I want Fulham up solely because of Matty Targett. Be an interesting quandary for Saints...Fulham would definitely want to sign him on a permanent contract as he has been a success there.
I did Boro in the championship. I had a blind date with @tomw24 He foolishly got the train to Northampton from London so he could catch a ride with me and the lad. Tom was only about 18/19 and we hadn’t even met. I think his mum was a bit worried.
What I feel is positive this season is that fact that the three teams who were ultimately relegated were typically the least inspiring to watch . I am quote glad to see both Stoke and WBA go down as they always seem to guarantee tedium when they visit St. Mary's. Swansea are probably a little bit more entertaining but their succession of managers in recent seasons has meant that they should always be their for the taking. The fact that we have not been able to do so at st Mary's seems a wasted opportunity. The presence of Pulis as coach in the PL was also a negative factor and I hope "'Boro do not go up. It is quite interesting to look at potential opponents in terms of entertainment value as opposed to potential points to be picked up. I much prefer watching those opponents who have come to play as opposed to those who have come to frustrate. The BBC was discussing Mourinho last weekend and the commentator made the point that fans seem to have rejected the cagey, 1-0 style of football and how the like of Liverpool and Man City offer a "new" perspective insofar that they have arrived to entertain as well as win. Oddly, I feel that Saints used to be like this under Poch and Koeman and you can see the same approach with the current Spurs squad. The curious aspect of this is that we now have Mark Hughes at the helm and I don't think anyone would have ever highlighted his Stoke side as being good entertainment value. Personally, I think that we won't see this next season and I believe the football will be more entertaining. I agree with the sentiments of the initial thread to begin with. Claude Puel's approach was pragmatic but not good to watch. Pellegrino was initially more entertaining in the first few months but I feel he was inept as opposed to boring. Puel knew what he was doing but I get the impression Pellegrino could envisage what he want but totally devoid of the ability to translate these ideas of the pitch. Setting aside Saint's deficiencies over the last two seasons with the absence of goals and wins, I think the relegation of the three teams and the promotion of Cardiff and Wolves will lend to a more entertaining league in August. After being starved if entertainment for the last two seasons, I am looking forward to 2018/19.
I have to say, I don't agree with the boring part in the title wholeheartedly. I have enjoyed the last four weeks, and found it more exciting than anything over the last 24 months. So, although the season has been an utter disappointment, it really has helped me appreciate the end so much more. Its also a little disrespectful to the relegated teams, bet they would love a bit of boring now........
That Boro game is etched on my mind. Couldn't have been a more typical Saints away game. Great laughs, starting when the wonderful local coppers gave some of us a lift to the pub and then seemed quite happy for fans to decorate their van. Good banter on the way to the ground. Sharp scores after a minute and then .... it all went tits up. Saints away is so often a great day out but for the bloody football! BTW. Is FLT the not-606 stalker? Has Tom been offered support and advice?
The original poster can't have been watching Saints for very long. Remember Branfoot? Remember when our midfield general was Lew Chatterley FFS? and that is just for starters.
I try to forget Branfoot. And for all that the man may have a statue, some of Ted Bates teams were simply horrible. That 9-0-1 formation he played where the tactic was hoof it and let young Michael chase it was embarrassing
