Match Day Thread +++++Saints v Man City 1st May 2016 4:30pm+++++

What has he got to lose, a fine for City , oh well

 

Why would you not fancy Europe, surely we could make a better fist of it and keep a sense of progression whilst giving game time to Reed et al

 

And it just might help persuade Ron to sign a contract extension.

 

Agreed,we have an excellent coach who is ambitious, so I think progression rather than regression has to be key. Maybe it is an age thing, but I remembers qualifying for Europe in the eighties as being so exciting. The modern fan seems to dismiss the Europa league so easily, but surely for a club if our size it is a great reward for success in the previous season - I guess that is the result of the all consuming two headed monster called the Premier League

 

I really don't know why some people don't want us to qualify for Europe. Well, perhaps I do. It's because teams that first qualify for Europe find that it takes a large toll on their existing squad from the previous season and their league form suffers.

Well, I'm sorry, but that's the baptism you get from qualifying for Europe, be it EL or CL. Yet clubs still want to do it, so there must be something good about it after all. If they play it right and prepare it need not be the case anyway. Have a little trust that when Saints do eventually qualify again that they won't try to do it all on a shoestring. They're savvy enough and rich enough to know it doesn't work like that.
Leicester [see, I'm using the Leicester answer to everything response already] are going to be in the CL next season. If they play their cards badly it could relegate them. Somehow I don't think that's going to put them off. And they would have been no less enthusiastic had it been the EL, I'll bet.

 

Really important to start the game tomorrow hard and fast.

Particularly if ManC put out some of their regulars....none will want to be injured ahead of the Madrid game so if we can show we're up for it from the start, they'll not want ot risk being in a 50-50 challenge with e.g. Victor or Van Dijk

 

Good post TSS, but I am sure there will still be some Fan concerned that it will take a toll on their league form

Going victor, slam Aguero over the hoardings a LA Dell style

 

exactly!!!!

 

Match day! Buzzing!!

"Yellows, yellows, yellows, yellows"

 

It would be a bit hypocritical for Ron to use not being in Europe as a reason not to extend, when it's his management that is partly responsible for us not being in Europe!
We have lost numerous winnable games this season, a couple of which I feel were down to tactical blunders.
Now I rate Ron, and would love him to stay, but I really hope his decision isn't based on our inclusion in the EL!

 

Today shall be, a good day.
uts

 

I don't really care what his decision is based on; I just hope he agrees to extend his contract, and the thought of a European campaign might help to swing it.

For the record, I think we've over acheived this season, wherever we now finish. We lost our three best players last summer, & dodn't get nearly as lucky with the replacements (VVD excepted) as we did the year before.

 

MATCHDAY!!!!!!

The sun is here,
Kick off is near,
Lets cheer off our heads
COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!!

 

Hope I don't get stuck behind some ancient bus on the way to the ground.

 

Absolutely agree. The expectation levels get higher and higher but don't always consider the circumstances.

I feel a win today.

 

Yeah. I think he has done extremely well with what he has at his disposal.
To be 7/8th with this squad - having to start the season with an young inexperienced left back, no standout right back, a tantrum-throwing defensive midfielder and out of form attackers. It's been a mixed bag of a season, and if we can sort out our problem areas in the window and hold on to players we could be chasing top four next season.

 

My view on Europe is that I would be pleased to be in it as it means we finished well in the league and it gives players and fans a new experience. If we don't get in it, we are better off out of it. Win, win

Don't think it will influence whether Ron stays or not...that will only depend on what he thinks of the board's 5-yr plan and what else is on offer at the time.

 

Just realised we could have gone today but too late for tickets now

 

Ironically, I think maybe you can see our progress more clearly when we aren't playing well because we aren't that bad even then and no-one has really turned us over in the league.

Agree with Fran on Ron. He will decide based on the facts. Come on Ron, Sign, Sign !!!