I'd say the same about the League Cup, as that's been dominated by the Big 4 recently plus Tottenham. Usually because they end up taking it seriously when it's the only trophy they have a chance of winning. I'd say on a good day you're not far off Tottenham's level (at least going on last season) so I'd say you have a much better chance than in the FA Cup, but again it's a case of it being possible, rather than realistic at the moment, especially as the semi-final is over two legs. I honestly don't know enough about who's in the Europa League this season to make any informed judgements
Nice thing about the League Cup is that it is a trophy you can win early. Makes it a pretty good season for a team of our stature and the bigger sides may lose out before they realise it. However, it will be low down our list if we get into the Europa league stage....even if Ron says he will try to win everything.
Take this team, once Clasie, Bertrand, New CB are back for for the first team: Kelvin/Gazza Cuco Maya. Caulker. Targett Reed Davis. JWP Long Juanmi. Tadic That'd could cope with a non-Premier league team in the 3rd round.
PL teams often think that a weakened side can cope with a lower team who are well up for it....and come unstuck.
Oh Shush you, I was enjoying that little dreamy moment then, until you came along with your sensible reality check!
Sorry Beddy, but I don't see where you're coming from when you suggest we're not competing with these clubs financially. As far as i'm aware we've not lost out to any potential targets to these sides.
See I can be nice... I left that one hanging there for you. I didn't think even you could miss that open goal. Scores.
You finished with "Easy to say" Beddy but then got the next few words wrong. It should have been "almost impossible to do" There is no way of stopping those better players leaving if they want to. I dread the day Saints take a stand and let a big name go free at the end of his contract. The vey fans bemoaning us selling our better players will be crucifying the club for letting a 15m asset go free. Sad as it is, we have to accept that we are Southampton and today we are not as big as the first clubs you mentioned in terms of size based on attendances, fan base and possibly finance. I'd say we are bigger than Watford, though don't forget they were above us in the off field income table. Life isn't fair sometimes and we need to keep doing what we do and enjoying rocking the boat, hoping and believing we can break through the top 6. One day, we may find ourselves a bigger club. That would take either a bigger ground or a massive investment from an owner or a new owner who treats us like a toy and wants to plough even more money in than the Liebherrs kindly have. Right now I'm really enjoying what we are doing and still find myself gobsmacked that any fan of this club could be unhappy.
The club would probably not let a player go on a free if they could avoid it, but I would have no problem if they did because they felt we needed to keep a player to achieve a target. Certainly wouldn't moan about it...because it isn't our money. If the decision to hold a player to his contract and lose out on his sell on price was for a valid reason, I'd support them in it. However, as I said, can't see Saints doing that...unless a CL final was at stake.
One win, and the response will be equally irrational the other way. But at least the feel good factor engendered by a win means the debate about how long it will take us to overtake Barcelona will be good natured.
I don't mean in a bidding war......I mean as far as paying the higher wages are concerned. Certainly Swansea and Watford are paying some players more than we are and my sources tell me at least one of Bournemouth's players. No we have not lost any potential targets to these teams I agree......but how can they afford to pay higher wages than us? With in some cases considerable less fan attendance?
By taking unnecessary financial risks and jeopardising their long term future for short term gain maybe?
There's quite a few Saints fans who would say that was an acceptable financial plan. I read one idiot who thought it was better to risk administration and relegation again rather than 'not go for it.' Wouldn't want his credit card bills.
Exactly. You'd have thought that, by now, management of clubs in the Football League would have learned ..............
In some cases. In some other cases, it's simply that they're set up to merely break even, while we appear to be set up to turn a considerable profit. There's a significant middle ground between where we are at and financial ruin.
