andoru Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 Given our form, and that of the likes of Man Utd, Arsenal and Man City, do we go into these games as favourites now? If those teams were playing well, we wouldn't expect a great deal from playing them. But with City only managing a draw with QPR, Utd struggling to beat Palace at home, and Arsenal losing to Swansea, maybe defeat to these sides would actually be points dropped. The way we are playing, I'm starting to think anything less than a 5 point return from the City-Arsenal-Utd games would be a kind of failure, especially as City and Utd are home fixtures. In a way, I'd almost prefer that they were on form, so we can play them with lower expectations. The fact they are there for the taking brings an extra kind of pressure, don't you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 Not sure if we'd be favourites with the bookies or pundits, but in my mind we definitely are. Man U and City at home are two very winnable games, they're just not as good as us. Ha, amazing to say that, but right now it's true. Arsenal away? We should be looking for at least a point but we'll go there wanting a win, and we might just get it. 7-9 points from those 3 games will be acceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaMarlin Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 Don't know about favourites, but we certainly have nothing to fear, We are where we are on merit because we have beaten the self-same teams that the likes of City, Arsenal and Utd have been losing or dropping points to. They might well fear us now more than we fear them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 I have heard the old phrase "The table never lies" for more years than I care to remember by anyone and everyone in football, and it was hard to take (but true) when we had spirited displays but lost narrowly / unluckily / ref was blind etc. etc. So why would the fabled table lie now? Unless of course there really is a deep seated conspiracy against the Saints Strangely enough, I have yet to hear one football pundit refer this phrase to Saints this year - with the only"top side" manager to give us any respect as contenders being José Mourinho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 just enjoy it rub the journo's noses in it they keep saying we have played no one any good yet but keep forgetting that City, Arse, Scouse and Spuds are losing to teams we have already beaten. We can offered 4 draws against City, Arse, Utd and Chelsea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 with the only"top side" manager to give us any respect as contenders being José Mourinho Does anyone have a link to this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 Does anyone have a link to this? http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/532731/Mourinho-Chelsea-Southampton-title-race http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/11588654.Mourinho_won_t_rule_Saints_out_of_title_race/?ref=mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmaul Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 It's only Jose being disingenuous, as he likes to do with the media. "Yes. Can they be involved? Of course they can. It's up to them, not us. "We have to respect the fantastic work they're doing. "After that, there are the traditional candidates of the title, and if anyone is four or five, or even eight or 10 points off the top at the beginning of November, that doesn't put anyone out of the race.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 But isn't he ruling out anybody that's more than 10 points below Chelsea? Three-horse race it is, then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericofarabia Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 Not sure if we'd be favourites with the bookies or pundits, but in my mind we definitely are. Man U and City at home are two very winnable games, they're just not as good as us. Ha, amazing to say that, but right now it's true. Arsenal away? We should be looking for at least a point but we'll go there wanting a win, and we might just get it. 7-9 points from those 3 games will be acceptable. Blimey .... you are a hard task master!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericofarabia Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 just enjoy it rub the journo's noses in it they keep saying we have played no one any good yet but keep forgetting that City, Arse, Scouse and Spuds are losing to teams we have already beaten. We can offered 4 draws against City, Arse, Utd and Chelsea I was thinking along the same lines and here are a few examples :- Man Citeh :- a draw with QPR and loses to Newcastle, WHU and Stoke. Man U :- Draws with WBA and Sunderland and defeat to Leicester Arsenal :- Draws with Hull and Leicester Liverpoo :- Draw with Hull and defeats to Newcastle and WHU Spurs :- Draw with Sunderland, defeats to Stoke, Newcastle and WBA. Ironically we have lost to two of the poorest teams we have played .... liverpool and spurs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonraker Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 The attitude to Saints by Journos was summed up on Sunday Supplement when the guy form the express said, with sincere apologies, that when he looks at the table he looks straight past Saints to Citeh. I have no problem with this, let them carry on ignoring us the only thing that matters is what the players and fans of SFC see and feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 I think the media see us as some yappy little terrier dog that nips at the ankles of blokes, shortly before the blokes punt the little dog across the park. One thing we might have done is worried the "elite" with our form, and defensive strength, meaning they might be a little bit more nervous playing us than they might otherwise be. Not to mention City, United, Arsenal and even Everton are all under a little bit of pressure themselves. Beating City at the start of that tricky run, and the other "big" sides will be even more nervous. I look forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarrettIvo Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 Dunno about favourites. Wouldn't be shocked if we did pick up 7-9 points from those three games. But also wouldn't be shocked if we got zero points either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallagroth Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 I would take absolutely anything from this run of games as the classic Saint fan in me believes that this is still just a dream and reality is waiting to come crashing down. Although I am quietly confident that we should be able to grab a few wins if we play to our best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 We go into these games with no pressure. A return of 7-9 would kind of suggest we're on the brink of something spectacular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 I was thinking along the same lines and here are a few examples :- Man Citeh :- a draw with QPR and loses to Newcastle, WHU and Stoke. Man U :- Draws with WBA and Sunderland and defeat to Leicester Arsenal :- Draws with Hull and Leicester Liverpoo :- Draw with Hull and defeats to Newcastle and WHU Spurs :- Draw with Sunderland, defeats to Stoke, Newcastle and WBA. Ironically we have lost to two of the poorest teams we have played .... liverpool and spurs I don't think there is any surprise in that though? The two teams all the fans wanted to beat (and maybe a couple of the players too), it was inevitable they'd be the teams we'd lose against ... There is no reason we can't win our home fixtures against the Manchester teams, on current form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorchio21 Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 There is no way we will be seen as favourites for these three games. The way everyone sees it, is we've just had a lucky run of games, beaten all of the 'lesser' teams that we're supposed to beat, but will crash back to reality when we finally have to meet the bigger teams, and that's when the inevitable slide will begin. To be fair that may still prove to be somewhat accurate, but of course we know from seeing the standard of football we've been producing every week that we actually have great cause for optimism and can prove all the doubters wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Jonny Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 If we get 6 points out of City / Utd / Arsenal that would be amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 The way everyone sees it, is we've just had a lucky run of games, beaten all of the 'lesser' teams that we're supposed to beat, but will crash back to reality when we finally have to meet the bigger teams, and that's when the inevitable slide will begin. Hopefully, worst case scenario, we'll beat all the lesser teams, lose to the "big boys" then return to our previous form and continue to beat everyone else in the league. As all teams, bar Chelsea, are dropping points to the lower sides, then regardless of us losing to the top sides, we'll still finish the season in 2nd. What a treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 (edited) Last couple of seasons we've given Citeh a damn good game every time we've met arguably we are a strong team now and they are, perhaps, not as good as before so I don't think we need to fear them. Arsenal away will be hard work their form isn't great but they are still a decent side whose form will pick up. Man U are nothing to fear they have some good attacking talent but their defence is shocking plus Ronald will be well up for that game I think. I reckon 4pts from those three (draw to Citeh, lose to Arsenal, hammer Man U). Edited 10 November, 2014 by doddisalegend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=307573 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaSaint Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 This is not trying to put a brave face on a tough set of fixtures but - daunting as it seems - I tend to think that we're better to play all the so-called "top teams" in a row. In many ways it's easier to prepare for - and play - three or four talent-laden teams in a bunch than it is to play, say, an Arsenal followed by a Stoke followed by a Man City followed by a QPR. Playing against the "top teams" involves playing in a very similar way, week after week. I'm of the opinion that the 8-0 win over Sunderland actually made things more difficult for us because the "lesser" teams set up more to spoil us so as not to get the same kind of hiding. The big teams won't have that attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Alert Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 This is not trying to put a brave face on a tough set of fixtures but - daunting as it seems - I tend to think that we're better to play all the so-called "top teams" in a row. In many ways it's easier to prepare for - and play - three or four talent-laden teams in a bunch than it is to play, say, an Arsenal followed by a Stoke followed by a Man City followed by a QPR. Playing against the "top teams" involves playing in a very similar way, week after week. I'm of the opinion that the 8-0 win over Sunderland actually made things more difficult for us because the "lesser" teams set up more to spoil us so as not to get the same kind of hiding. The big teams won't have that attitude. I agree with this word for word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 The 28th December against Chelsea will be interesting: we don't normally get "6-pointers" so early in the season.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsbignose Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 The advantage that we have in these run of games is we have nothing to lose, whereas they cannot dare lose. It's a very different mindset and one that I think works massively in our favour. The longer the game goes on and we're not losing, the more the pressure shifts to the "big" club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 I can see us doing better against the Manchester and Arsenal teams than we did against Stoke, Hull and Leicester because they are less likely to try to play defensively which may allow us more time to play our own game. Might mean more goals for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 I don't think anyone besides Chelsea can go to the Emirates as favourites, but I'd be very disappointed if we didn't win at least one of these games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 Not sure if we'd be favourites with the bookies or pundits, but in my mind we definitely are. Man U and City at home are two very winnable games, they're just not as good as us. Ha, amazing to say that, but right now it's true. Arsenal away? We should be looking for at least a point but we'll go there wanting a win, and we might just get it. 7-9 points from those 3 games will be acceptable. Acceptable? 7-9 points would be absolutely fantastic. I'm hoping for 4 as an acceptable amount, 3 at bare minimum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 There is no way we will be seen as favourites for these three games. The way everyone sees it, is we've just had a lucky run of games, beaten all of the 'lesser' teams that we're supposed to beat, but will crash back to reality when we finally have to meet the bigger teams, and that's when the inevitable slide will begin. To be fair that may still prove to be somewhat accurate, but of course we know from seeing the standard of football we've been producing every week that we actually have great cause for optimism and can prove all the doubters wrong. At the end of the day we have gone a long way to securing our status in the premier league for another year. If we finish just in the top 10, that is an absolutely immense achievement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 The advantage that we have in these run of games is we have nothing to lose, whereas they cannot dare lose. It's a very different mindset and one that I think works massively in our favour. The longer the game goes on and we're not losing, the more the pressure shifts to the "big" club. This. The trick though is to keep them at bay long enough for the pressure to build. Which is pretty much what Leicester tried with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 (edited) This. The trick though is to keep them at bay long enough for the pressure to build. Which is pretty much what Leicester tried with us. I don't think Ronald does "keeping at bay" I imagine he would much rather go straight for the jugular an early goal for us will build pressure much better than keeping them at bay. Edited 11 November, 2014 by doddisalegend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxon Posted 10 November, 2014 Share Posted 10 November, 2014 As someone on the City forum said, and I was thinking about this yesterday, the international break is kind of like a reset button. We'll lose some momentum. The big sides might start to pick up a bit once they've had a couple of weeks apart to clear their heads. It worked a treat for us before, lose to spuds then rip Sunderland a new ars3hole. It could work backwards too. I would say, if we come out of this break and get a convincing win at Villa, that will be a huge sign of our new found powers. That will show how focussed we are. Two weeks is a long time. Plus there's the risks of injury obviously. But mentally i think the team needs to be prepared. I really hope we can do it. But if we come back and beat Villa, I reckon we're in with a shout of at least 5 points from the first three big games... which I wih for more than anything simply because we did so poorly against them last season (did better in the 12/13 season at the bog teams I swear!). Especially at St Mary's, w need to make it our fortress. No losses at home all season please that's how you get top four! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Paul C Posted 11 November, 2014 Share Posted 11 November, 2014 Looking at the next 8 league games I don't honestly think that we have too much to be concerned about if we can keep up with our recent levels of performance. Villa Away - Winnable Man City Home - Winnable (we beat them last year) Arsenal Away - we've already won at The Emirates this season - so why not again Man Utd Home - Winnable Burnley Away - Winnable Everton Home - Winnable Palace Away - Winnable Chelsea Home - draw would be OK So, we can probably look to bank wins against Villa, Burnley, Palace and Everton. Possible wins against Man City and Man Utd. Draw against Arsenal, making a possible 16 - 19 points. Why the **** not. COYR's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 11 November, 2014 Share Posted 11 November, 2014 Getting p1ssed off with all these international breaks. Feeling like the big clubs not overly keen on our international players risking injury. Quite confident about our tough run. TBH west Ham, Swansea and Hull away are probably tougher than City and Utd at home this season. Haven't seen anything to scare us yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 11 November, 2014 Share Posted 11 November, 2014 Looking at the next 8 league games I don't honestly think that we have too much to be concerned about if we can keep up with our recent levels of performance. Villa Away - Winnable Man City Home - Winnable (we beat them last year) Arsenal Away - we've already won at The Emirates this season - so why not again Man Utd Home - Winnable Burnley Away - Winnable Everton Home - Winnable Palace Away - Winnable Chelsea Home - draw would be OK So, we can probably look to bank wins against Villa, Burnley, Palace and Everton. Possible wins against Man City and Man Utd. Draw against Arsenal, making a possible 16 - 19 points. Why the **** not. COYR's A draw at home to Chelsea would be OK? It would be a brilliant result We will lose some of these games. Best get your head around that now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 11 November, 2014 Share Posted 11 November, 2014 A draw at home to Chelsea would be OK? It would be a brilliant result We will lose some of these games. Best get your head around that now Flipping wrist slitter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 11 November, 2014 Share Posted 11 November, 2014 Flipping wrist slitter. Basically, no one what so ever...ever thought we would be doing this well, now it was common knowledge and we will brush aside city, United and arsenal.... Maybe have a dip and draw against Chelsea. I do could repeat my point about CL. But I won't ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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