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Poortvliet happy with squad after window slams shut
Jan Poortvliet
Jan Poortvliet

Jan Poortvliet has declared himself "very pleased" with his squad after a quiet transfer deadline day saw just one player arrive at St Mary's.

The Saints head coach was as surprised as anybody at the lack of movement with several players such as Rudi Skacel having been expected to leave.

However, with money in short supply for most clubs outside of the top flight, the only business done at St Mary's was the signing of French attacking midfielder Romain Gasmi from RC Strasborug.

That was the club from which Saints bought Morgan Schneiderlin for £1.2m following a recommendation from former coach Georges Prost.

The 21-year-old - Saints' 10th summer transfer window signing - has moved on loan for the rest of the season with an option for Saints to buy him next summer.

However, Gasmi, who hasn't started a match for Strasbourg this season in the French second division, is not expected in Southampton for another four to six weeks as he has a broken fifth metatarsal in his foot.

Strasbourg will continue to finance his recovery and he will join his new teammates at St Mary's after that.

Poortvliet said: "He is a multi-functional player in the midfield and the front and can play on both wings or the number ten position.

"He is a player who can dribble, he's a good passing man and can score goals - that's what he did in Strasbourg.

"I have been told by people in France he's a very good player.

"At 17 or 18 he was a big talent and played in the first team. Now he's injured but he wants to come here.

"He is multi-functional and you need some players who can play in various position so we are happy with that."

After weeks of uncertainty over who would stay and who would go, Poortvliet now knows exactly what he has to work with until the transfer window reopens in January.

"I am very pleased with what I've got," he said.

"I couldn't wish for better at the moment with where we are and the players we have - I'm content.

"From now on everyone can train and we will see what happens.

"I'm am very happy because we have everything we want.

"Now it's up to us to work and hopefully produce."

Full story: see today's Daily Echo.

6:47am Tuesday 2nd September 2008

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Posted by: mike, Soton on 7:02am Tue 2 Sep 08
So we dont have Full Backs - We have attacking midfield players with broken feet that cant wait to join us but one readilly admits he doesnt score enough goals but hey he comes recommended by his Dad! - Strikers who at present dont hit the target! - And a load of expierienced overpaid pros we couldnt get shot of including nervous Kev!
BUT HEY JAN'S HAPPY because we have everything we or is it he wants!
THATS A WORRY because we are in the messy stuff if we dont change our style plus find some full backs pretty **** quick.
After the Birmingham game I thought Wayne Thomas & Cork had a great game but then you see both dropped for Blackpool & then just Cork for the reserves last night so in not really sure what Jan wants thinks hes got or where he is going?
I will support the team for ever more but im starting to get worried because I think we are losing direction and clearly Jan is a good caoch and perhaps picks the team but with regard to comings and goings well that obviously not within his job description and thats where we are in the messy stuff.
Posted by: david warner, gosport on 7:18am Tue 2 Sep 08
its a suprise that saints havent flogged a few more senior players on deadline day and i'm suprised to see us bring in another midfielder when maybe a full back might have been an area of concern. but with a few of the senior players like skacel and eull still at the club with 4 months till the window opens again, i hope they push on in trainig and want to play rather than just sit on the bench and hope for the best in january! with skacel still at the club we have cover at left back/midfield and if he can motivate himself we'll have a gifted player pushing for a starting place. it hasnt quite happened for him since he joined saints, maybe a fresh start in this new set up might be a good thing for him!!
Posted by: Gar, bursledon on 7:24am Tue 2 Sep 08
i have heard strong rumours that we are signing nigel quashie on loan (he was at st marys last night) and Ian Harte on a free. these can both still go through as loan signings can be completed until next week
Posted by: Shazza on 7:51am Tue 2 Sep 08
Gar wrote:
i have heard strong rumours that we are signing nigel quashie on loan (he was at st marys last night) and Ian Harte on a free. these can both still go through as loan signings can be completed until next week
Not Nigel Quashie, if we sign him we are dommed for certain. He's been relegated with everyone hasn't he!!
Posted by: Question on 8:14am Tue 2 Sep 08
"I have been told by people in France he's a very good player"

Yeah, probably by Strasborg who can't believe that Saints are taking an injured player off their hands, who couldn't even get into their first team (they are a second division team) when he was fit.

As for Skacel, let him rot, don't even play him in the reserves.

So, will Poortvliet now be forced to play the likes of Wayne Thomas and BWP? Or will Lowe not let him because their contracts mean they get appearance fee payments? That must be the case as to why they don't even get on the subs bench.
Posted by: Disgruntled Saints fan on 8:21am Tue 2 Sep 08
Portos famous last quotes......

"I'm am very happy because we have everything we want"

"I am very pleased with what I've got"

I suggest you need an entire new back five Jan.


"I have been told by people in France he's a very good player"

Great another player signed by someone else. So the manager has been responsible for bringing in zero players since arrival. CRAZY






Posted by: Sensible football, Southampton on 8:26am Tue 2 Sep 08
Quashie would be the sort of player we need to help the youngsters. It's not that they are no good, it's just that they need decent experience around them to help bring them along. It's the one massive chink in our armour.
Posted by: SaintMike, http://ohwhenthesain ts.forumotion.net/fo rum.htm on 8:36am Tue 2 Sep 08
Let's see if he is an improvement, that's if he makes it into the team.

Meanwhile take a look at this new Saints site: http://ohwhenthesain
ts.forumotion.net/fo
rum.htm
Posted by: Artful Dodger, Millbrook on 8:44am Tue 2 Sep 08
Sensible football wrote:
Quashie would be the sort of player we need to help the youngsters. It\'s not that they are no good, it\'s just that they need decent experience around them to help bring them along. It\'s the one massive chink in our armour.
Your post certainly makes more sense than Shazza's.

Quashie did not see relegation with the club he joined us from, and he would add the bite and quality to the midfield that is lacking at present. The only problem would be his fitness, as he does not appear to have played for more than a season.


Posted by: True Blue, Fareham on 8:53am Tue 2 Sep 08
david warner wrote:
its a suprise that saints havent flogged a few more senior players on deadline day and i'm suprised to see us bring in another midfielder when maybe a full back might have been an area of concern. but with a few of the senior players like skacel and eull still at the club with 4 months till the window opens again, i hope they push on in trainig and want to play rather than just sit on the bench and hope for the best in january! with skacel still at the club we have cover at left back/midfield and if he can motivate himself we'll have a gifted player pushing for a starting place. it hasnt quite happened for him since he joined saints, maybe a fresh start in this new set up might be a good thing for him!!
It would have been an even bigger surprise if Saints had flogged a few more senior players.

To sell, you have to find a buyer, so which clubs do you think would be forming a queue to buy players that even their own fans claim are rubbish, can't be bothered, unfit, lack both skill and talent etc.?

Nobody wants to buy players who don't mind losing, they want to buy winners, and none of your senior players qualify.

Posted by: Insider on 9:11am Tue 2 Sep 08
Artful Dodger wrote:
Sensible football wrote: Quashie would be the sort of player we need to help the youngsters. It\'s not that they are no good, it\'s just that they need decent experience around them to help bring them along. It\'s the one massive chink in our armour.
Your post certainly makes more sense than Shazza's. Quashie did not see relegation with the club he joined us from, and he would add the bite and quality to the midfield that is lacking at present. The only problem would be his fitness, as he does not appear to have played for more than a season.
Guess you weren't aware that Saints got shot of Quashie last time mostly due to his attitude and alleged bullying of some of the younger players.
Posted by: ossiesaint, at the bar on 9:19am Tue 2 Sep 08
The last 2 signings are injured!
Posted by: saintsjordan, southampton on 9:44am Tue 2 Sep 08
ive just heard that quashie has passed a medical and will be unvailed later today
Posted by: Kate, Andover on 9:48am Tue 2 Sep 08
So Skacel hasn't gone - what happens now? We have one of our highest earners (I presume) languishing in the reserves? I say get him fit and play him at left-back leaving Surman to return to midfield.

Apart from that, I'm glad nobody else has gone! We need all the help and cover we can get over the next couple of months to build on the good performances so far.

January will be the time to look at the squad and have a clear-out and Jan will also have more of an idea of which players are good and which aren't. Also, he'll know more about English football, this league and other players in and around it so may be able to make more decisions about transfers on his own rather than being guided by other SFC staff.
Posted by: saintsfantasist, southampton on 10:00am Tue 2 Sep 08
ive just heard that Michael Owen has passed a medical and will be unvailed later today
Posted by: Insider on 10:20am Tue 2 Sep 08
I've just heard Rudi Skacel has passed a stool and we be unavailable 'til Christmas
Posted by: saints fan, southampton on 10:31am Tue 2 Sep 08
Why are you all on skacel back for? his the one being forced out by lowe cause of his wages, im sure he would love to stay and play but jans been put under orders not to play him and probably unsettle him!! i'd rather see rudi back playing left back then surman can play where he is most dangerous in the midfield!! I think jans gone midfield crazy i have heard his new formation will be :- davis in goal perry and svensson at the back with gasmi, Schneiderlin, gillet, lallana, l james, surman, holmes in midfield and mcGoldrick up front!! so new formation is 1-2-7-1 cant wait to see it work a team full of midfielders great!!
Posted by: mike, Soton on 11:00am Tue 2 Sep 08
saints fan wrote:
Why are you all on skacel back for? his the one being forced out by lowe cause of his wages, im sure he would love to stay and play but jans been put under orders not to play him and probably unsettle him!! i'd rather see rudi back playing left back then surman can play where he is most dangerous in the midfield!! I think jans gone midfield crazy i have heard his new formation will be :- davis in goal perry and svensson at the back with gasmi, Schneiderlin, gillet, lallana, l james, surman, holmes in midfield and mcGoldrick up front!! so new formation is 1-2-7-1 cant wait to see it work a team full of midfielders great!!
Totally Agree !

UNBELIEVABLE!
Posted by: kebab man, in your heqad on 11:06am Tue 2 Sep 08
how come there so rubbish not so long ago you top team with tope van factory, now nothing
Posted by: SFC4EVA, Soton on 11:16am Tue 2 Sep 08
Shazza wrote:
Gar wrote: i have heard strong rumours that we are signing nigel quashie on loan (he was at st marys last night) and Ian Harte on a free. these can both still go through as loan signings can be completed until next week
Not Nigel Quashie, if we sign him we are dommed for certain. He's been relegated with everyone hasn't he!!
Quashie is outstanding in the Championship but out of depth in the Premier League. Would be a good signing 'Leader' type player that would help the youngsters develop further.
Posted by: Artful Dodger, Millbrook on 11:24am Tue 2 Sep 08
Insider wrote:
Artful Dodger wrote:
Sensible football wrote: Quashie would be the sort of player we need to help the youngsters. It's not that they are no good, it's just that they need decent experience around them to help bring them along. It's the one massive chink in our armour.
Your post certainly makes more sense than Shazza\'s. Quashie did not see relegation with the club he joined us from, and he would add the bite and quality to the midfield that is lacking at present. The only problem would be his fitness, as he does not appear to have played for more than a season.
Guess you weren\'t aware that Saints got shot of Quashie last time mostly due to his attitude and alleged bullying of some of the younger players.
Are you sure that was the reason? When other quality players were being sold because the club needed cash, I find it strange that Quashie, who was sold to a Premier League club, was only unloaded because of attitude and 'alleged' bullying.
I also find it strange that, when the club could easily sell a player with attitude and an alleged bully, they cannot now find a buyer for the senior players they now wish to get shot of.

Posted by: Paul O'D, United Arab Emirates on 11:34am Tue 2 Sep 08
kebab man wrote:
how come there so rubbish not so long ago you top team with tope van factory, now nothing
....What is Gawd's name is this rubbish all about !!?? It is not even english!!
Posted by: Scott, Telford on 11:55am Tue 2 Sep 08
I would've liked to have seen a fullback come in through the window instead of Gasmi. After watching the Blackpool game I'm worried we'll get caught out a lot at the back. I think Gasmi will be surplus to requirements. I'm happy with the midfield and striking options we have as there is a lot of depth there.
Posted by: realist on 11:58am Tue 2 Sep 08
Hey, yeah, I've got it now, it's a Dutch thing, right, this stockpiling of centre midfielders (even with broken feet)?
It's just what Martin Jol did at Spurs before he got his comeuppance, and he's Dutch, too, although, you may remember he did buy one rather good, expensive young full back, which is more than Jan has done yet.....
Posted by: oh no, please no on 12:01pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Gar wrote:
i have heard strong rumours that we are signing nigel quashie on loan (he was at st marys last night) and Ian Harte on a free. these can both still go through as loan signings can be completed until next week
so that's 2 bl**dy disasters, then. Quashie is an albatross with more relegations to his name than i've had hot bimbos (and believe me, that's a hard act to match), while Harte is way too old and clapped out, even for this division - and he'll never keep up with the pace of thses youngsters.
Posted by: DevonSaint on 12:02pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Top 10 Job ideas for Rudi Skacel:-

1) Boot cleaner

2) Mascot (Dog Suit)

3) Food delivery to stands

4) Kit man

5) Steward

6) Groundsman

7) Toilet cleaner

8) Rupes B-iatch

9) Hospitality catering

10) Team coach driver

Alternatively he could offer a free home cleaning service to all saints fans, booking to be taken via the website.

We really need to get our money's worth out of him, anyone else got any ideas?
Posted by: the vengeful cabbage on 12:21pm Tue 2 Sep 08
DevonSaint wrote:
Top 10 Job ideas for Rudi Skacel:- 1) Boot cleaner 2) Mascot (Dog Suit) 3) Food delivery to stands 4) Kit man 5) Steward 6) Groundsman 7) Toilet cleaner 8) Rupes B-iatch 9) Hospitality catering 10) Team coach driver Alternatively he could offer a free home cleaning service to all saints fans, booking to be taken via the website. We really need to get our money's worth out of him, anyone else got any ideas?
Number 1 job idea for skatchel...
You know at half time the groundsmen come out with those spikes and repai divots in the pitch. Well we could use Rudi as a block to stick them in when we aren't using them.
Posted by: threestands, Bournemouth on 12:29pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Any SFC supporters around? Or are you all doom, gloom, negative, glass half empty, moaning minnies.

Perhaps its the weather, overcast,grey and miserable just like you negative to$$ers.

COYR
Posted by: vegasaint, work on 12:44pm Tue 2 Sep 08
threestands wrote:
Any SFC supporters around? Or are you all doom, gloom, negative, glass half empty, moaning minnies. Perhaps its the weather, overcast,grey and miserable just like you negative to$$ers. COYR
well said i am getting fcuked off reading such negative comments about a player and a club that they allegedly support
Posted by: Threestandsisgod on 12:59pm Tue 2 Sep 08
threestands wrote:
Any SFC supporters around? Or are you all doom, gloom, negative, glass half empty, moaning minnies. Perhaps its the weather, overcast,grey and miserable just like you negative to$$ers. COYR
There speaks Saints greatest ever supporter!!

Oh Threestands, please tell me how I can be more like you. You are a god in my eyes. No, you are bigger than god. I love you threestands, please have my babies.

Glory be to Threestands, the greatest ever person in the history of persons.

With threestands supporting Saints, we will never be defeated........

or he's just a tósspot. Whatever.
Posted by: Obvious on 1:05pm Tue 2 Sep 08
vegasaint wrote:
threestands wrote: Any SFC supporters around? Or are you all doom, gloom, negative, glass half empty, moaning minnies. Perhaps its the weather, overcast,grey and miserable just like you negative to$$ers. COYR
well said i am getting fcuked off reading such negative comments about a player and a club that they allegedly support
Don't read them then. Only read a happy clappy forum where all you "real supporters" can talk about how wonderful everything is.
Posted by: the vengeful cabbage on 1:09pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Ah threestands trapped in your basement again i see. Weathers quite nice at the moment when the wind dies down. Still no weather for the time of year but oh well ;)
Still fight on you intreped internet warrior and i'm sure mommy will get concerned soon and come looking for you... just don't get caught in the same possition as last time.
Posted by: Martin Betts, Suffolk on 1:14pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Jan is just the front to the management team at Saints, he neither buys nor picks the Players, the real power behind our fantastic start to the Season is Rupert Lowe, since his return he has put up people to take all the flak whilst he does all the wheeling and dealing.

He is a power crazy MF'r who is not going to be happy until this club is on its knee's.

Still on this weekends showing that won't be far off!!
Posted by: Captain Swing, Marlands on 1:28pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Martin Betts wrote:
Jan is just the front to the management team at Saints, he neither buys nor picks the Players, the real power behind our fantastic start to the Season is Rupert Lowe, since his return he has put up people to take all the flak whilst he does all the wheeling and dealing. He is a power crazy MF'r who is not going to be happy until this club is on its knee's. Still on this weekends showing that won't be far off!!
If Rupert is trying to bring the club to its knees, he's not doing a very good job of it.
If he was really desperate to wreck the Saints, surely, he would have left Leon Crouch in charge!
Posted by: Iain, Lordshill on 1:36pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Blimey, what a cheerful lot we are today.

Watched the match on Saturday with an assortment of Brentford and Rotherham fans, and for the first half hour they agreed with my pre-match prediction that Saints would win by three or four. Lallana and McGoldrick especially looked good, Lee Holmes looked dangerous, and the generally accepted wisdom was that as soon as Saints scored, they'd mellow out and not leave so many holes at the back.

As it turned out, the Blackpool kepper made a very good save, a couple of shots were kicked off the line, and then Taylor-Fletcher took advantage of White's naivety to win a penalty (and yes, he was clearly playing for it). Cue heads dropping, and the poor performance that we got in the second half.

However, if just one of those Saints chances at 0-0 had gone in, then I feel sure that they'd have gone on to cruise it. Youngsters, typically, are confidence players, and you have to expect that sometimes this season matches like Saturday are going to happen.

And, given that they're confidence players, how on earth is booing them off going to help? How is slagging the team off on the internet, and forecasting relegation going to help? By all means debate the future, and suggest solutions, but when one of your most coherent and positive posters is a fan of your rivals, and the other lives in Hertfordshire and doesn't get to go to many games, then it is a worry.
Posted by: Internet on 1:38pm Tue 2 Sep 08
It's the Internet, it's not real.
Posted by: Arthur, Soton on 1:55pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Iain wrote:
Blimey, what a cheerful lot we are today. Watched the match on Saturday with an assortment of Brentford and Rotherham fans, and for the first half hour they agreed with my pre-match prediction that Saints would win by three or four. Lallana and McGoldrick especially looked good, Lee Holmes looked dangerous, and the generally accepted wisdom was that as soon as Saints scored, they\'d mellow out and not leave so many holes at the back. As it turned out, the Blackpool kepper made a very good save, a couple of shots were kicked off the line, and then Taylor-Fletcher took advantage of White\'s naivety to win a penalty (and yes, he was clearly playing for it). Cue heads dropping, and the poor performance that we got in the second half. However, if just one of those Saints chances at 0-0 had gone in, then I feel sure that they\'d have gone on to cruise it. Youngsters, typically, are confidence players, and you have to expect that sometimes this season matches like Saturday are going to happen. And, given that they\'re confidence players, how on earth is booing them off going to help? How is slagging the team off on the internet, and forecasting relegation going to help? By all means debate the future, and suggest solutions, but when one of your most coherent and positive posters is a fan of your rivals, and the other lives in Hertfordshire and doesn\'t get to go to many games, then it is a worry.
Well said.
YOU are a true saints fan!!
Posted by: milton road, alicante on 1:59pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Going back to saturday, I was impressed with the way we moved the ball first half. We looked good at times yet seemed to have thjis sense of not quite believing in ourselves. Their arial dominance throughout the game was a problem and the penalty was sheer panic.
The second half we lost our way stopped playing football and had a fear factor that made us vulnerable and we resorted to championship football. Once we did that we were never going to win. Blackpool worthy winners. Another learning curve, stay up this season and watch us go next.
Posted by: threestands, Bournemouth on 2:26pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Threestandsisgod wrote:
threestands wrote: Any SFC supporters around? Or are you all doom, gloom, negative, glass half empty, moaning minnies. Perhaps its the weather, overcast,grey and miserable just like you negative to$$ers. COYR
There speaks Saints greatest ever supporter!! Oh Threestands, please tell me how I can be more like you. You are a god in my eyes. No, you are bigger than god. I love you threestands, please have my babies. Glory be to Threestands, the greatest ever person in the history of persons. With threestands supporting Saints, we will never be defeated........ or he's just a tósspot. Whatever.
ooooops methinks I hit a nerve. Get help old son, you need medication.

Meanwhile, I'll support the club, stay positive, and give the youngsters the time to meld into a team that might just achieve success.
On the other hand I could boo them off the pitch......mmmmmmmmm
mm difficult call, what will help the club???...........fa
r easier to be negative like you. Nope, I'm gonna stay positive, you swill around in your grey miserable life it suits you.
Posted by: threestands, Bournemouth on 2:35pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Threestandsisgod wrote:
threestands wrote: Any SFC supporters around? Or are you all doom, gloom, negative, glass half empty, moaning minnies. Perhaps its the weather, overcast,grey and miserable just like you negative to$$ers. COYR
There speaks Saints greatest ever supporter!! Oh Threestands, please tell me how I can be more like you. You are a god in my eyes. No, you are bigger than god. I love you threestands, please have my babies. Glory be to Threestands, the greatest ever person in the history of persons. With threestands supporting Saints, we will never be defeated........ or he's just a tósspot. Whatever.
Just had a thought. You need something to cheer you up. Man City are the club for you oh fickle to$$er. They now have trillions of ££££££££ if things start to go pear shaped just get out the wad and sort it, easy. You wont be able to moan and groan and winge cos there can only be good times when you got £££££££££££££££££.

PS

No charge for this advice have it with my compliments, you can bin the suicide note now.
Posted by: diretimes, southampton on 2:42pm Tue 2 Sep 08
milton road wrote:
Going back to saturday, I was impressed with the way we moved the ball first half. We looked good at times yet seemed to have thjis sense of not quite believing in ourselves. Their arial dominance throughout the game was a problem and the penalty was sheer panic.
The second half we lost our way stopped playing football and had a fear factor that made us vulnerable and we resorted to championship football. Once we did that we were never going to win. Blackpool worthy winners. Another learning curve, stay up this season and watch us go next.
good post except you missed off "into div 1" at the end
Posted by: positive wave, luxembourg on 3:00pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Dont be put pown threestands,great to read positive stuff from someone obviously educated,I find that generally the negative cr*p comes from morons who know constantly pride themselves in displaying a distinct lack of football knowledge,nothing wrong with constructive comments we all welcome them,keep it up threestands !!!!!!COYR
Posted by: the vengeful cabbage on 4:18pm Tue 2 Sep 08
positive wave wrote:
Dont be put pown threestands,great to read positive stuff from someone obviously educated,I find that generally the negative cr*p comes from morons who know constantly pride themselves in displaying a distinct lack of football knowledge,nothing wrong with constructive comments we all welcome them,keep it up threestands !!!!!!COYR
So anybody that questions the world and dosen't see things through a haze of positive PR garbage is a moron? In that case i guess half of the worlds most renound pollitical commentators are morons. Congratulations on a truely monumentally stupid comment :) there's a smiley face to commomorate the achievement. It would be nice if everybody saw thing the same way but they dont and anyway it would be boring. Not everybody who posts a negative comment is attacking the club some are just venting frustration at the way things have gone since we were in the prem, can't blame them for that i was really hoping that the Dubai consortium would get fed up waiting for other clubs and invest in our little mess but i guess not;)
Posted by: J, London on 4:29pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Overall he's right, Jan, isn't he?

He's kept the quality young AND experienced players that everyone was saying would be sold (John, Surman) and bought new young AND experienced players in a range of positions, including defence and attack.

Since we're playing this 4-2-3-1 formation, it's no wonder he's after attacking midfielders, really.

I would like new fullbacks, as cover, and to move Surman into the middle. But the deadline for loans is later isn't it? Harte would be great imo, so lets hope that goes through.

BWP found innocent, by the way (or no charges to answer to or whatever). He's also a good player who we can use, so maybe people will cut hom some slack now.

It's a shame we didn't move on Skacel and Euell, but if they are here, lets get 'em fit and if they play well for the reserves, they should have their first team chance.

I don't understand all the extreme negativity. I mean if you're expecting to go up, then you're crazy, but the positive people accept that this is a transitional season, on the whole.

COYR!
Posted by: Kate, Andover on 4:35pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Spot on J!

I see this year as a building experience for both the team and management, with maybe a mid-table finish being a good result, especially going on last year's finishing position.

Next year we can consolidate (and hopefully integrate) good performances and results and by then the team will have properly gelled and they'll be looking towards promotion in 2-3 years.

Looking forward to all the shout-downs coming my way now............

COYR!!!
Posted by: Phil, Downton on 4:36pm Tue 2 Sep 08
In the pre season the doom and gloom merchants were predicting Saints in Administration, that we would lose all decent players and not replace them.
Okay, so things are far from perfect but the club has taken steps to reduce the losses and manage the day to day finances. we are not in administration.
The players Saints released were all part of the squad that consistently failed last season.
With no investment the club must find a better way than simply "loan" players. Developing through our own youth seems to me to be the only sensible option. In addition to the half dozen boys from the academy the young players we have bought have been pretty good in my opinion. Upside is we get players playing their hearts out for saints, not just cash!! we get to see some exciting football. Downside is kids make mistakes, they cannot ever be expected to improve without learning from their mistakes. They can never learn fully on the training ground, it is in competetive matches that they will learn quickest, regrettably mistakes on the pitch cost us points but what other option is there? As the season progresses we must all hope they learn quickly and improve rapidly.
now that the window has closed JP can call on Euell, Skacel, Thomas and BWP if he needs experience but they are four of the under acheivers from last season so I do not see them as part of the solution.
For me there is only one solution, JP stay committed to the passing game, give the youth the chance to develop and all pull together to keep Saints up this season. Everyone must get behind Saints and encourage the team at every opportunity. If we do our bit then hopefully the younger players will not lose confidence and will keep trying to do the things they have been taught to do without fear.
If we panic on the terraces they will surely panic on the pitch.
Keep the faith even if at times it seems all we do have!!! COYR.

Posted by: Is lowe, ever wrong for some? on 4:37pm Tue 2 Sep 08
positive wave wrote:
Dont be put pown threestands,great to read positive stuff from someone obviously educated,I find that generally the negative cr*p comes from morons who know constantly pride themselves in displaying a distinct lack of football knowledge,nothing wrong with constructive comments we all welcome them,keep it up threestands !!!!!!COYR
Congratulations on your not-necessarily-the-
wisest post of the day. Being of higher intelligence is often linked to manic depression and those poor folks are not always the cheeriest amongst our species. Like many smart(ish) people, I choose to ‘question’ those in charge of our football club and their self-serving actions, motivations and cynical decisions as opposed to blindly following with an ever-positive cheery disposition blind to whatever realties may present themselves. Now, as you can probably tell, there are few words with more than one syllable there so maybe I escape your asinine assumptive conclusion on the positive-negative continuum.
Posted by: threestands, Bournemouth on 4:42pm Tue 2 Sep 08
the vengeful cabbage wrote:
positive wave wrote: Dont be put pown threestands,great to read positive stuff from someone obviously educated,I find that generally the negative cr*p comes from morons who know constantly pride themselves in displaying a distinct lack of football knowledge,nothing wrong with constructive comments we all welcome them,keep it up threestands !!!!!!COYR
So anybody that questions the world and dosen't see things through a haze of positive PR garbage is a moron? In that case i guess half of the worlds most renound pollitical commentators are morons. Congratulations on a truely monumentally stupid comment :) there's a smiley face to commomorate the achievement. It would be nice if everybody saw thing the same way but they dont and anyway it would be boring. Not everybody who posts a negative comment is attacking the club some are just venting frustration at the way things have gone since we were in the prem, can't blame them for that i was really hoping that the Dubai consortium would get fed up waiting for other clubs and invest in our little mess but i guess not;)
The PR is of no interest to me. I look at what happens on the pitch. I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I see a team that can entertain. Yeah yeah, I can hear you now "if you want entertainment go to the movies" Typical.

We are all frustrated at the way things have gone since relegation. Vent your frustration on the opposition not the club, team or manager. Give them a chance. And remember, if you want to see ££££££££££'s spent on players support Man City.
Posted by: Costa Baz on 4:51pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Iain wrote:
Blimey, what a cheerful lot we are today. Watched the match on Saturday with an assortment of Brentford and Rotherham fans, and for the first half hour they agreed with my pre-match prediction that Saints would win by three or four. Lallana and McGoldrick especially looked good, Lee Holmes looked dangerous, and the generally accepted wisdom was that as soon as Saints scored, they\'d mellow out and not leave so many holes at the back. As it turned out, the Blackpool kepper made a very good save, a couple of shots were kicked off the line, and then Taylor-Fletcher took advantage of White\'s naivety to win a penalty (and yes, he was clearly playing for it). Cue heads dropping, and the poor performance that we got in the second half. However, if just one of those Saints chances at 0-0 had gone in, then I feel sure that they\'d have gone on to cruise it. Youngsters, typically, are confidence players, and you have to expect that sometimes this season matches like Saturday are going to happen. And, given that they\'re confidence players, how on earth is booing them off going to help? How is slagging the team off on the internet, and forecasting relegation going to help? By all means debate the future, and suggest solutions, but when one of your most coherent and positive posters is a fan of your rivals, and the other lives in Hertfordshire and doesn\'t get to go to many games, then it is a worry.
Iain, I admire your belief in the team, I understand where you are coming from and I genuinely wish the team well

BUT (you knew it was coming) if you are going to make comments such as "As it turned out, the Blackpool kepper made a very good save, a couple of shots were kicked off the line" plus "if just one of those Saints chances at 0-0 had gone in, then I feel sure that they'd have gone on to cruise it" don't you think you should balance it out with other comments such as, had Blackpool scored with either of the two clear cut chances they had in the first 7 minutes of the game (before we created anything) we may have been struggling in the first half and not just in the 2nd. Or how about if Blackpool had scored on the occasions they hit the woodwork, we'd have lost by more than one goal.

On the day although Saints played some decent football, in the first half, they simply weren't good enough to break through a well organised team, that came with, and stuck to, a plan.

By all means praise the team for their decent passing and commitment, but take of the rose coloured glasses.

It's no good telling someone (in this case the team) they were unlucky when the statistics and the manner in which the game panned out, clearly show they weren't.
Posted by: Hauling Hippy on 4:54pm Tue 2 Sep 08
I agree that the saints supporters negative comments only work against the club in the long run. I can also see that these are very confusing and frustrating times to be a saints supporter. After nearly 3 decades in top flight football we had become accustomed to the best. With our neighbours down the road having a quick fix and winning the cup last season we are entitled to feel a bit robbed.As a life long saints fan I feel I have to look on the positive side of things and back the boys. Im afraid to say anybody expecting us to be promoted this season after just avoiding relegation must still think we have a born right to be in the premier league. This season was all about stabilising the club, making sure we dont go into administration and developing a quality young team that wants to play for the shirt.Two or three of these players will be lost in January and next summer but will be replaced, slowly but surely you begin to challenge for the title with the club stable and money in the bank. This is unless we get a big financial backer but with the low attendances and the negative fans anybody looking to invest would run a mile.Lets all try to stay positive back the boys wearing the shirts with pride and be in it for the long run. As they say you just cant change your team through thick and thin
Posted by: Sherborne_Saint, Sherborne on 5:33pm Tue 2 Sep 08
With the loan deadline not until next week, is the club still able to accept loan fees? It would not surprise me to see some of the players expected to be transfered (Skacel, BWP) to be loaned instead....

Thoughts???
Posted by: Kevin, Maybush on 5:56pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Now that Kevin Kegan has thrown his toys out of his pram AGAIN at Newcastle, may I be the first to link him with a return to management at St Mary's.
Posted by: alan, eastleigh on 6:54pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Many negative comments about a good news story. I'm not surprised JP is happy. We have a thoroughly entertaining side that just need to turn those good performances into wins.

Holmes has been a great buy
Schneiderlin has been a revelation in midfield
Perry we knew would be good at the back because we had him last season.
No one can argue about the re-signing of Killer can they?
Cork, Pekhart and Gasmi are no risk loans who I am happy to judge AFTER I've seen them play.
Forecast is one for the future.
Pulis did OK for Stoke and likes to play the ball on the deck so should suit our style of play (and he was free!)
Wotton has already shown his worth and leadership on the pitch.

Presumably those whingers above would prefer to see the likes of Wright, Idiakez, Licka, Ostlund, Viafara, Saga and Safri back. I think they had their chance and they blew it. Time for the new squad to show their worth.
Posted by: david on 7:37pm Tue 2 Sep 08
what happened to all the bed-wetting whingers that predicted Lowe would sell all our players and not sign anyone ?
Posted by: Kevin, Maybush on 9:05pm Tue 2 Sep 08
david wrote:
what happened to all the bed-wetting whingers that predicted Lowe would sell all our players and not sign anyone ?
Perhaps it was because there were no players that any other club wanted.

To sell, you have to find a buyer.

Posted by: aaron on 9:25pm Tue 2 Sep 08
can someone tell me if there is any truth in the nigel quashie and ian harte rumours bein spread around i reckon they will be good signings for us but i really dont believe they are true.

thanks
Posted by: spakey, Sholing on 9:46pm Tue 2 Sep 08
saintsfantasist wrote:
ive just heard that Michael Owen has passed a medical and will be unvailed later today
Your having a laugh right? We aint that lucky
Posted by: Disgruntled Saints fan on 10:31pm Tue 2 Sep 08
david wrote:
what happened to all the bed-wetting whingers that predicted Lowe would sell all our players and not sign anyone ?
Well according to Lowe and his cronies we where in desperate trouble and he did a PR spin story on the predicting £5m debt for the financial year.

Now what Lowe didn't tell us was that the bank where more than happy for the £5m overdraft to get that heavy because between May and October SFC would get £6m from outstanding transfer payments incoming.

Are we so skint that we can afford the wages of 10 newcomers ?

Lowe again trys to get the upper ground but his stance always gets shot down in flames. When the truth comes out.
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