Fair enough yeah I'm hopeful of Jay as well just don't wanna get my hopes up too much as judging by previous he's less likely to succeed than not imo. I don't want him to struggle and then him get slated on here cos everyone was expecting pre injury Jay. One thing I will say though is I'm glad he didn't play at the end of last season now.
I'm a bit pessimistic to be honest [I am usually pessimistic by nature, due to experience I admit] but I think last season was a 'one-off chance' and we blew it slightly and had some bad luck. This coming season will be tougher with two, possibly three, key players replaced [just because our replacements hit the ground running last season, doesn't mean they will this season] we will find it tough. The end to last season showed how easy it is to get into a slump [especially away from home] so I reckon if we finish top ten it'll be a successful season. If it's inside the top eight then it will be very successful.
Tbh, nothing would surprise me. My gut feeling is that we'll put more effort into raising our Premier league profile, ie, getting up the table, or maintaining our level, than getting far into the Europa competition. Overall, if you do better in your own division, the rest gets to be less of a struggle, ie, better player acquisition, morale, fitness, etc...
Think our PL profile is the highest it's ever been tbh, it's in Europe & beyond we need to get the 'brand' out there, a good run could do that for us
I think our brand has never been so widely known, ever. That's not because Saints are the most successful they've ever been, far from it, because we've been higher. The thing is, I'm not sure what real prestige is gained from being in the Europa. Good competition, I'm not knocking it, but I think we might do better with a fairly early exit, to concentrate on the PL. [perhaps I should have put this in the controversial thread] For example, say we got 4th next season [ok, far-fetched maybe], but exited the Europa during the qualifying matches. I'd take that in a heartbeat. I'd probably even take 5th or 6th because it's still proper progress towards the main goal of Champions League football. Qualify for that and great players stop disappearing. In fact, they clamour to come to us. Do an Everton and it might take a few seasons to recover. And going back to the brand; every neutral, bar none, loves the underdog. The smarter, smaller team who outwits the big glamour club. Our brand profile went through the roof this season because 1] we got noticed really well in the USA [thank you Ralph], and 2] because we beat or competed well against the biggest teams [bar Man City]. We have to do that again, over and above anything we do in the Europa, in my opinion, because the PL conveys the biggest message.
Agree with some of what you say but I am of the opinion that last season is likely as good as it will ever get for us league wise (ducks for cover!). I would much rather try and have a good run in the cups than fiinsh 6th/7th because ultimately you don't get anything from it (except another crack at a competition that a lot don't want to be in in the first place). I actually think we're more likely to win the Europa League than finish 3rd in the PL - they both give the same prize of CL group stages - but one includes a trophy n the other doesn't. (not saying we're going to win it, but it's more likely than fnishing above 3 of Arsenal, Chelsea, City, United, Liverpool & Spurs)
If Chelsea and Manchester United were relegated and joined Leeds in the nether regions of the football league forever, (along with West Ham (had to choose a 3rd team and they usually bounce back) it would be a brilliant season for the Premiership. For us, let's win the Europa League, stay in the top half of the division!!
Strewth has anyone got a crystal ball.........I would love us to finish in the top 6........Not sure we have the squad yet to complete that task and dally in Europe. Assuming we get in another couple of decent players and don't actually lose too many. Assumptions aside yeah top six why not!!
I agree with Shepherd's Clearing that I am concerned we may have missed the opportunity last season. We could have been top 4 if we had just won a couple of games....it was very close. And that was down to losing Forster. Be hard to do better next season, though I also thought that when we finished 8th under Poch. I think we will get to group stages of Europa and finish 5-8th. I have the greatest faith that Ron with the support of Les and the board will show that it is possible to compete in the Europa and do reasonably well in the EPL. I'd also like a Cup final in there somewhere.
Would love to think we can break into the top 6, but only the return of Jay has really improved our firepower up front, where I feel we were sadly lacking last season.
Top 10; where depends on who we keep and who we sign and how the current players develop from the experience of last season. Best position 5th.
Another 7th whilst playing in the Europa League would represent progress, particularly if we qualify again. But I am a "glass I have just emptied" sort of guy, so I predict 6th. Someone has to have an off season up there.
I'm actually quite tempted to have a bet on Saints finishing in the bottom half, think 3/1 is really good odds for it
