No, just tht it should hopefully be easier for him than it was for Poch or Koeman as he's already somewhat familiar with the league - you'd hope his experience means the learning curve will be far less steep.
Koeman had a better side and also had the advantage that the bigger clubs were less dominant than usual....or was it just that we made them look that way Puel had it tough because he also had to compete in Europe and had a long cup run (but that was his own fault ).
In fairness though when Koeman took over we had lost half the squad, In his second year he benefitted from the above.
Hopefully, yes - particularly give the fixture list. And more a better first full half of the season than Koeman (including Christmas\December) - I'm not expecting the top 4 start that Poch gave us!
I never said I expected him too, just said I hope it will be easier than some one who has no experience
I agree that the club needs to be patient with the manager. The question is where is the limit of that patience? Puel, IMO, had more than enough time - not to create a perfect machine, but to show at least some improvement in the way we play but he didn't manage to do that and in the meantime alienated himself from the players and the majority of the supporters. Beyond that point it was just unreasonable to stick with him anymore. I'm for patience, but not unlimited patience and blind faith.
Surely it was a bit different back then. Mainly, there wasn't so much money at stake. I'd bet that back in Lawrie's time playing in premier division or first division wouldn't make much difference in Southampton's income. These days, the difference would be measured in hundreds of million pounds. That makes clubs more aware of the now, and rightly so. These days you can't persist for long with the manager that doesn't deliver immediately, or at least in the near future.
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-08-04/southampton-squad-numbers-2017-18-season We must be signing a Number 6 and a Number 9? No number 1 and no Gazza?
Puel in my mind didn't get enough time. The fans started on him very early and I think the board gave up on him way before the season end. I said last season he should have had this summer and up to about October. Player issues apart.
You and I just disagree then. I find your last sentence incredible (not being rude) and everything that is wrong with football.
That football these day for you. I'm not saying that I like it, but that's the way it is. One can either accept it or follow sunday league.
The thing is here is its in 2 parts for me, Puel wasn't perfect and I always maintained that there was things I liked about him and others I didn't. Everything considered I thought he did enough to get another summer and at least another Summer. The other thing here is the clubs expectations. Rumours last year that Claudes targets was top 8, SF of a domestic cup and to get out of EL group. For me, those expectations were way too high considering the squad he was left with after the Summer, and if that's the sort of benchmark the board are setting then it's asking for too much considering the model we employ. Agree with this post mate, football is utterly incomparable now to 30 years ago in all senses, so pointless to try imo.
Puel wasn't sacked because of our expectations...I am pretty sure that 8th and a cup final will ensure another season for Mauricio. I think it was more to do with other factors. Saints no longer resembled Saints anymore....it will be interesting to see if MP can return us to our previous style....if not, we should apologise to Claude. The team were reportedly unhappy with Puel....but remember that people are very quick to pass the blame to someone else. I was not sad to see Puel go...whilst sorry for him...if that makes sense. This season may prove we were right to sack him or may vindicate him...hope it's the former.
Yeah. That is never going to happen. We will win some, lose some but its likely that we will be where we were last season and thats if things go well.
If you think what Puel had to deal with; who left in the summer, who got injured, who wasn't replaced plus forwards all off-form, it was frankly a miracle that we achieved what we did. Not his fault we couldn't score, we created enough chances. Shocking decision to sack him. Good luck to MP. If he can beat last year he'll be doing well.
