Yes the players are to blame. But at the end of the day them not playing for the manager is only going to end one way. The players are a joke. They decided to slack off after last season thinking they would cruise on midtable. They've badly let Ranieri and the fans down.
I agree Leicester winning the Prem is a miraculous achievement (in footballing terms anyway.) I hope we can both agree though that Saints going from the brink of extinction to rising through the leagues to a cup final is also miraculous. I can't wait until Sunday
The players an absolute disgrace imo, like Chelsea last year x100. I do understand why the owners have done it (though would never agree, deserved season imo), but the timing is horrendous. Why publicly back him in such strong words just what, 2 weeks ago? Why do it now? Halfway through the tie when they're in with a shout of QF's? Out of order if you ask me, I was already hoping they go down but even more so now. Modern football summed up folks.
I'd even take winning the League Cup and a bit of a wobble the next year too. As most of us say, who will remember in 10 years time who finished 6, 7 or 8th? Who remembers who finished runners up in the cups over the last few years? Winning. That is what matters. He did it. He deserved more than this. Nigel also deserved more, but we came out the other side. We improved. Can Leicester? Not so sure.
It is not the first time someone has come up through the leagues one the top division then gone back down through the leagues. I am not sure who the team was but I believe it to be someone like Northampton. So a Leicester type top division win then relegation has happened before and will probably happen again......
I swear someone came all the way through although I agree it isn't borne out in the records. Must be going round the twist as I certainly do not remember it being Man City.
The thing is, as much as i like the prestige of being in the Premiership and competing okay in it, we will probably not win the league.If i was offered winning cups regularly and going up and down from the championship i would take it..I bet the Brighton fans and the Newcastle fans are enjoying this season more than finishing near the the bottom of the prem. The problem with the Prem as we all know is money talks.
If you offered saints the chance to win the league, but get relegated the following year (like Leicester potentially) I would bite your ****ing arm off!! It's sad that Ranieri hasn't been given the full season.
On the one hand I can see the argument that he should have a job for life based on his achievements, I mean Wenger has basically had that despite being (in the main) pretty ****ing terrible for the last 10 years or so. On the other hand Leicester as a club didn't just stop in May 2016, they still have targets and future goals they want to achieve and it clearly isn't working under Ranieri this year and I think they were most likely getting relegated if he had stayed. Whether or not this is Ranieri's fault is another matter entirely as the attitudes of Vardy and Mahrez in particular this season have been absolutely shocking, however as always it is far easier to get rid of the manager than it is a whole load of players. It is harsh etc and you take away that freak season last year and this is where most expect Leicester to be, but 3 wins in the league in 5 months or whatever is terrible and I can see why the owners felt a change was needed. Pardiola to come in and win the Champions League with them please
Swansea did it in the 80s though not straight up or straight down again. I think they were even top of League 1 for at least a week.
I have asked myself the question about whether winning the league is worth relegation and whether it is better to be a big fish in a small pond with a few promotions. However, I have decided that I prefer it our way.....we are not a **** or bust team. Saints are building something.....we are not a one hit wonder. Remember there is no guarantee that those promotions come along....ask Leeds. We have had good teams every season that we have been back in the EPL.....there is no reason why it won't really click one season just like it did for Leicester. We are a good side and there will be seasons that we are an excellent side....because our team has been built and not just happened by luck. Patience is what is needed.
Very well said Fran. As for "clicking", maybe signing Gabbiadini was the first audible part of that click?
Or when we signed Clyne or Mane or Wanyama or Alderweireld or Lovren. The only way we will win the league is if it all clicks in one season, like Leicester, and the usual contenders (Chelsea, City and Utd) have bad years, like Leicester. The problem with sustainable growth is that if/when we get players good enough to play at the next level they leave, we need to have a fantastic single season to get top 4/ win the league or every summer another part of our team will leave if they are good enough
