Just checked the archives and 2 years ago last weekend we played at home and won...against League One MK Dons (the 3-2 game). 24 months later we beat the Champions of Europe....two weeks after beating 5 times Champions of Europe Liverpool and a little after beating the reining Premier League Champions. Go on, if I had said the above when we were 2-0 down at home to MK Dons in that game, who would have believed me!!!! (probably Nige!) No 7
When you look at stats like that no one can argue as to our rapid rise not being earned. The real question for me is, in two years time, what will our standing be then? Will we be challenging for Europe or a comfortable mid table place, or will we yet again be challenging for promotion from the Championship?
You have come so far as a club! Really impressive what Adkins did before he got the sack. Similiar to Swansea really. 10 years ago we were one game away from extinction, luckily we won 4-2 and look where the Swans are now! Southampton deserve all the plaudits they get to be honest.
I don't think any club can eclipse Swansea in how far a club can progress in 10 years. It really is remarkable to see you doing so well quite soon after you nearly went bust. Enjoy your European adventure next season. I think you are perfectly suited for European football.
I think we all believed promotion was on after coming back in that MK game! Really amazing how far we have come and the style we are playing and committing to is brilliant, also refusing to back down on that style. Don't think we can compare to Swansea's meteoric rise, however they play a similar attacking style and have made it a success 2 seasons in a row so I'm hopeful we can do the sane next year and be solid top half finishers!
I've just been trying to tap into the despairing feeling from a few years ago, when Saints were starting to fall headlong into League One, and although the team were putting up a brave fight, with the kids running around, but mainly losing, it was the -10 points that killed us. Since 1966-67, as far as Me and SFC were concerned, things had never felt so awful. And although I've tried hard, I can't remember the intensity of that feeling anymore, such has it been blown away by the last few seasons. Earlier this season, under Nigel, I felt the momentum had begun to stutter, and I wanted him to get us going again. Alas, it was not to be. but Mauricio has brought the good feeling right back again. This era vies for being the best so far in the history of Southampton Football Club. Not because of what has been done, substantial that that is, but for what is to come.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed our two seasons in League 1, the best thing about it was leaving it. Same with the Championship really.
At the end of last season I realised, on looking back, that I was going to miss the Championship, as I had enjoyed both it and League One like I could never have imagined. At that time, looking forward to the PL wasn't a great prospect. I'd loved the seemingly endless winning and the thought of that stopping, and of all the Premiership hype, just turned me off. There's no doubt that the lower leagues have less BS in them, but winning in the PL is wonderful. And now, the prospect and experience of not being PL cannon fodder is also a very pleasant one indeed.
The reason we enjoyed the Championship and League One was because we were so darn good in them the last 3 seasons. The seasons before that, mind, may bring back bad memories and we should thus be grateful to be where we are at the moment.
Same time Lincoln were playing Swansea they were also playing Wigan and Fulham. I would suggest the latter eclipses the Swansea. They went from 4th tier to UEFA final!!!! Keegan managing Beardsley In those days there were lots of top class footballers that carried on in love with the game. Chris Waddle playing for his local pub side et al. Not like the Shearer types who can't bear the idea of people talking about their demise.
Agreed. For teams who can't ever quite get it together for a real go at promotion, it's really frustrating to watch. Leeds and Forest fans must be truly sick of it.
You're come a long way but you're not too sure where you've been. You've had success, you've had good times but remember this
