Saint Sébastien!

You think we're all stars?!

 

As I don't post as often as you guys maybe I could get on the bench of the really positive team?
I like to think I'm annoyingly positive at times and that I might be useful as an impact player, well after the argument has passed its prime

 

Sometimes positivity is merely being more patient and willing to wait and see. It's not seeing disaster round every corner....there may be disaster, but you don't meet it head on.

 

Mrs S agrees and has delegated me to respond on her behalf

 

Well quite. And if it arrives you deal with it. But there really is no point going around anticipating disasters before they happen.

 

Blimey, I shall have to strip you of the title of Corporal Jones. I couldn't have put it better myself.

 

Indeed.

 

Failing to plan is planning to fail...

 

Assuming this ...

is a response to this ...

it really misses the point as we are talking about matters that WE are in no position to plan for.
Whereas THE CLUB are, and will clearly plan for all eventualities as they see them.
and that is why there is no point in US anticipating disasters ... unless there is some real evidence that they are going to happen.

My plan is to enjoy the ride and its been going well for 7 years now

 

earmark this for january

 

Ok window. Would have liked a couple more in but not really worried that we didn't. Also really curious to see a: how we perform now and b: how some of the big spenders integrate their new signings.
I'm a Saints fan through thick and thin so regardless of what happens this season, I will still enjoy supporting the team. I think we will end up mid table, but a decent cup run or two and I'll be happy.

 

I think you've got it spot on there. Its character-building when all around you are splashing the cash and I want to join in as much as anyone, but ... will they be as good as the large fees suggest and how long will they take to perform? We have another 'new signing' in JRod and hopefully Ryan won't be out for much longer. Up front Puel has now seen a bit of what all our strikers can do and hasn't rushed out to buy replacements, so he can't be that unhappy.

A new manager with new ideas and a different way of playing is maybe enough of a change for this summer, you throw too many balls up in the air at once and you might just drop them all.

I really want us to perform well in Europe this season, especially at the San Siro and hopefully with me and Mrs S singing from the stands
O W
/\ /\

 

Saints make moves. I have an opinion on them. Thought that was what message board discussions were for.

 

I am a bit wary this season because there are a few more unknown factors than usual. I was upset when Adkins was sacked, but was reassured by how we played against Everton in the next game. I was concerned when Poch left after some good times, but was totally reassured by the arrival of a big name (to me) of Koeman and by the positivity of Fonte This time, as I don't know Puel at all, I have to rely on my good opinion of the workings of the board. So faith really.

So I can understand people's concerns (as I have them), but I don't understand why some doubt the board's integrity. People make errors (though we hope this isn't one of them), but I don't consider they lack ambition, only care about money, and have no desire for Saints to do well. Some fans on various forums appear to think the board approached this season in a careless manner and decided not to bother about team performance, but opted to accumulate huge hoards of money instead. A manager has been appointed because he matched our criteria and he will be given time (not sacked after five minutes) and good players have been recruited (though not as many as we'd like), meanwhile the board are trying to balance this with running the business.

Have they got the balance right....we hope so, but will have to wait and see. Have they acted in good faith....you can bet your house on it.

 

Your opinions are welcome but you seemed to be saying that WE on the board were failing to plan by being 'optimistic'
That's not an opinion as our plans are irrelevant

However, if you were saying SAINTS were failing to plan then that is indeed your opinion, but where's the evidence?

 

I don't think there is many doubting the boards integrity as such, more questioning how they're trying to achieve progress. I certainly put myself in that camp anyway. Constantly just replacing players rather than strengthening the squad to me is a stand still policy. (Increasing squad size for me is a separate argument)
I really felt we had an opportunity this window to move forward to the next stage but for me the opportunity has not been taken. I Know you can argue about the contract extensions etc which is always good, I just feel they have not gone that extra step............

 

Go over to the Saintsweb to see some fans who believe that the board don't care how we do, that's why I mention various forums. Various forums = Saintsweb Things are black and white for some fans over there....if you don't spend buckets, you want the club relegated. I don't think the board are all-seeing gods who can't make mistakes, but they are privy to more information than us and are more cautious than fans. We may feel they are over cautious, but then they are responsible for a multi-million pound business and answer to the owner....we don't.

 

Going over to that site just makes me depressed. Call themselves fans...........? If they are fans I'm a submarine..............No thanks ..........

 

The trouble is that it only takes a few ****heads to chase more reasoned people off the board. By reasoned...I don't mean they all agree, but they are capable of discussion without extremism. It is possible, for instance, to think the board could spend more money without assuming our owner is robbing us blind (which incidentally means she is robbing herself blind), apparently so her multi-million pound business will go to the wall. And every player who isn't Lionel Messi is apparently scarcely worth a place on the pitch. Still they have amusement value.