The Kraken Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 They've had a meaningless second half of the LEAGUE season. Have they balls. They've progressed as a club and still look likely for a top ten league finish which shows upward movement from last season. They also have a stadium expansion in the pipeline, which along with a decent league plaing and a really good manager will serve them well for attracting better players over the summer to improve further.
Wiggles31 Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 We will be spending big,Gastons record fee will be broken Sounds exciting. I for one prefer MP saying that then saying we'll aim to stay up. Exciting times ahead.
Cabrone Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Great to have the ambition and every club should have it but we'd need some serious money spent in the transfer market. At least 1 top class CB, a pacey goal hungry striker and a top class midfield general would be a start. I hope fans don't read this stuff and instantly expect top 4 next season, they could be in for disappointment if they do. Mid table and a good cup run with a season of decent football would be fine by me.
sotonist Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 No, you'll float through the horrendous vacuum of space until you starve, suffocate or freeze to death. as opposed to being stuck on the moon.
The Kraken Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 as opposed to being stuck on the moon. So basically aiming for the moon or hitting the stars is a suicide mission in either case. Perhaps not the best analogy then.
Glasgow_Saint Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 If he's serious about the champ league he needs to learn how to beat Swansea, WHU, Wigan, QPR, Everton, Norwich & Newcastle
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Never felt we had this ambition under Nige, good to hear if not a little pie in the sky.
The9 Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 It must be simply awful for them. I'm sure they're not too bothered, they won the League Cup. Lucky for them they were still in it, because their League season has been as dull as ours in 2002/3.
Saint Garrett Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 We will be spending big,Gastons record fee will be broken Alex song? Lol
Lighthouse Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Swansea win a trophy at Wembley in March and they've had a meaningless second half of the season. Fu ck me. Is this another one of those posts where you pretend not to understand what someone else is saying in order to support your argument. Just in case you really don't understand; I was talking about their league form. They've never been haunted by any threat of relegation right from day 1. On the other hand they've never really looked like troubling the top 6 either. I'm sure they're delighted with that, given how difficult the second season often is and having lost Rodgers to Liverpool. I don't really think you'd want too many seasons like that, hovering in midtable obscurity. You'd be in danger of ending up like Stoke. For years now they've been getting to the middle of April with Pulis saying, "oh well we're safe now." They stagnated like we did in our last couple of season and started to fall back behind other more ambitious clubs.
THEVMAN Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Alex song? Lol Who said it would be broken for him
Saint Garrett Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Who said it would be broken for him I like the sound of this....
buctootim Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 We will be spending big,Gastons record fee will be broken Not good news since the amount we spend on players seems to in inverse proportion to how much they play. Cant help but feel you get more value from well chosen players who have had a rough time elsewhere and are picked up for for not much, than some £16m signing that feels his agent should have got him Man City.
hackedoff Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 If Guly can hit a bit of form next season, then anythings possible !
brmbrm Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Is this another one of those posts where you pretend not to understand what someone else is saying in order to support your argument. Just in case you really don't understand; I was talking about their league form. They've never been haunted by any threat of relegation right from day 1. On the other hand they've never really looked like troubling the top 6 either. I'm sure they're delighted with that, given how difficult the second season often is and having lost Rodgers to Liverpool. I don't really think you'd want too many seasons like that, hovering in midtable obscurity. You'd be in danger of ending up like Stoke. For years now they've been getting to the middle of April with Pulis saying, "oh well we're safe now." They stagnated like we did in our last couple of season and started to fall back behind other more ambitious clubs. Well I'd take top 10 and a cup Based on recent performances we are mid table/lower top half. I'd rather set realsitic targets (top 10/top that are realistic. Unless Megabucks spent. Of course I haven't actually read the echo article, but they rarely get it right anyway, so thats irrelevenant.
CB Fry Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Is this another one of those posts where you pretend not to understand what someone else is saying in order to support your argument. Just in case you really don't understand; I was talking about their league form. They've never been haunted by any threat of relegation right from day 1. On the other hand they've never really looked like troubling the top 6 either. I'm sure they're delighted with that, given how difficult the second season often is and having lost Rodgers to Liverpool. I don't really think you'd want too many seasons like that, hovering in midtable obscurity. You'd be in danger of ending up like Stoke. For years now they've been getting to the middle of April with Pulis saying, "oh well we're safe now." They stagnated like we did in our last couple of season and started to fall back behind other more ambitious clubs. Hats off for completely belittling Swansea's achievement ("hovering in obscurity"? "don't want many seasons like that"?) while at the same time patronising Swansea's fans ("I'm sure they're delighted with that"). Little old pathetic Swansea getting all excited over winning a trophy, getting into Europe and being ninth. Bless them. Easily pleased. Well, I'd take "too many seasons like that". I'd take ten seasons in a row, right now, not even including a cup win. Aint many other clubs our size have done that. Probably Fulham are about the only one I can think of, and they've had relegation scraps anyway. The arrogance and sense of entitlement sweeping through this forum is pretty chilling actually.
Saint Benali Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Top 4 finish next season I think is a bit mental. But I guess it all depends on who we bring in. Spending loads does not guarantee success. It is all about who you bring in. Everton have shown you can compete for that 4th spot without spending loads. If we keep progressing and add quality to what we already have then I can see us competing in the future. But to expect it to happen next year is just setting yourself up to be disappointed.
sandwichsaint Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Probably the continued development of a very young and talented squad, with some top class signings to take us up to the next level. Our form since that awful first 10 games has pretty much matched Liverpool's. It's unlikely we will finish above them but it's got to be the ambition. If we are serious about any of this then Liverpool are a pretty good benchmark. There are 5 teams clearly above them and they compete with Everton for 6th/7th. What do we want our second season to look like? a) 'second season syndrome', fade away badly and have to scrap to stay up or possibly relegated b) about the same as this year, 'consolidation', finish comfortably-ish 'mid table' c) continue our momentum, we are on a mission, the next level is top-8, top-6, top 4. Judging him on his previous thoughts and deeds I would say NC is a c) man all day long, a) and b) are not on the agenda, next year's challenge is simple ... finish above Liverpool! I think we might just do that.
NickG Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Its excitement, optimism, enjoyment - more reality than the bed wetting moaning. Why shouldn't people be proud and big up their own club on their own club forum?
Jonnyboy Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 as opposed to being stuck on the moon. I just watched the film Iron Sky, apparently there is nazi base on the dark side of the moon and some of the fraulines are hot!
Lighthouse Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Well I'd take top 10 and a cup Based on recent performances we are mid table/lower top half. I'd rather set realsitic targets (top 10/top that are realistic. Unless Megabucks spent. Of course I haven't actually read the echo article, but they rarely get it right anyway, so thats irrelevenant. I'll answer your post, it's a lot less tedious than CB Fry's attempt. Of course I'd take top 10 and a cup win next season but we will need to aim high to be in the top half. For a start a cup win isn't something you can really aim for. A lot of it is pure luck. In 2003 we got to the final being drawn at home to crap teams in every round. However you could just as easily get a trip to Old Trafford in the 3rd round and you will probably lose that even if you spent £100m. If we stay where we are and finish 12th this year, is finishing 10th really all that of a target? Your basically aiming for another couple of wins in a whole year, which isn't really much of an improvement. If we were like Wigan, battling at the bottom and somehow stayed up on the last day of the season then 10th would be a decent target. Saints should be aiming higher than that. Everton are up there without really spending megabucks. Fellaini cost a bit but they bought Jelavic, Baines, Jagielka and Mirallas for less than Liverpool spent on Stewart Downing.
Saint Garrett Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Think a lot of it depends on how our players progress. We could have some "top 6" players in Boruc, Clyne, Shaw, Morgan, Cork, Gaston, Lallana and J-Rod. And the ever so consistent Lambert. If these younger lads keep pushing on and stay with us, then we've got the basis of a hugely talented squad who will be pushing for World Cup spots next year.
NickG Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 I'll answer your post, it's a lot less tedious than CB Fry's attempt. Of course I'd take top 10 and a cup win next season but we will need to aim high to be in the top half. For a start a cup win isn't something you can really aim for. A lot of it is pure luck. In 2003 we got to the final being drawn at home to crap teams in every round. However you could just as easily get a trip to Old Trafford in the 3rd round and you will probably lose that even if you spent £100m. If we stay where we are and finish 12th this year, is finishing 10th really all that of a target? Your basically aiming for another couple of wins in a whole year, which isn't really much of an improvement. If we were like Wigan, battling at the bottom and somehow stayed up on the last day of the season then 10th would be a decent target. Saints should be aiming higher than that. Everton are up there without really spending megabucks. Fellaini cost a bit but they bought Jelavic, Baines, Jagielka and Mirallas for less than Liverpool spent on Stewart Downing. Good post. After our start, players we have now (signings not available initially, young players developed during season - Shaw, Clyne, Jay-rod ) plus hopefully improvements as players mature and manager does what was hired for - should aim higher, despite Turkish's view even if we don't sign anyone
Saint86 Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Steve Keane said this last year about Blackburn You, and others like you are being pathetic? Did you grow up afraid to dream or something? What the hell is wrong with us aspiring to this? We have the best chairman in the league, have outplayed almost everyone since Poch has come in, and have a talented young squad that will get better... champions league is pushing the boat we all admit, as is europe.... but if a club like us can't go for it then who the hell should do? You forget teams like Ipswich and Newcastle who did it within one season of promotion. Swansea have done it via another route also. Stop being so negative ffs.
hypochondriac Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 You, and others like you are being pathetic? Did you grow up afraid to dream or something? What the hell is wrong with us aspiring to this? We have the best chairman in the league, have outplayed almost everyone since Poch has come in, and have a talented young squad that will get better... champions league is pushing the boat we all admit, as is europe.... but if a club like us can't go for it then who the hell should do? You forget teams like Ipswich and Newcastle who did it within one season of promotion. Swansea have done it via another route also. Stop being so negative ffs. Exactly. When man conquered Everest they said it couldn't be done. Negativity on here has been shown to have a direct effect on performances.
Sour Mash Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 I'll answer your post, it's a lot less tedious than CB Fry's attempt. Of course I'd take top 10 and a cup win next season but we will need to aim high to be in the top half. For a start a cup win isn't something you can really aim for. A lot of it is pure luck. In 2003 we got to the final being drawn at home to crap teams in every round. However you could just as easily get a trip to Old Trafford in the 3rd round and you will probably lose that even if you spent £100m. If we stay where we are and finish 12th this year, is finishing 10th really all that of a target? Your basically aiming for another couple of wins in a whole year, which isn't really much of an improvement. If we were like Wigan, battling at the bottom and somehow stayed up on the last day of the season then 10th would be a decent target. Saints should be aiming higher than that. Everton are up there without really spending megabucks. Fellaini cost a bit but they bought Jelavic, Baines, Jagielka and Mirallas for less than Liverpool spent on Stewart Downing. Cup wins are a lot more than pure luck. We're still a fair way from having a team as good as Everton's.
Sour Mash Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 You, and others like you are being pathetic? Did you grow up afraid to dream or something? What the hell is wrong with us aspiring to this? We have the best chairman in the league, have outplayed almost everyone since Poch has come in, and have a talented young squad that will get better... champions league is pushing the boat we all admit, as is europe.... but if a club like us can't go for it then who the hell should do? You forget teams like Ipswich and Newcastle who did it within one season of promotion. Swansea have done it via another route also. Stop being so negative ffs. We haven't beaten Norwich, Wigan, QPR, West Ham since Pochettino came in. Still lots of room for improvement before Champs League qualification.
sandwichsaint Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Cup wins are a lot more than pure luck. We're still a fair way from having a team as good as Everton's. I think the word you are looking for is Fallaini, when he plays they play, when he doesn't they are just another prem team; pound for pound we are not a million miles away from them now, some decent business in the summer (and Moyes moving on would help) and we could have their number next season.
Sour Mash Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 I think the word you are looking for is Fallaini, when he plays they play, when he doesn't they are just another prem team; pound for pound we are not a million miles away from them now, some decent business in the summer (and Moyes moving on would help) and we could have their number next season. Lots of ifs and buts. They're currently stronger than us and I see no reason why the shrewdest manager in the league won't strengthen again this summer.
Matthew Le God Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 (edited) Spend £150 mill and you may break the top 6 Did Everton spend £150m? Did Newcastle spent £150m? etc etc In any case Saints spent close to £40m in 2012/13, plus had a number of players in the squad already worth a great deal of money before the summer of 2012 spending spree - Shaw, Lambert, Lallana, Schneiderlin, Cork. Edited 26 April, 2013 by Matthew Le God
Lighthouse Posted 25 April, 2013 Posted 25 April, 2013 Cup wins are a lot more than pure luck. We're still a fair way from having a team as good as Everton's. Not really. Since our dreadful start we've basically matched Liverpool and Everton's form. To be precise, we've dropped 4 points vs. Each of them in the last 5 and 1/2 months. http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html?season=2012-2013&month=NOVEMBER&timelineView=date&toDate=1352159999999&tableView=CURRENT_STANDINGS That's the league table after our game at West Brom on 5th November.
Turkish Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 Hats off for completely belittling Swansea's achievement ("hovering in obscurity"? "don't want many seasons like that"?) while at the same time patronising Swansea's fans ("I'm sure they're delighted with that"). Little old pathetic Swansea getting all excited over winning a trophy, getting into Europe and being ninth. Bless them. Easily pleased. Well, I'd take "too many seasons like that". I'd take ten seasons in a row, right now, not even including a cup win. Aint many other clubs our size have done that. Probably Fulham are about the only one I can think of, and they've had relegation scraps anyway. The arrogance and sense of entitlement sweeping through this forum is pretty chilling actually. Hilarious isn't it. Only last week we were told we should aim for 6-9th, but settle for 12th. now Swansea will than likely achieve up aim, as well as win a trophy we have never won and qualify for Europe its belittled as half meaningless season. Lets see how many of the divs on here claim we have a meaningless season next year should we finish 6-9th, you know our target position, the one where we so would really announce our arrival in the big time, but wait. Surely finsihing 6-9th is meaningless, I mean, we'll never seriously challenge for the champions league or be threated by relegation in these positions, what at awful, boring season fullfilling this forums targets would be. I'm never ceased to be amazed by the sh*t on here.
pangy Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 Did Everton spend £150m? Did Newcastle spent £150m? etc etc In any case Saints spent close to £40m in 2012/13, plus had a number of players in the squad already worth a great deal of money before the summer of 2012 spending spree - Shaw, Lambert, Lallana, Schneiderlin. We spent £40 mill and look where we are in the league?? A couple of losses and we are going to start dropping. We would literally need 8-9 top quality players as direct replacements or as decent cover to even think about competing at the top end. I would love to see us as a real established prem team,but I am a realist and I think the best we can hope for is mid table for the next couple of seasons
Matthew Le God Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 We spent £40 mill and look where we are in the league?? A couple of losses and we are going to start dropping. We would literally need 8-9 top quality players as direct replacements or as decent cover to even think about competing at the top end. I would love to see us as a real established prem team,but I am a realist and I think the best we can hope for is mid table for the next couple of seasons Our form since the squad adapted to the Premier League in the beginning of November has been that of a top 7 team. As a newly promoted side we have a good chance of a top 10 finish in our first season back, I doubt Cortese will be happy to settle for the same again next season. He brought in Pochettino for a reason, that reason is unlikely to be because he is happy to see mid table mediocrity year after year. If we can come mid table in our first season when it took 10 games to get going (1 win, 1 draw, 8 defeats and 28 goals conceded in those opening 10 games), imagine what we'd do with more investment this summer, a pre-season with the squad for Pochettino and a squad now already adapted to life in the Premier from day one of the season. We should (in theory) have a better season next season.
Sour Mash Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 Our form since the squad adapted to the Premier League in the beginning of November has been that of a top 7 team. As a newly promoted side we have a good chance of a top 10 finish in our first season back, I doubt Cortese will be happy to settle for the same again next season. He brought in Pochettino for a reason, that reason is unlikely to be because he is happy to see mid table mediocrity year after year. If we can come mid table in our first season when it took 10 games to get going (1 win, 1 draw, 8 defeats and 28 goals conceded in those opening 10 games), imagine what we'd do with more investment this summer, a pre-season with the squad for Pochettino and a squad now already adapted to life in the Premier from day one of the season. We should (in theory) have a better season next season. So what do you think Cortese would accept as a successful season next year?
MOSaint Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 Spend 50m net in the summer and there's an outside chance we could mount a challenge for 6th. Important to remember that in addition to having a much weaker first 11, the depth of our squad is a joke compared to the likes of Chelsea/Spurs/Arsenal/Everton/Liverpool.
Pilchards Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 Spend 50m net in the summer and there's an outside chance we could mount a challenge for 6th. Important to remember that in addition to having a much weaker first 11, the depth of our squad is a joke compared to the likes of Chelsea/Spurs/Arsenal/Everton/Liverpool. I expect they hope the youth players will make it a good squad with a few good additions from elsewhere. IMHO it's not about spending 50m as I would rather have two Jay Rod's than one Ramirez.
CB Fry Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 Hilarious isn't it. Only last week we were told we should aim for 6-9th, but settle for 12th. now Swansea will than likely achieve up aim, as well as win a trophy we have never won and qualify for Europe its belittled as half meaningless season. Lets see how many of the divs on here claim we have a meaningless season next year should we finish 6-9th, you know our target position, the one where we so would really announce our arrival in the big time, but wait. Surely finsihing 6-9th is meaningless, I mean, we'll never seriously challenge for the champions league or be threated by relegation in these positions, what at awful, boring season fullfilling this forums targets would be. I'm never ceased to be amazed by the sh*t on here. There seems to be a deranged obsession on here about what "we" should "aim" for, coupled with the usual "shoot for the moon" rent a quote. When it doesn't matter what "we" (people on here) aim for. People on here saying we should go for fourth doesn't actually mean the team will then more likely finish ninth. People on here saying "try and stay up first" won't actually get us relegated. I refer you to our chum Lighthouse who despite his sneering and blustering about how finishing ninth and winning a cup is "obscurity" and "wouldn't want many seasons like that"....is now suddenly saying that would be fine for us next season after all. Oh, good. Me too. So what exactly are these people drivelling about?
trousers Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 There seems to be a deranged obsession on here about what "we" should "aim" for, coupled with the usual "shoot for the moon" rent a quote. When it doesn't matter what "we" (people on here) aim for. People on here saying we should go for fourth doesn't actually mean the team will then more likely finish ninth. People on here saying "try and stay up first" won't actually get us relegated. I refer you to our chum Lighthouse who despite his sneering and blustering about how finishing ninth and winning a cup is "obscurity" and "wouldn't want many seasons like that"....is now suddenly saying that would be fine for us next season after all. Oh, good. Me too. So what exactly are these people drivelling about? What this forum is lacking is more people like your good self to highlight the ridiculous views of some on here. If we had more people constantly highlighting the drivel every five minutes it would fizzle out and we could get back to discussing sensible stuff.
brett24 Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 There is still a chance we could be relegated this season so I wouldn't be speaking about a top 4 finish in the Prem as we could be in the Championship. If we lose tomorrow and Wigan and Villa win we are back in a relegation scrap.
pangy Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 I expect they hope the youth players will make it a good squad with a few good additions from elsewhere. IMHO it's not about spending 50m as I would rather have two Jay Rod's than one Ramirez. If you expect us to buy proven young players you will be spending Gaston fees Ince,Phillips,Astori etc etc Granted our form since Mo has come in has been top 7 material but we to expect us to carry that on next season without strengthening significantly is a bit naive,a few injuries and the squad is stretched Imo we need 1x top quality CB ( Forren has not entirely convinced me) 1x LB 1 x RB ( as back up for Clyne/ Shaw) 1 quality Winger maybe 2 And maybe even another CM If you are looking for top 6 finish these players will not come cheap you could easily be spending 50-60-70 mill Unless Mayuka and Forren come through with the goods we will be looking at a very active window
alpine_saint Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 I seem to recall reading somewhere that survival is even more difficult in the second season following promotion than the first, since the euphoria of the promotion itself and motivation to punch-above-weight as plucky little club promoted has then well-and-truly worn off. For me, survival next season re-instates us to the PL Regulars club, by then stadium expansion (or not) will probably be decided, and then we can set targets to push-on for.
iansums Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 There is still a chance we could be relegated this season so I wouldn't be speaking about a top 4 finish in the Prem as we could be in the Championship. If we lose tomorrow and Wigan and Villa win we are back in a relegation scrap. You'll probably get shot down for that comment but I agree with you totally.
Ken Tone Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 “Always aim for the Moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” Although by the time you do, you will have long since run out of oxygen, food and water!
Fan The Flames Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 Look what the Echo has started, Turkish and his muppets will sneer this out at every opportunity next season when we sign someone or lose a game.
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 26 April, 2013 Posted 26 April, 2013 Um ... So we're convinced are we that spending a absolute fortune chasing a mad dream of the Champions League is a sensible and sustainable way to run a middle sized regional football club? You never see Peter Ridsdale and Nicola Cortese together in the same room do you ... When the money runs out - and rest assured it will one day - this is all going to end in tears.
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