"you can't deny that after 11 games of the season, we are firmly in the title race"

[CWD]

"you can't deny that after 11 games of the season, Southampton are firmly in the title race"

 

This is a quote by me to a friend just now. It is completely true. Go forth and say it to all of your friends too - and your enemies. In fact, everyone you know, trust me - it feels good.

 

(Disclaimer: I don't expect us to win the league but I am going to enjoy every moment we are up there while it lasts. Please don't berate me for being a 'deluded mong'. Thanks)

[hypochondriac]

That's a bit of a silly statement TBH. I don't think anyone seriously expects us to challenge for the title at the moment but long may this good run of form continue.

[Sheaf Saint]

Well, the Sky commentary team claimed after their win against Arsenal that Utd are 'firmly back in the mix for the title race', and they currently sit 2 places below us in 5th.

[S-Clarke]

Injuries will take their toll eventually. We've had a good start, but it really isn't going to last as we don't have the depth.

 

We're 2 injuries away from Jos and Fox in the 11, that's enough for us to start losing lots of games.

 

I'm enjoying this as is everyone at the mo, but we're not really involved in any sort of title race - in fact I don't think the title race even starts till the new year. We're just having a really good start, just as WBA did last season.

[doddisalegend]

yep we don't have the squad depth to compete for a top four finish IMO. Top ten finish and taking some scalps off the big boys will be a good season I reckon.

[Matthew Le God]

Top ten finish and taking some scalps off the big boys will be a good season I reckon.

 

Would you not be disappointed with 10th? Take out the top 7 from last season and who is better than us? Catching one or two of those 7 isn't completely out of the question, particularly Everton.

[70's Mike]

for me our season will be easier to guess once we have played a few top half teams at Home

[Saint Charlie]

We aren't in the title race and if we come 7th then its a great season.

 

Still very early days and the squad is weak in terms of goalkeeper, left back, centre back and striker cover.

[Super_Saint]

Saints to win the league, and our stars to lift England to glory at the World Cup. You heard it here first.

 

In reality, I'd snap your hand off for a 6th place finish.

[Matthew Le God]

We aren't in the title race.

 

Until we reach the point where we are significantly adrift of top spot and have an injury crisis (particularly in defence or keeper), then we are in the title race. We haven't reached that point as we are 3 points behind, are playing extremely well and have no injury crisis.

[alpine_saint]

Its a long season.

 

Simply enjoy it while it lasts.......

[S-Clarke]

Until we reach the point where we are significantly adrift of top spot and have an injury crisis (particularly in defence), then we are in the title race. We haven't reached that point as we are 3 points behind, are playing extremely well and have no injury crisis.

 

For me, the title race doesn't start until the new year. If we're still in the same place come the end of January, then I may consider us to be in the race!

[Whitey Grandad]

Last home game of the season will be a title decider

[OldNick]

We aren't in the title race and if we come 7th then its a great season.

 

Still very early days and the squad is weak in terms of goalkeeper, left back, centre back and striker cover.

i haven't seen the goals at Sunderland but would Boruc saved them? It is pretty sad how KD is constantly disrespected on here. He never let us down and where we are due to him,And RL.

[Saint Charlie]

Until we reach the point where we are significantly adrift of top spot and have an injury crisis (particularly in defence or keeper), then we are in the title race. We haven't reached that point as we are 3 points behind, are playing extremely well and have no injury crisis.

 

We have no chance of winning the league do we? So therefore we are not in the title race.

[Saint Charlie]

i haven't seen the goals at Sunderland but would Boruc saved them? It is pretty sad how KD is constantly disrespected on here. He never let us down and where we are due to him,And RL.

 

Im not disrespecting KD, just saying he isnt a PL calibre keeper, which has been proven true in his attempts in this league, with us and Sunderland.

[SaintRobbie]

Someone pinch me.

 

Someone pinch me because CWD's mate's statement is true.

 

We have the best team in the Premier League at the moment. Not the best players man for man, but the best team. Keep enjoying it, because it is going to last a full season… then we reinforce and do it again

 

Barcelona of British football. Its possible.

[SNSUN]

I'm enjoying every second of the ride, but we will simply not win the league. The top sides are struggling to string together consistancy, but that will come. Likewise we will have a bad spell, as all clubs do. If you offered me 6th place now, I'd snap your hand off, but I'm more realistically seeing us finish in the top 8.

[OldNick]

Im not disrespecting KD, just saying he isnt a PL calibre keeper, which has been proven true in his attempts in this league, with us and Sunderland.

he was behind a defence that is completely different to the one now. I can't recall what game he came on as sub but made a match winning/point saving save on the day. I don't think he is first choice but we are lucky to have a keeper that is better than A lot of clubs stand in keepers. No first choice keeper is going to sit on the bench in case Boruc gets injured.

[Matthew Le God]

i haven't seen the goals at Sunderland but would Boruc saved them? It is pretty sad how KD is constantly disrespected on here. He never let us down and where we are due to him.

 

You are right he did play a big part in getting Saints to the Premier League and deserves respect for that. However, he isn't a Premier League quality goalkeeper. Upper Championship level was his peak and if we had to use him a lot this season it would cost us points (as it did early last season).

 

Which Premier League teams would Kelvin Davis be good enough to be first choice for? Most of our competitors towards the top of the league have a better 2nd choice keeper than we do.

Edited 10 November, 2013 by Matthew Le God

[Glasgow_Saint]

If we are serious about top 4 we will see in January (transfers)

[Saint Charlie]

he was behind a defence that is completely different to the one now. I can't recall what game he came on as sub but made a match winning/point saving save on the day. I don't think he is first choice but we are lucky to have a keeper that is better than A lot of clubs stand in keepers. No first choice keeper is going to sit on the bench in case Boruc gets injured.

 

No first choice will sit on the bench but there are multiple teams that have far better no2 keepers than KD.

 

Like it or not its a weak area for us.

[doddisalegend]

Would you not be disappointed with 10th? Take out the top 7 from last season and who is better than us? Catching one or two of those 7 isn't completely out of the question, particularly Everton.

 

Not when we lift the FA cup at Wembley having beaten Man U 5-4 in the final I won't .....I'd love to win the FA cup more than finishing 7th

[SNSUN]

If we are serious about top 4 we will see in January (transfers)

 

Good point. Both ins AND outs, though hopefully the former rather than the latter...

[Dalek2003]

I will be happy with anything above the bottom three.

[trousers]

That's a bit of a silly statement TBH. I don't think anyone seriously expects us to challenge for the title at the moment

 

If we were currently 3rd from bottom would you be worried about the possibility of relegation?

[OldNick]

You are right he did play a big part in getting Saints to the Premier League and deserves respect for that. However, he isn't a Premier League quality goalkeeper. Upper Championship level was his peak and if we had to use him a lot this season it would cost us points (as it did early last season).

ever since KD joined the club he has a section of fans who have waited in the shadows waiting to pounce on any mistake he made. His plaudits by his peers and player of the season awards are swept aside at his first error, and the told you he was no good posts came on here at any perceived mistake. Iam not saying he is a first choice PL keeper but he is a superb stand in. Yes he was shaky a at the start of last season but so was the whole defence, some would argue it was down to him, others could counter it was due to those in front not dominating etc etc etc. if he had let in the goal aka stoke and his distribution to Wanyama had cost a goal he would have been slaughtered on here.

The man is loyal to our club and so should be given a little slack by people who always can't what to get their knives out for him

[Hedgehog]

The trouble with the transfer market in January is if at the time the window is open we have no real injury problems, and the team is still playing well, which players would have to drop down to allow the new ones in ?

I don't think new players would come to us to keep the bench warm. Our depth may not be there, but it would need some special players to replace our current team.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Just us and Everton that have only lost once this season

[trousers]

We have no chance of winning the league do we? So therefore we are not in the title race.

 

We do have a chance. A slim one, but its a "chance" nonetheless.

[ericofarabia]

Beer and cocktails talking here but picture this .... 23rd Nov Liverpool either lose or draw at Everton (not improbable with Everton doing well) and we win 2-0 at Arsenal, wishful thinking, but who knows it could happen .... regardless of results else where we are Top of The Feckin League FFS.

 

I think I need to go and lie down!!

[Clapham Saint]

Anything other than a Liverpool win in the merseyside derby and we will be playing Arsenal for top spot in a couple of weeks...

[The Kraken]

The trouble with the transfer market in January is if at the time the window is open we have no real injury problems, and the team is still playing well, which players would have to drop down to allow the new ones in ?

I don't think new players would come to us to keep the bench warm. Our depth may not be there, but it would need some special players to replace our current team.

 

A centre back, a much better backup keeper and a replacement for Ramirez (to offer a decent option to Lallana and JRod) would be my choice. Don't think we'll get all that though, maybe only 1 or at most 2 through the door (if indeed any at all).

[OldNick]

No first choice will sit on the bench but there are multiple teams that have far better no2 keepers than KD.

 

Like it or not its a weak area for us.

it's not a case of not liking it,it is a case of who would be available and better? As for multiple teams with better, would Stockdale at Fulham or the keeper from Birmingham who went to Stoke and now on loan at Barnsley, both lauded on here. I have seen many keepers who fans on here have said get rid of our longstanding keeper only to fade away. It has been a comical ride, we had Paul. Smith and Blaney who would do better than Niemi lol Bart ,Gazza and others who would replace KD

Only now have we a keeper who is better suited to be first choice

[OldNick]

Not when we lift the FA cup at Wembley having beaten Man U 5-4 in the final I won't .....I'd love to win the FA cup more than finishing 7th

I agree ,as long as it was not finishing in the relegation places aka Wigan

[Glasgow_Saint]

We have no chance of winning the league do we? So therefore we are not in the title race.

 

[CB Fry]

I agree ,as long as it was not finishing in the relegation places aka Wigan

 

 

I mentioned this ridiculous sentiment the other day and was accused of making stuff up. Well here it is again. We can win the FA Cup this season, but if we do it clearly will not then result in our relegation. I take it you have seen us play this season?

[Barry Sanchez]

Crystal Palace are in the title race but they wont win it will they, lets just enjoy the sun while its shining.

[DuncanRG]

We're still debating whether Arsenal and Liverpool are title contenders. They're above us at the moment and have deeper squads!

[SNSUN]

A centre back, a much better backup keeper and a replacement for Ramirez (to offer a decent option to Lallana and JRod) would be my choice. Don't think we'll get all that though, maybe only 1 or at most 2 through the door (if indeed any at all).

 

Before the start of the season, I think the majority of fans would have said we were one top class centre back short, but Fonte has really stepped up his game since being partnered with the excellent Lovren. If he continues this form, would you drop him? I know I couldn't, and with Yoshida and Jos as back up, short term I can't see a centre back being brought in. Long term perhaps, as Fonte gets older and our aspirations for World Domination grow, but short term he's doing a bang up job.

 

Agree with the AM though, we're one short with Ramirez out of favour - though it has to be someone special that can turn a tight game into victory. Imagine finding a Ramsey or Lampard - a goalscoring midfielder would be an immense acquisition if we could find one; if not, just a creative one would be enough.

 

I agree with other recommendations for a back up Keeper and back up left back - but who would sign for us knowing they'll probably sit on the bench a lot of the time?

[norwaysaint]

Well, the fact is that we are currently in the race, we are massive outsiders, but we're clearly in there. People on here mostly won't say that, because being optimistic or positive and ending up wrong is miserable and you'll be sneered at as delusional, people will go on about it constantly, but being negative and being wrong means that afterwards you can just dismiss it with "delighted to have been proven wrong" and anybody who goes on about it is a moaning idiot. So it's no surprise most on this thread have quickly dismissed the idea.

 

frankly, I'd still be delighted with anywhere in the top half' including tenth, and would look back very happily on the exciting days when we were third after 11 and playing amazing football.

[SaintSteve]

I think its worth an each way bet at 150-1.. there is no team playing as well as us the the present time; but Decembers seven matches maybe too many for our limited squad.

[The Kraken]

Before the start of the season, I think the majority of fans would have said we were one top class centre back short, but Fonte has really stepped up his game since being partnered with the excellent Lovren. If he continues this form, would you drop him? I know I couldn't, and with Yoshida and Jos as back up, short term I can't see a centre back being brought in. Long term perhaps, as Fonte gets older and our aspirations for World Domination grow, but short term he's doing a bang up job.

 

Agree with the AM though, we're one short with Ramirez out of favour - though it has to be someone special that can turn a tight game into victory. Imagine finding a Ramsey or Lampard - a goalscoring midfielder would be an immense acquisition if we could find one; if not, just a creative one would be enough.

 

I agree with other recommendations for a back up Keeper and back up left back - but who would sign for us knowing they'll probably sit on the bench a lot of the time?

I don't disagree about Fonte, he has definitely stepped up. But its extremely unlikely that he and Lovren will play in every game, injury and/or suspension could well mean that we have to rely on our backup, and I just don't see that we're anywhere near as good defensively with Hooiveld or Yoshida. If we did buy "another Lovren" then Fonte would make way and become the first reserve. For now though you're entirely right, Fonte has done a brilliant job. As for reserve GK, I reckon there's plenty of keepers who would move despite being sat on the bench most weeks. Can't say I'd say the same for a left back though. I reckon we'd perhaps be better trying to find a left footed Ivanovic, someone who is equally comfortable at left back as at centre back. They don't just grow on trees though...

[OldNick]

I mentioned this ridiculous sentiment the other day and was accused of making stuff up. Well here it is again. We can win the FA Cup this season, but if we do it clearly will not then result in our relegation. I take it you have seen us play this season?

You can assume we would not go down, I am fairly certain that is the case as well, but not arrogant enough to believe we are fireproof. 45 years of being disappointed countless times makes me more cautious than many younger fans would be. Remember being 3up at Tranmere in the cup ,fans phoning up to buy tickets for the next round only to lose 4-3, Saints being something like 10points clear and going for promotion only for our star forward (Wayman) to get injured and we didn't win a game again and not getting promotion. Yes we are almost certain able to do both but I don't take it for granted

[Colinjb]

As of this moment in time, we are, we actually are. Being just one victory away from topping the table means that we are!

 

Can we sustain it? Unlikely. Will we win the league? Highly unlikely. Top 4? Still rather unlikely.... But here we are right now, totally in the thick of it.

 

If we emerge from our next four fixtures with credit I will start to get a little giddy.

[SNSUN]

I don't disagree about Fonte, he has definitely stepped up. But its extremely unlikely that he and Lovren will play in every game, injury and/or suspension could well mean that we have to rely on our backup, and I just don't see that we're anywhere near as good defensively with Hooiveld or Yoshida. If we did buy "another Lovren" then Fonte would make way and become the first reserve. For now though you're entirely right, Fonte has done a brilliant job. As for reserve GK, I reckon there's plenty of keepers who would move despite being sat on the bench most weeks. Can't say I'd say the same for a left back though. I reckon we'd perhaps be better trying to find a left footed Ivanovic, someone who is equally comfortable at left back as at centre back. They don't just grow on trees though...

 

Danny Higginbotham! :-D I actually thought a good transfer link in the summer, however weak it was, was Spurs's Kyle Naughton - a player that can play both left and right back. (Like having another Clyne really!) Plus he's English and doesn't get regular games for Spurs, although perhaps he wouldn't come cheap enough for a squad player...

[The Kraken]

Danny Higginbotham! :-D I actually thought a good transfer link in the summer, however weak it was, was Spurs's Kyle Naughton - a player that can play both left and right back. (Like having another Clyne really!) Plus he's English and doesn't get regular games for Spurs, although perhaps he wouldn't come cheap enough for a squad player...

 

That's a decent shout. Although with Rose having been out injured Naughton has featured a fair bit (although he didn't make their squad today).

[B Rabbit]

Be interesting to see how people's opinions change when we take 4 points from our next 2 opponents....

 

Just saying....

[BadgerBadger]

There's a long way to go and I prefer to keep expectations a little below reality

[John D]

We have had a great start and boy it has been enjoyable to see us up there but don't forget we have played the bottom 8 and only 3 in the top half. If we are still up there after the next run of games (Arsenal a, Chelsea a, City h, Spurs a) then we are can argue we are in the mix. The strange thing for me though is that having seen us at Anfield and Old Trafford I do think we may be able to get something from these games.