CB Fry Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 But it's ok to consolidate in the Prem though right? It's what all teams outside the top 4 do isn't it? I think it's pretty obvious NC doesn't want to hang about in the championship. I think Adkins will get a little more rope than pardew did though. All will depend on how we do this season. If we go long spells looking like we haven't got a clue and fail to reach the play offs then he will be toast. But if we keep progressing and only miss out as there are better teams above us then he may give him another shot. What will happen next season though? Say we somehow manage promotion this season, what's the target then? Sell up for big profit or go on to try and achieve something special? Times are getting exciting IMO Yes, these are exciting times. I have always been pretty confident that this regime will see us into the Premier League, although Adkins has to deliver far beyond anything he has achieved in his career thus far if he is the man to take us up. Once we are in the Prem we will see, but one this is for sure - we will not ever become a Champion's League club, and no one should waste any energy even thinking about. Look at that spack of a manager that Blackburn rovers are currently employing still labouring under the believe that he is creating a Champions League standard club. And laugh. The put red and white stripes in the background, and imagine us saying it. It's not going to happen, which is absolutely fine and dandy for me. Mid table Prem ten years in a row would be astonishing for SFC and that's what we should be aiming for. But let's get promoted first, and let's have a go as of now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Uwe Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I've said all along that I think we will surprise a few people this year, but we will just have to see how things pan out. I certainly feel a lot happier that the Oxo saga is now resolved and that we are continuing to strengthen the team. But the Championship is full of teams who can play blinding football one week and then be so utterly s**** the next it leaves you feeling stone cold! Overall though I think we are a good bet to be in contention for the playoffs at the very least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I will happy if we secure our place in the current league and still believe that is the most likely scenario. If we manage this, we will have been successful. What worries me is that if we are bumping along in mid to lower table fans will be very critical due to their own very unrealistic expectations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingeletiss Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I will happy if we secure our place in the current league and still believe that is the most likely scenario. If we manage this, we will have been successful. What worries me is that if we are bumping along in mid to lower table fans will be very critical due to their own very unrealistic expectations. You used to be amusing, now you're damn right boring imho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I will happy if we secure our place in the current league and still believe that is the most likely scenario. If we manage this, we will have been successful. What worries me is that if we are bumping along in mid to lower table fans will be very critical due to their own very unrealistic expectations. Remember you owe me £100 if/when we finish in the top 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Durman Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Make no mistake we have a chance of going up as do 23 other clubs in the Championship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobysaint Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Well, I am feeling pretty confident(ish). £20 at 16/1 we'll be champs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Mockles Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Judging by selling OXO and bringing in De Ridder and Cork, I'd say no, he isn't going for automatic promotion this season. It's currently a sqad of similar quality to last season. It does however, depend on who else is brought in. Sorry, what? Oxo going means little. He would have run riot but it's early doors on De Ridder who looks a decent prospect and we may even bring in further back up wide. We made the most key signing which bolstered and galvanised our centre in Jack Cork and have brought in Fox which may be an improvement (I think it will) on Harding (who does make mistakes). As you say, it depends upon who else is brought in but we will bring in more (CB for sure). However, we are stronger with Cork in the centre alone and with Connolly on great form. We are stronger from the pre-season alone. Lambert, Lallana, etc. look in great shape, both physically and, key, mentally. That's the crux of the matter. We have the right spirit and determination which I believe we have Adkins to thank for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoozonside10 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Yes, these are exciting times. I have always been pretty confident that this regime will see us into the Premier League, although Adkins has to deliver far beyond anything he has achieved in his career thus far if he is the man to take us up. Once we are in the Prem we will see, but one this is for sure - we will not ever become a Champion's League club, and no one should waste any energy even thinking about. Look at that spack of a manager that Blackburn rovers are currently employing still labouring under the believe that he is creating a Champions League standard club. And laugh. The put red and white stripes in the background, and imagine us saying it. It's not going to happen, which is absolutely fine and dandy for me. Mid table Prem ten years in a row would be astonishing for SFC and that's what we should be aiming for. But let's get promoted first, and let's have a go as of now. I bet Man City fans would have said that a few years ago... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I bet Man City fans would have said that a few years ago... I can't believe you just posted that. Are you really that silly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raging Bull Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I seem to remember NC saying a long time ago, he had no plans to sit mid table in the prem and was looking at the Barca model. He was clearly aiming at competing with the best, still got no real reason to doubt him. I know it's not his call but don't think we'll be sold if/when we get there either. Oh and can't people please stop quoting Dalek2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefunkygibbons Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 All on the bus, it is going to be a wild ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I seem to remember NC saying a long time ago, he had no plans to sit mid table in the prem and was looking at the Barca model. He was clearly aiming at competing with the best, still got no real reason to doubt him. I know it's not his call but don't think we'll be sold if/when we get there either. Oh and can't people please stop quoting Dalek2003 We are never going to be like Barca as the club has just demonstrated we can't hold on to our youth products...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingeletiss Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 We are never going to be like Barca as the club has just demonstrated we can't hold on to our youth products...... Get real, even Man U can't hold onto a player if he really want's to go, look at Arse an all, do you really think we have more sway than them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 We are never going to be like Barca as the club has just demonstrated we can't hold on to our youth products...... Indeed, in order to be like Barcelona we'd have to let him go for free and then spend daft money getting him back 5 years' later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefunkygibbons Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Most players are going to leave fro more money and prem football if they get the chance Our defence is to get back into the prem and show we are staying there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxstone Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 He's not p*ssing about, it seems. If he gets another quality CB and another striker, this team is going to look pretty f*cking invincible. I just hope Adkins doesnt have mental blocks about the best 11 to pick, because he is going to have some tough choices. He sure is ! No messing about with this guy - He has the plan and has invested a lot of capital in achieving it.. Pretty exciting times really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raging Bull Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 We are never going to be like Barca as the club has just demonstrated we can't hold on to our youth products...... Ok I'll be a little more specific for you, it's more about a group of players that have played together for a long time and know each other inside out. He could have used Man U or Spain as examples. And your absolutely right, if a player really wants to go to a club who've been at the top of thier game for a long time they will go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I seem to remember NC saying a long time ago, he had no plans to sit mid table in the prem and was looking at the Barca model. He was clearly aiming at competing with the best, still got no real reason to doubt him. I know it's not his call but don't think we'll be sold if/when we get there either. Oh and can't people please stop quoting Dalek2003 Ten Years and still going strong, that's Dalek ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowllyd Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 [/b] Ten Years and still going strong, that's Dalek ! Not so hot on the counting though - ten years? I guess it's more difficult when you don't have any fingers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Get real, even Man U can't hold onto a player if he really want's to go, look at Arse an all, do you really think we have more sway than them! No I don't. Which is why we will never be like Barca if Messi had come through the youth ranks here we'd have lost him at 16 .As much as I love southampton FC we are never going to have the draw the "big" clubs do which makes building a team out of home grown youth pretty difficult IMO. On the other hand if we can keep getting the Arse to pay as silly money every few years for one of our youth players we might not need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Ok I'll be a little more specific for you, it's more about a group of players that have played together for a long time and know each other inside out. He could have used Man U or Spain as examples. And your absolutely right, if a player really wants to go to a club who've been at the top of thier game for a long time they will go. That I can understand seems like a good policy to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 We want to compete, but Promotion isn't the be-all and end all this year. It's about assembling (and retaining) a squad of players that can challenge at the top of this league, and have the potential to grow into premiership players - so they can be together for a long period of time. We followed this method to the letter when we were in L1, and we're doing it again now. We'll give it a good go this year, for sure - but if we don't make it this time round I won't start crying, I'll just look forward to our title challenge next season! That's pretty much how I see it as well - good post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I think he is just backing his very highly rated manager....if he and pardew had got on, it would have been no different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landford.saint Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 (edited) Champions League? Why not? Let's imagine in next couple of years we reach Premiership. We then establish ourselves as a regular mid table team. Our acadamy all this time is still developing. Because We are in the premiership the clubs financial position grows and we can afford to bring in better players. Our own academy players will not be so inclined to leave. We slowly year on year through good financial stewardship, coupled with a good mix of homegrown youngsters, and brought-in talent and experience improve our league position. Eventually we are then in the challenge for that final CL spot. Manure got relegated with us 30+ years ago. Look how they have risen to a place where they dominate English football. Nothing is impossible with good financial backing and stewardship, a dash of luck and some dreams. Edited 12 August, 2011 by landford.saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsacar saint Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Lets enjoy the ride,these are really exciting times to be a Saints fan. NC and NA both know where they want to take the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 The point is are we on the little stopping bus, on a short trip to a dull destination or are we on the National Express cruising to the promised land ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 The point is are we on the little stopping bus, on a short trip to a dull destination or are we on the National Express cruising to the promised land ? 2nd. Enjoy it, we're one of the most exciting clubs to support in the country at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 2nd. Enjoy it, we're one of the most exciting clubs to support in the country at the moment. I would agree with you on that one. Always exciting and interesting supporting the Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Champions League? Why not? Let's imagine in next couple of years we reach Premiership. We then establish ourselves as a regular mid table team. Our acadamy all this time is still developing. Because We are in the premiership the clubs financial position grows and we can afford to bring in better players. Our own academy players will not be so inclined to leave. We slowly year on year through good financial stewardship, coupled with a good mix of homegrown youngsters, and brought-in talent and experience improve our league position. Eventually we are then in the challenge for that final CL spot. Manure got relegated with us 30+ years ago. Look how they have risen to a place where they dominate English football. Nothing is impossible with good financial backing and stewardship, a dash of luck and some dreams. That's just lovely. Never going to happen. Even if we finish sixth two reasons in a row, our best players will still want to join chelsea or man united. We couldn't stop them. And being 'well managed financially' and champions league qualification are mutually exclusive concepts for unfashionable clubs. We'd have to spend millions and millions more than our turnover. So. Never, ever going to happen. And seriously, who cares? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 That's just lovely. Never going to happen. Even if we finish sixth two reasons in a row, our best players will still want to join chelsea or man united. We couldn't stop them. And being 'well managed financially' and champions league qualification are mutually exclusive concepts for unfashionable clubs. We'd have to spend millions and millions more than our turnover. So. Never, ever going to happen. And seriously, who cares? look how much spurs have spent recently..and I dread to think the size of the wage bill whilst the likes of bentley etc dont make the squad..and they managed ONCE a 4th place finished....it just so hard....liverpool may finish 4th this year and they have spent a farking fortune and not long won the damn thing we wont get top 4...but would be nice to be a regular top half team that gets into europe and has a bash at the cups etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 we wont get top 4...but would be nice to be a regular top half team that gets into europe and has a bash at the cups etc Saints have already managed to do that under Rupert Lowe, who didn't invest in the club during that time to achieve it. Imagine what could happen with some proper investment handled sensibly by an ambitious chairman... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Saints have already managed to do that under Rupert Lowe, who didn't invest in the club during that time to achieve it. Imagine what could happen with some proper investment handled sensibly by an ambitious chairman... we did it once...I mean reugularly...all the time, establish ourselves as a challenger for the top 8 etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 we did it once...I mean reugularly...all the time, establish ourselves as a challenger for the top 8 etc Saints were at St Mary's for four years in the Premier League, three of them were mid table (8th, 10th and 12th), one was relegation (20th). All of them had average crowds over 30k. None of them had any real investment from Rupert Lowe, hence why the club went backwards by 2004/05. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Saints were at St Mary's for four years in the Premier League, three of them were mid table (8th, 10th and 12th), one was relegation (20th). All of them had average crowds over 30k. None of them had any real investment from Rupert Lowe. indeed...and then we got relegated and royally screwed...im on about for more than 4 years...progress and be like a spurs, etc..... most were before the spending that we see now really...chelsea, man city, now spurs, liverpool etc look, im not going to get into a tit for tat and im sure you will NOT let is drop and go on and on and on till you cant breathe to make your point..but we flirted with a top half finish a couple of time and a cup final, then relegated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Majestic Channon Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Yes, these are exciting times. I have always been pretty confident that this regime will see us into the Premier League, although Adkins has to deliver far beyond anything he has achieved in his career thus far if he is the man to take us up. Once we are in the Prem we will see, but one this is for sure - we will not ever become a Champion's League club, and no one should waste any energy even thinking about. Look at that spack of a manager that Blackburn rovers are currently employing still labouring under the believe that he is creating a Champions League standard club. And laugh. The put red and white stripes in the background, and imagine us saying it. It's not going to happen, which is absolutely fine and dandy for me. Mid table Prem ten years in a row would be astonishing for SFC and that's what we should be aiming for. But let's get promoted first, and let's have a go as of now. Not saying we will ever make the champions league, but what has the blackburn situation got to do with anything???? Different club , different situation and irrelevant. Who's to say if we make the prem we won't have a much better manager and more money? Like i said , would never claim we WILL make the champions league, but never discount anything.Life's full of surprises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I'm excited by the progress made and the start to the season. Of course, we should aim for promotion, but I still have us finishign around 8th - 10th. Which wouldn't be too bad at all. A lot hinges on the next couple of rumoured signings. In: De Ridder, Cork and Fox Out: Chamberlain is not a bad transfer window so far. But there's a world of difference between us now spending an additional £7m or so and spending no more cash. The money's there - that's clear - but that doesn't always mean the deals gets done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 Saints have already managed to do that under Rupert Lowe, who didn't invest in the club during that time to achieve it. Imagine what could happen with some proper investment handled sensibly by an ambitious chairman... I can imagine what could happen. Solid top ten, flirting with top six, proper go at the cups. Not ever champions league, bar a everton-style oneoff. We will not ever become the champions league regulars you have in your bedroom bound computer game obsessed geeky little mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I can imagine what could happen. Solid top ten, flirting with top six, proper go at the cups. Not ever champions league, bar a everton-style oneoff. We will not ever become the champions league regulars you have in your bedroom bound computer game obsessed geeky little mind. So very true. Also the premiership has moved on massively since we were last there. The gap is bigger now and you have to spend millions just to stand still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfc4prem Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I can imagine what could happen. Solid top ten, flirting with top six, proper go at the cups. Not ever champions league, bar a everton-style oneoff. We will not ever become the champions league regulars you have in your bedroom bound computer game obsessed geeky little mind. I agree, and I'd be very happy with that. Let's win a few Carling Cups, it's the only English tournament cup we haven't won. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 12 August, 2011 Share Posted 12 August, 2011 I can imagine what could happen. Solid top ten, flirting with top six, proper go at the cups. Not ever champions league, bar a everton-style oneoff. We will not ever become the champions league regulars you have in your bedroom bound computer game obsessed geeky little mind. MLG has already stated that we should be re-developing St Mary's right now so that when/if we get to the Premier League we have a ready built bigger stadium that will fit in all of our regular 40K+ crowds, and so fit our obvious potential for being one of the biggest clubs on the planet. It's close to being a flawless plan. I fail to see a downside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammysaint Posted 13 August, 2011 Share Posted 13 August, 2011 I think playoffs should be are aim, and if we dont go up then we can still say we had a good season, my only fear about not going up this season is alot of people are going to be looking at lallana this year and the wolves west broms boltons fulhams are going to snap him up next summer if we dont go up ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 13 August, 2011 Share Posted 13 August, 2011 I'm excited by the progress made and the start to the season. Of course, we should aim for promotion, but I still have us finishign around 8th - 10th. Which wouldn't be too bad at all. A lot hinges on the next couple of rumoured signings. In: De Ridder, Cork and Fox Out: Chamberlain is not a bad transfer window so far. But there's a world of difference between us now spending an additional £7m or so and spending no more cash. The money's there - that's clear - but that doesn't always mean the deals gets done. Agree with yor sentiments although i would have us finishing 17th/18th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 13 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 13 August, 2011 I can imagine what could happen. Solid top ten, flirting with top six, proper go at the cups. Not ever champions league, bar a everton-style oneoff. We will not ever become the champions league regulars you have in your bedroom bound computer game obsessed geeky little mind. Sounds about right. And I would be entirely happy with that scenario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Posted 25 January, 2012 Share Posted 25 January, 2012 He's not p*ssing about, it seems. If he gets another quality CB and another striker, this team is going to look pretty f*cking invincible. I just hope Adkins doesnt have mental blocks about the best 11 to pick, because he is going to have some tough choices. Feeling positive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 25 January, 2012 Share Posted 25 January, 2012 Interesting looking at my posts. I haven't changed my tune and I reckon my early posts are not very wide of the mark either ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Posted 25 January, 2012 Share Posted 25 January, 2012 Interesting looking at my posts. I haven't changed my tune and I reckon my early posts are not very wide of the mark either ! Certainly true that you are consistent with your insanity, whereas AP does fluctuate wildly in mood and opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 25 January, 2012 Share Posted 25 January, 2012 We want to compete, but Promotion isn't the be-all and end all this year. It's about assembling (and retaining) a squad of players that can challenge at the top of this league, and have the potential to grow into premiership players - so they can be together for a long period of time. We followed this method to the letter when we were in L1, and we're doing it again now. We'll give it a good go this year, for sure - but if we don't make it this time round I won't start crying, I'll just look forward to our title challenge next season! Just to confirm, six months after I first responded to this post, promotion is the be all and end all this season. It was in August when you were wrong about this and it is so very true now. If you don't believe me ask Adkins, who keeps talking about winning the title, and Cortese who doesn't just want to be promoted (ie minimum) but he wants us to be champions. At no point whatsoever was this season about fannying around, consolidating, planning for the season after or any of that guff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ART Posted 25 January, 2012 Share Posted 25 January, 2012 Lowe didn't have the money to really invest, we needed investment. Without a top manager transforming little boys into big stars, investors steered well clear. Hoddle was Lowe's last chance, in that direction. It failed. It will take getting into the Premiership, for Cortese to come clean and divulge who it was that introduced him to Saints. Cortese's careful handling of finances, has long left me believing who is the past Chairman advising in the background and to whom we owe a big thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodles34 Posted 25 January, 2012 Share Posted 25 January, 2012 Lowe didn't have the money to really invest, we needed investment. Without a top manager transforming little boys into big stars, investors steered well clear. Hoddle was Lowe's last chance, in that direction. It failed. It will take getting into the Premiership, for Cortese to come clean and divulge who it was that introduced him to Saints. Cortese's careful handling of finances, has long left me believing who is the past Chairman advising in the background and to whom we owe a big thank you. are you 'actually' being serious with this??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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