Positivity. Blind optimism or great things happening?

[georgeweahscousin]

It feels pretty good being a Saints fan at the moment, so much so that I wrote these two articles this week:-

 

http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/19/saints-man-finally-gets-england-call-up-and-its-not-a-player-3889194/

 

&

 

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/southampton/id/760?cc=5739

 

Considering we hear a lot of rumours of people being upset at the club, I think it shows that a lot of people are really enjoying their time there. This feels like a club where anyone from the players to the 'behind the scenes' staff can make a name for themselves.

 

Am I suffering from blind optimism or does being a Saints fan feel like a privileged position now?

Edited 20 July, 2013 by georgeweahscousin

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

The sun is shinning and our already pretty decent squad is strengthening further. For perhaps the first time in our top flight history Saints fans can look forward to the new season with a realistic sense of optimism. Our painfully ambitious chairman is actually achieving his ambition of rubbing shoulders with the elite of the world game - his invitation to the party written upon the back of a lorryload of (semi-extorted) Liebherr cash. And who amongst us could blame him, afterall spending other peoples money has always been the most intoxicating of prospects has it not? So all is well with Southampton Football Club then ...

 

It seems to me that 'living the dream' is all well and good, but dreams are for those who sleep and the time will come when the sleeper must awaken. In the harsh light of day, when the money runs out (and it will), SFC will remain the middle sized regional football club it has always been. A middling club that (like many before it) has unsustainably spent way beyond its means trying to turn itself into something it fundamentally can never be. There will be consequences of course, because any individual or organisation that pretends to be something it is not is heading for a fall in my experience.

 

So we can only enjoy it while it lasts I suppose, because the summer is short and winter approaches. But let's not kid ourselves too much because somewhere deep down inside we all know this is going to end in tears one day don't we?

[Glasgow_Saint]

Good article Chris

[hypochondriac]

Couple of decent signings so far. Pretty happy with how things are going but will reserve judgement for a few weeks until I can see what other players we can get.

[Dig Dig]

Couple of decent signings so far. Pretty happy with how things are going but will reserve judgement for a few weeks until I can see what other players we can get.

 

Seems you spend your entire time on here reserving judgement about something or other.

[hypochondriac]

Seems you spend your entire time on here reserving judgement about something or other.

 

Thanks for the input.

[Saint Charlie]

Seems you spend your entire time on here reserving judgement about something or other.

 

Basically it's "While things are going well I will reserve judgement....once there's a hint of anything bad, then I will judge."

 

Classic warped mindset of the lunatic fringe on here.

[The Kraken]

Can't see much wrong with reserving judgement about our transfer activity right now. Firstly the window is still open and we'll probably bring in more players. Secondly, most of us haven't seen much of our acquisitions in action on the pitch. Making a snap judgement about them now rather than after seeing them over a course of games would be premature. So a slightly strange criticism to make, I feel.

[NickG]

People will have differing levels of excitement or optimism but at least everyone can be pretty relaxed.

 

Squad we finished season with was a decent mid table one.

 

No key player left.

 

Shaw signed up.

 

Likely most players improving.

 

Two signings who fans of higher clubs wanted.

 

If window shut now we couldn't complain.

[Wes Tender]

The sun is shinning and our already pretty decent squad is strengthening further. For perhaps the first time in our top flight history Saints fans can look forward to the new season with a realistic sense of optimism. Our painfully ambitious chairman is actually achieving his ambition of rubbing shoulders with the elite of the world game - his invitation to the party written upon the back of a lorryload of (semi-extorted) Liebherr cash. And who amongst us could blame him, afterall spending other peoples money has always been the most intoxicating of prospects has it not? So all is well with Southampton Football Club then ...

 

It seems to me that 'living the dream' is all well and good, but dreams are for those who sleep and the time will come when the sleeper must awaken. In the harsh light of day, when the money runs out (and it will), SFC will remain the middle sized regional football club it has always been. A middling club that (like many before it) has unsustainably spent way beyond its means trying to turn itself into something it fundamentally can never be. There will be consequences of course, because any individual or organisation that pretends to be something it is not is heading for a fall in my experience.

 

So we can only enjoy it while it lasts I suppose, because the summer is short and winter approaches. But let's not kid ourselves too much because somewhere deep down inside we all know this is going to end in tears one day don't we?

 

No, perhaps the dream is that we will always remain the middle sized regional football club. The waking reality is that for the first time in our history we are starting to advance beyond that. I don't see us particularly spending way beyond our means. Neither is it necessarily the case that if the Liebherrs lost interest in us, that we wouldn't be taken over by somebody else equally as wealthy who would continue to build on the strong foundations that we are establishing right now. I know that some feel that as we are little old Southampton, we cannot dare to harbour ambitions to rub shoulders with the big boys, but even their fortunes wax and wane. None of us can predict with any certainty where this ambitious charge will lead us eventually and whether it is sustainable over a long period.

[krissyboy31]

People will have differing levels of excitement or optimism but at least everyone can be pretty relaxed.

 

Squad we finished season with was a decent mid table one.

 

No key player left.

 

Shaw signed up.

 

Likely most players improving.

 

Two signings who fans of higher clubs wanted.

 

If window shut now we couldn't complain.

 

I think defensively we are stronger but scoring goals and creating chances my be harder this time around, which is why we need a decent striker and probably a decent winger to better what we did last year, IMO.

[The Kraken]

I think defensively we are stronger but scoring goals and creating chances my be harder this time around, which is why we need a decent striker and probably a decent winger to better what we did last year, IMO.

Correct. I get the feeling that a lot of defences will have worked Lambert out and we also need another more mobile option up front. A new striker is still a priority for me, and if we could add a pacy wide player that would be a very good summer window.

[Saint Charlie]

Correct. I get the feeling that a lot of defences will have worked Lambert out and we also need another more mobile option up front. A new striker is still a priority for me, and if we could add a pacy wide player that would be a very good summer window.

 

Agree, Banega would also add creativity. I think Rodriguez will also have a big season and if we can get Ramirez firing too then we would have a decent side.

[hypochondriac]

I'm still unsure about our defence. Imo we need a rb and another CB.

[The Kraken]

I'm still unsure about our defence. Imo we need a rb and another CB.

Don't agree about RB, Clyne is quality there and needs to be the first choice, and we have enough cover there IMO. I would like another CB as I don't think Yoshida, Hooiveld and Fonte are top 8-10 starting quality players. Don't think it'll happen though.

[Professor]

I'm still unsure about our defence. Imo we need a rb and another CB.

On paper you would think the defence could be improved but the back four played very well from January onwards and with the addition of Lovren it looks strong. Also we have got Stephens who must be ready to take his chance when it comes. I thought the weakness in the latter part of the season when we did drop too many points was the failure to score enough goals. Wanyama might make up for the deficiency in goals from midfield but another striker or a speedy wide man would be my priorities rather than the defence.

[Turkish]

People will have differing levels of excitement or optimism but at least everyone can be pretty relaxed.

 

Squad we finished season with was a decent mid table one.

 

No key player left.

 

Shaw signed up.

 

Likely most players improving.

 

Two signings who fans of higher clubs wanted.

 

If window shut now we couldn't complain.

 

How good is it now? It was good enough for 6th on April so with Wanyama and lovern signed up how many places higher should be good enough for and settle for?

[Saint Charlie]

Don't agree about RB, Clyne is quality there and needs to be the first choice, and we have enough cover there IMO. I would like another CB as I don't think Yoshida, Hooiveld and Fonte are top 8-10 starting quality players. Don't think it'll happen though.

 

Yeah Chambers will be 2nd RB I guess, no point blocking his path.

[Batman]

Yeah Chambers will be 2nd RB I guess, no point blocking his path.

 

I think you could be right. another RB may well come from within. Fair play if so

[Saint Charlie]

I think you could be right. another RB may well come from within. Fair play if so

 

No point talking about promoting academy players and then putting a cover player in front of an Eng U19 star!

[NickG]

I think defensively we are stronger but scoring goals and creating chances my be harder this time around, which is why we need a decent striker and probably a decent winger to better what we did last year, IMO.

 

Agree.

 

Hoping Jay Rod will step up but does sound like club looking for new first choice forward.

 

Not sure his plans for wide midfield but think we would benefit from a fast direct winger / forward - even if as a sub. Sort of signing i thought Mayuka was!

 

But if no-one else comes in (and think they will) we will have a good season.

 

Think we will have some poor performances, young teams are often inconsistent.

[Trader]

The sun is shinning

 

The latest word people can't spell anymore.

 

FFS.

 

I know, I know.

[Turkish]

If I'm reading the OPs articles right the 'positivity, blind optimism or great things happening' are due to the you tube and saints players preseason trip to Spain and how this is so much better than the 70s and 80s photos of the players training on the gym. As interesting and enjoyable as the clips are I wouldn't go as far as to describe them as 'a great thing happening' or reasons to be displaying 'blind optimism' or 'positivity' just a fairly enjoyable video and a nice touch by the club who seem to be sorting things out in the customer service and interaction departments.

[dubai_phil]

WTF?

 

So there is a Royal Baby and yet currently 3rd in Trending on Twitter in UK is

 

Saints........

[dubai_phil]

[alpine_saint]

People will have differing levels of excitement or optimism but at least everyone can be pretty relaxed.

 

Squad we finished season with was a decent mid table one.

 

No key player left.

 

Shaw signed up.

 

Likely most players improving.

 

Two signings who fans of higher clubs wanted.

 

If window shut now we couldn't complain.

 

I see that the Saints Unambitious Disease has flared up again....

[NickG]

I see that the Saints Unambitious Disease has flared up again....

 

Just learn from your mistakes.

 

You are always wrong.

 

You state as fact your predictions for the season. They prove wrong.

 

You insist we need to change our pathetic transfer policy, you state squad is not good enough for your lowly prediction.

 

You write off good footballers, Schneiderlin, Ramirez, Jay Rod are all crap according to you.

 

But somehow, with crap players, amateur transfer windows, failing to sign players...we do better than you think was certain to happen...how??!

 

You show lack of respect for other posters.

 

You are too thick to learn from your mistakes, even someone a bit slow would have realised they should not sound off when time and time and time again you show a lack of understanding football.

 

Others may disagree with my views on saints but I will explain a reasoning.

 

You sneer and run every time a poster pushes you for a logical rationale.

 

You come across bitter, spiteful and dim witted.

 

Find something you enjoy.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

As long as the club is on an upwards trajectory we should all feel perfectly entitled to feel very positive and excited for the future. Where there is a wide spectrum of opinions is where this progress will stop in terms of league standing.

 

Even with considerable resources, it will be very hard to break into the Top 6. it's not just about having a team who are good enough to perform against the best, it is having the consistency to perform over 9 months and deal with everything that comes with it. I think we are a long way away from that at this moment in time, but that is no criticism of the club or anyone who thinks we can get there in time. I feel like the best chance the club will have of doing it is steady progress that can hopefully be sustained - the development of players on the pitch and the experience the non-playing staff have off it in a slow but sure way bodes much better for the future, but (and it is a big but) the problem with this is you are very exposed to your best players leaving which makes it hard to sustain progress and places a great stress on the transfer policy (no club in the world is better than average, whatever you may think).

 

We should dream big and try our best to exceed every expectation, but realistically be aware that we're now embarking on the biggest challenge yet and one that historically is very hard to achieve AND sustain unless you have untold millions with little regard for your Academy (and Saints do have a budget and a definite view of what the Academy is to provide).

 

I just hope, that should be 'toil' in the middle of the Premier League for the next few seasons that fan enthusiasm doesn't wain (it will) and that we can hang onto our better players and build slowly (highly unlikely). Then will come the big test for the owners and Cortese.

[Amesbury Saint]

Overall I am fairly happy. A couple of new signings are needed, striker being one.

 

It's a bit quiet so looking forward to the season to start.

Main disappointment is the shirt

[Cabrone]

The sun is shinning and our already pretty decent squad is strengthening further. For perhaps the first time in our top flight history Saints fans can look forward to the new season with a realistic sense of optimism. Our painfully ambitious chairman is actually achieving his ambition of rubbing shoulders with the elite of the world game - his invitation to the party written upon the back of a lorryload of (semi-extorted) Liebherr cash. And who amongst us could blame him, afterall spending other peoples money has always been the most intoxicating of prospects has it not? So all is well with Southampton Football Club then ...

 

It seems to me that 'living the dream' is all well and good, but dreams are for those who sleep and the time will come when the sleeper must awaken. In the harsh light of day, when the money runs out (and it will), SFC will remain the middle sized regional football club it has always been. A middling club that (like many before it) has unsustainably spent way beyond its means trying to turn itself into something it fundamentally can never be. There will be consequences of course, because any individual or organisation that pretends to be something it is not is heading for a fall in my experience.

 

So we can only enjoy it while it lasts I suppose, because the summer is short and winter approaches. But let's not kid ourselves too much because somewhere deep down inside we all know this is going to end in tears one day don't we?

 

If you want to get to where NC wants in a quick time frame you have to spend a lot of money but once there things should become a lot more sustainable.

 

A lot of fans still see us as a small outfit but the truth is we are a decent sized club that with or without the Liebherr cash should aspire to top 10 in the prem and do have the ability to compete in that bracket once there.

 

If we'd spent Man City levels of cash on older non saleable players I'd agree with you but I think we have spent well within reasonable levels of expenditure on players that can be sold on for at least what we bought them for.

 

I'm optimistic for next season, it's been an interesting transfer window and I'm happy that the club are looking at less players of a better standard. The last thing we want is a bloated squad full of journeymen, that's one of the many reasons why we went down in 2005.

 

Anywhere from 8th-12th for me at the moment. Midfield looks strong and defence looks OK but a lot of responsibility lies on Ricky's and JRod's shoulders to get the goals. We need a fired up Gaston to take on some of the burden too.

 

If we could somehow get a Banega and an Osvaldo (looking less and less likely unfortunately) the expectation would be to have a serious shot at top 6.

[SuperSAINT]

If you want to get to where NC wants in a quick time frame you have to spend a lot of money but once there things should become a lot more sustainable.

 

A lot of fans still see us as a small outfit but the truth is we are a decent sized club that with or without the Liebherr cash should aspire to top 10 in the prem and do have the ability to compete in that bracket once there.

 

If we'd spent Man City levels of cash on older non saleable players I'd agree with you but I think we have spent well within reasonable levels of expenditure on players that can be sold on for at least what we bought them for.

 

I'm optimistic for next season, it's been an interesting transfer window and I'm happy that the club are looking at less players of a better standard. The last thing we want is a bloated squad full of journeymen, that's one of the many reasons why we went down in 2005.

 

Anywhere from 8th-12th for me at the moment. Midfield looks strong and defence looks OK but a lot of responsibility lies on Ricky's and JRod's shoulders to get the goals. We need a fired up Gaston to take on some of the burden too.

 

If we could somehow get a Banega and an Osvaldo (looking less and less likely unfortunately) the expectation would be to have a serious shot at top 6.

 

Quality post Cabrone. I still think we'd be a little too frail at the back to reach the top 6.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Just learn from your mistakes.

 

You are always wrong.

 

You state as fact your predictions for the season. They prove wrong.

 

You insist we need to change our pathetic transfer policy, you state squad is not good enough for your lowly prediction.

 

You write off good footballers, Schneiderlin, Ramirez, Jay Rod are all crap according to you.

 

But somehow, with crap players, amateur transfer windows, failing to sign players...we do better than you think was certain to happen...how??!

 

You show lack of respect for other posters.

 

You are too thick to learn from your mistakes, even someone a bit slow would have realised they should not sound off when time and time and time again you show a lack of understanding football.

 

Others may disagree with my views on saints but I will explain a reasoning.

 

You sneer and run every time a poster pushes you for a logical rationale.

 

You come across bitter, spiteful and dim witted.

 

Find something you enjoy.

 

You been on the red meat Nick or the sauce perhaps? I think Alpine can safely regard your post as a mild put down.

[NickG]

You been on the red meat Nick or the sauce perhaps? I think Alpine can safely regard your post as a mild put down.

 

Lol, wish was drinking few cold beers now rather than working.

 

But will he learn?

 

What is your expectation for season?

[alpine_saint]

You been on the red meat Nick or the sauce perhaps? I think Alpine can safely regard your post as a mild put down.

 

Water off a ducks back, Dunc. His put-downs are always the same, and merely attempt to divert attention from his groundless mindless happy-clappy b*ll*cks.