once_bitterne

Miracle more like...

Surely it's more a criticism of the decision to buy him/throw him in at the deep end. Keepers hit their peak far later in their career. Given this season was to be yet another relegation battle I would preferred we went for many of the experienced keepers out there like Henderson. I'm sure Bazuna will be far better than most of them in 5 years but it may be far too late for us by then!

Are you a bit simple? I think you're confusing me with someone else? Can you find a single post I've made where I didn't celebrate our two promotions? I though they were great. Those seasons (and the first season in L1) were the most enjoyable I've had as a Saints fan since the early 80s. They were amazing and I even got to see us win a trophy at Wembley. The point being debated is what level of manager is (amazing chap) Nigel Adkins. I would say L1 as the only decent season he had in the 2nd tier was with us where he had a squad of players several who would go onto to play for their countries, win PL/CL medals, etc. I've had a lot of abuse for daring to say that but no one has given a shred of evidence to backup any thoughts that he's better than L1.

Who's saying there isn't? As I keep saying, the point I made is that Adkins (brilliant chap) is a L1 level manager. The only time he has been successful at a level higher than that was in one season in the Championship with us where he had a stacked squad. Given his track record since being sacked by us I can't see much evidence to disagree with this. He's failed badly at every Championship job he's been given. Nothing wrong with being a L1 manager, that's just what he is. Amazing fella though.

Would it be unfair to assume those strongly defending Adkins were the same ones smashing their fists into their keyboards when that Italian Dwarf sacked him to bring in that no mark foreigner who none of us have ever heard of? Again, is there any evidence to say he is more than a L1 level manager? He did well in one season in the Championship where he had Schnierderlin/Lambert/Fonte/Lallana but other than that has failed spectacular and been quickly sacked from every Championship job he's had since. Still, 'triffic bloke though, yes?

I didn't say he was the wrong choice, he was the right choice as we ended up in the PL. My point at the start of the discussion was that his level (i.e. the highest he can do well at) was L1 and that his promotion in the Championship was more down to the high level of players we had for that league rather than any great managerial work by Adkins. I'm not sure how this can be argued given what time has proved. The players we had in L1/Championship have gone on to have great careers in the PL, won PL medals, CL winner's medals, European Championship medals and numerous international caps. While Adkins has failed spectacularly and been sacked from every job in the Championship he has taken since leaving us. Still, he's a lovely bloke though. 👍

He just wasn't a very good manager. With our squad and financial backing we shouldn't have been scraping through automatically and coming second to a Reading team who had nowhere near the level of players we did and who were relegated with 28 points the following season. Nice bloke, but L1 was his level.

It's amazing how people's impression of his abilities has improved over time. I know we are Southampton who despite being a club of the same size/fanbase as Leicester manage to never win anything but that really was our season to win a trophy. We had a squad of the likes of Morgan/Lallana/Fonte/Lambert which was far stronger than other sides in the 2nd tier of football. Yes, we were able to consistently beat the poor/mid table teams but our record against the teams at the top wasn't that special and Adkins was often easily out coached. Reading 1 point WHU 4 points Brum 4 points Blackpool 1 point Cardiff 1 point Boro 3 points Hull 6 points Leicester 0 points + Pompey 2 points Not really that great a record considering the points we ended up with in total. Adkins is a lovely bloke but at best a very average manager who struggled even at Championship level. If you need any proof of that just take a look at his career record after being sacked by us.

Why did you include Gabbiadini in there? He was another poor signing. He managed around a goal every 5 games and most of those were in a brief purple patch in his first few games.

Adkins was in over his head in the Champ tbf. L1 was his level. We got promoted by being flat track bullies and using a squad with lallana, Morgan, Lambert, Fonte, etc to beat the poor teams but when we played a promotion rival pretty much every time he was out managed and we lost.

If we can just get past this WC we can get back to have major sporting competitions held in nice countries like Russia and China.

We had a massive downturn on points gained over the season from Koeman's previous one and his home record was awful so he deserved to go. It hasn't really affected us as we are still around the 40 point mark every season now which was Puel's level!

What game? Have you quoted the wrong post? I was stating the fact that in Puel's amazing year of 8th place (46 points) we managed fewer home wins than one of the teams who were relegated (Hull).

In his one year here, Puel managed less home wins than one of the teams who were relegated.

Is being called Stu the insult you could be given Dicky?

That wasn't the stat. It was that we didn't WIN a game for over a year if he DIDN'T play.

If even a club like Saints can afford to spunk £30m+ on a player like Carillo, I'm sure we will be able to pay the leccy bill.

Pervert.

Have Prutton and Higginbotham signed yet?

Super Saintarama and the Transfer Saga. What's everyone's favourite old Viz character btw? Mine was 'James Garner and his Transfer Saga'. The one about the bloke in his 30s (who's never been kissed) who still lives with his Mum and gets infuriated every time the real world doesn't behave like his computer games.

Do you genuinely think that Southampton Football Club Ltd would sign a player rated at around £40m?

Him too to be fair.

Ours is just called 'Nothing'.

Given his disappearance from the squad and RH's comments re: players leaving I think it's fair to assume he won't be a Saints player this time next week.