Pilchards Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Do you think people will be surprised by our passing and move football or did Swansea really show everyone that the smaller teams can play football too? I have this image that we will play short fast passes, triangles, give and go etc and that everyone will enjoy watching Saints in the Premiership. I also remember a BBC reporting (name escapes me) saying that our football vs Boro was beautiful and that she could not wait to come back again. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 The pundits will act surprised, but newly promoted teams doing well is nothing new. The only way people will be surprised is if we go unbeaten against the top teams, or actually finish in the Europa League places or something - which is highly unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-Reece Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I also remember a BBC reporting (name escapes me) saying that our football vs Boro was beautiful and that she could not wait to come back again. Jacqui Oatley I think ;-) but I'm hoping that the Premiership will be surprised by us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingeletiss Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Do you think people will be surprised by our passing and move football or did Swansea really show everyone that the smaller teams can play football too? I have this image that we will play short fast passes, triangles, give and go etc and that everyone will enjoy watching Saints in the Premiership. I also remember a BBC reporting (name escapes me) saying that our football vs Boro was beautiful and that she could not wait to come back again. What do you think? Worked for Liverpool once upon a time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Quick....change the thread title before the "Premier League not Premiership" pedants arrive on the scene.... And, yes, I do believe we will surprise a lot of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I think the fans of some clubs will be, but lets not get too far ahead of ourselves...Swansea play better football than us, and we do use the long ball quite a lot despite us playing football as well. We can mix it up to be as effective as possible, but I can see even our own fans surprised at how well a few of the players bed in, Schneiderlin especially. I think he'll look like he's played in that division for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I wonder if they will be taken by surprise by our long ball to the back post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I think a lot of fans will be surprised by the clown suits and road cone hats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I think many will be surprised at how many variations there can be to sloop John b or what ever it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersubpuckett Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 OMG, some of our fans really are going to have a crash landing once the season starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 OMG, some of our fans really are going to have a crash landing once the season starts. What do you mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 OMG, some of our fans really are going to have a crash landing once the season starts. No-ones expecting us to win V City, in all honesty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Nothing will suprise anyone. They will pretend that Lambert, Lallana and Schneiderlin have massively improved this summer and can't have ever been L1 players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 20 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Quick....change the thread title before the "Premier League not Premiership" pedants arrive on the scene.... And, yes, I do believe we will surprise a lot of people. I would not worry about that as my next thread is 'How far will we get in the Milk Cup?' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussexsaint Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 OMG, some of our fans really are going to have a crash landing once the season starts. Just take a look at whats happening to our club, I know we are all still feeling the pain of a decades worth of neglect but surely you can see how far we have come - we are also not 'resting on our laurels' and winging it with last years team but have made 4 superb and telling signings already ( having broken our long standing 'records' ) with rumours realistically linking us to players of genuine class suggesting we are not done yet. At this stage I would be surprised if we didn't turn a few heads next year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I think a lot of fans will be surprised by the clown suits and road cone hats. I'd actually hoped you'd be giving that a miss this year, mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I wonder if they will be taken by surprise by our long ball to the back post Well they won't now, will they? Idiot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I think we'll surprise a lot of teams, and not just because of the new signings. We've got a good nucleus of long-term players to fall back on, stable finances and management. People know what's expected of them and many of the variables that can mess a team up ( new manager / craploads of mercenary signings ) just simply aren't present. Adkins is a winner, and not just because the standard of opposition has been poor in comparison to what we can expect in the Premiership. There don't seem to be any crippling constraints and we have a good team spirit. All the ingredients for a successful season are in place. I'd be surprised if we didn't surprise a few people this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I think that many fans will be surprised to find Liverpool playing at St. Mary's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I think that many fans will be surprised to find Liverpool playing at St. Mary's Why? It's on the fixture list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Some of the 'thick round the middle' established sides could be in for a shock. The signings so far are very encouraging and if we add additional quality with the likes of Buttner or Lens there will be real strength in depth and the chance to mix it up. The way Saints are evolving is actually a new model, and not just PR. With this new model in a new league (for most of the side) who knows how well we will do - perhaps we will emulate Norwich and establish or do an Ipswich in their brilliant debut season in the Prem. Whatever happens I am really looking forward to it, and I genuinely feel that there is the potential to kick some fat overpaid complacent arses, starting with Allardyce and the pictures editor at the Express... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjsaint Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 It seems that many newly promoted teams do well at the beginning of the season and then fizzle out. Blackpool and Burnley come to mind, and I think Hull followed a similar pattern. With a young squad, my (completely unfounded) guess is we'll take a fair few drubbings at first - especially as 3 of our first four matches are against 'Sky 4' clubs - and improve as the season wears on. I just hope that this doesn't mean that Cortese loses patience with NA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I don't think we'll surprise anyone because I don't think we're going to have a stellar season - just an OK one. I think we will need at least a season to adjust to the Prem and I also think that come Xmas there will be some doubt over Adkins tenure, although I think Cortese will be patient. Ultimately we will survive this first season, but the first two months will come as a bit of a wake-up call IMO. I also have a nagging doubt about Lambert making the grade - i.e. he will perform well with the exception of being able to score and that will dishearten him. Of course I hope I'm completely wrong and he shows Rooney/Carroll et al how it's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minty Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I also think that come Xmas there will be some doubt over Adkins tenure, although I think Cortese will be patient. I have no doubt you'll be right, there are always some who are quick to jump on the managers back if things don't go perfectly. Leaving Cortese to one side, I firmly believe Adkins has earned the right to do his job without any doubt or pressure being brought to bear from fans, and I sincerely hope that the success of the last two years doesn't breed impatience amongst supporters. I live in hope. As for Cortese, I also sincerely hope you're right and that he will have patience. On the one hand I think someone of his intelligence will recognise the value of continuity, even in adversity, but there is always that doubt that you just don't know what he might be thinking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint1977 Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 The summer recruitment has gone well so far but I would have more conviction on finishing upwards of 14th if we get a couple of quality centre halves and a pacy RM in. V.happy with J-Rod, Davis, Clyne and the new goalkeeper. The centre halves issue I'd imagine will be next on Nigel's to-do list, we've only got 2 fully fit centre halves (Seaborne is on a long recovery although great to see him feature) and they will get bookings/injuries so we'll need 2 minimum. One will compete with Jos and Jose, the other I can see being experienced competition like Upson on a shorter contract to allow Martin to compete next season if all goes well at Sellhurst (which I believe it will judging by his terrific progress with us to date). The basic mix is there and the hard start might mean some clubs underestimate us. The club seems united and a far happer place than our last season in the PL which must help us too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Why? It's on the fixture list. Liverpool v Liverpool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 No-ones expecting us to win V City, in all honesty. You're right, that nobody is expecting us to beat them. But if they get too complacent themselves and think that it is a formality, we might produce a shock result. Many people I've spoken to consider this an ideal time to be playing three of the top teams in the league during that opening month. Maybe some of those players in those teams might not have achieved full match fitness during the Summer break. Some who have played in the European Championships might be carrying knocks, or be more tired after a heavy season. If we were to lose the first few matches, then that would only be deemed to be a return to the usual Saints of old and indeed, there would be no disgrace in losing to the likes of City, United and Arsenal. On the other hand, we are probably still on a high, confidence wise. The players who have been with us for a while, will have some belief in themselves and their colleagues. The new additions are an unknown quantity and have the potential to surprise us, as well as the other teams in the division. I'm quite optimistic that we'll finish the season mid-table and gain some admirers along the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussexsaint Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I'm quite optimistic that we'll finish the season mid-table and gain some admirers along the way. Yep and that would be a good season all round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Yep and that would be a good season all round Mid table in the Preier League ? Bite your hand off now ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_TOAST Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 They will when we beat Man City on the first game and then go onto win the league....I for one can't wait. Big fish in a small pond springs to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 There'll be a surprise when MOTD pans to the bench and doesn't see Nigel Pearson there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 There'll be a surprise when MOTD pans to the bench and doesn't see Nigel Pearson there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 The centre halves issue I'd imagine will be next on Nigel's to-do list, we've only got 2 fully fit centre halves (Seaborne is on a long recovery although great to see him feature) and they will get bookings/injuries so we'll need 2 minimum. You mean we'll start to hear rumours as things start to firm up?!:-) I reckon a CB has probably been fairly high on his list all along: the interesting thing is, who is on his short list? There's been a few surprises so far, so can anybody do a summary of names: King Billy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I have no doubt you'll be right, there are always some who are quick to jump on the managers back if things don't go perfectly. Leaving Cortese to one side, I firmly believe Adkins has earned the right to do his job without any doubt or pressure being brought to bear from fans, and I sincerely hope that the success of the last two years doesn't breed impatience amongst supporters. I live in hope. As for Cortese, I also sincerely hope you're right and that he will have patience. On the one hand I think someone of his intelligence will recognise the value of continuity, even in adversity, but there is always that doubt that you just don't know what he might be thinking... Adkins deserves his chance, I don't believe anyone will begrudge him that. I just don't know how we will do as there is no real point of reference I can judge against at present. My worry is that everything highlights the lack of Premier experience throughout, but others managed to get over that hurdle last season. If Adkins can spring another surprise in our start to this season, we could be well in. Stepping up from League 1 to the Championship was a step up but nothing like the step from the Championship to the Premier. We have a very difficult start to the season with our easy game coming against THE form team of the end of last season, Wigan. I just hope we can maintain some confidence through that very difficult start, then push on from there. Even if we were to get relegated this season, there are plenty of scenarios where keeping Adkins would be the best bet. A lot point to Corteses sacking of Pardew of this being a formality should we get relegated. But I look to the fact he gave Pardew another chance even though the sack at the end of the season would have been justified. Cortese put personal feelings to the side to extend Pardew that chance, all because he felt it was best for the club. Adkins has a lot of plus points, so unless the experience does not break him, I can easily see him still being around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 I just hope our style of play isn't our downfall. It's one thing trying to pat it about like Arsenal against Coventry, a bit different when it's actually Arsenal you are up against. Our record against the top teams in the Championship last season wasn't great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 July, 2012 Share Posted 20 July, 2012 Do you think people will be surprised by our passing and move football or did Swansea really show everyone that the smaller teams can play football too? I have this image that we will play short fast passes, triangles, give and go etc and that everyone will enjoy watching Saints in the Premiership. I also remember a BBC reporting (name escapes me) saying that our football vs Boro was beautiful and that she could not wait to come back again. What do you think? if we've got more than 12 points by the end of September - everyone will sit up and pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 I just hope our style of play isn't our downfall. It's one thing trying to pat it about like Arsenal against Coventry, a bit different when it's actually Arsenal you are up against. Our record against the top teams in the Championship last season wasn't great. We will just have to be true to ourselves. If we go down at the end of the season, it is not a disaster. However, the usual wrist slitters will no doubt talk about doom and gloom. IMO, we will be happy to be a 'yo yo' club ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 Adkins deserves his chance, I don't believe anyone will begrudge him that. I just don't know how we will do as there is no real point of reference I can judge against at present. My worry is that everything highlights the lack of Premier experience throughout, but others managed to get over that hurdle last season. If Adkins can spring another surprise in our start to this season, we could be well in. Stepping up from League 1 to the Championship was a step up but nothing like the step from the Championship to the Premier. We have a very difficult start to the season with our easy game coming against THE form team of the end of last season, Wigan. I just hope we can maintain some confidence through that very difficult start, then push on from there. Even if we were to get relegated this season, there are plenty of scenarios where keeping Adkins would be the best bet. A lot point to Corteses sacking of Pardew of this being a formality should we get relegated. But I look to the fact he gave Pardew another chance even though the sack at the end of the season would have been justified. Cortese put personal feelings to the side to extend Pardew that chance, all because he felt it was best for the club. Adkins has a lot of plus points, so unless the experience does not break him, I can easily see him still being around. Sacking Pardew at the end of his first season would have been justified? If we get relegated or even close to it, Cortese will get rid of Adkins without a doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 Sacking Pardew at the end of his first season would have been justified? If we get relegated or even close to it, Cortese will get rid of Adkins without a doubt. Sacking Adkins would only be justified if NC had supported Adkins by getting in the right people during the tranfer windows. I happen to believe that the season will be one based on getting the premier money and staying up being a bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 could you imagine adkins having us bottom around end november...NC pulling the trigger and in comes the one and only, Harry Redknapp. full of praise for NC, full of praise for the fans, Full of praise for this "proper football club" he will say we are down the the bare bones....bring in some decent players this time in january and we go on to finish a respectable 14th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 Every opposition manager will say something nice about us in the press, but nearly all of them will see us as another 3 points on the table for them. It so very easy to parrot tired old cliché's about the dangers of underestimating the opposition etc, but it's a harder thing to do in practice. In their heart of hearts I suspect some at our club thought that two games against Bristol City would earn us at least 4 points last season - well that didn't happen and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that pattern repeat itself this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 I wonder if we will try to go back to our very short passing game (right from the back all the time) from the first half of the season, or have we lost our bottle to be able to play it the Swansea way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 I think we will do well in the Premier League. All of our signings have been very good,unlike the old days. Furthermore you cannot help be impressed by the piece with Mo Gimpel on Saints Player on the sports science. The amount of detail that goes into a player now to get him up to speed, is amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperm_john Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 I think we have better players than norwich and swansea, therefore I expect us to do better than them and therefore I expect us to 'suprise' a few people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 21 July, 2012 Share Posted 21 July, 2012 Like all of us, I'm really excited about this season, even more so than when we started the last two years as promotion favourites. But just a word to the wise. Some of you may be too young to remember the 1990s, but a lot of you are not. I just can't help remembering that I was always excited then, every August, expecting this to be The Year that we would repeat the success of the Keegan Channon years. We had MLT, we had exciting players such as the Svennsons, Phillips, Crouch, etc., but before October the dream had faded. So, I'm excited, and I believe we will do well, far better than the press might expect, but I'm not going to hang myself if we don't...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 22 July, 2012 Share Posted 22 July, 2012 Quick....change the thread title before the "Premier League not Premiership" pedants arrive on the scene.... And, yes, I do believe we will surprise a lot of people. Oi, that's my job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bender Posted 22 July, 2012 Share Posted 22 July, 2012 We've spent 7m on Jay Rod, could well spend big on Lens. Who knows how much we would have end up spending come the start of the season. Perhaps it wont be such a surprise if we end up impressing a few people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 22 July, 2012 Share Posted 22 July, 2012 Originally Posted by Sour Mash Sacking Pardew at the end of his first season would have been justified? If we get relegated or even close to it, Cortese will get rid of Adkins without a doubt. I'd have sacked Pardew for not getting in the playoffs personally. He had a L1 dream team, better than that. -10 is irrelevant when you get to within 4 points with plenty of time to go, then keep slipping up. If we'd finished 10 points off top or 2nd it wouldn't be so bad blaming the -10. I also think Adkins would be in jeopardy if we finished 17th. NC and NA are clearly aiming way higher than that. Fine for fans to say they'd take 17th, but the fact is the club would be slightly disappointed. Not sure I'd want him sacked, but 17th means a lot of losses and there'd clearly be some fans losing faith in him. But I just don't see it. Seen Saints for many years and had varying degrees of optimism/negativity and think I can be pretty objective on it. It's tough for people to accept it going well, especially after so many rubbish years, but anyone watching closely in the last few years could see something good is happening at the club and with the team. People bang on about Norwich and Swansea and they did well, but IMO they just highlighted how little there is to fear about the bottom half, they just went and played without fear. It's still just 1 season though. Lots of football fans struggle to think beyond 1 season, but Saints clearly have been, and we're not there to stay 1 season. Norwich especially might struggle now IMO. I don't know how Saints will get on over the whole season, but I do believe they'll stay up and a lot of players will improve. I see the club moving forward over a few years and being a decent side. Certainly think we could compete in the Everton/Fulham bracket. I don't see Pardew did as well as he could of in the promotion stakes, but I don't feel that was a sacking offence. Pardews problem was always inconsistency but his highs took Adkins a long time to emulate, but without the negatives. When Cortese and Pardew laid out their plans for the January window, Cortese explicitly underlined this was to gain promotion to league 1, nothing else, THE PRIORITY. Cortese backed him to the hilt such we were something like 4th highest spenders in the whole of the UK during that window. Exceptional for a league 1 club. Then Pardew comes out in the Pompey programme that he had deliberately concentrated on the cups and Cortese went ballistic. I can't think of any other business where you go against your boss and fail over such a major matter, that you still find yourself in a job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 22 July, 2012 Share Posted 22 July, 2012 Do you think people will be surprised by our passing and move football or did Swansea really show everyone that the smaller teams can play football too? I have this image that we will play short fast passes, triangles, give and go etc and that everyone will enjoy watching Saints in the Premiership. I also remember a BBC reporting (name escapes me) saying that our football vs Boro was beautiful and that she could not wait to come back again. What do you think? No,I predict we will get smashed in the first weeks,knocking the wind out of us,you lot on here will be calling for Adkins head and by Christmas we will be struggling,probably finish in the bottom six losing more games than we win....on a more positive note the sun is shining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 23 July, 2012 Share Posted 23 July, 2012 The most surprising thing will still be our bloody kit, there will be endless mentions of it in the media well into October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now