Are the "big teams" starting to raise their game against us

[Stepgar]

Just looking at the results of late and the scores of today and find it a little frustrating but also a little proud maybe.

 

Think back a few games and Man City were there for the taking and came and gave us a roasting Arsenal could not get anything right then play brilliantly against and now i see them losing to Stoke!! (At the time of writing)

 

Got me thinking that these so called bigger teams are genuinely taking Saints seriously - good thing i guess.

 

Thoughts?

[Batman]

I think city have just raised their game full stop

arsenal, that was a point well earned until we got unlucky with an extra injury

 

united...we shall see

[Lighthouse]

I think a few teams have raised their game against us this season. QPR certainly put in their best away performance at St Mary's. Leicester too were anything but crap in that game. West Brom were pretty resilient too.

 

On the flip side Newcastle, Sunderland and Swansea (okay Bony) all put in a stinker so I guess it evens out.

[Ewell]

Just looking at the results of late and the scores of today and find it a little frustrating but also a little proud maybe.

 

Think back a few games and Man City were there for the taking and came and gave us a roasting Arsenal could not get anything right then play brilliantly against and now i see them losing to Stoke!! (At the time of writing)

 

Got me thinking that these so called bigger teams are genuinely taking Saints seriously - good thing i guess.

 

Thoughts?

 

Sorry to shatter your theory but I thought Arsenal were very average and completely bossed in the first half. The game swung when Arsenal brought Giroud on and they had quite a few opportunities from there. They played no better than us but did create more chances but were very lucky to come away with 3 points and wouldn't have if Alderweireld hadn't got injured.

 

City were far stronger mainly because YaYa and Aguero were just incredible.

[Saint_Tony]

Yep, now we're a big team all the big sides are taking us far more seriously. We are the mighty Southampton, if only we were a bottom half side they wouldn't take us as seriously and we'd be beating the like of Man City and Arsenal. So frustrating.

[trousers]

I floated this notion earlier so I agree that there possibly is an element of 'game raising' going on against us. And yes, we should take it as a compliment.

[Bucks Saint]

No. As posted by Ewell, Arsenal were not that special and happened to play us when we have been slightly misfiring up front. City were amazing but it is was not a huge surprise because they have been improving in recent games and they showed that in their next game too. City were always going to improve on their modest start as they are so strong, as they did last season.

 

So I dont agree there is any raising of games going on, just they are essentially stronger teams we have faced while not playing at our best, which started at Villa. Hopefully we will build on Weds night against Utd and exploit their weaknesses at the back, injuries permitting.

[Saint Charlie]

Certainly interesting that Arsenal chose to rest Koscielny today rather than against us.

 

But City were just miles better than us. Arsenal we were worthy of a point.

[BallBoy]

I do actually agree with this - but it's not just the "big" teams. We are now recognised as a very dangerous and capable outfit by everyone. To the best of my knowledge nobody has rested any players against us. They have shown us complete respect. United will field their best possible side on Monday night.

 

We will have to continue to earn our right to remain where we are. There will be no surprise factor to help us get the odd good result. They will all have to be earned the hard way.

 

The "big" teams have complained for years that others raise their games against them. I think our position means that we are now regarded as a "big" team by most others and as direct competition by Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea etc.