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Three years ago today...


NickG

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29 September 2009.

 

NC was settling in, we had heard talk of returning to the top and European aims.

 

We were 4th from bottom of league 1 (21st). 9 points from 10 games, letting in 12 goals.

 

 

29 September 2010

We were 17th in league 1. 9 points from 9 games. 8 goals let in.

 

Three years ago today, when 17th in league did anyone in football, other than NC, think that three years later we would be 4th in country?! Even if only for a day and we drop that is 3 f%£&ing amazing years!

 

 

29 September 2011

We were top of championship. 19 points from 9 games. Letting in 12 goals.

 

 

29 September 2012

We were 17th in prem. 3 points from 6 games, letting in 18 goals.

 

29 September 2013

We are 4th in prem. 11 points from 6 games, letting in 2 goals.

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I have to admit that I loved the stroy and the confidence, but I didn't think I'd see Saints sitting 4th in the Premiership.

 

It's been a great journey and I winder where we'll be in 3 years from today ??

 

How about: A League Cup winner, regular top 10 finish in PL and 2 seasons in Europe, getting better in the second after a dodgy first effort....................

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I like this historical perspective. 127 league games to date in the last 3 years since we played Yeovil away and drew 1-1 in front of the massed assembly of fans numbering 5,854; we've risen 56 league places since then; what a wonderful journey. You've got to admire Nicola's chutzpah and single-mindednes in pursuing his vision. 3 questions occur:

1. Does anyone (other than maybe Art) think that appointing MP was anything other than a visionary decision?

2. Has anyone attended all those matches? (I think I've seen all the home games)

3. Has anyone on TSW ever before used the word "chutzpah"?

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Good to see that NickG now recognises that replacing Adkins with MP has moved the club upwards, a decision that Nick's unwavering loyalty to the club management didn't allow him to support at the time. Also interesting that the two players Nick regarded as brilliant acquisitions in the Adkins' era, Ramirez and Yoshida, have been reduced by the present manager to the role of squad players. The transformation of SFC's position in the Leagues over four years has been amazing with credit due to Cortese's choice of managers and to the men themselves, Pardew, Adkins and Pochettino, but the change has come about because of hard decisions, not through complacency or misplaced reward for past effort. Other recently promoted clubs have got into the top six in the Prem in early season and sunk down the table as the season has progressed. Its OK for fans to congratulate the club for four years of progress but words coming from the dressing room suggest that the present coaches are not allowing the players to be complacent.

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Cheers Nick - that really does put it into some context what a phenominal ride its been so far.

 

It does, but the incessant repetition of it is getting extremely tedious.

 

Can we look onwards and upwards with ambition, rather than being made to feel meek and grateful and - for those of us who the think the journey is not necessarily at an end - ungrateful, greedy and impatient ?

 

I am also happy to cut the sites facts-and-stats spin perv some slack on the fact that it was 4 years ago, not three... :lol:

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To be fair, I think we're only in 5th spot because both Manchester clubs have had relatively poor starts by their standards, and we've played more games than Everton. In reality I think we're at somewhere around 8th or 9th, and I'm happy with that as the next stage of or development.

 

We're still a bit short to trouble the top 6.

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To be fair, I think we're only in 5th spot because both Manchester clubs have had relatively poor starts by their standards, and we've played more games than Everton. In reality I think we're at somewhere around 8th or 9th, and I'm happy with that as the next stage of or development.

 

We're still a bit short to trouble the top 6.

 

And we've been fortunate enough to play the bottom 3 in our first 6 games.

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29 September 2009.

 

NC was settling in, we had heard talk of returning to the top and European aims.

 

We were 4th from bottom of league 1 (21st). 9 points from 10 games, letting in 12 goals.

 

 

29 September 2010

We were 17th in league 1. 9 points from 9 games. 8 goals let in.

 

Three years ago today, when 17th in league did anyone in football, other than NC, think that three years later we would be 4th in country?! Even if only for a day and we drop that is 3 f%£&ing amazing years!

 

 

29 September 2011

We were top of championship. 19 points from 9 games. Letting in 12 goals.

 

 

29 September 2012

We were 17th in prem. 3 points from 6 games, letting in 18 goals.

 

29 September 2013

We are 4th in prem. 11 points from 6 games, letting in 2 goals.

 

Would it be churlish to point out that 29th September 2009 was in fact four years ago today?

 

It does, but the incessant repetition of it is getting extremely tedious.

 

Can we look onwards and upwards with ambition, rather than being made to feel meek and grateful and - for those of us who the think the journey is not necessarily at an end - ungrateful, greedy and impatient ?

 

I am also happy to cut the sites facts-and-stats spin perv some slack on the fact that it was 4 years ago, not three... :lol:

 

Read the post chaps! ;) although for interest included 4 years ago, the comment and comparison details 3 amazing years.

 

If tedious, not sure how saints fan would think it is, ignore thread ;)

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Read the post chaps! ;) although for interest included 4 years ago, the comment and comparison details 3 amazing years.

 

If tedious, not sure how saints fan would think it is, ignore thread ;)

 

Because most of us think there are other, more important, more forward-looking things to discuss..

 

Its beginning to get Uncle "During the war..." Albert-ish...

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Nope, you've lost me now, I'm afraid..

 

You implied that people shouldn't keep talking about things that happened when NC and Markus walked into the club. It is repetitive and tedious.

 

I said if we were playing badly some posters would repeat things i.e if xyz had not been sacked, if xyz had not been signed and so on.

 

You said that it would be in the here and now meaning it would be current and not the past. Hence why I said are we not doing well right now then? Meaning if we are doing ok right now is it not right that people talk about it? He pointed out that we are currently 4th in the PL. Which is the 'here and now' no? If any of that makes sense.... :)

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You implied that people shouldn't keep talking about things that happened when NC and Markus walked into the club. It is repetitive and tedious.

 

I said if we were playing badly some posters would repeat things i.e if xyz had not been sacked, if xyz had not been signed and so on.

 

You said that it would be in the here and now meaning it would be current and not the past. Hence why I said are we not doing well right now then? Meaning if we are doing ok right now is it not right that people talk about it? He pointed out that we are currently 4th in the PL. Which is the 'here and now' no? If any of that makes sense.... :)

 

OK, got your point now.

 

I have nooooo problem with anyone whatsoever raving about us reaching the heady heights of 4th/5th and crowing over the fact that we are above both sets of Manc scum (to name but a couple), but cant we celebrate it for what it is without the condescending subliminal "and you should be bloody grateful considering where we were, so dont say anything negative" lecture that regularly flows from the keyboards of a small select group of posters ?

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FFS Alpine, the OP was just highlighting how far we have come in 4 years. And yes, it has been a remarkable rise, even this journalist remarks on it:

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/29/southampton-crystal-palace-match-report

 

Just because you're a miserable tw*t, don't expect everyone else to be.

 

Why ?

 

Why was it necessary ?

 

Is there a Saints fan anywhere on the planet, galaxy, entire cosmos (except that funny one with three arms down in the deepest darkest corner of Uzbekistan) that isnt already aware of our meteoric rise ? Who the f**k is he reminding ?

 

And I get accused of attention-seeking...

 

You may not see it that way, but imo its become a rallying call to cut off anything that vaguely resembles debate or dissent.

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And we've been fortunate enough to play the bottom 3 in our first 6 games.

I don't remember us playing Fulham. ;)

 

Anyway, if you mean we played 3 of the bottom 4, we haven't been that fortunate: we've only taken a mediocre 5 points from them. We got 6 points from WBA (10th) and Liverpool (2nd).

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Why ?

 

Why was it necessary ?

 

Is there a Saints fan anywhere on the planet, galaxy, entire cosmos (except that funny one with three arms down in the deepest darkest corner of Uzbekistan) that isnt already aware of our meteoric rise ? Who the f**k is he reminding ?

 

And I get accused of attention-seeking...

 

You may not see it that way, but imo its become a rallying call to cut off anything that vaguely resembles debate or dissent.

 

Why was your response necessary?

 

Why is anything necessary??

 

It's a forum, grow up.

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And we've been fortunate enough to play the bottom 3 in our first 6 games.

 

Perhaps they are down there because they have played against a top five side like Saints ??

BTW, I seem to remember that you cut us no slack last year when we lost to some top teams in our first few games last season ??

Live by the sword, die by the sword, eh ??

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I like this historical perspective. 127 league games to date in the last 3 years since we played Yeovil away and drew 1-1 in front of the massed assembly of fans numbering 5,854; we've risen 56 league places since then; what a wonderful journey. You've got to admire Nicola's chutzpah and single-mindednes in pursuing his vision. 3 questions occur:

1. Does anyone (other than maybe Art) think that appointing MP was anything other than a visionary decision?

2. Has anyone attended all those matches? (I think I've seen all the home games)

3. Has anyone on TSW ever before used the word "chutzpah"?

 

1. Yes, the appointment is far from proven so far with the weak opponents we've mostly faced this season. If we're top 8 at the end of the season I think that'll show it's a good decision as Adkins might have only got us mid-table, plus Strachan used to say you've used up all your tools by Year 3 anyway.

2. Probably, not me though, I've missed a couple of home league games too.

3. Almost certainly. Could be worth a search.

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Perhaps they are down there because they have played against a top five side like Saints ??

BTW, I seem to remember that you cut us no slack last year when we lost to some top teams in our first few games last season ??

Live by the sword, die by the sword, eh ??

 

The sword thing is fair comment, and there is an element of "they're down there because they've played the better teams", but they've only played Saints in 1 of 5 or 6 games so far - and in Sunderland's case it's the only point they've got.

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I don't remember us playing Fulham. ;)

 

Anyway, if you mean we played 3 of the bottom 4, we haven't been that fortunate: we've only taken a mediocre 5 points from them. We got 6 points from WBA (10th) and Liverpool (2nd).

 

This is part of the problem for me, we're set up well to get results against teams who expect to beat us, but can't break down teams who come for a point. There are a lot more of the latter than the former. So far this season we've lost to Norwich and drawn at home to Sunderland and West Ham. For "visionary appointment" and unquestionable success they'd have to be at least two wins and a draw.

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Are we going to get threads like this for every single thing every year? This is probably the sixth or seventh one this year alone. I'm fairly sure saints fans have a memory that can extend longer than three years (in most cases anyway.)

 

The OP can't even count to three correctly, let's not go nuts here. ;)

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Read the post chaps! ;) although for interest included 4 years ago, the comment and comparison details 3 amazing years.

 

If tedious, not sure how saints fan would think it is, ignore thread ;)

 

Maybe not call the thread "three years ago today..." then?

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This is part of the problem for me, we're set up well to get results against teams who expect to beat us, but can't break down teams who come for a point. There are a lot more of the latter than the former. So far this season we've lost to Norwich and drawn at home to Sunderland and West Ham. For "visionary appointment" and unquestionable success they'd have to be at least two wins and a draw.

 

Willfully ignoring the wins vs WBA & Palace then?

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This is part of the problem for me, we're set up well to get results against teams who expect to beat us, but can't break down teams who come for a point. There are a lot more of the latter than the former. So far this season we've lost to Norwich and drawn at home to Sunderland and West Ham. For "visionary appointment" and unquestionable success they'd have to be at least two wins and a draw.

 

So you are expecting us to win most of our games then?

 

You are talking about very fine margins anyway. We could have had a point at Norwich for example had an appalling decision not gone against us.

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So you are expecting us to win most of our games then?

 

You are talking about very fine margins anyway. We could have had a point at Norwich for example had an appalling decision not gone against us.

 

If we want to finish top 8 (my self-appointed criteria for the "unqualified success" of Pochettino's appointment) we'll certainly need to win more than we lose, which is also why I'm saying the first 6 matches of a season aren't enough evidence to come to that conclusion.

 

And football IS about fine margins, that doesn't change whoever the manager is.

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Very strange angry reactions from The9 and alpine, if enjoying this, possibly unequalled change in fortunes offends you I am sorry.

 

The reason behind the thread was when looking at the league table grinning like an excited school boy I wondered where we had been at this stage each season. I don't expect us to finish 4th so was enjoying while it lasted. Also, I'm sure remember that you never used to see league tables until after 6 games??

 

I spent few minutes looking up each season, on same date, since NC.

 

When saw the position exactly three years ago I thought it was pretty stunning and worthy of mention.

 

We all knew we have moved on hugely since NC, but we had never reached 4th - and the three year anniversary ties in with just before we raced up the league.

 

I doubt those sneering were aware of the comparison to three years ago on the same date.

 

As I had looked up 1, 2 and 4 years ago thought I would include those, interested me and if no one else cares they can ignore them.

 

So thread, OP, title were all aimed at sharing what I found surprising and something to be proud of - how a club went from bottom end of league 1 to champions league position in less than three years.

 

I can see how some may think old news, boring stats etc but thought most would take pleasure in our success.

 

I am at a loss as to how my OP caused the toddler tantrums but if it was inappropriate thread I apologise.

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Are we going to get threads like this for every single thing every year? This is probably the sixth or seventh one this year alone. I'm fairly sure saints fans have a memory that can extend longer than three years (in most cases anyway.)

 

Don't worry, someone will be along in a minute to say "so I suppose you'd prefer to have Lowe back, then."

 

And, of course, the old classic: "we almost never had a club to support at all"

 

Solid gold.

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I doubt those sneering were aware of the comparison to three years ago on the same date.

 

My sneering was entirely at your inability to count. For the record, I posted this on my Facebook wall yesterday so I was more than aware of the three year throwback (and wondered even more why you'd started referencing 2009): https://twitter.com/SaintsRelated/status/384001721066086400

 

The other stuff was in response to the frankly preposterous claim than anyone who isn't insane thinks appointing Pochettino was "a visionary decision". That's got nothing to do with the success so far. For the record (in case you missed it on the two other threads) I'm nowhere near convinced yet, give it a few months of this though...

Edited by The9
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Just to interrupt the usual bickering for a moment...

 

What would be interesting to see are the line ups on each of those dates - anyone got the team archives to hand?

 

Here you go. Its a really good website for looking at the stats, if you didn't know it:

 

29 September 2009: Southampton 2 : 3 Bristol Rovers http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/318507/Live

 

28 September 2010: Yeovil 1 : 1 Southampton http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/412888/Live

 

28 September 2011: Cardiff 2 : 1 Southampton http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/505996/Live

 

29 September 2012: Everton 3 : 1 Southampton http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/614226/Live

 

Actually, looking at it, we've got a shocking record in matches played at the end of September, even when we were runners up.

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Very strange angry reactions from The9 and alpine, if enjoying this, possibly unequalled change in fortunes offends you I am sorry.

 

The reason behind the thread was when looking at the league table grinning like an excited school boy I wondered where we had been at this stage each season. I don't expect us to finish 4th so was enjoying while it lasted. Also, I'm sure remember that you never used to see league tables until after 6 games??

 

I spent few minutes looking up each season, on same date, since NC.

 

When saw the position exactly three years ago I thought it was pretty stunning and worthy of mention.

 

We all knew we have moved on hugely since NC, but we had never reached 4th - and the three year anniversary ties in with just before we raced up the league.

 

I doubt those sneering were aware of the comparison to three years ago on the same date.

 

As I had looked up 1, 2 and 4 years ago thought I would include those, interested me and if no one else cares they can ignore them.

 

So thread, OP, title were all aimed at sharing what I found surprising and something to be proud of - how a club went from bottom end of league 1 to champions league position in less than three years.

 

I can see how some may think old news, boring stats etc but thought most would take pleasure in our success.

 

I am at a loss as to how my OP caused the toddler tantrums but if it was inappropriate thread I apologise.

 

Where was the9 angry? Alpine sure but he is angry about everything. Not sure why you find it "surprising" though...

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OK - introducing the phrase "visionary decision" was intended to be a little provocative - The9 reacted and swallowed hook, line and sinker. However in a reflective mood after half a bottle of indifferent Rioja I really would love to know more about Cortese's thought process and motivation. Italian banker (i.e. not steeped in the English game) appointed as chairman of Saints removes from his job a manager, almost universally loved by the fan base, who has achieved consecutive promotions and appoints an unknown foreigner who does not speak English. He knew this would probably provoke almost universal outrage and if MP had not worked out would have considerably weakened his authority. The safe option would have been to allow Nigel to carry on and keep his fingers crossed.

 

Bear in mind that he doesn't own the club - he's answerable to others. How much mental anguish did he go through in reaching his decision? There must have been many subsequent moments when he experienced huge doubts and fears that the ice was becoming wafer-thin and he would be the next recipient of a P45. What an incredibly brave - almost perverse - decision. My conclusion is that he (NC) must have an incredibly firm vision (hence "visionary") of both his future ambition and the modus operandum to achieve it and he's willing to go out on a limb to pursue that belief. I'm not saying he was right; as The9 and others have observed it's maybe too early to reach a firm conclusion.

 

Thanks Nick for raising your contextual thread; I've thoroughly enjoyed the last 4 years - can anyone really say they have not?

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OK - introducing the phrase "visionary decision" was intended to be a little provocative - The9 reacted and swallowed hook, line and sinker. However in a reflective mood after half a bottle of indifferent Rioja I really would love to know more about Cortese's thought process and motivation. Italian banker (i.e. not steeped in the English game) appointed as chairman of Saints removes from his job a manager, almost universally loved by the fan base, who has achieved consecutive promotions and appoints an unknown foreigner who does not speak English. He knew this would probably provoke almost universal outrage and if MP had not worked out would have considerably weakened his authority. The safe option would have been to allow Nigel to carry on and keep his fingers crossed.

 

Bear in mind that he doesn't own the club - he's answerable to others. How much mental anguish did he go through in reaching his decision? There must have been many subsequent moments when he experienced huge doubts and fears that the ice was becoming wafer-thin and he would be the next recipient of a P45. What an incredibly brave - almost perverse - decision. My conclusion is that he (NC) must have an incredibly firm vision (hence "visionary") of both his future ambition and the modus operandum to achieve it and he's willing to go out on a limb to pursue that belief. I'm not saying he was right; as The9 and others have observed it's maybe too early to reach a firm conclusion.

 

Thanks Nick for raising your contextual thread; I've thoroughly enjoyed the last 4 years - can anyone really say they have not?

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