NickG

Good read. Press are talking about us in a way a few on hear call deluded. Think its great way we are breaking down the narrow minded view that only certain clubs are able to compete and we are light years behind. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Last 6 games we have the best form in the division, but I wondered how we compared over last 38, a rolling season: Arsenal 82 Spurs 75 Liverpool 72 Man U 72 Man C 72 Chelsea 71 Everton 63 Saints 58 Villa 46 Newcastle 44 WBA 43 Swansea 43 Norwich 41 Stoke 40 West Ham 38 Fulham 37 Sunderland 37 7th probably fair assessment of where we are at the moment.

11 games is over ¼ of the season. Even if we drop to relegation form, of a point per game for the rest of the season, giving another 27 points, we end up with 49 points - same as WBA finishing 8th last season. This is not just a good start now. After this weekend we are now TOP of the current form table - so getting better and making progress. More than anyone else over last 6. We have the longest current undefeated sequence in the division, clear of anyone else. Paddy power have us 10/1 for top four. Probably about right - not likely but wouldn't now be big shock. I bet if we were 10/1 for relegation and with worst current form people wouldn't be relaxed. Who knows what will happen, but people need to stop assuming we won't make the top four and mocking the suggestion, I think someone said anyone suggesting we would get 4 against Hull was deluded! Enjoy it while it lasts, and it may just last all season! The Man U forum has a post saying how its years since Southampton have been in the title race!! Only Chelsea, Man C and Man U had more that 22 points last season after 11. (24,25 and 27).

11 games is over ¼ of the season. Even if we drop to relegation form of a point per game for the rest of the season, so another 27 points, we end up with 49 points - same as WBA finishing 8th last season. Not just a good start now. After this weekend we are now TOP of the current form table - so getting better and making progress. We have the longest current undefeated sequence in the division, clear of anyone else. Paddy power have us 10/1 for top four. Probably about right - not likely but wouldn't now be big shock. I bet if we were 10/1 for relegation and with worst current form people wouldn't be relaxed. Who knows what will happen, but people need to stop assuming we won't make the top for and mocking the suggestion, I think someone said anyone suggesting we would get 4 against Hull was deluded! Enjoy it while it lasts, and it may just last all season! Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Interesting read. Alpine - another one for your standard reply - something about me being smug and easy in hindsight ? If you start agreeing with me you may start getting your assessments right! Also interested in whether you think Cork has been a waster just collecting his money this season? As you said Ramirez was & he has input more than Cork this season. Three young players who you wrote off in their first season as useless - Schneiderlin, Rodriguez and Ramirez. (Think Ramirez is couple years younger that Rodriguez but not checked). Maybe worth giving third young player a chance as you were so wrong in identifying ability in others? Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

We have used: Schneiderlin Wanyama Lallana Ward-prowse Davis Ramirez Guly All more than Cork in midfield this season. Plus we have Reed, Isgrove and Rowe. I can't see Cork getting much game time even if Schneiderlin is injured. Think NC's first choice would be to switch Davis or JWP in. I have only seen Reed in bits of the streaming of Sunderland game but looked like he was doing better than Cork and Davis? Wonder if would he could be decent cover? If he doesn't get game time during this season it would be fair to let him move on - he has gone from being linked with England call up to just 4 minutes played in premier league. Was always going to suffer when we signed Wanyama but, like Ramirez, also suffering from good form of Ward-Prowse and Davis.

Premier appearances this season - max ten games (includes coming on as a sub although that mainly applies to us as theirs are starters) Sunderland Mannone =1 Celustka =9 Bardsley = 3 Gardner 6 Brown = 1 O'Shea = 9 Johnson =10 Colback = 10 Altidore =10 Ki = 6 Giaccherin = 7 Davis =0 Chambers =4 Fox = 2 Reed = 0 Yoshida = 0 26 Hooiveld =0 09 Rodriguez = 10 18 Cork =3 19 Lee = 0 10 Ramírez = 5 08 Davis = 6 pretty much their first team against our reserves

It is pretty much their full side. Most of the team playing have played most of their premier league matches - their regulars -Colback, O;Shea, Johnson, Celusta, Altidore, Giaccherini, Gardner, Ki, - all started at least half of their league games, several almost every game. So 8 first choices - couple of suspensions haven't they so probably only one or two rested. Turned on stream to see Ramirez running postivelly through the middle winning a free kick in good position - exactly as he has done several times and think we miss at times

It is pretty much their full side. Most of the team playing have played most of their premier league matches - their regulars -Colback, O;Shea, Johnson, Celusta, Altidore, Giaccherini, Gardner, Ki, - all started at least half of their league games, several almost every game. So 8 first choices - couple of suspensions haven't they so probably only one or two rested. Turned on stream to see Ramirez running postivelly through the middle winning a free kick in good position - exactly as he has done several times and think we miss at times

Some seem to enjoy finding things to moan about / be pessimistic and frequently proven wrong. They won't change. If proven wrong on Ramirez it will be added to long list of the 'I'm happy to be proven wrong / we all want same / easy in hindsight' etc we have after we didn't settle for play off in league 1, amazingly Morgan and JayRod suddenly aren't crap, Norwich are not leaving us behind, the club aren't deluded to aim for top 6-8 this season etc. Give up trying to change them - and quoting them! I think what they struggle to understand is; less than £20m does not buy you Bale or Messi. For every Lovren / Coutinhio there are more signings (including English ones) who take while to teach their potential. A transfer fee for young international is not lost money. I do not understand the dislike shown for Ramirez. I am disappointed that the home game against Villa hasn't been replicated but why the abuse? (Apart from attention seeking from those shown not to know much and probably never seen him play!) Last season; Stats for all midfield/ toward players playing over 1000 mins- Minutes per goal or assist; JayRod 138 Lambert 142 Puncheon 171 Ramirez 212 Lallana 248 Guly 506 Davis 540 Schneiderlin 544 Cork 2597 Not bad for youngest, newest signing, who was hospitalised with internal leg bleeding!! Also he won free kicks for Lambert to score on at least two occasions with his direct running. Alpine moans about his sending off (he was wrong to lose cool etc) however fails to mention that he did more in short time he was on in that game than rest did in 90! His main problem is form of JWP - hardly his fault! When has played other fan forums rate him. Sure other clubs would support him, see good as well as failings and hope he comes good - but not here! Squad game - has a lot to offer so why the hate? Jealousy? Where he comes from? Outdated view of fees? Let's attack Cork - he has done a lot less this season!

Agree with this. It would be silly to write off our chances of finishing above, for example Man U. Over ¼ of the season is a fair indicator and we are currently performing better - both in results and performances. If their shortcomings in midfield and defence are not sorted and we keep performing they are easily within our sights. However, if RVP and Rooney perform, Lovren injured etc they should pull well clear of us. The top six is most likely to be as expected, but bookies odds show we have a realistic chance. Those saying we will never catch them, and calling others deluded for considering it, forget that sometimes top teams under perform. Think top 8 is there for the taking - and as CB said cup win would make it a great season! Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

I didn't see yesterday's game, was reliant on national radio but they reported Ramirez had couple of positive - something we sometimes miss from central positions - and something he has often shown. (Would be interesting how many goals we have had from free kicks he has one with his running - he gets quite a few) added to his goals and assists I can't see why he is disliked but guess will never understand need to continually find cause to moan. Not sure how a 2-0 win proves your point - all proves is you inability to enjoy our performances if you saw Fulham as a problem. Reassuring that you have realised your mistake with Morgan and Jay "why the f**k did we ever sign him" Rodriguez. Perhaps learn that its worth giving players time sometimes? Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Not sure if its just your choice of words, but I'd suggest we haven't really got any 'problems' at the moment. Areas we can always improve, having aims etc - but problems?! Over ¼ of season gone, we are one point of 2nd, with similar goal difference. We are above spurs, everton and man utd. Last game I saw was the most convincing team performance you could wish for in the prem. The ability and performance of our first 11 is keeping quality players out. Whenever I've seen Ramirez he has offered quality and opened up other teams - clearly not consistently - but slating he gets is unjustified. (Worst two are alpine who also slated JayRod and Morgan, and Barry who holds Norwich up as our model!) Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

...signings of forwards you would love in our team....and yet after 10 games the team who have scored the least in the division? Wrong in your judgement, early days or wind up? Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

It was, but point was his posts are either this, his hilarious ones about press, or slating talk of the club targeting top 6 as deluded. Thought strange reaction to that article... ....but to be fair my reaction to his reaction probably not the best! Back to thread.. Think key factor is what teams would our players want to go to? Some will inevitably leave, happens to every club. But wouldn't say its a given that everyone would jump for the top clubs. If they are furthering career here, paid well, rate NC & MP, enjoying team spirit, getting international recognition some may choose to stay. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

You really are a strange poster.... Most would have had their attention grabbed by.. The message is clear: Southampton believe they are on the verge of something special. They are starting to convince the rest of the country. Their ascent has been spectacular. This emphatic win over Fulham extended the club's best start to a top-flight campaign and means they have soared from the third tier of English football to third in the Premier League in only three years. The money invested by the Liebherr family has helped but the rise of the Saints is down to more than that: it is also thanks to expert youth development and, since last January, the uplifting management of Mauricio Pochettino...by turning a decent team into one who are exceptionally dynamic, wonderfully enterprising and increasingly confident. "All the players have improved since I have been here," Pochettino said. "It is very satisfying for me to see their evolution in 10 months." The most obvious difference is reflected in the team's defensive record – after nine league games last term Southampton had conceded 26 goals; at the same stage this season they have let in only three, making them the meanest team in the league. ... Or Such has been Southampton's defensive improvement that Fonte has been tipped for a call-up to the Portugal squad for the World Cup play-off against Sweden. Similarly, there are suggestions in France that the midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin deserves a place in their team, while, of course, there is an array of talent at the club that Roy Hodgson could take with England to Brazil. Lambert was one of six Englishmen who started the rout of Fulham and the others are all much younger, including the teenagers Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse, fruit of the club's academy. At a time when England are fretting about their ability to cultivate youngsters, the performances this season of the likes of Shaw, Ward-Prowse, Adam Lallana and Calum Chambers suggest Southampton could teach the FA a thing or two. Or Pochettino is aware that if Southampton continue to thrive, bigger clubs may seek to prise away their prized youngsters, as happened with Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. "That is something that is out of our hands," he said. "We cannot avoid other clubs being interested in our young players. We will do as much as we can to make sure they are here for a very long time Or Playing like this will make it very hard for anyone to leave and could enable Southampton to take one of those big clubs' places in the Champions League. But no, a moan! Time to accept that it wasn't NC and MP who were deluded when looking at our potential but you! Have a good day Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

I appreciate it is still early in the season, however by now you would normally have an idea who we want to drop points, who we are competing against. Still finding it hard to see Arsenal, Chelsea etc as our rivals and want them to drop points! We are now ¼ way through the season and competing at the top - are you starting to want mid table teams (who may have been seen as rivals preseason) to pick up points against top teams? I know we can't impact other games, and what will be will be! My guess - Top 4 will be Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City plus one from Liverpool, Spurs, Man U, Everton and us. So for us to have a chance reckon need Liverpool, Everton, Spurs and Man U to drop points. My prediction was top 8 and I think we should stay there. To be safe probably need Swansea, Newcastle, Villa and Hull to drop points. Can't see anyone else catching us. So today? Chelsea v Man C, draw/ home?? Sunderland beat Newcastle Swansea v West ham , away/ draw Spurs v Hull, Away / draw Next weekend looks interesting, Arsenal v Liverpool Everton v Spurs Was thinking, at end of last season we had people on here talking about aiming for top are deluded - is this first time fans ambitions don't match the chairman's this way around?!

Collymore said next England game should include Shaw, Lallana, Lambert, Clyne and JayRod. Said few player have pace and confidence JayRod has running from halfway line. My view- Lambert should definitely be in squad, if Rooney is injured who else can link up like him? Shaw - 3rd choice at moment but not miles behind, injuries or experience may justify inclusion. JayRod, surprised to hear him championed but clearly good player, has everything in his game - size, speed, skilful, scores etc - but is he consistent enough? Where would he play? Clyne - IMHO should be straight in squad, best English RB at moment on form. Lallana, playing as well as any midfielder including England first choices. Work rate and fitness is amazing. I would be surprised if any English defensive midfielders currently match him, but with more ball skills than just about anyone in England squad. We have good speedy wingers - Townsend, ox-c, Walcott - Lallana offers something different. It will be disappointing if Lallana and Lambert are not in the next squad, Lallana maybe team. Wouldn't be surprised with Clyne Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

And last week MP said GR would not be included as only returned from Uruguay day before the game as planned. No idea if will be involved but hope so Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

I'm not fussed either way, and none of us know truth but when this story came out, following reporter (BBC?) Meeting NC pretty sure it was clearly stated as also about guaranteed funding for transfers from Katrina Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

I would say you are wrong and most likely scenario is they are still investing. Source, the club matter of weeks ago. Appreciate not crystal clear but doesn't sound at all like your view; I am pleased that this matter is now resolved." Nicola Cortese Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce that the Executive Chairman, Nicola Cortese, and the owner of the Club, Katharina Liebherr, yesterday concluded their regular strategy review for the Club and signed off on plans for the Club's continued development. Commenting on the Agreement, Nicola Cortese said: "We are now in a position to move forward with our ambitious plans for the Club and I would like to thank Katharina for the very helpful manner in which she approached our talks about long term strategy. I am pleased that this matter is now resolved

Thought would be but sky sports centre has us 3rd? Think they have Chelsea wrong? Take it all back, disappointing 3 years Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Currently sit 3rd in prem...three years ago today we were 15th in league 1! 36 months climb to prem would have been amazing. (Some were bit thick few weeks ago...three, 3!)

3rd isn't it? Usual collection on match thread and before stating we had lost...get used to enjoying it Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Think its as straightforward as how well he does for the rest of the season. Repeats last and think he will almost certainly go, even if Carroll is back. If he struggles (general form or goals) think he is very vulnerable. Its not that unlikely that he could have a period out of our starting 11 , with Osvaldo preferred, then much will depend on Carroll. In his favour he offers something different from Ox-c, Walcott, Wellbeck, Sturbridge, young, Defoe, - only Rooney links up as well. Think being able to offer something different may get Lallana a chance as well. We seem to mainly go for fast wingers or solid types (milner) clearly he is not going to overtake Townsend, ox etc ..but Milner? Then we may only an injury to Baines or Cole away from three in squad! But most likely one at best.