<bashes head repeatedly against wall> The reason we're playing the 433 is to keep the ball better and to be more solid defensively. We'll get used to it in time. With some smart signings and tactical imagination, I'm confident of staying up.
The blueprint of Nicola Cortese's plans for the club has not changed, to be self sufficient in the Premier League, producing a production line of home grown talent through to the first team. In many ways, this is a tricky season because there has to be an integration of academy players into the first team to gain experience, it would've been easier to blood these youngsters in the Championship and ideally they would've had extensive first team gametime as Adam Lallana and Morgan Schneiderlin had at their age to be ready for the Premier League. The intention was never to splash multi-millions on assembling a squad to compete at the top level and in that way we are victims of our own success, although the bonus of the Sky TV money can only help the club's finances. It is a fine balancing act to bring in the right players at the right age to bridge the gap of keeping us in the division until the academy players are ready. I think too many Saints fans are forgetting how good some of our young players are, they are a better group than the one that produced the likes of Theo Walcott and Adam and our future for the next 10 years is definately exciting even if we do suffer relegation this season. I cannot see The Don allowing this to happen though and I have massive faith in Nigel and his staff to win enough games this season to stay clear of the bottom 3 next May. We will, of course, lose many more games this season than we did in the last three but the squad is still in the words of Nigel, "evolving" and I have completely bought into the club's philosophy of cultivating players " to be the best that they can be". We, as fans should not lose sight of the bigger picture, it's not all about this season, it is about building the club from the ground up and one that is able to compete with the top teams on our own terms for years to come. So my hopes and expectations for the next 10 years are very high indeed.
It is heartening to see so many realistic appraisals from our posters. There will always be a split but on the whole we do appear to be rational. We will have good and bad days but right now I am merely waiting for the window to close before deciding how I feel the season will go.
I am very confident. Villa look absolutely dire, and unless something drastic happens they are in trouble....their squad looks very bare. I have to say West Ham looked absolutely dreadful too, early days I know but I don't think Sam's tactics will work in this league anymore. Nolan, their star player last year, looked terrible. And if we had Norwich's first two fixtures and came away with 1 point and a goal difference of -5 we'd some of the folk here would be slitting their throats by now. I still think Wigan will struggle as the season goes on too - and I've always had a feeling one of the big boys will be down there. So there are enough other teams with far bigger problems than us - I think we'll survive easier than some of us think. .....and I was predicting promotion and telling people to calm down last xmas, so I have "form" - so here endeth the lesson
I like how we're signing younger players rather than old guard. If West Ham were to go down, they'd be stuck with them and wouldn't be in great shape if they didn't bounce back. If they stay up, they'd have to replenish again. What we're doing is much more susainable - Keep and build or sell for a profit and rebuild.
Whatever happens we should keep the majority of our team together and keep Adkins in charge. All we can do is try our best and with a young side and manager we will improve, I just hope we do not panic buy or panic sack even if we are relegated. Also the Wigan game may be a wake up call, however Saints did poorly against the bottom sides in the last two years and there will be no pressure on us in the majority of games such as the next two league games.
My expectations are purely not to get relegated. I initially predicted a 9th place finish but I now believe that was a bit optimistic My hopes for the season are: - To buy a few more decent players including Ramirez because I would love to see him shine with us in the premiership - To beat one of Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Man Utd away from home. - To win 50% of home games - Saints fans filling St Marys every home game and cheering the team on from start to finish - To beat West Ham home and away - To promote our youth system and bring through Shaw, Ward-Prowse and other future stars - A decent little cup run, perhaps semi finals of the carling cup - To watch match of the day and have the pundits rave about the Southampton brand of Football. Not Southampton are like Swansea, Norwich etc etc. - To see the smile on Nigel and Rickie after beating Liverpool or Everton. - To see Rickie score 20 premiership goals. - Adam Lallana receiving an England call up after some impressive performances. That's all for now!
I agree that we have made good young signings and are showing signs of bringing a couple of our own young ones through but i do feel that we could maybe do with a couple of Chris Baird types who now has good solid Prem experience and is a solid commited pro to help the boys transition to this next and very obvious higher level if we do this i feel that we can survive and push on
Morning saints From what i saw of you against the champions, you looked as though you'll have plenty enough in the squad to stay up. Saturday was probably understandable with the presure of the first home game in front of an over expectant croud playing Wigan who are a tricky side to beat. The one thing you wil see this season different from the champ is that when ever you make a defensive mistake in this league you always get punished with a goal ! Get six games in and if Atkins hasn't stopped the mistakes happening regularly then you can start to worry a bit, but these first few games are really a learning curve. We came up in 2004/5 and went straight down, the prem has changed so much from then its un true ! Managers really do need to be able to addapt quickly and you HAVE to have a plan B. Good luck and i look forward to meeting up against you this season
