The Run In, Relegation Edition

[Libby]

I wonder how much people, particularly internationally, “like watching football” right now as opposed to supporting a single club.

Not me. I used to watch any game I could even if it was Cameroon v Nigeria on Eurosport.

Now I don't even bother with motd in the main, won't go out of my way to watch CL whereas I'd always do both of those in the past.

I see watching non Saints games as more of a social thing now rather than anything else.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

Like Sadio and Virgil?

I know there's examples both ways but most players at the top of their game will fancy themselves to make the step up.

If you were playing for Bilbao and Real Madrid came calling you'd be gone like a shot.

You’re right, but the point is that over a period of time, a wage cap would help squads become more even, so the top 6 wouldn’t have such a huge financial advantage, and that would make smaller clubs more attractive.

 

[Libby]

That might depend how you define fans. Man Utd probably have more fans in Asia and America than Saints do in England, but those fans don't go to games.

So in the context of TV money he's bang on and his point stands?

 

[Libby]

You’re right, but the point is that over a period of time, a wage cap would help squads become more even, so the top 6 wouldn’t have such a huge financial advantage, and that would make smaller clubs more attractive.

Possibly.

It'll never happen anyway as it'd have to be worldwide, and if a salary cap came in it'd be percentage based surely.

 

[Archers Road]

I actually think if you swapped De Boer and MP around at the start of the season they would have been better for the respective clubs.

Not having that, sorry

I like Pellegrino - he has grit and dignity. De Boer is a prick. Whether he would have been a successful prick at Saints is another matter, but he wouldn't have had any more backing in the transfer market than MP has.

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

Not me. I used to watch any game I could even if it was Cameroon v Nigeria on Eurosport.

Now I don't even bother with motd in the main, won't go out of my way to watch CL whereas I'd always do both of those in the past.

I see watching non Saints games as more of a social thing now rather than anything else.

Well no, I know not you! Or anyone particularly here. I was more thinking people growing up in the US/China etc. Enjoying the ‘product’ rather than the tribal element of support.

 

[Archers Road]

So in the context of TV money he's bang on and his point stands?

In that sense, yeah. But as I said before, it's the passion, rivalry and history of all the English (and Welsh) clubs that makes the PL so popular around the world. Lose that and everyone loses, top 4-6 included.

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

Not having that, sorry

I like Pellegrino - he has grit and dignity. De Boer is a prick. Whether he would have been a successful prick at Saints is another matter, but he wouldn't have had any more backing in the transfer market than MP has.

It’s an odd one isn’t it - both Claude and MP2 have been nice. Koeman was a prick and did okay. MP1 was lovely, but I am quite sure took no ****.

Maybe we need someone who is more of a prick at the club (aka someone who stands up to LR).

 

[Libby]

Not having that, sorry

I like Pellegrino - he has grit and dignity. De Boer is a prick. Whether he would have been a successful prick at Saints is another matter, but he wouldn't have had any more backing in the transfer market than MP has.

Well going into a club who's most recent managers and Pulis and trying to immediately implement a back 3, possession based, 'total football' style with a lump like Benteke was never going to work imo. Could have suited our squad more though.


Similarly MP might have had more joy out of a squad with Benteke and containing 'proper winger's.


Not that I ever wanted De Boer, just pointing so some managers suit certain clubs.

 

[Archers Road]

I wonder how much people, particularly internationally, “like watching football” right now as opposed to supporting a single club.

Loads, I'm sure. But that's a different experience than supporting a club. It's possible to do both.

 

[Libby]

Well no, I know not you! Or anyone particularly here. I was more thinking people growing up in the US/China etc. Enjoying the ‘product’ rather than the tribal element of support.

Yeah I know what you meant, you just can't expect to pose that question on a thread I'm active on and not expect me to take the opportunity

I agree btw, very different culture.

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

Yeah I know what you meant, you just can't expect to pose thar

Did you fall over half way through posting!!?

 

[Archers Road]

Like Sadio and Virgil?

I know there's examples both ways but most players at the top of their game will fancy themselves to make the step up.

If you were playing for Bilbao and Real Madrid came calling you'd be gone like a shot.

Dunno mate. Funny lot, them Basques.

 

[Libby]

****ing hell Laces give me a chance to edit!!

 

[Libby]

Dunno mate. Funny lot, them Basques.

I knew someone would point that out as soon as I hit post

I expect Ides will be along shortly to tell us how they're European Champions in waiting.

I'm sure you take the point though.

 

[Libby]

It’s an odd one isn’t it - both Claude and MP2 have been nice. Koeman was a prick and did okay. MP1 was lovely, but I am quite sure took no ****.

Maybe we need someone who is more of a prick at the club (aka someone who stands up to LR).

I honestly believe that's a big part of choosing Puel in 2016. Speculation of course though.

I'm also always skeptical when players of a struggling team say how much they enjoy training under a new manager, as in is he making it too easy for them?

 

[Libby]

In that sense, yeah. But as I said before, it's the passion, rivalry and history of all the English (and Welsh) clubs that makes the PL so popular around the world. Lose that and everyone loses, top 4-6 included.

Agreed.

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

I honestly believe that's a big part of choosing Puel in 2016. Speculation of course though.

I'm also always skeptical when players of a struggling team say how much they enjoy training under a new manager, as in is he making it too easy for them?

I have no doubt that our Leslie likes his position of absolute authority, almost as much as he doesn’t like it challenged.

 

[Archers Road]

I knew someone would point that out as soon as I hit post

I expect Ides will be along shortly to tell us how they're European Champions in waiting.

I'm sure you take the point though.

I do take the point.

Athletic are a bit like Yorkshire used to be with cricket; there is a story that Michael Parkinson rushed his pregnant wife to the County in the middle of the night to give birth, so the first born would qualify to play for Yorkshire.

Probably not true, but I love the thought behind it.

 

[RSS]

I honestly believe that's a big part of choosing Puel in 2016. Speculation of course though.

I'm also always skeptical when players of a struggling team say how much they enjoy training under a new manager, as in is he making it too easy for them?

I'm sure I remember our former players saying that they hated all the hard work and double sessions that MP1 made them do when he came in. But that all quickly changed when they/we started reaping the results.