Realistic target placing next season - current squad?

[NickG]

But he didn't say they would be fighting it out for 6th place. He said they should TARGET 6th-8th, while realistically expecting no lower than 12th. Therefore, if there is one position you should be focusing on from his post it is 12th.

 

Apparently anyone thinking saints can aspire to 6-8th and thinks we are good enough for top 12 is " seriously deluded" .

 

Still guess Cortese will look at the fact for the last 3/4 of the season we have been 8th best side in prem and will want to be realistic and aim to get worse next season, after all he wouldn't want to look a prat to Turkish and think we can carry on and maybe even improve!

 

 

Back to more realistic posters....

 

Reckon will be pretty obvious in transfer window where NC views us - can't see wholesale changes ( new contracts recently for several players suggests wants to keep the core together). But if he is seriously aiming for the top we will see top 6 standard signings.

 

Do think club will keep to younger developing players rather than experienced names.

 

Exciting times

[Colinjb]

Realistic target place with the current squad? Exactly the same, mid-table.

 

Assuming survival, I would expect the squad to be bolstered for next season.

[Turkish]

But he didn't say they would be fighting it out for 6th place. He said they should TARGET 6th-8th, while realistically expecting no lower than 12th. Therefore, if there is one position you should be focusing on from his post it is 12th.

 

So they are just words then. We'll say we'll target 6th-8th but we all know we've got no chance of getting there so we'll settle for twelfth, yes? That is what your sayin isn't it? We'll set a target but realistically it won't happen so lower will do just fine. Why not just target 1st then?

[Turkish]

Apparently anyone thinking saints can aspire to 6-8th and thinks we are good enough for top 12 is " seriously deluded" .

 

Still guess Cortese will look at the fact for the last 3/4 of the season we have been 8th best side in prem and will want to be realistic and aim to get worse next season, after all he wouldn't want to look a prat to Turkish and think we can carry on and maybe even improve!

 

 

Back to more realistic posters....

 

Reckon will be pretty obvious in transfer window where NC views us - can't see wholesale changes ( new contracts recently for several players suggests wants to keep the core together). But if he is seriously aiming for the top we will see top 6 standard signings.

 

Do think club will keep to younger developing players rather than experienced names.

 

Exciting times

 

You've said it yourself Nick G, target 6th- 8th but REALISTICALLY we'll settle for 12th. What's the point of setting unrealistic targets then? Lets aim for 1st but settle for 12th. And then you go back to the more realistic posters who are aiming for 6th but settling for 12th, realistically. You couldn't make up that sort of logic!!

 

Anyway, back to the less deluded posters, yes we can finish top 10 with a 4 quality additions, but this squad, you know the one that is in a relegation battle and 4 points above the drop zone, isn't good enough to finish 6-8th, that might make me unrealistic but then again it probably doesn't as we're settling for 12th anyway aren't.

Edited 3 April, 2013 by Turkish

[NickG]

Turkish - wrote this before you toned down your last post, which is more reasonable, but point stands;

 

You are getting as bad as CB and his West Ham / Man U thing for stubbornly sticking in hole you have dug!

 

Realistic target.... Something to aim to, stretch yourself, aspirational, achievable if things go very well, maybe not probable but not impossible.

 

You may not agree with it but many on here agree - the most recent large chunk of the season (3/4 of season) has us 8th, gaining 6 less points than Everton who are 6th over those last 5 months - tberefore 6th is not absolutely impossible. Why would it be? We all know several reasons we struggled for first two months, but ever since then we have performed at the right sort of level.

 

So, rational reasons why 6th is a realistic target.

 

Opinions should vary, but it is arrogant, disrespectful of fellow posters and ruins so many threads with dismissive name calling such as "seriously deluded" so valid opinions. Maybe take time to see where others are coming from? Maybe be open minded to change to their view, or respectfully disagree?

 

It is also quite clear the difference between the two points.

 

One was what a realistic target would be (as explained above)

 

The other was my view that I would be surprised if, even if season doesn't go perfectly hitting target, we finish outside of top 12.

 

We are 12th now btw. Personally think we have only very slim chance of relegation and that chance will soon go.

[Pilchards]

Turkish - wrote this before you toned down your last post, which is more reasonable, but point stands;

 

You are getting as bad as CB and his West Ham / Man U thing for stubbornly sticking in hole you have dug!

 

Realistic target.... Something to aim to, stretch yourself, aspirational, achievable if things go very well, maybe not probable but not impossible.

 

You may not agree with it but many on here agree - the most recent large chunk of the season (3/4 of season) has us 8th, gaining 6 less points than Everton who are 6th over those last 5 months - tberefore 6th is not absolutely impossible. Why would it be? We all know several reasons we struggled for first two months, but ever since then we have performed at the right sort of level.

 

So, rational reasons why 6th is a realistic target.

 

Opinions should vary, but it is arrogant, disrespectful of fellow posters and ruins so many threads with dismissive name calling such as "seriously deluded" so valid opinions. Maybe take time to see where others are coming from? Maybe be open minded to change to their view, or respectfully disagree?

 

It is also quite clear the difference between the two points.

 

One was what a realistic target would be (as explained above)

 

The other was my view that I would be surprised if, even if season doesn't go perfectly hitting target, we finish outside of top 12.

 

We are 12th now btw. Personally think we have only very slim chance of relegation and that chance will soon go.

 

 

Nice written piece & I totally agree with you, can't think for a second next season that Cortese will settle for a place far away from the European places as he wants improvement every year.

[Wes Tender]

Turkish - wrote this before you toned down your last post, which is more reasonable, but point stands;

 

You are getting as bad as CB and his West Ham / Man U thing for stubbornly sticking in hole you have dug!

 

Realistic target.... Something to aim to, stretch yourself, aspirational, achievable if things go very well, maybe not probable but not impossible.

 

You may not agree with it but many on here agree - the most recent large chunk of the season (3/4 of season) has us 8th, gaining 6 less points than Everton who are 6th over those last 5 months - tberefore 6th is not absolutely impossible. Why would it be? We all know several reasons we struggled for first two months, but ever since then we have performed at the right sort of level.

 

So, rational reasons why 6th is a realistic target.

 

Opinions should vary, but it is arrogant, disrespectful of fellow posters and ruins so many threads with dismissive name calling such as "seriously deluded" so valid opinions. Maybe take time to see where others are coming from? Maybe be open minded to change to their view, or respectfully disagree?

 

It is also quite clear the difference between the two points.

 

One was what a realistic target would be (as explained above)

 

The other was my view that I would be surprised if, even if season doesn't go perfectly hitting target, we finish outside of top 12.

 

We are 12th now btw. Personally think we have only very slim chance of relegation and that chance will soon go.

 

Your opinion on this is all quite reasonable, but there are certain posters who do not appear to see the parts that debate aspirations based on what are seen as feasible under certain circumstances. You can qualify an opinion all you like with caveats about extra investment in players, or the academy, factor in all sorts of possibilities like players gaining experience, etc, but that goes in one ear and out of the other with some posters.

 

All they see is the ultimate highest position predicted and because they do not have the imagination to see the possibilities themselves, their only response is ridicule. And then in true troll mode, they hit you with it again and again. In the absence of moderators realising that most posters are sick to death with it, one can only ignore them, or hope that these things come to pass, so that they end up making themselves look ridiculous.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

What is your personal view on a fair target league placing for this current squad next season?

 

As we sit 12th after the start we had, not having Yoshida, Ramirez and Boruc at start of season, rapid development of Clyne, Shaw, Rodriguez, plus players like Cork, Morgan, Puncheon, Ramirez, Lallana still under peak ages...

 

I would look at target of 6-9th with likely finish above 13th.

 

Turkish describes this as 'seriously deluded'. Maybe, but my opinion.

 

What are other's views?

 

threads like this just tempt fate, would have best kept for the close season IMO

[Aardvark]

threads like this just tempt fate, would have best kept for the close season IMO

 

So am I right in thinking that you seriously think that there is a causal link between speculating the possibilities of something happening, and its eventual occurence or non-occurence?

[brmbrm]

OK: wish = 1st

bottom line = 17th or higher

Realstically top half is fine, especially if mid-table obscurity by easter

[brmbrm]

So am I right in thinking that you seriously think that there is a causal link between speculating the possibilities of something happening, and its eventual occurence or non-occurence?

 

No, I don't think he is thinking that, just maybe counting chickens. Heard that phrase? let's just not get relegated, eh?

[Turkish]

Turkish - wrote this before you toned down your last post, which is more reasonable, but point stands;

 

You are getting as bad as CB and his West Ham / Man U thing for stubbornly sticking in hole you have dug!

 

Realistic target.... Something to aim to, stretch yourself, aspirational, achievable if things go very well, maybe not probable but not impossible.

 

You may not agree with it but many on here agree - the most recent large chunk of the season (3/4 of season) has us 8th, gaining 6 less points than Everton who are 6th over those last 5 months - tberefore 6th is not absolutely impossible. Why would it be? We all know several reasons we struggled for first two months, but ever since then we have performed at the right sort of level.

 

So, rational reasons why 6th is a realistic target.

 

Opinions should vary, but it is arrogant, disrespectful of fellow posters and ruins so many threads with dismissive name calling such as "seriously deluded" so valid opinions. Maybe take time to see where others are coming from? Maybe be open minded to change to their view, or respectfully disagree?

 

It is also quite clear the difference between the two points.

 

One was what a realistic target would be (as explained above)

 

The other was my view that I would be surprised if, even if season doesn't go perfectly hitting target, we finish outside of top 12.

 

We are 12th now btw. Personally think we have only very slim chance of relegation and that chance will soon go.

 

Oh so now 6th is realistic is it? 6-9th was our target with THIS squad, no improvement. But realisaitcally you say we can settle for 12th. So which is it? If 6th is realistic then 12th would be a massive dispointment would it not? Call me pessamistic but to finish 6th with this squad, the squad that is currently 4 points above the relegation zone is unrealistic and deluded, how are we suddenly going to be 20 odd points better off, that is 7 more wins, double what we've achieved so far this season, you do know that dont you?

 

However, as i'm on record as saying, 4 quality additions and a bit of more depth and a top half finish is VERY realistic, in you Comical Ali approach to our prospects and leaping to offence because i dont agree with you you seem to have forgotten this.

Edited 3 April, 2013 by Turkish

[Turkish]

Your opinion on this is all quite reasonable, but there are certain posters who do not appear to see the parts that debate aspirations based on what are seen as feasible under certain circumstances. You can qualify an opinion all you like with caveats about extra investment in players, or the academy, factor in all sorts of possibilities like players gaining experience, etc, but that goes in one ear and out of the other with some posters.

 

All they see is the ultimate highest position predicted and because they do not have the imagination to see the possibilities themselves, their only response is ridicule. And then in true troll mode, they hit you with it again and again. In the absence of moderators realising that most posters are sick to death with it, one can only ignore them, or hope that these things come to pass, so that they end up making themselves look ridiculous.

 

That's the problem for you and your self titled intelligent posters though isn't it Les, we never do. It's the head in the clouds "man on the mooners" like yourself that so often look stupid. We may not post what people want to read, but it's more often than not correct.

[BlakeySFC]

I'd say historically teams that are relegated don't do too well the next season or do very well.

 

I think Play-offs would be a good target for next season. Hopefully we won't have to off-load too many of our decent players in the Summer and can make a push for automatic promotion again.

[NickG]

Oh so now 6th is realistic is it? 6-9th was our target with THIS squad, no improvement. But realistically you say we can settle for 12th. So which is it? If 6th is realistic then 12th would be a massive disappointment would it not? Call me pessamistic but to finish 6th with this squad, the squad that is currently 4 points above the relegation zone is unrealistic and deluded, how are we suddenly going to be 20 odd points better off, that is 7 more wins, double what we've achieved so far this season, you do know that dont you?

 

However, as i'm on record as saying, 4 quality additions and a bit of more depth and a top half finish is VERY realistic, in you Comical Ali approach to our prospects and leaping to offence because i dont agree with you you seem to have forgotten this.

 

If you agree I am making sense that is fine, you don't have to pretend I said something I didn't just so you can have a made up argument!

 

Either I am not being clear, sorry if that is the case, you are being thick or you are just trolling.

 

However, giving you the benefit of any doubt, will try to make it simple ....

 

 

 

Current squad....

 

This season we are 12th.

 

Bad start.

Goalkeeper issues, first month or so without Yoshida, Ramirez, Cork, Shaw, confidence knocked with hard start etc.

It is a matter of opinion whether we are still same squad and likely to repeat that spell. My opinion is it is unlikely to happen again.

 

For the last 20 plus games / 5 months we are the 8th best side.

 

 

Next season with same squad..

 

Manager...impression from recent games is he may further improve performance.

 

Boruc is now settled and is getting better and better.

 

Shaw, Clyne, Yoshida, Morgan, Cork, Lallana, Ramirez, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Puncheon, Forren....even Fox are younger than peak age for players, fairly safe to assume some will be noticeably better next season.

 

Probably only Guly and Lambert will be at age their performance may drop.

 

 

Target...

 

Therefore if I heard Cortese or MP had set the same squad a target of finishing 6-9th I would not be surprised and think it was a reasonable target - hence the OP!

 

This is based on facts (currently 12th/long period performing 8th / most players young / players generally improve towards 28/29)

 

But also opinion ( amount players will improve, that how good we were in August / Sept is of little relevance to how good we will be).

 

I don't care if anyone disagrees, it is an opinion. You may take different view, but it doesn't stop mine being rationale and reasoned.

 

You then seem to have trouble understanding the difference between 'target' and 'prediction'.

 

A simple example for you - Man City can have winning title as fair target, achievable and something to aim for. My prediction would be a top four finish for them. Do you understand that is not saying they should settle for 4th?

 

So thinking it is fair for NC to set a target of 6-9th is wholly consistent with also thinking we will finish in top 12.. I.e. will meet target or fall just short. Not a 'massive disappointment'!

 

 

I wouldn't say anyone is pessimistic for not expecting 6th, quite reasonable view.

 

 

You ask how we are going to be 20 points better off, Everton in 6th are 17 points ahead of us.

 

Last 20 games we have 29 points. This is 1.45 per game. If we had just been that good all season we would be 11 points better off- so 6 points behind 6th. I think you say MP has improved us further...another 6 points better maybe?

 

 

I'm not offended by yours, or anyone else's genuinely held views.

 

 

I'm not offended by your name calling, as said before, if a 12 year old with problems called me names I wouldn't take offence and I have no idea who most on here are so would be silly to take offence. (Again, not saying you are that 12 year old but highlighting why silly to take offence here).

 

But, I do think it is a shame when a very small minority such as you arrogantly put others views down with 'just happy clappers' 'deluded' 'unrealistic' 'Ali' etc repeating on and on and on, misquoting, lying etc, ....just makes this boring for others wanting to hear a range of opinions.

 

Worth remembering the unrealistic clappers have continually been proven most realistic, accurate posters!

[Wes Tender]

If you agree I am making sense that is fine, you don't have to pretend I said something I didn't just so you can have a made up argument!

 

Either I am not being clear, sorry if that is the case, you are being thick or you are just trolling.

 

However, giving you the benefit of any doubt, will try to make it simple ....

 

 

 

Current squad....

 

This season we are 12th.

 

Bad start.

Goalkeeper issues, first month or so without Yoshida, Ramirez, Cork, Shaw, confidence knocked with hard start etc.

It is a matter of opinion whether we are still same squad and likely to repeat that spell. My opinion is it is unlikely to happen again.

 

For the last 20 plus games / 5 months we are the 8th best side.

 

 

Next season with same squad..

 

Manager...impression from recent games is he may further improve performance.

 

Boruc is now settled and is getting better and better.

 

Shaw, Clyne, Yoshida, Morgan, Cork, Lallana, Ramirez, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Puncheon, Forren....even Fox are younger than peak age for players, fairly safe to assume some will be noticeably better next season.

 

Probably only Guly and Lambert will be at age their performance may drop.

 

 

Target...

 

Therefore if I heard Cortese or MP had set the same squad a target of finishing 6-9th I would not be surprised and think it was a reasonable target - hence the OP!

 

This is based on facts (currently 12th/long period performing 8th / most players young / players generally improve towards 28/29)

 

But also opinion ( amount players will improve, that how good we were in August / Sept is of little relevance to how good we will be).

 

I don't care if anyone disagrees, it is an opinion. You may take different view, but it doesn't stop mine being rationale and reasoned.

 

You then seem to have trouble understanding the difference between 'target' and 'prediction'.

 

A simple example for you - Man City can have winning title as fair target, achievable and something to aim for. My prediction would be a top four finish for them. Do you understand that is not saying they should settle for 4th?

 

So thinking it is fair for NC to set a target of 6-9th is wholly consistent with also thinking we will finish in top 12.. I.e. will meet target or fall just short. Not a 'massive disappointment'!

 

 

I wouldn't say anyone is pessimistic for not expecting 6th, quite reasonable view.

 

 

You ask how we are going to be 20 points better off, Everton in 6th are 17 points ahead of us.

 

Last 20 games we have 29 points. This is 1.45 per game. If we had just been that good all season we would be 11 points better off- so 6 points behind 6th. I think you say MP has improved us further...another 6 points better maybe?

 

 

I'm not offended by yours, or anyone else's genuinely held views.

 

 

I'm not offended by your name calling, as said before, if a 12 year old with problems called me names I wouldn't take offence and I have no idea who most on here are so would be silly to take offence. (Again, not saying you are that 12 year old but highlighting why silly to take offence here).

 

But, I do think it is a shame when a very small minority such as you arrogantly put others views down with 'just happy clappers' 'deluded' 'unrealistic' 'Ali' etc repeating on and on and on, misquoting, lying etc, ....just makes this boring for others wanting to hear a range of opinions.

 

Worth remembering the unrealistic clappers have continually been proven most realistic, accurate posters!

 

Nick, I think that you can accept that most reasonable posters on here have no difficulty in understanding the basis for the points you make and you put them across well. There is a handful of posters one here who have opinions so set in concrete that they just cannot accept those of others that are contrary to theirs. An immature part of their personality then has them dismiss those opposing views by use of insults and sarcasm. Best to ignore them, because as you rightly say, in the absence of any lack of clarity in the way that you express your opinions, the only reasonable alternatives are that the respondent is either thick or trolling. And you hit the nail on the head accusing Turkish of deliberately altering what you said in a vain attempt to either make you look stupid, or him clever. Don't worry about that; everybody knows how he operates, but as it is quite clever, then the only remaining conclusion is that he is a troll. And you know the first unwritten rule of forums?

 

Don't feed the troll.

Edited 4 April, 2013 by Wes Tender

[NickG]

Nick, I think that you can accept that most reasonable posters on here have no difficulty in understanding the basis for the points you make and you put them across well. There is a handful of posters one here who have opinions so set in concrete that they just cannot accept those of others that are contrary to theirs. An immature part of their personality then has them dismiss those opposing views by use of insults and sarcasm. Best to ignore them, because as you rightly say, in the absence of any lack of clarity in the way that you express your opinions, the only reasonable alternatives are that the respondent is either thick or trolling. And you hit the nail on the head accusing Turkish of deliberately altering what you said in a vain attempt to either make you look stupid, or him clever. Don't worry about that; everybody knows how he operates, but as it is quite clever, then the only remaining conclusion is that he is a troll. And you know the first unwritten rule of forums?

 

Don't feed the troll.

 

As he has misrepresented me before I thought would give him the benefit of any doubt and make it crystal clear.

[studentsaint]

I think we can aim to emulate what west brim have done this season. Top half finish certainly should be the aim.

[tajjuk]

With this current squad keeping up their 2013 levels of performance top 10 ish. A few extra additions and a decent run somewhere then 6th or 7th. Think we would need a sensational season from someone like Gaston though (or half a season) like Cisse pushing Newcastle up the table last year.

[NickG]

This current squad looking good for next season....

 

Football starting to settle to teams rightful levels Last 8 games form...

 

Man U. 22 pts

Arsenal 19

Spurs 16

Liverpool 14

Man C 14

Saints 14

 

Surely you would have to be deluded to think this team won't be targeting top 6 and comfortably finish within top 12?

[ottery st mary]

Next season.... placing between 5th and 8th......is my wish/hope:D

 

Believe I said Champions this year.....So not always accccccurate:p

 

 

OR was it 10th -16th?

Edited 6 April, 2013 by ottery st mary

[SaintBobby]

We should really aim to finish in the top half now. I expected to come a cropper today, but our remaining fixtures aren't too tough - should definitely get 9 points and maybe as many as 13+.

 

Any other deluded people agree?

 

My only worry is we take our foot off the gas, which often seems to happen to teams who are safe(ish) in mid-table.

[rick1976.4.38]

We should really aim to finish in the top half now. I expected to come a cropper today, but our remaining fixtures aren't too tough - should definitely get 9 points and maybe as many as 13+.

 

Any other deluded people agree?

 

My only worry is we take our foot off the gas, which often seems to happen to teams who are safe(ish) in mid-table.

 

i only see us losing to spurs out of our remaining games

talking to a couple of chelsea mates and a manure they think we will be top 8 next season but also think we may lose pochettino to a more attractive club

[NickG]

i only see us losing to spurs out of our remaining games

talking to a couple of chelsea mates and a manure they think we will be top 8 next season but also think we may lose pochettino to a more attractive club

 

If we only lose to spurs we could well be top 8 this season.

[NickG]

Good to hear players targeting top 10 this season....shows how high target within the club would be with same squad next season

[The Kraken]

Good to hear players targeting top 10 this season....shows how high target within the club would be with same squad next season

 

Odd.

 

As our previous manager constantly used to bang on about; you can't stand still in football, you need to constantly try to improve. Quite why we'd be basing anything on not improving the squad over the summer is bizarre.

[Olallana]

Odd.

 

As our previous manager constantly used to bang on about; you can't stand still in football, you need to constantly try to improve. Quite why we'd be basing anything on not improving the squad over the summer is bizarre.

 

Not improving the squad?

 

You´d prefer Richardson over Clyne?

KD over Boruc?

Sharp over JRod?

 

So if we, in your view, would have improved the squad.....where would we be now in the table?

[The Kraken]

Not improving the squad?

 

You´d prefer Richardson over Clyne?

KD over Boruc?

Sharp over JRod?

 

So if we, in your view, would have improved the squad.....where would we be now in the table?

 

What on earth are you going on about? I genuinely don't understand your point.

[Matthew Le God]

Not improving the squad?

 

You´d prefer Richardson over Clyne?

KD over Boruc?

Sharp over JRod?

 

So if we, in your view, would have improved the squad.....where would we be now in the table?

 

The Kraken was talking about improving the squad in the summer of 2013, not what we did in the summer of 2012.

[Olallana]

My bad.

[studentsaint]

I bet a lot of teams that suffered second season syndrome were thinking similar things. It's important that we add a couple of quality editions and have a kinder start to next season. If we start like WH then we can really push on.

[Saint Garrett]

I bet a lot of teams that suffered second season syndrome were thinking similar things. It's important that we add a couple of quality editions and have a kinder start to next season. If we start like WH then we can really push on.

 

I see no reason why we can't push on next season as long as we keep this squad together, and add a few quality additions. Spurs is a good model to follow IMO. A few years ago they were a team who finished bottom of the tophalf on a regular basis. Yes obviously they're a bigger club than us, but they have a good model to follow.

[View From The Top]

Now we look safe investment in playing staff needs to be swift and only focused on our weak areas IMHO.

[Colinjb]

I bet a lot of teams that suffered second season syndrome were thinking similar things. It's important that we add a couple of quality editions and have a kinder start to next season. If we start like WH then we can really push on.

 

I would rather take West Brom as an inspiration. They had an awful start, nearly as bad as ours this term in their second year up. They pushed through it and had a wonderful year. Norwich have also avoided any real terrors. (They are not mathematically safe yet, but relegation would be improbably.)

 

Second season syndrome is not a concern for me.

[Saint Fan CaM]

If we don't strengthen the squad very early in the transfer window so we get a full summer of training camp in, then I'm afraid we will finish 17th. I know this because I found it out on this forum. I daren't disagree, because it might upset the apple-cart and we'll get relegated as a result - it's forum law.

[Professor]

We have to be realistic, remembering that other teams will have the same target of a top 6 finish. Its what makes the Premier League a competition. This season's top 6 will strengthen either to stay there or to improve and much of that will be splashing out fees well beyond what Southampton can afford, even if we spend big for us. Already, Chelsea, Man City and others are being linked with world class players as potential signings. Personally, I hope we don't go down that route and that we continue to look at bringing forward equal quality from the Academy with maybe a couple of signings to bridge the gap and to improve at CB. We have shown this year that some of these 'world stars' are quite ordinary against a team playing good football. On current form, its reasonable to expect a top half, or top 8, finish next year but its hard to make a strong prediction without knowing the strength of other squads and what our squad will look like for next year.

[Matthew Le God]

This season's top 6 will strengthen either to stay there or to improve and much of that will be splashing out fees well beyond what Southampton can afford, even if we spend big for us.

 

That doesn't really hold water, Everton are currently in the top 6 and Saints had a bigger spend and a bigger net spend than them this season. I think we also had a bigger net spend than Arsenal and Spurs.

 

What does "even if we spent big for us" in Summer 2013 mean? Saints were the 7th highest net spenders in the whole of European football last summer.

Edited 11 April, 2013 by Matthew Le God

[shurlock]

That doesn't really hold water, Everton are currently in the top 6 and Saints had a bigger spend and a bigger net spend than them this season.

 

What does this show? Its to be expected that a newly promoted side will spend more as there are more needs to fill.

 

Am sure Everton's net spend over the last few seasons ( e.g. Fellaini £15m in 2008 ) to build their current squad is much higher than ours and will remain higher even if we go on a shopping spree in the summer.

[NickG]

Odd.

 

As our previous manager constantly used to bang on about; you can't stand still in football, you need to constantly try to improve. Quite why we'd be basing anything on not improving the squad over the summer is bizarre.

 

I dont think its odd that team are aiming higher.

 

Be very surprised if there are no additions, first team level, for next season. Level of those will give good indication as to how high / how quickly club are aiming.

 

One thing which is hard to predict is when will top sides underperform?

[The9]

What is your personal view on a fair target league placing for this current squad next season?

 

As we sit 12th after the start we had, not having Yoshida, Ramirez and Boruc at start of season, rapid development of Clyne, Shaw, Rodriguez, plus players like Cork, Morgan, Puncheon, Ramirez, Lallana still under peak ages...

 

I would look at target of 6-9th with likely finish above 13th.

 

Turkish describes this as 'seriously deluded'. Maybe, but my opinion.

 

What are other's views?

 

With the current squad we'll finish about where we finish this season. Somewhere between 8th and 16th. With a massive spending bender on world class players we could break the top 8.

[The9]

Saints were the 7th highest net spenders in the whole of European football last summer.

 

Building from a base of Championship players.

[NickG]

Just in case Turkish is concerned that his arrogant dismissal of those daring to suggest top 12 NEXT season....

[Turkish]

Just in case Turkish is concerned that his arrogant dismissal of those daring to suggest top 12 NEXT season....

 

where did i dismiss a top 12 finish? quote me please.

[The Kraken]

NickG is very strange.

 

Targetting 6th place with this exact squad is folly. Doing it with 3 or 4 quality signings; possible but a bit of a stretch maybe.

[NickG]

NickG is very strange.

 

Targetting 6th place with this exact squad is folly. Doing it with 3 or 4 quality signings; possible but a bit of a stretch maybe.

 

Target (I.e. an aim, something to look towards) of 6-9th for next season, as we sit 11th, after poor start with late joining players / young squad, really ain't that strange!

 

You may think the club should aim lower than 6-9th, your opinion, which is fair enough.

[Turkish]

NickG is very strange.

 

Targetting 6th place with this exact squad is folly. Doing it with 3 or 4 quality signings; possible but a bit of a stretch maybe.

 

He's very strange isn't he, just seems to keep on making things up.

 

Anyway, on this very thread i said that with 3-4 quality additons then top 10 is very achievable. That's assuming we keep Boruc too. So not sure what NickG is on about.

 

For this current squad with no additons to finish top half you are going to need all of our key players to stay fit and in form for the whole season, not going to happen. Our first XI is decent when everyone is fit and in form like they are now but beneath that we dont have much strength in depth and it's all pretty much of a muchness. We only really have two decent central midfielders, I dont think any of our 4 centre backs would get into any team above 15th (maybe Yoshida at a push), I still dont think we should be relying on Shaw to play week in week out, we have no real natural wide players for the 2 wide attacking roles. We are 4 players away from being a top 10 squad, so not a million miles away but not there yet.

[The Kraken]

Target (I.e. an aim, something to look towards) of 6-9th for next season, as we sit 11th, after poor start with late joining players / young squad, really ain't that strange!

 

You may think the club should aim lower than 6-9th, your opinion, which is fair enough.

Or I may not think that. Probably best you stop attributing false opinions on others, it's a daft trait.

 

If you target something it should mean you think you have a genuine chance of achieving it. Not a one in a million chance, a realistic chance. Targetting sixth with this squad is unrealistic IMO. Targeting 6th with at least 3 or 4 quality additions is a more reasonable claim, depending on the quality of the additions.

Edited 15 April, 2013 by The Kraken

[SaintBobby]

He's very strange isn't he, just seems to keep on making things up.

 

Anyway, on this very thread i said that with 3-4 quality additons then top 10 is very achievable. That's assuming we keep Boruc too. So not sure what NickG is on about.

 

For this current squad with no additons to finish top half you are going to need all of our key players to stay fit and in form for the whole season, not going to happen. Our first XI is decent when everyone is fit and in form like they are now but beneath that we dont have much strength in depth and it's all pretty much of a muchness. We only really have two decent central midfielders, I dont think any of our 4 centre backs would get into any team above 15th (maybe Yoshida at a push), I still dont think we should be relying on Shaw to play week in week out, we have no real natural wide players for the 2 wide attacking roles. We are 4 players away from being a top 10 squad, so not a million miles away but not there yet.

 

= bactracking

[Turkish]

You've said it yourself Nick G, target 6th- 8th but REALISTICALLY we'll settle for 12th. What's the point of setting unrealistic targets then? Lets aim for 1st but settle for 12th. And then you go back to the more realistic posters who are aiming for 6th but settling for 12th, realistically. You couldn't make up that sort of logic!!

 

Anyway, back to the less deluded posters, yes we can finish top 10 with a 4 quality additions, but this squad, you know the one that is in a relegation battle and 4 points above the drop zone, isn't good enough to finish 6-8th, that might make me unrealistic but then again it probably doesn't as we're settling for 12th anyway aren't.

 

He's very strange isn't he, just seems to keep on making things up.

 

Anyway, on this very thread i said that with 3-4 quality additons then top 10 is very achievable. That's assuming we keep Boruc too. So not sure what NickG is on about.

 

For this current squad with no additons to finish top half you are going to need all of our key players to stay fit and in form for the whole season, not going to happen. Our first XI is decent when everyone is fit and in form like they are now but beneath that we dont have much strength in depth and it's all pretty much of a muchness. We only really have two decent central midfielders, I dont think any of our 4 centre backs would get into any team above 15th (maybe Yoshida at a push), I still dont think we should be relying on Shaw to play week in week out, we have no real natural wide players for the 2 wide attacking roles. We are 4 players away from being a top 10 squad, so not a million miles away but not there yet.

 

= bactracking

 

How so? Post 105 on this thread i say we can finish top 10 with 4 quality signings, then i say it again in the one you quote 12 days later. Please explain how this is backtracking.

[Gemmel]

First thought on all of this, is that there is still work to do this season. As for next season, before we look at making quality signings, our first task will be keeping the stand out performers of this season. For all the people that believe we are not a selling club and that throwing a bit more money at a certain player will be enough - It won't. Cylne, Shaw, Cork, Morgan, J Rod, Lambert etc. will all attract interest and bids. If a Chelsea or Utd come sniffing around it will be incredibly difficult if not impossible to keep them.