The Run In, Relegation Edition

[Libby]

Doesn't that belie the notion that our problems stem from our support, though? If we were able to overcome that to finish within three points of CL a couple years back, why should we think that it is a primary factor in our woes this season?

I've not said the problems stem from it, I've called it utterly pathetic and say it clearly doesn't help and it could possibly have an impact if it was better, not that it definitely will.

Our away support is pretty good same as most, at least noise wise.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

MOTD certainly isn't a good judge.

I think our support was pretty pathetic in general when we were doing well too fwiw.

Which kind of points to there not being a complete correlation between the quality of the support and the quality of football played, or the results obtained. My view is that the support is poor at St. Mary’s, but if we were in the top 4, it wouldn’t be much louder or more enthusiastic. There would be less booing, but the fact remains that SMS isn’t an easy place to work up a decent atmosphere, due to the awful acoustic properties, and yes, the fact that some of the fans are self-entitled.

I’ve only been able to get to one game this season, the first one against Swansea. The atmosphere was no worse than any game I’ve been to in the last few years, but the quality of football served up was pretty grim.

If there is a correlation, it’s more likely that the style of football leads to the poor atmosphere rather than the other way round.

 

[thereisonlyoneno7]

What is the best atmosphere you have all seen at St Mary's?

I remember MK Dons in the JPT semi the whole stadium was rocking. Absolutely rocking.

v Coventry was good too.

In the recent Premier League era I can't think of any games that came close to those.

 

[Libby]

Which kind of points to there not being a complete correlation between the quality of the support and the quality of football played, or the results obtained. My view is that the support is poor at St. Mary’s, but if we were in the top 4, it wouldn’t be much louder or more enthusiastic. There would be less booing, but the fact remains that SMS isn’t an easy place to work up a decent atmosphere, due to the awful acoustic properties, and yes, the fact that some of the fans are self-entitled.

I’ve only been able to get to one game this season, the first one against Swansea. The atmosphere was no worse than any game I’ve been to in the last few years, but the quality of football served up was pretty grim.

If there is a correlation, it’s more likely that the style of football leads to the poor atmosphere rather than the other way round.

Again, I've not once stated there is a correlation, let alone a complete one. But it surely doesn't help.

And you can't deny in the past teams have used an intimidating atmosphere to their advantage... agreed that St Marys isn't great in that respect too.


Safe standing would solve a lot of these issues.

 

[Libby]

What is the best atmosphere you have all seen at St Mary's?

I remember MK Dons in the JPT semi the whole stadium was rocking. Absolutely rocking.

v Coventry was good too.

In the recent Premier League era I can't think of any games that came close to those.

I did a thread on this recently I believe.


Norwich 2005... which is relevant now as I don't see us creating anything like that this season. Much more likely to go down with a whimper.

 

[Paddy Podped]

I think the big difference is in 2005 we knew we had a weak team (relative ot the rest of the league) who regardless of results were generally putting in 100% every game.

This season we know we, on paper, have a reasonably good team, who appear not to be putting 100% into every game (they probably are putting in 100% but not necessarily in trying to do things the fans appreciate).


It's easier to encourage an underdog to overachieve than it is to encourage a 'favourite' to get out of a slumber

 

[Sharpe*]

What's your gut feeling lads?

 

[ChilcoSaint]

I think the big difference is in 2005 we knew we had a weak team (relative ot the rest of the league) who regardless of results were generally putting in 100% every game.

This season we know we, on paper, have a reasonably good team, who appear not to be putting 100% into every game (they probably are putting in 100% but not necessarily in trying to do things the fans appreciate).


It's easier to encourage an underdog to overachieve than it is to encourage a 'favourite' to get out of a slumber

Well put, I think that’s nailed it.

 

[Saints_Alive]

What's your gut feeling lads?

We'll be ok by the skin of our teeth IMO, Stoke and WBA are gone as far as i'm concerned, there is another team worse that will be below us, probably Palace or 'Udders.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

What's your gut feeling lads?

I think you’ll probably finish in the top half

 

[Libby]

I think the big difference is in 2005 we knew we had a weak team (relative ot the rest of the league) who regardless of results were generally putting in 100% every game.

This season we know we, on paper, have a reasonably good team, who appear not to be putting 100% into every game (they probably are putting in 100% but not necessarily in trying to do things the fans appreciate).


It's easier to encourage an underdog to overachieve than it is to encourage a 'favourite' to get out of a slumber

Playing devils advocate, when we're underperforming massively isn't that all the more reason to try and get behind/lift them?

 

[Saints_Alive]

Being at a match that had an electric atmosphere is almost as important to the overall enjoyment matchday experience than what goes on on the pitch. Singing original, funny chants used to be a common thing at Saints games, but that is being lost, I've enjoyed this season less than any other for a long time both for the product on the pitch and the lack of excitement generated from the stands.

 

[st_brendy]

We'll be ok by the skin of our teeth IMO, Stoke and WBA are gone as fer as i'm concerned, there is another team worse that will be below us, probably Palace or 'Udders.

If we'd opened up that four point gap on Stoke today, I'd have been inclined to agree with you on both fronts. Alas...

(The dream, at least for me, is that we survive at the expense of West Ham.)

 

[ChilcoSaint]

Playing devils advocate, when we're underperforming massively isn't that all the more reason to try and get behind/lift them?

Yes, but it’s a two-way process. The players get paid to perform, the fans pay to see them perform. If the players have the odd poor game that’s one thing, but if it goes on for months on end I imagine many fans get fed up with banging their heads against the wall.

 

[Libby]

Being at a match that had an electric atmosphere is almost as important to the enjoyment matchday experience than what goes on on the pitch. Singing original, funny chants used to be a common thing at Saints games, but that is being lost, I've enjoyed this season less than any other for a long time both for the product on the pitch and the lack of excitement generated from the stands.

Main reason I largely can't be arsed with home games anymore.

When people are telling you to shut up for trying to start songs (in your biggest singing area) then it's a sad state of affairs.

 

[thereisonlyoneno7]

I done a thread on this recently I believe.


Norwich 2005... which is relevant now as I don't see us creating anything like that this season. Much more likely to go down with a whimper.

You did indeed. And the general consensus were games from league one and championship.

 

[Libby]

Yes, but it’s a two-way process. The players get paid to perform, the fans pay to see them perform. If the players have the odd poor game that’s one thing, but if it goes on for months on end I imagine many fans get fed up with banging their heads against the wall.

Whilst I see your point, the fans booed the team off in the first game under Puel so you can hardly say the support have put a lot of effort in at home.

 

[Paddy Podped]

Yes, but it’s a two-way process. The players get paid to perform, the fans pay to see them perform. If the players have the odd poor game that’s one thing, but if it goes on for months on end I imagine many fans get fed up with banging their heads against the wall.

You do it differently from me.

Next game you go to, try clapping your hands instead.

 

[Sharpe*]

We'll be ok by the skin of our teeth IMO, Stoke and WBA are gone as fer as i'm concerned, there is another team worse that will be below us, probably Palace or 'Udders.

Agreed.

You're not losing many games so you'll end up picking up more on average than the others imo - mixed in with say 3 wins.

Agreed West Brom are bloody awful atm although Swansea looked buried not long ago.

There are an amazing amount in the mix and it will be interesting to see how things go.

Palace: look in real trouble. If Zaha doesn't come back soon they're doomed. Puncheon has ligament damage too.

Stoke: are **** but have some good players so you'd imagine will survive.

Newcastle: good manager but not not a good team. You'd think they'd survive but they could easily go down.

Huddersfield: Won a few recently but its tough not looking at them as a relegation favourite.

West Ham: they're actually not very good and have gone down before with better teams but you'd expect them to just have enough.

Brighton: another likely candidate. Not sure they have enough.

Bournemouth should be fine now.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

Whilst I see your point, the fans booed the team off in the first game under Puel so you can hardly say the support have put a lot of effort in at home.

Well I was there and there was no booing around where I was sat. The atmosphere definitely picked up after Redmond’s equaliser IIRC.