QPR vs Saints

Saints away at QPR for the last of the friendly matches this afetnoon. We are currently 1-0 down...

A headed goal, after just 8 minutes.

from a corner, surprise surprise

Will it ever change

Afternoon gents.

Saints improving. Mills misses good chance.

At least we seem to be making chances and Lallana is showing again.

Shows how poor our resourses are when Wotton gets a start yet again.

2-0 QPR. Dammit. QPR player waltzes round our lot and presto, ball in net.

Rangers 2-0 up :-(

Does read as though we have created some chances, but defensively we are struggling which is never a surprise with Lancashire in the team.

Lancashire is bloody awful.

Half time 2-0.

Wotton is the other weak link. Despite his size Gillett is still a tough tackler and very determined and has already shown that he can partner Morgan well.

Hopefully AP will make some changes at half time. He must see who is worthy of a place each week and who is utter dross and needs dropping forthwith. Trouble is, with such a threadbare squad and a seeming problem getting people to sign for the club (Pardew was on Solent earlier saying that even getting people into the building - St Mary's - to talk was a challenge) because we are now in an even crappier league than the last one, it looks like we are going to struggle badly.

HT and we are losing 2-0

I know we are away to a CCC side but we leak goals too regularly for us to feel at ease with the coming fixtures. I wonder what subs will be coming out for the second half

Into second half, still 2-0. Murty and Gillett on for James and Wotton.

Lets hope Saints can make a fist of it in the second half.

3-0 down.

Sounded like a good solo effort.

Good thing is if Murty is still with us we must have a good chance of keeping him.

Full time 3-0.

One thing's for sure, there's a hell of a lot of work for Pardew and his staff to do before next week.

FT and we have lost 3-0. AP must surely have seen enough to know where we need the most urgent replacements for our paper thin squad.

Disappointing result but sure merely confirms to AP the lack of depth in the squad and the need to get new faces. Hopefully the "Board" also recognise that they have to do something in the short term to bolster the squad. Worrying that Thomas was injured again as he makes a difference at the back and always worry when Lancashire plays as he seems to unsettle the back line. AP will sort it though.

I would imagine that AP has been knocking down doors since the game trying to get some players in. He must be wondering exactly how we will cope once the serious stuff begibs.
Priority in my book is one or better still two Big strong commanding CB's. A tough tackling no nonsence midfielder to run the show and help Spiderman. Preferably one with legs that move unlike Wotton. Another big strong player as a target man who can also score goals. With four players of that ilk I would be more than confident regarding our immediate future.

When I think tough tackling, no nonsense midfielder with legs who can drive us forward I think Jhon Viafara. Shame we let him go.

Throughout our history we have let good players go and often on the cheap. From what I saw last season and the little I have seen this pre season I believe we are only 2 or 3 players away from being a side that will win a lot of matches. That is if Thomas doesn't become another Svensson. In which case we would need another CB to replace him as well.
Years ago most top teams had a tough scottish player or two. Even now the top teams all have muscle inbuilt in their squads. Give our younger players some muscle and I am sure we will see a far different scenario to that of last season.