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Over-zealous Expectations...


Dibden Purlieu Saint
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I've noticed a lot towards the end of the season a number of threads criticising the way we are playing. However, like yesterday, we are tending to dominate games, even away from home. Take yesterday for example. 65% possessiom and 19 shots to 6, away from home at a rival club. For me the only thing I can see missing is goals.

 

So I ask, is it reasonable to expect us to dominate away games in the Premier League, or is it something that a few years of winning and winning well have spoilt us in relation to the performances expected? Personally, I think so.

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IMHO, people do tend to base their view of the performance too much on the actual result.

 

It's hard not to, of course - especially towards the end of the season when everyone gets nervous (e.g. losing 3-2 to Man City on the opening day was generally seen as encouraging, but losing 1 nil to Spurs 9 days ago as pretty disastrous).

 

The same applies to the press too. If we win a game having played averagely, you tend to find our players getting 7s or 8s out of ten. If we lose, having played well, players suddenly start to get 5s and 6s for no apparent reason.

 

Yes, yes, I know that ultimately the game is all about scoring more goals than your opponents and all the stats stuff (possession, shots on goal, shots on target, pass completion rate, successful tackles etc) doesn't formally "count", but it is well worth looking at to work out a team's likely future performances. (A good case this year is when Reading went on that mental run of scoring goals in the last few minutes of several games but their overall stats still looked ropey, sure enough they couldn't continue such a flukey run forever and they went on to sink without trace).

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Definitely. People moan that we beat Chelsea, Liverpool and City but that we lost to QPR and WBA as if we are expected to win them all.

 

and then call said teams of big clubs 'arrogant' for expecting to beat us

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Agree. I always try to watch the game a second or sometimes even a third time to get the proper analyze of it cause when you watch the game live you are nervous as a fan and dont look at the details the same way IMO.

 

But hey, that´s being a fan too of course and what would the game be without the nerves...?

 

But for proper analyze of the game you need to watch them over a second time IMO.

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I've noticed a lot towards the end of the season a number of threads criticising the way we are playing. However, like yesterday, we are tending to dominate games, even away from home. Take yesterday for example. 65% possessiom and 19 shots to 6, away from home at a rival club. For me the only thing I can see missing is goals.

 

So I ask, is it reasonable to expect us to dominate away games in the Premier League, or is it something that a few years of winning and winning well have spoilt us in relation to the performances expected? Personally, I think so.

 

I don't necessarily think it is over zealous expectations as much as reacting to the result rather than the performance.

 

As we know from this site, many people completely ignore the performance and react entirely based on the result.

 

Win = brilliant

Loss = ****

Draw = Ok but could do better

 

We haven't won for a while so the general feeling is negative whereas when we won a few in a row, we were going to qualify for the champions league next season.

 

I am surprised that we have so many Saints fans that seem to care only about the result as you would have thought they would be better off supporting a Man United or Chelsea where wins are more likely. Of course we have more than our fair share of those that are only happy when they are moaning and disappointed - that's the bit I can't get my head around.

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4 wins from 15 tells its own story.

 

Pinocchio earned praise in Spain as Espanyol played good football - people seemed to ignore the fact that his team were rock bottom of the league and had 2 wins in 25 (or something similar)

 

Would you prefer to play the pretty stuff ala Wigan and get relegated or play "hoof" ala WHU + Stoke and finsih mid table?

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4 wins from 15 tells its own story.

 

Pinocchio earned praise in Spain as Espanyol played good football - people seemed to ignore the fact that his team were rock bottom of the league and had 2 wins in 25 (or something similar)

 

Would you prefer to play the pretty stuff ala Wigan and get relegated or play "hoof" ala WHU + Stoke and finsih mid table?

 

Or play the pretty stuff like Swansea, and finish top half? I don't think we're far away from that.

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Don't think it's about expecting or demanding to dominate, more about seizing the opportunity when dominating. Can't control the game like that every week, but when we do, we need to take advantage of it and win the game. The poor performances and losses will happen to most teams, but it doesn't matter so much if you're winning when playing well.

 

This.

 

We were arguably the better team against West Ham, Swansea, Sunderland and Spurs in recent weeks but have gained just 3 points from those games. We need to take our chances better and create more from our generally good play.

 

4 wins from 15 tells its own story.

 

Pinocchio earned praise in Spain as Espanyol played good football - people seemed to ignore the fact that his team were rock bottom of the league and had 2 wins in 25 (or something similar)

 

Would you prefer to play the pretty stuff ala Wigan and get relegated or play "hoof" ala WHU + Stoke and finsih mid table?

 

 

He also managed successive mid table finishes with virtually no budget and having his best players sold.

 

Also 'hoof' Stoke have been in the premiership for four seasons now and spent close to a £100 million, they currently sit just a mere point above us and will drop below us if we win next week.

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I don't necessarily think it is over zealous expectations as much as reacting to the result rather than the performance.

 

As we know from this site, many people completely ignore the performance and react entirely based on the result.

 

Win = brilliant

Loss = ****

Draw = Ok but could do better

 

We haven't won for a while so the general feeling is negative whereas when we won a few in a row, we were going to qualify for the champions league next season.

 

I am surprised that we have so many Saints fans that seem to care only about the result as you would have thought they would be better off supporting a Man United or Chelsea where wins are more likely. Of course we have more than our fair share of those that are only happy when they are moaning and disappointed - that's the bit I can't get my head around.

 

Maybe because the "moaners" care deeply about the club and can see through all the ****e?

 

 

I will be happier than all when we

 

don't sell our best players or any players we require

improve year on year with quality signings

 

 

Not too much with all the promises that have been made to us?

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Maybe because the "moaners" care deeply about the club and can see through all the ****e?

 

 

I will be happier than all when we

 

don't sell our best players or any players we require

improve year on year with quality signings

 

 

Not too much with all the promises that have been made to us?

 

Appreciate that you care about the club, as we all do on here by and large.

 

But i'm not totally sure what promises you feel haven't been delivered on over the past few years, given that we have won back to back promotions playing some exciting stuff, made it to the Prem from League One in rapid time, continued to play some nice football in the Prem, held our own to stay up, and turned over a few of the big boys along the way.

 

Over the past three years the only player we have lost who we would really want to keep was AOC, but we weren't in the top flight and got a huge offer for a player who hadn't even played in the Championship that we would have been crazy to turn down. The test will be with the like of keeping Clyne, Shaw and Morgan this year, which i am hopeful we will do.

 

Think we have improved year on year - have signed some not so great players along the way - but the likes of Lambert and Fonte took us to a different level to begin with, then people like Jos, Cork, Sharp in the championship did the same, and i'm in the camp that the likes of Gaston and JRod, Clyne, Boruc and Maya have improved us again this time round.

 

Overall, i'm happy and find it hard to comprehend why people have anything more than minor gripes about things we could do a little better, particularly after we just confirmed our spot in the Prem for next season and seem to have an exciting summer ahead.

 

But that's just me...

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Maybe because the "moaners" care deeply about the club and can see through all the ****e?

 

 

I will be happier than all when we

 

don't sell our best players or any players we require

improve year on year with quality signings

 

 

Not too much with all the promises that have been made to us?

 

Yes, it is too much. And I don't think there have been "promises", just plans and aspirations.

 

We aren't going to continually improve "year on year". Going from 24th in League One to finishing c.14th in the Premiership in 4 years is amazing - 58 places in 4 years. On that trajectory, we win the Premiership next season, which ain't going to happen.

 

With the right investment, we could probably stabilise as a club typically finishing somewhere between 6th and 12th. But that was as good as it was ever going to get.

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Appreciate that you care about the club, as we all do on here by and large.

 

But i'm not totally sure what promises you feel haven't been delivered on over the past few years, given that we have won back to back promotions playing some exciting stuff, made it to the Prem from League One in rapid time, continued to play some nice football in the Prem, held our own to stay up, and turned over a few of the big boys along the way.

 

Over the past three years the only player we have lost who we would really want to keep was AOC, but we weren't in the top flight and got a huge offer for a player who hadn't even played in the Championship that we would have been crazy to turn down. The test will be with the like of keeping Clyne, Shaw and Morgan this year, which i am hopeful we will do.

 

Think we have improved year on year - have signed some not so great players along the way - but the likes of Lambert and Fonte took us to a different level to begin with, then people like Jos, Cork, Sharp in the championship did the same, and i'm in the camp that the likes of Gaston and JRod, Clyne, Boruc and Maya have improved us again this time round.

 

Overall, i'm happy and find it hard to comprehend why people have anything more than minor gripes about things we could do a little better, particularly after we just confirmed our spot in the Prem for next season and seem to have an exciting summer ahead.

 

But that's just me...

 

This is the most important pre season now for a long time, the statements of intent about European football and improving the squad and not selling players is about to become to a head, all the promises of keeping players and all the promises of European football becomes ******** as he walks out as he is given no money, what a ****ing damp squib that is so typical if true of our team, the Sheffield Wednesday of the South.

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Appreciate that you care about the club, as we all do on here by and large.

 

But i'm not totally sure what promises you feel haven't been delivered on over the past few years, given that we have won back to back promotions playing some exciting stuff, made it to the Prem from League One in rapid time, continued to play some nice football in the Prem, held our own to stay up, and turned over a few of the big boys along the way.

 

Over the past three years the only player we have lost who we would really want to keep was AOC, but we weren't in the top flight and got a huge offer for a player who hadn't even played in the Championship that we would have been crazy to turn down. The test will be with the like of keeping Clyne, Shaw and Morgan this year, which i am hopeful we will do.

 

Think we have improved year on year - have signed some not so great players along the way - but the likes of Lambert and Fonte took us to a different level to begin with, then people like Jos, Cork, Sharp in the championship did the same, and i'm in the camp that the likes of Gaston and JRod, Clyne, Boruc and Maya have improved us again this time round.

 

Overall, i'm happy and find it hard to comprehend why people have anything more than minor gripes about things we could do a little better, particularly after we just confirmed our spot in the Prem for next season and seem to have an exciting summer ahead.

 

But that's just me...

 

Sums it up very well for me

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Yes, it is too much. And I don't think there have been "promises", just plans and aspirations.

 

We aren't going to continually improve "year on year". Going from 24th in League One to finishing c.14th in the Premiership in 4 years is amazing - 58 places in 4 years. On that trajectory, we win the Premiership next season, which ain't going to happen.

 

With the right investment, we could probably stabilise as a club typically finishing somewhere between 6th and 12th. But that was as good as it was ever going to get.

 

So European football and Champions League is out the question (what did Pochettino say the other week?), I have been saving up all my holidays for a consistent European adventure......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No no I haven't, I haven't believed it for a minute.

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This is the most important pre season now for a long time, the statements of intent about European football and improving the squad and not selling players is about to become to a head, all the promises of keeping players and all the promises of European football becomes ******** as he walks out as he is given no money, what a ****ing damp squib that is so typical if true of our team, the Sheffield Wednesday of the South.

 

It's not the most important pre-season for a long time.

 

I'd say it's probably less important than the last three pre-seasons.

 

I don't know when you think European football was "promised". Must have missed that announcement on the OS.

Edited by SaintBobby
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Appreciate that you care about the club, as we all do on here by and large.

 

But i'm not totally sure what promises you feel haven't been delivered on over the past few years, given that we have won back to back promotions playing some exciting stuff, made it to the Prem from League One in rapid time, continued to play some nice football in the Prem, held our own to stay up, and turned over a few of the big boys along the way.

 

Over the past three years the only player we have lost who we would really want to keep was AOC, but we weren't in the top flight and got a huge offer for a player who hadn't even played in the Championship that we would have been crazy to turn down. The test will be with the like of keeping Clyne, Shaw and Morgan this year, which i am hopeful we will do.

 

Think we have improved year on year - have signed some not so great players along the way - but the likes of Lambert and Fonte took us to a different level to begin with, then people like Jos, Cork, Sharp in the championship did the same, and i'm in the camp that the likes of Gaston and JRod, Clyne, Boruc and Maya have improved us again this time round.

 

Overall, i'm happy and find it hard to comprehend why people have anything more than minor gripes about things we could do a little better, particularly after we just confirmed our spot in the Prem for next season and seem to have an exciting summer ahead.

 

But that's just me...

 

:adore:

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Maybe because the "moaners" care deeply about the club and can see through all the ****e?

 

 

I will be happier than all when we

 

don't sell our best players or any players we require

improve year on year with quality signings

 

 

Not too much with all the promises that have been made to us?

 

I think the problem is that the moaners tend to be those that display the most wumming traits, which means for the most part they are dismissed as Saints fans, you included.

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I am happy, we are guarenteed (as good as) at least 17th. We are going to get another great lump of cash from the new sky deal next year. We have played some brilliant football. we have a team that is committed to the cause (signing 5 years deals etc). and all that on the back of successive promotions and one trophy. Life is pretty good at the moment.

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It's not the most important pre-season for a long time.

 

I'd say it's probably less important than the last three pre-seasons.

 

I don't know when you think European football was "promised". Must have missed that announcement on the OS.

 

The clappers believed it? Surely they cant be wrong, Pochettino states it

http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/25/mauricio-pochettino-southampton-can-be-playing-champions-league-football-in-under-two-years-3667135/

 

 

Nicky boy states it to Adkins,

 

"What we've got to do is make sure we're ambitious in the Premier League and not just go there and think 'oh, well if we can just get enough points to stay up then that will be successful'.

 

"We've got to drive on, strive to be the best and Europe is obviously the goal. We can draw inspiration from Norwich and Swansea last season in how they acquitted themselves.

 

"Southampton Football Club ultimately have got to be in the division to get into Europe and ultimately have the dream of winning the division."

 

Such ambitions will surprise many and when asked whether Europe was a realistic target this season, Adkins added: "Well, that is the vision and the dream you have to strive to keep improving for.

 

"The training facilities have improved and are improving. The stadium has improved and will keep improving. The standard of the players has improved and will keep improving.

 

"The ambition is very, very high. You have to be realistic as well, but you've got to reach for the top."

 

 

 

 

Us realists dont lie, we wait.

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I think the problem is that the moaners tend to be those that display the most wumming traits, which means for the most part they are dismissed as Saints fans, you included.

 

A wumming trait is more often and conveniently see as exactly that when its far from it, the clappers simply cant see or wont see the wood for the trees.

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A wumming trait is more often and conveniently see as exactly that when its far from it, the clappers simply cant see or wont see the wood for the trees.

 

who ever your original log in is, why do you bother supporting saints.

we are crap, the players we buy are crap, anyone who thinks we are a decent team is a stupid clapper

 

why bother, why pay a £5er to wind people up?

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A wumming trait is more often and conveniently see as exactly that when its far from it, the clappers simply cant see or wont see the wood for the trees.

 

You just whine. That's not an opinion it's just an annoying noise. As soon as your whine gets found out you move the goal posts and whine about something else.

 

You criticise our transfers yet our transfers have been good enough to keep us in the league. You criticise Cortese yet he's consistently been proven right when you whiners have been consistently been shown as nothing but whingers.

 

We were definitely going down, now we are safe you start whining about something else.

 

It's hilarious that describe yourself as a realist when you completely ignore reality. Case in point is that article you quoted. Saint Bobby highlighted at no point has European football been PROMISED yet you go and quote an article that entirely talks about hopes and ambitions, yet at no point PROMISES anything or even suggests we will achieve anything like that.

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You just whine. That's not an opinion it's just an annoying noise. As soon as your whine gets found out you move the goal posts and whine about something else.

 

You criticise our transfers yet our transfers have been good enough to keep us in the league. You criticise Cortese yet he's consistently been proven right when you whiners have been consistently been shown as nothing but whingers.

 

We were definitely going down, now we are safe you start whining about something else.

 

It's hilarious that describe yourself as a realist when you completely ignore reality. Case in point is that article you quoted. Saint Bobby highlighted at no point has European football been PROMISED yet you go and quote an article that entirely talks about hopes and ambitions, yet at no point PROMISES anything or even suggests we will achieve anything like that.

 

So I dismiss that ambition as nothing than ambition and get cast as a doubter? So be it, its not like others premiership sides are thinking of investing millions in getting into Europe, what revolutionary thinking and what a statement.

The club is striving for European football, well I should hope so, its kind of obvious, no back it up.

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who ever your original log in is, why do you bother supporting saints.

we are crap, the players we buy are crap, anyone who thinks we are a decent team is a stupid clapper

 

why bother, why pay a £5er to wind people up?

 

I am not I am giving my opinion, we have 8/9 Premeirship quality players, some squad players and thats it, to progress we need to spend millions, thats my opinion.

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I am not I am giving my opinion, we have 8/9 Premeirship quality players, some squad players and thats it, to progress we need to spend millions, thats my opinion.

 

then why do you whine on every thread

a prem club needing to spend millions in hardly news

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