Saint Garrett Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/332690 Southampton manager Nigel Adkins is not only hopeful the newly-promoted side will avoid relegation but believes they will soon be challenging for Europe and ultimately the Premier League title. The south coast side return to the top flight this season after a tumultuous seven-year absence, which saw them drop to the third tier and teeter dangerously close to liquidation. Southampton were saved from extinction by the late Swiss billionaire Markus Liebherr, who appointed Nicola Cortese to run the club as executive chairman. Three seasons on and Saints are back in the Premier League and Adkins believes the club can now look forward an exciting period in its history. He told Press Association Sport: "It's a very positive future ahead." He added: "Nicola Cortese set the dream out and the vision to me to be in the Premier League within five years. Since he has been here, they've done it in three with back-to-back promotions and we're very, very ambitious. "What we've got to do is make sure we're ambitious in the Premier League and not just go there and think 'oh, well if we can just get enough points to stay up then that will be successful'. "We've got to drive on, strive to be the best and Europe is obviously the goal. We can draw inspiration from Norwich and Swansea last season in how they acquitted themselves. "Southampton Football Club ultimately have got to be in the division to get into Europe and ultimately have the dream of winning the division." Such ambitions will surprise many and when asked whether Europe was a realistic target this season, Adkins added: "Well, that is the vision and the dream you have to strive to keep improving for. "The training facilities have improved and are improving. The stadium has improved and will keep improving. The standard of the players has improved and will keep improving. "The ambition is very, very high. You have to be realistic as well, but you've got to reach for the top." Very positive from Adkins as you would expect. Lets not run before we can walk - 17th would be a successful season, nice to see us have the ambition though.
SO16_Saint Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 We will never win the Premier League title. that's what they said about Man City 7 years ago
The Kraken Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 We will never win the Premier League title. Indeed. But we can continue to dream about it, which seems to be what Big Nige is suggesting. Although very very few of my dreams are actually Saints related.
The Kraken Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 that's what they said about Man City 7 years ago Did they? Who said that?
SO16_Saint Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Did they? Who said that? probably quite a few people tbh. when they were promoted to the Prem way back when, would you have envisioned them winning it?
Matthew Le God Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 We will never win the Premier League title. that's what they said about Man City 7 years ago Did they? Who said that? When they were in the 3rd tier in 1999 and someone told you that they would win the Premier League 13 years later, what would you have said?
Saint Without a Halo Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/332690 "Very positive from Adkins as you would expect. Lets not run before we can walk - 17th would be a successful season, nice to see us have the ambition though. 17th! now just where did we hear that before?
dune Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 When they were in the 3rd tier in 1999 and someone told you that they would win the Premier League 13 years later, what would you have said? I'd have said a club their size would win it again one day. We are not their size.
The Kraken Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 When they were in the 3rd tier in 1999 and someone told you that they would win the Premier League 13 years later, what would you have said? I would probably have congratulated them on being able to perfect the art of time travel.
Bearsy Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 If he's getting them ideas from Cortese then he ain't gonna in this job much longer.
yellow&blue Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 I'd have said a club their size would win it again one day. We are not their size. So what's the point in saying we are hoping to scrape 17th............we have got to be ambitious - back to back promotions prove this!
RedFear Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 I'd have said a club their size would win it again one day. We are not their size. They were no where near until the money rolled in. Thats all its about now. certianly doesnt mean we are going to spend he cash to get there but with enough money, any club could win the league. club size has little to do with it
dune Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 So what's the point in saying we are hoping to scrape 17th............we have got to be ambitious - back to back promotions prove this! Where did I say this?
SOTONS EAST SIDE Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/332690 Very positive from Adkins as you would expect. Lets not run before we can walk - 17th would be a successful season, nice to see us have the ambition though. You sound like Dalek2003 with this is final sentence.
Jimmy_D Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Cortese has exceeded every ambition he's expressed about the club so far. If this is coming from him that he wants us to win the league, I'd be more surprised if we DIDN'T eventually see this happen...
The Kraken Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Cortese has exceeded every ambition he's expressed about the club so far. If this is coming from him that he wants us to win the league, I'd be more surprised if we DIDN'T eventually see this happen... You'll be more surprised if we DON'T win the league than if we do? Wowsers.
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 When they were in the 3rd tier in 1999 and someone told you that they would win the Premier League 13 years later, what would you have said? A more apt question would be "When they were in the 3rd tier in 1999 and someone told you that they would get a mega rich crazy owner who would pay breathtakingly large amounts of money on wages to attract the very biggest names in football and be prepared to write said sums of money off, what would you have said?" We are well backed by Markus' legacy but not to those crazy levels, so no, I don't see us winning the PL any time soon.
Matthew Le God Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 A more apt question would be "When they were in the 3rd tier in 1999 and someone told you that they would get a mega rich crazy owner who would pay breathtakingly large amounts of money on wages to attract the very biggest names in football and be prepared to write said sums of money off, what would you have said?" We are well backed by Markus' legacy but not to those crazy levels, so no, I don't see us winning the PL any time soon. Using that logic, only Man City will ever win the Premier League title for the rest of time. Man Utd, Arsneal, Chelsea etc should hand it to them now and not bother next season.
Bearsy Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Using that logic, only Man City will ever win the Premier League title for the rest of time. Man Utd, Arsneal, Chelsea etc should hand it to them now and not bother next season. Oh i don't know, Man City seem to be reigning in the old spending a bit I'm even reading bout them wanting to lower their wage bill. It's them new rules probably. Even if we are going well them clubs is still gonna have three times the budget of us tho, hard to see how we'd overcome that.
Panda Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 If he's getting them ideas from Cortese then he ain't gonna in this job much longer. Pardon? Run that past me again in English this time ...
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Agree that Arsenal might as well do that. Chelsea have an owner who backs them to a similar level as City. United generate a similar level of funding. So no, I don't agree with you. I see you put etc on the end of your sentence, so what other teams will be challenging for the title this season? I do not mean that Saints shouldn't go out with the aim of winning every match - of course they should and they will. Not really sure of your point to be honest. Just being realistic that's all.
Saintandy666 Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Agree that Arsenal might as well do that. Chelsea have an owner who backs them to a similar level as City. United generate a similar level of funding. So no, I don't agree with you. I see you put etc on the end of your sentence, so what other teams will be challenging for the title this season? I do not mean that Saints shouldn't go out with the aim of winning every match - of course they should and they will. Not really sure of your point to be honest. Just being realistic that's all. I think against some teams next year a defensive style of play may be better due to the gulf in glass. And then try and get them on the counter.
JustinR Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Cortese has exceeded every ambition he's expressed about the club so far. If this is coming from him that he wants us to win the league, I'd be more surprised if we DIDN'T eventually see this happen... Totally agree. Lots of chairmen made bold predictions and no one takes any notice. When Cortese says it, you wouldn't bet against him. I think it's his aura
Matthew Le God Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Agree that Arsenal might as well do that. Chelsea have an owner who backs them to a similar level as City. United generate a similar level of funding. So no' date=' I don't agree with you. I see you put etc on the end of your sentence, so what other teams will be challenging for the title this season?[/quote'] Man Utd and Chelsea aren't being funded to anywhere near the same extent as Man City. Can also be applied to Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool etc. Should they all give up hope for eternity?
doubleonothing Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 It's all about aiming high! It's served us well so far. (And I managed it on FM on numerous occaisions so it must be acheivable - winking smiley face thing)
Matthew Le God Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 (edited) The signings so far suggest not... Well its not going to happen in one season. We'd need to work up to getting Europa League football to attract the next level of player, then work from there in future years. Edited 13 July, 2012 by Matthew Le God
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Man Utd and Chelsea aren't being funded to anywhere near the same extent as Man City. Can also be applied to Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool etc. Should they all give up hope for eternity? You really are a bore. Where have I said that those teams should give up hope for eternity? Manu, Chelsk, City, all pay far bigger wages than we do fact. Just trying to be realistic about claims we are going to win the Prem, which we aren't any time soon. Were you one of the posters who said Saints would be at least a semi finalist in the Euros last month too? Bore off.
OttawaSaint Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 I don't see the problem in aiming high, if we just fail then we are safe, if we aim for 17th and just fail we are down...
Matthew Le God Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 You really are a bore. Where have I said that those teams should give up hope for eternity? Manu' date=' Chelsk, City, all pay far bigger wages than we do fact. Just trying to be realistic about claims we are going to win the Prem, which we aren't any time soon.[/quote'] My original post in this thread was a counter to Dune saying Saints will never win the Premier League. Were you one of the posters who said Saints would be at least a semi finalist in the Euros last month too? Bore off. I'd be very foolish to say that!
RedArmy Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 I don't see the problem in aiming high, if we just fail then we are safe, if we aim for 17th and just fail we are down...There's a difference between aiming high, and being a fantasist.
Matthew Le God Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 There's a difference between aiming high, and being a fantasist. What has Cortese/Liebherr estate failed with so far? They seem to be very good at meeting ambitions and putting money where their mouth is. I doubt Cortese is the type for making unachievable targets.
dune Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Well its not going to happen in one season. We'd need to work up to getting Europa League football to attract the next level of player, then work from their in future years. It's not a game of football manager. Even if we spent the money and payed the wages required (which we won't), we are still a club in a backwater away from the bright lights of London and more appealing cities.
Miltonaggro Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Mark my words (and I have been saying it for some time) Nigel Adkins will be remembered as the Birkenhead Brian Clough...
The Kraken Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 (edited) What has Cortese/Liebherr estate failed with so far? They seem to be very good at meeting ambitions and putting money where their mouth is. I doubt Cortese is the type for making unachievable targets. Cortese's stated ambition was to win League 1, and also the Championship. He stated the club was not just looking for promotion, he wanted to win the league. Even in his first season when we started with -10, and finished 7th, Cortese had said that he wanted us to win the league. Edited 13 July, 2012 by The Kraken
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 It's not a game of football manager. Even if we spent the money and payed the wages required (which we won't), we are still a club in a backwater away from the bright lights of London and more appealing cities. Damn, you mean to say the real world doesn't work like some software program where logic always prevails? If the numbers are right on FM, your team will win. Doesn't that happen in real life?
Matthew Le God Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Cortese's stated ambition was to win League 1, and also the Championship. He stated the club was not just looking for promotion, he wanted to win the league. That just backs up my point. Given they were 1 point and 3 points away from 1st spot in the two seasons, it was not an "unachievable target". Was also done in successive seasons.
The Kraken Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 That just backs up my point. Given they were 1 point and 3 points away from 1st spot in the two seasons, it was not an "unachievable target". Was also done in successive seasons. What about our first season in League 1? Started with minus ten and Cortese said he wanted us to win the league. We finished 7th.
The Kraken Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 And I do hope all saying 17th is success will stick to that and not moan about the many losses. Because if you're 17th, you've lost a lot of games and had some really poor form. I can't help but think the road to 17th would be dominated by 'sign 11 new players' and 'Adkins out' threads from relentless morons. This I think will be sadly true; the season will be a bit of a reality check for some folk, as we've had 3 years of winning much more than we've lost. It'll be interesting to see the reaction if we're involved around the bottom end of the table (and with our tough start there's every chance).
S-Clarke Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 This I think will be sadly true; the season will be a bit of a reality check for some folk, as we've had 3 years of winning much more than we've lost. It'll be interesting to see the reaction if we're involved around the bottom end of the table (and with our tough start there's every chance). Exactly this, how certain people will react to the inevitable frequent defeats will be interesting. I think we all know a certain individual who will be chomping at the bit with his normal foresight and perspective.
RedArmy Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 What has Cortese/Liebherr estate failed with so far? They seem to be very good at meeting ambitions and putting money where their mouth is. I doubt Cortese is the type for making unachievable targets.Are you actually comparing promotion back to the premier league, to actually winning the title? S
Thedelldays Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Man city spent £1bn to win the title in the last minute Now we have to out do £1bn to beat them
View From The Top Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 I'd settled for a couple of decent cup runs. Winning the league is lala land.
norwaysaint Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 I don't really see how we'd ever win the title without spending the silly amounts of money other clubs have. Europe should be a possibility, although it'd be astonishing to reach the CL any time soon, we could make the UEFA. Of course as a fan you have to mix your hopes with some realism, but nobody can deny it's going to be exciting seeing how the club pushes on towards those kinds of ambitions.
westofshannonsaint Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 Well we all know where this thread is going. Time to lock mods? No mods, please don't lock it. It could turn out to be an interesting conversation, perhaps you could start deleting off topic/irrelevant posts? Fair enough, we are not going to win the premier league this year or next, but never say never and all that. In the meantime European football should be the next target. It is the logical next step if we want to continue to improve. There 8 European places available through League Position, Cup winners (or runner up's) & fair play. And no reason why we should not aim to get one of them. This time last year there were many saying the team were just about good enough to stay in the championship. I thought we would be mid table, I'm glad the club had greater ambitions than my own. the future is bright...
Saint_clark Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 At least try and stay on topic and not be sarcastic.
Turkish Posted 13 July, 2012 Posted 13 July, 2012 I'd settled for a couple of decent cup runs. Winning the league is lala land. With that sort of realistic outlook, Are you sure this the mong board for you sir?
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