Worth a look and apologies if previously posted

http://www.espnfc.com/club/southampton/376/blog/post/2141715/can-saints-really-finish-top-four

 

The article suggests that 72 points is the total needed to finish in the top 4. I assume no one at ESPN has seen any Arsenal, Liverpool or Man United games this season then.

 

A fair summary (in the text not the waffle in the video)...I think our chance lies with a superb defence, coupled with points on the board and how poor the usual suspects are. I thought we'd missed our chance last year when top sides were slipping up but we couldn't seem to be the side to capitalise on it. We could only win against lesser sides (which kept us cemented in 8th). But we have been given a second chance...teams are underperforming this year as well. Our defence could get us those results we need against our competitors (which this year are Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, and United). We are above them and just need to keep them down...they are in the chasing pack not us.

 

We don't actually need to beat the big sides (look at Arsenal last season). We just need to be consistent against the lesser sides.

 

We are in a position of strength...every win pushes a rival back, whilst every draw maintains status quo. We will do better against the top sides this season, because we will get some shut outs. The question is will they all keep on underperforming. My hope is top 4...realistically I think 5-6.

 

"I have absolutely no sympathy for Southampton. They have a choice as a club. They don't have to sell. They had that choice. Maybe Southampton's objectives have changed. They were on course to be a Champions League club, I believe, but obviously, that has changed," -- Brendan Rodgers, August 2014

 

"I have absolutely no sympathy for Liverpool. They have a choice as a club. They didn't have to keep a clueless manager and play like relegation candidate. They had that choice. Maybe Liverpool's objectives have changed. They were on course to be able to get a decent manager in and play in a manner befitting the position they found themselves in last season, I believe, but obviously, they didn't, so **** 'em" -- Me, Today

 

Chelsea were simply delicious in a couple of their early games. Since then they've been on auto-pilot and have ground results out. Consistently, Saints have played by far the most exciting attacking football this year. Conversely, we also sport the best defence. That makes us the "best" team in the league at the moment and the more I think about it, the fewer reasons I find to suspect that might change. Top four for us regardless of the required tally.

Did I really just say that and completely mean it? I did didn't I? FFS what is going on at our club!

 

Brilliant - both quotes