Watching the Ajax game yesterday and listening to the Jim Rosenthal pre-match chat made me really appreciate how far this club has progressed in the last two years. Nigel took over in Sept 2010 when we were in the bottom part of League 1. Since then we have unbelievably won 60 of the 98 games he's been in charge. A brilliant record by anyone's standards. We have a first class ground and great facilities, great support, a fantastic Chairman and a thriving youth system which is continuing to produce top class prospects. Speaking to colleagues at work it's really noticeable that people have noticed and are beginning to talk about us again. It gives me a real sense of pride in our club! This coming season is bound to have it's up's and down's and Nigel and the whole squad will face severe tests but if we all stick together this season and the next few years could become our best ever. This really is a great time to be a Saint! COYR!
We have come a long way and if someone had said 'Saints will be in the Premier League in three years', when we went down to League One, I would have laughed in their face. I am looking forward to the new season with a bit of trepidation but, after yesterday I am not quite as worried as before (the first 15 or 20 minutes notwithstanding), although we need more of a cutting edge.
Agreed but bearing in mind Ajax are closer to being fully match fit and they put 6 past Celtic I thought we did OK. Plenty of room to improve yet and I'm sure we will!
League 1 on -10 to PL in three years...fantastic achievement. It's not just about money...other clubs have been taken over by rich men who have made promises, but it's not as easy as that. It's also about having a plan and carrying it out. Cortese knew how he wanted a team to play and the foundations he needed for that and, so far, it's worked out. Onwards and upwards.
THREE years? What took you so long? We did it in two! Only teasing. Very well done and welcome to the PL! You'll be OK, as will we.
Our's is/was a 7-year plan, and allowed for an immediate return to the Championship after reaching the PL! As one of our directors said when Paul Lambert left for Villa: "He's the most impatient man I've ever met". People think we are weaker for losing Lambert; but most of us fans believe we are actually stronger; and with Chris Hughton coming in we have a stable platform for development which we would never have had under Lambert. Looking forward to our fixtures and revisiting St Mary's.
You have got a great manager in Chris Hughton. I feared for Norwich when Lambert left, as I genuinely like Norwich and wish you all the best (except when playing us!) but, with Hughton, I think you'll have nothing to fear. And Robert Snodgrass is a good signing for you, I'd have liked us to get him.
The only things that lacking is the support - 5700 was pathetic yesterday! I felt embarassed sitting there in an empty stadium watching one of Europes top teams
Be fair Dark a pre-season friendly on the first day of the Olympics in the first two weeks of the school holidays and it's live on TV. Most clubs would kill for nearly 6000!
