Is the experiment over?

[Saint Garrett]

I think Gillett and Schneiderlin could be a very effective centre midfield partnership to be honest. Gillett was immense at the start of the season alongside Schneiderlin and him getting stuck in would allow morgan to use his class to spray the passes and add to the creative side of the team. We're not far away from havign a decent team at all, just need to be a bit more streetwise and a bit cleverer when we are going to play certain opposition. We seem to prepare for every game the same way, playing the same way which will not work. The game on saturday was one of the first times that we have set out to play in a different way and it worked. I do think howeverr that our passing game could work next week though, as Doncaster also play some good stuff.

 

UTS !

[Andy_Porter]

I think Gillett and Schneiderlin could be a very effective centre midfield partnership to be honest. Gillett was immense at the start of the season alongside Schneiderlin and him getting stuck in would allow morgan to use his class to spray the passes and add to the creative side of the team. We're not far away from havign a decent team at all, just need to be a bit more streetwise and a bit cleverer when we are going to play certain opposition. We seem to prepare for every game the same way, playing the same way which will not work. The game on saturday was one of the first times that we have set out to play in a different way and it worked. I do think howeverr that our passing game could work next week though, as Doncaster also play some good stuff.

 

UTS !

 

Would like to see Gillett and Schneiderlin together in the centre as well but then you have a problem fitting in Surman, prehaps he could play from the right with Holmes on the left?

 

Not idea but I think we need a hod carrier in the middle like Gillett to go with all our fancy dan twinkle toe midfielders.

[Andy_Porter]

I think Gillett and Schneiderlin could be a very effective centre midfield partnership to be honest. Gillett was immense at the start of the season alongside Schneiderlin and him getting stuck in would allow morgan to use his class to spray the passes and add to the creative side of the team. We're not far away from havign a decent team at all, just need to be a bit more streetwise and a bit cleverer when we are going to play certain opposition. We seem to prepare for every game the same way, playing the same way which will not work. The game on saturday was one of the first times that we have set out to play in a different way and it worked. I do think howeverr that our passing game could work next week though, as Doncaster also play some good stuff.

 

UTS !

 

Would like to see Gillett and Schneiderlin together in the centre as well but then you have a problem fitting in Surman, prehaps he could play from the right with Holmes on the left?

 

Not idea but I think we need a hod carrier in the middle like Gillett to go with all our fancy dan twinkle toe midfielders.

[alpine_saint]

I think Gillett and Schneiderlin could be a very effective centre midfield partnership to be honest. Gillett was immense at the start of the season alongside Schneiderlin and him getting stuck in would allow morgan to use his class to spray the passes and add to the creative side of the team. We're not far away from havign a decent team at all, just need to be a bit more streetwise and a bit cleverer when we are going to play certain opposition. We seem to prepare for every game the same way, playing the same way which will not work. The game on saturday was one of the first times that we have set out to play in a different way and it worked. I do think howeverr that our passing game could work next week though, as Doncaster also play some good stuff.

 

UTS !

 

Gillet Schneiderlin and Holmes were how we started the season off. What we missed then was a more robust defence and someone for them to supply.

 

With the new Dutch dude in the mix, and Saga back, maybe that midfield line-up could work again.

 

Lalllana or BWP on the right, McG in the hole, Saga up front.

[alpine_saint]

I think Gillett and Schneiderlin could be a very effective centre midfield partnership to be honest. Gillett was immense at the start of the season alongside Schneiderlin and him getting stuck in would allow morgan to use his class to spray the passes and add to the creative side of the team. We're not far away from havign a decent team at all, just need to be a bit more streetwise and a bit cleverer when we are going to play certain opposition. We seem to prepare for every game the same way, playing the same way which will not work. The game on saturday was one of the first times that we have set out to play in a different way and it worked. I do think howeverr that our passing game could work next week though, as Doncaster also play some good stuff.

 

UTS !

 

Gillet Schneiderlin and Holmes were how we started the season off. What we missed then was a more robust defence and someone for them to supply.

 

With the new Dutch dude in the mix, and Saga back, maybe that midfield line-up could work again.

 

Lalllana or BWP on the right, McG in the hole, Saga up front.

[Mowgli]

There is a lot of drivel on this web site isn't there. Most of it is simply a thinly veiled attempt to criticise the current regime.

 

Having said that there were some snippets of truth there. For what its worth the way I see it is that last season the strategy was to sign experienced pro's on decent salaries, gambling that the result would be promotion. No criticism there. The gamble failed though and now we have to offload those high eaners and only sign low salary players. There are not many of those about really so it restricted us to kids. No criticism there either - some of our best wins this season have come when there has only been one or two senior outfield players.

 

The academy has got to be part of our strategy for now and the ability to fiedld four in the side is a pretty impressive achievement, whoever you give the credit too. All this has helped us get young loans from other clubs (Cork and Pierce both excellent) and give a second chance to those who promised as teenagers but failed to deliver (Smith and mayber Molyneux).

 

If there ever was an experiement (and I agree it was a term invented by the fans / media) it was about Dutch 'total football' although in reality it simply continues the process started by Prost several years ago.

 

But the reality is that most will look for the dark side of the argument. For example, there were loads coming on here criticising Saints performance against Manu when compared to how Derby got on. But I don't see anyone pointing out that Chelsea were beaten by the same scoreline and comparing us to them. Daft of course, but why must we always see the glass half empty?

[Mowgli]

There is a lot of drivel on this web site isn't there. Most of it is simply a thinly veiled attempt to criticise the current regime.

 

Having said that there were some snippets of truth there. For what its worth the way I see it is that last season the strategy was to sign experienced pro's on decent salaries, gambling that the result would be promotion. No criticism there. The gamble failed though and now we have to offload those high eaners and only sign low salary players. There are not many of those about really so it restricted us to kids. No criticism there either - some of our best wins this season have come when there has only been one or two senior outfield players.

 

The academy has got to be part of our strategy for now and the ability to fiedld four in the side is a pretty impressive achievement, whoever you give the credit too. All this has helped us get young loans from other clubs (Cork and Pierce both excellent) and give a second chance to those who promised as teenagers but failed to deliver (Smith and mayber Molyneux).

 

If there ever was an experiement (and I agree it was a term invented by the fans / media) it was about Dutch 'total football' although in reality it simply continues the process started by Prost several years ago.

 

But the reality is that most will look for the dark side of the argument. For example, there were loads coming on here criticising Saints performance against Manu when compared to how Derby got on. But I don't see anyone pointing out that Chelsea were beaten by the same scoreline and comparing us to them. Daft of course, but why must we always see the glass half empty?

[ottery st mary]

There is a lot of drivel on this web site isn't there. Most of it is simply a thinly veiled attempt to criticise the current regime.

 

Having said that there were some snippets of truth there. For what its worth the way I see it is that last season the strategy was to sign experienced pro's on decent salaries, gambling that the result would be promotion. No criticism there. The gamble failed though and now we have to offload those high eaners and only sign low salary players. There are not many of those about really so it restricted us to kids. No criticism there either - some of our best wins this season have come when there has only been one or two senior outfield players.

 

The academy has got to be part of our strategy for now and the ability to fiedld four in the side is a pretty impressive achievement, whoever you give the credit too. All this has helped us get young loans from other clubs (Cork and Pierce both excellent) and give a second chance to those who promised as teenagers but failed to deliver (Smith and mayber Molyneux).

 

If there ever was an experiement (and I agree it was a term invented by the fans / media) it was about Dutch 'total football' although in reality it simply continues the process started by Prost several years ago.

 

But the reality is that most will look for the dark side of the argument. For example, there were loads coming on here criticising Saints performance against Manu when compared to how Derby got on. But I don't see anyone pointing out that Chelsea were beaten by the same scoreline and comparing us to them. Daft of course, but why must we always see the glass half empty?

 

The irony of your first sentence....Not only this post but the few of yours I have bothered to read.

 

Or is this your thinly veiled attempt at criticism of the good posters of this forum....

 

You little Pixie, sat at the Top Table, with all the Big Pixies...you.

[ottery st mary]

There is a lot of drivel on this web site isn't there. Most of it is simply a thinly veiled attempt to criticise the current regime.

 

Having said that there were some snippets of truth there. For what its worth the way I see it is that last season the strategy was to sign experienced pro's on decent salaries, gambling that the result would be promotion. No criticism there. The gamble failed though and now we have to offload those high eaners and only sign low salary players. There are not many of those about really so it restricted us to kids. No criticism there either - some of our best wins this season have come when there has only been one or two senior outfield players.

 

The academy has got to be part of our strategy for now and the ability to fiedld four in the side is a pretty impressive achievement, whoever you give the credit too. All this has helped us get young loans from other clubs (Cork and Pierce both excellent) and give a second chance to those who promised as teenagers but failed to deliver (Smith and mayber Molyneux).

 

If there ever was an experiement (and I agree it was a term invented by the fans / media) it was about Dutch 'total football' although in reality it simply continues the process started by Prost several years ago.

 

But the reality is that most will look for the dark side of the argument. For example, there were loads coming on here criticising Saints performance against Manu when compared to how Derby got on. But I don't see anyone pointing out that Chelsea were beaten by the same scoreline and comparing us to them. Daft of course, but why must we always see the glass half empty?

 

The irony of your first sentence....Not only this post but the few of yours I have bothered to read.

 

Or is this your thinly veiled attempt at criticism of the good posters of this forum....

 

You little Pixie, sat at the Top Table, with all the Big Pixies...you.

[david in sweden]

Great result and well chuffed for the boys and the 500 odd hardy souls who were there!

 

Is this the end of the experiment and the myth that our wonderful academy is the only way forward?

 

We only had 3 "home grown" players on the pitch and 3 on the bench. Has his lordship realised that the gamble is over and we need the blend?

 

I'm not saying that the future for the young lads isnt bright, just that most of what I've seen from the nippers simply isnt good enough right now for this league.

 

I looked at the team before the game and really fancied us for the first time in a long while, hopefully that kind of selection will continue.

 

 

 

I don't think the strategy was to play 9 Academy lads every week, but clearly it represented a chance to test them out as the Academy investment (not players wages) but coaching, facilities, etc, is no small amount.

 

As JP was clearly on the cards for Rupert Lowe on a prev.occasion (we got Burley instead) I think JP was told " We have no money to spend, these lads are good for their age, you (JP) have a reputation for building young teams,

try them out and mould them into a team, with the help of ; Davis, Svensson Euell and one of John /Saga / Rasiak." (or words to that effect). As it was, Svensson as injured, Euell vanished and none of the 3 mentioned strikers managed anything - except John's League Cup goal. With a money-saving priority it was " big salary players OUT and loanees IN ).

 

JP is left carrying the can. I like his football style- even if we only get 45 mins. a game. I'd like to see him go on and get the older guys more involved and pick some of the lads to bring on a bit more - he's seen most of them by now, and hopefully can get the balance right in future.

 

I think we should remember that we are talking about teenagers playing CCC football against teams with seasoned profs.

in their sides, (some of whom will be in the Prem.next season.) We aren't going to find a Walcott or Bale every season, it takes time for them to develop and NONE of our former stars - way back to Channon, Shearer, MLT or Bridge made it in their first season..or the second. We must be patient and the priority is survival now and development later.

Edited 12 January, 2009 by david in sweden

[david in sweden]

Great result and well chuffed for the boys and the 500 odd hardy souls who were there!

 

Is this the end of the experiment and the myth that our wonderful academy is the only way forward?

 

We only had 3 "home grown" players on the pitch and 3 on the bench. Has his lordship realised that the gamble is over and we need the blend?

 

I'm not saying that the future for the young lads isnt bright, just that most of what I've seen from the nippers simply isnt good enough right now for this league.

 

I looked at the team before the game and really fancied us for the first time in a long while, hopefully that kind of selection will continue.

 

 

 

I don't think the strategy was to play 9 Academy lads every week, but clearly it represented a chance to test them out as the Academy investment (not players wages) but coaching, facilities, etc, is no small amount.

 

As JP was clearly on the cards for Rupert Lowe on a prev.occasion (we got Burley instead) I think JP was told " We have no money to spend, these lads are good for their age, you (JP) have a reputation for building young teams,

try them out and mould them into a team, with the help of ; Davis, Svensson Euell and one of John /Saga / Rasiak." (or words to that effect). As it was, Svensson as injured, Euell vanished and none of the 3 mentioned strikers managed anything - except John's League Cup goal. With a money-saving priority it was " big salary players OUT and loanees IN ).

 

JP is left carrying the can. I like his football style- even if we only get 45 mins. a game. I'd like to see him go on and get the older guys more involved and pick some of the lads to bring on a bit more - he's seen most of them by now, and hopefully can get the balance right in future.

 

I think we should remember that we are talking about teenagers playing CCC football against teams with seasoned profs.

in their sides, (some of whom will be in the Prem.next season.) We aren't going to find a Walcott or Bale every season, it takes time for them to develop and NONE of our former stars - way back to Channon, Shearer, MLT or Bridge made it in their first season..or the second. We must be patient and the priority is survival now and development later.

Edited 12 January, 2009 by david in sweden