Jeremy

I can't compete with the knowledge and passion of Batman (30k posts) and most other posters on here (being from NZ and with 14 posts and, unfortunately, never having the pleasure of being at Saint Marys) but Batman raises an intereesting point. Why can't Saints do better more often when they do really well sometimes? It can't be the squad if they can actually beat some of the so-called top teams and go on some good lossless runs. Personally, I think it could be mental and maybe they (the management) think aiming to be in the middle of the table is good enough. They should have a plan to go higher and further (Europe). Not criticising Batman, just wondering.

heh heh. Only 10 bucks man. Gotta have some skin in the game somehow.

Yep, I'm putting money on a top six finish. If they can keep up last season's results this could be a really good season. Actually, not could but should.

Re lockdown: New Zealand had one starting in late March for about a month. Looks like we got rid of it; only cases we have now are people bringing it back and they''re quarantined. We're lucky I suppose because we're an island and isolated. The UK should have done the same after Boris got it (or before). My prediction is no Olympics, no Six nations and empty PL stadiums next season (among other major sporting disruptions).

The Club's probably got insurance to cover this sort of thing.

Mate, you want to try reffing a game after you've volunteered after straining a hammy warming-up. Not sure who abused me most: my team or the opposition. I still recall a classic: a burly ex-rugby player (bit like me at the time) cop from my team who basically ran over a small guy on the ball from behind (pretty much elbowed him out of the way). I called a free kick against him (miles from goal so no threat) and got an absolute mouthful that I've never forgotten. One of the things I like about rugby is that there is very little ref abuse. I love football, but I hate this side of it. I don't know how some of the refs in the PL can take it. Anyway, I digress.

I've gone back (as much as I can) and watched Vestergard after the criticism I've read about him on here. I can see why he's been criticised. Seems to lack confidence or something (but I'm not a football expert). CB is a crucial position and the club should be prepared to pay decent coin to get somebody good here. You can't win if you have a razzle dazzle attack and a leaky defence. The scouts need to unearth another VvD somewhere.

Why would you change the squad too much after such a good finish to the season? Wouldn't you want to keep that going with perhaps a couple of decent buys where needed?

My apologies, absolutely no offence intended.

ok, just a random thought about something I don't really understand. It's just that hoping to stay up or finish in the top half of the table seems to lack ambition. Why not plan to win the PL. If the All Blacks don't win they usually get roasted eg losing to England in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup last year (and deserving to lose also). That's also why I can't understand the club selling all it's good players. Is Southhampton City a dump or something? It must be better than Manchester from what I've heard (but, again, I haven't been to either place).

I don't know anything about transfers but how about trying to get a marquee player to come at some stage like a Ronaldo, Messi or Ibrahimovich (all getting towards the end of their careers)? I know it would cost a fortune but would it possibly be worth it? I've never understood why all the big money appears to be in London and the north. I've never been to Southampton city or the club but both seem pretty prosperous. Isn't it time to be a bit more ambitious and try and get into Europe?

Finally got a result backing the team with a $10 bet at the TAB (NZ equivalent to a bookie or Ladbrookes). I've never bet against them but lost shilling a few too many times in the last two seasons when I was a bit over-confident. Won $17. Now only about $300 down.🤑

Welcome Jeremy I also live in NZ ( North Island ), alas unless you subscribe to SPARK you won't see much live action from Saints. There is no point in me ( an OAP ) paying $20 a month as SPARK tell me that they are unable to give me sufficient quality Broadband. Hi Mate, if you're ever in Palmerston North let me know and we can catch up for a coffee or a beer. BTW, I also really like the Hampshire CCC (especailly when Malcolm Marshall was there) Also, cheers to all you other posters.

I've just joined this forum. I live in New Zealand and am not an ex-pat. I was brought up on the All Blacks but would watch MOD and first saw Le Tissier. Been following you since then. I don't have the intergenerational passion that many of you will have but I just like the way this Club operates. It's easy to be critical of certain performances but, overall, they have salvaged a season where they lost a record 0-9 so on and up for the next one.