I just read this unbelievable piece of nonsense in the Times written by Tony Evans their Football Editor. Normally, I can resist getting wound up by so-called journalists but this is from one of the top writers and is so ridiculous it deserves a mention. "Yes, I was one of the Southampton naysayers. No, they won't go down as I predicted. Yet it would not be wise to get carried away by freak results and October league positions. If the owners are unwilling to invest, the law of diminishing returns will apply. Let's reserve judgement until after the January transfer window". Well he starts off OK but, "If the owners are unwilling to invest……………….". What planet has he just stepped down from? I don't know where we were in the league table of summer spending but I bet we were nearer the top than the bottom. But also, what about the considerable investment in our academy and training facilities? Every pound there will pay us back handsomely (surely that is what 'good' investment is about). Then, in his final sentence, you realise that he has just another dumb, modern Premier League pundit when it clearly all comes down to how much money we spend in January. No reward for good management, good coaching and good tactics then. The only thing that works, obviously, is the 'Harry' tactic; spend, spend, spend.
I don't think (at the present time) KL wants to throw money at us, but I don't see this as a bad thing. The Leihberrs have invested massively and we are now in a good financial position. This was always the plan...Nicola and Markus (probably mainly Nicola) looked at the usual football model and found it wanting. They arrived at the Southampton Way...developing youth, self financing, and stability engendered by being able to cope with losing staff (lucky that one ). Many clubs are teetering on the edge, whereas we aren't doing badly are we? We may spend in January, but only because we have decided to, not in a state of panic.
This is my point. They have invested massively and yet this 'journalist' is implying that they haven't and that we will suffer because of it. I don't know what the dictionary definition of 'investment' is but I bet it suggests getting some kind of return. We will get that from our investment. Many clubs won't get any kind of return from their 'splash the cash' approach to buying sticking plaster players in January.
Yeah, they have invested massively, but not stupidly. At no point do you feel that they have fitted the old adage that to become a millionaire owner at a football club, ones needs to start out as a billionaire.
It is a pathetic attempt not to admit he was completely wrong and somehow, if we do not 'splash the cash' in January he has a reason to state "I told you so - no commitment".
Remember Tony Evans is a Scouser...probably still smarting that his beloved Liverpool appear to have wasted huge amounts of cash taking three of our players who have up to now not delivered which see's them struggling in mid table. To add insult to injury, poor little Southampton have gone out and bought cheaper cut price replacements who are all much better then those that left in the summer . All the time we are up there challenging the traditional hierarchy of clubs we will get more and more attacks like this. Time to develop thick skins if the summer events haven't already built them up on us all
I can understand the whole Katarina doesn't wan't to invest anymore after she has put in so much money, and we become self sustaining which is a good thing. Also, if we finish 8th again this year, our income will be over the £100 million mark for two seasons running, more then enough to keep on progressing if used properly. If Kat gives the go ahead to spend most of the PL prize money etc, then I see no problem in that at all. Think we can also dismiss any of the media from the Summer that she doesn't care. Been at most Home games, and some Away, even seen meeting Koeman after the Sunderland match on the Matchday Uncovered video as well.
Most pundits and writers know nothing about the game. Simple as that. Most of what they write is recycled out of date garbage.
More of a case that they have some knowledge of most sides, but not the depth required of any particular club to satisfy supporters.
I came up with a theory the other day that the backlash is coming hardest from the journalists and broadcasters (compared to the ex pro pundits) as football is such an old boys club where ex players get jobs in the media no matter how terrible they are (owen, phil Neville) and non players have to fight very hard for a long time to have people take them seriously. Being so wrong about saints so far is very damaging to their egos and credibility (in their minds at least)
Don't think we need to be thick-skinned. Happy to see us rub this lot up the wrong way. These attacks indicate that we're doing something right.
I can't believe that no-one has bemoaned his "freak" results comment. The only freak result was that we only got four against Newcastle!
I didn't mind that. Unless, of course, we beat Stoke by at least 6, thereby proving that it wasn't a freak result.
I quite liked the True Geordie's reference to the 8-0 hammering. He said that, because his own team were only battered 4-0 it must make them world beaters. He's a positive lad as soon as there is the merest whiff of anything heading in that direction. On the whole it's a good attitude to have, I feel.
Couldn't keep the smile off his face reporting on that Sunderland thrashing,though he did manage to stay pretty objective.
