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Saints: 'Too Good To Go Down'


TijuanaTim
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Has history taught you nothing?

 

No one I ever too good to go down. Man city, blackburn, newcastle, saints need I carry on.

 

And I would certainly not give up a playoff position just to see them relegated. I think they will do that all by themselves.

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I'll tell you what. The description of why Saints left the Premiership is actually pretty much on the money. Here's how:

 

SOUTHAMPTON (2004-05)

Pedigree: Playing top-flight football for a 27th consecutive season, they had reached the FA Cup final and finished eighth in 2003. Never seemed to go down, no matter how many people expected them to.

Players: Three England international strikers, of past and future, in James Beattie, Kevin Phillips and Peter Crouch, an outstanding goalkeeper in Antti Niemi and the nucleus of the FA Cup final side.

In trouble because: Gordon Strachan left early in 2004 and Rupert Lowe's attempts to replace him were farcical; Paul Sturrock and Steve Wigley were out of their depth, Harry Redknapp was at the wrong club and the long-term plan to bring in Clive Woodward was ludicrous. Opted for quantity rather than quality in their signings, with only Crouch actually benefiting an oversized squad.

Went down because: Took long to even realise they were in a relegation battle, squandering winnable home games, especially in the first half of the season. Their established goalscorer (Beattie) left in January, their finest defender (Michael Svensson) missed the entire campaign with injury and the midfield mainstay of previous campaigns (Matt Oakley) barely featured. Key players such as Niemi and Claus Lundekvam lost form while Crouch, when he appeared a potential saviour, got a red card in the penultimate game at Crystal Palace.

 

 

They left out the sale of Bridgey perhaps [but Le Saux was OK] which made CMFG unhappy, but I can't really argue with any of that.

 

 

But let's not dwell on the past. This club has a future.

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I'll tell you what. The description of why Saints left the Premiership is actually pretty much on the money. Here's how:

 

SOUTHAMPTON (2004-05)

Pedigree: Playing top-flight football for a 27th consecutive season, they had reached the FA Cup final and finished eighth in 2003. Never seemed to go down, no matter how many people expected them to.

Players: Three England international strikers, of past and future, in James Beattie, Kevin Phillips and Peter Crouch, an outstanding goalkeeper in Antti Niemi and the nucleus of the FA Cup final side.

In trouble because: Gordon Strachan left early in 2004 and Rupert Lowe's attempts to replace him were farcical; Paul Sturrock and Steve Wigley were out of their depth, Harry Redknapp was at the wrong club and the long-term plan to bring in Clive Woodward was ludicrous. Opted for quantity rather than quality in their signings, with only Crouch actually benefiting an oversized squad.

Went down because: Took long to even realise they were in a relegation battle, squandering winnable home games, especially in the first half of the season. Their established goalscorer (Beattie) left in January, their finest defender (Michael Svensson) missed the entire campaign with injury and the midfield mainstay of previous campaigns (Matt Oakley) barely featured. Key players such as Niemi and Claus Lundekvam lost form while Crouch, when he appeared a potential saviour, got a red card in the penultimate game at Crystal Palace.

 

 

They left out the sale of Bridgey perhaps [but Le Saux was OK] which made CMFG unhappy, but I can't really argue with any of that.

 

 

But let's not dwell on the past. This club has a future.

 

They forgot to say David Prutton was a bell-end.

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Has history taught you nothing?

 

No one I ever too good to go down. Man city, blackburn, newcastle, saints need I carry on.

And I would certainly not give up a playoff position just to see them relegated. I think they will do that all by themselves.

 

 

When Saints were relegated in 1973-4 (McMenemy's first season) we were accompanied by Norwich and MAN. UTD.

 

Although the other two clubs got back up to Div.1 before we did, it does show that no-one is immune from the drop. For the last few seasons Everton have looked highly vulnerable, but always managed to escape - but for how much longer.

 

The prime example is Blackburn, for whom former chairman Jack Walker " bought " the team that won the Prem.title in 1993-4 (incl. ex-Saints Shearer, Kenna and Flowers) only to get relegated only 4 years later. They were never to achieve the same success again.

 

HISTORICAL NOTE: The only team never to have relegated from the highest division since the League formation is...ARSENAL

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When Saints were relegated in 1973-4 (McMenemy's first season) we were accompanied by Norwich and MAN. UTD.

 

Although the other two clubs got back up to Div.1 before we did, it does show that no-one is immune from the drop. For the last few seasons Everton have looked highly vulnerable, but always managed to escape - but for how much longer.

 

 

Every time we are relegated Norwich seem to accompany us. What no one seemed to notice last season when we relegated after 49 continuous years in the top two divisions was that Norwich were also being relegated after 49 continuous years in the top two divisions ( both were promoted from Div 3 together in 1960 - Saints as champions) Perhaps both will go up together this time!

 

Apart from this season I don't think Everton have struggled in recent seasons - not long since they qualified for the Champions league!

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When Saints were relegated in 1973-4 (McMenemy's first season) we were accompanied by Norwich and MAN. UTD.

 

Although the other two clubs got back up to Div.1 before we did, it does show that no-one is immune from the drop. For the last few seasons Everton have looked highly vulnerable, but always managed to escape - but for how much longer.

 

 

Every time we are relegated Norwich seem to accompany us. What no one seemed to notice last season when we relegated after 49 continuous years in the top two divisions was that Norwich were also being relegated after 49 continuous years in the top two divisions ( both were promoted from Div 3 together in 1960 - Saints as champions) Perhaps both will go up together this time!

 

Apart from this season I don't think Everton have struggled in recent seasons - not long since they qualified for the Champions league!

Everton have flirted with relegation on several occassions in the Premier League, but have often put a run together at the end of the season so that the final table would show otherwise. Under Moyes they have really only had one bad season (05/06 I think) but before that they finished 17th, 15th and 16th and in 97/98 they only escaped on goal difference. They do look vulnerable this year though, hopefully this will be the year when they go down, always disliked them

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Rupert Lowe's four really crass decisions:- Poor selection of managers after Strachan, especially the demotivated Harry Redknapp, trading down of players, his arrogant know better than everybody attitude, together with hiring Sir Clive Woodward because of the disruption it caused, having been relegated and deposed, coming back and indulging in the Dutch experiment and being relegated.

 

That era is thank goodness now over and I for one am grateful for a substantial blue chip owner to take us steadily forward in a sensible way.

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No, the FA were bell-ends giving out such a ridiculous ban for a light push. Players have been given half that for kicking and punching each other.

 

Prutton missed more games than Jermaine Pennant who was actually jailed for being a bell-end. Perspective from the FA - I think not.

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Prutton missed more games than Jermaine Pennant who was actually jailed for being a bell-end. Perspective from the FA - I think not.

 

I always think of Roy Keane, going into the Manchester Derby deciding he was going to end Alf Inge Haaland's career. 5 match ban (he'd have gotten 3 anyway for the straight red) and fined all of 4 day's wages.

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I always think of Roy Keane, going into the Manchester Derby deciding he was going to end Alf Inge Haaland's career. 5 match ban (he'd have gotten 3 anyway for the straight red) and fined all of 4 day's wages.

 

 

Off the subject of Saints I know, however if that basically criminal act of that mentally unstable Irishman had a just punishment (especially if a Saint was the victim) then I truly believe it should been a bit more like this (below).

 

Yes Mr Keane we are going to give you a five match ban and a fine of four days wages - here's the punchline, the punishment will commence when you victim returns to full fitness and has played a month of first team football. Until such time you're banned sine die, with no RIGHTS OF appeal. END OF.

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They forgot to say David Prutton was a bell-end.

 

No, the FA were bell-ends giving out such a ridiculous ban for a light push. Players have been given half that for kicking and punching each other.

 

Agree with both of you.

 

The FA earn bell-end status for a disproportionately long ban.Prutton however remains a complete bell-end in my view for commiting such a ridiculous show of stupidity.Add his miss at WBA into the mix and he really is a 'legendary tool'.

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Prutton wasnt very good. When he did come back he missed a sitter at west brom and he had a temper which let him down too many times.

 

The trouble was that Prutton used this "temper",and running round like a headless chicken before making reckless tackles,to show he was "committed" and "passionate".Combine that with his clapping at the end,and it masked a number of limitations for many.

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