Barry Sanchez Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Is the five year plan on target to achieve regular European football? We have this season and the next to overhaul Liverpool. Everton, Spurs and others, are we on track to secure such a lofty dream? Or is Cortese being naive to believe he get can established Euopean players of known quality on the cheap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Not unless we sign a decent striker, and Europe is achieveable if he keeps improving the squad like he is over the next two years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenagegsaint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 pretty sure it was a five year plan to get into the premier league not Europe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Probably not, no. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BARCELONASAINT Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 we have a very decent team now that i believe will keep us up and a mid table finish is what is likely. I still think we are 2/3 very good signings away from possible European qualification.....unless we win a cup! I don't think the Don is being naive and trying to get players on the cheap at all.....its a tough market out there, they have identified targets and none are cheap and now they competing not only against major clubs for these targets but agents that are thinking about their pay day too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Despite an impressive pre-season I have to say no, sadly not. We are still a couple of pieces of the jigsaw short; there is not enough quality up-front and in central defence. I dont expect us really to encounter relegation issues though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 pretty sure it was a five year plan to get into the premier league not Europe do you need that second g in ur username, teenagegsaint? Would u like me to get it removed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Troy Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Is the five year plan on target to achieve regular European football? We have this season and the next to overhaul Liverpool. Everton, Spurs and others, are we on track to secure such a lofty dream? Or is Cortese being naive to believe he get can established Euopean players of known quality on the cheap? I think that given where we were when the plan started it is certainly well on target! I think that from our starting position had you offered us last seasons finishing position people would've been doubting the league was correct let alone the position we finished. As for the supposition (sp?) that Cortese is looking for people on the cheap I cant comment - I do think that his admirable plan of dealing correctly (especially wrt agents fees) could slow the final stages down possibly but only as much as I would've doubted we'd be where we are now. If "the current squad" allows for the normal addition of a few players here and there and if the youngsters progress as we know they can then why not, but its a competitive world so no shame if it doesn't happen and I think id still rather be watching saints youngsters coming through at the expense of Europe with some older pros and quicker term gains Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didcot Saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 No we really need a quality striker. I can see us keeping most games tight and not conceding many but we really need a top class finisher, Rickie and Jay Rod are good but if a games tight and clear cut chances are at a premium, they miss too many imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pangy Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Other than Lovren and Wanyama this current squad just about survived relegation,I cant see how just two players will make us jump 8 -10 places in the league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 We have the bus now and the aircraft:) The mighty Saints can travel into Europe whenever they want to. The squad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I am most curious about from what angle Bazza will try to criticise Cortese next week and trying it to not look like criticism......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Despite an impressive pre-season I have to say no, sadly not. We are still a couple of pieces of the jigsaw short; there is not enough quality up-front and in central defence. I dont expect us really to encounter relegation issues though. I think we are more likely to have a fight on to secure our premier status than any dreams of qualifying for Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Bazza is an Uncle Nic plant...... Not allowed to say ...... so will call him a petunia;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Rather than repeat it 15 times, could you explain why? I have done on previous posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I am enjoying the talk of pushing for europe but a season of mid table stability would do for me. Our first eleven is capable enough to have a go at anyone but we will lack the strength in depth to be consistent. Our best hope of qualification would be a cup run. If Wigan can win the FA Cup and Swansea the League Cup why not us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I am enjoying the talk of pushing for europe but a season of mid table stability would do for me. Our first eleven is capable enough to have a go at anyone but we will lack the strength in depth to be consistent. Our best hope of qualification would be a cup run. If Wigan can win the FA Cup and Swansea the League Cup why not us? How long are you content to tread water in the middle of the table before trying to put a Europe-qualifying campaign together ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 How long are you content to tread water in the middle of the table before trying to put a Europe-qualifying campaign together ? Well, we havn't really achieved even that yet. Last year was a relegation battle which had the edge taken off it by a good run before the final stages. A true season of mid-table water treading would signify progress. So much has happened so soon for us in the last four years. I am content to be a little patient now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkenSaint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 not with our current 3 forward players in Lambo, J-Rod and Lallana, they are good for lower-mid table but they wont take us into Europe. Our midfield seems to be there (Cork, Victor and Morgan) and for once im happy with our defence but we need goals so we need a top winger and a striker to compete for European football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I don't see how a club like ours can have that strength in depth. Players are unhappy enough being out the team at top 4 sides, but they have the advantage of many more games with the CL and cups. I can't see top players willing to sit on the bench at Saints, Swansea, Everton etc. Then we shall see how the fringe players fill in the gaps. They are key to our fortunes this season for me, not the leading lights that we are well aware of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Well, we havn't really achieved even that yet. Last year was a relegation battle which had the edge taken off it by a good run before the final stages. A true season of mid-table water treading would signify progress. So much has happened so soon for us in the last four years. I am content to be a little patient now. Was it a relegation battle, or was it mid-table treading of water coupled to a really pants start ? The likes og NickG keep banging on about our form over the last 2/3 of the season being something like 8th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-Armstrong Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I really hope this squad does it. If only do shut you up, you cretinous, embarrassing knicker-wetting ******. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Was it a relegation battle, or was it mid-table treading of water coupled to a really pants start ? The likes og NickG keep banging on about our form over the last 2/3 of the season being something like 8th. I can see what they are saying there, but over a season a league table tells the whole story. Our form over the last 6 games was not great... it needs to all be taken into account. We were under threat for 80% of last year, that is not a season of mid-table safety. A decent start with enough form to keep is in/around 10th will show progress, if we get dragged into a dogfight then we havn't improved. That we have shown the capability to fight it out with anyone in the division is a good foundation to build on, far better that then squeaking safety on the final day after a season of pure grind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 We started last season badly, we finished last season badly. Some bits in between were ok. Cant see a massive improvement unless we sign 2-3 more decent players v.quickly which now seems unlikely. Would like to have seen a little less talk (this summer) from NC and MoPo and a lot more action in the transfer market. A good season for us will be 8-12th anything lower and MoPo might go. Anything higher and I will be surprised and delighted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I'm happy with mid-table and some good cup runs for a few years. Don't want to get too greedy. With the money as it is, finishing 8th-12th, playing good football and investing heavily in the youth teams will do us well. It's possible we can do more but I think our best chance is increasing the size/reputation of the club over time. At the moment we're still a recently promoted side. A good season where no-one expects us to go down will do us a lot of good. Do you think Cortese sees it like this ? Remember hes spent over 20m quid this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 We started last season badly, we finished last season badly. Some bits in between were ok. Cant see a massive improvement unless we sign 2-3 more decent players v.quickly which now seems unlikely. Would like to have seen a little less talk (this summer) from NC and MoPo and a lot more action in the transfer market. We've had one of our better pre-seasons this summer, but I am inclined to agree with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 No-one watching last season could honestly say the starts and finishes were comparably 'bad'. We wern't getting rolled over at the end in the same manner and indeed played well for the most part (WBA at home being the obvious exception, that was on my bloody birthday.... left me fuming! ). However, for the form to dip so markedly is showing either a lack of professionalism or something more worrying. Particularly with our lack of cutting edge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 5 August, 2013 Author Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I don't see how a club like ours can have that strength in depth. Players are unhappy enough being out the team at top 4 sides, but they have the advantage of many more games with the CL and cups. I can't see top players willing to sit on the bench at Saints, Swansea, Everton etc. How are we going to get into Europe then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 How are we going to get into Europe then? The answer to that question is painfully obvious. If we cannot get the arrogant "only want to win things" Carlos Kickaballs to join us, we have to hope that Isgrove, Stephens, Chambers, JWP, Turnbull et. al step up to the plate and take their opportunities..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 5 August, 2013 Author Share Posted 5 August, 2013 The answer to that question is painfully obvious. If we cannot get the arrogant "only want to win things" Carlos Kickaballs to join us, we have to hope that Isgrove, Stephens, Chambers, JWP, Turnbull et. al step up to the plate and take their opportunities..... So we aint going into Europe then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 So we aint going into Europe then? What a silly answer. From what I've seen the youngsters have looked good pre-season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 So we aint going into Europe then? While we continue to rely on Guly, Jos, Fox, Davis/Gazza, Fonte and untried youth players we will not be playing in Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 5 August, 2013 Author Share Posted 5 August, 2013 What a silly answer. From what I've seen the youngsters have looked good pre-season. So because the the youth team have looked good in pre season we are possibly on for Europe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 While we continue to rely on Guly, Jos, Fox, Davis/Gazza, Fonte and untried youth players we will not be playing in Europe. Of all the players I saw during the Austrian games, three gave me cause for worry. Fonte, because I really dont think he is up to this level; Jos defended better (but his distribution is truly awful). The second was Mayuka; I really dont see what value he adds to the team performance. And finally Lallana, because he really runs around achieving nothing in the most disturbing Brett Ormerod parody we have seen in many-a-year.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killers Knee Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I think we have lost ground against Swansea and possibly Norwich in the transfer market, Sunderland look far better this season on paper as well. Anelka will bag West Brom a hat full and Kone will be no slouch at Everton. IMO we are a first choice striker and CB short of Euro-dreams. Current squad will finish around 14th again. Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Of all the players I saw during the Austrian games, three gave me cause for worry. Fonte, because I really dont think he is up to this level; Jos defended better (but his distribution is truly awful). The second was Mayuka; I really dont see what value he adds to the team performance. And finally Lallana, because he really runs around achieving nothing in the most disturbing Brett Ormerod parody we have seen in many-a-year.. Lallana is a worry - for me MoPo perhaps doesnt know how to use him effectively. Same with JRod and Ramirez - all 3 seemed to be improving under NA but seem to go backwards under MoPo. Think the biggest issue last season was the change in style and tempo - someone compared it to an 800 metre runner suddenly being told to run marathons. with no training it was never going to end well and the team was exhausted with 7-8 games to go. Thankfully we just limped over the line. Mayuka similar to Guly offer absolutely nothing to the team - both should have been moved on this summer. Problem is - who would want them? They are probably on big £'s and lower league clubs wont pay big wages for poor players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 5 August, 2013 Author Share Posted 5 August, 2013 http://soccerlens.com/english-premier-league-transfers/ Signings, so far, we have lost a lot of ground if we plan to overtake these clubs, they have on paper pulled away from us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 5 August, 2013 Author Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Lallana is a worry - for me MoPo perhaps doesnt know how to use him effectively. Same with JRod and Ramirez - all 3 seemed to be improving under NA but seem to go backwards under MoPo. Think the biggest issue last season was the change in style and tempo - someone compared it to an 800 metre runner suddenly being told to run marathons. with no training it was never going to end well and the team was exhausted with 7-8 games to go. Thankfully we just limped over the line. Mayuka similar to Guly offer absolutely nothing to the team - both should have been moved on this summer. Problem is - who would want them? They are probably on big £'s and lower league clubs wont pay big wages for poor players One thing for sure I do know is I have no faith whatsoever in Les Reed and Cortese buying players, none at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 No, definitely not. As someone else said, we only just avoided relegation with practically the same squad! But that's not a criticism, we're just not European qualification standard at this moment in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 One thing for sure I do know is I have no faith whatsoever in Les Reed and Cortese buying players, none at all. A word being used commonly to describe the SFC committee is "Pulling Power" or lack of it. NC was backed but has failed to deliver - perhaps it's simply Southampton, perhaps its MoPo, perhaps its money - who knows. The point is NC targeted upwards of 14 players this summer and has so far only convinced 2 to join us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I really expected more of Pochettino's contacts within the game, I have to say... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I really expected more of Pochettino's contacts within the game, I have to say... + 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint1977 Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 We could get into Europe - but for next season the cups are the way forward. Focus on the League Cup first of all, could see us going a good way this year and put our strongest side out wherever possible. For the FA Cup, you can be in the final and qualify like we did in 03 if you are playing one of the big 4 although beyond R5 the big boys take it slightly more seriously now than recent years as the likes of Arsenal struggle to compete for the title now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATERSIDEIFASAINT Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 Not a chance we have nowhere near the squad needed to challenge the top 6. Light years away imo and still need 4/5 quality additions over the next few transfer windows and not lose any of our star players to even stand any chance of getting close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 So, we've had over 50 posts and not one person is seriously suggesting this squad can get into Europe this season. Most are predicting (with satisfaction or not) more mid-table obscurity. IMO that means NC and MP have not done their jobs (in their eyes, NOT mine) over the summer properly. Its a pity, I liked the look of the team, a couple of additions would have made us a force to be reckoned with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 (edited) I mean ...what fan doesn't want his team to succeed? oh wait a minute ..there was a group of this site who thought we ought to slum it out in the Championship for a season or two, after we got our promotion from L1 ..but in general I think most of us (think / hope) for a top half finish, and that depends a lot of our luck and the performances of last season's top six. I'm not sold of the idea of Manchester dominance - both have new managers now and might not settle so well. Arsenal always seem there ..otr thereabouts but not quite good enough... so my money would be on Chelsea for the title. Spurs (having sold Bale - as they inevitably will) may become the mid-table mediochrity we all hope for ....and I'd love to see Fulham finish above them. As for Europe. We'll let's trust in MP's style of play, and "hawk-eye" and a few slip-ups from those teams who formerly thought of themselves as " big clubs ". Who knows, a couple of seasons of gradual improvement from a fast-improving side with an average age still under 25 - it might just be. Edited 5 August, 2013 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killers Knee Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I really expected more of Pochettino's contacts within the game, I have to say... I agree on this point, a good example is Jordi Amat. This 21yr old CB has represented the Spanish international youth teams at every age-group from the age of 15 up to Under-21 and also represented the Catalonia national team, he was given his debut at Espanyol by MP himself but Swansea sign him for £2.6m. Good bit of business by Laudrup, but can't stop feeling MP dropped the ball there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie61163 Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 I think that what we have got to be mindfull of is the dreaded second season syndrome that nobody has yet taken into account. We will no longer be the suprise package that plays the high tempo pushing game. and players such as Lambert, Lallana, Rodrigues, Shaw Clyne and the rest will no longer have the element of suprise for our opponents. The good teams will by now already know how we play as a team and how certain players play and will have solutions in place. So with all this in mind have we now got enough new players to create that element of doubt in the opppositions minds ..............and i have to say yes to this Wanyama, Louvren, Chambers and Isgrove will still give us that edge. MP knows how he wants us to play and we have the players to ensure this happens. I think that we what we have right now a mid table finish is most likely but a higher top 8 finish wouls not be much of a suprise either. If we can get the 2 extra players that the team is crying out for up front than i think that a european spot is to be expected. But remember QPR they were going through all the same type of questions this time last year and we all know how that ended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 No, we need two more signings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 5 August, 2013 Share Posted 5 August, 2013 So, we've had over 50 posts and not one person is seriously suggesting this squad can get into Europe this season. Most are predicting (with satisfaction or not) more mid-table obscurity. IMO that means NC and MP have not done their jobs (in their eyes, NOT mine) over the summer properly. Its a pity, I liked the look of the team, a couple of additions would have made us a force to be reckoned with. Some good points in your posts Alps. It's always a difficult one for a club like Saints if it is to challange for a top six position as quickly as possible - Saints cannot spend loads (and I mean loads) and hope it works aka Man City as I don't think the money is there and the players would only come for the money. So that means a more sustainable but slower growth is to blend of a few quality purchases with the club graduates and see where that gets you. At the moment the squad needs that clinical finisher, what Lukaku did for WBA, for this season to become a European push, otherwise no higher than 8th if we are lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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