Saints are anti-Sunderland

http://www.theguardian.com/football...derland-folly-southampton-revenge-danger-drop

I know this should be in the Sunderland match thread, but this Guardian article is so nice about us that it deserves a thread. Discusses our successes in contrast with that of Sunderland and we are referred to as practically the anti-Sunderland

 

Tst - should be in the Sunderland match thread.

 

As I said, but did it anyway. Yah, boo, sucks.

 

8th highest wage bill, 6th highest attendances - and nothing to show for it. Give Saints those resources and they would have won consecutive titles.

 

I do wonder how things have altered now Cortese has gone. He said that each department had a head who reported to him...so Adkins for example reported directly to him. Les Reed occupies a more senior position than he ostensibly did under Nicola. NC talked off appointing a Football Director but I don't think he ever gave up control. Does Ron report to him or Kreuger? I would guess he reports to Les. I wouldn't see that as a problem if they are all cooperating and singing off the same hymn sheet. All part of the reshuffle when Katharina claimed control.

 

I think "assumed control" would be better wording Fran. She always had it and like most women, stepped up and took it when she was ready

 

When you look at Saints now, it seems so obvious, but more clubs are run like Sunderland. Where one managerial regime has no correlation to the next.

Next season will be a challenging one for Koeman. Expectations will increase and we're likely to have to replace at least two consistent performers, but we have given ourselves the best chance of meeting that challenge

 

It's true. Sunderland play in white and red stripes.

 

I was anti Sunderland, when Di Canio and Poyet were there......

 

Sunderland's season cheapest season ticket is £200 cheaper than ours and they sell a lot at that price; I doubt there's that much a difference in gate revenues, in fact apparently we generated more £4m in 13/14. 2014 companies house stats put Sunderland's wage bill at 13th the league. I think the article overestimates Sunderland's financial folly, and the clubs potential for success relative to supposed wealth. The very much comparative wealth of the clubs infact makes the anti-Sunderland comparison more apt.

 

6th highest attendances (43,000) ?, Man u, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool, so 5th just and we have watched rubbish for years and still better Chelsea !. Give us their team and we would get 60,000 every home game (we would need to extend the ground).

 

I think the fact that Sunderland has a large rival nearby increases their gates in a strange way. Both Sunderland and Newcastle fans would rather die than not support their team and be laughed at by their neighbours. It was the same with Manchester City fans as they slid down the tables...couldn't desert their team in the face of their rival's success. Same for Liverpool and Everton. You are strongly motivated to stick with your team. And we only have Portsmouth as rivals (sigh)....QED.

 

It's OK Fran. The way they're progressing I've a feeling we'll have Eastleigh at some point in the future.

 

Our rivals in the South are Bournemouth, and potentially Reading and Brighton!! PFC are a complete irrelevance until they start on a upward curve, modernise the ground and infrastructure!!

 

Obviously we will want to do better than Bournemouth...just as we would with any team we regard as a lower team (which quite frankly means any team not currently top 4 ), but not rivals in the 'ruin my life if we lose' sense.