Hey all, its early I know but I've been asked to write up a pre-season report on the Saints. To finish it off I'm going to talk about what would be success for the saints this year. Obviously winning the Europa would be magic but would we consider a good run through to the semis at the expense of the PL be success? Is Quarter/Semi finals and 14th in the PL success for us? If we go out early, I'm thinking top 8 would be success again as I think this season is going to be harder and more competitive in the PL. Also, I've highlighted the academy as our point of difference, that we build the best, dont try to buy the best. Am I right in thinking that its Reed, Turnbull, Stephens, Targett likely to come through in second choice defensive roles and McQueen and Gallagher will possibly come through in attack? Am I overlooking anyone, is Jake Hesketh in and around too?
Now some people may not like this, but short of relegation, anything is ok this season. Finishing in the bottom 15th-17th wouldn't be good, but I wouldn't be overly concerned if we struggled a little this season. I don't think we will, but it is a possibility. I say this because I think our success is about progress over a period of time longer than a season. If we finish below 10th, Xmas will be moaning, yet if we finished below 10th, no real progress in the cups but finished 6th/7th the following season, then our progress over a 3-5 year period has been a success. The danger is the fans expectation. I hope we reach the knockout stages of the Europa, have a strong domestic cup run to a final and finish top 6 in the league. My expectations are different to that. My saints stars this season will be Tadic, Mane and Clasie. Progress from the youngsters will be Targett and Stephens. I'm not sure if one of the attacking youngsters will get much opportunity and Reed will be involved a little more, but I'm not sure he'll be claiming a starting place this season.
FWIW Hesketh is not part of the pre-season party in Holland. McQueen and Isgrove are out there. Because of European football and the strengthening of the top 6, my league expectations are pretty low. Like FLT I'd be happy with a comfortable mid-table spot between 7th-12th. For me this season is all about the cups. There is an element of luck of the draw etc in cup competitions but if we can go far in either Europe or domestic cups (semi or final) then I think that will outweigh an unremarkable league campaign
The most important thing to me is that we continue playing good football as I like our style and it makes me proud of the team when other people (outside Saints fandom) find us entertaining. Have got used to the respect we generate now. I would be happy with a decent showing in the Europa and a top 10 finish. As a team, I think we are in the top 5-8, but it's a busy season and you need luck as well as quality. A good team like Saints should have won more cups than they have...so a cup final would be the cherry on the cake. We have progressed every year, but must beware of assuming that one apparent drop means inevitable decline...am afraid hysteria will set in if we finish midtable this season.
FLT is correct regarding the hope and expectation there - I hope we get a decent run out in Europe and somehow manage top six. I expect we'll play a minor part in Europe (if we get past Vitesse) and end up around 12th-14th in the league before a summer of rampant fan panic around Koeman leaving.
I'd just like to see everyone we have bought over the last couple of years play better than everyone we've sold........and whatever that brings. Not too much to ask
My hope is that every game I go to is entertaining. That's what I pay for and for some time entertaining football has been Saints' main product. Vin
Mate, you are writing about Southampton.............We are always a surprise party whenever we play. Our reputation has been tarnished a bit, pre our new owners. As our then chairman could not get the backing he had promised, from day one, of his groups reverse takeover. However other clubs are beginning to respect the saints as once again we are beginning to punch above our weight for a club of our size. During our last stint of 27 years in the premiership we got ourselves a reputation for always doing the unexpected. At times we were totally unpredictable. Over the years, eventually with a total spectator capacity of a little over 15000, we seemed to be able to attract some of the very big named players. Keegan, Shilton and Osgood to name just a few. Although granted they may have been in the twilight of their footballing years. Latterly we have gained more of a reputation for turning players into internationals and our academy is second to none it would seem. It would appear under the new owners a plan has been drawn up to continue to maintain and to improve our footballing status. By competing on a regular basis in Europe, the premier league and maintaining our progress forward, it will not be too long before another major decision has to be made as to whether we increase the capacity of St Mary's or completely build a new ground on a different site. I have been a supporter of Southampton for a very, very long time. The one thing that has been consistent over the years is.................You never know what they can do, they'll always surprise you!! Good luck with your article!!
It was deliberate not because I anticipate doom but to illustrate that a misspelt word can totally alter a sentence such that it can end up meaning the opposite of what you meant to say. I anticipate that we will struggle to do any better than we have done this year.
Agree with the sentiment expressed by St Godders - to improve on last year with Europa League will be very difficult.
I like this sentiment, and recognise it. I was deeply unimpressed on an entertainment level at Sheffield last season, and that away run in at the *** end of the season was horrible notably Leicester where we were shocking. It's not the losing, it's the manner of it. Being beaten by superior opposition - City, for e.g - is one thing. Capitulation a la Bramall Lane a different story. So yes, I want to come away from every game proud of my team and the effort they've put in. Like FLT, my expectations are modest. 4 home draws in the FA Cup, two against Conference sides and the others from Div 1 or 2 (but not Pompey, thanks), followed by a bye in the semi and then facing the first team from the Evo-Stik Premier to make it through to the final would do me. See, I don't ask for much. Sorry, OP. Doesn't help your article. Can we do as well as last season? Possibly, but our rivals will improve too. Will we? I doubt it.
Cheers SH, I forgot about Isgrove. For me the Academy seems to be the long term future of the club. I would understand that we are having a few poor games if it was down to new academy graduates coming into the side. I don't see how we can do it any other way. Buying new players every season in an effort to keep ahead will only make us exactly the same as everyone else in the Premier League. Whether this can be achieved remains to be seen. Just another thought ahead of a new season.
Cheers Beddytare. I've been following the club since the 1970's so I've experienced a lot of ups and downs. The last 5 years have been the most rewarding for me, and coincidentally I've started the article with how to predict the fortunes of a side that has consistently defied expectations. Its not a big deal of an article and its only my opinion but I've naturally drawn on a lot of the shared wisdom of this board directly and indirectly so thanks everyone.
I have the same expectations that the club has. I want us to be better in all departments than last season and I will be disappointed with anything less than the same or better. I don't give a toss whether it seems unrealistic or not. This club plays football to win games and has nothing in common with its happy-to-be-mediocre pre-2009 iteration. It has real ambitions and I am expectant of them starting to fulfil those ambitions. The best, as I keep saying, is yet to come.
Whatever. I'm just sick to death with having no reliable internet connection. That last post registered 6 times yet gave not the slightest indicator that it had gone through. Really, really annoyed.
