The most worrying thing wasnt the result but the predicability of it all as Saints looked like a beaten side from the very start.

In my articles in the run up to the match I used the phrase "Do the same things, get the same results" and that proved to be exactly the case as Nigel Adkins made no changes to the side that lost to Manchester United, OK he would perhaps defend that decision by saying that this 11 was the one that put themselves in a winning position against United rather than the one that gave the game back to the Red Devils.

But when you have a losing streak you have to change something to get that winning mentality, at the start of last season we had that winning mentality, but it seems that this we have just assumed that would just carry us through, but after this fourth straight defeat its quite clear that whatever mentality we now have, its not the same as last season.

The players looked beaten from the moment the whistle signalled the start of this game, for their part Arsenal had a clear game plan, get at us straight away and punish us for our lack of pace and they succeeded, in a six minute spell shortly after the half hour they ripped us to shreds and could have had more and the game was over long before half time.

The real worry though is what does Nigel Adkins do now, we have a squad that clearly isnt up to the task, the manager knows it, the fans know it and the players do as well, we didnt sign players in crucial positions in the summer with the experience that is needed and unless Nigel can pull out a couple of loan signings in the next few weeks I truly fear for our season.

Some will say Im being pessimistic, but I have watched every game so far, and the problems I have been highlighting on this site going back to last season have not been addressed, no one likes a smart arse, but the reason I have harped on about it week after week is because its happening.

So where do Saints go from here, well hopefully with a few winnable games ahead, we can re group, but the manager has a difficult task ahead, he has to shake up the side, but in the areas he has to shake it up he hasnt got much choice, the rumour is that the manager isnt the master of his own destiny in the transfer market, that he wanted certain players but was overruled, we cannot change that, but now is the time we find out if Nigel Adkins is man or mouse, he needs to lead his team from the front and make the decicions needed, on a day when a player who was supposedly done and dusted for Saints scored a great goal for Man United to highlight how we have missed the boat in key signings over the summer.  

This is where manager's earn their corn, over the next few weeks we will find out if Nigel Adkins can unite the squad and get that team spirit back, in the meantime we our now past the opening spell from hell and there is perhaps a suspicion that we allowed it to beat us mentally before we kicked a ball, however there are no excuses now           

Photo: Action Images

Saint_Luke added 17:08 - Sep 16 To repeat the majority of comments on this blog, Davis has to go. Of course it would mean brining in Gazzaniga who is a rookie, but would that be really any more risky than keeping Davis between the sticks??! There is also the realisation that at his age, Davis' performances are unlikely to improve. I'm not saying a goalkeeper can't cut it at 36 (look at Brad Freidel, 41) but at least when Gazzaniga makes a mistake, he can learn from it and improve. When KD messes up, it's because he's not good enough anymore. I'm still optimistic for the season but to state the obvious, we have to tighten up at the back. If we continue to leak goals the way we are at the moment, we'll need our attacking players to find 3-4 goals every week, simply for us to register a victory. It might happen once every so often, but it's not going to save us from the drop.

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bstokesaint added 17:20 - Sep 16 The only thing more predictable than the result is the inevitable blame game from the doom and gloom squad. Well done Zambucco for some wise words. I too have seen every game this season and there are positives. A 6-1 scoreline did flatter Arsenal. They were good and the best we've played this season, but two og's and a couple of favourable deflections did drop for them. Even when we had a decent 20-25 minute spell in the 2nd half they still managed to score against the run of play. Seriously Saints fans please try judging us against similar teams before putting the boot in. It's getting a bit tedious and the fixtures haven't changed since June. We knew what we'd face, so get some perspective. As I write there are 7 other teams without a win so it's hardly like we're being left behind. Get behind the manager and believe. In Nigel we trust. COYR.

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davepid added 17:36 - Sep 16 Come on folks. we always did get rolled over 6, 7 nil at least once a season in our time in the top flight. Why should this year be any differnt? And for it to be at Arsenal is nothing new. Come on you Saints...... but replace Kelvin. 'Thanks Kelvin youve been a real star and at times we owed you an awful lot, and we promise we will remember your performance at Leeds last season for ever.'

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mg2104 added 18:42 - Sep 16 "we have a squad that clearly isnt up to the task." What based on opening games against the top three last season? The players need to adapt, learn and grow - ability is not set in stone, things change!
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simmo400 added 19:10 - Sep 16 We could change all eleven after that game to be honest. No one really stood out for Saints. We didnt help ourselves in defending but Wenger got his tactics right. Th wide players stretched us and got behind us. We had no way go coping with it. We were poor against a good Arsenal team on the day. Season starts Saturday I feel for us. Enjoy the ride in this division and get behind the team Saturday.

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Scummer added 20:05 - Sep 16 We all need to make sure we don't get too despondent when on a poor run like this and get a real sense of perspective. We have scored goals against three of last year's top four, Ramirez looks like he could be something special and I think that when we take stock after 12 games that things will look rosier. I hope we would have three points after those opening four fixtures (and I think that was in line with your expectations, Nick), and I think most of us suspected that one of those three would dish out a right spanking to the bew boys. There is a lot that is still spot on in terms of club setup, recruitment of young players, manager, chairman, academy and fantastic support both home and away. Get the new boys integrated, work on the failings of this week to make sure there is no repetition, get that central defensive partnership going and lets kick on with our season. It starts now.

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Scummer added 20:14 - Sep 16 We all need to make sure we don't get too despondent when on a poor run like this and get a real sense of perspective. We have scored goals against three of last year's top four, Ramirez looks like he could be something special and I think that when we take stock after 12 games that things will look rosier. I hope we would have three points after those opening four fixtures (and I think that was in line with your expectations, Nick), and I think most of us suspected that one of those three would dish out a right spanking to the bew boys. There is a lot that is still spot on in terms of club setup, recruitment of young players, manager, chairman, academy and fantastic support both home and away. Get the new boys integrated, work on the failings of this week to make sure there is no repetition, get that central defensive partnership going and lets kick on with our season.

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VeloSaint added 21:14 - Sep 16 I disagree that the players looked beaten from the first whistle, there was nothing between the sides in the opening exchanges and if anything it was Saints who looked the more positive. Saints were certainly given a lesson on how to turn defence into attack though, once Arsenal started to turn the ball over they went forward with pace,easily getting through our powder puff midfield and making the defence to back track, forcing the inevitable errors. Contrast that with Saints, for all Ward-Prowse's energy and keeping things simple (and he retains possession well), the lad (and he wasn't alone) rarely carried the ball forward, it was backwards or sideways. Part of the problem and we saw this with Ramirez in the second half, that winning the ball is one thing, when you look up and you've a lumbering forward with no movement and wide midfield players who aren't even up with play, trying to spark a quick counter is impossible. I wonder at what point Adkins abandons the new formation? Is he even allowed to? We can't carry on with Lallana in a wide role, he needs to be competing with Ramirez for a place in the middle (Adam was woeful on Saturday). We have to have pace out wide on both flanks if we're going to continue with these tactics and have Rodriguez start up front, he looks far more suited to that role compared to Ricky. 2 defensive midfielders to cover the back 4. As for the back 4, little can be done there, but making improvements to the midfield in terms of personnel and tactics can at least reduce the pressure. Not too sure on the calls for Gazza to come in for KD, but if he was the choice to be a Prem #2 according to the transfer committee then he must be ready (if not, why sign him?). It's not wrist slitting time, far from it. A few more games will be enough to offer a fairer assessment on this team and its tactics.

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Santos added 21:49 - Sep 16 Just picking up on your speculative comment quote "the manager isnt the master of his own destiny in the transfer market, that he wanted certain players but was overruled," Well just as speculativley I heard through a reliable avenue that NA and NC had a disagreement over the summer about bringing in player and it was more that NA did not want too much change that might upset the squad. So all I'm saying here is lets not start picking sides just yet or creating a NC NA split . Lets just say someone maybe got it wrong and lets hope they can both turn it around soon.

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Capt_Koons added 00:27 - Sep 17 With respect Santos if NA did say he didn't want too much change why has the Dwarf been buying strikers left right and centre. NA is on film saying he wanted to strengthen defence, so what you heard through a reliable avenue maybe not so reliable.
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richardmdcooper added 02:45 - Sep 17 Given how negative this site's match reports were during last season's promotion where we were never outside of the top two, I always thought you would be on the brink of suicide this year! Season starts against Villa and 40 points from 34 games is definitely do-able especially with NA at the helm That being said, tough to argue against the failure to address the weaknesses of the team - i.e. defense and goalkeeper..Hopefully we have enough going forward to beat the lesser teams..COYR

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BoondockSaint added 03:00 - Sep 17 Is there anyway we can take advantage of the goalie squabble at Spurs and get one of them on loan? It would solve problems for both teams (well, not all of ours, but it would be a start).
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SingaporeSaint added 05:42 - Sep 17 Agree with the majority of posts here and also Nick. I'll start with the real positive more me - the behaviour of Theo Walcott both when he scored and esp after the game - that was outstanding, I've never seen an player give his ex club so much respect. Many of us have been saying since April - GK, LB, 2 CB and a right winger.. We havent signed these players and as such are sleeping in the bed we made and cant be too surprised with the nightmares.. The important thing is what can we do about it. GK - agree with many that Davis is not up to the task, when he was in his prime he played one season in the prem for Sunderland in their worst season in memory and was 'blamed' for their relegation by many at the club (he then came to us). In our great escape season in the Champ he struggled so much when under pressure we brought in Richard Wright. I love the guy but simply he isnt good enough at this level - not big or athletic enough, seems to have lost his near post and does not appear to inspire confidence in the defence. When in goal for a top team in the Champ and L1 you have 2 or 3 things to do in a game - he'll have 20 or 30 every week.. I'd give Gazzinga a go - he is young so may have a mistake in him but has the size to command his goal and area. Craig Gordon on a free contract is not a bad idea - we cant get loans now btw.. Defence - I thought Yoshida brought some calm once he settled in - I hope he is the leader we need. As we cant sign new players (other than free agents) for a while - we need 'Steve Bould style' coaching to defend as a unit. When to mark and when to drop off.. Clyne needs to learn to drop off at times as gets too tight - Fox for me is not good enough at all, but if he is playing he needs to be told to get tighter - the Ox will never have more space, ever! Fonte may benefit from Yoshida as he needs leadership. We have a great academy - maybe some of their defensive coaches than work with the first team! Ramirez did look decent and hope he keeps up that workrate. I would be looking at playing Lee on the right hand side too - Puncheon is a limited footballer and always looks to come inside on his left foot - Lee is all we have who can go outside and cut the ball back.. The season needs to start now for us - I commented previously on it not feeling good at the top (NA / NC relationship) and I still have my doubts. We need NA now to step up and pick the right teams, the right formations and make the right subsitutions. NA has had a poor start to life as a prem manager - so he needs to find his feet this week, prepare us properly, pick the right side and lets beat Villa....

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Santos added 09:17 - Sep 17 Thank you Singapore Saint been looking for some positives this morning and giving Gazza a go would that be any different to playing Butland if we had signed him. Ok you can argue Butland is a better younger keeper but confidence is the biggy with keepers if he is mentally strong why not. Capt Koons agree with you but was just making the point no one really know who has/has not done/said what to who, as much as we love speculation we are all readng between the lines. Lets dust ourselves off move on although we are now putting ourselves under a lot of pressure for the villa game with the statements comming out as true as it may be.

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Whatsforpud added 09:58 - Sep 17 Presumably Gazza was signed with a view to take over from Davis when needed, not just to watch and learn. From a video that I saw of him when he signed, he looked assured, especially down at his near post. Lets give him a run, and have Davis as his mentor.
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DJI added 09:16 - Sep 18 I was at this game and it was painful at times to watch. Arsenal exploited every little mistake or chance in our defence to the max! I then watched it again on Saturday night on Sky's Match Choice and with a calmer head, saw some positives from us as well as the errors. The most worrying for me is Kelvin. Too many goals shipped in at his near post so far this season is very concerning and will breed confidence in opposition strikers. They need to train that out of him this week as a major priority. For the free kick, his positioning was so wrong it was amateurish. The free kick was just left of the centre, so why was he stood the left of centre as a starting position. If he had stayed in the centre, he had a chance to spring either way and would have saved the free kick (which was needlessly given away in the first place). I thought this at the match and after watching it at home. Our midfield also needed to press the ball a bit more at times like they did so well against United. Not major errors on their part but they need to learn when to press and when to drop off a bit more. Having seen the energy and pace that J-Rod had when he came on to replace Rickie up top at the end, I kind of feel Nigel should have introduced him a lot earlier. He started to make the Arsenal back four worry but by then, none of our midfield were venturing forward enough to give him an attacking passing option and all his efforts to win and hold up the ball were wasted. My thoughts on Ramirez were simply that this guy is the real deal. He played with a swagger and confidence, held off Arsenal quite well and looked for a pass. For those that didn't go to the game, you will also have missed him defending at times which was pretty excellent too! At one point, Arsenal broke forward, got behind our back 4 and suddenly a sliding block tackle came in to stop their attack. When our man got off the floor, I could see it was Gaston, who had tracked back and anticipated their move enough to stop it. We need that at times as much as we need sometimes for Jos/Jose/Yoshida to know when it's right to go ahead of Rickie and attack. Overall, a bad day at the office and one the lads needs to learn from. My concern now is whether we have the right personnel to play the 4-3-3 formation and I would like to see us return to the 4-diamond-2 for a bit. I would also be tempted to play J-Rod up top a bit more than Rickie if we are going to play a lone striker. His pace and energy will force them backwards and into mistakes, and allow our midfield to push up more.

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SingaporeSaint added 12:13 - Sep 18 Good post DJI and inline with what I saw.. Interesting your comment on the freekick - I agree with that. I am in SE Asia and saw it live on TV but had a good angle behind the goal and my reaction was that not far off being down the centre of the goal! I texted to my family at the game who were watching from the side and thought it was a perfect freekick.. There is no way Podolski was aiming it there and would have been 2 yards left at least. I dont think KD is reading the flight of the ball, his positioning is poor re near post goals etc, I dont think he has enough spring and fundamentally is too small - he looks tiny in comparison to other keepers. There were some better moments in the second half, Ramirez looked tidy and Lambert should have scored. We didnt deserve to lose it 2 0.

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