Does Alan Pardew deserve more pressure from Nicola Cortese? (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Yes he does.

I don't think this is the time for either the Echo to start putting extra pressure on Alan Pardew along with Nicola Cortese. I think NC shoould have spoken with AP in private about this; in one of their weekly meetings. I does no good whatsoever to pile public pressure onto the manager when he already has to worry about the pressure of performing on 3 fronts: JPT, FA Cup and league. Sure, results are not perfect or predictable - this is football we're talking about after all!

Playoffs were never realistically possible but it's fun thinking that mathematically it's still possible.

Beating Norwich? Why not. We beat Ipswich who had had an unbeaten run of 15 games. Records, as Saints know, are there to be broken.

C'mon Nicoal & the Echo. Get behind the team and support them.

COYS!!!

Good article. Lowe was pilloried as not being a football man. Perhaps Mr Cortese's comments show that he too doess not understand football and it might be helpful if he kept these comments for behind closed doors. Pardew has done a good job and it will take time to turn us into serious challengers for promotion. Mr Cortese is probably being very clever here and maybe has learned from Mr Lowe's lack of nous when it came to managing the fans expectations. The ball now is firmly in the manager's court to deliver, not the CEO whereas before it was the CEO who was taken to task for poor results (probably because he chose not to hang his managers out to dry publically). What Mr Cortese should be mindful of is that is is one thing to expect a return for expenditure, it is another to pull the rug from under the manager's feet by refusing deals at the last minute because you don't want to pay the wages. When and if we do get promoted the players wil expect much more. We had one CEO who was criticised for being tight with cash, but his excuse was we had little. Apparently we have a great deal more now so fans might expect us to be buying the best, not the cheapest. The refrain used to be that the manager was the most important person at the club. Nowdays that seems to be the bloke holding the purse strings. Don't forget Mr Cortese, you employed Alan Pardew to do a job. It would be nice if you let him do it without these silly public statements that are just designed to make you look like you can crack the whip but do little to help the manager.

He would have a pretty easy life if there was no pressure.
Can't remember a time when any of our previous were under pressure.
Makes for a healthy situation, no one should be complacent.

Simon Carter takes the opportunity to make more digs at Nicola Cortese.
.
The bitterness shown by the Echo towards Saints permeates into every single report.

We fans are not as fickle as you think. My opinion will not change whatever the result tonight, or Saturday. I base my opinion on his selections, tactics, substitutions, transfers and motivational ability. If the team loses, but everybody gives 100%, I would be happier than scraping a narrow draw with stupid selections, ridiculous substitutions, and half-witted tactics.

Does Saints boss deserve to have pressure piled on? just over half way through the season, its not looking bad from where i am sat, i would of been happy to be where we are at the moment pre season, and any way, aint we all under some sort of pressure, i mean i should be working, but no, i am on here, and i will then feel the pressure later to get my work done on time

I never expected us to be in the playoffs by the end of this season. This season is to stabilise and build a squad to win promotion next season. I agree with NC that he is looking for results in the league after spending all that cash. They will come of that I am confident once these cup games are out of the way and the league team settles we'll start winning again.

I think a lot of Saints fans are expecting too much too soon. We should all celebrate the club and our position in the league.

Can't make it tonight but can't wait till Saturday!!! Its gonna be awesome win lose or draw!

COYR!

There is no "pressure" in either the JPT or the FA Cup. These do not matter at all, in comparison to League positioning. Without doubt, by being a bit more adventurous and bossing the opposition more convincingly, Saints could have won games they ultimately drew. Ironically, Norwich away would be one of the games you could forgive Saints for losing! (Which we won't!)

I find the trouble with Pardew is some of his quotes and decisions. 'Lambert needs a rest' - hasnt rested him. 'Papa is a great player. never really starts him'. 'Holmes has been in form for the last 4 weeks thought I'd better play him before he loses it'. 4-5-1 formation and drawing. Not signing another centre midfielder (i thought Prutton would have been ideal) I agree that most fans didnt think of a promotion season. however only being 7 points off at Christmas meant it was in sight. But signing new players and then putting them straight in when quite clearly we were doing okay before is a little naive. Bed them in slowly surely? We will not make the playoffs this year, so not sure why the chairman has said what he has said in public. Maybe there is a personallity clash with him and AP.

Tonight and Saturday will say a lot about the Saints squad. If we do well without the cup tied players then maybe we should consider using the same side in the league games. (except maybe for Fonte)

I understand the impatience but am prepared to wait another season for the championship. However I think we need to maybe change the game plan when it comes to formations and starting personnel.

Letts get this straight, I dont think for one min that NC didnt speak to AP before this was released. NC has proven that he is not afraid to listen to or pass on what he thinks should be right. Can many true fans with there hand on their heart say they have not been disapointed by the last few results. NC I beleive is firmly behind his manager and team but such is the expetation of supporters that the team do need a kick up the bum no and again to stop complaincency. Lets not forget us as fans play a major part in how are team perform as there are to many quiet times during a game we need to be seen and be heard for the full 90mins and not just when we score. Can the family enclosure please start making some noise and watch then how your team performs.
Do not get me wrong AP does need to address his starting formation and i still think we need to be 4 4 2 regardless of who we play. Lets not be afraid of any team as we are Saints and are not afraid to show it.
Wembley beckons so come on fans make some noise and be the 12th man.
COYR

I normally defend the Echo, but feel this is just mischief making.
Every man and his dog has already made comments about this on the forum yesterday.
All Carter has done is regurgitate the story, which will lead to more Saints followers arguing the t0ss on here.

I think it is fair to say that all of our previous managers were constantly under pressure but that any of these conversations took place privately. That is where they should stay and the manager should be supported publically by those who employ him. Pardew does not need further presssure, he knows what he needs to deliver. Promotion.

ludachris wrote:
He would have a pretty easy life if there was no pressure. Can't remember a time when any of our previous were under pressure. Makes for a healthy situation, no one should be complacent.

True, a Professional will always thrive under pressure, as long as its done in a contructive and productive manner. Im sure AP has been given it in the above way in abundence.

We all need targets no matter what profession your in, it gives you a focus on whats needed to be achieved, but i dont feel that AP needs to be told what is required. He is surley not happy with our current position in the league but i'm sure that improvement is his main priority. The moment your happy with where your at is time to move on, we now he's not happy so lets leave him be, back him 100% and show were behind him all the way. Hopefully to Wembly and beyond.

Cut this rubbish out Echo it will back fire on you. Its stupid and childish.
Saints supporters are whole heartedly behind the team and the manager and so is the chairman.

I think Cortese comments are fair however I think AP feels the same about the team's current string of lacklustre performances. I don't think Cortese would be looking to replace AP anytime soon, however, naturally journalists will paint a more sensational version to make it sound that way. To think about sacking AP is crazy. The Five year plan is just that! Year 1 - Consolidation (we are achieving that),, Year 2 (Promotion), Year 3 Consolidate in Championship, Year 4 or 5 promotion push for Premiership. Who knows whether AP will be there for the duration is anyones guess but at the moment but we need to realise how far we have come from being nearly out of business this time last year.

Cortese is I think voicing his concerns like every other Saints supporter, is that so wrong?

Our team and manager need to handle pressure so comments like this from Cortese are fine with me although I think he can now go back into the background of running the club and see how the rest of the season transpires.

Costa Baz wrote:
I normally defend the Echo, but feel this is just mischief making.
Every man and his dog has already made comments about this on the forum yesterday.
All Carter has done is regurgitate the story, which will lead to more Saints followers arguing the t0ss on here.

Your so right costa baz, this was just one sentence from cortese plucked from an entire interveiw on solent taken out of context and flagged up as the chairman growling at AP,ridiculous.
Of course he wants good results for the outlay,what else is he supposed to say.
Yet another reminder ,if needed ,why the echo ban is in place.

Tirau Dan wrote:
Cut this rubbish out Echo it will back fire on you. Its stupid and childish. Saints supporters are whole heartedly behind the team and the manager and so is the chairman.

Yeah, the Echo needs to cut the 'jibba jabba' cos i aint buying into it !!!! as a Saints fan i will and will always be supporting the Manager/Team through thick and thin, obviously there will be times i don't agree with selections etc., but i aint the manager of this great club, so will support the Team/Manager and Club as long as i have got a hole in my @rse !!!! nuff said ...... COYR

I think AP will be all too aware of the expectations of Cortese and Liebher...they wouldn't have given him the investment in players without setting out their expectations. We want to get back to the Premiership as quickly as possible and that is what Cortese is saying. The squad has been put together so that it is one of the best in the division...it is now AP's job to put out the best teams each week to beat the teams we face.

If we play away on a rubbish surface then put the players on the pitch who can cope with this better. There are no more excuses....I'd take a Wembley win and the playoffs over a victory against Pompey any day...but that would need a lot of hindsight and it would make me feel sick for far too long! So lets win the next 2 then see where we're at!

saintjak wrote:
I find the trouble with Pardew is some of his quotes and decisions. 'Lambert needs a rest' - hasnt rested him. 'Papa is a great player. never really starts him'. 'Holmes has been in form for the last 4 weeks thought I'd better play him before he loses it'. 4-5-1 formation and drawing. Not signing another centre midfielder (i thought Prutton would have been ideal) I agree that most fans didnt think of a promotion season. however only being 7 points off at Christmas meant it was in sight. But signing new players and then putting them straight in when quite clearly we were doing okay before is a little naive. Bed them in slowly surely? We will not make the playoffs this year, so not sure why the chairman has said what he has said in public. Maybe there is a personallity clash with him and AP. Tonight and Saturday will say a lot about the Saints squad. If we do well without the cup tied players then maybe we should consider using the same side in the league games. (except maybe for Fonte) I understand the impatience but am prepared to wait another season for the championship. However I think we need to maybe change the game plan when it comes to formations and starting personnel.

Nothing wrong with the Boss reminding "the boss" not to get complacent...I can't wait for this evening, first home game since Ajax. Do I feel under pressure? Of course.

I am glad that someone has mentioned
that the clubs we have played recently have enjoyed good results against the best clubs in this division. Also our form has dipped slightly with the heavy pitches. We are first and foremost a footballing side.
Now is the time though to break barriers and push on. Whether the play offs are in any way possible is debatable. We will hopefully beat dons tonight, i think we will be lucky to beat Pompey, despite their difficulties they are a stronger side.
Yet alot depends on the crowd and the emotion. Also who is up for it the most. fingers crossed.

Yes the pressure should now be on AP and especially the players.
With the new signings we now have a large squad (possibly too large) with competitions in all departments, bigger and better that the other teams in L1.
This now brings the added pressure, consequently expectations are higher so there can be no excuses for poor performances.
AP has been given the backing to bring in the players he wants, however, I fear that some are no better that we already have. Lambert, Hammond and Fonte are proving their worth but time will tell if the others are up to Championship standard.
Less numbers but better quality would have been a better transfer policy to improve the 11 on the pitch not the squad.
Still two cup wins this week could spark off the much needed run of league wins.
'Com'on Saints'

give it a rest echo, you are starting to bore me

I think the echo should sort themselves out with the club and stop wasting time printing what is mainly speculation and hear-say. As I said yesterday, BRING BACK GRAHAM HILEY!

I can only see the statement made by cortese as a good one.
Hopefully it give pardew and the team a timely kick up the backside.
They will all now know that they cannot have an easy ride,and pardew will hopefully play positive formation and tactics from now on.
Lets get behind the boys and pards tonight from start to finish COYR!!!

Of course he does,what a stupid bloody article.
The whole team need a good kick up the arsg after recent results.we are well off it now.chucking away 1-0 leads 3 out of 4 games isnt good enough.the players are not giving 100% but pardew think they have.dont know what games he has been watching,because i havnt seen them chase every lost ball.

If Cortese had come out and said he's happy or not concerned with our recent form I'd be very surprised. I'm sure AP feels exactly the same and already feels the weight of expectancy that comes with spending so much money. This is a non-story. My opinion of Cortese & AP hasn't changed at all. We all want our manager to be under pressure to get results. That's how it works ffs. We don't want to hear excuses about not being able to win on dodgy pitches. Adapt and achieve. Lets hope for a morale boosting win tonight so we can go in to Saturdays game with confidence high.

Interesting the difference in reporting of various Chairman by the Echo.
.
The Echo always stood by and freely let Michael Wilde spout a load of lies to fans via the Echo for years. Was that because of the alleged freebies and meals he gave them?
.
Cortese stands up to the Echo once and they act like a spoilt child ever since, especially the editors like Carter who have leached off the club for far too long.
.
The Echo claim to be bastians of the truth, but we all know they have their own agenda.
.
Made me laugh out loud that the other day the Guardian described them as the "Dorset Echo" so not even their pals in the business know who they are.

St. Curious Chimp wrote:

Tirau Dan wrote: Cut this rubbish out Echo it will back fire on you. Its stupid and childish. Saints supporters are whole heartedly behind the team and the manager and so is the chairman.

Yeah, the Echo needs to cut the 'jibba jabba' cos i aint buying into it !!!! as a Saints fan i will and will always be supporting the Manager/Team through thick and thin, obviously there will be times i don't agree with selections etc., but i aint the manager of this great club, so will support the Team/Manager and Club as long as i have got a hole in my @rse !!!! nuff said ...... COYR

Yes - unfortunately this article is complete rubbish. It is a non-statement and not worthy of further comment. See you all tonight! COYR

If you think this story is mischief making by the Echo say 'aye'.

Very apt sw 'acid-more'

Sadoldgitte wrote:
Good article. Lowe was pilloried as not being a football man. Perhaps Mr Cortese's comments show that he too doess not understand football and it might be helpful if he kept these comments for behind closed doors. Pardew has done a good job and it will take time to turn us into serious challengers for promotion. Mr Cortese is probably being very clever here and maybe has learned from Mr Lowe's lack of nous when it came to managing the fans expectations. The ball now is firmly in the manager's court to deliver, not the CEO whereas before it was the CEO who was taken to task for poor results (probably because he chose not to hang his managers out to dry publically). What Mr Cortese should be mindful of is that is is one thing to expect a return for expenditure, it is another to pull the rug from under the manager's feet by refusing deals at the last minute because you don't want to pay the wages. When and if we do get promoted the players wil expect much more. We had one CEO who was criticised for being tight with cash, but his excuse was we had little. Apparently we have a great deal more now so fans might expect us to be buying the best, not the cheapest. The refrain used to be that the manager was the most important person at the club. Nowdays that seems to be the bloke holding the purse strings. Don't forget Mr Cortese, you employed Alan Pardew to do a job. It would be nice if you let him do it without these silly public statements that are just designed to make you look like you can crack the whip but do little to help the manager.

A well considered response to a thought provoking and worthwhile article. It's a pity Cortese didn't give his press release as much thought and consideration to both it's content and timing.

His insistence that the team start to improve their league performances away to the best team in the league is ridiculous. Its a thinly veiled threat that Pardew does not deserve and what are threats if they are not carried out?

If we win our next two games and lose against Norwich whilst giving a good account of ourselves, has Mr Cortese backed himself into a corner unless he takes corrective action as a result of his demand for 3 points in one hugely difficult game and because of such a disappointing season?

A season that from the start he and Pardew avoided all talk of the hope of promotion and spoke only of their 5 year plan which from where I sit is on track but not helped by a demand that seems impossible.

I thought with our new owner came a security in wealth used sensibily and a degree of patience with the 5 year plan. Why the sudden hurry? If I was Pardew I would be inclined to win the next two games and then resign. He has done a great job guiding the club to safety and setting the foundations which was surely only ever the objectives for year 1 of 5.

Public demands from the CEO at this stage are as welcome as an injury to our on the field captain and where I wouldn't question Cortese sporting brain with regards to the financial side he doesn't seem to have much of a clue about the actual game and especially how competitive it is in this country. Money is only a short term motivator and he would do well to recognise the other desries that motivate players, fans and managers alike.

I never thought we would make the playoffs but after the run of 6 wins I began to wonder.

Cortese obviously thought it was on and pressurised AP to go for it and gave him the money to invest. Unfortunately that's part of the problem, we had a settled team that was doing very well and so many changes so quickly have had a detrimental effect on league form.

Whilst the league is the big thing the truth is the skates game is the be all and end all to the fans. To lose to them means we have to put up with their crap again - to win? TO WIN!? Awesome if we do

Common wrote:
Interesting the difference in reporting of various Chairman by the Echo.
.
The Echo always stood by and freely let Michael Wilde spout a load of lies to fans via the Echo for years. Was that because of the alleged freebies and meals he gave them?
.
Cortese stands up to the Echo once and they act like a spoilt child ever since, especially the editors like Carter who have leached off the club for far too long.
.
The Echo claim to be bastians of the truth, but we all know they have their own agenda.
.
Made me laugh out loud that the other day the Guardian described them as the "Dorset Echo" so not even their pals in the business know who they are.

All everyone wants is a restoration of diplomatic relations between the Echo and SMS. It can't be that hard to get it sorted surely.

We love the threads and normally really enjoy saints stories. All the fans will get right behind the Echo when they have a bone to pick and will certainly start stirring when the time comes to make criticism.

This isn't that time and the people of Southampton that support football and have followed Nicola Cortese thus far know it. Echo 0 Nicola about 6 so far.

Enough said by me - I really just want it sorted so Adam and the lads can have access to the team and sms again.

Fourth Bear wrote:

Sadoldgitte wrote:
Good article. Lowe was pilloried as not being a football man. Perhaps Mr Cortese's comments show that he too doess not understand football and it might be helpful if he kept these comments for behind closed doors. Pardew has done a good job and it will take time to turn us into serious challengers for promotion. Mr Cortese is probably being very clever here and maybe has learned from Mr Lowe's lack of nous when it came to managing the fans expectations. The ball now is firmly in the manager's court to deliver, not the CEO whereas before it was the CEO who was taken to task for poor results (probably because he chose not to hang his managers out to dry publically). What Mr Cortese should be mindful of is that is is one thing to expect a return for expenditure, it is another to pull the rug from under the manager's feet by refusing deals at the last minute because you don't want to pay the wages. When and if we do get promoted the players wil expect much more. We had one CEO who was criticised for being tight with cash, but his excuse was we had little. Apparently we have a great deal more now so fans might expect us to be buying the best, not the cheapest. The refrain used to be that the manager was the most important person at the club. Nowdays that seems to be the bloke holding the purse strings. Don't forget Mr Cortese, you employed Alan Pardew to do a job. It would be nice if you let him do it without these silly public statements that are just designed to make you look like you can crack the whip but do little to help the manager.

A well considered response to a thought provoking and worthwhile article. It's a pity Cortese didn't give his press release as much thought and consideration to both it's content and timing.

His insistence that the team start to improve their league performances away to the best team in the league is ridiculous. Its a thinly veiled threat that Pardew does not deserve and what are threats if they are not carried out?

If we win our next two games and lose against Norwich whilst giving a good account of ourselves, has Mr Cortese backed himself into a corner unless he takes corrective action as a result of his demand for 3 points in one hugely difficult game and because of such a disappointing season?

A season that from the start he and Pardew avoided all talk of the hope of promotion and spoke only of their 5 year plan which from where I sit is on track but not helped by a demand that seems impossible.

I thought with our new owner came a security in wealth used sensibily and a degree of patience with the 5 year plan. Why the sudden hurry? If I was Pardew I would be inclined to win the next two games and then resign. He has done a great job guiding the club to safety and setting the foundations which was surely only ever the objectives for year 1 of 5.

Public demands from the CEO at this stage are as welcome as an injury to our on the field captain and where I wouldn't question Cortese sporting brain with regards to the financial side he doesn't seem to have much of a clue about the actual game and especially how competitive it is in this country. Money is only a short term motivator and he would do well to recognise the other desries that motivate players, fans and managers alike.

Exactly my thoughts but put in a much more eloquent way:)

Sing tonight my beauties, SING!!!!!!!!!

COYRS!!!!

Not long ago we were crowing about our wonderful saviours from extinction now NC is in the doghouse for stating the bleeding obvious. As for undermining AP they had previously discussed this in
private as is clear from APs interview with the Guardian. As a previous poster says it would have been far more worrying if NC had said he was delighted with the way things are going at present. Still things can change so as always it is "watch this space"

Yes Echo you are right to do this article just as Nicola Cortese is right to put the pressure on AP and the players.
With the investment AP now has a large squad yet their league form has dropped. Just look at the facts - last 7 league games - only 2 wins, 3 draws & 2 defeats. Not good enough only 9 out of possible 21 points, no wonder we have slipped from 7 to 15 points from the play off places.

Jeez there's a lot of precious people on here.
Firstly if you don't like the Echo reporting then dont read it. If you just want a cosy article about how great everything is then read the official site. This article merely asked the question of whether or not Pardew deserves a little pressure. It actually covered points for and against. Lets be honest, we don't exepct to be in the play offs but then I also don't expect to play one up front on games we needed to win. Sack Pardew of course not, but questioning his tactics should be allowed. The Echo is there to report and comment on the events. Banning the Echo seems petty and pointless.
As for Cortese all he really said was that results haven't been good enough and he's right. Other teams are doing better and have spent nothing. I have to been to Exeter, Norwich (JPT), MK Dons, Brentford, Ipswich and I'm going tonight. And Ipswich apart we have been poor. We score then lose motivation and cling on in games. Subs are either not used or are too late.
If you take the Saints job now, you have the benefit of the best stadium in the league, big crowds, a decent owner and tranfer funds,
You should expect to be under some pressure to deliver and we should be able to question the tactics when it's not working.

Simon Carter you are just trying to shake trees!

Back off, unless you can prove that NC has done anything other than good for this club. He runs the club, not you. He ban the DE, and yet he has archived more for this club in a short time, with actions not cheap talk.

NC hired AP to do a job to fit his ambitions for our great club! If NC seems fit to put public or not, pressure on AP. Then I trust him to be doing the right thing, and no one can question him. As he has kept proving what this club can, and will archive! If NC decides that a mistake was made in hiring AP, then so be it. What ever spin or games your trying to bring from this will fruitless in the long term, as NC is a man of positive ambition and desire to bring success to the club, and may be AP needed a public kick in the pants, so as to keep him on his toes.

Yes these last few posts have put things into perspective. The play-offs are now probably a lost cause but the truth of the matter is they were initially well within reach. It is not surprising therefore that NC and undoubtedly Marcus too are very disappointed with the current state of affairs. To date AP has not come up with the goods and as in any business must expect to be told so. Much has been made of the 5 year plan which is still there but the first, and immediate, step was early exit from this lower league.

batesieboy wrote:
Yes he does.

no he doesnt

All NC has said is that he wants to see an improvement in results. We have just drawn at Exeter and Brentford I would have thought any fan would want an improvement on that.

Its hardly "piling on the pressure". Still bad news sells papers.

i realy like what simon carter has said here and he's right .and NC putting pressure on Pardew i also think this is a good thing and will bring the bset out of Pardew . for me winning the JPT would be the best thing saints could do this season. also come the norwich away game think we will see hopefully how far we have come playing the best at this level away and on a good ground think we could win that game and go on a great run . COYR

If the remit for investing during January was to get up this season, yep, Nicola would obviously be disappointed and rightly so, we've gone backwards in the league a bit, although some of that is to do with our success in the cups.

Whether the play-offs were realistic is a difficult one and I'm in two minds.

On the one hand you have to say that even with our points deduction we would still be outsiders for the play-offs, which, I think everyone would agree, wouldn't be where we should be based on investment and squad compared to the opposition.

On the other hand, our club had a lot of work to do to get to a level platform where it could take off from.

i) pre-season didn't really happen
ii) losing mentality from season on season of under performing
iii) need to shift players who didn't want to be here and bring new faces in
iv) -10 points to make up and mindset that brings

I think the team has turned that around and a Wembley final and/or good showing vs Pompey would complete the return of the spirit at this club.

I also think that it is more important in the next few months to get a clear, solid, settled starting 11 and bench totally embedded and ready to hit the ground running next season with the determination to be the best team in the league next year.

Yes, play-offs would be nice, but more important to finish the league strongly, even if that means seventh or eighth place.

Goal for me for the rest of the season would be a Wembley final and for us to be consistently winning back-to-back games, home and away.

Winning home and away is the key to rising up the league next season and we need to embed a mentality where we believe we will beat anyone, anywhere. That's not quite there yet.

normsted wrote:

Costa Baz wrote: I normally defend the Echo, but feel this is just mischief making. Every man and his dog has already made comments about this on the forum yesterday. All Carter has done is regurgitate the story, which will lead to more Saints followers arguing the t0ss on here.

Your so right costa baz, this was just one sentence from cortese plucked from an entire interveiw on solent taken out of context and flagged up as the chairman growling at AP,ridiculous. Of course he wants good results for the outlay,what else is he supposed to say. Yet another reminder ,if needed ,why the echo ban is in place.

It wasn't an interview boys. It was a statement, just a couple of paragraphs long, issued by NC to Radio Solent.

No!

Jason D wrote:
If the remit for investing during January was to get up this season, yep, Nicola would obviously be disappointed and rightly so, we've gone backwards in the league a bit, although some of that is to do with our success in the cups.

Whether the play-offs were realistic is a difficult one and I'm in two minds.

On the one hand you have to say that even with our points deduction we would still be outsiders for the play-offs, which, I think everyone would agree, wouldn't be where we should be based on investment and squad compared to the opposition.

On the other hand, our club had a lot of work to do to get to a level platform where it could take off from.

i) pre-season didn't really happen
ii) losing mentality from season on season of under performing
iii) need to shift players who didn't want to be here and bring new faces in
iv) -10 points to make up and mindset that brings

I think the team has turned that around and a Wembley final and/or good showing vs Pompey would complete the return of the spirit at this club.

I also think that it is more important in the next few months to get a clear, solid, settled starting 11 and bench totally embedded and ready to hit the ground running next season with the determination to be the best team in the league next year.

Yes, play-offs would be nice, but more important to finish the league strongly, even if that means seventh or eighth place.

Goal for me for the rest of the season would be a Wembley final and for us to be consistently winning back-to-back games, home and away.

Winning home and away is the key to rising up the league next season and we need to embed a mentality where we believe we will beat anyone, anywhere. That's not quite there yet.

Disagree about being affected by the cups mate. The Millwall and Exeter games came after a week off.

It's all well and good saying, Norwich & Leeds lost at some places where we got a point, but the fact is that they've won 19 & 18 games respectively and we've only won 11. That's why they're at the top and we're losing ground to them (and all the other play-off contenders!)
There are, perhaps, reasons why we are not winning, but we are hearing far too many excuses.
It's true that expectations are higher now, fan expectation leads to dissapointment when they're not realised and eventually smaller gates.
But this is a results business and if the expectations of the money men are not being met then heads WILL roll. Regardless of whether we think it's fair or not.
Mine and your opinions on this are totally irrelevant.
I don't want to see him go, but there is no room for excuses for more for performances, the team must start performing in the league or Pardew will be out of a job.

My proof reading was not good in previous post, so i've corrected and re-posted.

It's all well and good saying, Norwich & Leeds lost at some places where we got a point, but the fact is that they've won 19 & 18 games respectively and we've only won 11. That's why they're at the top and we're losing ground to them (and all the other play-off contenders!)
There are, perhaps, reasons why we are not winning, but we are hearing far too many excuses.
It's true that expectations are higher now, fan expectation leads to dissapointment when they're not realised and eventually smaller gates.
But this is a results business and if the expectations of the money men are not being met then heads WILL roll. Regardless of whether we think it's fair or not.
Mine and your opinions on this are totally irrelevant.
I don't want to see him go, but there is no room for excuses for more poor performances, the team must start performing in the league or Pardew will be out of a job

I dont care what anyone says i think the pards has made the best of a bad job given our situation in august. Our club has come on leaps and bounds so far the only way is up. New players take time to gel in and work together an i rekon its to early to get the voodoo dolls out. Alot of the players are cup tied. But i do think the acid teat will be the Norwich game. Yes Silverware would be nice but the pards will be concentrating on Norwich if hes got any sense and gettin the lads sorted for that. A result there would set us up for the long run of home games in march. Keep the faith COYR

When Saints beat Exeter at home on Boxing day and the gap between the top six was less then ten points everything was going to plan.I never liked Pardew but after a bad start by him he was getting the team looking very strong and winning alot of games(3-1 as I call it) and i was happy even with him.Then the transfer window is about to open.Well the reason we were climbing the table so well was not only were they alot better players then other sides but there was not to many changes for every game.Well I remember Newcastle many moons ago when they were 12 points clear of the premiership and then went out and bought players changed the team and won nothing.
Now at the start of the season he was trying new things and changing things and results were poor because players need time to play together and so i will accept that.But then for 2 months or so we were looking certainly one of the best sides in the league.
Well as i said then the transfer window opens he spends loads of cash as unheard of in this league and chucks 3 players in defence all for there first game and also changes the goalkeeper again and wonders why things are not right.If a player is playing well he stays in the side in my book because if you play well and get dropped its going to p*iss you off a little i think.
Then the big excuses about players being tired.
In my twenties I was working 84 hrs every week so are you telling me to play 2 games a week and ten hrs of training a week and you are tired.Bo**ocks. I will accept injures but so does all the other clubs in the league so its the same for all and this squad is bigger then most.
Ok the team was bad last season but that team still went away towards the end of last season and totally out played Ipswich away 3-0 so you can see why Norwich and Charlton are doing so well.
Years ago managers did not have the luxury of the play offs so now its easier to keep your season alive half way through with the play offs now there.
I think The chairmen is right as at xmas before opening his cheque book at the request of Mr Pardew and the gap less then ten with 26 games to go he put the pressure on himself for the position to make the play offs .
For me its the manner we have played lately.The last 3 games we have been winning away and have thrown the lead away in all of them through bad defending.
I will accept the top two in this league was too far away with a ten point penalty but i wont accept sixth place was too far away with 46 games when you've just come down from a better league with better players.Never.
And admin seems to be another excuse for fans as Crystal Palace have proved u can still play good even when your club is going pop.
Now i don't want to change Pardew now but over the two games against Exeter this season there has been nothing between the sides and even the 3-1 at St Marys was more by luck then anything else and against the ten men,And they were a non league team 2 seasons ago as Of Luton town are now.
Come on Saints show us your colours get to Wembley win a cup,Beat skates and then forget this season. Were look forward to winning this league outright and if not so then its Time to say goodbye Mr Pardew

It's a mountain being made out of a molehill. From the posts I've seen most people see it as just that and common sense is winning the day. I don't blame the Echo much, they need some news and there isn't much to write about today. Its half term next week and a few of the reporters are day dreaming about their week off. But tomorrow there will be good news.. hopefully .. and the Echo will be trumpeting that we are going to Wembley and all the usual headlines will appear about what a great job Pards has done, then there will be the nostalgia about our previous Wembley visits and there will be pictures of the new owner and Cortese praising the team and the fans and the programme sellers and everybody at the club etc etc ..... and this story about a few words from Nicola Cortese's statement will disappear from view.

All the best tonight Pards .. Good luck to you and the boys.

time to hit down with m8's get a good few beer's down me then sing my heart out . woo hoo wembley here we come !!! COYR

It is normal for pressure to be put on Managers to get it right, ask Arsene Wenger if he had any pressure put on him this week!
NP I think, wants what is best for us, and what is best to keep the money coming in, so if results don't come right, the lesser fans will drift away again, success breeds success.
Give the fans what they want and they will keep coming to watch. It is all down to everyone working together, but it is all down in the end to the eleven players on the pitch, they should remember why they are there and who pays their wages.
AP can plan all he wants, but is powerless if the side picked doesn't perform to the best of their ability.
We as the crowd have to get the message across, we are right behind you lads so don't let us down. Please.

Simon Carter you are a tit. Forget the -10 point, that means that this £3million team is 5 points behind 6th place, not even an automatic place. This isn't about Cortese being upset it's him saying that we really need to up our game and our last 3 results of throwing away 1 goal leads isn't good enough. Any Saints fan will say the same and if you want to know what Alan Pardew is saying secretly behind closed doors, I bet it's the exact same thing.

Throwing 3 new signing defenders straight into a game after minimum training together can't be good. I'm not claiming to know anything about football management but if you're asking players to Gel then thats not the answer. The decision to keep playing Mills over Harding isn't a good decision to me either.

The very last thing this club needs though if for us to start going through managers again between the board, management, players and fans (And the Echo) we need to be supporting each other. Now come on Echo we are buying your paper now support us and the Saints better without printing this rubbish and trying to divide and basically Sh*t stirring.

I don't think Mr. Cortese said we MUST get in the play-offs. He merely stated something which I'm sure we all think, including the manager, his staff and the players. The performances need to improve, and they do. Saints have not played well since Walsall (a), apart from the 2nd half the following week at home to Tranmere on 6th Dec.

Is it possible that Corteses remarks about recent results were actually made in support of Pardew? He seems to be echoing what Pardew has said so I think it is possible that he is trying to give the players a bit of a wake up call.

I think the Chairman is grinning from ear to ear... ooo and was that a wink ;p

Jesus_02 wrote:

batesieboy wrote: Yes he does.

no he doesnt

'course he does

batesieboy wrote:

Jesus_02 wrote:

batesieboy wrote: Yes he does.

no he doesnt

'course he does

Lads Alan Pardew will take the pressure from the players like a sponge in order for them to step up and play. The chairman and everyone else knows it..
If Nicola didn't want cup effort Pards would have been told that ages ago it was well reported on the os that he wanted the extra players to cope with the extra games and to plug the goal leaks at the back.
The guys up front have been **** too many chances that is why the pressure issue is raised. The five year plan continues and so does Alan Pardews 3yr contract.
Enjoy Wembley Everyone - present from Pards :)

If we win the JPT and do well in the cup, then not quite make the play-offs then I see that as a good season for Pardew. Then I feel he needs to go up next season.

Yes he's had the money but we had to wait for the new players to gell at the beginning of the season, and now were waiting again for the new batch of players. We really miss Hammond also.

I still think were gonna make a surge in March and April so play offs arent out the question.

Just found out that Nova Sport is showing the game live here in the Czech Republic...YES!! The world will be watching. Come on Saints, give us 110% you can do it.

llook a p as built a side since season start .minus 10 pts 2 weeks 2 buy players of standard to get results .and we won 1 game in the 1st 10 games .so thats the reason why we might not get to playoffs .we have the final but give ap next seon so his own team as a proper pre season and start level .and we can reap the benefits like we found with dear ted bates god rest is soul and lawrie mac ,the saints our on the rise what ever happens this season