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Comment | So Close To The Finish Line Yet So Far !
at 16:16:39
While I can see the reason for your caution, or negativity, I really don't think it is necessary. Assuming QPR and Reading don't have any hope, there are 7 teams in the mix for the last spot. All these teams have 2 games against fellow relegation strugglers (Villa 3). So even accounting that the form book gets turned upside down at this time of the season, when you can't assume teams will lose to the top teams, It is hard to see all these teams overhauling us, even if we failed to get another point from now until the end of the season.
Having said that, the way we have played over the last 10 games, it is hard to see us not getting another point.
No time to be complacent for sure, but we are not playing with the fear of relegation candidates, and I wouldn't think we will be.
I would say that should Sunderland, Wigan or Villa lose their next games, they would seriously be up against the wall. |
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Comment | Saints V Liverpool The Verdict
at 03:06:33
I agree, it was a great win (down to Saints playing well, not Liverpool having a bad day), and a good time to be a Saints fan.
Since MP has come in, I think we can win any game, and I think this is a message he gives to the players. And yes, the good teams seem to suffer playing against our style. However, on the other hand we can also lose games to anyone, as missed chances and defensive errors take there toll. Definitely edge of the seat stuff, but we are playing better than many of the teams around us.
While Puncheon has played well at times, he is also ineffectual at others. He doesn't have enough pace to go down the wing, and only takes the ball towards goal when he receives it in plenty of space. The rest of the time he meanders inside going across the field, or relies on Clyne overlapping. I believe MP has curbed Clyne's attacking, as early in the season we played with both full backs too far forward, exposing our central defenders who are too slow. Shaw gets to do most of the attacking now, as he is probably better than Clyne (who may be the better defender). Also, J-Rod is more direct, and now gets some time in the middle as Lambert plays out wide for periods of the game. This has worked out well. J-Rod bought to be an eventual replacement for RL, and yet never gets to play in that position (and playing poorly on the wing). Now with some time in a more central role, he is playing better and getting goals.
Not sure I agree with Nick on the need for 2 CBs and 2 widemen. The trouble with wingers is they can often be game winners, but most of the time they can be passengers. You have to pick very carefully. As far as the CBs go, yes we could do better. But the NA style exposed them too much, and all of them looked very poor early in the season. Now, all of them look good for most of the time, but equally, all are prone to making mistakes - gratefully less than before. What we need is one CB who is dominant in the air, and one who is good at reading the game and is very fast. Do we have that combination in the 4 currently at the club? How much would 2 Premier League class CBs cost? We spent 3.5M on one who can't get in the first team!!! Dawson was quoted at 8M, and Samba cost 12M. Hopefully Forren will be the solution, but something is wrong there for him not to get a look-in after 2 months.
One area where we need vast improvement is delivery from corners and free-kicks. Fox is probably the best, but having the left back taking corners on the right leaves the defence exposed to a fast break.
MP said the other day that 11 players were going to be absent during the international break, can't for the life of me think who they would be (U-21s and fringe players?), but I think it should be beneficial to springing a surprise on Chelski.
Sorry about the long post, but nice to discuss football topics in this section wih serious supporters, and leave the adolescent drivel to the forum. |
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Comment | Saints At Newcastle The Verdict
at 01:40:41
Before the season started, I suspect few would have expected to get anything from Newcastle away, so the fact that there is disappointment in the result says something. Newcastles goals all had something fortunate about them, either dodgy referee decision, or poor mistakes from our defenders (or combinations of both). However, we did score 2 goals, did manage to score first (again) and were able to battle back to 2-2. Unfortunately we shot ourselves in the foot to lose at the end.
On a positive front, relegation fodder teams typically don't score many goals, particularly away from home. We have enough quality to do this, the trouble is keeping them out at the other end. In this match, you have to give credit to Pardew. This was the first team we have played in the MoPo era that has been able to cope with, and counteract our pressing game. A combination of long balls played early, and also first time passes, or movement with the ball immediately upon receiving it. Newcastle have a lot of talented players, combined with the right tactics, and yet we only just lost to "avoidable" goals at the end.
Yes it is a concern we are still near the drop zone. Yes, QPR is a crunch game. Yes Hooiveld and Fox (and others) continue to make mistakes. But, I for one, based on what I see on the pitch, still think we have enough quality to avoid the drop (and hopefully with a few games to spare). Can we still get relegated, of course we can. We have to put in the performances on the pitch, but that is best achieved by being positive. |
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Comment | Saints V Manchester City The Verdict
at 12:32:05
The encouraging aspect of the new tactics is that if MCFC and MUFC (second half) can't cope with us, then teams down the bottom certainly won't be able to. Even with time to study or new actics, I don't see the liks of QPR and Reading being able to outwit MP.
The other important feature is by pressing high up the pitch, some of the less capable players in the squad have less pressure on them, and are puting in good/acceptable performances (Hooiveld, Fox). Also, Spider and Cork have been given more license to get forward, and both are looking a lot better for it (could do with some shooting practice though) |
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Comment | What Went On For Saints In The Transfer Window
at 22:26:07
Nick, I agree, we could do with a winger, but he would have to replace Puncheon, which would presumably be unpopular with many. Also, how much would one cost?
Personally, I think Puncheon will be moved on in the summer. He looked good earlier in the season, but only makes progress down the wing if Clyne is supporting. Otherwise, he doesn't have the pace to go to the byline and cross. Consequently, he often drifts inside, and goes nowhere. Occassionally, when he has enough space, he goes for goal and scores, but not often enough. I was glad to see him switch wings occasionally in recent games, but if we can get good money for him in the summer, I would be happy to see him replaced. |
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Comment | What Went On For Saints In The Transfer Window
at 22:19:58
I am more happy with the squad and transfer activity than some posters on here. We have spent over 30M on Boruc, Gazza, Clyne, Yoshida, Forren, Davis, Ramirez, J-Rod, and Mayuka. So that includes 2 centre backs, 2 GKs, and 2 forwards, which are the main areas slated that needed improvement.
I think Boruc is now proving to be adequate, and hopefully a fit Fonte and Forren will strengthen the back four.
There is only so much money to spend, and we have spent more than many other mid- to lower- PL teams. Also, I assume there is a wage structure to be respected. Also, I would like to think we will try and promote our academy players and give them a chance in the first team, as well as signing younger players.
We could have spent 6M on Butland in the summer, but would he have been experienced enough. Also, Ince is now valued at 8M, would he be worth that?
Yes there is a need for PL experience, but that comes at a high cost in either transfer fee and/or wages. Older players on the fringe of other teams, are often there for a reason, and no guarantee they would do a better job for us. One of the downsides of playing the youngsters, is that they sometimes make mistakes.
Many were calling out for a new LB early in the season. Would Butner have been better? One thing is certain, if Shaw wasn't getting a game with us, he would have gone to sit on the bench at Arsenal for a lot higher wages.
What concerns me more, and mentioned by others, is who in charge of transfers? How have we ended up with two unfit signings (Forren and Boruc), arguably a player not suited to the rigours of the PL in Ramirez, and we were supposedly going to sign another (Coutinho) for a small fortune, when he would likely not be suited to a PL relegation battle.
It is obvious that transfers are being made without the managers approval, or even involvement. If Reed is advising NC on this, he is incapable of accessing a players ability or suitability. It appears to me that players are being offered by agents, and the decisions are being taken by NC and LR. Why did we sign Mayuka? The cynic in me would also question why are we making big money signings in Italy?
In fact, Cortese's insular nature, and desire to run the show his way, is typical of persons who want to hide what they are doing. Maybe some dodgey dealings under the table.
Hopefully I am wrong, and Pocchetino will be more involved in this summers transfer dealings. The squad is good enough to avoid relegation. While the naysayers will shout about the points total, and games without wins, we are playing better than all the other teams down the bottom. Our new style and recent performances indicate that we will be more than OK. Have faith - City will be the next 3 points.
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Comment | Six Days That Decide The Season
at 11:54:31
Maybe a little dramatic. We are in good shape, lets be positive.
There are many still wanting reinforcement at GK and CB. While these were requirements in the summer, that is not the case now. Boruc has improved to an acceptable level and we have signed Forren. Fonte has also raised his game, and Yshida and Hooiveld kept a clean sheet in the last game. While we are far from being a good defensive unit, there is enough evidence that the current players can do the job, particularly with a new manager with a defensive pedigree.
New players always take time to gel, I would say we have sufficient defensive players, with adequate coaching, to see us to the end of the season. I would always welcome a major signing of a young and experienced CB, but I am not sure an journeyman is what we need right now.
While I agree, we need a sufficient level of experienced players to ensure our PL survival, I think that can be attained with our current squad and coaching.
Regarding the time until the end of the window, I think it is more important to move players on. We still have some L1 players at the club, and also some Championship players that will never realistically play for Saints in the PL. Assuming they didn't get promotion pay increases, they should be moved on to further their careers at clubs where they can play regularly.
While we still look frail defensively, the record is staring to look a lot better over the last 10 games. Fonte will soon be back, Forren adds options at CB, and Boruc is providing a more dominant presence at GK. At least I am optimistic that MP can tighten things up at the back.
As far as additions to the club are concerned. I am in favour of brining through the youngsters, and unless MP can bring in some quality Spanish players on the cheap - a la Michu, I would be happy to continue with the squad we have now.
It may be a risk to do so, but with the youngest squad in the PL, there is a vast difference in comparison with Aston Villa, whose youngsters (as a team) look out of their depth. I believe the Saints vision is to believe in the academy players, and to blood them in the PL. Will this do the job, only Cortese, MP and the future will tell. |
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