The Football League Thread

I think that's called banter.

 

What all 10,000 of them

 

Watching the scenes reminded me of the day we got promoted though. What a day that was! I don't think it will be beaten.
We were such a team, playing together back then. Contrast that with us now in the premier league, where every team is nothing but groups of mercenaries willing to leave at the first opportunity for a higher pay cheque.

 

You don't say

 

Just a thought - where their name is A.F.C Bournemouth, will they start the season top of the Premier League?

 

Its the very fact that we like them that they don't like. Its as if we don't treat them as serious rivals which, to be fair, we probably haven't to date,

 

Let them have their moment and enjoy it. I hope they do win the league. It does smack of our season though, winning it until the third/fourth last game and then slipping. I would be delighted if they won the title. I think they'll have a 'Blackpool' start rather than a 'Saints' start to Premier league life, depending on fixtures.

 

Listening on Sky this morning, it soon become evident how similar Bournemouth's rise was to ours. They got a rich owner which enabled them to pick the best lower league players and pay top wages. One pundit asked if it was fair....of course it is...how did ManCity and Chelsea rise up the league!! Bournemouth have played many of the same players through the leagues by moulding them into a team. They also play as a team. It was even remarked how nice the South is to raise a family Amazingly they were likened to Swindon and it was suggested that they could get sussed out and it will be how they do when times are difficult....why not liken them to a success story (us).

 

When I first came across my AFCB supporting Rambler friend his first words to me were to knock Saints. I took the sting out of the situation by praising AFCB to the skies. He now has nothing but good to say of Saints and his beloved AFCB still deserve my praise.

As the old maxim says, in order to be understood, first you must understand.

 

Now talking about what B'mouth need to do at ground...mainly about media coverage. Need improved lights, electrical system and media facilities....and undersoil heating (which we have only just been forced to put in). We moan about our stadium size, but they are much smaller...definitely be full every week.

 

Come middle of June, when the fixtures are released, there will be a host of fans keeping fingers crossed for Bournemouth away in August or May. I remember being in Bournemouth the weekend Leeds won promotion from the old div 2 (I think) on a May Bank Holiday weekend. The beach and town centre was carnage. For some of those weekends, teams will get 1000 tickets??? and will bring thousands of fans down for a weekend.

 

Like firing Adkins?

 

We'll never know! Although, we haven't done too bad obviously!

 

I believe even now when Leeds play Bournemouth they make sure it's not a summer afternoon due to Leeds fans running riot in the city centre. But yeah I can certainly imagine United/Liverpool etc. having thousands travel! I wonder when our game will be... you know sky are gonna try and sensationlise the 'rivalry' as well.

 

Don't care if they're on 5 points by Christmas...firing Howe would be utter madness.

I think it's different. If a manager has truly won some faith then it is Howe. And Adkins wasn't sacked because he wasn't good enough for Saints to stay in the PL, as has already been admitted. He was sacked because Saints were in a hurry to get to the next level. SFC were already a club where the money and infrastructure were in place, so there was no point dawdling in the lower half of the table while the manager found his tactical feet.

In AFCB's case they are nowhere near equipped for a long stay in the Premier League, apart from the manager and parts of his team. In our case, the upper management were paving the way for the team to be successful. It was skilfully managed at all levels. In Bournemouth's case it has largely been Howe and his teams that have been dragging the club through the leagues, while the chairman and successive owners have kept the club stable. They are so small that the task of building an infrastructure is too big to do quickly. Howe deserves every chance and then some, even if they are relegated after one season. He's doing things the right way. That club has to catch up with him first.

Put it this way. Who else would do better on their limited resources..? I'll answer, nobody.

 

Of course it's banter. And good luck to them. But why be so defensive and sensitive..? They deserve their moment. Let them have their banter. Just praise them and they will soon find that Saints fans are a reasonable bunch. It's very difficult to be abusive when the other guy just smiles back and says, good on you mate.

As I've said above, just praise their team. You won't be telling a lie. They'll see that you're such a nice chap and hence you support a rather nice club.

Shall I write a guide on how to get rival fans to shut up and start praising your team..?

 

Yes TSS, do it. However if you use that line in bold, clearly plagiarized from my post ("let them have their moment") a few post up, then my lawyer will be in touch

 

You could do. Though as a rule, if rival fans are saying nice things about your team that tends to indicate a lack of respect.

Historically, supporters of other clubs have often had a soft spot for Saints. That's because they don't see us as a threat.

 

I'll cite you as my inspiration. Good enough..? I'll let you have 5% of the royalties.