Well, we've started the season very much in the same vein as last season, with impressive pressing football and good all round performances. The good thing about now is that we are doing it despite the opinion that we would struggle. It just feels so much sweeter now... COYS!
Last season we were the gutsy underdog darlings of the nation. Now we are rats backed into a corner. Never piss off a rat in a corner. Loving it.
This season will feel better, because, for the main part, we're an unknown quantity with a new team, new manager etc
It is sweeter now because it is now and before is in the past. I thought the momentum of the last few years might be coming to an end this summer, and was mentally preparing for it a bit, but there seems to be the same forward looking ambition at Saints, but with a different style. I hope we don't become too successful for some, because I know there are one or two supporters who get a little uncomfortable seeing Saints at the top of the table, and prefer us with a little mediocrity so that they don't allow their hopes to get raised too high. Not me, I hasten to add.
At the moment yes. I do (perhaps annoyingly) have to preach a little caution following on from today's result though - Newcastle were really as bad as we'll face this season I suspect. But yes, I think we may just have the makings for a really good team here.
Its not just a finger up at the media, its all the grass is greener lot, I want their noses rubbed in it. And if they should have a bad time away from us, then all the better. Koeman is a hero.
Providing we have more games like this, I think our football's more exciting and less predictable. We're also getting some gritty goals, which is good.
At the moment it feels like Pelle > Lambert, Tadic > Lallana, Toby > Lovren, Bertrand > Shaw, Forster > Boruc... etc. This is really how I feel right now. HOWEVER, we just smashed Newcastle, who were bloody awful, perhaps even worse than last season. So, I'm taking it as it comes at the moment. Happy days right now though
I think most understand this but it is important to note that the result today was the same as last season against them. When you consider that they finally reinvested and in theory have a better team/squad last year (except maybe at striker) and we sold all our top performers from last year (and lost one to injury) and have had to replace them there are reasons to be positive. And as many have mentioned there are still more attacking options to come in (Mane and hopefully J Rod)
Both feel great in different ways...Last year it was brilliant to see the spine of the team that got us from League 1 get to dizzying heights but this feels equally as good, like the start of a new era. Somewhat similar to when we were marching through the leagues
The only thing that could have made today any better was if Sunderland could have beaten Spurs. Can't have everything though I suppose.
Maybe it's the new depth in the squad, and we still have Mane and JRod to come, but when RK sends on a substitute, we seem to kick on, rather than lose impetus, which seemed to happen so often, last season. Very pleasing start.
I have to say I'm trying to not get too over exited......While the last couple of results were good especially after todays game. I am trying hard to keep my feet on the ground. There is no denying that a few of the new players have hit the ground running. Forster, Tadic and Pelle and the new centre back looks tidy too, although I accept it is early days and there was not a lot to test him today. With Jay rod and Shane yet to be added into the squad the future does indeed seem to be bright. One of the very bright spots for me is the way that spider and Corky seem to be performing out of their skin. RK is doing wonders with these two and it seems to be rubbing off on some of the others. There is little doubt now that Saints are performing to at least last seasons standard..... are they better......? Have to say it is pointing that way...but....early days indeed......I just keep reminding myself not to get over excited...after all I'm a Saints fan and perhaps a bit prone to it possibly.
It felt like we peaked last season and were going to have to accept being middling again when we lost some star players. I never expected to feel that we have actually improved this season, but I do. We have got a better manager in...MP was exciting, but you felt he was a one trick pony...Koeman gives me confidence that he knows what he is doing. There is a plan B and C, and he is capable of firing up the team at half-time. Compliments are due to the recruitment team that got Koeman in and then supported him with players he needed, including keeping Schneiderlin. It also helps knowing that we have cleared a nice profit, so are comfortably off. All in all...the future looks good.
You don't want to get carried away obviously, but lets just say that the quality of football and signings has been well above my expectations so far. Happy days.
