Realistic Expectations and Objectives

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Get more than 15 points beating Derby's total

Get the team fit enough to compete for 90 minutes.

Play to strength of the squad and be willing to adapt to different teams.

Make us well organised in defence so we don't look vulnerable every time we lose the ball

Beat the Scousers tomorrow and then do the Spuds 9-0 on aggregate in the semis
Get the team fit enough to compete for 90 minutes.

This is top of my list.
 
Play entertaining, counter attacking football.

Improve fitness within the squad.

Improve the mentality of the squad - heads far too quick to drop after conceding.

Cut out the stupid mistakes!
Agree.
Fitness for me is a big improvement that’s urgently required. I’m sure being much fitter will go a long way to improvements in the mentality/ less mistakes and the ability to play the game as we like to see it.
 
We are one of the few (only?) team to save ourselves when bottom at Xmas. Don’t expect that to happen. Realistically, I would be chuffed if we looked organised and played good entertaining football to make it up to fans. I would also like us to look as if we had a snowball in hells chance of competing for promotion next season.
 
We are one of the few (only?) team to save ourselves when bottom at Xmas. Don’t expect that to happen. Realistically, I would be chuffed if we looked organised and played good entertaining football to make it up to fans. I would also like us to look as if we had a snowball in hells chance of competing for promotion next season.

Don't think we are? West Brom were the first to do it when we went down in 2005. Not sure if anybody else has done it since, Leicester perhaps?
 
Don't think we are? West Brom were the first to do it when we went down in 2005. Not sure if anybody else has done it since, Leicester perhaps?

Yep those two. Think I read there are 4 teams that have done it. We aren't one of them, but cant remember the other two. However, in 2005 I don't think West Brom counts as they played Pompey who threw the game....:)
 
I’ve been thinking about this fitness issue a lot recently, and everyone seems to be mentioning it. It’s worth pointing out that the modern player is incomparably fitter than even a couple of decades ago, due to the intensive regime governing every aspect of a modern player’s life. So much so, that they’ve reached a level of fitness where they are actually at greater risk of serious injury than would otherwise be the case. There comes a point where demanding higher levels of fitness actually means higher levels of injury in training. So I’m not really sure getting fitter is going to help much - there’s no modern footballer with an ounce of fat anywhere on their bodies. Perhaps just let them eat sausage in batter and chips like LeTiss used to do, and lope around with a bit of a belly.
I am with you mate. I think it is a morale and confidence issue which has been cumulative over a period of time
 
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Try not to concede in the first 45 seconds.



Play with a back 4.
Pick a CB partnership and stick with it. Don’t feel like it has to include Stephens

Get the midfield looking more solid, and more cohesive.

Build an attack around getting the best out of Dibling


Still don’t concede a goal instead he first 45 seconds
 
Been there, done that. Move on.

Id like to support a team that isn’t a laughing stock or totally embarrasing. Not a lot to ask, even for a Saints team.

Amen, brother. I've always worn a Saints shirt at the gym, and have built a reputation as the silly old bugger who supports a strange team. Over the years I've established a circle of fellow football fans. Mostly LFC or Everton, but a smattering of United, City, Wrexham and a few other odds and sods. After a match day we'd exchange comments but no longer. I've stopped wearing a football shirt as its become an impediment to conversation. Simply, Saints are embarassing. So I agree with many of the points made, but my one simple wish is a restoration of pride.
 
Try not to concede in the first 45 seconds.



Play with a back 4.
Pick a CB partnership and stick with it. Don’t feel like it has to include Stephens

Get the midfield looking more solid, and more cohesive.

Build an attack around getting the best out of Dibling


Still don’t concede a goal instead he first 45 seconds

Your Dibling point is a good one. Get the ball to Dibling in space would replace Alan Ball’s ‘Give it to Le Tiss’ mantra!
 
Yep those two. Think I read there are 4 teams that have done it. We aren't one of them, but cant remember the other two. However, in 2005 I don't think West Brom counts as they played Pompey who threw the game....:)

Sunderland (under Poyet) and Wolves (under Lopetegui).

But the Wolves one is a different, because the WC break meant that they weren't as deep into the season as would normally be the case on Christmas Day.

It does though mean that the two times we've been relegated from the PL, the bottom side on Christmas Day has overtaken us and survived. Which is an impressive feat by us, given how rare it is for those sides to survive.
 
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