Dalek2003

Far too many negative comments on this site. Wake up everyone, we were only promoted last season. We had a storming start and we are not going to be in a relegation fight. The worst that can happen is a slide down the table. \even if we do finish 17th it is not a disaster, as I am sure we will learn from our errors. We can strengthen for next season and be ready for the new season and have another go. As Churchill once said, never, never, never give up !

Well we must stick together. The alternative will get us nowhere. Even if we finish lower mid table we can make the season count by building for the future. I agree, a vote of commitment from the Liebherr's would be timely.

Well, I find that summary very re-assuring especially the last three points. The proof will be in the pudding.

I have a horrible feeling that this was apparent in the summer by our relatively modest investment in the squad and the selling of AOC.

I agree with you, we are not staring down the barrel of relegation ffs !

Fine. That is how we started in August and your analysis is one of the best I have read. If we accept that you are right, which I think you are, in the cold light of the day why are some people so surprised by our dip in form ?

I would say 'relentless', steadfast or consistent

Very wrong ie 6 or more places wide of the target, a little wrong 3 to 4 places wide. I hope if we are 15th 16th you are generous enough to admit that I was nearly right !

Yes, that is right. Most people would have been happy with this at the start of the season. This was especially so when our fairly modest summer strengthening implied we were sticking to our plan of building the club up in a sustainable way. At the moment people are feeling very disappointed and raw, which is understandable. However, we need to rally around the club and encourage the players. If we do slide down the table we should be safe and comfortable and this would be an ideal time to experiment and bring in younger players. There are always positives if you think about them.

Time to act decisively. We need to shore up key areas and get some good quality signings in urgently. The trouble is I am not sure we have the willpower to do it.

Yes we will finish 17th....I have bold and made this statement since August. I have justified my prediction time and time again and 17th is lower mid table !

Even I won't contemplate relegation ! Come on, this season was all about consolidation. We have had a fantastic start and if we slide down the league, we will do it gracefully. 17th is about right !

I doubt that, the squad is not strong enough or big enough. We have simply run out of steam because we are knackered. But, we have enough points in the bag to finish comfortably in mid to lower mid table as I predicted back in August.

Note I said lower mid table. Yes it does hurt. My prediction was based on hard nosed facts, that our squad was not big enough and not strengthened enough. If I had based my prediction on my dreams alone, the I would have predicted top 2. I can understnad the disappointment of people now, but I am not the manager and I don not run the club.

Ok, as I have said countless times, this season was all about consolidation. We will not be relegated !

Well, it pains me to say it but \i think my prediction of a lower mid table is more realistic than a top 2 finish.

Dig deep Saints, dig deep.

I think it is different. Our form has been indifferent of late. We need to get back to consistent winning ways.

So many reasons why we need 3 points and a good solid win today. Hope we manage it.

The trouble with leaving signings to the end of the month are: a. It leaves little time to negotiate and therefore we lose our target because we run out of time. b. It gives less time for the target to settle in (if in the summer). c. The 'best' players are snapped up by more decisive teams. d. It can cost us more as we become desperate and the selling club knows this (esp in Jan if the selling club is comfortable. Also, I think it is better to have the squad in place before the season start to cover injury and fatigue.

Well, it comes as no surprise that supporters have blind faith in their team, but to ignore certain realities is stupid. We have had a cracking start to the season, better than i thought we would, but, I said back in August that the squad was too lightweight for the whole season. I can't see what is wrong with that idea. Also, on the transfer issue. I live in Norwich in which my local team have been very canny and very decisive in the transfer market. This seems to have worked and seems the opposite to Saints, yet the clubs are very similar in profile.

It makes you wonder. This begs the question of the commitment of the Liebherr's. I hope they are still with us for the long run, because if they are we will be even without promotion. Without them we could be in for a much more uncertain future.

I hope your right.

What are you on about ?

I agree with Alpine. There is a worrying lack of urgency. This equates to drift and complacency that will utlitimately lead to a midtable mediocre finish. Mind you, I'm not surprised, the pattern was set last summer.