DG Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Excited, it'll be like the good old days, getting a hammering now and then, causing an upset or two and last day survival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fromthedell Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 very excited of course why wouldnt we be nigel is a very positive manager so should we fans be yes we need more quality additions but hey fearful that was in 2009 when we nearly went pop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Fonte was a legend 8 months back...... What happened? He cut his hair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 How's your sat Nav working Phil? Has Cortese put the wrong postcode in or are we still on course to challenge Man City? Nope totally going to be challenging them this season. In fact I reckon it will be damned close. But then after the Coin Toss Sunday afternoon it'll probably be going down hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 I think our pre season friendlies have been more about trying to make money rather than getting the squad ready which seems a little odd to me.im not a fan of friendlies so I haven't bothered going to watch any but I gather not many others have bothered either so I suppose it's kind of backfired a bit. I'm with the bookies on our chances of staying in the prem but it could all change with 3 or 4 choice signings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazlo78 Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Always excited about Saints - fear has no place in football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 I can't understand those that say they're not fussed if we go down. If that happens, I can see lallana leaving, he stuck with us thru thick and thin but this is his chance now. If we go down, he'll go back up, no doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Excited. With a few more additions that NA and NC are looking to get in I reckon we'll have a decent squad. Most of our team is untried at this level, but i've got faith in their ability. Still think we'll finish somewhere between 12th-16th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Excited at not having to find a stream every weekend and now being able to see it on my 55 " tv in HD but disappointed at not being on the look out for bouncing jugs on the match thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieDog Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Maybe the pre-seasons have been about trying new formations and getting the fitness levels up. A novel idea, I know. Possibly it's about ensuring the players expand their horizons and try different formations without having to risk their win bonuses, or without the loyal supporters turning suicidal if we tried it in some of our league or cup games. Or maybe it's to ensure both players and supporters go into the new season with a sense of realism rather than some ridiculous notion that we are going to challenge for a European place. Everyone is harping on about us "only making 4 signings - but there have been SEVEN new players in the first team (eight if you included Chambers but let's not be greedy). The aim has always been to supplement signings with academy players and this year we are trying to do that (but I'm not going to complain if a couple fo extra suddenly appear either - even if it is on the last day of the transfer window). As for the fact that we are regarded as relegation favourites by the bookies - I didn't see any of them tipping us for promotion last year either. They do get it wrong (occasionally)... Of course I am going to be disappointed if (when?) we get beaten by City. Before the fixture list came out, how many of you really and truthfully thought we would actually get a positive result in that game though? If those first 4 games had been spread out throughout the season, how many points would you have realistically thought we would have gotten from them? I wager 4 would have been a good result, with 3 being more likely. Just enjoy the season. Enjoy the higher standard of football. Enjoy the opportunity to attend a full St Mary's. If you can afford it, enjoy the opportunity to visit some of the best stadiums in England and in some cases, in Europe. All I hope is that we don't disgrace ourselves (100% effort and defending from the front would be a good start), and that our players are given the chance to show that they can improve and are good enough to be successful in the premier league. Personally, I can't wait and I'm looking forward to a season of broken sleep and coffee-fuelled Mondays at work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 I hope that people just try to enjoy it. The thing I'm most fearful of is expectation getting the better of everyone. We've been so used to winning, I think it'll come as a shock. I'm worried that the atmosphere will return to being ****e, instead of everyone celebrating the fact we've just had back to back promotions and treating the whole thing like a party. (minus gay clown suits, wigs, banners etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisspahars Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 For the benefit of those spouting the usual "bookies have us favs to go down/bookies don't get these things wrong/ever seen a poor bookie crap......1) They regularly get these things wrong. 2) Despite having us as favs, that is at around 11/8 meaning they think we are more likely to stay up than go down. Rant over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 I think our pre season friendlies have been more about trying to make money rather than getting the squad ready which seems a little odd to me.im not a fan of friendlies so I haven't bothered going to watch any but I gather not many others have bothered either so I suppose it's kind of backfired a bit. I'm with the bookies on our chances of staying in the prem but it could all change with 3 or 4 choice signings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raging Bull Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 My only concerns are for the CB's and kelvin. Other than that I think we'll be fine. I'll be excited when these positions are taken care of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints foreva Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Both. If we lose against Wigan the excitement will go though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 I can't understand those that say they're not fussed if we go down. If that happens, I can see lallana leaving, he stuck with us thru thick and thin but this is his chance now. If we go down, he'll go back up, no doubt. You really think if we stay up he won't be poached? Same with Nigel this will be his last season with us IMO if we get relegated (or even look like getting relegated) he will be sacked if he does well some big team will take him off us just like Norwich and Swansea... If we go back down we will have some nice big parachute payments plus money from the sale of our best players and little or no debt. So we can just buy up the best of the champ and league 1 and bounce straight back...IMO of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 You really think if we stay up he won't be poached? Same with Nigel this will be his last season with us IMO if we get relegated (or even look like getting relegated) he will be sacked if he does well some big team will take him off us just like Norwich and Swansea... If we go back down we will have some nice big parachute payments plus money from the sale of our best players and little or no debt. So we can just buy up the best of the champ and league 1 and bounce straight back...IMO of course Said to one of my Wolves mates on Friday that I expected AL to be at a top 6 club by the start of next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doggface Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Excited but have had this nagging feeling that we are underprepared. We have a tough start and our best players are not looking comfortable or fluid in this formation yet. Imo move lallana to left forward and j rod lambert and sharp to battle for central position. Need to strengthen in the obvious areas ASAP with quality and pace and we will be ok. But we haven't yet and I'm fearful as of right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 (edited) I actually think our business has been decent other than this one obvious issue. Last time we were relegated if I am not mistaken Claus and Svensson had fitness issues, Fitz Hall had just been sold and we were relient on Jacobsen and Davenport who were both pretty awful. Not having decent centre back coverage was the main reason we were relegated. I think our pre season friendlies have been more about trying to make money rather than getting the squad ready which seems a little odd to me.im not a fan of friendlies so I haven't bothered going to watch any but I gather not many others have bothered either so I suppose it's kind of backfired a bit. I'm with the bookies on our chances of staying in the prem but it could all change with 3 or 4 choice signings. Really? You think the club would focus on making a few quid from 4 Preseason games rather than focus on trying to get 60 million quid for not going down this season? Seems rather unlikely. Match day revenue is becoming less and less important for Prem clubs anyway. Edited 12 August, 2012 by The9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Said to one of my Wolves mates on Friday that I expected AL to be at a top 6 club by the start of next season. Let's hope it's us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doggface Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 And with man city looking pretty awesome right now.... Next Sunday : / Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 And with man city looking pretty awesome right now.... Next Sunday : / Oh come on, it's not like they're taking apart the European Champions without really trying or something... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 And with man city looking pretty awesome right now.... Next Sunday : / Does anybody actually expect us to beat Citeh really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Fonte was a legend 8 months back...... What happened? he made a mistake or two in a televised game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Does anybody actually expect us to beat Citeh really? I don't think they do, no. I don't think many think we'll get more than 3 points from the first 4 matches and I'd be happy with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 he made a mistake or two in a televised game. He spent all season looking like our second best centre back and like anyone with pace would worry us, more like. Worse, we genuinely looked less of an attacking threat without him bringing the ball from the back, which I can't see happening much next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewell Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Really? You think the club would focus on making a few quid from 4 Preseason games rather than focus on trying to get 60 million quid for not going down this season? Seems rather unlikely. Match day revenue is becoming less and less important for Prem clubs anyway. and you have quoted me because? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Does anybody actually expect us to beat Citeh really? As long as we show loads of effort and make a game of it then I will be satisfied. If it flags up glaring concerns then that is more worrying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 I think we will do a reverse Blackpool - baptism of fire, slow start and then pick up. If big investment is needed in the January window I reckon the owners are good for it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Why not just spend money now instead of waiting until Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Why not just spend money now instead of waiting until Jan I think that's what we're trying to do John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonjapan Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Yep - a 'reverse Blackpool' would be nice - slowly get better - and then lower Prem survival at the end will seem like a hard fought win... So many web pundits are predicting us to go down right now... 90% of them on this article put us at 18-20th: http://hereisthecity.com/2012/08/10/revealed-where-southampton-will-finish-next-season/ Hot signings soon though please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Why not just spend money now instead of waiting until Jan I hope that's what we're intending to do, but there are different/better targets available in January, especially those players frozen out by their clubs or contracts running out, or that excellent little lower league gem that set the first half of the season alight and is now being courted by top clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Why not just spend money now instead of waiting until Jan Indeed, why not. A matter for the Board, but possibly the European ambition might have to gain context... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Marco Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Im excited for sure. Don't see why we can't do what Swansea, Norwich and QPR did by staying up. We won't be vying for Europe and to expect it is mental. On our day we can play really good football and are no different to a lot of the teams in the bottom 10. Naturally it would of been nice to get in a few more signings but traditionally non free signings are done during August. Nobody has really made many signings yet. I think we are a winger and CB away from a decent side. So I'm not worried at all. The moaners moaning before the season has even started shows some mentalities will never change regardless. I'm looking forward to being back in the best league in the world and am proud we are there. I don't expect anything other then survival. There will be good day's and there will be bad day's. Football is unpredictable! COYS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonManager Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 I say you chaps, I'm - fearfully excited!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 We are definately not prepared for the premiership and even if we manage to get a few good,experienced players in before Saturday then we will still be on the Back foot from the off......realistically,from the fixtures we have coming up we could be in serious trouble before winter even kicks in. I just hope that there are at least 3 teams who are even less prepared than we are otherwise st Mary's could become a very depressing place and our very inexperienced manager and squad will be under a serious amount of pressure real soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperm_john Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 went to the udinese game yesterday, they looked like a football team, we had pub team esque organisation, granted its a pre season friendly, but I guess in my mind I thought we might look a bit more like a team than we did ... rickie looks unfit again, lallana not in the game really, leaking goals, we were so light weight as well, brushed off of everything ... the only glimmer of hope was clyne looked an awesome addition ... in short, i'm fearful ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 We are going to walk this league As per the last couple of seasons a lot of talk from the powers that be at the club reference ambition,infrastructure,'playing football The right way'...yet we fell short,we got over the line each time,but limped over that line at the final hurdle. this season is a huge opportunity to push on and establish ourselves as a premier league club,not one of those yo yo ones either. I hope we do not find the premier league one hurdle too many,but I fear for us. failure could mean huge damage to the club,by failure I mean relegation obviously. this season will show our real credentials at fulfilling what the fans have have been fed since the new regime took charge. was it all bluster,or are they serious. im not overly optimistic,but perhaps reigning in my hopes is a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 reading some of the posts i am surprised we do not write to the premier league and ask to be put back into the championship because we are not ready, good jon Ted and Lawrie never thought that way. yes it will be tough and we will lose more than we win or draw but we either trust NA and NC get behind the team and aim for 4th from bottom or start chanting for there heads because we lose at Man City Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 The realisation is hitting home that the prem is not average. And the gap between the top of the NPC and the lower half of the prem is actually bigger than many give credit for...... It will be embarrassing the next time we hear about our amazing ambition and European wishes.. To say that and then be tighter than a ducks arse in the transfer market is silly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 We're nowhere near being a top half team or challenging for Europe or any of that guff. And won't be even if we sign 3 or 4 useful new players. The height of my ambition is to avoid relegation - and I think we're about 50-50 to do that. Don't much care about Man City, Man Utd etc. Question is are we better than 3 of Reading, Wigan, West Brom, West Ham, Swansea, Norwich et al over 38 games? Touch and go, I'd say. So, should be exciting. We probably need only about 35 points to stay up - something like W 9 D 8 L 21 . It amazes me that pundits talk of 40 points being needed for safety (very rarely true). I'm annoyed about the CB thing - but not worried. I'd be amazed if we don't sign one or two by end of the transfer window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieDog Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 Seriously. If you're not excited, pick another sport or another team. Fearful AND excited....well yeah, I can understand that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 12 August, 2012 Share Posted 12 August, 2012 The realisation is hitting home that the prem is not average. And the gap between the top of the NPC and the lower half of the prem is actually bigger than many give credit for...... It will be embarrassing the next time we hear about our amazing ambition and European wishes.. To say that and then be tighter than a ducks arse in the transfer market is silly I *think* the idea was to send out a message to potential targets. Quite how we've missed out on the likes of Pogrebnyak and Guthrie to Reading though... Other than that, yeah, fair point if we don't sign anyone else of note. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 13 August, 2012 Share Posted 13 August, 2012 Unease is rising by the day. Feel we will be tonked on Sunday. Feels like we simply havent done enough over the summer to reflect promotion to the PL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 13 August, 2012 Share Posted 13 August, 2012 Unease is rising by the day. Feel we will be tonked on Sunday. Feels like we simply havent done enough over the summer to reflect promotion to the PL. In fairness this is the same citeh team that tonked Man U last season so even lots of very good signings might not save us from a tonking on Sunday. It's how we do againt the likes of Wigan and other bottom half clubs that we need to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 13 August, 2012 Share Posted 13 August, 2012 We'll get hammered by the top PL teams, cause an upset or two with the middle group of teams and do OK against the bottom teams. Survival has to be the aim and 17th or above would be excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry the Badger Posted 13 August, 2012 Share Posted 13 August, 2012 Excited. F*ck being fearful. This is what it's all been building towards so sod being scared about it, going to City next week and whether we win, lose or draw I will just enjoy the fact we are back. Whatever will be, will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted 13 August, 2012 Share Posted 13 August, 2012 Excited! How can you be anything but? This is, after all, what we've been working towards ever since Markus and Nicola took control of the club. Sure, we're not going to win the majority of our games as we have become accustomed to over the past two seasons, and yes, we will be on the receiving end of a mauling or two, but it's the best league in the world. Why wouldn't you want your team to be a part of it? The alternative, of course, would have been fans on here moaning about our failure to achieve promotion, berating the players for 'bottling it' and looking forward to visiting Huddersfield, Peterborough and Millwall. No disrespect to those clubs either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohwhenthesaints Posted 13 August, 2012 Share Posted 13 August, 2012 In fairness this is the same citeh team that tonked Man U last season so even lots of very good signings might not save us from a tonking on Sunday. It's how we do againt the likes of Wigan and other bottom half clubs that we need to worry about. Exactly. Norwich and Swansea got some inevitable 4-0 and 5-0 beatings last season despite staying up. Some games we will just have to accept it because that's how it is in the Premier League - even at the top with results like Man United 8-2 Arsenal or Man United 0-6 Man City. Let's just hope we don't lose 9-1 to Spurs like Wigan did... 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