Stolen from Avenue Saint on SaintsWeb, but thought it was a good thread and we'd get a good discussion going on here. He posted: "Take a moment gents, A little over 2 years ago, relegation from England's 2nd division and then to have the screw turned on us even further by having the burden of -10 hanging around our necks... We currently sit 10 games away from what (hopefully) could be a return to England's top league and that from the platform of topping the division! How blessed have we truly been to come BACK to this point?" So, who is to thank and applaud? I'd say many people: Liebherr, Cortese, Pardew, Adkins, Lambert, Lallana, Davis. If we go up I'd certainly hope we would give Pardew a huge, warm welcome back. Realistically we can't name all contributors I would imagine. As suggested by one poster: "we got here by (at last) buying the right players at the right time and getting a manager on the up and backing him......" So what do you think? DTLW
I think I´m gunna cry Touching stuff. When you really think about it, it´s quite astonishing what he achieved in such a small space of time. We should be very grateful to each and every person that has contributed in our rise, after such a big fall....Makes me proud to be a Saint. (and people who whinge about a peroformace or about playes should be ashamed)
Very much so, they spoke of a 5-year-plan to get back to the Premier League, and here we are in Year 3, ten games away from it...one last push!
Amen to all of that. Many and varied people have worked toward the progression of this club over the last couple of years. They've all pushed the bus to get it going. Occasionally it has felt as if it has been uphill, but most of time it has felt as if we've been cruising. To swap and then end the metaphors, it's been like the swan, all serene on top, but legs doing the work underneath and out of sight. Who to thank..? Well it's not done yet, in fact, with Cortese's ambition, we haven't even really got out of the traps. Last year, he went and wrote up another 5 year plan and that didn't include failure or staying in the second tier for too long. In fact, I understand the finances for Premier League status have already been set down, should the shortest schedule stay on track. How's that for being ahead of the game..? However, this is not a one man appreciation post, although he is undoubtedly the planning and driving force behind SFC. He's got the right people in, and almost got it smack on, right away with Pardew. AP turned us round, and pushed us hard in the right direction. For that he will always be welcome to St Marys, as far as I'm concerned. Cortese has brought in Les Reed, Nigel and the rest of the staff. We know them because Nigel mentions almost every time we play. Together as one, and now, living in the present.
We've got here through calmness and class. The defeat at Walsall last season was the turning point. We haven't looked back since then. Cortese has kept his head down this campaign and left Nigel's composure take its effect on the team. The team spirit is key, but making St Mary's a fortress has been so important. For years, people wondered whether the ground was cursed because of how inconsistent we were at home. Now, despite only coming up from League One last season, you feel confident going into every St Mary's fixture - expecting wins. Reading are doing so well at the moment because they hold the same core values as us, and, despite not having the best squads, we both have belief and aren't overpaid wasters. Our squad is exciting and at their peak in many cases. It's hard to forget through all the whinging sometimes that we've only lost 7 games out of 36 all season. 65 goals in a majestic year. Rickie Lambert - 140 games for Southampton - 79 goals (all competitions). God. Nigel Adkins - Win percentage - 61.36%. Say no more. Cortese - Wouldn't have got where we are now without his astute and 'f_ck off if you don't like our club' attitude. Markus - RIP buddy, this is all for you!
Exactly, I don´t think anyone could have expected or could have even imagined us being where we are in year 3 of our 5 year plan....and for Pompey to be sitting bottom of the championship is just the icing on a very big cake.
It is an absolutely incredible turnaround, even if we do slip and don't make promotion this season. To go from bottom of league one to the upper end of the championship is unbelievable.
I've written on here many times about the great job that NA has done and how important the likes of Adam, Rickie and SKD have been, but the simple fact is that it has ALL been possible due to one man.....The Don, Nicola Cortese....everything he touches turns to gold. He was the man that convinced St Markus that we were a project worth investing in, he has made all the big decisions regarding staff and manager appointments and funds available for transfers. He also got a tremendous deal for us in the Chambo transfer. Most of all, he has turned us into a club that is respected in the football world.
It's a great ride, innit? Cortese is the man we've needed for years. If we'd have had someone like him during Larie's day who knows where we might now be?
Davis Richardson/Butterfield Fonte Jaidi/Hooiveld Harding/Fox Chamberlain/Guly Hammond/Chaplow Schneiderlin/Cork Lallana Lambert Barnard/Connolly This is the key players who have got us to where we are, and to them I will be ever thankful!
Our demise completely coincided with Pompey's rise, and now our rise is completely coinciding with their demise. Funny how these things work out
Happy and I'm smiling, walk a mile to drink your water. You know I'd love to love you, and above you there's no other. We'll go walking out while others shout of war's disaster. Oh, we won't give in, let's go living in the present. Once I used to join in every boy and girl was my friend. Now there's revolution, but they don't know what they're fighting. Let us close our eyes; outside their lives go on much faster. Oh, we won't give in, we'll keep living in the present. Apologies to Jethro Tull.
Aha, now I know why I had the sudden inclination to listen to a couple of Jethro Tull albums today. Cheers Chilco.
