Match Day Thread Southampton v Manchester City - The Final Chapter - Sunday 13th May 15:00

And breathe...

And just in case he goes (I really hope he doesn’t).

 

Thank you sir.

 

Unlucky lads, good game and some relief.

Just went I thought I would go unbeaten... Someone can carry the beacon of a new beginning into next season now

 

Well done OROW, you made the difference in those last few games!

 

For @SaintinNZ

 

Shame about the injury time goal which put the mockers on the most accomplished home performance of the season. Two injury time goals in one week!

I have got to say that it was disappointing that Pellegrino could not coax a performance like that throughout his tenure even though he had the same players. Everyone one of the Saints players should hold their heads up after yesterday. An enjoyable game of football to conclude a forgettable season.

 

A forgettable season that sees the players cheered and serenaded around the pitch. Finish 8th and get to a cup final sees you booed off.

Funny lot fans.

I think too many have missed the 90s escapes

 

Its really been 2 seasons in one. I think we have every reason to celebrate our results under Hughes. As for last season is there ever going to be a point when we stop going on about it.

 

Did you miss the smiley face? I was tongue in cheek.

However it is ironic that a **** season with an exciting finish brings more joy than a dull mid table one.

Which do you prefer, without knowing the outcome for next season; relegation battle or mid table safety?

 

I prefer a season of good football, risk taking and heart n fight from the whole team.. Usually that'll be enough to earn you mid table. If not then so be it, as long as we are positive and fight with heart.

 

He couldn’t get past the defender on a number of occasions. I thought he was poor

 

I hope Yoshida stays

 

I agree, Especially if we are looking to play 3 at the back. Yoshida is one of those guys that is always 100% Professional and is probably one of my favourite players at the club.

 

That finish did not make up for all that stress and I like to feel proud of my team. It might appear worth it now we are all in a good mood, but it really isn't. I'd be happy to be comfortably in top 10 with a few impressive games.

 

Like i said before this was really 2 seasons in 1. MP2 should never of got the job and then seeing how obvious it was that he wasn't up to the job should have been sacked about 4 months earlier than what he was. Under Hughes for the last 8 games the majority of performances were good and had he been in charge for longer there is a good chance we would have been challenging the top 10. For me personally I think the bottom half of the prem is dross and we should be aiming to be constantly finishing above that level. If we are turning into a club that is happy to finish 17th - 10th each season then i honestly think i would prefer relegation and all the excitement that brings.

 

Jamie Redknapp said there were several teams who were comfortably safe weeks ago that aren't as good as Southampton. And he's right...just shows how things can go wrong....and sometimes it wasn't our fault (or MP2's even)....but bad reffing (notably Watford's handball). And things like that mean you have to get those points that you should....we lost too many games to those who were at our level or below.

I hope we appoint a manager soon so that plans can be laid....and it should be Mark as I think he will take no prisoners.

 

During the summer, the board and manager need to set a target for the new season. I would aim for 60, as was achieved under Koeman. That means recruiting a creative midfielder from somewhere, maybe another striker (with Austin and Long, then relegation beckons), and perhaps a centre-back and right-back if Cedric goes.

 

That's the reason they need to appoint Hughes. I know managers don't have the control they used to, but he's had time to look at the squad and presumably is aware of those likely to leave or we want to leave* so will have valuable input. I don't think there will be as big a turnover as some expect....we need more real talent, but you also need back ups....a decent player who knows Saints will be more valuable than just getting in another decent player.

*Remember that wanting them to leave isn't the same as them leaving because of contracts.

 

As for the creative midfielder, well they used to exist, and some were even British. After all, we have had several here, including Alan Ball, Steve Williams and Jimmy Melia so why can´t we find one again?

 

This year that is everyone from Arsenal down as they finished closer to the relegation places than to the Champions pointswise. If we narrow it down, that is every team who fiinished with less than 50 points. And it will be similar again next season, although it will be interesting to see how Wolves fare, as I feel they are not coming up just to make up the numbers. They will be targetting 60 points and a place in the EL at least.