no just Puel as he is top of this so called mid table madness and therefore the most culpable of all of them
I keep saying it, it's what 'expectation level' does for a club. Back in the early 1970's the expectation level seemed to be 'we're just glad our little tiddler south coast football club can compete'. Now it is 'we want to be regularly competing in Europe'. And both of those expectations were/are not from fans but from the club itself. The latter one actually stated on several occasions. Therefore It shouldn't be a surprise if fans get disappointed. I'm in two minds about Puel now. Tactically, I think he's got the marbles. He just needs the personnel but, at the moment, I'm doubtful of the club backing him next season. Anyone would have struggled with the players we were losing or lost, either through injury or transfer. But, as Fran joked all season, he's not charismatic, certainly not in interviews. He doesn't connect with Southampton fans. He doesn't generate a sense of loyalty. He did at both Lille and Lyon. Mind you he got them deep into the CL. I haven't forgotten that that's the kind of level he's perfectly capable of, though that was actually some time ago. Yet, I find that part of the reason why I want him to stay at Saints is because I feel sorry for him. And that's totally wrong. I should be making up my mind 100% because of his record and how he performed under the circumstances, not because half the fans aren't cutting him enough slack.
So, you derive no pleasure from the sport as spectacle? Poor soul. I don't say people purely watch for entertainment, but it is an entertainment industry. Top level sport is there to be consumed as an exhibition product. We might be loyal to our brand, but we still want our brand to look good. I would say the vast majority of people want to be entertained at the football. This is not about me. It is surely a general truth. You may point out the loyalty and sado-masochism of fans, but even the most dyed in the wool fan wants to see a spectacle of good football - even if they are a pragmatist who wants results first. Can I also point out the irony of accusing me of being all about me, and then making your response all about you? Chuckle chuckle guffaw?
Your perception or mine? And whose arrogance? Could you explain why we scored 10 more goals away from home than we did at home last season if the crowd had no effect at all?
"He doesn't connect with Southampton fans. He doesn't generate a sense of loyalty." We swallowed Ronald blowing schmoke up our collective arses and he got praised from the stands and he never looked back when he left us. I'm happy for Claude to just do his job and I don't feel sorry for him, just angry at the injustice a lot of fans are treating him with. It has been one disjointed, transitional season in which Puel experimented a fair bit, he deserves the chance to finish his work IMO.
Different tactics away from home. And people who put others views down that appear to moan about the state of play do at times, in my opinion,seem a little arrogant. Your previous response to me came across to me as arrogant, which I'm sure wasn't your intention...
And Chilco, I'm not in the Puel out camp, I do see bits on both sides and think he could turn out amazing for us if he stays, just don't see him getting the time, and he would have to turn on the style pretty damn quick next season...
If that was the case then every team would be better away from home. There isn't a club in the land whose home support is better than their away. I think our away form was better simply because we played a pretty negative style which generally works better away from home.
No it wasn't, and I apologise if it came across that way. The majority of people at St. Mary's are of course very pleasant and get behind the team in their own way, noisily or not. There is, however, a minority who are unpleasantly negative about anything that happens, even when the team is winning. Booing cannot possibly be construed as being supportive of the team, and I would prefer those who do it to leave and not come back. As to the "different tactics away from home", could you give a bit more explanation please?
Because our tactics worked better against teams which were trying to attack? That's preety poor, when you think about it. It meant over a whole season we never really worked out how to use the ball effectively from a dominant position.
Of course it does. Away from home the home sides feel like they need to attack more so more gaps open up. A lot of teams coming to St Marys were happy to try and contain us, knowing we wouldn't take many risks and were pretty toothless. Much harder to score in those games.
I don't agree with the booing either. Like has just been sais, I think we are set up better away from home and prefer when teams come on to us, see Liverpool games for proof. At home, we struggle to break teams down and appear very predictable and one dimensional, and I believe it could have been different. I'd also be ok if Puel stayed, but don't believe that will happen. My main gripe is the bickering on here, it often strays from debate, which I notice you dis very well with me just now...
So much wrong in this I can't be bothered to break it down! Embarrassment lol,where do you sit Chilcs?
