Saints face defensive dilemma (From Daily Echo)

mbetts wrote:
Good time to have a break this weekend, hopefully we can buck our recent trend after having a week off and come out the traps firing with a few of the players that are injured with niggling injuries back in the team, I know you shouldn't change a winning team but adding Shaw and Ramirez to the team that played city and we're good to go for the final push towards safety

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

db_3 wrote:
I never thought Fonte was good enough for the PL. I see him as a second string player now.

saint in dordogne wrote:
saints have 12 games left with a possible 36 points if we win all of them we would have more points then liverpool had last season that just got them a place in europe so you never know mirecles do happen!!!!!!!

db_3 wrote:
I never thought Fonte was good enough for the PL. I see him as a second string player now.

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

Puddletown Saint wrote:
Good article Echo. Lets have a debate about the Saints starting XI if all fit. Mine would be; Boruc Clyne Shaw Fonte Forren Cork Spider Punch Adam Jay Rickie Gazza Fox Yos JWP Gaston Maka and S Davis Gaston just seems a bit of luxury at the moment. Your thoughts.

Strasbourg Saint wrote:

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

Exactly what I was thinking, SaintySaintSaint. I wonder why some people bother.

Tongdii wrote:

Strasbourg Saint wrote:

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

Exactly what I was thinking, SaintySaintSaint. I wonder why some people bother.

Funny how some people like Guly & fox go through life being damned if they do, & damned if they don't.

My brother suffers the same infliction.

Last year on a hot summers day his next door neighbour decided she would sunbathe in the nude in her back garden.

It wasn't long before the police knocked on my brothers door as the woman next door had complained he was a Peeping Tom

A few weeks later my brother decided to sunbathe in the nude on a hot summers day only for the police to knock on his door as the woman next door had complained he was Exposing himself.

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

warrens 76 wrote:

Tongdii wrote:

Strasbourg Saint wrote:

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

Exactly what I was thinking, SaintySaintSaint. I wonder why some people bother.

Funny how some people like Guly & fox go through life being damned if they do, & damned if they don't.

My brother suffers the same infliction.

Last year on a hot summers day his next door neighbour decided she would sunbathe in the nude in her back garden.

It wasn't long before the police knocked on my brothers door as the woman next door had complained he was a Peeping Tom

A few weeks later my brother decided to sunbathe in the nude on a hot summers day only for the police to knock on his door as the woman next door had complained he was Exposing himself.

That woman for you..never satisfied!

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
DEUX

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

He has been poor for the majority of the season, and when he's been mediocre we've all turned cartwheels! I think Stoke was probably his best, but even in that game he missed a good opportunity.

Gazzman wrote:
I don't know why I keep torturing myself by looking at some of the rubbish on here, it would be interesting to know how many actually go to all the games or are either plastic fans or die hard radio Solent listeners, firstly those who keep saying keep to the present team that's winning and how formidable JWP is good one, he is not 1st choice he's been on the bench since the new manager came in, and for all the Guly haters look at the stats and see his goal ratio to the amount of games he has played and compare it to others with the same amount of games. Just to help some of you St Mary's is off Northam Rd and Saints play in the red shirts, so see you next time Saints play one of the top teams

SaintZed wrote:
For me Jos is too slow, yes he did well against ManC, but if you look at the goal we conceeded at ManU both imo were his fault. I'm not talking about his running speed over 10-50yards but his movement and speed of thought in the first 2-3yards. He is constantly caught out and whilst it wasn't an issue in the Championship at this level it is far too evident.

Also, Fox was at fault for the goal we conceeded against ManC. Firstly he completely misjudged the ball to him from the corner and then when ManC broke away he ran back (making it look like he was trying) only to give up leaving Clyne to cover both the middle and flank. I don't think its related to his fitness as it was still in the first half, I think he just can't be bothered and gives up far too easily. There is evidence of this earlier in the season against West Brom where he did the exact same, after this game NA dropped him for Shaw.

For me its got to be Fonte and Shaw to replace Jos and Fox.

SaintZed wrote:
For me Jos is too slow, yes he did well against ManC, but if you look at the goal we conceeded at ManU both imo were his fault. I'm not talking about his running speed over 10-50yards but his movement and speed of thought in the first 2-3yards. He is constantly caught out and whilst it wasn't an issue in the Championship at this level it is far too evident.

Also, Fox was at fault for the goal we conceeded against ManC. Firstly he completely misjudged the ball to him from the corner and then when ManC broke away he ran back (making it look like he was trying) only to give up leaving Clyne to cover both the middle and flank. I don't think its related to his fitness as it was still in the first half, I think he just can't be bothered and gives up far too easily. There is evidence of this earlier in the season against West Brom where he did the exact same, after this game NA dropped him for Shaw.

For me its got to be Fonte and Shaw to replace Jos and Fox.

only1chopper wrote:
I think with more competition for the position of CB, that could be a reason for hoovers impressive performances, plus yoshida i think is going to be playing along side Forren, once match fit, for the foreseeable future. With Clyne and Shaw at full back, we have a solid back 4. Cork and Spider protecting them, our forward quartet can push on and get the goals.
the effect our new manager has had so far has really been encouraging, by all accounts, he had espanyol playing the same kind of way before he had all his best players sold, and he is having the same effect on saints. Our squad players will start to also benefit on his fitness programme, which it pains me to say Guly. I admit I am not his greatest fan, but if Poch can get the best out of him, then i will be almost pro team Guly.

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

He has been poor for the majority of the season, and when he's been mediocre we've all turned cartwheels! I think Stoke was probably his best, but even in that game he missed a good opportunity.

Clever Dick wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

Tongdii wrote:

Strasbourg Saint wrote:

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

Exactly what I was thinking, SaintySaintSaint. I wonder why some people bother.

Funny how some people like Guly & fox go through life being damned if they do, & damned if they don't.

My brother suffers the same infliction.

Last year on a hot summers day his next door neighbour decided she would sunbathe in the nude in her back garden.

It wasn't long before the police knocked on my brothers door as the woman next door had complained he was a Peeping Tom

A few weeks later my brother decided to sunbathe in the nude on a hot summers day only for the police to knock on his door as the woman next door had complained he was Exposing himself.

That woman for you..never satisfied!

That's true equality at work!!

warrens 76 wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Sainty saint saint wrote:

Dazzler79 wrote:
Not really a Dilemma.
Keep same def apart from Fox who is not upto scratch anyway. Shaw will be back.
Couldn't give a toss about Guly being back as well,like playing with 10 men with him.
Quite easy team selection really!!

Some people just can't give a guy a break can they. Guly played really well the last couple of games he was involved in, but that won't ever be good enough for some people...

He has been poor for the majority of the season, and when he's been mediocre we've all turned cartwheels! I think Stoke was probably his best, but even in that game he missed a good opportunity.

Once again BbB I find myself agreeing with you...

....in recent games he has certainly tried, however every team has people who 'try' my sunday team had people who try....

....Guly offends people because he is one of tose players who flatters to deceive...

..players of lesser talent can be forgiven because they can only work with what they have got..

Guly continually misses sitters ( for a quality player) and just is not up for it the way for example Davis is who probably has less natural ability..

Trying harder for the last few games does not cut it, the commitment and desire when pulling on our shirt should be a given, period...

and with his inherent talent and everyones else's tooth and claw attitude
he should be so much more and deep down the fans sense that....

..however if his commitment becomes absolute and he starts scoring and not bottlng I will certainly support him..he a'int there by a long shot though.

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
The thing to bear in mind about Mancini's comments is that he is literally dancing for his job. City's European expedition was a total unmitigated disaster and the club's Premiership aspirations all but evaporated on Saturday.

Now he's left with some angry owners who have pumped a lot of money into the club and probably expected another title and maybe Champions league success. Bertie has to think on his feet and come up with any plausible excuse! Remember Jose Mourhinio looks like he's had his fill of Spain and is making serious noises about returning to the Premiership. Don't be surprised to see City get him. Bertie should be worried!

Puddletown Saint wrote:
Good article Echo. Lets have a debate about the Saints starting XI if all fit. Mine would be;

Boruc Clyne Shaw Fonte Forren Cork Spider Punch Adam Jay Rickie

Gazza Fox Yos JWP Gaston Maka and S Davis

Gaston just seems a bit of luxury at the moment. Your thoughts.

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Grief! Anyone would think we had just been stuffed by QPR.

Together as one, no?

I just tried listing the current 25-man squad. I think I got it right (Ben Reeves slipped in at 25).

I don't think any of the 25 has let us down this season. All of them have done something good and something bad. Criticise Fox and you have to mention Shaw's lapse at Wigan; mention Guly and you have to question JayRod's chance/conversion rate. All 3 goalies have played their part (Davis made 2 penalty saves early on), all have blundered.

Let's support all of them in this sometimes frustrating but ultimately pivotal season. We can wait until May before looking at where the strengthening needs to happen for that next step - European domination.

saint_rednwhite wrote:
Disagree with views on fox - he's done really well against both manchester clubs defensively. Amazing really... once a left back actually plays left back he performs, wherea's under Nigel seem to have to play left wing and we were all wondering... where's our left back gone!!!

Superbe stuff saints!! 4 pts from next 2 will be excellent...

Confucious wrote:

Puddletown Saint wrote:
Good article Echo. Lets have a debate about the Saints starting XI if all fit. Mine would be;

Boruc Clyne Shaw Fonte Forren Cork Spider Punch Adam Jay Rickie

Gazza Fox Yos JWP Gaston Maka and S Davis

Gaston just seems a bit of luxury at the moment. Your thoughts.

Great - not often I'm asked for my thoughts mate.

If the problem is that the best team selection is written down on a list locked in the club safe - and the combination number for the safe is also locked in the safe - I don't really know the solution to that.

However, I do think Guly should be rested longer if he's injured or if he last night he dreamed he was a butterfly and then woke up this morning and wondered if he was in fact a butterfly dreaming it was a footballer.

Mauricio would also be well advised to tell the players in no uncertain terms that life isn't all beer and skittles. I haven't touched a skittle for thirty years and I've done really well.

The entire squad also needs to realise that a footballer's life can be both boring and dangerous at the same time. At any time as they run towards goal there could be a massive earthquake which swallows them up. But of course that never seems to happen and that makes it rather boring. Instead the players should retain a burning ambition to be what they were when they wanted to be what they are now.

saint in dordogne wrote:
saints have 12 games left with a possible 36 points if we win all of them we would have more points then liverpool had last season that just got them a place in europe so you never know mirecles do happen!!!!!!!

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Fox has shown himself to be more than adequate to be cover for Luke Shaw. There is no point in signing an expensive LB on big wages who will have to wait 20 years for his chance to replace Shaw!

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Grief! Anyone would think we had just been stuffed by QPR. Together as one, no? I just tried listing the current 25-man squad. I think I got it right (Ben Reeves slipped in at 25). I don't think any of the 25 has let us down this season. All of them have done something good and something bad. Criticise Fox and you have to mention Shaw's lapse at Wigan; mention Guly and you have to question JayRod's chance/conversion rate. All 3 goalies have played their part (Davis made 2 penalty saves early on), all have blundered. Let's support all of them in this sometimes frustrating but ultimately pivotal season. We can wait until May before looking at where the strengthening needs to happen for that next step - European domination.

Dubai-saints89 wrote:
Tough on Fonte as Hoovield has been on form (surprisingly considering his woeful start at the beginning). extremely impressed with Yoshida. hes getting to grips with the English game. feel bad for forren. so highly rated back in noway i want to see him in action. fox played well against citeh but rather have shaw in his place any day.

Gazzman wrote:
I don't know why I keep torturing myself by looking at some of the rubbish on here, it would be interesting to know how many actually go to all the games or are either plastic fans or die hard radio Solent listeners, firstly those who keep saying keep to the present team that's winning and how formidable JWP is good one, he is not 1st choice he's been on the bench since the new manager came in, and for all the Guly haters look at the stats and see his goal ratio to the amount of games he has played and compare it to others with the same amount of games. Just to help some of you St Mary's is off Northam Rd and Saints play in the red shirts, so see you next time Saints play one of the top teams

franiow wrote:
Fox has performed when we have needed him, but is clearly not our first choice. Don't blame him for the City goal because the ref ran across him for the corner (must have been a distraction). Every player makes mistakes sometime. Guly is a good player and too many ignore that and remember his misses. Lambert, JRod and Puncheon all missed on Saturday. Suspect Fonte will be back when fit. Not sure about Forren...does Poch rate him?

milton road wrote:
Lol Billythe saint, now work it out with Hoov at the back.

Gazzman wrote:
I don't know why I keep torturing myself by looking at some of the rubbish on here, it would be interesting to know how many actually go to all the games or are either plastic fans or die hard radio Solent listeners, firstly those who keep saying keep to the present team that's winning and how formidable JWP is good one, he is not 1st choice he's been on the bench since the new manager came in, and for all the Guly haters look at the stats and see his goal ratio to the amount of games he has played and compare it to others with the same amount of games. Just to help some of you St Mary's is off Northam Rd and Saints play in the red shirts, so see you next time Saints play one of the top teams

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Grief! Anyone would think we had just been stuffed by QPR.

Together as one, no?

I just tried listing the current 25-man squad. I think I got it right (Ben Reeves slipped in at 25).

I don't think any of the 25 has let us down this season. All of them have done something good and something bad. Criticise Fox and you have to mention Shaw's lapse at Wigan; mention Guly and you have to question JayRod's chance/conversion rate. All 3 goalies have played their part (Davis made 2 penalty saves early on), all have blundered.

Let's support all of them in this sometimes frustrating but ultimately pivotal season. We can wait until May before looking at where the strengthening needs to happen for that next step - European domination.

st1halo wrote:

Gazzman wrote:
I don't know why I keep torturing myself by looking at some of the rubbish on here, it would be interesting to know how many actually go to all the games or are either plastic fans or die hard radio Solent listeners, firstly those who keep saying keep to the present team that's winning and how formidable JWP is good one, he is not 1st choice he's been on the bench since the new manager came in, and for all the Guly haters look at the stats and see his goal ratio to the amount of games he has played and compare it to others with the same amount of games. Just to help some of you St Mary's is off Northam Rd and Saints play in the red shirts, so see you next time Saints play one of the top teams

We are humbled by your wroth oh wise one!

Please enlighten us so that we are worthy of your approval!

CHAPS! THE ORACLE IS HERE!

Our ignorance will be torn from us by this great and powerful sage!

Over to you Bamber!


STID

Ontario Saint wrote:
Great to have the players we have, It is no wonder MP recognized the talent he had at his disposal and did not need to rock the boat by bringing in 3-4 new players in January.
MP has already shown us that he has the ability to get 100 percent from the TEAM he picks and he has the ability to bring out the best in each player,
With this in mind we don\t need to slag off ALL of the players who have been so much a part of the Clubs success over the past 3 years.
We are so lucky to have the Fonte, Guly Fox Hooveild all who have contributed so much to the success we had under Nigel.
All of them deserve the opportunity to prove themselves under MP and I am sure MP will make the right decisions where the selection of the team is concerned.
I have little doubt that next season we will be a top 6 club and MP will be one of the top Managers in Europe with a very unified Saints Club .
Give the players and the squad the support they have earned and deserve....all of them have ability and without doubt the Club has the potential to become one of the elite teams in Europe! People that slag off the players who have been part of our success make me want to puke!

Puddletown Saint wrote:
Good article Echo. Lets have a debate about the Saints starting XI if all fit. Mine would be; Boruc Clyne Shaw Fonte Forren Cork Spider Punch Adam Jay Rickie Gazza Fox Yos JWP Gaston Maka and S Davis Gaston just seems a bit of luxury at the moment. Your thoughts.

SO50 Saint wrote:
st1 i've read that a few times and I still don't get what he's getting at at all. In one breath he's saying a team that's beaten the current champs aren't good enough. Then having a go at a young CM who can't get in the first team but does well off the bench and thirdly he has a go at Guly haters and quotes his goals per game when he hasn't scored for over a year (not having a go at Guly) Also the fact that he says the ground is off Northam Road thought it was Britannia Road

Clever Dick wrote:

saint_rednwhite wrote: Disagree with views on fox - he's done really well against both manchester clubs defensively. Amazing really... once a left back actually plays left back he performs, wherea's under Nigel seem to have to play left wing and we were all wondering... where's our left back gone!!! Superbe stuff saints!! 4 pts from next 2 will be excellent...

Fox gives his all every game. He may only be fringe Premiership but he puts his body on the line. He has a sweet left foot and is a good squad player. We get an endless stream of supposed supporters knocking the players on here. Those same Fox knockers seem to turn a blind eye when Shaw costs us two points against Stoke. Nothing against Shaw 'cos he looks a fantastic player. Just saying that all players make mistakes at times.

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

Ontario Saint wrote:
Great to have the players we have, It is no wonder MP recognized the talent he had at his disposal and did not need to rock the boat by bringing in 3-4 new players in January.
MP has already shown us that he has the ability to get 100 percent from the TEAM he picks and he has the ability to bring out the best in each player,
With this in mind we don\t need to slag off ALL of the players who have been so much a part of the Clubs success over the past 3 years.
We are so lucky to have the Fonte, Guly Fox Hooveild all who have contributed so much to the success we had under Nigel.
All of them deserve the opportunity to prove themselves under MP and I am sure MP will make the right decisions where the selection of the team is concerned.
I have little doubt that next season we will be a top 6 club and MP will be one of the top Managers in Europe with a very unified Saints Club .
Give the players and the squad the support they have earned and deserve....all of them have ability and without doubt the Club has the potential to become one of the elite teams in Europe! People that slag off the players who have been part of our success make me want to puke!

That.

When a player becomes out of his depth, say Hammond and Harding, what is wrong with thanking them and wishing them all the very best for their future? Some seem to have to hate them for some reason. Do you know there is a facebook page dedicated to hating Guly, I just can't understand that.

lemon cake wrote:

mbetts wrote:
Good time to have a break this weekend, hopefully we can buck our recent trend after having a week off and come out the traps firing with a few of the players that are injured with niggling injuries back in the team, I know you shouldn't change a winning team but adding Shaw and Ramirez to the team that played city and we're good to go for the final push towards safety

Tonight i shall be supporting Hartlepool....come on you 'Monkey hangers' stick another nail in the pompey coffin.

Puddletown Saint wrote:
Good article Echo. Lets have a debate about the Saints starting XI if all fit. Mine would be;

Boruc Clyne Shaw Fonte Forren Cork Spider Punch Adam Jay Rickie

Gazza Fox Yos JWP Gaston Maka and S Davis

Gaston just seems a bit of luxury at the moment. Your thoughts.

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

miltonarcher wrote:

Puddletown Saint wrote: Good article Echo. Lets have a debate about the Saints starting XI if all fit. Mine would be; Boruc Clyne Shaw Fonte Forren Cork Spider Punch Adam Jay Rickie Gazza Fox Yos JWP Gaston Maka and S Davis Gaston just seems a bit of luxury at the moment. Your thoughts.

Have you seen Forren play????

milton road wrote:
Seed agree 100%
All these players helped us get promoted and all scored vital goals or gave assists.
I want to see how players perform under MP. because J Rod and Davies for example are playing far better now. It was only a few weeks ago everyone was groaning about Davies but i think he has been very important in the last three games for example. J Rod is becoming a better player with each game and at last is beginning to show potential.
We are at a stage when if Adam and Fonte etc are out we are not struggling.
The first 10 games this season were a real struggle, you cannot compare statistics of one CB without the other its not a fair reflection.
Fonte really came to terms with the game after that period. I think what the first 10 games proved is that Fonte and Hoov struggle as a partnership, they get turned too easily at this level but either can play with Yos who is more fluid.
Jack and Morgan give that steel and creativity in midfield. In my opinion and all this is only that, we played better at OT and Wigan when Davies came on at halftime, coincidence or not. he also was a very important factor on saturday.
The way we play now is refreshing and exciting.

st1halo wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
st1 i've read that a few times and I still don't get what he's getting at at all. In one breath he's saying a team that's beaten the current champs aren't good enough. Then having a go at a young CM who can't get in the first team but does well off the bench and thirdly he has a go at Guly haters and quotes his goals per game when he hasn't scored for over a year (not having a go at Guly) Also the fact that he says the ground is off Northam Road thought it was Britannia Road

Guess he just likes to feel superior for some strange reason.
To me it doesn't matter whether someone has supported the club for 5 mins, 5 yrs or 50 years, whether they go to games, listen to games or watch on the tv, whether they are a box ticket holder, season ticket holder or just occasional visitor. All Saints fans are just that and entitled to their opinion. I've been going since the late 60's as a boy, and even though I go to the games I still record them, come home and watch again as I can see more. My opinion isn't any more valid than someone who started going last week!
People like Strassie, Mush and warrens live abroad, how can they get to every game? Are they any less of a fan? They have as much passion as anyone else. I'm not usually rude about people unless they are skates but Gazzman is talking from his @rse!

STID

Stnana wrote:

Clever Dick wrote:

saint_rednwhite wrote: Disagree with views on fox - he's done really well against both manchester clubs defensively. Amazing really... once a left back actually plays left back he performs, wherea's under Nigel seem to have to play left wing and we were all wondering... where's our left back gone!!! Superbe stuff saints!! 4 pts from next 2 will be excellent...

Fox gives his all every game. He may only be fringe Premiership but he puts his body on the line. He has a sweet left foot and is a good squad player. We get an endless stream of supposed supporters knocking the players on here. Those same Fox knockers seem to turn a blind eye when Shaw costs us two points against Stoke. Nothing against Shaw 'cos he looks a fantastic player. Just saying that all players make mistakes at times.

Yesterday there were posts on here about Saints making more effort to engage with youngsters, has no one noticed how Fox gets the fans in the family stand going when he takes a corner. I haven't noticed any other player making any effort to engage with the kids here.On another subject have any of you noticed any bias by South Today towards Reading?

Stnana wrote:

Clever Dick wrote:

saint_rednwhite wrote: Disagree with views on fox - he's done really well against both manchester clubs defensively. Amazing really... once a left back actually plays left back he performs, wherea's under Nigel seem to have to play left wing and we were all wondering... where's our left back gone!!! Superbe stuff saints!! 4 pts from next 2 will be excellent...

Fox gives his all every game. He may only be fringe Premiership but he puts his body on the line. He has a sweet left foot and is a good squad player. We get an endless stream of supposed supporters knocking the players on here. Those same Fox knockers seem to turn a blind eye when Shaw costs us two points against Stoke. Nothing against Shaw 'cos he looks a fantastic player. Just saying that all players make mistakes at times.

Yesterday there were posts on here about Saints making more effort to engage with youngsters, has no one noticed how Fox gets the fans in the family stand going when he takes a corner. I haven't noticed any other player making any effort to engage with the kids here.On another subject have any of you noticed any bias by South Today towards Reading?

Blandford Saints wrote:
Forren is left sided, so not replcement for Jose. Picture is not Hooiveld!,

Good report??!!

allsaintsnocurves wrote:

Blandford Saints wrote:
Forren is left sided, so not replcement for Jose. Picture is not Hooiveld!,

Good report??!!

It would be harsh to drop Hooiveld after establishing himself really well with Yoshida but Fonte had done the same before injury. Forren could be a gem in the making but we don't need to rush him into the side unless a player under performs. I would bring Fonte back in only as he is captain and drop Hooiveld to the bench.

It is healthy competition and Saints need this at the back so great to see. Pardew will know how to exploit the weaknesses in the Saints team so I think this will be a tough game but if Saints play as well as they did in the 2nd half against United we could get something out of it. A draw would be a great result though!

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

JohnItaly wrote:

allsaintsnocurves wrote:

Blandford Saints wrote:
Forren is left sided, so not replcement for Jose. Picture is not Hooiveld!,

Good report??!!

It would be harsh to drop Hooiveld after establishing himself really well with Yoshida but Fonte had done the same before injury. Forren could be a gem in the making but we don't need to rush him into the side unless a player under performs. I would bring Fonte back in only as he is captain and drop Hooiveld to the bench.

It is healthy competition and Saints need this at the back so great to see. Pardew will know how to exploit the weaknesses in the Saints team so I think this will be a tough game but if Saints play as well as they did in the 2nd half against United we could get something out of it. A draw would be a great result though!

It could be argued that the "weaknesses in the Saints team" was down to NA's team selection, tactics and substitutions. Under MP these "weaknesses" appear to have been eliminated so AP will have a whole new set of problems to overcome when the two teams meet. Play as we have over the past 4 games and Newcastle will need to be at their best to get anything out of the game. COYR.

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

saintysaintsaint wrote:
Once Ramirez is fully fit, I reckon we'll be unbeatable

Boruc

Clyne Yoshida Forren Shaw

Schneiderlin Cork
Puncheon Ramirez Lallana

Lambert

Subs: Gazza, Fox, Fonte, JWP, Davis, J-Rod, Mayuka

Looks pretty decent to me

Hobson82 wrote:
Jose will deifnatley have a battle on his hands to get his position back. Jos and Maya look solid at the moment. Does everyone know that Jos can speak Japanese? True story.

billythesaint wrote:

saintysaintsaint wrote:
Once Ramirez is fully fit, I reckon we'll be unbeatable

Boruc

Clyne Yoshida Forren Shaw

Schneiderlin Cork
Puncheon Ramirez Lallana

Lambert

Subs: Gazza, Fox, Fonte, JWP, Davis, J-Rod, Mayuka

Looks pretty decent to me

Now, that's our best team, agreed.

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

I agree with you... theoretically. But if you have a look at his stats in the last 4 games and his style of football... I think he is winning a spot in Pochie's heart. Lallana and Gaston are more skillful and, in my opinion, better football players, but they may not fit so well within the "new regime".
And Puncheon is doing really well.
Lallana will have to up his game (more pace, more pressing) even more in the near future if he wants to play. And he will. I think we haven't seen the best Lallana yet.

Alicesdad wrote:

billythesaint wrote:

saintysaintsaint wrote:
Once Ramirez is fully fit, I reckon we'll be unbeatable

Boruc

Clyne Yoshida Forren Shaw

Schneiderlin Cork
Puncheon Ramirez Lallana

Lambert

Subs: Gazza, Fox, Fonte, JWP, Davis, J-Rod, Mayuka

Looks pretty decent to me

Now, that's our best team, agreed.

Looks amazing team but Ill reserve judgement until I see Forren actually play. So I'd put Jose back in. Other than that - spot on.

St Retford wrote:
Well I'd just like to wish Pompey good luck ahead of their bid to break their record for consecutive losses tonight. It's not going to be easy because Hartlepool are absolutely dire, but I've every faith in them.

FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS!

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

I agree with you... theoretically. But if you have a look at his stats in the last 4 games and his style of football... I think he is winning a spot in Pochie's heart. Lallana and Gaston are more skillful and, in my opinion, better football players, but they may not fit so well within the "new regime".
And Puncheon is doing really well.
Lallana will have to up his game (more pace, more pressing) even more in the near future if he wants to play. And he will. I think we haven't seen the best Lallana yet.

You know whilst I really like Lallana i have to say that even last season he did suffer from a touch too many syndrome....

... also reminiscent of the early Giggs his final ball more often than not let him/us down..

...also he has more nearly goals to his credit than any other player..

His game is about 3-5% from being otherworldly.. ergo I do not want him to be another Joe Cole...

MoPo will either make him or break him..the former would be utterly sensational for all concerned.

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

I agree with you... theoretically. But if you have a look at his stats in the last 4 games and his style of football... I think he is winning a spot in Pochie's heart. Lallana and Gaston are more skillful and, in my opinion, better football players, but they may not fit so well within the "new regime".
And Puncheon is doing really well.
Lallana will have to up his game (more pace, more pressing) even more in the near future if he wants to play. And he will. I think we haven't seen the best Lallana yet.

You know whilst I really like Lallana i have to say that even last season he did suffer from a touch too many syndrome....

... also reminiscent of the early Giggs his final ball more often than not let him/us down..

...also he has more nearly goals to his credit than any other player..

His game is about 3-5% from being otherworldly.. ergo I do not want him to be another Joe Cole...

MoPo will either make him or break him..the former would be utterly sensational for all concerned.

Now we agree both theoretically and practically. I think he has been too comfortable in the last years, being head and shoulders above everyone else. Agree on the break or make, although I am optimistic and think it will be "make". He reminds me of the younger Messi, great talent but never finishing what he started creating lots of chances for the rest of the team but missing his. Until he learned.

right back in the bar wrote:
Need to keep some perspective here. I am as enthused as anyone else about the tranformation in our performances but I draw the line at all this talk of Hooiveld being a shoe in at centre half. For me he is the weak link in the team and Fonte should get his place back immediately assuming he is fully fit. Not so sure about AL - JRod or Davis would have to step down and both were superb against City. Nice problem to have. To my mind Gaston is the player who has to work hardest to get his place back in the starting line up.

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

I agree with you... theoretically. But if you have a look at his stats in the last 4 games and his style of football... I think he is winning a spot in Pochie's heart. Lallana and Gaston are more skillful and, in my opinion, better football players, but they may not fit so well within the "new regime".
And Puncheon is doing really well.
Lallana will have to up his game (more pace, more pressing) even more in the near future if he wants to play. And he will. I think we haven't seen the best Lallana yet.

You know whilst I really like Lallana i have to say that even last season he did suffer from a touch too many syndrome....

... also reminiscent of the early Giggs his final ball more often than not let him/us down..

...also he has more nearly goals to his credit than any other player..

His game is about 3-5% from being otherworldly.. ergo I do not want him to be another Joe Cole...

MoPo will either make him or break him..the former would be utterly sensational for all concerned.

Now we agree both theoretically and practically. I think he has been too comfortable in the last years, being head and shoulders above everyone else. Agree on the break or make, although I am optimistic and think it will be "make". He reminds me of the younger Messi, great talent but never finishing what he started creating lots of chances for the rest of the team but missing his. Until he learned.

Together as one!

Velleity wrote:
Ref Guly.

Lots of people seem to like him (I do) and lots don't.

Why don't we all agree that if he doesn't get picked by our fine, clearly inspirational, manager we'll accept that there may be something some of us are missing. He'll be being passed on by a team of people much better informed that all of us put together.

Equally, if he is played again, let's all accept the same. There must be something some of us are missing.

However, if he DOES end up on the pitch, every single one of us should hound any boo-ers out of St Marys with pointed sticks and furious vengeance.

Confucious wrote:
Jos or Jose or Yosh? When you look at it there's really not much in it.

warrens 76 wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

I agree with you... theoretically. But if you have a look at his stats in the last 4 games and his style of football... I think he is winning a spot in Pochie's heart. Lallana and Gaston are more skillful and, in my opinion, better football players, but they may not fit so well within the "new regime".
And Puncheon is doing really well.
Lallana will have to up his game (more pace, more pressing) even more in the near future if he wants to play. And he will. I think we haven't seen the best Lallana yet.

You know whilst I really like Lallana i have to say that even last season he did suffer from a touch too many syndrome....

... also reminiscent of the early Giggs his final ball more often than not let him/us down..

...also he has more nearly goals to his credit than any other player..

His game is about 3-5% from being otherworldly.. ergo I do not want him to be another Joe Cole...

MoPo will either make him or break him..the former would be utterly sensational for all concerned.

Now we agree both theoretically and practically. I think he has been too comfortable in the last years, being head and shoulders above everyone else. Agree on the break or make, although I am optimistic and think it will be "make". He reminds me of the younger Messi, great talent but never finishing what he started creating lots of chances for the rest of the team but missing his. Until he learned.

Together as one!

El Santo were are you in Spain?

Wife and I shall summer in Tarango (i think) about 100 klicks south of Barca..fantastic fishing for sea bass in the med..crazy but true..one of the few protected areas..stunning food scenary and relatively unspoilt..Catalan magic..

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

I agree with you... theoretically. But if you have a look at his stats in the last 4 games and his style of football... I think he is winning a spot in Pochie's heart. Lallana and Gaston are more skillful and, in my opinion, better football players, but they may not fit so well within the "new regime".
And Puncheon is doing really well.
Lallana will have to up his game (more pace, more pressing) even more in the near future if he wants to play. And he will. I think we haven't seen the best Lallana yet.

You know whilst I really like Lallana i have to say that even last season he did suffer from a touch too many syndrome....

... also reminiscent of the early Giggs his final ball more often than not let him/us down..

...also he has more nearly goals to his credit than any other player..

His game is about 3-5% from being otherworldly.. ergo I do not want him to be another Joe Cole...

MoPo will either make him or break him..the former would be utterly sensational for all concerned.

Now we agree both theoretically and practically. I think he has been too comfortable in the last years, being head and shoulders above everyone else. Agree on the break or make, although I am optimistic and think it will be "make". He reminds me of the younger Messi, great talent but never finishing what he started creating lots of chances for the rest of the team but missing his. Until he learned.

Together as one!

El Santo were are you in Spain?

Wife and I shall summer in Tarango (i think) about 100 klicks south of Barca..fantastic fishing for sea bass in the med..crazy but true..one of the few protected areas..stunning food scenary and relatively unspoilt..Catalan magic..

That sounds really good. I might actually visit the area next year, with a bit of luck. I am in Soton, actually...

Velleity wrote:
Ref Guly.

Lots of people seem to like him (I do) and lots don't.

Why don't we all agree that if he doesn't get picked by our fine, clearly inspirational, manager we'll accept that there may be something some of us are missing. He'll be being passed on by a team of people much better informed that all of us put together.

Equally, if he is played again, let's all accept the same. There must be something some of us are missing.

However, if he DOES end up on the pitch, every single one of us should hound any boo-ers out of St Marys with pointed sticks and furious vengeance.

warrens 76 wrote:

JohnItaly wrote:

allsaintsnocurves wrote:

Blandford Saints wrote:
Forren is left sided, so not replcement for Jose. Picture is not Hooiveld!,

Good report??!!

It would be harsh to drop Hooiveld after establishing himself really well with Yoshida but Fonte had done the same before injury. Forren could be a gem in the making but we don't need to rush him into the side unless a player under performs. I would bring Fonte back in only as he is captain and drop Hooiveld to the bench.

It is healthy competition and Saints need this at the back so great to see. Pardew will know how to exploit the weaknesses in the Saints team so I think this will be a tough game but if Saints play as well as they did in the 2nd half against United we could get something out of it. A draw would be a great result though!

It could be argued that the "weaknesses in the Saints team" was down to NA's team selection, tactics and substitutions. Under MP these "weaknesses" appear to have been eliminated so AP will have a whole new set of problems to overcome when the two teams meet. Play as we have over the past 4 games and Newcastle will need to be at their best to get anything out of the game. COYR.

This is our Southampton remember..

..only England were better at building the fans up then cockin it up...

Hold on to our hats lads it will be interesting..

Newcastle at home with 50.000 geordies screaming them on is not quite a walk in the park...

warrens 76 wrote:

Velleity wrote:
Ref Guly.

Lots of people seem to like him (I do) and lots don't.

Why don't we all agree that if he doesn't get picked by our fine, clearly inspirational, manager we'll accept that there may be something some of us are missing. He'll be being passed on by a team of people much better informed that all of us put together.

Equally, if he is played again, let's all accept the same. There must be something some of us are missing.

However, if he DOES end up on the pitch, every single one of us should hound any boo-ers out of St Marys with pointed sticks and furious vengeance.

Never been in any doubt Velleity ..takes a numb nuts to pi$$ off there own player and make a bad situation worse..

...however personally he does not impress me, here in an open and fwank discussion I can say that..sowwy a bit of Woy kwept in...

Velleity wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

Velleity wrote:
Ref Guly.

Lots of people seem to like him (I do) and lots don't.

Why don't we all agree that if he doesn't get picked by our fine, clearly inspirational, manager we'll accept that there may be something some of us are missing. He'll be being passed on by a team of people much better informed that all of us put together.

Equally, if he is played again, let's all accept the same. There must be something some of us are missing.

However, if he DOES end up on the pitch, every single one of us should hound any boo-ers out of St Marys with pointed sticks and furious vengeance.

Never been in any doubt Velleity ..takes a numb nuts to pi$$ off there own player and make a bad situation worse..

...however personally he does not impress me, here in an open and fwank discussion I can say that..sowwy a bit of Woy kwept in...

Does that make you a w ank outsider for the job of England manager?

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

slugger wrote:
Luke Shaw has tweeted that he's back in training ...... All is good .

puppy saint wrote:

slugger wrote:
Luke Shaw has tweeted that he's back in training ...... All is good .

Did I miss anything on Saturday evening? FFS! WAC!

puppy saint wrote:

slugger wrote:
Luke Shaw has tweeted that he's back in training ...... All is good .

Did I miss anything on Saturday evening? FFS! WAC!

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

I do the count downs if you don't mind.

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

I do the count downs if you don't mind.

insane saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

I do the count downs if you don't mind.

deux sorry doh

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

insane saint wrote:

insane saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

I do the count downs if you don't mind.

deux sorry doh

they have taken 280 fish to the pool tonight poor poor poor turn out of the greatest bestestbest fans in the world

St Retford wrote:

insane saint wrote:

insane saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

I do the count downs if you don't mind.

deux sorry doh

they have taken 280 fish to the pool tonight poor poor poor turn out of the greatest bestestbest fans in the world

O dear

To be fair, mind, if you were a Pompey fan would YOU go?

St Retford wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

Ah, I see - is there any chance of it actually happening this time? I assumed it would have been postponed by now.

St Retford wrote:

insane saint wrote:

insane saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

I do the count downs if you don't mind.

deux sorry doh

they have taken 280 fish to the pool tonight poor poor poor turn out of the greatest bestestbest fans in the world

O dear

To be fair, mind, if you were a Pompey fan would YOU go?

insane saint wrote:

St Retford wrote:

insane saint wrote:

insane saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

I do the count downs if you don't mind.

deux sorry doh

they have taken 280 fish to the pool tonight poor poor poor turn out of the greatest bestestbest fans in the world

O dear

To be fair, mind, if you were a Pompey fan would YOU go?

true i would not waste my money but then have they got any money..

St Retford wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

Ah, I see - is there any chance of it actually happening this time? I assumed it would have been postponed by now.

angus mc coatup wrote:

St Retford wrote:

slugger wrote:

St Retford wrote:

mack chinnon wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
Sorry to change the subject but it will be interesting to see how many of the worlds greatest football fans are at Hartlepool tonight. I remember on both occasions and both midweek games us filling the away section behind the goal, I wonder if they will be able to do the same.

You would think that they would want to go and watch there last ever match(HOPEFULLY)
Come on Hartlepool.

Why 'last ever'? What have you heard?

What a place to end it all though.

:(

Court case ... 2 days !

Ah, I see - is there any chance of it actually happening this time? I assumed it would have been postponed by now.

they've postponed, postponing the postponment.Just in case, the case gets postponed till the next postponment.when there will be an adjournment, until the next postponment gets postponed. to the next postponment.then It will be adjourned...........

..that is till the next postponment.

If that makes It an clearer.

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Dotting i's and crossing t's is a very complex thing and is certainly not a laughing matter!

circa 66 saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Dotting i's and crossing t's is a very complex thing and is certainly not a laughing matter!

hey seed i see some saddo on the news has been collecting user names from the last 3 weeks and has posted them.
ANORAK or what?

do you reckon he may be the i dotter or the t crosser or just a cross dresser

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
LLLLLLLDDDLLLLLLLLLD



A massive turnaround in form to be fair.

slugger wrote:
4 points from a possible 60 is that ?

circa 66 saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Dotting i's and crossing t's is a very complex thing and is certainly not a laughing matter!

hey seed i see some saddo on the news has been collecting user names from the last 3 weeks and has posted them.
ANORAK or what?

do you reckon he may be the i dotter or the t crosser or just a cross dresser

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

circa 66 saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Dotting i's and crossing t's is a very complex thing and is certainly not a laughing matter!

hey seed i see some saddo on the news has been collecting user names from the last 3 weeks and has posted them.
ANORAK or what?

do you reckon he may be the i dotter or the t crosser or just a cross dresser

I am a bit hacked off as I didn't make the list despite my sock puppet post. I don't think they believed me.

circa 66 saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Dotting i's and crossing t's is a very complex thing and is certainly not a laughing matter!

hey seed i see some saddo on the news has been collecting user names from the last 3 weeks and has posted them.
ANORAK or what?

do you reckon he may be the i dotter or the t crosser or just a cross dresser

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Dotting i's and crossing t's is a very complex thing and is certainly not a laughing matter!

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

circa 66 saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Dotting i's and crossing t's is a very complex thing and is certainly not a laughing matter!

hey seed i see some saddo on the news has been collecting user names from the last 3 weeks and has posted them.
ANORAK or what?

do you reckon he may be the i dotter or the t crosser or just a cross dresser

I am a bit hacked off as I didn't make the list despite my sock puppet post. I don't think they believed me.

Still time old son, still time!

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

I agree with you... theoretically. But if you have a look at his stats in the last 4 games and his style of football... I think he is winning a spot in Pochie's heart. Lallana and Gaston are more skillful and, in my opinion, better football players, but they may not fit so well within the "new regime".
And Puncheon is doing really well.
Lallana will have to up his game (more pace, more pressing) even more in the near future if he wants to play. And he will. I think we haven't seen the best Lallana yet.

You know whilst I really like Lallana i have to say that even last season he did suffer from a touch too many syndrome....

... also reminiscent of the early Giggs his final ball more often than not let him/us down..

...also he has more nearly goals to his credit than any other player..

His game is about 3-5% from being otherworldly.. ergo I do not want him to be another Joe Cole...

MoPo will either make him or break him..the former would be utterly sensational for all concerned.

Now we agree both theoretically and practically. I think he has been too comfortable in the last years, being head and shoulders above everyone else. Agree on the break or make, although I am optimistic and think it will be "make". He reminds me of the younger Messi, great talent but never finishing what he started creating lots of chances for the rest of the team but missing his. Until he learned.

Together as one!

El Santo were are you in Spain?

Wife and I shall summer in Tarango (i think) about 100 klicks south of Barca..fantastic fishing for sea bass in the med..crazy but true..one of the few protected areas..stunning food scenary and relatively unspoilt..Catalan magic..

That sounds really good. I might actually visit the area next year, with a bit of luck. I am in Soton, actually...

aaahhh Bisto..one should never draw assumptions, or anything that they cannot visualise..!!

So are you going to Newk'astle..

Strassie and sons will be meeting me and mine..Lordy be..

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

warrens 76 wrote:

El Santo wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:

Red n White wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
It's too early to draw definite conclusions about just how good a manager Poch is, but the early indications are promising. I'm glad too see that so many people have picked up on how the players now press the opposition, sth we really didn't do a few months ago. It is a great way to not only stifle the opposition but to stop them getting into any sort of rhythm. Plus it forces potential mistakes which we can then capitalise on. We are now creating our own luck, sth Nigel didn't have the players do. But If we are to employ it week in and week out the player's stamina will have to be top draw!

Roberto Mancini can bang on about international matches having cost his team but the truth is we out hustled them and forced their hand, thereby creating our own luck!

I think the style of play suits some of the players better as well. Clearly Rodriguez, Mayuka, Lee and Ramirez were brought in with the idea of playing a style like this, as they can press quickly and aren't afraid to run with the ball.
With Mancini, he obviously didn't realise we were missing half our first team against them!

No doubt theis style suits a lot of the players. Keep an eye JRod, if he's ever going to come good it will be in the system we're playing now. He's starting and he is being given the chance to use his greatest asset, his pace. Now he's got to step up and deliver, as well as work on his finishing!

I have also noticed how Jay-Rod is now contributing to our game. This pacy football exploits his attributes really well, and I think both Rickie and him understand each other much better. If they continue growing like this, they will be the best English attacking couple in the country.
I can't believe that even Lallana has to sweat his way back into the team.
Looking at the squads Pochie has picked, it is clear he rates a hard working midfield, a "trivote" (like Mourinho) fromed by Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork. I wouldn't wonder if he brought Chaplow into the team at some point. He is exactly the type of player he likes.
Problem is, that only leaves 3 spots up front, 2 if we take Lambert's presence for granted. 2 spots for players like Rodriguez, Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana. Tough choice.

J-Rod is improving but a long way from the reliable 'other' finisher we need...

..I would take Lallana, Puncheon and Ramirez in that order before choosing him at present.

I agree with you... theoretically. But if you have a look at his stats in the last 4 games and his style of football... I think he is winning a spot in Pochie's heart. Lallana and Gaston are more skillful and, in my opinion, better football players, but they may not fit so well within the "new regime".
And Puncheon is doing really well.
Lallana will have to up his game (more pace, more pressing) even more in the near future if he wants to play. And he will. I think we haven't seen the best Lallana yet.

You know whilst I really like Lallana i have to say that even last season he did suffer from a touch too many syndrome....

... also reminiscent of the early Giggs his final ball more often than not let him/us down..

...also he has more nearly goals to his credit than any other player..

His game is about 3-5% from being otherworldly.. ergo I do not want him to be another Joe Cole...

MoPo will either make him or break him..the former would be utterly sensational for all concerned.

Now we agree both theoretically and practically. I think he has been too comfortable in the last years, being head and shoulders above everyone else. Agree on the break or make, although I am optimistic and think it will be "make". He reminds me of the younger Messi, great talent but never finishing what he started creating lots of chances for the rest of the team but missing his. Until he learned.

Together as one!

El Santo were are you in Spain?

Wife and I shall summer in Tarango (i think) about 100 klicks south of Barca..fantastic fishing for sea bass in the med..crazy but true..one of the few protected areas..stunning food scenary and relatively unspoilt..Catalan magic..

That sounds really good. I might actually visit the area next year, with a bit of luck. I am in Soton, actually...

aaahhh Bisto..one should never draw assumptions, or anything that they cannot visualise..!!

So are you going to Newk'astle..

Strassie and sons will be meeting me and mine..Lordy be..

Not so far off as you think. Unfortunaltely, can't make it to Nuke asshells. Good luck with all the family around!

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
The skunts have posponed their court hearing for a further week.

I give up.

st1halo wrote:

SO50 Saint wrote:
st1 i've read that a few times and I still don't get what he's getting at at all. In one breath he's saying a team that's beaten the current champs aren't good enough. Then having a go at a young CM who can't get in the first team but does well off the bench and thirdly he has a go at Guly haters and quotes his goals per game when he hasn't scored for over a year (not having a go at Guly) Also the fact that he says the ground is off Northam Road thought it was Britannia Road

Guess he just likes to feel superior for some strange reason.
To me it doesn't matter whether someone has supported the club for 5 mins, 5 yrs or 50 years, whether they go to games, listen to games or watch on the tv, whether they are a box ticket holder, season ticket holder or just occasional visitor. All Saints fans are just that and entitled to their opinion. I've been going since the late 60's as a boy, and even though I go to the games I still record them, come home and watch again as I can see more. My opinion isn't any more valid than someone who started going last week!
People like Strassie, Mush and warrens live abroad, how can they get to every game? Are they any less of a fan? They have as much passion as anyone else. I'm not usually rude about people unless they are skates but Gazzman is talking from his @rse!

STID

Rising_Son wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
The skunts have posponed their court hearing for a further week.

I give up.

Who actually got the postponement? Isn't the case between the administrator and Chanrai?

Beer Monster wrote:

Rising_Son wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
The skunts have posponed their court hearing for a further week.

I give up.

Who actually got the postponement? Isn't the case between the administrator and Chanrai?

Sounds like the PFA are considering Orville's bid...

http://www.bbc.co.uk

/sport/0/football/21

444012

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
The skunts have posponed their court hearing for a further week.

I give up.

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
The skunts have posponed their court hearing for a further week.

I give up.