12/david-squires-on-the-fight-to-avoid-the-europa-league Good point from one of the comments: The irony of it all is that teams are so desperate to chase the 4th CL spot, they might end up costing the league that 4th CL spot because of their lack of commitment to the Europa League. Currently England is 2nd in the UEFA co-efficient. However, based on the last 4 seasons Germany will leap frog them next season (unless English teams drastically outperform German teams). That would put England in 3rd, with Serie A only needing a 4 point swing to overtake England, demoting the EPL to just 3 CL places - bearing in mind Serie A still has 3 teams in Europe earning them coefficient points while England has none, and this seasons swing currently stands at +5 in Serie A's favour. So, if English, German & Italian teams have similar seasons next year, England will lose it's 4th place to Italy and the lack of commitment to the Europa League will be a big part of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScepticalStan Posted 13 May, 2015 Share Posted 13 May, 2015 Good point from one of the comments: The irony of it all is that teams are so desperate to chase the 4th CL spot, they might end up costing the league that 4th CL spot because of their lack of commitment to the Europa League. Currently England is 2nd in the UEFA co-efficient. However, based on the last 4 seasons Germany will leap frog them next season (unless English teams drastically outperform German teams). That would put England in 3rd, with Serie A only needing a 4 point swing to overtake England, demoting the EPL to just 3 CL places - bearing in mind Serie A still has 3 teams in Europe earning them coefficient points while England has none, and this seasons swing currently stands at +5 in Serie A's favour. So, if English, German & Italian teams have similar seasons next year, England will lose it's 4th place to Italy and the lack of commitment to the Europa League will be a big part of that. Bearing in mind that we'll never qualify for the Champions League, I'd absolutely love to see this happen (as with the financial dominance of City/Chelsea, to see at least one of Arsenal/United regularly dropping out of the CL would be quite delightful). Anyway, that's why it won't happen. England is in no danger whatsoever. There's just too much money in the Premiership for them to allow huge clubs to miss out ona regular basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beavis17 Posted 14 May, 2015 Share Posted 14 May, 2015 When's Ron doing his pre-match press conference then...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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