Junior Hoilett

Point taken. I'm out.

I hope all Southhampton fans have this attitude because their team will crumble under the expectation. One fewer team for us to worry about

 

It does seem a little silly for Southampton fans to be having a go at Norwich, to be honest.

Obviously, we are proud of what the club has achieved and optimistic for the future as we should be. But we can't overlook the fact that everything we are proud of having done, and hope to achieve in the near-future Norwich has already done. We are similar teams, trying to attract similar players, following similar models. There should be more teams doing the same thing. It shows that having a game plan and moving up the ranks step-by-step actually gets you there faster than overspending.

For now, both clubs attract the same level and type of player for the same reason. They are well-run clubs where players can go and if they work hard they will get first-team experience and improve their games and get seen. If they do well, the sky is the limit. If it turns out they are not stars, then they know as long as they put a shift in, their managers will give them a fair shake and they will be playing for a stable club, and the fans will be behind them. That's a fantastic scenario for honest footballers. And those are players clubs should go out and sign-- hungry players who want to achieve. Not the prima donnas who want it all now, or the mercenaries who just want cash. Drew Surman could have done wonders at Saints had we not totally screwed up.

We need to be honest. If Clyne and Jay Rodriguez shine at Southampton, while Saints stay in the lower half of the table then in two years they will be on to bigger and better things and I would not blame them. We HOPE that Saints will continue to progress and Liebherr's deep pockets give us a chance to hold on to those players that Norwich perhaps doesn't have. And there is every reason to be optimistic. But we haven't done anything yet.

It makes no sense to brag about Southampton being able to attract star players right now when 1) We probably can't, and 2) That's not our gameplan anyway.

Saints should continue doing what they've been doing which is also what Norwich has been doing. Keep the transfer spending and payrolls within control, build teams of honest players, and not get too caught up in the big club spending game. And then plow every bit of money saved into our academy as an investment in the future, so we can continue to be stable in the future.

The one advantage I think Norwich fans would have to concede is that Saints already have an excellent academy and deeper pockets. So on that score, we have a bit of a long term advantage. Especially with the new EPPP, academies are going to be vital. In the short term, Norwich has already spent a season in the EPL and stayed up, so you are probably a bit ahead of us there.

I'm a little nervous about both teams. Norwich has a new manager, which is always a cause for concern because you just never know how it will work out. Southampton fans feel like we have the talent, but not having tested ourselves, we really don't know for sure. This is a new level for our manager, most of our team, and we are bringing in a lot of new faces. I think both teams have put themselves in as good a position as possible to succeed, and I think we will both survive and finish somewhere between 12 and 17. But it won't be easy. If either of our teams go into the season thinking survival is guaranteed they will go down.

 

Excellent post sir! Well done!

 

What a mug, always liked Saints but you aren't Man Utd mate, never will be. We are both similar clubs in size and stature.

Jog on back to football manager

 

You have restored my faith in Southampton fans!

Great post, agree with everything.

 

What is it with you Norwich lads? You're falling out with everyone

 

If your asking who I'd rather have out of butterfield and Davies then I'd take butterfield. Davies already failed in the PL once and got shipped to the SPL.

 

QPR we are falling out with clubs over transfers an players..you guys don't have that problem as you sign OAPs no one else wants!

 

Be fair, Joey Barton's not THAT old!

 

Yeah thats right you wouldn't have wanted hoilett fabio or park would you?

Delusional

 

tbh of those three, I would jump at hoilet, not fussed about Fabio, definite no to Park, he's past his best and wants too much wages!

 

Id have Hoilett without a doubt.

Other 2? No ta. Reminiscent of Keanos Sunderland United Reserves.

 

It's called 'building a brand'.

 

Will be interesting to see how Fabio will get on, obviously a class act but I think probably more suited to a team who wins a lot. Park and Hoilett are very good signings, anyone who says otherwise is clearly deluded. I dont understand why so many people dislike QPR, its good to see one of the small London clubs punching above their weight and challenge the might of the 'big 3 londoners' of Spurs, Chelski and Arsenal. Have no problem with you or Fulham.

 

You don't want to be 'building a brand' you want to be building a football club.

 

Do you not find it illuminating that WloH has finally admitted to being Huckerby-the-Holy?

Explains so much! At least we now know he's not a Norwich fan!

 

How does calling Huckerby holy not make me a Norwich fan? Please Dave, I dont understand why you are so negative towards me, I havent done anything nasty since coming back on the forum and I do genuinely love Norwich. Fair enough if you find my posts annoying and boring but I find it a bit distressing that there seems to be SUCH animosity towards me. I think I am a nice guy and dont EVER set out to upset anyone, believe me on that

 

How exactly are QPR challenging the big 3 London clubs holty?!

 

There are so many of us on here that remember HtH from old606, definitely NOT a Norwich fan, and here you are claiming to have once been HtH!

QED

 

Well they are not at the minute but there is an ambition too, which can only be a good thing for football, surely?