mikee

My first ever saints game - thanks for the memory

Not really surprising as i am sure that the Chilean coach was also at Newell Old Boys and was a student of Marcelo Bielsa. It was mentioned in a recent article about MoPo's journey to the Premier League. Personally i think MoPo has improved on Bielsa's style and manages to combine the high press with defensive shape.

this forum seems to be provide constant friction between the optimists and the pessimists! Going back the OP there can be no doubt that as it stands NOW we are definitely IN the title race with a chance to go top or at least 2nd next time out. What is up for debate is whether we can stay there. For many, part of the enjoyment of our current success is daring to dream - is this not the what keeps every football fan going to games - so lets not berate our own fans for doing just that. In reality no-one knows what will happen next but i am encouraged mostly by the fact that our league position is down to a clear strategy of how we play rather than a "peak" in form which at least gives us a chance of maintaining our position. Lets face it, none of us really thought CL was possible at the start of the season but now, who knows. What I do know is that I am incredibly proud to be a saints fan at the moment!

There is definitely an increase in those going to watch streams in pubs but of course TV viewers want full stadiums and a great atmosphere. Therefore the prices will naturally start to fall over the next few years: 1. because PL clubs can afford to do it 2. TV companies will not pay top dollar to show half empty stadiums 3. The fans should pay less to reflect the fact they are part of the "entertainment" - at least the ones that sing! The trick is getting the price right where you can maximise income without sacrificing crowd numbers - it will no doubt take a bit of trial and error to get this right.

I think that S Davis has played his way into the side and JRod has played his way out of it. Otherwise the same as for Liverpool.

Thanks MOG, this thread has proved your point very well. For those saying it has always been that way, I think in the past the trolls and WUM's have been mostly individuals but they now seem to have joined together and hunt in packs which allows them to hijack any thread for their own amusement. Shame really. I think that I am like the majority on here that visit most days but rarely post as they can't be bothered to put up with the "banter" from people who in real life they would avoid like the plague. It is a bit like at St Marys where you have always had the minority that like to moan and slag off the players - but generally their voices are drowned out by other supporters. Unfortunately on here the rest of the crowd has stopped singing and all you can hear are the WUM's. But what is the solution?

He don't need no education He has got great ball control He had enough of AS Roma His name is Daniel not Pablo Hey Daniel, score us all a goal All in all he's just another brick in the wall! Maybe....maybe not....

Hey Pablo....Give us all a goal!

Not so sure - still think we will try again for Banega or someone similar We ssem very determined to get who we want

I think that promotion to the PL was key - I don't think Adam or Luke would be here now if we were still in the Championship. Also disagree that RL wanted to keep the youngsters together, He referred to them as assets and his plan IMO was to sell the best one each season to raise funds and generate a profit for the business. The combination of PL status and not being broke are key to our ability to keep our best youngsters and this to me is probably the most exciting aspect of our future ambitions.

They managed to ignore a certain MLT - is Neymar really better than him?

Mark Dennis - the one and only Psycho!!

Ever Ever Banega - look out he's coming to get ya

Morgan, Gaston & Banega as the 3 central midfielders would be very exciting as they can all interchange positions depending on the game situation - Cork, Davis & JWP provide excellent backup & options from the bench! Add a winger and a quick striker and we would really be optimistic about next season.

I think that you need 5 good BC's in the Premier League. 2 playing, 1 on the bench, 2 in reserve / suspended / injured. So I would definitely replace Fonte - not that I expect him to leave though.

Edit** Butterfield

Kelvin lives 2 doors down from me in Chandlers Ford and I can confirm that: 1. he does shop in Waitrose 2. his kids go to the same local state school as my kids (and Danny Butterworths) 3. he is on holiday

whether the article is positive, negative or indifferent doesn't change the fact that this is a total opinion piece with no news or research whatsoever. Therefore its credibility relies purely on the reputation of the person giving it. Forgive me if I don't get too worried by this.

It is my opinion, optimistic you may think, but I am entitled to it. One thing is for sure I wont be on here moaning if it doesn't happen. Now is the time of the optimist - get used to it, or better yet, hop onboard and enjoy the ride.

Seems a bit crass debating this but I felt before the recent "negotiations" that we would look to kick on and spend about £60m this summer. I think 6 more players at an average cost of £10m. I would bring in 2 center backs, another top quality DM - Wanyama would be awesome, another AM to rival Ramirez, 2 wingers (Lens for one and another from Spain / S. America or even Scott Sinclair) and finally a top quality striker to give us a different dimension. So that's is seven - maybe with our newfound financial support we can even spend £70m. In any case we are in for an exciting summer and I hope that we are able to get our players in early as stated by MP. Then we can really start to salivate about our team for next season!!

There are stripes - but just on the sleeves!

signed. Have some good mates who are Cov fans and can't even bring themselves to talk about football anymore! Very sad and could have been us. The way the leagues allow "fit and proper" people to take over clubs based on debt and self interest is disgraceful.

I don't necessarily think it is over zealous expectations as much as reacting to the result rather than the performance. As we know from this site, many people completely ignore the performance and react entirely based on the result. Win = brilliant Loss = **** Draw = Ok but could do better We haven't won for a while so the general feeling is negative whereas when we won a few in a row, we were going to qualify for the champions league next season. I am surprised that we have so many Saints fans that seem to care only about the result as you would have thought they would be better off supporting a Man United or Chelsea where wins are more likely. Of course we have more than our fair share of those that are only happy when they are moaning and disappointed - that's the bit I can't get my head around.

Unfortunately this is another americanism that has infiltrated our sports. Even happens at Twickenham now where the national anthem is sung superbly by the crowd. Used to make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck but now the crowd is just drowned out by these professional singers who just kill the emotion of it. It works in America as the crowd tend to stand with their hand on their hearts rather than sing but it shouldn't be allowed over here!

So this suggests we will benefit from the new rules as we have lots of headroom to increase the wage bill whereas most of our (top half) competitors may only be able to increase theirs by £4m. Is that right?