Saints up next...

[itfcptc]

Fair points. I do agree with your central argument about the new signings needing to adapt quickly to our system and style of play. I’m optimistic for most of them and think generally they’ve improved the team.

It’s a small sample size this season, and some tough fixtures in it, but I’ve been impressed with the defensive reinforcements. Muric has been better than Hdlaky (who can only be second choice at Burnley). Greaves has impressed me and is better than Burgess. O’Shea looks promising, presume he’ll be better than Woolfenden. Arguably one of our best defenders so far has been Tuanzebe at right back, really making that position his own. In midfield, Phillips or Cajuste over Luongo? Jury still out there, although Phillips looked good against Fulham.

I think it’s in attack where we need to see more from our new players - although in the Premier League as a promoted club, I recognise we’re not going to be as potent up top and chances will be rarer. I think Delap leads the line well enough and might be a better finisher than Hirst, but Hirst does have good qualities. When Hirst is back to full fitness, that will be an interesting battle for the starting role. Clarke needs minutes. Szomodics has been alright in an unfamiliar left handed side role. I think Burns still has a place in our team, but I fear his main strength - direct burst of pace to beat his man and put in a cross - is largely nullified by most Premier League left backs.

You see from what I've seen with my own eyes I've yet to see any of the new players so far look considerably better than who they're replacing in terms of performance other than being faster or bigger physically. I'm sure and hope they will be better in time but haven't seen it yet. The only player who'd be kept out is last seasons Tuanzebe for this seasons Tuanzebe. I think Jack Clarke in his fleeting appearances has also looked better than Broadhead.

 

[Nuggets]

You see from what I've seen with my own eyes I've yet to see any of the new players so far look considerably better than who they're replacing in terms of performance other than being faster or bigger physically. I'm sure and hope they will be better in time but haven't seen it yet. The only player who'd be kept out is last seasons Tuanzebe for this seasons Tuanzebe. I think Jack Clarke in his fleeting appearances has also looked better than Broadhead.

I think the context to bear in mind is that we're playing significantly better sides than last season - Man City (arguably the best team in Europe), Liverpool (current league leaders and a top three side), and a very strong Brighton team. Even mid-table Fulham are no pushovers. So I'm trying to avoid direct comparisons with last season. Also, I'm being slightly generous in that we've signed a lot of new starters and they're still learning the system. So there's a bit of leeway there, but certainly the likes of Muric, Greaves, arguably Phillips, and Clarke appear immediate upgrades. Hopefully the likes of O'Shea, Szmodics, and Delap can push on too.

The Villa home game is a bit of a free hit, but a draw would be a great result. We then travel to a West Ham side that haven't won at home this season. Then there's another international break and we come back to play Everton, Brentford, and Leicester in consecutive games where we really need to be targeting wins. Hopefully by those games, the new lads will be more comfortable in the system and we'll start being more ruthless up top. That Southampton draw was probably the first time this season I've been disappointed in how we've played, possibly because the expectation for a win was a lot higher.

 

[Southcoastoldgaffer]

Everyone is commenting with much commonsense on here, unlike some on other forums!

We have performed creditably against some of the top teams in England, Europe even. We are a project in progress, learning much and as always, we trust in our young manager.

We will all raise a glass to our 1st win!

 

[Nuggets]

Everyone is commenting with much commonsense on here, unlike some on other forums!

We have performed creditably against some of the top teams in England, Europe even. We are a project in progress, learning much and as always, we trust in our young manager.

We will all raise a glass to our 1st win!

I did notice the meltdown on TWTD. I know they are in a minority, but those fans need a serious reality check!

It's our first time back in the Premier League for 22 years, why can't they just try to enjoy the effing games! We get to compete with the best teams in the country and watch some of the best players in the world at Portman Road. We know this season isn't going to be anything like the last two years.

And yes, we don't like playing as the underdog. We were probably expecting more at Southampton - but why grown men felt the need to publicly throw their toys out of the pram on TWTD, after only five games into the league season, was a little weird. We've only been a good side for two years, they can't already be that entitled can they?

 

[Bigal2]

Too many Johnny come latelys,they either can't remember or(more likely) weren't supporting us through the dark years.

 

[itfcptc]

If there's anything to show how far we've come it's our 33 year old League 1 captain scoring a 95th minute equaliser in the Premier League. What dreams are made of

 

[YorkieLancsHampyLondoner]

If there's anything to show how far we've come it's our 33 year old League 1 captain scoring a 95th minute equaliser in the Premier League. What dreams are made of

We don’t want a flash in the pan start to the season that ends in relegation either. I think over the first five games we’ve held our own and the fact we’ve had to work so hard for the points will remove any risk of complacency.