The position we are in now compares pretty well to West Brom & Swansea last season. West Brom had a woeful season this year and only just survived. I think we will do better than that. Swansea have had an inconspicuous season but easily survived, and they did sign Bony whose value has probably doubled since. Like Swansea, we have a well-run club with 2 or 3 successful managers behind us, and an exciting big name having taken over (I would say Koeman is bigger than Laudrup). If we can sign a few diamonds with the wads of cash we've received then we could be in for an exciting season. Having said all this, I don't expect us to do as well as last year. But I think the target can realistically be 10th or so, and I'd like Ronald to take the cups seriously...
Expectations? I expect it'll be emotional. I'll be delighted if we avoid a relegation battle. But I said that this time last year, so who knows? Spendly wisely Ron, but ffs spend quickly too.
6th and a cup (though I'd settle for 7th). I think fans and the board are entitled to expect and improvement on last season. That's my expectation. If we finish lower, will I be disappointed? No - providing we play good football, entertain, win more than we lose and see the contuing conveyor belt from the academy.... ...and do the double over Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester united.
I know you were joking but when you think of what we are going through. We have lost the manager and coaching for the senior team and U18, three England stars and will probably sell a few more. Also we have a new inexperienced board. I don't know of any team in the EPL who has to recover from what we do. It's actually scary and exciting at the same time
I said a few days ago that our situation now is comparable with when Markus first took us over: most of the first team squad gone, new board, new manager. The difference is that (a) we are in the Premier League, not League 1 with -10 points, (b) the new manager is better than Pardew was, (c) we haven't lost as many players, and (b) we have a huge amount of money to rebuild the team. It certainly will be exciting, and slightly scary, but we will be fine. I doubt we will improve on last season's position, but we won't be far off. Some silverware would be a bonus.
Yeah, good post. My opinion is that the disappointment and negativity is in my head. There's an awful lot of potential in Saints and the only thing this present setup has got to decide and plan for is how to reach the big time, or whether they really have the stomach for it. Only Katharina can answer that, as she will have to bankroll it. She could do it with her petty cash, but she'll have to be serious about it if and when she does. It means paying the dosh to better players to make the leap, but if that is the aim then the platform is an awful lot higher and firmer than it was 5 years ago. If we don't lose the built up momentum, the best times may be yet to come.
