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Press predictions for 2012/13


Elmore
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Some press predictions

 

http://hereisthecity.com/2012/08/10/revealed-where-southampton-will-finish-next-season/? (be warned some of the writers on this look like they were not born when we were last in the prem and have little knowledge about football)

 

http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/2012/08/premier-league-preview-southampton?

 

Feel free to add more... and we can all have a good laugh at the end of the season.

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The first one is just shoddy shoddy journalism, second one is a little more realistic/informed.

 

Interesting points are what happens if someone comes in with a massive offer for Lambert?! I was also wondering where everyone predicted the West Ham side that got relegated...

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The first one is just shoddy shoddy journalism, second one is a little more realistic/informed.

 

Interesting points are what happens if someone comes in with a massive offer for Lambert?! I was also wondering where everyone predicted the West Ham side that got relegated...

 

What's wrong with the first one? Can't see anything wrong with it.

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Anyone that isnt worried is slightly mental tbh, its gonna be tough for us.

 

But Im going to go ahead and ignore anyone that thinks WHU are going to finish as high as 15th

 

 

Why exactly ?? Big Sam kept Bolton out of the bottom three when he was in charge, playing the same Kr*p as WHU will

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I would be plastering these everywhere in and around the training ground. Use these comments as a why to raise determination levels. "this is what everyone thinks, do you want to prove them wrong?"

 

I really dont know where we stand and cant call where I believe that we will finish.

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It's hard to make firm predictions until 1 September and the transfer window has closed. If we could get Scott Dann, another CB, Zaha, Danny Rose (people will moan but potential and Harding has gone, Dickson listed) and another pacy offensive player then we'd have more chance of being fully competitive and getting more than 40 points. Based on the current squad without neccessary additions, particularly pace, 17th to 19th as a prediction is fair IMHO.

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It's hard to make firm predictions until 1 September and the transfer window has closed. If we could get Scott Dann, another CB, Zaha, Danny Rose (people will moan but potential and Harding has gone, Dickson listed) and another pacy offensive player then we'd have more chance of being fully competitive and getting more than 40 points. Based on the current squad without neccessary additions, particularly pace, 17th to 19th as a prediction is fair IMHO.

 

Danny Rose is meant to be on loan though, so even if he did have potential (which he doesn't imho) we wouldn't get it. He'd only be back up.

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From WAATP:

 

8. Southampton to ‘do a Hull/Blackpool’ divebomb act: Come screaming out the blocks, top three until October, 12th by Christmas and relegated by goal difference on the last day of the season, going down in a blaze of glory. One thing we’ll tell you right here and now: While many are touting Ricky Lambert for a ‘Grant Holt’-style season; battering the ever-lovin’ plop out of Premier League defenders and keeping the Saints afloat with his goals – we’d advise a bit of caution. He may have scored shed loads in the Championship but he’s not nearly as dynamic as Holt, and that really is saying something.

 

I dont even see Saints coming out of the blocks fast with the start they have.

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From WAATP:

 

8. Southampton to ‘do a Hull/Blackpool’ divebomb act: Come screaming out the blocks, top three until October, 12th by Christmas and relegated by goal difference on the last day of the season, going down in a blaze of glory. One thing we’ll tell you right here and now: While many are touting Ricky Lambert for a ‘Grant Holt’-style season; battering the ever-lovin’ plop out of Premier League defenders and keeping the Saints afloat with his goals – we’d advise a bit of caution. He may have scored shed loads in the Championship but he’s not nearly as dynamic as Holt, and that really is saying something.

 

I dont even see Saints coming out of the blocks fast with the start they have.

 

Well they haven't looked at the fixtures, have they... though I can't argue with the appraisal of Lambert/Holt.

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Very very well written articles that on all teams.

 

Strange, I thought the one on Saints was almost done in passing, flagged up some weird key matches and wasn't necessarily that accurate about our players and their abilities. They can't spell Guly or Clyne's names, and "If Lambert and Adkins are unable to successfully transition to the EPL, the Saints' return to the top flight will be brief" is a massive oversimplification. Maybe Adkins, but I don't think Lambert's form will be a factor at all, we have alternatives now.

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journalist's opinions are about as meaningful as the bloke down the pub.

 

Exactly. The piece in the Observer / Guardian website had very little in the way of meaningful analysis. Just giving each team a number between 1 and 20, something which you could do from the bookies' odds anyway, and something which any bloke in the local pub could do.

 

They gave us number 20. Fair enough, entitled to their view. We'll prove them wrong.

 

Only concern will be if Lawro predicts that we stay up...

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What's wrong with the first one? Can't see anything wrong with it.

 

I think its because they dared to predict that we would come bottom.

 

Anyone who predicts that gets attacked by the one eyed lot on here.

 

Reality is this is going to be a tough season.

 

The Reading match gave us an early taste of what we can expect, razor sharp finishing which sank us that night despite having most of the possession.

 

Seriously, some of our fans need to reel in their expectations as they are setting themselves up for disappointment.

 

Survival will be a great achievement.

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I think its because they dared to predict that we would come bottom.

 

I just read it - here are some of the positive comments :

Southampton will be an exciting addition to the Premier League, and expect them to enjoy the same 'bounce' which Swansea and Norwich thrived on last season. The Saints have a side full of talented players, and have snapped up some of the best young talent from the Championship in Jay Rodriguez and Nathaniel Clyne. Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert both have big reputations, and expect them to show just why over the months ahead.

 

After 3 seasons of winning games Saints know no different and that continued confidence will carry them to safety with a good start this season. Rickie Lambert will find the net but the performances of Jack Cork, Kelvin Davis and especially Adam Lallana will be the reason they stay up.

 

And some of the critical :

20th; Back to reality for Saints, as it looks all over by Christmas.

 

The problem for the Saints is that consecutive promotions from League one are often aided by a crest of wave and the momentum of successful seasons. Yet, the ascent up the tiers often means a lack of squad development over an extended period of time and Southampton will find themselves with several League One standard players still at the club.

 

Rickie Lambert, Championship Player of the Year for 2011 will need to get amongst the goals if the Saints are to have any chance of staying up. If Lambert, who has won Southampton’s Fans Player of the Season two times in three leaves is tempted away from St. Mary’s then don’t expect to see them in the Premier League next season

 

Jay Rodriguez and Nathaniel Clyne both have big reputations, but are unproven in the Premier League, and the lack of top flight experience means they won't be gaining much beyond this season. Straight back down for the Saints.

 

Exciting team but looking the required quality to excel at the biggest stage. Even though, it is a bold prediction to rank Southampton 20th, I feel that they are the weakest team in the league would surely be demoted back to Division 1 in the next ten months.

 

The Premier League may have come a bit to early for this team. Nigel Atkins and his staff deserve a huge pat on the back.

 

They should be last even though Southampton over the years has been known to be a centre for nurturing young talent.

 

-----------------

 

TBH there's a lot of crap on both sides, the article overall smacks of know-nothings who can't even spell in some cases spouting utter guff.

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Strange, I thought the one on Saints was almost done in passing, flagged up some weird key matches and wasn't necessarily that accurate about our players and their abilities. They can't spell Guly or Clyne's names, and "If Lambert and Adkins are unable to successfully transition to the EPL, the Saints' return to the top flight will be brief" is a massive oversimplification. Maybe Adkins, but I don't think Lambert's form will be a factor at all, we have alternatives now.

 

Journalists always simplify as they are aiming at a brouder spectrum if audience than just your know it alls or know nothings.

 

This report, looking at a few teams is IMO one of thebetter researchedTBH. Ok, I skipped through key matches as they mean F all in the long run, key matches for me are only truelly found during the season.

 

Yeah, they have some spelling mistakes ? So whst? Its ablog, I can spell, Im also typing on an iphone, if I get some grammer wrong then Ill bet you still get the message, sometimes its just not worth frammar checking.

 

Personally I think we will be made by purdedensive signings and theform of RL and Rodriguez, perhaps even a pre season form Sharp who ill admit I have written off before the season starts.

 

Its gonna be tough, importantly we need to look for 3 worse teams, and there willbe, Norwich, WBA, Wigan, Reading,whu will all struggleImo

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When Saturday Comes got each of their contributor fans to do a 1st-20th prediction league then averaged the positions out giving it a little more weight that a few guys in an office thinking up a table. Saints average position was either 18th or 19th (I can't remember). It seemed a pretty decent guestimate.

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Journalists always simplify as they are aiming at a brouder spectrum if audience than just your know it alls or know nothings.

 

This report, looking at a few teams is IMO one of thebetter researchedTBH. Ok, I skipped through key matches as they mean F all in the long run, key matches for me are only truelly found during the season.

 

Yeah, they have some spelling mistakes ? So whst? Its ablog, I can spell, Im also typing on an iphone, if I get some grammer wrong then Ill bet you still get the message, sometimes its just not worth frammar checking.

 

Personally I think we will be made by purdedensive signings and theform of RL and Rodriguez, perhaps even a pre season form Sharp who ill admit I have written off before the season starts.

 

Its gonna be tough, importantly we need to look for 3 worse teams, and there willbe, Norwich, WBA, Wigan, Reading,whu will all struggleImo

 

So you're saying "back to realiy for Saints, as it looks all over by Christmas" is a legitimate contribution then ? I'd be embarrassed to post something of that standard on Facebook. The spelling mistakes show how little they actually know about the players. :facepalm:

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When Saturday Comes got each of their contributor fans to do a 1st-20th prediction league then averaged the positions out giving it a little more weight that a few guys in an office thinking up a table. Saints average position was either 18th or 19th (I can't remember). It seemed a pretty decent guestimate.

 

It was 19th with Reading below us.

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As above... Great biography of Adkins here suggests he'll be a relentlessly positive plus for us, and has got here the hard way compared to Mancini... http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/the-hardest-job-is-done-for-southampton-manager

 

Predicts it'll be 'impossible' for Saints to stay in the top two from start to finish again, however...

Edited by jonjapan
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So you're saying "back to realiy for Saints, as it looks all over by Christmas" is a legitimate contribution then ? I'd be embarrassed to post something of that standard on Facebook. The spelling mistakes show how little they actually know about the players. :facepalm:

 

I was talking about the bleacher report one, the first two are terrible written pieces that just seem to me like a quick hash together

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Another one predicting bottom...http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/aug/14/southampton-premier-league-preview

 

Guardian writers' predicted position: 20th

 

Last season's position: Promoted

 

Odds to win the league: 3,500-1

 

Southampton inspire nostalgia in those of a certain age. It stems from the exploits of Kevin Keegan and Mick Channon, with Matt Le Tissier starting to make his own impact later in the 1980s. The club had been sound for many of the subsequent years and were FA Cup finalists as recently as 2003, when they were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal.

 

That sense of status was to disintegrate at a startling rate and Southampton were relegated from the Premier League two years later. The club then tumbled out of the Championship in 2009, with a 10-point penalty imposed in League One because the club's parent company had gone into administration.

 

The revival achieved by the current manager, Nigel Adkins, has been remarkable. It is his work that has restored a sense of stability. Shortly before his appointment in September 2010 Southampton's owner, Markus Liebherr, had died suddenly but Adkins appears to deal well with whatever circumstances he encounters.

 

He is familiar with the game at nearly all levels. His CV, indeed, is different from most of his cosseted counterparts in the Premier League. The former goalkeeper has a degree in physiotherapy and was player-manager of Bangor City, where he won the League of Wales twice. Adkins is all the more interesting since a generally impressive record still contains setbacks.

 

His work speaks of persistence more than effortless progress. While he was in charge, S****horpe were promoted to the Championship and relegated from it. Adkins took the club back and kept it there in 2010. His move to Southampton, then in League One, followed and the club achieved consecutive promotions.

 

There was an uncanny consistency to those campaigns, with the club always well placed in the table. The side also had a pleasing balance. Southampton were the highest scorers in their division last season with 85 goals but only Reading, who won the Championship, and Hull had a better defensive record.

 

The club ought to be secure. They were, after all, in the top flight for the 27 years from 1978 to 2005 and have in St Mary's a modern stadium with a capacity of over 32,000 that should now be filled on a regular basis. While the turnout in the stands will be good the anxiety lies as ever with the calibre of the men on the field. Steven Davis was free to sign once Rangers entered the liquidation process.

 

Another newcomer was costly. Southampton have made their record signing with the £7m purchase of Jay Rodriguez. The attacker collected one England Under-21 cap as a substitute. Rodriguez is 23 now and has excelled of late with Burnley in the Championship. Adkins has had to make the tricky assessment of his likely impact at Premier League level since strikers who have already proved themselves in that environment are unaffordable.

 

They are quite likely to be vibrant in the short term. Southampton have already relished that kind of impact. Billy Sharp came to the club in January for £1.8m from a fellow Championship club, Doncaster Rovers. In a few months he ran up nine goals from 15 appearances.

 

It is not the sort of rate that is liable to be sustained in the top flight but the excitement of being on such a stage often has an impact for a while and strikers, above all, are creatures of mood. Adkins has a general interest in improving the attack and confirmed that he wishes to buy the Blackpool winger Matt Phillips but the manager denied there had been an improper approach to the player.

 

At present it is likely that durability will be more important than flair if Southampton's prospects are to be bolstered. Pre-season friendlies do not always provide reliable evidence but there must have been some disquiet in Adkins' mind during the recent 4-0 victory by the visitors Udinese. The manager was heartened by some aspects of the friendly but must aim for greatly improved defending, particularly since Southampton start their Premier League programme with a match at Manchester City on Sunday.

 

Resilience was already a common topic of discussion before the encounter with Udinese. Adkins has lately signed the 20-year-old Argentinian goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from Gillingham and it is anticipated that he will be able to challenge Kelvin Davis for his place. Gazzaniga had the good fortune to appear merely for the second half with Udinese, when the match was petering out and just a single goal was scored.

 

The fans fret about the back four and there has been much talk of an interest in the centre-back Scott Dann, although the £6m price sought by relegated Blackburn is almost double the valuation of Southampton and other potential bidders. Regardless of the outcome in Dann's case, Adkins's side will have to show even more of the resilience that was evident in the Championship.

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Manchester City won 18 and drew one of their 19 home Premier League games last season and I expect them to get off to a winning start here too.

But I don't expect them to manage a repeat of that amazing home record because it will be a lot more difficult for them, whoever they play. I know from my time at Liverpool that everyone wants to beat you when you are champions.

They are still going to score a lot of goals and win a lot of games - their only worry this year is whether Manchester United will be better than them, but that is a big worry.

Southampton, in contrast, will be in a survival battle from the off and their biggest problem will be where their goals are going to come from.

It will come down to the half-chances. They are a bottom eight club and, for the clubs down there, someone who can convert those half-chances is worth their weight in gold.

Everyone keeps telling me Saints striker Rickie Lambert will score in the Premier League but they need him to weigh in the sort of goal tally Grant Holt managed for Norwich last season.

Saints boss Nigel Adkins is a shrewd guy and they will play some good attacking football but they need someone who can get 15 goals and, at the moment, I don't think they have one.

Prediction: 2-0

From Mark Lawrenson on BBC website

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  • 9 months later...

Yeah, got WHU spectacularly wrong. Somewhere I predicted who will go down, cant remember off of the top of my head. I may start a pre season prediction thread nearer the time.

 

Still think the bleacher one was better written and researched then the other two, snd nice to see I have learnt how to use my space button on my iphone

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