You just know what will happen next...

Southampton could still find themselves in the ****ty position of the bigger clubs unsettling their players in January though.
Depending how the lads do in the internationals there's every chance the rumour mills kick in with fantasy figures for Lallana to Arsenal etc.
Even just to disrupt their rhythm to reduce the competition at the top.

 

I can see us honestly getting 7 points from those games.

 

Its inevitable for anyone outside the big five who has the gall to actually do well. I remember how many football pundits were basically imploring the top four to sign our best players from us. Saints will see that for sure if they continue to do as well as they are. Perhaps not quite as badly as they aren't quite so nakedly trying to make profits out of the transfer market and have shown some ambition.

 

To be honest I hope Southamton pull it out the bag and manage to mix it with the big boys til the end of the season.
Be interesting to see if the media pull the same **** as they did with us when we finished 5th.
A season of "it wont last...; punching above their weight; WHEN they actually play someone..." followed by, "well, they were my dark horse, always had a soft spot for them since the entertainers/messiah days".

Media always has a knock 'em while they're down attitude, unless it's the North East, then just knock 'em.
Their attitude to Southampton making the Europa league could add fuel to the North/South divide fire.

 

I too think 5 points would be a decent return for us, staying unbeaten would be massive for the belief. I do think this season is giving us another chance to challenge the top 5/6, it has that feeling of a couple of years ago when teams were tripping over each other and not breaking too far away from the main pack. We have to want it though and have that carefree "lets go for it" attitude, we might as well, there's no point saying lets survive or aim for mid-table. Anyone from mid-table upwards should be looking at the way this season is going and think there's something in it if they give it a good go. Easier said than done and I still think we'll end up safely in mid-table come the season's end, but I'm starting to get some more belief we COULD do a bit better.

 

You are aware that the Board is still the same one that released statements to this very effect?

Not to mention the Cup competition fiasco...

 

Hi, Saints fan here reading your article with interest.
The media are waking up to the style of football being played on the south coast and almost daily there are stories of who is after what player in the next transfer window.
one article suggested that a move from Saints to Liverpool or Spurs would only be a sideways step as neither of these clubs could guarantee CL football. The players at Southampton, particularly those that have come up through the academy say they are staying for the long term so if any club seriously want to drag any player away from what is happening there it will take a very high fee as Saints are no longer a selling club.

 

Interesting.
We had every decent player going to the Liverpools and spurs' because they could challenge for CL where as we would surely fall away.
I've no doubt the clubs differing mentalities has a part to play.
Here, every player has his price.
If you keep producing the goods at academy level and you can now afford to retain them then good luck to you.
Part of that is Mike's dream. Sadly, like his retail empire, everything our academy produces has a price tag already attached.

 

I think that is perhaps one of the differences between our two clubs, sadly for you your owner seems intent on not investing wisely into the clubs future. The run of form you are currently on could see you rising into the position (or higher) than you were a couple of years ago. The owners of SFC seem intent on making progress each year and one of those targets is Champions league football.
If more of the clubs seen by the media as outsiders were to break into the top 4 then it would make for a far more interesting league as we are currently seeing this season.
Best of luck to the Magpies for this season excepting for 2 matches of course.

 

I think 6 points