NickG

Fair enough. I don't understand this over analysis of the change this summer - anymore than other years. As I posted earlier every promotion and every multi million pound signing has been since KL owned us, not, unfortunately before her father died. She now seems more interested, they have stated they don't need to sell anyone MP wants and have money to spend. Have also said plan is to progress the club (so maybe bit higher possible) and not sell. Manager and players such as Shaw have spoken about progress next season. I see it much as you. No fire sale but equally no Man City level spending. Season maybe dead but still looking forward to the game Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

This waffle meant in friendly manner.... While most of what you say is without doubt correct why knock anyone for optimism and excitement - particularly on a fans message board? My youngest, despite going to matches for 3 years now, often predicts a 12-0 on way to the game - even at his age, deep down he knows it won't happen but its part of him being excited. I don't tell him it won't happen, get over it you fanny....I just win his pocket money back with a bet Your prediction is probably correct. But football being how it is we could be higher or lower next season or after. If we finish 8th (before we see how summer goes) I disagree that it is 'highly unlikely' will could climb one position. Of course depends whether all top clubs perform to potential, but if we keep players and maybe added a top keeper and CB,(quite possible) personally would give us a better chance to gain a position. I appreciate its your view but saying we will never finish 6 is just that - your prediction. It is achievable and would shock few in football. It maybe rational to predict a several seasons not challenging for Europe but clear from relegation but part of the magic of football is the excitement of dreaming upwards and fear dropping. There are some idiots in here who defy logic with their posts - Glasgow, Barry, Alpine. But you and Turkish often post sense and interesting views just seem to take delight in knocking other people's enthusiasm. It fans message board. Fans are meant to be supportive, biased, positive to their club. Next season there will be three new clubs. Their fans will all want and expect to stay up. Every other club's fans will want / expect improvement. Logic says some will be wrong and too positive. Its bizarre that being happy and supporting club became an insult on here when surely it what the board is for? Alpine moans and says he I'd realistic - but each year its the happy deluded fans who were right ( or found to have been pessimistic themselves). I know people get fed up with 'look where we were 5 years ago' but its shown how the OTT claims can come true. Enjoy the game

You realise that Markus sadly was only with us for one season and no promotions? His biggest signing was probably Fonte or Lambert at about £1m. All promotions, all multimillion pound signings were paid for by KL. But now she is more into Saints, attending games, smiling, the club say plans are to keep moving forward, that finances mean no player MP wants to keep will be sold and money to spend. Where does all this KL is won't spend anymore come from? Maybe she is reaching her limit but nothing coming out indicates that. NC's first interview was much like the recent ones talking about being mindful of being self funding. KL has spent more than anyone else, including her father, on Saints but is portrayed as a villian. Why? Things may change but no-one is certain to leave. MP is talking about unfinished work here. Shaw is not planning on going. Some may go, we may not spend a fortune but just as likely players stay with a couple of good additions

I agree (although Lallana's reading has moved up and is one of the problems for Ramirez making a starting place harder). I feel that we struggle against the defensive / park the bus sides, like West Ham. Ramirez has shown that he can switch play, suddenly accelerate to stretch the midfield, and split a defence. He also has the knack of running towards the penalty box drawing fouls within Lambert range. Just as it was clear to most people who actually saw the younger Lallana and Schneiderlin play that they were good players.. And just as it was clear to anyone who had seen JayRod play for Burnley that he would be a good signing for us not to be written off before played I think many who have seen Ramirez recognise what he can add and enjoy his play. He also isn't lazy...he is continually moving into space, or to assist player in possession, calling for the ball. However he isn't a defensive work horse / good tackler. I do wonder if as team we would be effective with Wanyama instead of Cork (personally think better player but certainly more solid) then allowing Ramirez more freedom instead of Davis? Noticed when he made a recent goal players ran to him to celebrate...he seemed bit isolated before (saintsweb overreaction to body language!) Maybe more integrated now? There are loads of players who were signed for more money and not as young and took long time to regular perform. Who knows, was performing well and popular before injury. (Seems to have cine back quickly for player not wanting to play . )

Not difficult to get this... We had same debate with alpine on Lallana, JayRod and Morgan! So probably good sign. There are loads of players who cost more, were older and made less impact. The criticism by some (alpine) is clearly racist. Cork out of side...poor love he maybe needs to leave. Ramirez... Carlos Lazy kick about . Just racist. Money goes over his head. Player of his age we can get our money back. Bring kept out of side by Lallana....how much is he worth? More than £12m! Sure he moans about squad depth....but now moans that we can't have expensive young players not in starting 11! Lol. So strong squad is 11 valuable players and 14 good but definitely not worth over £10m!!! Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Katarina bough Guly and every player since. As she is clearly more interested now maybe she will see end more Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

pI thought wotte would keep us up. Since then pretty much right. Never thought we would be close to champions league although thought refreshing club aim high. Thought Cortesse would target 6th-8th appears he was talking 4th-6th. My prediction for this season 8-9th. Happy clappers = fans = realistic Genuinely big of you to admit your mistakes. Interesting that those three are three of top players in the most important player thread. Personally think your views on Ramirez are wrong, completely over the top and racist tones. You haven't seen him play. He hasn't lived up to his man of the match performance against villa but his goals / assists / freekicks won was decent for first season. This season you insulted him for not playing (neither was Cork) when his fault was form of side - he has looked impressive and made a difference when played this season. Still young and still worth decent money if sold. Maybe worth remembering the three players mentioned? Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Based on who we miss most, who's good / bad form effects us most and how easy to replace... 1) Lallana 2) Schneiderlin 3) Lambert 4) JayRod 5) Lovren 6) Shaw 7) Wanyama Davis 9) Cork 10) Fonte 11) Boruc Hard to include Clyne when Chambers so close. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Quite timely with JayRod missing world cup....if you slate every signing will be right now and again. Quote alpine " why the f#£k have we signed Rodriguez " about 18 months ago Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Right, so what you are saying is although our billionaire owner has invested more each year, has paid off debts and is now more involved and enthusiastic... And we have just about best youth set up churning out quality players.. And in only second season we are comfortably clear of bottom half And most of squad are still at ages where improving And there is a clear feel good factor amongst the players for being here And club said any player manager wants to keep will not be sold And the plans are for club to progress further And money is quickly available if manager wants it You are worried just on basis that all clubs' fans should be worried. Fair enough, just base my opinions more rationally Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

*Hofstetter said. .plans in place to progress the club* ....will not lead to the sale of star players such as Luke Shaw, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana. "The most important point is that we are in a position where we do not need to sell any player Mauricio [Pochettino] wants to keep," Hofstetter added. "We have a very strong squad and we are still in a situation where we are free enough to act quickly if quick action is asked from us." Clubs can't give guarantees, but this is as clear as you are likely to hear from club that they are not looking to sell, can buy, looking to progress not establish where they are. For some reason there is a feeling that KL won't buy players. All our expensive signings are after her fathers death - and now she seems more interested. If that's reason to worry think fans at all clubs would be worrying

Our Player who you have never seen play, has been playing well, is going international who we could well make money on, is rumoured to be injured & miss out on Brazil world cup... Your reaction? Call him a tw#£?! Why? Because he is south american it seems.

Whatsoever do these have in common? Jack Cork Billy Sharp Wanyama JayRod Tandari Lee Boruc Lovren Osvaldo Ramirez Yoshida Clyne Steve Davis All signed / funded since KL has been our owner. It does seem a transition summer and agree unsettling and unknown. But, some people seem to feel the money has suddenly gone. All I know is KL seems more interested (so maybe increase funding??) And club have said MP can keep all players he wants and money available to react quickly to his needs. Unsure, wary, excited but not worried. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Gut feeling is that the positive comments from MP and Shaw about the future, the financial update stating MP will be supported in keeping players & money quickly available to react to his needs are all pointing to the club having further ambition. KL has been behind the investment led rise and seems more into saints than ever. Although 9th places very creditable, as we sit in 8th, I think this is further indication that the club disagree and don't see 9th as our glass ceiling Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Exactly. We have finished 8th before. The lead up to that was something like 25 years in top division and finishing 10th and 11th in the couple of years before. In the timescale leading up to the two 8th places (if we finish 8th) -last time we went from 12th to 8th in the time we went from relegation to league 1 to 8th. And three players with us in league 1 now play for England. Not a common rise!

http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Southampton/Southampton.htm Personally don't particularly like any even striped kits, nor feel attached to them. Looking at link guess there are a lot of similar age who feel the same - I grew up with red & white kits but didn't see saints in stripes for about my first 13 years watching. Think early 80s my preferred option. Tbh prefer last two years to many of those Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Although I agree with principal that the regular top six are likely to stay the top six I would be a bit more open minded. If Man U can drop in a few months from clear champions to where they are now, then it would not be totally bizarre for one, or two, of the top six to drop down. So, although I don't confidently predict us becoming a top six side, with our progression and chance that someone in top six could drop down I wouldn't say never. I also wouldn't write off further progression and say 9th is as good as it gets.. Since the takeover we have spent and progressed. In 2009 family 68th in football league minus 10 points. 2010 7th league 1, 52 in league KL took over and funded club. 2011 2nd league 1, 46 in whole of leagues 2012 2nd championship 22nd in leagues Promoted to premier league & spent £32m 2013 14th premier Spent £38m 2014 8th premier Spend ? 2015 finish? If KL continues to invest increasing amounts (no suggestion she has changed her view & now seems more involved / interested). Why can't we show some progression? We are 8th in premier league in our second season, with several players from league 1 days. I don't think anyone at the club would agree with your opinion that 9th is as good as it gets. I think your unpleasant mocking tone is misplaced. I read many posts and don't recall posters calling anyone predicting 9th pessimistic. We were 9th a little over 24 hours ago so even if posters predict continued progress I think they will see 9th as possibly / likely - not pessimistic. Consistent 8th/9th would be a good achievement. This is a fans site, fans by definition are fanatical/biased etc. Being optimistic / excited here is likely and a positive thing. Personally I feel the negativity and spite your posts exude is more a waste of negative energy.

Wellbeck 9+1=10 Townsend 1+0=1 Cleverley 1+0=1 Johnson 7+4=11 Lampard 5+3 =8 Milner 1+2=3 Barkley 5+0=0 Wilshire 3+4=7 Ox+c 2+2=4 Stirling 6+3=9 Maybe will be all three to Brazil with their form

Top scorers; 1) Sturridge 20 2) JayRod 15 2)Rooney 15 4) Gerrard 11 5) Lambert 10 6) Lallana 9 Assists 1) Lambert 10 1) Rooney 10 3) Gerrard 9 4) Sturridge 7 4) Henderson 7 6) Lallana 6 JayRod 3 assists Combined Sturridge 27 Rooney 25 Lambert 20 Lallana 16 Gerrard 20 Henderson 10 JayRod 18 Andy Carroll 1+3=4. (If you include 12/13, 7+4=11, and 11/12, 4+2=6, last three seasons, he scrapes together 21, and he edges ahead of Lambert's 13/14 season so far!!)

So what is our glass ceiling that we will never break through? 9th? Strange reaction that a site which by definition is for people positive and biased towards saints you get annoyed with optimism. The pessimistic crowd have been saying for years we need to be more realistic...and have been proven wrong annually. There are a lot of unknowns about continued investment but there is no harm in players or fans being excited or optimistic. Personally will be surprised if we ever break into top 4, but top 6 isn't pure fantasy (nor is several season of 10th-15th). Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Players qualifying; Hazard Lukaku Sturbridge Oscar Wiltshire De gea Ox-c Benteke Wellbeck Jordan Henderson Szczesney Schneiderlin Barkley Joe allen Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Classic thread! I still get confused, saintsweb=fans message board, fan= support, like, biased towards, devoted, fanatical,*"marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion".* But majority of threads contain Barry, turkey, Glasgow, cb etc criticising posters for being positive, biased, devoted, optimistic etc guess will never understand their need to be a virtual character. They have been underperforming recently! Everton, 6th last year, with 6th highest wage bill, sit in 5th. On target to beat last season by 1 place and 9 points have done great. Saints, 14th last season will improve by 5,6, or 7 places with one of lowest wage bills. On target to increase points by 14 not a great season??? No one is laughing at MP, apart from muppets on here who would prefer Rednapp or Allardyce (Alps and turkey big fans). He is highly thought of and his comments were seen a refreshingly ambitious not negatively accepting things have to stay the same. There seems to be an inferiority complex looking in awe at 'big' clubs. Let yourself go and enjoy, be excited, be optimistic..... Its what fans do!

Ben Foster has published his team 13/14; Marshall Coleman Ivanivic Shaw Toure Gerrard Lallana Hazard Sturridge Suarez Player Suarez Young player Shaw Doubt others will get votes, possibly Lovren? Wouldn't be surprised for Lallana to get in the side. Was he in championship and league 1 teams of season? Can't happen often if he makes it.

If you were told a few years ago that in October 2013 we would (for short while!) Sit 2nd - you would have said that was totally unrealistic. Its hard to imagine breaking into top 4 but its not impossible. You ask how, sounds glib but answer is by winning more games. What I mean is this bizarre subjective view of big clubs, turnover, history, crowd size etc are not directly relevant its getting team that wins. A good manager, keeping our young stars, a few additions could get us closer. We have done well but haven't made top 4 as our team are young / inexperienced, we are still new and haven't spent money to catch up with other teams. Current cost of squads in millions Man C, Man U and Chelsea all over £300. Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool all around £200. Everton, Newcastle, Villa all around £90. Sunderland £80. Saints & Stoke £70 Think agents fees quite telling as many signings Bosman or undisclosed. Even with our 'bid' signings we are 4th lowest. All goes to show we are already doing well and punching above our weight. Are Wanyama, Morgan, Jayrod, Shaw, Chambers all worth £20m? We can get expensive players the cheap way! Top 4 unlikely but possible. Think we maybe pleasantly surprised in the summer! Annual improvement in points total will be good then see where we end up? Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Le Tiss...disappointed in cup defeat, fielded marginally weaker side, but side was easily good enough to win..radio interview. Think you need to get your head round difference between disappointment, what could have been, missed chances on day, subjective decision that didn't come off and not taking cup seriously. It seems MP didn't share view of some that he should have rested first team in midweek (if had bet there would have been calls for refunds to travelling fans!) But kept using players and picked what he thought best side. Happy for him to do same as hopefully work out better next time (we haven't missed chances like that since). (Remember all this is about is JayRod and Morgan only being bought on at 60 mins as MP felt they were not 100% & picked Guly / JWP!!) Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk