Just reading the article Godders posted about the academy, the 10 point penalty we got 3 seasons ago is often described is the low point of our recent history. This got me thinking though... Statistically yes, it was pretty much the worst thing that could have happened. But yet, starting off with the 10 point disadvantage, in my opinion, led to us playing fearless ambitious football. It was a "nothing to lose" attitude almost, which is strange for a club that's just avoided shutting down altogether. And since then, we've just went from strength to strength. So...do we reckon the penalty inspired us to play without fear and forget what we have to lose, or am I talking complete nonsense?
Normally Conman, you talk complete nonsense, but I think I agree with you here. Nobody had any expectations for our first year in L1 (players, fans, other teams, even the media) and that is why we surprised a lot of people. And thankfully that momentum carried us into last season and now this season.
If we hadn't got the -10, we would have made play-offs. If we had won the plays-offs and got promoted first year, would we have kept Pardew (or would he have flown the coop to Newcastle anyway) and what affect would that have had. All's well that ends well.
I agree with the spirit of this post. The whole sorry episode has given the last two years a rosy glow. Pardew must take great credit, while Adkins is simply a genius!
I gotta say your talking nonsense if i remember correctly we didn't start that season to well we were still on minus 1 point after 10 games. we might of played without fear but god we were crap.
Just shows how your memory plays tricks...we didn't win a league game until number 8 and that was our only win in the first two months until we had a run of wins in October. I had expunged that horror from my mind as well.
God only three years ago and I'm already having trouble remembering stuff in the right order! We knew about the 10 points some time before we started in L1 so I think most of us had mentally "dealt" with it. Rather like our chums up the road at present I was just worried 1) no one would buy us 2) if we didn't exit admin in time another points deduction was certain. When Marcus was confirmed as our new owner my heart did not sing, more just relieved. At this time we didn't know if he or NC were the real deal! For me the upturn moment was a few hours (If I remember ? mins) later where a smiling Kelvin was on the official site after telling WHU (in the PL at the time?) sorry guys I'm staying here, never wanted to leave, only considered it 'cos it was best for Saints. It was only at that exact moment I realised just how pissed off I'd been for weeks. I even enjoyed the Soccer AM crew taking the piss every week by showing the L1 table (-us) and then announcing "and also". I think it took quite a few weeks before we caught up!
Your right fran it wasn't the 10 point penalty that cost us promotion it was the terrible start to the season and finishing 22 points worse off than norwich albeit with the minus 10 is what cost pardew his job imo.
Wow, I remember that!! They used to show the league of three teams that had points deductions in League 2 as well! It's amazing how much we (choose to) forget.........
Trust me, in my case there's no choice involved! I wonder how our excitable friends up t' road will react to such ribbing
It definately did not inspire us. We were garnage until about mid October. Looking back, the best thing (IMO) was that we just missed our on the play-offs and then promotion. That second season, giving Nigel 3/4 of a season to enforce his approach on the team has allowed us to build the momentum and then maintain it. We are stronger for that experience.
I would suggest that you ask our friends in Bedfordshi*e whether they feel they same way about their penalty. Unfortunately you wouldn't get a response, because they don't have any fans.
Considering the bad start we did well to finish where we did, but by the end of the season we were looking more our true selves. Luckily we had the JPT as well. I think I was remembering that season through a golden glow caused by Wembley. It must have been embarassing for Cortese having talked Markus into a huge investment...not a good idea to embarass Nicola.
Dropping a division gave us a kick up the backside and meant we could rebuild, and as you say we have gone from strength to strength
