Main reason why I'm disappointed

[max_saints]

Well, after a quiet spell during the World Cup, the inevitable has happened. Our kids have gone on to further their careers at the top clubs. I have been preparing myself all this while for their exits yet I still feel extremely gutted whenever I see the latest 'X to have medical' thread being stickied.

 

I think the main reason (for disappointment) is not because I had this delusional idea that we could have gone on to win the champions league had we not sold our players but more of the fact that deep down, I've always had this secret hope that our kids would stick together and gone on to win a trophy (even the league cup would be fantastic) If they had done so, the pride and satisfaction in that would have been immense. Granted, we now have XX millions to spend and could possibly built a better team. But for me, the feeling would not have been as satisfying with all the foreign names as opposed to a team of academy graduates.

 

Am I stupid for thinking this way? As Saints fans, should we just accept the reality that we will never have a team of academy graduates playing together for 5-7 years? Anyway, we wouldn't want to stand in the way of our kids joining the bigger clubs who are guaranteed to further develop them for the greater cause of the England team

[Batman]

im really disappointed as I thought we would lose a couple. But as many as likely...???

 

but throw in the like fact that at the end of the window we could have lost...

 

MoPo

Lovren

Morgan

Lallana

Shaw

Lambert

 

as well two youth coaches who have been a very big part in bringing player through

 

 

I honestly think that staying up will be a result next season

[angelman]

im really disappointed as I thought we would lose a couple. But as many as likely...???

 

but throw in the like fact that at the end of the window we could have lost...

 

MoPo

Lovren

Morgan

Lallana

Shaw

Lambert

 

as well two youth coaches who have been a very big part in bringing player through

 

 

I honestly think that staying up will be a result next season

 

 

Oh panic, panic. Why not do what Man U supporters do? New manager, new coaches, lots of new players and they are talking about winning the league. You, you're just being a wet fart.

[Wrensup]

Oh panic, panic. Why not do what Man U supporters do? New manager, new coaches, lots of new players and they are talking about winning the league. You, you're just being a wet fart.

 

How can you possibly compare us to Man U.

[angelman]

I'm not.

[Bearsy]

I honestly think that staying up will be a result next season

 

Finishing below Burnley, West Brom & Villa next season would be a massive achievement, I don't really see how we could manage it! We would need to play G-Nigga & Jos every week, but you have to realise they won't always be available due to injuries, suspensions etc

[S-Clarke]

Oh panic, panic. Why not do what Man U supporters do? New manager, new coaches, lots of new players and they are talking about winning the league. You, you're just being a wet fart.

 

Slight difference is that they're keeping Evra, Rafael, Rooney, RVP, Mata, Nani - and they are then adding to it by buying top level players above a level of which we can sign.

 

So, it's nothing like that. It's probably slightly OTT by tdd, but I get the jist of it and it is very frustrating that we're about to see a dismantling of a team which is pretty much unprecedented - especially for a club not in any obvious financial issues.

 

I'm however hopeful that the money will be reinvested and we can attract players of a decent calibre - Roland Koeman will be a key part in that, and who we now bring in will make or break the short-term future of this club, that's for sure.

 

I think everyone needs to prepare themselves for a pretty bumpy one next year, I doubt we'll be in the top half a great deal - but new teams take time.

[Ludwig]

What disappoints me the most is that we could have won the champions league but now we will probably be relegated straight to L1, possibly starting in -10 points. If only Markus was alive, everything would be ok.

[John B]

Well, after a quiet spell during the World Cup, the inevitable has happened. Our kids have gone on to further their careers at the top clubs. I have been preparing myself all this while for their exits yet I still feel extremely gutted whenever I see the latest 'X to have medical' thread being stickied.

 

I think the main reason (for disappointment) is not because I had this delusional idea that we could have gone on to win the champions league had we not sold our players but more of the fact that deep down, I've always had this secret hope that our kids would stick together and gone on to win a trophy (even the league cup would be fantastic) If they had done so, the pride and satisfaction in that would have been immense. Granted, we now have XX millions to spend and could possibly built a better team. But for me, the feeling would not have been as satisfying with all the foreign names as opposed to a team of academy graduates.

 

Am I stupid for thinking this way? As Saints fans, should we just accept the reality that we will never have a team of academy graduates playing together for 5-7 years? Anyway, we wouldn't want to stand in the way of our kids joining the bigger clubs who are guaranteed to further develop them for the greater cause of the England team

 

Yes sorry stupid

 

The PL is money money money I am afraid

 

Your dreams for SFC of course is very noteworthy but when Man U offer Shaw £100000 per week it is not surprising he left

 

I have supported Saints for over 50 years not because they were likely to win much but because of loyalty apart from Paine and MLT most really good Saints players have left to better themselves playing football is their job.

 

Its not like we are like Pompey with a poor ground who lost their players and money and are now in League 1

 

We have loads of money and we will be able to build a good team I am looking forward to the new season with a new squad of Saints players

[Weston Saint]

Remember the chant "We are Southampton, we're off to Brazil" Well we were but we seem to have lost some of them along the way! Possibility that all our World Cup stars will be starting the season somewhere else. Absolute tragedy for us supporters but plenty of memories from the last few seasons particularly the last one.

 

New board, new Managment, new Team and with the money we have to spend, new optimism??

[S-Clarke]

Remember the chant "We are Southampton, we're off to Brazil" Well we were but we seem to have lost some of them along the way! Possibility that all our World Cup stars will be starting the season somewhere else. Absolute tragedy for us supporters but plenty of memories from the last few seasons particularly the last one.

 

New board, new Managment, new Team and with the money we have to spend, new optimism??

 

Only way to look at it really. Seems pointless to just be depressed about it all, especially with who we've got in charge of the team now. Quite excited at seeing us potentially build a new team with a transfer pot this club has never seen, but at the same time you do get the feeling that it's all a bit pointless seeing as we already had a good team!!

 

But never mind, life goes on, football evolves and we must evolve along with it. Time for a new 5 year plan. The last one couldn't have gone much better.

[Trader]

Yes sorry stupid

 

The PL is money money money I am afraid

 

Your dreams for SFC of course is very noteworthy but when Man U offer Shaw £100000 per week it is not surprising he left

 

I have supported Saints for over 50 years not because they were likely to win much but because of loyalty apart from Paine and MLT most really good Saints players have left to better themselves playing football is their job.

 

Its not like we are like Pompey with a poor ground who lost their players and money and are now in League 1

 

We have loads of money and we will be able to build a good team I am looking forward to the new season with a new squad of Saints players

 

Paine f*cked off to Hereford at the first opportunity, the ****.

 

[Whitey Grandad]

Remember the chant "We are Southampton, we're off to Brazil" Well we were but we seem to have lost some of them along the way! Possibility that all our World Cup stars will be starting the season somewhere else. Absolute tragedy for us supporters but plenty of memories from the last few seasons particularly the last one.

 

New board, new Managment, new Team and with the money we have to spend, new optimism??

 

Yes, it should have been "We are Southampton, we're off"

[Horley CTFC Saint]

Ultimately we can compete on salary - its why NC voted against Euro Financial rules and its why, until we can, we will lose our best players. End of really

[John B]

Paine f*cked off to Hereford at the first opportunity, the ****.

 

 

Yes I forgot about that

 

I went to see them v Everton 1974 they won even Ossie scored but we did not stay up and Paine did not play I think he was upset with Lawrie Mac who he felt had taken the team down.

 

Can understand his frustration as it was him and Chivers who got us into Div 1 and it was him who did most to keep us there under Bates

[angelman]

Ultimately we can compete on salary - its why NC voted against Euro Financial rules and its why, until we can, we will lose our best players. End of really

 

The powers that be seem more than happy that the rules will prevent anyone else really joining the cabal. Oh there may be some flirtations by clubs, but it's all a fairly closed shop. It sells the product and makes them money and screw everyone else We are all aware of that, or at least we should be aware of it. I do feel that if we had kept things together and strengthened, we could have made another push onwards and upwards.

 

As I keep saying, I really am near given up with football. I love Saints, but hate football. Maybe it's sour grapes at not being able to come to the top table. I see it more dwon to it being a closed shop and wondering what the point is if you aren't going to ebreak that. Sometimes I wish I was 20 years younger as then I would know no different and accept the Premier League for what it is. Alas, I am not, and I am well aware of pre_PL days. People like to say that we now have the best players in the world and the most exciting league. Well, I never remembered going to the Dell and feeling any less excited.

[Yeovil Saint]

Agreed Weston, great memories, but a sense of "what could have been" mixed in with that. I just have a feeling that in 20 years time this board will be posting stories about the year we came 8th and if that side had stuck together for a another season or two it might have been winning a cup or getting into Europe. Maybe I'm spoilt, just too young to remember 1976, but I do remember promotion, league cup final, signing Keegan, regularly playing in the UEFA Cup so I don't believe that mid-table in the Premier League is as good as it can ever be. A club should always have the ambition to go just that extra step forward, in our case from mid-table to joining that next tier of clubs alongside Spurs and Everton.

 

Instead we're going to have a new team, Koeman's a good manager and assuming he's got the funds available he will be able to field a decent mid-table Premier League side. However for me it's a bit like the Grandfather's Axe paradox; the Southampton team of 2013/14 was completely different to the side I started watching in 1980/81, even playing in a different stadium, different manager, different players, different kit and badge, many different fans, over time almost everything's changed but the it is still the same Southampton FC. But now, is too much changing too quickly that it can't feel like the same Saints.

 

You can call me a bedwetter if you like but I'm not saying that this new Southampton can't be successful, but it feels like it's going to be a different team, like the Saints I know and support isn't there any more. I wish Southampton FC all the best and wish I could be like the rest of you but I feel like I'm no longer a fan.

[CB Fry]

Agreed Weston, great memories, but a sense of "what could have been" mixed in with that. I just have a feeling that in 20 years time this board will be posting stories about the year we came 8th and if that side had stuck together for a another season or two it might have been winning a cup or getting into Europe. Maybe I'm spoilt, just too young to remember 1976, but I do remember promotion, league cup final, signing Keegan, regularly playing in the UEFA Cup so I don't believe that mid-table in the Premier League is as good as it can ever be. A club should always have the ambition to go just that extra step forward, in our case from mid-table to joining that next tier of clubs alongside Spurs and Everton.

 

Instead we're going to have a new team, Koeman's a good manager and assuming he's got the funds available he will be able to field a decent mid-table Premier League side. However for me it's a bit like the Grandfather's Axe paradox; the Southampton team of 2013/14 was completely different to the side I started watching in 1980/81, even playing in a different stadium, different manager, different players, different kit and badge, many different fans, over time almost everything's changed but the it is still the same Southampton FC. But now, is too much changing too quickly that it can't feel like the same Saints.

 

You can call me a bedwetter if you like but I'm not saying that this new Southampton can't be successful, but it feels like it's going to be a different team, like the Saints I know and support isn't there any more. I wish Southampton FC all the best and wish I could be like the rest of you but I feel like I'm no longer a fan.

 

Far, far too melodramatic.

 

Pochettino was manager for an entire eighteen months. Shaw as a first team player for about six months longer. Hardly the irreplaceable fabric of the club. MP wouldn't be able to pick the city out on a map two weeks before he joined us.

 

Lallana and Lambo fair enough, but absolutely ludicrous for someone who has followed Saints since the early 80s like you to suggest "the Saints I know and support isn't there anymore".

 

So yep. Bedwetting. Big style.

[St Marco]

18 months at one club in the pl is a long time these days fry.

[Trader]

Yes I forgot about that

 

I went to see them v Everton 1974 they won even Ossie scored but we did not stay up and Paine did not play I think he was upset with Lawrie Mac who he felt had taken the team down.

 

Can understand his frustration as it was him and Chivers who got us into Div 1 and it was him who did most to keep us there under Bates

 

As far as I remember, there was some talk about him having a bit too much influence in the boardroom, and he was gently levered out.

[SaintRobbie]

im really disappointed as I thought we would lose a couple. But as many as likely...???

 

but throw in the like fact that at the end of the window we could have lost...

 

MoPo

Lovren

Morgan

Lallana

Shaw

Lambert

 

as well two youth coaches who have been a very big part in bringing player through

 

 

I honestly think that staying up will be a result next season

 

I'm inclined to agree. Survival is what we will now need to aim at IMO.

[Pastor Patrón]

If all these players are so amazing why did we finish no higher then under strachan who played Paul telfer and Chris marsden?

[CB Fry]

If all these players are so amazing why did we finish no higher then under strachan who played Paul telfer and Chris marsden?

Yes, but that was just bog standard eighth place.

 

Last season's eighth was glass ceiling shattering, shaking-football-to-its-very-foundations revolutionary eighth place. Don't you remember?

[Pastor Patrón]

Yes, but that was just bog standard eighth place.

 

Last season's eighth was glass ceiling shattering, shaking-football-to-its-very-foundations revolutionary eighth place. Don't you remember?

 

That's true, and just imagine what could've happened if our squad wasn't viscously ravaged by injury. We could've finished higher than even reading in 06, stunning stuff

[The Cat]

The difference between those seasons was that in 2003 we snuck into 8th on the final day courtesy of a 1-0 win in the last ever game at Maine Road, whereas this season we were nailed on to finish 8th in March at which time we started to give up.

[Pastor Patrón]

The difference between those seasons was that in 2003 we snuck into 8th on the final day courtesy of a 1-0 win in the last ever game at Maine Road, whereas this season we were nailed on to finish 8th in March at which time we started to give up.

 

Who gives a flying f#ck how long you're in the position, 8th is 8th is 8th. We also got to the fa cup final in 03

[CB Fry]

Who gives a flying f#ck how long you're in the position, 8th is 8th is 8th. We also got to the fa cup final in 03

Yes, yes but remember the cup has no magic and absolutely no one cared about that trip to Cardiff which passed by barely noticed by the people of Southampton.

 

But I will never ever forget the street parties and carnival atmosphere all over the city that day in May 2014 when we played Man U to confirm our eighth place. What a party that was and great to get so much media coverage that day too. Simply magical and proof if ever it were needed that the league truly is all that matters.

[Chez]

If all these players are so amazing why did we finish no higher then under strachan who played Paul telfer and Chris marsden?

 

There was the odd decent player in that side too, not that I don't think the genius was great.

[adrian lord]

Fans, who are by nature sentimentalists, will naturally feel deep disappointment at the break-up of what will, with time, be remembered as a legendary Saints team that rose from the depths of league one to tweak the noses of Giants.

 

The players however, are professionals, and as such have little or no room for sentimentality, and cannot be castigated for moving to jobs with more prestige, more prospects, and more money. They'd be silly not to, and who here hasn't or wouldn't, do the same in their own careers?

 

It is big business, but with a uniquely emotionally-involved customer base. This is the fundamental dissonance that exists in the weird business that is football in the modern era. We will rebuild, re-invent and move on with a new team to love.

[sadoldgit]

If all these players are so amazing why did we finish no higher then under strachan who played Paul telfer and Chris marsden?

 

Chris Marsden was brilliant for us!!!

[Viking Warrior]

I share the same optimism as you Weston .

Yes we are having a few torrid days as fans .

But the futures bright the futures red and white and orange

[Baird of the land]

I'm extremely disappointed as no other side that has finished in top 8 has let themselves get gutted to this extent. Sure i expected to lose one or two but to lose 3 with no end to departures seemingly in sight is extremely galling.

[September Saint]

Apparently there is a remake of Agatha Cristies' "10 little Indians" but starring the Southampton football team.

[Turkish]

I'm extremely disappointed as no other side that has finished in top 8 has let themselves get gutted to this extent. Sure i expected to lose one or two but to lose 3 with no end to departures seemingly in sight is extremely galling.

 

This. We should have has Weat Broms resolve, they told Liverpool, Man United, arsenal and spurs exactly where to go with their bids for zoltan Gera, Liam Ridgwell and Chris Brunt. If only we had their ambition.

[Heisenberg]

I'm extremely disappointed as no other side that has finished in top 8 has let themselves get gutted to this extent. Sure i expected to lose one or two but to lose 3 with no end to departures seemingly in sight is extremely galling.

 

Happened to Swansea couple of years back. Liverpool took there manager and best player, Man C also took Sinclair.

 

They came back stronger and won the cup and a top 10 finish

[shurlock]

Happened to Swansea couple of years back. Liverpool took there manager and best player, Man C also took Sinclair.

 

They came back stronger and won the cup and a top 10 finish

 

Our exits are likely to be on a different scale Walt Jr.

[Coxford_lou]

 

The players however, are professionals, and as such have little or no room for sentimentality, and cannot be castigated for moving to jobs with more prestige, more prospects, and more money. They'd be silly not to, and who here hasn't or wouldn't, do the same in their own careers?

 

I've been where I work for 10 years now. Partly because I love the place (I feel a strong loyalty), and partly because I've not had the offer for the amazing next step in my career yet. When that offer comes, I won't hesitate to leave! Can't understand how supporters can't put themselves in the shoes of young football players, especially when they have such short careers. I think it's really harsh to criticise. There's no reason to suggest Lallana's badge thumping isn't genuine, no more than my love for my current organisation isn't genuine. Get real people!

 

That's not to say I'm not totally gutted they've left, but I'll get over it as soon as Koeman brings the wins in! (And I'll always be on the look out for Lallana, Shaw and Lambert to do well, because we made them)...

[Baird of the land]

Happened to Swansea couple of years back. Liverpool took there manager and best player, Man C also took Sinclair.

 

They came back stronger and won the cup and a top 10 finish

 

If it stops now you could claim it to have degree of similarity. That would require the further exits to be just paper talk.

[redder freak]

Football players are generally not fans of the teams they play for, although there are some exceptions.

[TwoPints]

Main reason for my disappointment is the way Lallana and Morgan in particular have decided to treat this club after all the years they've been here. Lambert is excluded from my disappointment as he's the only one, IMHO, that hasn't planned his exit. He was offered an opportunity that he couldn't refuse so fair enough.

 

But the others, they knew what the other players plans were and they knew that if they left at the same time, then it would leave this club, the club that has nurtured them for years, in a very difficult position. But have they thought about deferring their exit until at least January, to allow us some continuity? Have they ****. Schneiderlein and Lallana have been here longest out of the leavers, both have won 'Fans player of the year' but could they give a stuff about whether they damage this club? Could they ****. That's the main reason for my disappointment.

[Bobbyboy]

I'm disappointed because it appears our entire squad is up for sale despite us "not needing the money". I want someone from the club to speak up and say "that's it, no more for sale" but it appears that isn't going to happen.

 

Seems to me clubs have to sell from time to time, and bigger players will move on. But having the entire guts of a squad ripped out in one go? Surely unprecedented, and that's why I'm disappointed. That, and the fact nobody seems to have any interest in stopping it.

[Torrent Of Abuse]

Yes, but that was just bog standard eighth place.

 

Last season's eighth was glass ceiling shattering, shaking-football-to-its-very-foundations revolutionary eighth place. Don't you remember?

 

It was certainly an impressive season. We actually controlled some games rather than chasing the game in desperation and hoping to grab something (in the style of the England national team). I don't remember us standing toe-to-toe with big teams the last time we were in the top flight. Yes, we got a high finish under Strachan - and a cup final - but if we had sold Beattie, Wayne Bridge and Anders Svensson in the following close season (with only Ormerod and a long-term injured Marians Pahars left up front), with hints that Michael Svensson and Matthew Oakley were on the verge of handing in transfer requests, what do you think the mood would have been like on here?

 

I think we had a better all-round squad than back in 03 but we were still very low on depth of squad. And now we have three first team regulars gone. Hardly a surprise to see people panic is it?

[Killers Knee]

If we try to stop players development to the next level we lose the competitive advantage of the academy. We get the best youngsters BECAUSE of Wallcot, Bale, Ox and Shaw. If we block that route of progression the academy will dry up.

[adrian lord]

If we try to stop players development to the next level we lose the competitive advantage of the academy. We get the best youngsters BECAUSE of Wallcot, Bale, Ox and Shaw. If we block that route of progression the academy will dry up.

 

This is an excellent point.

[CB Fry]

It was certainly an impressive season. We actually controlled some games rather than chasing the game in desperation and hoping to grab something (in the style of the England national team). I don't remember us standing toe-to-toe with big teams the last time we were in the top flight. Yes, we got a high finish under Strachan - and a cup final - but if we had sold Beattie, Wayne Bridge and Anders Svensson in the following close season (with only Ormerod and a long-term injured Marians Pahars left up front), with hints that Michael Svensson and Matthew Oakley were on the verge of handing in transfer requests, what do you think the mood would have been like on here?

 

I think we had a better all-round squad than back in 03 but we were still very low on depth of squad. And now we have three first team regulars gone. Hardly a surprise to see people panic is it?

No you're right. We never stood toe to toe with any big teams in the Premier League before. Never. Not ever.

 

I think last season was the first time we had ever beaten Liverpool in our entire history, wasn't it? The kind of thing it would be impossible to imagine the Saints team managed by Strachan achieving.

[rallyboy]

some good points, and a funny one from Trader!

 

I hope Spurs fail, but I wish the main three players well.

It was likely that talented youngsters heads would be turned, but we have done some fantastic business.

If the add-ons are to be believed and are realistic, £31M for Shaw??

Nice.

Keep the production line rolling.

 

To put it into context, we would drop any player tomorrow if it suited us, so they have no reason to worry about what happens to Saints.

Loyalty is a rare thing - remember how Kelvin could have gone to West Ham for an easy life but stayed and played a big part in the return.

That aside, there ain't much of it about.

Bring on the next era!

[Unbelievable Jeff]

Main reason for my disappointment is the way Lallana and Morgan in particular have decided to treat this club after all the years they've been here. Lambert is excluded from my disappointment as he's the only one, IMHO, that hasn't planned his exit. He was offered an opportunity that he couldn't refuse so fair enough.

 

But the others, they knew what the other players plans were and they knew that if they left at the same time, then it would leave this club, the club that has nurtured them for years, in a very difficult position. But have they thought about deferring their exit until at least January, to allow us some continuity? Have they ****. Schneiderlein and Lallana have been here longest out of the leavers, both have won 'Fans player of the year' but could they give a stuff about whether they damage this club? Could they ****. That's the main reason for my disappointment.

 

100% this. The way that Lallana has agitated his way out of this club especially irks me.

[rallyboy]

Yeah, not impressed by the style of that one, but we pocket the cash and move on.

[svetigpung]

what really frustrates me , not that we're selling our best players as that has always happened, but the fact that we were playing fantastic football the way it should be played. Good controlled entertaining football and giving the so-called big teams a proper match.

I'm really gonna miss this , unless Ronald can keep it all going in the same direction. tricky as i think NC was the driving force behind "the southamptoon way".

 

The way we have played the last few years has been truelly inspiring. Can we continue?

[Saint_Abroad]

what really frustrates me , not that we're selling our best players as that has always happened, but the fact that we were playing fantastic football the way it should be played. Good controlled entertaining football and giving the so-called big teams a proper match.

I'm really gonna miss this , unless Ronald can keep it all going in the same direction. tricky as i think NC was the driving force behind "the southamptoon way".

 

The way we have played the last few years has been truelly inspiring. Can we continue?

 

I hope RoKo changes the tactics a lot, relatively speaking. Possession for 70% of the game with no goals and taking 4+ touches in the box was frustrating to watch.