Interesting item on yahoo, showing a shot of Man City fan crying as Swansea scored (adult male, I must add). Discussing how hard it is to support a team expected to win and they don't. We are in the same position, but have to say I'm still happy as I believe we can get something out of most games. Can't watch at home on TV but that is just me and happened when Saints were not top of league. However, I do remember that when we were low in the PL, every win was very enjoyable, every draw was important, and was reasonably philosophical with losses if it wasn't end of season. In contrast, the Man United fans were bereft if they dropped points and merely smug when they won. I thought then that we seemed to get more fun out of supporting Saints.
Very true. My Dad had to travel with a group of Arsenal fans to/from Cardiff for the FA Cup final in 2003 and he said they very quiet after the game, not celebrating much. He said it was just another day for them, they expected to win & they did win. Can't help thinking that if Saints had won, the party would have gone into the night! Winning always means more when you don't do it often, there's weeks and weeks of hope behind each 3 points especially at the bottom end of any table.
This is very true. I remember the scenes at Wembley last year when Birmingham City beat Arsenal to win the Carling Cup - The celebrations at the final whistle were fantastic. You could really sense how much it meant to the fans. You don't get that with the fans of clubs used to winning silverware.
TBF in the case of the City fan, any success has been a long time coming. But generally I totally agree with you. When I was watching Cardiff at Wembley I so wanted them to win because you just knew that it would have meant so much more to them than to Liverpool. I hope if Saints ever get to where Cortese wants them to be that we don't become blase. I was chatting to a couple of middle aged United fans about 5-6 years ago and they were bemoaning their lack of success in that season's Premiership race. I asked them if, in 1990, I had offered them x championships, the European Cup and a few doubles didn't they think they might have taken it?
I think people don't understand how lucky they are. I've heard so many Arsenal fans bitching and moaning about the season they're having, but they're still on target for the top 4, they're probably the most financially healthy club in the country (and not reliant on one wealthy benefactor who might lose interest) and most teams would kill to be in their position. Ok so they haven't won anything for a while, but the way they act it's like they'd rather gamble their stability and sustained success for one season of silverware.
I remember the 2003 cup final when Arsenal were playing... another club... During the pre-match warm-up, some of the pundits were moaning that it would be disastrous if Arsenal didn't win it. Gee, Champions League football and 2nd in the Premiership, what a flaming disaster! From their attitude, the supporters of the Other Club were just there to make up the numbers, and their first FA Cup Final in over twenty years didn't mean a thing.
Southampton will win the UEFA Champions League inside of 4 years. If they keep the same momentum and winning pattern, that is xP
Since Arsenal have been Arsenal, and not Woolwich Arsenal, they have never been relegated. Consequently their fans haven't a clue what real failure is all about. If memory serves, they were once relegated as Woolwich Arsenal, but were invited back into the top division [as, The Arsenal] 5 years later, despite being in 5th place only. How about that for a charmed existence..?
No matter where we have been, I've always been proud. Would not swap a minute with any glory boy, no way. Some of those fighting relegation seasons in the 90's, felt like winning a trophy at the end. Tears of joy warming the cheeks, sweet.
We didn't win and the party continued into the night anyway! I remember seeing the rather subdued Arse fans walking past and many of us shouting out "cheer up mate you won". Even the cops were laughing at their "gloom".
It is strange how a good old relegation battle can galvanise a club when during the run in every point becomes so priceless its almost painfull. I well remember Camras late winner v Norwich in that titanic 4 3 classic i almost hyperventilated and the atmosphere at the end was electric likewise the final day Sheff Utd game there is a pulling together in adversity providing there is a happy ending. I can however see a final day thriller on the cards this season but for the opposite reason and it will given the right outcome will exceed the joy of a great escape so for me lets enjoy the winning and success.
If it takes a last day victory to achieve promotion, I think I would take that right now. The three horse race looks like going to the wire at the moment. Reading look really good, great spirit.
Do you know....seeing that lad cry for Man City....... reminds me of a saying, "the bigger they are the harder they fall" what comes to mind. It's time in my eyes that the days of the bigger clubs just turning up and getting a result is coming to an end. The fact that at the moment they can maintain extortionate debts (the exception is possibly Arsenal) is being reigned in. So there may be a bit of a check on spending out on the most expensive players. Therefore creating perhaps a little more evenness in the playing strength of the top flight teams.
Have to say that Man City, although spending vast amounts, have had to endure being in the shadow of United for decades. If I was a Mancunian, I like to think I'd support City. Would rather they won the title than United again.
