Fair enough, I wasn't judging the majority of you by any stretch, just noting that some of the stuff I'd read on this thread seemed to be a bit ott. Thanks for clearing it up though, I did think it was a bit odd reading some of the posts but I guess the jokes went over my head I guess it depends from player to player but cash generally rules. A player like Shaw might be an exception as I think he can safely expect Chelsea to be coming in for him and I'd be surprised if he's in any rush to move. We've seen it time and time again though, players that you think are committed suddenly hand a transfer request in or go on strike or just throw a strop trying to get a move to another club. We've seen it enough at Spurs over recent years and don't even get me started on the transfer rumours, the other week it was suggested that we'd be forced to sell Sandro for £6mill Get used to being doubted and underrated a lot, we had the same. Funnily enough this is the one season the media haven't been unanimously writing us off and this is the season we're looking less impressive. Spending a lot of money seems to be key to pundits' opinions, I remember how overexcited they got about Liverpool when they'd bought Henderson, Carroll, Downing, etc and perhaps that's what they did with us this time.
In my opinion; Boruc ~ Mignolet - both class goalkeepers. I'd say they're level Clyne > Walker - Clyne is better than walker. Shaw > Enrique - Shaw is better than Jose Enrique Centre Backs - Lovren & Agger would be my pick, followed by Toure, Srktel, Fonte, Skrtel Sakho. They are clearly stronger in this department. Schneiderlin > Henderson Wanyama ~ Lucas Lallana < Coutinho And the front three would all be from Liverpool as well. On current form, I think we are similar in quality, the thing that sets them apart is Suarez. They also have a deeper squad than us. But no-one can deny that they are both better than us, and a much bigger club than us. I'm confused as to why people have taken these articles so seriously. I really hope Liverpool manage to finish in the top 4 over United, City, Chelsea and Spurs. Would be nice to see them in the champions league again. The fact that I feel a number of our squad gets in Liverpools team is a massive compliment to us, and to how far we have come.
KnR - agree Wanyama is better than Lucus but Snidders is much better than Wanyama. Take a look when Saints are on Sky next time. Quality!
speak to cortese about his ambitions, people are taking us seriously. before he was here, we would never have had the clout to beat some of the biggest teams in europe for the signature of some of our recent signings.
I don't mind the old school pundits (Motson, Lawrenson etc) doubting us...It's even more satisfying when we keep proving them wrong...Lawrenson said Ramirez would never sign for Saints and Motson has us to lose 5 out of the next 6 games to be 9th at Xmas! despite us not being rolled over by a top 7 club in the last 12 months, in fact we have won more than we have lost against them.
That's what's so ridiculous about it - it started with Godders getting overheated about some made-up story about Liverpool wanting one of our players; and then a Liverpool fan came in and said that from a fan's point of view they wouldn't want any of our players; and then we've got all pissed off that they apparently don't want our players!
I'm sure that's the case but speak to Randy Lerner about his ambitions too, he gave players big contracts so that they wouldn't leave and allowed Martin O'Neill to buy pretty well too but it didn't equal success for them and eventually they had to draw a line under it and look to balance the books. It's exciting times for Southampton fans no doubt but I don't think you're ready to put in a serious challenge for the top 4, which is what I was talking about at the time. Motson's lack of football knowledge really is surprising considering he's been getting paid to watch it for so long. BBC's analysts generally are pretty awful though. The funny thing with our rather unimpressive start though is that pundits criticising us have chosen to do it by saying they don't think we'll win the league to which most Spurs fans reaction has been "well, duh!". I think I preferred it when they wrote off our chances from the start and had to backtrack.
That's the modern football fan, annoyed because Liverpool want some Southampton players then annoyed because Liverpool don't want some Southampton players.
There are a few people who think we're up there on exactly the same level as you lot in every sense, but every club will have idiots like that. I'm sure there are some Spurs fans who think you're the most attractive club in the league for every player! While cash does generally rule, we've got more of a sense of security. The players always getting linked away - Lallana, Schneiderlin, Shaw et al - have all been having offers from Premier League clubs since we were in League One (maybe not Shaw, but he certainly has received his fair share of offers over the last two years). If they wanted to leave, they could have done it a long time ago, rather than waiting until we're pushing for the top 7 in the Premier League before taking off. Not saying it's impossible, but it's highly unlikely. Even in the summer, it's a matter of fact that both Schneiderlin and Shaw received offers from other teams, and it's probably safe to assume Lallana did too. All three have publicly stated their desire to stay - Lallana has said he never wants to leave the club in his life multiple times, and Shaw and Schneiderlin have both said similar things recently. Besides, if they're going to leave, they could aim higher than Liverpool. I'm alright with being doubted and underrated (though the opposite is happening at the moment) - I just get wound up by people talking about us when they don't have a clue. One of our members recently pointed out a post from a Liverpool fan clearly talking about Lallana as if he was another one of our teenage prospects and dismissing him because of "potential", not disrespectful to Adam's ability but just an example of people not having a clue.
We ARE! I remember when Modric signed a 6 year deal with us and even at the end of the season was talking about how important it was our players stick together for next season even if we missed out on CL football yet barely a month on(1 year into the 6 year deal) he tried to kick up a fuss so he could leave and went on strike. Things can change quickly in football and the money can stagger clubs and players. We were also supposedly prepared to do whatever it took to keep hold of Bale for one more season and were prepared for a bid of about £50/60mill but it's hard to tell a player that dreams of playing alongside Ronaldo that we won't sell him even for a World record fee. You can bet at somepoint a player will do a U-turn that will leave you furious, especially with the way players are tapped up these days, we had to put up with months of "leaked" bids from Chelsea for Modric before Real Madrid had every member of staff under contract there say how much they wanted Bale to sign for them and how it would be wrong of us not to let him. Nowadays I'd rather players don't come out and say they want to stay, even if they mean it at the time it's unrealistic for them to act like their head can't be turned. Anyway, yeah I know what you mean with Lallana, I thought he was terrific with you in the Championship and expected him to do well in the Premier League too. It's not that I underrate you or think your fans, in general, are being unrealistic I just thought some on here were getting a bit carried away. Every player is different but no matter how little difference you think there is in the playing teams, reputation and money go a long way in football. Look at Mario Gotze, he was the main man at Dortmund who were very much on an even footing with Bayern but left for more money and despite becoming more of a squad player at Bayern. Anyway, I'd rather we signed Baines than Shaw so hopefully our club feel the same and the rumours are just that.
I don't think Levy will be back to you guys for a left back after Bale. He was ****e, took him like 200 attempts just to win a Premier League game.
We don't want Sturridge. Southampton play as a team so neither of your strikers would fit into that setup. We don't have selfish personnel
we take you seriously, as we took Swansea seriously, looks like things are going well for them ..., big clubs are big for a reason - it'll be tough for you to keep the momentum going but 5 years of top half finishes will give you some strong foundations. Don't do a Swansea and become arrogant twats, it'll land you with egg on your face
Agree with this, some Saints fans are becoming far too cocky for their own good. December could easily be a complete disaster for Saints. I do not expect us to be in the top 4 when 2014 comes.
Indeed, even if we were to do something truly remarkable and unlikely like finish in the top four this season, or even as you say to merely be there on the 2nd of January, it would be lovely if we could do it with dignity and class rather than rubbing it in the faces of anyone who has ever been deemed to have doubted or disrespected us.
