Another manager, another new start!

September 11^th 2010

My brother and I made the short journey to Swindon hoping for an improvement in recent performances. Still officially manager less, Saints were hoping to end our recent poor form against the hosts. Rumours building that Nigel Adkins would be appointed following the game were rife.

We were sat behind the goal as Dean Wilkins again took charge of the team.  Saints has a good following and like recent matches started well. Aaron Martin, who has been one of our better players this season, hit the bar early on from an in swinging corner. The rest of the first half was even. We huffed and puffed but seemed to lack any sort of attacking endeavour. Vincent Pericard had a goal disallowed for Swindon as we approached half time.

The second half started much like the first with Saints doing all the early pressing but lacking the killer ball to unlock a well organised defence. Swindon took the lead following what looked like a clear foul on Jose Fonte from a set piece and Charlie Austin poked in the loose ball. Again Austin celebrated like a “big time Charlie”, but he’s got to realise, he had achieved nothing in the game yet and goading opposition fans will get him no where! It was with great pleasure that for the first time ever I sang Kelvin Davies’ name as he came rushing out of his goal and cleaned out Austin. Young Mr Austin had to be stretchered off with a suspected dislocated shoulder and could be out for a few weeks. Who says Karma doesn’t exist! We were so poor in an attacking sense that my brother and I resorted to abusing the keeper for half an hour in the hope that we could draw a mistake out of him which could help the saints, this never happened, but the keeper took it well and even smiled in our direction! Unfortunately we came home empty handed again!

Swindon Away, Look at their lovely Floodlights!

September 13^th 2010

Finally all the rumours about our new manager had been settled. Nigel Adkins had been appointed on a three year contract. The news was announced on the Sunday night. I am happy at the appointment. Adkins seems like a well liked manager and has every coaching badge possible under his belt. His style of play is rumoured to be a quick, flowing attacking style. I hope he gets our boys playing this way, but if we play hoof ball and results pick up, I can’t see too many people complaining.

Welcome to Saints Nigel and good luck!

September 15^th 2010

Another away game at one of my all time favourite stadiums. This game was being played having been postponed earlier in the season following the death of Mr Liebherr. This time three of us made the short journey up the A34 to Stadium MK. Easy to get to and plenty of parking, just two of the many positives of this ground.

Nigel Adkins took charge for the first time and with renewed optimism we started well. Alex Chamberlain causing the very overrated Dean Lewington a few early problems with his pace. Rickie Lambert looked a shadow of his former self, but still managed to get a few shots on target early on and win a few headers. But in all honesty, yet again the Saints looked toothless.

Half time entertainment is a gripe of mine and I was pleasantly surprised to hear a wonderful rendition of Jerusalem being performed live. It was superb and got a good round of applause. Maybe Saints should take note of this and get some decent half time entertainment instead of some bumbling idiot getting fans to wave their £3 match day programs in the air!

Second Half started with MK on the front foot and they soon took the lead. I don’t know what happened for the rest of the half. We seemed desperately low on confidence and eventually seemed to give up. Hardly a tackle went in by us as MK scored a second. Another disappointing away day drew to a close!

Stadium MK at full capacity!

September 18^th 2010

Our first home under the new management regime was against our perennial nemesis Colchester. Again Saints started well and had a fair amount of possession early on. The returning Lee Barnard worked hard up front and we seemed a lot more solid as a unit. We had chances during the first half but none of them can be classed as clear cut.

The second half was a case of Colchester parking the bus in front of their goal and Saints having to end the goal drought which has dogged us recently. We tried hard, but lacked quality. On the hour mark, Adkins made a change and took off the ineffective Puncheon and replaced him with the forgotten man Lee Holmes. His impact was almost immediate as Holmes put in some decent set pieces and crosses. None of these lead to a goal but showed the new gaffer of other options in the squad. On another day Lambert, who had his best performance of the season, could have had a hat-trick. The Colchester keeper made three stunning saves from him, including two from trademark Lambert free kicks.

I left the game with a more positive frame of mind from when I arrived. Still worryingly Saints have failed to score in five consecutive matches, but we showed commitment to the final whistle unlike at MK.

We go into this weekend’s match at Sheffield Wednesday with a bit more of the feel good factor around the squad and I hope for a positive result.

A big thank you to all those that have been able to read this and if you have any comments, good or bad please get in touch.

All the best

Neel

The Soap Opera continues......

August 28th 2010


Saints played their first away game for a while at Bristol Rovers, due to work I was unable to go to this game. Just my luck Saints run out 4-0 winners with a dominant performance. It finally looked as though the tide was turning and our season was finally underway.



August 30th 2010

I was woken on bank holiday Monday by a text from a friend telling me Alan Pardew and his management team had been dismissed. Shocked like every other Saints fan, I tried to get as much information as to what had caused the club to make this decision and more importantly what the future plans of the club were.

For whatever reason the club took the decision to terminate Pardew's employment, I’m sure it was necessary. I myself was sad to see Pardew go as I thought he had helped put a smile back on the fans faces and helping us emerge from our darkest days. Pardew bought in some very good players and despite missing out the play offs last season, he bought us our first trophy in many years following a great day out at Wembley.

Nicola Cortese has been slaughtered in the local press and by many of our fans following his actions, but comparing him to people like Pol Pot and Idi Amin is a complete disgrace. I’m sure all non disclosure contracts have been put in place to not only protect the club but also the previous management team. I’m sure the number of people who know the exact reason for Pardew’s sacking is small and all the rumours flying around do nothing but destabilise the club.



August 31st 2010

We went into our JPT match against Swindon as defending champions on transfer deadline day with no manager. The soap opera continues!

With Dean Wilkins in Temporary charge for the foreseeable future, I anticipated that no signings would be made, the loan window will open again next week by which time a new manager may be in place who can add to the squad if he sees fit.

The match itself was a poor performance. We seemed to be shell shocked by the previous day’s news and it was a lacklustre and unintelligent performance. I don’t think it helped that the crowd were chanting Alan Pardew’s name. At the end of the day, he is no longer employed by the club, so in my opinion we need to move on. I was tempted to sing about Ian Branfoot to show how it’s best to leave the past behind. During the game we were undone by two goals from Pericard and one from Charlie Austin. The later giving it large when celebrating, I think he needs to remember he has achieved nothing in the game yet and should concentrate on scoring then acting like a spoilt brat.



September 4th 2010

The rumours over a new club manager continued, with many names being mentioned. But more importantly we had an on paper banker at home to Rochdale. Dean Wilkins again took charge.

The first half started with Saints doing the usual trick of dominating but not taking early chances. Rickie Lambert looked short of fitness and seemed to be trying too hard. We desperately missed the hard work and endeavour of Barnard. But despite this start we were soon 1-0 down as Rochdale scored a well worked goal. This goal seemed to drain any confidence we had, but despite our passing being poor we still created chances. Jason Puncheon the main culprit missing chances even I could have scored from.

Second half was a similar story; we created chances despite not playing well, and then were hit with another beautifully crafted goal by the visitors. 2-0 at home to Rochdale, a result I thought I would never see. Our best players in this game were the youngsters Martin and Chamberlain. Maybe the chairman’s plans to promote players from the academy might just work!



So, the search for a new manager still continues, many big names have been linked. Martin O’Neill being one of the biggest. Some fans seem to think we had a realistic chance of attracting someone like him to League 1. My personal choice for the job has remained a 25/1 long shot and I doubt will be appointed and that was Tony Mowbray.

Some managers such as the media whore that is Phil “I’m orange” Brown have openly expressed their interest and have even claimed to be interviewed. Some of the rumours floating around about candidates seen in Southampton or spotted talking to club officials have been hilarious. All I know is that the club will conduct their business in the usual manner and we will be advised of our new manager when the club have settled all aspects of the deal.

Nigel Adkins appears to be the man Saints have chosen to take us forward. I think it’ll be a good appointment and look forward to him joining us once all the contractual issues are sorted. It has been good reading the hourly updates that seem to have come out regarding this story and how some fans are so quick to jump on bandwagons. A message to all saints fans from me, why not make your own mind up on issues and stop listening to all the nonsense that is spouted on internet forums by people who have nothing better to do.

Anyway, I have gone on long enough this time. I look forward to the club moving forward, hopefully with 6 points from away trips to Swindon and Franchise FC.

A big thank you to all those that have been able to read this and if you have any comments, good or bad please get in touch.



All the best



Neel