Lalana tends to play better with Harding than Fox, it needs working on. Our completion from corners is another cause for concern. We do not play well when Spider, Hammy and Cork are together, they are too much alike and tend to make us play too narrow, better to play 2 of the 3 and use the other when one of the starters gets tired.
No team in this league is totally consistent, otherwise we wouldn't still be top with a decent gap to third. If we keep winning at home (not certain I know) and win a reasonable number away (one win equals 3 draws) then we have a real chance. In Nigel we trust.
'even said Adkins was a lower league manager!' _____________________________________________- a jonny come lately comment if I ever saw one.
Alan Pardew said it 1st and Nigel has taken it on even further with the mantra about building a winning mentality at Southampton. It may have taken a dip in the lower reaches of the football pyramid, but that winning mentality is now here. I have supported Saints since the late 80s and for the majority of that time we were an average Premier league side winning and losing in equal measure. Following our relegation from the premier league it was still acceptable to lose the odd game and thats why we only just reached the plays offs despite our squad and resources. Now we're not used to losing and the downside to that is fans get even more annoyed and frustated with every defeat. I'm happy we have that mentality because it means we're successful. Recent performances have not been fantastic but we need to keep positive and confident in the players because that has got us this far.
Hey guys cheers for the response. I think some of you may have misunderstood my original post, I wasn't questioning whether the team have over achieved or whether they will stay where they are. I personally see no reason why they can't but wouldn't be dissapointed if they didn't play offs would be a HUGE achievment. My point was that some fans may get more critical of Nige simply because of the amazing job hes done so far and they may just presume that if we slip up its because somehow he's making mistakes not just because of the competitive nature of the league. So that he may have inadvertently made life a little more difficult for himself just by doing so well, which seems a little unfair.
The problem is that the bar has been set so high, that 3-6 will be disappointing (as well as stressful).
Although I've already stated that 3rd-6th wouldn't be a disappointment for me at this stage, I certainly do agree about the stressful thing. Derby away in 2007 wasn't easy to sit through!
Nigel Adkins is the best manager saints have had since i can remember (im 17) but for the first time i have faith in our manager!
