Will Pardew Still Be At Saints In August

Several of this weekends newspapers have suggested that Alan will be gone this coming week.

To make matters worse the rumour gained more credence when the football programme was pulled at the lasst moment.

It is reportedly showing an article which tells of his imminent dismissal. How true we have yet to find out.

What we as fans should do is decide whether we really want to keep going down this route or not. A different manager every five minutes is not condusive to good team morale or performances.

How many things has he done right and where has he shown a weakness? Will the huge improvement shown overall be enough to save his bacon?

There have been stories of unrest and disaproval at the highest level and that could mean curtains for our manager.

Overall he has not done too bad a job. The majority of the players brought in have been a resounding success. The two main doubts would be Murty and Otsemobor.

Murty has the ability but not the fitness to do the job. Semi has talent but too often seems to get caught in a world of his own.

If he is signed it would be a huge gamble in my eyes unless a special clause was put into the contract that he signs. Something along the lines of a low wage but it could be doubled with bonuses.

Lambert has proved to be the star buy of the season. He has scored more goals this season than he has ever managed before in his professional career.

Harding has been immense at left back and for a free signing has shown remarkable fortitude when under the cosh. No really bad games for Dan but several top drawer ones.

Jose Fonte has shown elements of pure class but I still have a lingering doubt about the way he fouls attackers when trying to keep them from shooting etcetera. He does use his hands too much for my liking.

Jaidi has been another great signing for the team. Though past his best he has also given our defence a big lift just by being their.

Hammond our captain has shown the ability to work. Sadly he is also another that can be made to look poor by his willingness to get forward without thought of what he is leaving behind.

Puncheon came to us with a big reputation after the way he played at MK Dons. Against us he was excellent. He has been a revelation in most of his matches though he can disappear at times.

Lee Barnard is presumably going to be the foil for our Rickie. We have seen that he is not up to leading the line but can score when he has a certain type of player alongside him.

Seaborne was a surprise signing and one that like Semi worries me a lot with his positional play. He can get caught out and at times has been bullied a bit by some of the bigger forwards that he has met.

Aaron Martin came after being recommended from Eastleigh. He had a trial and earned a contract. Then he went on loan to Salisbury for whom he played 14 games.He earned rave reports their and came back to us where he played the last two games. Looks very promising and assured.

Papa Waigo came on loan to us from Italy has been a mixed bag. Great at times and also so frustrating at others. He does not like the off-side laws at all.

Antonio is another youngster that has done well considering his lack of experience. He is one loanie that I hope we can keep.

David Connolly has been another strange one. When he first started for us he scored a few good goals. He has class but has also been found wanting for fitness.

So as far as I am concerned AP has done well overall with his purchases/acquisitions. The only setback to his survival could be the loss of points caused in the main by negativity.

There have been times when we have been crying out for an extra striker or frontman as we have looked toothless. We have improved but the problem has been there for all to see.

Some fans who have been to most away games have expressed their disappointment from dropped points when they looked as though it should have been there for the taking.

Most have asked for us to have a player in midfield that can lift the team and drive it forward. Hammond is not that player. His limitations have been exposed and I don’t feel he has what we need.

Alan Pardew has improved the squad enormously. A few players were expensive for this league but most were cheap or free signings. We have also seen a trio of loanies that did well for us.

My verdict is that he should be given the chance to strengthen still further and take us up to the next level.