If Nigel Adkins had been reading this site for the last six months he would probably be saying "I see his point"

Some people have accused me during this season of having vendettas against several players, they tell me I have been unfair in my criticism and that they would much rather go on the opinions of those more qualified than myself.

This site aims to do what accred9ted media outlets cannot do and that is be blunt, of course on the official website you are going to get nothing in a match report other than club spin and i dont have a problem with that, even the media who cover Saints games have to be very careful in what they write, I dont mean that from what has happened at St Mary's this season with the Echo & photographers, although that is a consideration, but in general if a local journalist cricicises individual players then he could find that player will refuse to talk to him or even the whole squad and that will make his life very difficult.

I dont have such constraints, so i can tell it how it is.

Over the season i have repeatably expressed my concern about our goalkeeper, I have backed this up with facts and statistics, pointed out that our goals let in to shots on target is horrendous and compared other teams tactiics against us and pointed out that in this league its not about shot stopping for a keeper, but command of the box.

At Tranmere all of my points were illustrated in graphic detail, the home side had two shots on target, exactly the number of goals scored, the first goal should have been a routine catch for Kelvin Davis, the ball was headed up about 30 feet in the air, Fonte had cleverly held off his man, it just needed the keeper to come out under no pressure and get it on the edge of his own six yard box, he didnt and a goal was the result.

The official site said it was hesitation between Fonte & Davis, nothing of the sort, the central dfender had done his bit and had every right to expect his keeper to come and get the ball

The second goal was almost as bad in its comedy value,  their man 40 yards out latched on to a ball and seeing Davis hopefully out of position curled a shot from long range into the goal, the shot in truth didnt have much power just accuracy and it left Davis looking silly ashe scrambled in vain.

Promotion isnt won by beating sides at home or even the odd good win, its achieved on grounds like Prenton Park where you have to face down a pumped up home side, draw their sting and then dominate, schoolboy errors like this let the opposition get on top and put hesitation in our play.

Perhaps Nigel got his team selection wrong also, why the change at left back, good teams dont tinker too much, they find a winning formation at the back and keep to it, it took long enough for the manager to recognise certain flaws, why keep repeating them, I can see why he pushed Dickson in midfield, but he is a full back, when you have selection problems its basics to just slot a man into the problem position, it compounds potenial for problems if you switch around a bit.

Adkins did have options, he could have played Butterfield out wide, he could have played Guly there and actually started the man who has looked our best striker in every game he has played in the past two months bar none, he could even have used Gobern.

Another worrying trait is our failure to use substitutes, only Barnard came on in a game where we were woeful at 2-0 down and nothing to lose why wasnt caution thrown to the wind, Butterfield or Gobern could have been used, even Doble, this being just the sort of game where youngsters can make a name for themselves, but we seemed content to lose with a wimper and not a bang.

This wasnt a total disaster performance, Davis didnt have another save to make apart from the goals, we were quite tight at the back, we just lacked leadership and direction with the ball being pumped aimlessly too often, we had our chances with their keeper making several smart saves, indeed compare our stats of 6 on target and 9 off to theirs of 2 on target and 3 off and we were not without chances, but once again it was the problem I have highlighted all season, too many of the opposition chances go in and not enough of ours do.

If Bart Bialkowski is not the answer then I would suggest we find someone who is pretty fast, otherwise this season will become groundhog day pretty fast.          

Photo: Action Images

St_Guido added 09:59 - Jan 24 100% with you on the 'keeper issue Nick, Davis is a liability in terms of commanding his box. Also, I've always liked Bart & just don't understand why he only gets scraps for opportunites.
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eusebio added 11:04 - Jan 24 "If Nigel Adkins had been reading this site for the last six months he would probably be saying "I see his point" " or what a bunch of sad losers
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geezershoong added 11:13 - Jan 24 While you are obviously entitles to your opinion, I doubt very much a qualified football manager will look back over your site & say 'Ohhh, that's where I'm going wrong.' Talk about blowing your own.
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Rednose added 11:27 - Jan 24 It appears to me that the team perhaps had their minds elsewhere, more focus on the home match against Man U. As far as I'm concerned the league is first and foremost, but at this stage of the season, one win away from second spot with a game in hand on the two above us, I think a bit of slack should be given. 76 was fantastic for us Saints fans. I was 11 and remember how big winning the FA cup was. Saints fans still love the fact we beat Man U back then and a potential upset this Saturday would be a fantastic boost for us. You've only got to look at the JPC win to see how success can be built on a good cup run. Perhaps NA understands that and feels this Saturday will be the catalyst for a successful final push to the end of the season. A win or just a good performance would do wonders for the team’s mental strength, a bad performance or worse, a no-show would do the opposite. For winning the league I feel we’re in a great position just need to get this transferee window over and the team settled again, I agree the keeper needs to be more commanding and take responsibility in the box, after all he gets the flack if we lose a goal. Dave Merrington rates Kelvin, so he can't be that bad, perhaps he needs a bit of a gee up, dropped, or more politically correct to say a rest, starting at Exeter on Tuesday night.

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bstokesaint added 12:22 - Jan 24 I don't think Kelvin Davis is 100% to blame for our problems. The first goal was definitely a keeper error, but the second was a very classy finish by a very talented youngster. Fine give Bart a chance, but the reason we didn't win on Saturday was because we lacked a cutting edge.
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hortonsaint added 12:46 - Jan 24 Somewhat dramatic to say that keeping faith with Davis virtually writes off our promotion chances. I debated this at length earlier in the season and yes I concede that Davis' hestitency and lack of command of the box is a problem. However whilst the first goal was indeed appalling I'd say the second was a fluke-you state that Davis was out of position-I'd debate that as the strike was 40 yards out and the shot was totally out of the blue-it happens!!. The shots to goals ratio I don't know about- though I don't recall many shot stopping errors this season. Personally I'm more concerned about the overall performance and our inability to win without AL

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eusebio added 12:49 - Jan 24 The AL refernce is a good one. We look half the team when he is not playing as much as anything the energy levels which do seem to rub off on others. We are very lucky to have him on a long term contract which I hope he sees out with us
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StrasbourgSaint added 13:02 - Jan 24 I agree with bstoke saint but do think a 'rest' would now do both KD and BB a favour. Also agree about the lack of substitutions. The situation was crying out for Oxo to get subbed and to try Butterfield ahead of Richardson. However, with AL injured and Punch in a strop, the Harding/Dixon combo was spot on.
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sholingred added 18:23 - Jan 24 Carry on with davis,we kiss goodbye to promotion,as simple as that nigel.
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rjh added 21:12 - Jan 24 Yet another match which simply highlights how much Lallana is key. Without him we are a different team.
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daveysaint added 21:35 - Jan 24 Biggest thing for me of late has been... oxo...linked with super stardom...his performances dip slightly no llalana...no imagination or cutting edge no hammond (i know he gets some stick but...) ...no discipline
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misterg added 12:26 - Jan 25 I totally agree with the article. Kelvin has had so many chances and as far as I am concerned is a loser ! OK we won the JPT but as I remember he didn't play in any of the rounds except the final where he still spilt the first shot he had. I am sure Nigel Adkins is well aware of the situation. Lets hope if Bart plays in the Man U game he does well and is kept in for the rest of the season. I think then we may have a realistic chance of automatic promotion. I fear with Kelvin it will all end in tears. Not sure where Merrington is coming from on this one he normally speaks a bit of sense ! I wonder whether he would feel the same if he was his manager not just a good friend

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sidsaint added 16:34 - Jan 25 Agree with all who say we are a different side without Lallana, and has Lambert some clause which says he can't be substituted and always has to start. Some games he is so off the pace, hides and doesn't appear to bother. Nowhere near the player of last year.
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