Saints continued their bad run of results at Ashton Gate, but again its not about results its about the manager finding out about his squad.

Saints rarely seem to do well at Ashton Gate these days, last seasons defeat in November sparking off a poor run of results lasting into the new year, ironically enough, there were almost as many Saints fans at that game than could be bothered to turn up last night in total, a gate of 2,605 including 402 in the away section.

In his penultimate pre season fixture Nigel Adkins could be have said to put out what he considers his first XI, perhaps only Jamie Ward Prowse in for Steven Davis being the only real switch, but this perhaps highlights that despite seemingly being on the verge of capturing several players in key positions a month ago, little progress sems to have been made since and the squad is lacking in key areas, again Adkins played a 4-3-3 formation with Rodriguez and Puncheon as wide players with a central three, but again there are questions whether playing a man who is essentially a striker wide left and Jason Puncheon and whether they have what it takes to play there week in week out in the premier.

But for some good play by Saints it was still the home side who went ahead ten minutes before the break leaving Saints behind at the half way mark.

In the second half Adkins made several changes which Davis apart looked more to be to give people a game, not least Jack Cork back from the Olympics, Saints made six changes in all over the course of the second half, but it was the final one that made the difference, Billy Sharp entering the fray with eight minutes left and deep into stoppage time knocking in an equaliser to show the manager what h does best.

The result doesnt matter, what matters is what the manager saw out there to cement in his mind his plans for the coming season, if he now feels that he has all the central defenders he needs and he truly has the wide players he wants to play the formation that he played at Ashton Gate, then our pre season friendlies are all going to plan, but I suspect, given the players we have been linked to and tried to sign like Alexandra Buttner for one, that the manager does not feel that his squad is complete and i feel that whatever he says publicly, in his own mind he will be more than slightly worried that with barely ten days left before the Premier season kicks off about the lack of incoming players in recent weeks.         

Photo: Action Images

vectis added 10:35 - Aug 8 Whatever is or isn't being done in terms of transfers the fact is the window doesn't close till the end of the month. And then there are loan options. Whatever we or Adkins think I doubt very much NC will be rushed into any signings before time runs out. Season is a marathon not a sprint etc. It would still equate to panic buying if we pay over the odds for a player who might be sold for cheaper as the window draws to a close. Makes better business sense too. That said, nobody actually knows what is happening. That's the way NC wants it. I still think we will have one or two more in before the first game, but wouldn't venture who. And who says Adkins has to be fielding his first choice team now? Just cos you or I might do that doesn't mean he has to. He said as much last season...whoever gets picked for the last couple of friendlies it's doesn't make them automatic inclusions for the opening game.

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Clawsfour added 10:49 - Aug 8 If as you say Nigel Adkins played a 4-4-3 formation the man is a genius but I suspect the premier league just won't allow that. Someone will spot that we are up to something with all those cameras around.
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vectis added 10:52 - Aug 8 Clawsfour LOLOLOLOLOL
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SaintNick added 11:34 - Aug 8 I guffawed myself at my mistake, on another note, im sure NC wont be rushed into signings, but the fact remains that we have had three months to make signings, the season is ten days or so away and the transfer window shuts in less tha month, just when are we going to start rushing.
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ExiledSupporter added 12:51 - Aug 8 Anyone have any views about RL's form in this game, I have an impression that he has been below his best and I don't think he has scored yet? Hopefully there are signs of improvement? Nick, personally I am relieved about Buttner given the apparent uncertainty you have about his gender!
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vectis added 14:22 - Aug 8 Doesn't matter If we have had 6 months Nick. Deadline Day is Deadline Day. Some players will be cheaper then. I am sure NA and NC have not put all their eggs in one basket. If they don't get first, second or third choice they will go for fourth choice. Before anyone throws a hissy-fit about that method its more or less how every club works and lets face it, it didn't turn out too bad for us with hooiveld (a very good signing in the end). That said, I am hoping for at least one CB in this week or next. I hate all this waiting. But I can see many reasons why they might be waiting. Another point is how long they seem to pursue players once they are focused on them...they spent a year trying to get sharp and Rodrigues. Very patient. I'm not tho. I want players in NOW! Otherwise Pre-season is just bluddy dull.

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bstokesaint added 12:52 - Aug 9 I'm disappointed that a lot of the rumours have seemed to die off, but then it's hardly surprising giving the huge hype around the Olympics. If you consider that a large amount of the rumours are drummed up by agents and bored journos then real news is always going to grab more attention. For me the only reason question is has NA seen something in the youngsters which has made him think he doesn't need as much cover as first thought. Either way I have 100% in NC and NA, I'm not about to argue with back-to-back promotions and a financially sound club which is going places.

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