TijuanaTim

Thank you T K, I can see how you may feel that way. It is also possible that you have a valid point about other's perceptions of our current plight (and it is a plight). It is also a valid observation to many that some of these posters have 'settled' for Rochdale etc as our level/rivals etc...opinions mate, opinions. I originally posted this because of the total disbelief, disatisfaction and disappointment of seeing our beloved Southampton Football Club below Rochdale. I would say that should the only time we should ever be under them is 'alphabetically at the start of the season before a ball is kicked'...however we should never be in the same division. Maybe I just have higher expectations based on my lifetime support of Saints.

Love y'sense of irony/sarcasm/humor or whatever it is mate. Keep the good work up, it is best to stay light-hearted, so thanks. Quick question, do you or have you ever posted anything topic related?

Starting a response (no matter how valid) with a barely, high school level name calling pretty well negates anything you may or may not have said...so why don't you repost/rethink whatever it was that you were intending to say in an adult manner. I want to know your opinion my respected fellow Saint

Each of you and David carry on and settle for us being like Rochdale, that's your perogative - so God bless you for that. Whatever leaves you content Some of us want and expect more. And yes I would rather be playing and rivaling Man U than your perception of what should be our appropriate level rival - (again) Rochdale.

Fair enough Russ.

Fair enough me old China n.b. there was another 'me' in that statement ;-)

Stay on topic, lay off the personal attacks that you normally and so predictably deteriate too.

Thank you CC, are we supposed to resign ourselve's to failure simply because we played badly on the first game of the season once (or more) before?? If that is the case we could just give our first few opponents the points, therefore not risking injury, suspension and the fans wouldn't have to pay knowing we're gonna lose WTF!!! What's more Norwich last season is a horrible and small percentage example....let's just reflect how most successful teams start at home and it ain't by getting turned over by a poor team with 15 road defeats the previous season.

Mate you "get used to it", a lot of us don't want to. Rochdale and the likes are insignificant little clubs compared to Southampton Football Club, if you yourself are "used to it", then can I politely suggest you support Aldershot or maybe Bournemouth as that will satisfy your comfort zone. Me I want to leave this quaint little division behind, spend a year or two progressing at the expense of Derby, Cov, Palace etc and get back in the top league...but who am I to judge, you're "used" to Div III, respectfully I say, it's all your's mate - we want better.

"never ever happened", maybe I'm wrong (or maybe you're too liberal with your "never evers"), but I seem to recall a fine six or seven game undefeated run a few years ago in the Prem when we were in FACT above all those teams...I could be wrong, so please do the research and you'll find I most likely wasn't, as I said we are now below Rochdale.

Very inteligently put, I cannot imagine too many disagreeing with that.

Low expectations my respected friend, also what's in a name? I also thought the World of (Jason) Dodd, if that is who you mean. I met the guy and was cool as y'like, that was, however, until we went down to farrton for that goddam 1-0 reverse which initiated our decline and their (then) resurgence..he basically spent 90 minutes hiding and making himself as small as possible. If he thought he was in a 'hostile environment' then he should try going down that place as a fan....total kick in the balls to all of us!!

Thanks everyone for your quality and thought evokative responses, some really heatfelt and thoughtful replies, for and against. A few things...maybe, only maybe, I have seen Saints this season already, also we cannot compare situations to the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s as we have never in that time been in such a poor quality, low standard Div with so many dominant factors and resources, not only over the opponents, but also over everyone (bar none) in the division above us. Let's get our fingers out, you fans are first class and deserve better, the club's ownership deserves better. No more excuses, the players have to take long hard looks in the mirror and start delivering...and as much as I respect AP, he makes the same mistakes over and over...he picks the team and therefore is ultimately responsible. If you combine the finances and resources of all the nineteen clubs above us it possibly does not add up to what we have. We should been on a par with West Ham, Sunderland and Birmingham (I realise we have some bridges to cross to get there) - not Yeovil, Dagenham & Redbridge and Rochdale FACT

So you post, rant and mock I am gonna say it anyway. Growing up as a Saints fan watching the attacking stars Painer, Big Ron, Chivers and then Channon yeah there were frustrating Saturday afternoons sometimes, but any given day we could beat anyone. We were underdogs punching above our weight. It was somehow acceptable being relegated years later, I mean who were we to be beating the Mancs and Scousers anyway (I say this tongue in cheek). Then a few old journeymen pros joined our good players like Holmes, Channon etc and with the leadership of Lawrie Mac we somehow won the cup. Building on that first promotion and then a 10 year spell, when let's face it, we expected to be the best and beat the best. With the restrictions of the Dell and the departure of Mac we came back to the acceptance that to survive in the top flight we would have to (generally speaking) accept losing more than winning. Then relegation - money problems and mismanagement. We had to grit our teeth and endure being a poor Div II outfit until inevitable relegation again. About 1993 I decided to enjoy the fun, the event, the camaraderie of fellow fans and just being a Saint. At the same time wanting Southampton to win, yet not setting myself up for disappointment by expecting wins...if we got a result it was a bonus - one for the good guys, even the underdog to a certain extent. However, and here's the punch line, after the true Saint that is ML arrived combined with his trust, faith and financial muscle and the FACT that we were in a weak Div III I do not find it acceptable to be patient, to accept disappointment, to be second-best any more. This time last year maybe, just maybe, but now hell no. Call me crazy, call me premature it makes no difference I still feel grossly let down that in four home games in front of a total of about 70,000 paying fans we have squeaked one cakey win against a penniless and poor Bournemouth. Is this a worse start than the last couple of seasons or what? Was it that long ago with and less muscle we started the season above the likes of Everton, Villa or Man Citeh...and I'm gonna say it again, right now we're below Rochdale. Early in the season or not, this life long Saint finds that statement 100% unacceptable. Not with what ML has done for us and not with us being in Div III. Pull yourselves together Saints team - immediately if not sooner!!

Sounds like we're dominating??

We are below Rochdale - enough said.

I mean I really have no idea. It would be great if it could somehow be incorporated into the stadium. Tho' God knows how/who would do it? By the way, it is very touching and impressive. Well done.

That's great...very funny.

I respect your opinion mate, just reassess in a while. Especially if you have a chance to watch him.

To be far, he really is a good player.

21,727...hmm less than 2,000 out. Was that the closest?

Please don't shoot the messenger...and yes, this is a pretty random source, however if he is off from Benfica should Saints pursue him? He is a terrific little player. http://worldsoccerreader.com/2010/08/los-angeles-galaxy-close-to-signing-freddy-adu/

No penetration, creativity or inspiration - still in saying that we still pist all over them. Alan and the boys just need to switch to the 'actual' league gear as pre-season is over.

Thanks bro

?? Anyone else not getting it?