There's this thing called ambition, ever heard of it?
Yes, and because you have wrote that on the internet, your life will now be so much better.
There's this thing called ambition, ever heard of it?
In footballing finance terms, that's all ages ago now. They couldn't crack into the Champions League, where the next level of income comes from.
They have certainly done well with good management, but even with that, their fans seem to want more, to spend more.
Do you really believe that Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool & Spurs won't dominate the top 6 for the foreseeable future? They are the biggest clubs, biggest fan bases, biggest money makers.
Honestly believe some Saints fans have a tenuous grip on reality.
Now in the Premiership, we've reached a plateau, maybe even the summit. We've gone as far as we can, no matter how good our academy, board, manager or bank balance is.
There's this thing called ambition, ever heard of it?
Evidence? We've improved every year since the takeover - who says we can't improve again next year?
What is surprising is that you don't even dream or hope for better. You can't allow yourself to do it. You have obviously been a traditional Saints fan for so long, putting up with mediocrity, that you can't even steal yourself to have some belief. Well I always hope for better. There's nothing wrong with that. It's just my outlook, and I prefer it to yours.
It's strange how just last decade is "ages ago", but this age we're in now is going to continue for the foreseeable future.
You want me to provide evidence from the future? I'm good, but not that good.
We might improve next season, we very well might. We might finish 7th.
You have obviously been a traditional Saints fan for so long, putting up with mediocrity
I can't recall ever "putting up" with... anything. I support the club no matter where it is in the league ladder.
I've been through some brilliant saints times (76, 79, 80-82, 84, 86, 88, 91, 03) and some **** saints times (we all know them)
Did I love the club any different between the good and bad times? I don't think so.
Think for all the "putting up" that I've endured supporting Saints, I've had a bloody good time doing it!
CBK is right. The only way we can compete with the top teams is pay similar wages and that means huge investment from Katharina or we are bought by someone who is prepared to.
Time was once, a club could build a team to challenge the big sides (Forest, Derby under Clough). But now (as we may be about to find out) the promising players are picked off before they've hardly begun a challenge, so you have to start again. And so it goes on. The only way to keep them is give them the money and you might have a chance.
That's not accepting mediocrity or unambitious, it's realism.
CBK is right. The only way we can compete with the top teams is pay similar wages and that means huge investment from Katharina or we are bought by someone who is prepared to.
Time was once, a club could build a team to challenge the big sides (Forest, Derby under Clough). But now (as we may be about to find out) the promising players are picked off before they've hardly begun a challenge, so you have to start again. And so it goes on. The only way to keep them is give them the money and you might have a chance.
That's not accepting mediocrity or unambitious, it's realism.
I'm suprised by CBK's negativity. We were top two for the first 6 weeks? Who says we can't win the League, you only need a decent team and a lot of luck, really. If decisions go your way as well as injuries, and we sign a 30 goal a season forward? Stranger things have happened.
I believe that we could make the top four next season. I accept it would be a ridiculously difficult task, but it IS do-able with a LOT of luck. We would need to keep everyone, stay injury free and unearth some gems in the process, but I think we could do it.
If that makes me stupid, naive etc. I don't really care. Everton almost did it this season, and we are as good as them minus one or two players. I don't think it's likely, but to rule it out completely is stupid.
Nothing in sport is impossible, and that's what makes it brilliant. If Liverpool can challenge for the title, we can challenge for the top 4.
Annnyway. Found some figures for PL wages for 2012/13, from The Guardian's website. Sorry I can't copy and paste, bit beyond my capabilities (this may indicate a lack of ambition). I'll just write a few out in long hand; the numbers are of course in millions.
Man City 233
Man Utd 181
Chelsea 179
Arsenal 154
Liverpool 132
Spurs 96
Everton 63
Saints 47
Oh, and I had to laugh at QPR with 78 mill, God bless em.