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Adkins: Ba can put Chelsea in title running (From Daily Echo)
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Adkins: Ba can put Chelsea in title running
8:57am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Sport
Demba Ba
Saints boss Nigel Adkins believes the signing of Demba Ba could see Chelsea fight for the Barclays Premier League title this season.
The Blues are currently 14 points behind leaders Manchester United but play their game in hand against the Saints this evening and Adkins reckons Rafael Benitez's side remain in the title hunt, even if the Chelsea fans are still yet to be won over by the Spaniard.
"With the addition of Demba Ba now and whoever else they might bring in, they look a very well-equipped side to go for the title," he said.
"It will be an interesting one but obviously he (Benitez) has started well in respect that they have won games, he is a good manager and has won the European Cup and the team play good.
"The experience of playing them here at St Mary's 10 days ago they have got exceptionally good football players who play good football and if you give them half an opportunity they will capitalise on that.
"Will he win the fans around, who knows? There has obviously been a big turnaround in managers at Chelsea anyway and I think you will find that Chelsea fans are passionate about their football club."
Adkins refused to confirm the Saints were close to the signing of Norway defender Vegard Forren from Molde and also stopped short of ruling Luke Shaw out of the trip to Stamford Bridge, despite the 17-year-old suffering a nasty cut to his leg last weekend.
Adkins was more forthcoming about his support for striker Jay Rodriguez, who was accused of diving to win the decisive penalty in Saturday's 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
When asked if he felt the former Burnley forward had dived, Adkins had a bullish response: "He's not a diver. We don't advocate diving here whatsoever.
"We could have had seven or eight penalties this season, we don't surround the referee, we allow the referees to make the decisions.
"When you look at the one at the weekend there was intent there, it was a poor challenge from the defender, correct there is no contact made but it's still a poor challenge from the defender - Jay is a young lad who is so enthusiastic."
Adkins also said that his team must continue to create situations where the officials are forced into making big decisions.
He said: "All we need to do is keep getting the ball in the penalty area in a way we give defenders decisions to make whether to challenge or not and give refs decisions whether to give penalties or not.
"Seven or eight times clearly we should have had penalties. That's the reality of football."
Comments(54)
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
9:20am Wed 16 Jan 13
NikkkoNik
says...
9:33am Wed 16 Jan 13
Bring back Branfoot
says...
9:53am Wed 16 Jan 13
Walter K
says...
10:08am Wed 16 Jan 13
spyware
says...
10:26am Wed 16 Jan 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Ah Seed or 'Return of the Seed'?
15
I see you ruffled some 'blue few' feathers the other night...great stuff...they dont like it 'up em'...oh and by the way..did you manage to get that jigsaw puzzle as instructed? Ha!
Beer Monster
says...
10:27am Wed 16 Jan 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:27am Wed 16 Jan 13
Walter K wrote:That's such a stupid comment, at some stage we are bound to lose two consecutive league games - paticularly if they are against top 6.
Unfortunately NA's position is under constant review, he is only ever 2 successive league defeats away from the sack.
What you should do is look at our current form, 2 losses in 11, and compare it to the teams around us. It is the best of the lot and that is what will keep us up. Are there 3 worse teams than us is the question, and for me the answer is a resounding yes.
Those who thought we would go straight to mid table with a team half from Div1 are just as deluded as the blue few.
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:30am Wed 16 Jan 13
spyware wrote:Ha. They are particularly touchy at the moment, one prod and the shoal is all over the place!
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Ah Seed or 'Return of the Seed'?
15
I see you ruffled some 'blue few' feathers the other night...great stuff...they dont like it 'up em'...oh and by the way..did you manage to get that jigsaw puzzle as instructed? Ha!
Norwegian Saint
says...
10:30am Wed 16 Jan 13
Walter K wrote:I will have a bet with you... Nigel will be manager until the end of the season. He can lose the next 4 and the Saints will stick with him. If Nigel goes it will be due to 2 things... either we get relegated or another club gives him an offer he can't refuse... can't see either happening at the moment!
Unfortunately NA's position is under constant review, he is only ever 2 successive league defeats away from the sack.
Taunton Saint
says...
10:31am Wed 16 Jan 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Agreed Seed, a simple fact put the whole thing into perspective to me
Walter K wrote:That's such a stupid comment, at some stage we are bound to lose two consecutive league games - paticularly if they are against top 6.
Unfortunately NA's position is under constant review, he is only ever 2 successive league defeats away from the sack.
What you should do is look at our current form, 2 losses in 11, and compare it to the teams around us. It is the best of the lot and that is what will keep us up. Are there 3 worse teams than us is the question, and for me the answer is a resounding yes.
Those who thought we would go straight to mid table with a team half from Div1 are just as deluded as the blue few.
New Years Day 2011 We played Exeter at home
New Years 2013 We played Arsenal at home
17th is good enough, for the record I think we will be higher, but anything above where we are as I write (15th) would be a hell of an effort.
COYR, STID
Bring back Branfoot
says...
10:35am Wed 16 Jan 13
Walter K wrote:How do you know he is only two successive defeats away from the sack? Sounds like some cab driver's been filling your head full of nonsense.
Unfortunately NA's position is under constant review, he is only ever 2 successive league defeats away from the sack.
Nigel won't lose his job this season because we are going to stay up. But some time next season he will probably be sacked.
Walter K
says...
10:39am Wed 16 Jan 13
Hobson82
says...
10:50am Wed 16 Jan 13
Bring back Branfoot wrote:Sorry Walter but I have to agree with everyone else. If Cortese had any doubts about Adkins he would have been sacked after the WBA defeat.
Walter K wrote: Unfortunately NA's position is under constant review, he is only ever 2 successive league defeats away from the sack.How do you know he is only two successive defeats away from the sack? Sounds like some cab driver's been filling your head full of nonsense. Nigel won't lose his job this season because we are going to stay up. But some time next season he will probably be sacked.
During that rough spell at the start of the season I was one of the few wanting to see a new manager. But I am really chuffed Adkins has turned it around, this experience has been a huge learning experience for him and I think he is starting to get things right.
The only thing I wish he would do is take a risk once and while. There have been times when the 3 points are there for the taking, like the game at Craven Cottage, I was willing Adkins to bring on another attacker but he didn't do it, instead he tries to protect the 1 point rather than taking a gamble and going for all 3 points. Apart from that small criticism I am fully behing NA.
Bring back Branfoot
says...
10:50am Wed 16 Jan 13
Walter K wrote:NC knows that we have a difficult few games in front of us, and coming off some very good current form, he wouldn't make Nigel walk the plank before Wigan away. Plus he's trusts Nigel enough to make purchases in the transfer window. So with all this in mind why would he sack him.
I will be very surprised if he's still in charge for Wigan away. BTW I'm not advocating this but think it will happen. Don't mind taking a few cyber bets on it either.
How well NA fares in this transfer window will play a big role in determining his Southampton future. The family want sb who is capable of building up a good team. Not sb whose buys only have a 40% success rate.
Mush On The Beach
says...
10:58am Wed 16 Jan 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:The pantomime season normally finishes in December doesn’t it?
15
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
11:02am Wed 16 Jan 13
Mush On The Beach wrote:This one just goes on and on and on and on...
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:The pantomime season normally finishes in December doesn’t it?
15
Still, all good fun!
31.1.13
hedge end bob
says...
11:04am Wed 16 Jan 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Good Morning Seed. Keep up the proding but i feel you will be doing it for the rest of the season.
spyware wrote:Ha. They are particularly touchy at the moment, one prod and the shoal is all over the place!
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Ah Seed or 'Return of the Seed'?
15
I see you ruffled some 'blue few' feathers the other night...great stuff...they dont like it 'up em'...oh and by the way..did you manage to get that jigsaw puzzle as instructed? Ha!
I M O the F. A. cant do anything but let them strugle through this season then kindly put them to sleep. It would be much too much trouble to try and sort out the league at this stage of the season.
Do you think our Nigel has learnt from SIR ALEX and is playing mind games refering to BA as the tool to use too win Chelsea the Premiership ???
Hoping for a point tonight but we have to be realistic teams like Chelsea dont make to many mistakes at home when playing teams from lower down the league.
Next few games very tough period so lets hope we can bring in a couple of players A S A P.
STID End of season WAKE for POOPEY.
Bring back Branfoot
says...
11:08am Wed 16 Jan 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Oh look it's two pantomime dames. It pains you that yet again I'm spot on. Sorry bumpkins!
Mush On The Beach wrote:This one just goes on and on and on and on...
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:The pantomime season normally finishes in December doesn’t it?
15
Still, all good fun!
31.1.13
Mush On The Beach
says...
11:14am Wed 16 Jan 13
Has anyone seen Liquidation? ........ it’s BEHIND YOU!!!!!!
Alicesdad
says...
11:15am Wed 16 Jan 13
To summarise !
Walter is talking rubbish. Enough said.
15.. more like 115 that will run and run .. but te longer it goes on the lower they will sink in the league (and indeed leagues).
The way things are going the blue clubs assets are being run down, eventually all that will be left will be a deserted ground for a team in the lowest flight of league football. Oh yes .. plus their trophy room .. I wonder how much that will fetch at the closedown auction.
Crispinmumbles
says...
11:19am Wed 16 Jan 13
Bring back Branfoot
says...
11:19am Wed 16 Jan 13
Mush On The Beach wrote:Na na na na na, I’m always right! Seed do your, twenty nine, line for the umpteenth time, that hasn’t grown old! Or maybe another song for your other usernames to enjoy.
So says one of 2 the Ugly Skunsters.
Has anyone seen Liquidation? ........ it’s BEHIND YOU!!!!!!
And Mush, that Ozzy wit of yours, I can't trade wits with a comic genius such as yourself. You carry on doing, whatever it is you do on this thread.
Play nice girls!
Bring back Branfoot
says...
11:30am Wed 16 Jan 13
Bring back Branfoot wrote:You're taking your sweet time. What, all that sun’s killed off most of your brain cells. Possum, you’re a colossal bore!
Mush On The Beach wrote:Na na na na na, I’m always right! Seed do your, twenty nine, line for the umpteenth time, that hasn’t grown old! Or maybe another song for your other usernames to enjoy.
So says one of 2 the Ugly Skunsters.
Has anyone seen Liquidation? ........ it’s BEHIND YOU!!!!!!
And Mush, that Ozzy wit of yours, I can't trade wits with a comic genius such as yourself. You carry on doing, whatever it is you do on this thread.
Play nice girls!
If you want to dance, you have to be quick. Some of us actually work for a living.
Confucious
says...
11:32am Wed 16 Jan 13
In any case I'll ask them to request that any Chelsea fans identify themselves before take-off so that they can be given an extra sick bag.
Bring back Branfoot
says...
11:33am Wed 16 Jan 13
Alicesdad
says...
11:38am Wed 16 Jan 13
I believe he is using the cunning management tool of reverse psychology. If he boosts their ego they will be complacent and will makes slips that may enable us to take three points.
I expect Benitez will then retaliate with even higher praise for our team, thus making us feel like we are going to win and perhaps making us complacent, which in turn will lead to slip ups.
This awesome combination of swelled egos on both sides will then lead to a game full of complacent slip ups, and will inevitably lead to a draw.
Nigel will have worked out that a draw is a good result and will therefore probably counter any praise from Benitez with even more praise for their team, thus expanding their egos even more. Nigel will have worked out an inverse numeric matrix of expanded ego coefficients allowing for the standard deviation of consequential error occurence. This will almost certainly leave us with a differential quantification probably in our favour when you also allow for the cold weather.
It's clearly foolproof. If this doesn't get him manager of the month and a Nobel prize there is no justice .
Mush On The Beach
says...
11:51am Wed 16 Jan 13
btw, I thought you had self-retired yourself from here after the boys answered your little quiz correctly the other day.
Still, I won’t tell Warrens76 if you don’t, but watch out he definitely sounds like one of the old Inside Crew.
Let’s hope the Blues get stuffed, don’t you think? xxx
Bring back Branfoot
says...
11:53am Wed 16 Jan 13
Mush On The Beach wrote:I see we’re still shipping our undesirables down under. What with your lack of intelligence and inability to work, we did the right thing. No hard feelings, drongo!
Ah BBB, bless you. It sounds to me like you have been sat at your computer like some gagging WUM salivating over your next fix. What a tease I am.
btw, I thought you had self-retired yourself from here after the boys answered your little quiz correctly the other day.
Still, I won’t tell Warrens76 if you don’t, but watch out he definitely sounds like one of the old Inside Crew.
Let’s hope the Blues get stuffed, don’t you think? xxx
Bring back Branfoot
says...
11:56am Wed 16 Jan 13
Bring back Branfoot wrote:And yes, fair dinkum, you are a bit of a tease! I'm just a larrikin who's up to hijinks.
Mush On The Beach wrote:I see we’re still shipping our undesirables down under. What with your lack of intelligence and inability to work, we did the right thing. No hard feelings, drongo!
Ah BBB, bless you. It sounds to me like you have been sat at your computer like some gagging WUM salivating over your next fix. What a tease I am.
btw, I thought you had self-retired yourself from here after the boys answered your little quiz correctly the other day.
Still, I won’t tell Warrens76 if you don’t, but watch out he definitely sounds like one of the old Inside Crew.
Let’s hope the Blues get stuffed, don’t you think? xxx
Walter K
says...
12:06pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Clemster
says...
12:08pm Wed 16 Jan 13
NikkkoNik wrote:He is simply just answering the questions though. Not that he is wanting to discuss Ba
Nigel should not be talking about Ba and the importance he will make to Chelsea. There will be pressure to play Ba, especially after the QPR game, but why discuss this and why big up Ba, sorely it would be better to say, Chelsea are a very good team and it will be a tough game for us, but we will try our best. Understated.
mack chinnon
says...
12:13pm Wed 16 Jan 13
C.O.Y.R.
Bring back Branfoot
says...
12:14pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Walter K wrote:See you later OSPers!
Another thread ruined...
Pogle
says...
12:22pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Bring back Branfoot wrote:Us???
For us to get a good result the team needs to have belief in their attacking abilities and not brick it. Short meaningless little passes merely shows the players uncertainty. Let's play at a fast tempo with lots of runs from JRod. If we don't give it a good go they will steamroller us.
Ray the Don
says...
12:29pm Wed 16 Jan 13
The thread is wearing thin.
I hope NOT!!!
RedArmy1
says...
12:31pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Norwegian Saint wrote:WE AIM TO GET STUCK INTO CHELSEA !!
When you look at £7 Million for J-Rod, £8 Million was a Ba-gain for Chelsea!
Extreamly worried about tonight but we did have 4 or 5 main players out for the cup game.
News from here in Norway is the young defender is being presented to our club at some point today. Will he start?
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.
COYR
Bring back Branfoot
says...
12:31pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Pogle wrote:Now don’t be churlish! You all share the same relationship with me that Terry Hurlock had with his curling tongs, and Tiss had with the burger van man, you can’t live without me. No more attacks, the cut me to the quick!
Bring back Branfoot wrote:Us???
For us to get a good result the team needs to have belief in their attacking abilities and not brick it. Short meaningless little passes merely shows the players uncertainty. Let's play at a fast tempo with lots of runs from JRod. If we don't give it a good go they will steamroller us.
SFCOLDBOY
says...
12:31pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:31-1-13
Mush On The Beach wrote:This one just goes on and on and on and on...
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:The pantomime season normally finishes in December doesn’t it?
15
Still, all good fun!
31.1.13
has a very interesting symmetry about it.
UNLUCKY for some(or few).
maybe!
COYS
Cheapshot
says...
12:33pm Wed 16 Jan 13
.co.uk/sports-news/f
ootball/premier-leag
ue/transfer-rumours/
130116/southampton-e
yeing-swoop-lazio-at
tacker-189374
the other rumour doing the rounds
Ray the Don
says...
12:35pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Cheapshot wrote:LOL!!!
http://www.talksport
.co.uk/sports-news/f
ootball/premier-leag
ue/transfer-rumours/
130116/southampton-e
yeing-swoop-lazio-at
tacker-189374
the other rumour doing the rounds
rocketone
says...
12:39pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Loser!
Tonight's game is a bonus, if we get a draw, good.
If we get a win, fantastic!
All I ask for is a good team performance.
1st year back in the top flight is all about seeing who of the squad are up to the mark. So far quite a few have done well, some of the signings have still to prove their worth. It surprises me that the most successful are the ones who have been here since L1!
Spider has impressed me the most.
His stats have as one the hardest working in the league let alone the club, vindicating his decision to stay and learn his trade properly at. Club that gave him games and responsibility.
A win tonight and we have breathing room and impetus, lose and no ground lost.
All is good!
Support the Saints !!!!
Walter K
says...
1:32pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Ray the Don wrote:Some on here may not like this but....the penalty and subsequent 3 points at Villa only delayed the inevitable. NA and those in the camp already know that it's only a matter of time.
If the rumours are right coming out of St Mary`s then NC is lining up Roberto Dimetteo to replace Nigel, The thread is wearing thin. I hope NOT!!!
OSPREYSAINT
says...
2:14pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Bring back Branfoot wrote:It isn't me, I will not post until you and saintlysoul are gone, if anyone found me boring all they have to do is keep you on. I found a couple of posts addressed to me personally, extremely sinister, not sure what I action I am going to take yet, probably nothing but be warned about what you post in the future.
Walter K wrote:See you later OSPers!
Another thread ruined...
Tony in Liberia
says...
2:36pm Wed 16 Jan 13
saintkenny
says...
2:42pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Walter K wrote:well after a poor start we club is now on a point a game .the next games are the one were not suppose to get points from the top 6 .the issue is we beat the teams around us near the bottom like qpr villa reading and take points off the teams near above ,while nigel does that is job is safe .where as lambert at villa is under more pressure .we have lost to man utd man city and arsenal .and still, maintained the point a game .had we lost to villa nigel would of been under more pressure .but cortesse is not stupid .he wont change now its on the transfer window ,and hes allowing nigel to bring players in .15 days the windows shut .so this evidence tells you nigel will be here the end of the season,then he wiil have a seasons experience in the premier league .for the next season .while the new club afc portsmouth watch in jealousy .not another deperate skunt then ?????
Ray the Don wrote:Some on here may not like this but....the penalty and subsequent 3 points at Villa only delayed the inevitable. NA and those in the camp already know that it's only a matter of time.
If the rumours are right coming out of St Mary`s then NC is lining up Roberto Dimetteo to replace Nigel, The thread is wearing thin. I hope NOT!!!
SO50 Saint
says...
4:28pm Wed 16 Jan 13
saintlysoul
says...
5:36pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Ray the Don wrote:I've been saying this for a while. Good luck to Saints tonight. If I were NA I would put Lambert and Ramirez on the bench tonight!!!!!
If the rumours are right coming out of St Mary`s then NC is lining up Roberto Dimetteo to replace Nigel,
The thread is wearing thin.
I hope NOT!!!
slugger
says...
6:20pm Wed 16 Jan 13
saintlysoul wrote:But you ain't so mind your own business.
Ray the Don wrote:I've been saying this for a while. Good luck to Saints tonight. If I were NA I would put Lambert and Ramirez on the bench tonight!!!!!
If the rumours are right coming out of St Mary`s then NC is lining up Roberto Dimetteo to replace Nigel,
The thread is wearing thin.
I hope NOT!!!
saintlysoul
says...
6:25pm Wed 16 Jan 13
slugger wrote:I think he will he will play defensive 4 5 1 with Rodriguez up front. Guly in front of Shaw and rest Lambert and Ramirez neither were that good against Villa.
saintlysoul wrote:But you ain't so mind your own business.
Ray the Don wrote:I've been saying this for a while. Good luck to Saints tonight. If I were NA I would put Lambert and Ramirez on the bench tonight!!!!!
If the rumours are right coming out of St Mary`s then NC is lining up Roberto Dimetteo to replace Nigel,
The thread is wearing thin.
I hope NOT!!!
Baddesley Bill
says...
6:41pm Wed 16 Jan 13
saintkenny
says...
6:47pm Wed 16 Jan 13
saintlysoul wrote:wrong both were effective ,and villa had to resort to hitting long balls over the midfield .with saints playing 4 4 2 ,the formation does not matter one uo front chelsea will just outpass us ,you just need to get men behind the ball .not for guly this .ward prowse in for gaston .try and keep it tight bring on gaston later try in grab a goal .leaving chelsea little time to get the goal back.guly is to lazy for this .closing players down .may put him on later with gaston
slugger wrote:I think he will he will play defensive 4 5 1 with Rodriguez up front. Guly in front of Shaw and rest Lambert and Ramirez neither were that good against Villa.
saintlysoul wrote:But you ain't so mind your own business.
Ray the Don wrote:I've been saying this for a while. Good luck to Saints tonight. If I were NA I would put Lambert and Ramirez on the bench tonight!!!!!
If the rumours are right coming out of St Mary`s then NC is lining up Roberto Dimetteo to replace Nigel,
The thread is wearing thin.
I hope NOT!!!
Bring back Branfoot
says...
6:56pm Wed 16 Jan 13
OSPREYSAINT wrote:OSPers I don't find you boring. I think you are a decent, honourable bloke. I don't know what "sinister posts" you are on about. But if they're troubling you that much you SHOULD report them. And again I haver never said you are boring! A happy clapper, yes!
Bring back Branfoot wrote:It isn't me, I will not post until you and saintlysoul are gone, if anyone found me boring all they have to do is keep you on. I found a couple of posts addressed to me personally, extremely sinister, not sure what I action I am going to take yet, probably nothing but be warned about what you post in the future.
Walter K wrote:See you later OSPers!
Another thread ruined...
Velleity
says...
7:01pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Walter K wrote:In which case, go to
I will be very surprised if he's still in charge for Wigan away. BTW I'm not advocating this but think it will happen. Don't mind taking a few cyber bets on it either.
http://www.stanjames
.com/UK/541/betting#
action=market-group-
list&bo-navigation=5
8975.2,88159.2&marke
t-group=556968.2
and back NA not to be manager at the end of the season - you'll get 7/4. Even the bookies think he's likely to last.
Norwegian Saint says...
9:04am Wed 16 Jan 13
Extreamly worried about tonight but we did have 4 or 5 main players out for the cup game.
News from here in Norway is the young defender is being presented to our club at some point today. Will he start?