Southampton's Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc says it is not unrealistic for the club to qualify for the UEFA Champions League within the next two years. Boruc recently signed a new contract with Southampton which will see him tied to the Premier League club until 2015 and Poland's No.1 is looking positively to the future. Boruc said: "Football is a funny old game, you never know what may happen next. In the next two years I want to be back in the Champions League with Southampton and I believe it's not unreal." Speaking to Polish newspaper Fakt, Boruc added: "We are a well organised side, with great belief in our abilities and it's not an accident that we have beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City recently." Boruc's start to life at St Mary's was a tough one with a string of unimpressive performances followed by one incident when he threw a bottle into the crowd. "That was a rollercoaster back then," Boruc claimed. "But it made me work even harder, become better and help the club to succeed." Buckle up, this plane is on the run way!
Must say, its great to set targets high, but I will be happy with a mid-table finish with a little cup run next season. The last three years have been an amazing, but this excitement can't keep coming, can it?
I wouldn't settle for mid table next year. We're settling for mid table this year, in our first season back. Look at our form- if we start off next season with that kind of form (couple of new signings and a good pre-season with Poch) then it is possible.
This is just the start of something special, I believe that if we just let the current first team squad naturally evolve (average age 23) then we are destined for a top half finish next season, possibly the top 8, but knowing The Don as we do, then I expect there to be some real quality additions in the summer and really the top 6 might not be out of reach.
A couple of weeks back we had a thread on the subject of where Saints might be in 5 years time. I chose Europa, because I believed CL might be be a tad too soon for Saints, and besides, I was lacking in the imagination required to picture the progress being made, so quickly. I'll change that vote now. However, Saints must guard against second season woes.
But we're not settling for mid-table this year. We've overacheived as survival was always the aim this year.
Neither can I, but I'm sure those teams that did suffer from it didn't think they would either. It's just something that even the most positive need to guard against, although if Saints are going to progress as fast as Nicola wants then it shouldn't be an issue.
It was for many fans but not for the club. If survival was the only aim, they might as well have kept hold of Adkins till the end of the season. On his hot run (just before his sacking!) even Nigel felt a mid table finish was on the cards.
NC and MP will be aiming as high as possible. IMO it depends on who we bring in. The side we have now are very capable of being top 10. couple of top class signings and who knows!
So what does everyone think Cortese will do (in the transfer window)? Some big signings to ensure our season by season progression continues at its current rate? Or just minor tinkering and see what MP can do with our current squad +/- a couple of additions?
Adam Blackmore said "I think Saints will make 3 or 4 quality additions - they have big plans". This was pretty much corroborated by Alan Nixon who reckons we will spend over £30m again on players this summer.
