Nigel Adkins and his team have been proving the sceptics wrong for a year now, there were doubts that we could win first at Bournemouth and then Brighton last season and that we could catch Huddersfield. This season, the start we have had has been magnificent and beyond the expectations of most reasonable Saints fans, I fully expect the team to put in a strong performance on Saturday at home as usual to get right back on track, I just wish that all Saints could show some faith in the lads because the consistency of their performance level warrants it.
So what is thread saying? If there is the slightest thing you want to say that is not "Oh wow, life is great" we have to stifle it? I have worked for or been a member of a number of organisations in my life. If I have raised issues about the way they work it is because I want the opinion of others and to open a debate on whether things could be even better. Same with Saints. I love the current set up. I have admired Cortese from the off. I thought the appointment of Pardew was inspired when so many "flash" names were being touted. I was left to wonder when Pardew was sacked, but now firmly accept that Cortese was right and that Adkins was a brilliant appointment. We have players who clearly love playing in the shirt, and their effort is not in question. We are top of a difficult league, so of course we are happy. But let's not ignore the fact that we have come through two away games and picked up only one point, and that one of these games was against a weakened team. Now is the time to ask a few questions. I cannot believe that Cortese and Adkins are not asking the same questions and then some. The difference is that they probably are dealing in answers as well. I trust them, and the ultimate test is that I now wear my Saints shirt with pride, not embarrassment, to the local gym where all the shirts are either Liverpool red or Everton blue! But let's keep debate going, please.
Nobody has to stifle their opinions and only be positive, Channon, That's why I said "Discuss". I just wanted to start a thread with a glass half full outlook rather than the ones I'm reading at the moment. Everyone knows how stressfull it is being a saints fan and how we all sit waiting for the house of cards to collapse and I feel that this sometimes clouds our view on the way things are going. As soon as we loose a game or struggle we start thinking "oh no, this is it, I knew it was too good to be true" The idea behind the thread is this... I know it's stressfull, I know it hurts when we loose but take a step back, look at the facts and just enjoy that even though we have all these things we can improve upon (and alot of these things I've read are valid points), we are still top of the league. Also as you you quite rightly point out, we can trust Nige & Nicola to ask of themselves and deal with these questions so all we have to do is sit back, chill out and enjoy the ride. Basically I'm trying to stop people from developing unnecessary ulcers.
Problem is we're all Saints fans, our minds and emotions have been scarred from all the relegations, relagation scraps, constant managerial changes, administration etc. We feel uneasy with these 'good times' to the point that when something goes slightly wrong we fall into a deep depression because we remember what it used to lead to! I like many still wonder when will the good times end? When will Lallana be sold to Arsenal? When will Nige quit for his dream job in the Premiership? When will Cortese decide enough's enough? When will the Liebherr family sell the club to a dodgy Arab consortium who have no idea about football and who will drive us back to the point of oblivion again? These questions are always in the back of my mind that's for sure! Being settled and looking toward a positive future is not an easy acceptance for Southampton fans anymore - We all felt positive and full of massive hope after the cup final of 03' and look what happened after!
One game at a time, Saturday will give us a good idea on how things are going to go, then there is a short break for NA and NC to think about the future. As much a I would like us to win every game, I am realistic enough to know that won't happen, my prediction of us finishing 13th is looking very tenuous at the moment, any higher will be a bonus as far as I am concerned
One point I missed is that when things are going well and we express our delight, we are immediately accused of being arrogant!
That is very true! I think many clubs outside of the Premiership are envious of what we have, that's the problem.
If someone would of said to me before the season started that we would be top of the championship after 9 games I would not of believed them. After two very tough away games and us only taking one point i'm not surprised to hear a few concerns coming out, but we are top and once we have kicked Watford's backsides on Saturday we will remain top for the International break. Top 2 COYR
