Glasgow_Saint Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 I've never seen a seal at a circus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 Have they boll ocks. 2008-2009 - Rescued from what looked like oblivion 2009-2010 - Missed out on playoffs, but Wembley final and JPT success 2010-2011 - Promotion from League One 2011-2012 - Promotion from Championship 2012-2013 - 14th place in Premier League 2013-2014 - Recognised by media as side that's doing right. Massive improvement on previous year. Which year aren't you happy with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 2008-2009 - Rescued from what looked like oblivion 2009-2010 - Missed out on playoffs, but Wembley final and JPT success 2010-2011 - Promotion from League One 2011-2012 - Promotion from Championship 2012-2013 - 14th place in Premier League 2013-2014 - Recognised by media as side that's doing right. Massive improvement on previous year. Which year aren't you happy with? There is loads to be happy about with that but you picture/write it as the realists want Southampton FC to fail, more like they take a realistic look at the club and where they are and simply laugh at the stupidly expectant happy clappers dreams, its not like other clubs have not thought of getting into Europe before is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint George Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 Happy Clappers United have finished above Doom City every year for the past five years. And the stress of it all is really starting to show on poor Baz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scummer Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 What relevance do those points have? People were saying that if you refused a place in the Europa League you ought to get banned by UEFA. That link shows that if you don't think you are ready for Europe you just don't bother applying for a licence. So not only do UEFA not punish you, they have a process in place which makes it easy to avoid playing in Europe no matter how well you do domestically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 Aren't they changing the format of the Europa league sometime soon? Thing I don't like about it are the Sunday league games. I like football at 3pm Saturday or 7.45pm Wednesday. Also I don't like the way the Champ League rejects can enter it at the knockout stages. And there are far too many games. If you joined in the first qualifying round, and went through to the final, that is something like 23 games. Last season, Liverpool joined in the 3rd qualifying round, and potentially had 19 games to get to the final. As it was they lost in the first knockout round meaning they only played 12 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 There is loads to be happy about with that but you picture/write it as the realists want Southampton FC to fail, more like they take a realistic look at the club and where they are and simply laugh at the stupidly expectant happy clappers dreams, its not like other clubs have not thought of getting into Europe before is it? Against a backdrop of over-achievement, you're asking people to be realistic and deriding their aspirations as stupidly expectant? I know that we've one or two posters who over-egg our chances, but Cortese and co have exceeded all expectations, even the ones they set themselves. According to the plan, we were supposed to in the midst of a Championship battle pushing for promotion to the Prem. That happened two years ago. Now I can accept that the club faces a lot of challenges if it is to ever hit the true big-time, not least of which the city itself. It's disappointing to see the empty seats and I think the club can be doing more to address that. On every other level though, it's Roy of the Rovers stuff. The old pro making it good after working his way up the leagues. Players like Lallana and Schneiderlin who've stuck with us through all the crap. A fresh crop of highly-lauded youngsters coming through the ranks. Sitting in a European place and looking very much like we still we be come the end of the season. All that, plus money behind us. If people can't get excited about Saints' prospects now, when can they ever? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 Against a backdrop of over-achievement, you're asking people to be realistic and deriding their aspirations as stupidly expectant? I know that we've one or two posters who over-egg our chances, but Cortese and co have exceeded all expectations, even the ones they set themselves. According to the plan, we were supposed to in the midst of a Championship battle pushing for promotion to the Prem. That happened two years ago. Now I can accept that the club faces a lot of challenges if it is to ever hit the true big-time, not least of which the city itself. It's disappointing to see the empty seats and I think the club can be doing more to address that. On every other level though, it's Roy of the Rovers stuff. The old pro making it good after working his way up the leagues. Players like Lallana and Schneiderlin who've stuck with us through all the crap. A fresh crop of highly-lauded youngsters coming through the ranks. Sitting in a European place and looking very much like we still we be come the end of the season. All that, plus money behind us. If people can't get excited about Saints' prospects now, when can they ever? Because we have played 9 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 Because we have played 9 games. This season. We've had year after year of progression from -10 in League One. I can't remember our prospects ever being brighter, and I'm looking forward to seeing the team build on those 9 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 This season. We've had year after year of progression from -10 in League One. I can't remember our prospects ever being brighter, and I'm looking forward to seeing the team build on those 9 games. We all are, I still dont understand the need for European advertures, would you bet us solely in the League being above United City Chelsea Liverpool Spurs Arsenal and Everton at the end of the season? Everton are the weakest and thats a possiblity but the others? I cant see it for a minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 People were saying that if you refused a place in the Europa League you ought to get banned by UEFA. That link shows that if you don't think you are ready for Europe you just don't bother applying for a licence. So not only do UEFA not punish you, they have a process in place which makes it easy to avoid playing in Europe no matter how well you do domestically. We'd be ruling ourselves out of playing in the Champs League as well - no matter how unlikely qualification for that would be, there is no-way the club would risk us missing out on playing in it by not registering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minty Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 Whilst Pochettino said he would rather not be in the Europa League, and that 'it is not a competition I am aiming for' that is only because of the relativity to the Champions League. If we get into the Europa League, we will play in it, I have no doubt whatsoever, and we should not pull out of it at all either IMO. Aiming high is great, but we can learn from all of our games, in all competitions, and if we get there then we'll do our best to win it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pap Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 We all are, I still dont understand the need for European advertures, would you bet us solely in the League being above United City Chelsea Liverpool Spurs Arsenal and Everton at the end of the season? Everton are the weakest and thats a possiblity but the others? I cant see it for a minute. I'm really not worried about what those other teams do, unless they're playing against us. Even then - I'm not scared. All the pressure is on those teams to perform. I can certainly see one (or more) of those teams having a bad spell. I personally think the Europa League is a poor format. I'd sooner they amalgamated that and Champions League into one giant European Cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 QUESTION (for someone ITK) If a club plays in Europe.....are they restricted to only using the same " 25 approved players " (+ U21's of course) ....that the Prem. League demands? Might sound obvious, but it's a different competition, and so I wondered............? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 Of course we would take up a place in the EL that we had earned, not to do so would be stupid and pretentious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 (edited) Of course we would take up a place in the EL that we had earned, not to do so would be stupid and pretentious. I would love us to be there, a few awaydays on the continent, superb. - - - Updated - - - Of course we would take up a place in the EL that we had earned, not to do so would be stupid and pretentious. Edited 29 October, 2013 by Barry Sanchez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 This new multiquote thing sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studentsaint Posted 29 October, 2013 Share Posted 29 October, 2013 Thoughts on this (double) question? I can see that it might impede our forward progress in the league next year if we were to, say, come 6th and qualify and participate. On the other hand, could/should we basically just play our second string in Europe (Kelvin, Yoshida, Cork, Lee, Hoovield, Chambers, Fox, Guly, Ramirez (?!), Isgrove etc etc)? (Also, anyone know what the rules are? Would we be forced to take part? Would we be under any obligation to play our "strongest XI"?) I can't see Cortese ever considering declining the possibility of more games, therefore more money from tickets. Also, any European competition will only result in our club growing in stature. For instance I think a lot of European fans and teams are seeing what Swansea are about. I get that it would disrupt our league campaign but considering where we were 4 years ago, it's stupid to think we would decline. I also think we would obviously invest in more players so that list would be changed and a team finishing 6th and in Europe would be even more desirable to world class players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 30 October, 2013 Author Share Posted 30 October, 2013 If folk are so adamant that we wouldn't decline and would be really keen for the extra games and revenue, why did we make it plain that we wouldn't accept a fair play slot last season? Because it would be unfair/unsporting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 If folk are so adamant that we wouldn't decline and would be really keen for the extra games and revenue, why did we make it plain that we wouldn't accept a fair play slot last season? Because it would be unfair/unsporting? Because the club felt that it was not a place we'd earned with our football. Pochettino was quite clear that any EL place had to be won on merit and not just because we'd not got too many red and yellow cards or insulted many refs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 Qualifying for Europa League costs you between 9 and 15 premier league points. Source: I made this up. It might be true tho. Can someone quickly do all the maths for teams not usually in Europe + how many less points they got when they had to play in Europa? tks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 Qualifying for Europa League costs you between 9 and 15 premier league points. Source: I made this up. It might be true tho. Can someone quickly do all the maths for teams not usually in Europe + how many less points they got when they had to play in Europa? tks Does it really? I'll 3 for me and the missus................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonist Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 Qualifying for Europa League costs you between 9 and 15 premier league points. Source: I made this up. It might be true tho. Can someone quickly do all the maths for teams not usually in Europe + how many less points they got when they had to play in Europa? tks has anybody tried not participating in the league or FA cup at the same time rather than complaining about the extra games? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 (edited) has anybody tried not participating in the league or FA cup at the same time rather than complaining about the extra games? Yeah, i mean a few clubs ourselves included have experimented with getting knocked out early doors. I dunno that it is purely the number of games tho, it's the inconvenience to have to fly to Russia on a thursday to play CSKA Butt****, or whoever. Edited 30 October, 2013 by Jimmy_D Nice breaking of the swear filter there. Unbroken now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 If folk are so adamant that we wouldn't decline and would be really keen for the extra games and revenue, why did we make it plain that we wouldn't accept a fair play slot last season? Because it would be unfair/unsporting? What was the wording of the statement that said we wouldn't accept the place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 Aren't they changing the format of the Europa league sometime soon? Thing I don't like about it are the Sunday league games. I like football at 3pm Saturday or 7.45pm Wednesday. Also I don't like the way the Champ League rejects can enter it at the knockout stages. And there are far too many games. If you joined in the first qualifying round, and went through to the final, that is something like 23 games. Last season, Liverpool joined in the 3rd qualifying round, and potentially had 19 games to get to the final. As it was they lost in the first knockout round meaning they only played 12 games. I couldn't agree more. Not at all interested in this competition for much the same reasons you give. If we're in danger of qualifying for it come next March/April I'd go so far to say that (for the first time ever) I'd be less than distraught to see my beloved club lose a few points rather than ruin 2014/2015 chasing this 19 game nonsense. Yes I know - a 'Dell Sized' mentality ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Crab Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 Seeing as our last participation in the UEFA Cup probably helped bring about our demise, I would suggest that the OP is not entirely without reason. Personally, think it would be daft to qualify then not take part, but would like us to have a real go at it this time. What's your thinking behind your first sentence? Please stop hounding alpine saint. He's just come on here to share his thoughts and he gets hounded like this every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Crab Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 There is loads to be happy about but I'm just a c**t. Don't be so hard on yourself. I like you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 It goes against anything I ever previously thought, but I would like to see saints concentrate only on the league and the FA cup. The energy saints are burning, I think the targets need to be limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 I couldn't agree more. Not at all interested in this competition for much the same reasons you give. If we're in danger of qualifying for it come next March/April I'd go so far to say that (for the first time ever) I'd be less than distraught to see my beloved club lose a few points rather than ruin 2014/2015 chasing this 19 game nonsense. Yes I know - a 'Dell Sized' mentality ... Would you also feel the same if we finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 Would you also feel the same if we finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League? This is a good question - probably not is the answer. The point is moot however because I rate the chances of us finishing this season quite that highly as remote to be honest about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimplyRed&White Posted 30 October, 2013 Share Posted 30 October, 2013 What a strange question. Of course the players want to play in Europe even if it starts with the Europa cup. It is the next step in their careers, will bring more attention to the club and will show we are not far away from competing in the Champions League. The club did not want to qualify via the fair play league last season as the team was not ready. They want to qualify based on league position as that shows there can compete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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