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Post by backwatersaint on Apr 17, 2012 8:24:06 GMT
I'm not giving up already. Not yet. Just thinking, if we found it hard to keep it going all this season, how would we really do in the Prem next season? I know we'd get people in etc but it takes time to gel sometimes. Sir Ricky deserves a go up there if we make it but we've become too reliant on him.
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Post by lostboy on Apr 17, 2012 8:29:11 GMT
The infrastructure, the culture and some of the first team squad are ready. We have nothing like enough QUALITY strength in depth required for a sustained campaign at that level (we've barely managed it at times this season). We will be ok when we get promoted as this will be addressed.
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Post by Mandochris on Apr 17, 2012 8:30:39 GMT
Good question BW. We have shown at times that we are finding this campaign hard to sustain. But, as LB says, the infrastructure, intelligence, finance and some players are ready. We have to give it a crack.
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Post by sloughsaint on Apr 17, 2012 8:31:26 GMT
I don't think we are... BUT, if we get relegated immediately, I won't be too upset. I'm happy for us to be a Yoyo club.
What is there really to play for in the Prem? Survival.
Take the parachute payments and use them wisely.
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Post by burleyshassey on Apr 17, 2012 8:31:49 GMT
I'm totes ready
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Post by OneBeat on Apr 17, 2012 8:40:11 GMT
I think the club are more ready for the Prem than I am.
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Post by saintpaddy on Apr 17, 2012 8:43:27 GMT
6 players required for PL. 2 strikers (Connolly & Barnard to be replaced) 2 quality midfielders 2 backs L/R. That I believe will be our MINIMUM requirement.
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Post by lostboy on Apr 17, 2012 8:46:21 GMT
6 players required for PL. 2 strikers (Connolly & Barnard to be replaced) 2 quality midfielders 2 backs L/R. That I believe will be our MINIMUM requirement. Interesting that you missed goalkeeper and CBs........... KD will be a year older, Bart hasn't (despite my liking for him a few seasons ago and Kelv's assurances that he was the future) stepped up. Also we need at least one quality CB. Think spine!
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Post by shirleymush on Apr 17, 2012 9:39:55 GMT
6 players required for PL. 2 strikers (Connolly & Barnard to be replaced) 2 quality midfielders 2 backs L/R. That I believe will be our MINIMUM requirement. Interesting that you missed goalkeeper and CBs........... KD will be a year older, Bart hasn't (despite my liking for him a few seasons ago and Kelv's assurances that he was the future) stepped up. Also we need at least one quality CB. Think spine! ^This^ I hate saying it as Kelvin is a bona fide Saints legend in my book, but we'll need a 'keeper who'll come off his line and relieve pressure in the PL. Broadly, though, yes, we are more ready than ANY of the other promotion chasers. Can you imagine the reaming that Reading side would get at the hands of a team with a bit more quality than us in the final third?
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Post by THE BEAST on Apr 17, 2012 9:45:36 GMT
we need a lot of players for the Premier league, remember most of this team played in league one and, more importantly, most of them are not Sir Ricky
If we fail this year (let's hope we don't) I think it will be primarily down to the lack of strengthening of this team, a number of people, myself included, felt that we were very poor at bringing in quality new players both at the beginning of the season and in January.
Think about it this way, EVEN IF our first choice 11 can compete in the Premier league, and this is by no means certain, how many of them have an adequate replacement available to slot in in case of injury or suspension?
I would argue that we need probably eight players and that is recognising that we cannot adequately replace Lallana, Lambert & one of the centre midfielders.
Now, although that sounds like an overly pessimistic analysis, I am aware that of course we will not be required to make that many changes to our first team, it does though give us an idea about the amount of quality (nice word LB) players we should be looking to bring to this club during the summer.
BTW, goalkeeper, absolute must, Bambi just cannot cut it and the club need somebody who can adequately replace Kelvin, at least better than him or not worse as a minimum.
PS I am absolutely amazed at how competitive we have been this year so all the above could be complete bollocks... the proof of the pudding and all of that I guess?
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Post by shirleymush on Apr 17, 2012 10:00:05 GMT
Players I would be confident are good enough: Lambert Fox Schneiderlin Lallana Cork
Maybes: Richardson Fonte Hooiveld Very, very possibly De Ridder
It's the old, brutal, Peter Taylor philosophy- "observe and replace".
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Post by lostboy on Apr 17, 2012 10:04:56 GMT
Pretty much that. And Puncheon.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2012 10:05:29 GMT
I'm very glad that Nige is our manager
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Post by THE BEAST on Apr 17, 2012 10:09:01 GMT
Players I would be confident are good enough: Lambert Fox Schneiderlin Lallana Cork Maybes: Richardson Fonte Hooiveld Very, very possibly De Ridder It's the old, brutal, Peter Taylor philosophy- "observe and replace". I agree with your top three, but I'm not sure about Lallana and Cork, I would like to think so but I think they might be maybe's as well. Lallana just wants too much time on the ball, if he can speed his brain up his ability is unquestioned. As for Jack Cork, he's been getting better, but I still think there's a question regarding his overall body strength and consistency of quality performances. I actually think Tadanari Lee should also be on the maybe list, I've not really seen enough of him to form a complete opinion, but what I have seen gives me hope he might cut it. Sharp should also be added to the maybes as given a good preseason and longer to work with fellow players I think he could work out.
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Post by lostboy on Apr 17, 2012 10:11:01 GMT
I'm very glad that Nige is our manager I will be when he shows that he's a bit more like Paul Lambert and can tailor his team and their formations to suit particular games. 'Cos he'll have to in the PL.
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