I still get a sense amongst Saints fans that our current lofty position is almost too good to be true and that it will all unravel in the coming weeks. This may well come to pass, but i'm going to point to a few stats and facts that suggest that we are the third best team in the league not just because of our current league position. There is our goal difference of +21 which is comfortably the third best in the league, then there is the fact that we have beaten 7 teams out of the top 12 away from home this season ( Arsenal and Stoke in the cup). The team have only let in more than 1 goal in 4 games out of 28 in all competitions and have kept a massive 12 clean sheets. We can also score goals with 46 scored in 28 games in all compettions. The fine wins against Everton and Newcastle away were achieved without several first team players which has made a nonsense of claims that our squad lacks depth in quality. Having already played (and beaten) our 2 nearest rivals recently and played 7 out of the top 11 away from home, we have a very favourable run in (with no European distractions) so there is every reason to feel optimistic about the rest of the season in my opinion.
You can't argue with anything you've written (well no doubt some will) but Arsenal's win at City was like a kick in the balls to me. I suppose that I suffer from Saintsitis and John Cleese's quote sums it up: "It's not the despair. I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
Here's another reasonable indicator of how games are going. Take the number of shots a team has from inside the box, deduct how many the opposition has against them and see what the net figure is. It gives a rough idea of the general dominance of a game but obviously isn't an exact science. We look good, Spurs not so much. please log in to view this image
Thanks for writing that SA. We can only hope that other supporters actually read and digest what you've written, instead of behaving like Saints supporters of old. I don't know how many times I've suggested to supporters that it's time to stop being wobbly Saints of pre-July 2009 and start having the same expectations the club itself has. I don't want to rub it in, but are we finally agreed now..? The club want to be regulars in the Champions League and one day to win the Premier League..? All on board..? The best is yet to come.
Fans of other clubs are still convinced we'll fall away. They're opinions have no basis other than our squad is too small to cope. #clutchingatstraws
I think it is more our name...we are regarded as a small club and people not ITK make assumptions. And we would be just as guilty if Hull were third.
If some fans still want to be cautiously positive, there is nothing wrong with that. I have the hopes and beliefs, but hold back on the expectations.
Oh it's different to that, FLT. When I first suggested the club's ambitions I was practically laughed off the forum. Let me have my chuckle time now.
I was called a bandwagonist gloryseeker at a wedding a few weeks ago(by a clown in a suit and a Man U tie).....we have arrived!!
When asked why I supported Saints in the past I used to jokingly reply I was a glory seeker....I can no longer say that as it might be believed.
I know we're good. I know we're better than the teams we're competing with. But still in the back of my mind lurks the thought that it's just too good to be true.
You mean, you hope with every fibre in your being that the wheels fall off the wagon soon. You might be waiting a very long time. Of course, it's anathema to you that plenty of Saints fans wish Pompey well. That doesn't compute, does it.
