Before you jump ....

[Missing Lambo]

Just reflecting on our results so far compared to matches against the same opponents last year (where possible) and have allocated Watford to be last year's Burnley; Norwich/QPR and Bournemouth to be Hull (sorry Cherry lovers, it was random).

Home: Everton: 3-0 win for 0-3 defeat (ouch!) so -3 points;
Norwich: 2-1 win/3-0 win: no change
Man Utd: 1-2 loss to 3-2 loss: no change

Away: Newcastle: 2-1 to 2-2 so -2 points
WBA 0-1 to 0-0 so +1 point
Watford 0-1 to 0-0 so +1 point

So had this year's opponents been had been last year's openers, and assuming same results as achieved last year, we would have been on 9 points, rather than 6, with a slightly better goal difference with a +2 goal difference rather than our current -1.

Still not happy, but decided that I am allowed near sharp objects again.

 

[lamby]

Think results have shown the Pl is much more even this season. Wil be loads of so called shock scorelines.

 

[----HistoryRepeating----]

Yep, after the top six there's going to be a pretty even fight going on. Strong league this year, for sure.

 

[thebronze14]

It was always going to be a difficult season...no need for panic. I don't think we're as good as or will get near last year's finish...Still reckon we will be in top 10 though

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

First half of the United game we looked and felt like the team of the start of last season. It'll come. Not worried at all.

 

[Shepherd's Clearing]

I always go into it sort of thinking we'll get no points from the the top six anyway, so that's 12 defeats straight away - but life and sport is not like that, so we'll probably nick a draw or even a win here or there [no many mind you] and we'll probably drop points and get beaten by the bottom sides to even that out. It's those games against the middle league were we live or die.

There are certain games were we get no points - always - so home matches versus Man U - not bothered always lose, away games versus Everton and Tottenham, and now even Sunderland, always lose, the rest is sort of up for grabs.

Going by this, admittedly loopy logic, anything higher than 15th is going be a bonus and lower or relegation would not be an utter disaster but very disappointing.

I'm a lot more at ease with football since I have calmed down and accepted we are not that good a side. The downside to this is my overall interest in football has definitely and markedly dropped off knowing that if football carries on as it is Saints will never progress beyond any higher than last season and the top six will always be the same, unless something seismic happens in the football world or at Southampton, and I ain't getting any younger.

Overall it's a bit sad that someone like me, who when I was younger couldn't get enough football, I played three times over the weekend many times, could tell you all about every professional club, the history of the English League, all about players, I could remember teams and scores from way back instantly - now it's m'eh...I don't even go out of my way to watch matches and only really look out for Saints games.

 

[The Ides of March]

I always go into it sort of thinking we'll get no points from the the top six anyway, so that's 12 defeats straight away - but life and sport is not like that, so we'll probably nick a draw or even a win here or there [no many mind you] and we'll probably drop points and get beaten by the bottom sides to even that out. It's those games against the middle league were we live or die.

There are certain games were we get no points - always - so home matches versus Man U - not bothered always lose, away games versus Everton and Tottenham, and now even Sunderland, always lose, the rest is sort of up for grabs.

Going by this, admittedly loopy logic, anything higher than 15th is going be a bonus and lower or relegation would not be an utter disaster but very disappointing.

I'm a lot more at ease with football since I have calmed down and accepted we are not that good a side. The downside to this is my overall interest in football has definitely and markedly dropped off knowing that if football carries on as it is Saints will never progress beyond any higher than last season and the top six will always be the same, unless something seismic happens in the football world or at Southampton, and I ain't getting any younger.

Overall it's a bit sad that someone like me, who when I was younger couldn't get enough football, I played three times over the weekend many times, could tell you all about every professional club, the history of the English League, all about players, I could remember teams and scores from way back instantly - now it's m'eh...I don't even go out of my way to watch matches and only really look out for Saints games.

My sentiments exactly. It is even more depressing looking at England internationals. Years ago England had talent, maybe it didn't always fuse but there was genuine class about a player who put on an England shirt. Now we have the likes of .er... Jack Wilshire!!!

 

[Missing Lambo]

My sentiments exactly. It is even more depressing looking at England internationals. Years ago England had talent, maybe it didn't always fuse but there was genuine class about a player who put on an England shirt. Now we have the likes of .er... Jack Wilshire!!!

Your Jack Wilshere and raise you a Nobby Stiles! It was not all Bobby Moore (pause to say "best defender I have ever seen"). However, I agree with the sentiment. My interest in England is almost zero. As for the debate about whether Rooney is better than Charlton ... dear God. As I live on the border, I'm supporting Wales this coming summer. I have always admired the Welsh love for crap teams, and now they've got a good one to match their passion!

 

[letissier86]

I always go into it sort of thinking we'll get no points from the the top six anyway, so that's 12 defeats straight away - but life and sport is not like that, so we'll probably nick a draw or even a win here or there [no many mind you] and we'll probably drop points and get beaten by the bottom sides to even that out. It's those games against the middle league were we live or die.

There are certain games were we get no points - always - so home matches versus Man U - not bothered always lose, away games versus Everton and Tottenham, and now even Sunderland, always lose, the rest is sort of up for grabs.

Going by this, admittedly loopy logic, anything higher than 15th is going be a bonus and lower or relegation would not be an utter disaster but very disappointing.

I'm a lot more at ease with football since I have calmed down and accepted we are not that good a side. The downside to this is my overall interest in football has definitely and markedly dropped off knowing that if football carries on as it is Saints will never progress beyond any higher than last season and the top six will always be the same, unless something seismic happens in the football world or at Southampton, and I ain't getting any younger.

Overall it's a bit sad that someone like me, who when I was younger couldn't get enough football, I played three times over the weekend many times, could tell you all about every professional club, the history of the English League, all about players, I could remember teams and scores from way back instantly - now it's m'eh...I don't even go out of my way to watch matches and only really look out for Saints games.

I try to be a bit less downtrodden. There's not much between clubs outside of the top six. And without our best starting XI and known formation, no momentum and Saints high morale just yet, things haven't started all that positively. But all that is achievable this year. A couple of positive results and everything changes. And clubs (fans included) like us need to believe that persistence and marginal gains will help us crack the top six. Somehow we had a net gain in quality at the start of last season despite the plundering of our squad. We might have even achieved that this summer although it's too early to tell. On average over future seasons, who says we'll not be more effective in resisting the intentions of the bigger clubs and continue to recruit wisely. Let's have hope!

 

[Shepherd's Clearing]

I try to be a bit less downtrodden. There's not much between clubs outside of the top six. And without our best starting XI and known formation, no momentum and Saints high morale just yet, things haven't started all that positively. But all that is achievable this year. A couple of positive results and everything changes. And clubs (fans included) like us need to believe that persistence and marginal gains will help us crack the top six. Somehow we had a net gain in quality at the start of last season despite the plundering of our squad. We might have even achieved that this summer although it's too early to tell. On average over future seasons, who says we'll not be more effective in resisting the intentions of the bigger clubs and continue to recruit wisely. Let's have hope!

The trouble is reading what I posted makes it look like I am sat on the sofa every day sobbing uncontrollable into my hands, inconsolable.

Clearly this isn't the case as football is only a small part of my life.

Nevertheless my enthusiasm from my childhood years, up through to my grey bearded years, has definitely taken a severe knocking.

If you think I've gone from being forced to being all-knowing about Saints by a bullying brother in the late 60s, through to going to every game in mid to late seventies, to going to occasional games, to going hardly at all, due to being slowly worn down by a combination of hope offset by reality.

It was bad in the seventies, but you could crack the top of the table, loads of clubs did, now it's gone, nobody will ever make the Premiership truly interesting again. Leicester are up there, West Ham too, will they be by the season's end? Nope. Everyone knows it.

So quite often I think 'what is the point?' For footballers it really must be money, because if you don't play for top six, you will not get international recognition, win a trophy or play in Europe. Then again a Saints win at Anfield and everything changes...for a while.

Surely we are all willing collaborators in one the biggest sporting cons ever perpetuated?

Don't get me wrong, I've taken early retirement, the mortgage is fully paid and I honestly do exactly what I want to most days, so my life is great, so I'm not suicidal about Saints or football, just really 'nothing' about it - which to my mind is a really bad thing to feel about or national sport.

 

[fran-MLs little camera]

Harsh to say it is all about the money for players. They start playing from an early age, love the game and make a career out of it (if they are lucky). If you asked any of those players when they were 8 or 9 years old, it would all be about the game. The only ones who might be said to do it for the money would be Africans from dirt poor areas who see it as a way to help their families....and they also love the game. Most footballers aren't good enough to make a living from it....they would love to be playing at any level. It would be a very small league if it was considered to be only worth playing if you were in the top 6 and internationals. I bet a few reading this wouldn't mind being a player that dodges between the Championship and lower PL clubs.

 

[garysfc]

The trouble is reading what I posted makes it look like I am sat on the sofa every day sobbing uncontrollable into my hands, inconsolable.

Clearly this isn't the case as football is only a small part of my life.

Nevertheless my enthusiasm from my childhood years, up through to my grey bearded years, has definitely taken a severe knocking.

If you think I've gone from being forced to being all-knowing about Saints by a bullying brother in the late 60s, through to going to every game in mid to late seventies, to going to occasional games, to going hardly at all, due to being slowly worn down by a combination of hope offset by reality.

It was bad in the seventies, but you could crack the top of the table, loads of clubs did, now it's gone, nobody will ever make the Premiership truly interesting again. Leicester are up there, West Ham too, will they be by the season's end? Nope. Everyone knows it.

So quite often I think 'what is the point?' For footballers it really must be money, because if you don't play for top six, you will not get international recognition, win a trophy or play in Europe. Then again a Saints win at Anfield and everything changes...for a while.

Surely we are all willing collaborators in one the biggest sporting cons ever perpetuated?

Don't get me wrong, I've taken early retirement, the mortgage is fully paid and I honestly do exactly what I want to most days, so my life is great, so I'm not suicidal about Saints or football, just really 'nothing' about it - which to my mind is a really bad thing to feel about or national sport.

Wow! and unfortunately I agree with almost everything you've said....no all! maybe it's our age!

 

[TheSecondStain]

I try to be a bit less downtrodden. There's not much between clubs outside of the top six. And without our best starting XI and known formation, no momentum and Saints high morale just yet, things haven't started all that positively. But all that is achievable this year. A couple of positive results and everything changes. And clubs (fans included) like us need to believe that persistence and marginal gains will help us crack the top six. Somehow we had a net gain in quality at the start of last season despite the plundering of our squad. We might have even achieved that this summer although it's too early to tell. On average over future seasons, who says we'll not be more effective in resisting the intentions of the bigger clubs and continue to recruit wisely. Let's have hope!

Well said. One doesn't have to hang on in quiet desperation in the Pink Floyd way. Saints are a medium sized club. But they have an ambition to become a big club. There's no time frame, so they say, but it will happen sooner or later. I think that's great.