Of, enjoying this season more than the previous two. I'm not trying to be dramatic, under Ron's guidance we did very well, we squeezed some massive points out of some very hostile places. Baring the unauthorised winter absence that also comes with RK's stewardship, he really did get the maximum from the first team squad. But perhaps that is where the problem starts, so obsessed with results he lost sight of the plan, the bigger picture. Other than the way he left, I have no axe to grind, after all, in a results driven industry, why should someone risk their reputation & salary on blooding youth and growing the potential of the club, if you re not looking to down roots, it really makes no sense to in the modern football circuit. When I saw the candidates to succeed him, Rudi Gracia seemed a really good fit, so much so after, well perhaps too much research, Claude Puel seemed somewhat underwhelming. A fairly lackluster pre-season followed by a slow start to the season seemed to get a lot of people second guessing the guy from the get go, even when his plan wasn't a mile millions off working. But he stuck to it, and even without another striker added to the ranks (much to many peoples dismay-but that's for another day) we look the real deal, and we now look like doing it the Southampton way once more.The noises from the players suggest this guy is good, the word from the board suggests that was never in doubt, but his belief in his own work ethic might well be the thing that has impressed me the most! Anyone now staring at the league table needs to know, that progression isn't always a higher placed finish..... .....but don't bet against it!
A tad early to be cracking open the champagne! Just because we have been better in the last 2 weeks our start to the season has still been about what most would of expected. Yes we played well yesterday but on the other side of the coin it was very much 2 points dropped.
Nah, Puel doesn't have a clue what he's doing. That ****ing diamond won't get results. Les Reed out. Meltdown.
I've 'liked' both the above posts because, 1] the first one is so well written and pretty much covers my main thoughts on the subject, 2] the second one is a timely caution not to get too carried away. One thing I noted from watching the 90 minutes earlier was Adam Blackmore's little data nugget that Saints were a couple of points ahead of where they were at the same time last season, before the Leicester game. I put that in bold because supporters might like to re-read it. My first reaction on hearing AB announce it was.., really? So, as HR and SS highlight, there's still a lot of improvement that can be made. Saints could take a good average points return from the winter games, rather than the dearth they earned last season and do just as well, if not better. With little need to repeat a steamroller end of season, although that would be nice too.
last 2 games , no goals , still away to go but i am enjoying the play. Once our strikers find the net with hopefully the new boy adding some flair we will have a very good team
I look at it this way. We have played United, Arsenal, West Ham and Leicester away this season and they all came in the top 7 last season. United came too early, but we played well. Harshly lost a point to Arsenal, and we could have snatched it against Leicester. I am enjoying this season already, probably due to Europe.
We were on 6 points through 6 last season, yeah. But the low-water mark at which Koeman's job was apparently in jeopardy saw us sitting on 24 points through 20...which isn't too far off our current pace. So you're right; there's no panic at this stage, but there's still room for improvement.
If someone can just tell me when to panic I'll duly oblige. It's one of my talents. Liking Puel, a pragmatist. Not so fond of the girl's best friend but the more 'fluid' interpretation seen in the last 3 games may change my mind eventually.
Some may find this interesting. First 7 games of last season against this season: Identical points return, but 3 Home games this season against 4 for last, against arguably better opposition [this season]. Funny thing is, I don't recall even the slightest murmurings of discontent back then. There was just tremendous confidence in Koeman. I predicted a 5th place finish for last season. I haven't got around to doing one this time because I couldn't resolve all the variables in my head. There were just too many unknowns this time around. But the course is set. I guess I'll know a bit more when Sophie Anne gets fit. I'd really, really like another striker so that I can confidently predict we'll match or better last season in the league. What with the Europa too.
I can remember a fair few people complaing about us playing very poorly and lacking creativity. Especially after the Watford game.
Like HR, I have hopes for this season. The team look strong, though you will always miss finishers like Mane and Pele. The players seem to like and respect Puel....though I was surprised when JWP said he was a fun manager (who knew?). I miss Koeman and Poch for their press conferences....exciting Puel is not. , though that is scarcely important....if you are going to be weak about something, talking to the press is the least important thing. I accept the note of caution expressed by sotonsaint, but it is pretty good that we can feel hopeful in October when we have already had two Europa games.
I remember after the first few games hadn't gone too well this season that (I think) Virgil came out and said that it was important that the players learnt the new system quickly. This is significant, as it wasn't a complaint about either the diamond or the new manager, just stating that the players needed to do their job according to Claude's wishes. It does seem that not only are the first team learning the system, but a larger group of back up players than last season too, including, of course, more of the Academy players. The other thing is that the diamond isn't the rigid, limited formation some of suspected: it changes into 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, or even 3-4-3, depending on the situation. The 6 clean sheets speak for themselves, the lack of goals is mainly down to wasted chances, as we are certainly creating plenty now. I'm in total agreement with HR, things are looking good!
I too am excited to see what this season can bring and if Boufal can add a spark our goalscoring issues may be partially solved. I do think how lucky we get with injuries will play a big factor this year though. For example I still worry about us if Romeu gets a long term injury. Europe's definitely making this season more exciting as well espescially with a double header against Inter coming up. I hope everyone still sees the bigger picture should we fail to beat Burnley though
The thing we've also missed is that our squad isn't big enough to cope with Europe. This Thursday/Sunday stuff is killing us... oh hang on a minute, it's 4 points from six after Europe. Yes I know it's only two games and it's early in the season, but if it's OK to moan and groan like people were after Puels appointment (no games), lack of signings two weeks after his arrival (6 weeks of the window left) and then no wins in the first four games, then surely it's ok to be positive and think we're brilliant after two good weeks Let's face it, too many fans make snap decisions/impressions way too early. * I'm taking the piss.
He has already - where appropriate. Each new coach brings in a new formation and the team adapts. They don't instantly forget the old ones. So RK had more options than MP and CP has more options available than RK. As a team, we get stronger.
Isn't it true though we are all Saints fans, we just want the team to do well? We don't like it if we lose and suggest ways to improve. If they are using a system that we don't understand and I doubt if any of us out there have played the so called diamond. We are naturally very wary. That though is just being a fan of football and Saints in particular. Puel has had some good results and some not so good and we are not out of the woods yet. I would add though it does look promising. As for the new system (to us anyway) time will tell. Our current tally of points is suggesting a total of 48+ points for the season, so we need to improve a bit if we are to match or better last season. COYS!!!
I'm not expecting us to match last seasons points tally at all. 50ish would be a good return for us this year imo.
We're equal on points to last season, only one league place lower & are top of our Europa group. We've also done well in domestic cup performances, beat Sunderland and we'll be equal with last season there as well. So what's not to like? So far we're seemingly on track to do at least as well as last season as a whole, even if we finish below 6th but in the mix for top 8, I think it'd be fair to say we'll have equalled or bettered last season depending on how we do in the Europa and it's looking good there so far. If someone had told me 7 years ago we'd be topping our Europa group after two games & heading to the San Siro in 2016 I'd have thought they were mad!
