Realistic Thread

[StuRomseySaint]

Only realistic people need reply.

 

This season we will finish about 10th, we will get the the Q-F of the FA Cup and will lose to Leeds in the Final of the JPT

 

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

I think it's about time everyone chilled out a bit and realised that due to the sh!te start we had to the season and the -10... we won't be going up this season, to put things into perspective, we wouldnt even be in a play-off place without the -10

[Phil the Saint]

I'll sign up to this - anything more than this would be a bonus.

[John B]

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

 

Not very realistic I would have thought at the moment as the team is not playing well may happen but in no way a certainty

 

So that is not really realistic but I totally agree with the rest of your post.

 

Although I would be happier if we were playing better football

[pilsburydoughboy]

This season is a bonus.I do not think that the new management expected to be pushing for a play off place this season.When ML and NC arrived at the club it was said they wanted to build the club and team back up this meant starting from the botttom and laying some soild foundations upon which Saints would develop into a club which could hold its own in the Premier League in five years time.

The development of Staplewood is just the start.We will start to produce quality players like we use to but the difference being is that we will keep them and not have to sell all of our quality to keep a very poor management structure afloat.

[saints_is_the_south]

I'd be content with a top half finish, decent run in the cup & winning the JPT this season. Next season however, nothing less than automatic promotion should be acceptable.

[Huffton]

I totally agree and have done since the start of the season. We are in what, week twenty something of a five year plan. This season was onlyh ever going to be about survival, anything more will be a bonus, sit back, enjoy the ride, and give AP and the board the time to re-build the club.

[JustMike]

I totally agree and have done since the start of the season. We are in what, week twenty something of a five year plan. This season was onlyh ever going to be about survival, anything more will be a bonus, sit back, enjoy the ride, and give AP and the board the time to re-build the club.

 

thats the key part right there. AP is building a squad for next season too, hence the signing of 3 defenders in prep for losing thomas and / or perry. Also i dont think the transfers have stopped yet either.

[StuRomseySaint]

Not very realistic I would have thought at the moment as the team is not playing well may happen but in no way a certainty

 

So that is not really realistic but I totally agree with the rest of your post.

 

Although I would be happier if we were playing better football

 

I think it is very realistic to expect promotion next year and we will start as the bookies favourites to win the league, so it is realistic to expect us to achieve this.

 

I don't know who you have been watching to say we are not playing well? We are 4th in the form table at the moment! We have lacked consistancy but have been playing well more times than playing badly!

[Dimond Geezer]

This season is a bonus.

 

 

Spot on. I think we should be happy just to be here still.

 

It is a hell of a job to reach the play-offs with a -10 start. Once our survival was gauranteed I've always been of the opinion that we were looking at a mid-table finish. Then next season get promoted as champions.

 

I would much rather we got promoted as champs, giving us some rare silverware, rather than finishing 6th and sneaking into the Championship through the back door. Personally I've never been a fan of the play-off. IMHO the 3 best teams in the league should be promoted. (Thats not to say I wouldn't be happy if we got promoted that way - hypocritical - yes I know).

 

A day out in the JPT final will be a bonus, but I can't see us turning over Leeds just yet.

[John B]

I think it is very realistic to expect promotion next year and we will start as the bookies favourites to win the league, so it is realistic to expect us to achieve this.

 

I don't know who you have been watching to say we are not playing well? We are 4th in the form table at the moment! We have lacked consistancy but have been playing well more times than playing badly!

 

 

To become champions as I thought you suggested is not realistic at the moment

 

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

although it maybe come August.

[StuRomseySaint]

To become champions as I thought you suggested is not realistic at the moment although it maybe come August.

 

Pardew is building a team for next season. Bear in mind the quality this season is much higher than it will be next season... Leeds, Norwich and possibly Charlton will be gone and replaced by teams not as 'capable' as them.

 

We wouldnt win this League, but anything less than automatic promotion next season would be unacceptable.

[explorer saint]

Agree with this but reckon we will finish about 8th, will win the JPT final but will lose the replay at Ipswich in the FA Cup.

Next season yep we will go up as champions

[torsaint]

At start of season I forecast on here 59 points ie 69 - 10. Don't see any reason to change that.

Glad to see a realistic thread.

[Saint Richard of Woolston]

Difficult to see us getting to QF of FA Cup. We still have an outside chance of play offs. BUT - difficult to argue really.

[John B]

Pardew is building a team for next season. Bear in mind the quality this season is much higher than it will be next season... Leeds, Norwich and possibly Charlton will be gone and replaced by teams not as 'capable' as them.

 

We wouldnt win this League, but anything less than automatic promotion next season would be unacceptable.

 

Again I fully agree with your first sentence but not the second

 

 

Surely it depends on what actually happens we may play well have no luck have numerous injuries and just fail by goal difference

 

I think we will just have to wait and see before saying a season's performance is unacceptable

[stevegrant]

Only realistic people need reply.

 

This season we will finish about 10th, we will get the the Q-F of the FA Cup and will lose to Leeds in the Final of the JPT

 

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

I think it's about time everyone chilled out a bit and realised that due to the sh!te start we had to the season and the -10... we won't be going up this season, to put things into perspective, we wouldnt even be in a play-off place without the -10

Can't argue with most of that, although it would be a bit of a surprise if we get past Ipswich on Saturday. From a purely selfish point of view, I could do without us getting to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup as that would mean the Tranmere away game being moved to a midweek!

[The Kraken]

I think 10th is too low for this season; at the moment we're only 4 points off of 10th place, and given our comparable form to those immediately above us we should eat into that pretty quickly. I still think the play-offs this season may end up being just out of reach, but I'm anticipating it will be touch and go right up to the last game of the season. Unfortunately I think we'll just miss out, and finish 7th.

 

Next season we will be targetting, and will achieve, automatic promotion.

[SNSUN]

I reckon we'll make a late surge towards the play-offs, peter out at the end, and finish 8-10th. We'll go out to Ipswich on Saturday in the FAC, despite me being there and hoping for a win, but we will make it to Wembley in the JPT. (Whether we beat Leeds or not, who I expect to be there, is another matter.)

 

A good result this season IMO. Bring on next season, with a full squad of quality players.

[NickG]

I reckon we'll make a late surge towards the play-offs, peter out at the end, and finish 8-10th. We'll go out to Ipswich on Saturday in the FAC, despite me being there and hoping for a win, but we will make it to Wembley in the JPT. (Whether we beat Leeds or not, who I expect to be there, is another matter.)

 

A good result this season IMO. Bring on next season, with a full squad of quality players.

 

not unlikely assessment

[saintbletch]

Good post and I wouldn't be disappointed if all of that came to pass.

 

But I think we're more likely to get into or closer to the play-off positions.

[Scudamore]

Only realistic people need reply.

 

This season we will finish about 10th, we will get the the Q-F of the FA Cup and will lose to Leeds in the Final of the JPT

 

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

I think it's about time everyone chilled out a bit and realised that due to the sh!te start we had to the season and the -10... we won't be going up this season, to put things into perspective, we wouldnt even be in a play-off place without the -10

 

Sounds about right to me.

 

And perversely i don't really have a problem with that.

 

Actually going up as Champions next year would give me a greater sense of pride than sneaking up via the play off.

 

Really want that trip to Wembley this year though!

[bungle]

It comes to something when Stu is the voice of reason, but he is not wrong.

 

I had always prepared myself for two years, as have most people I know who support Saints. If we got into the play-offs this year it would be a bonus.

 

If we could get knocked out the FA Cup before the QFs then that would be great, as I don't fancy a midweek visit to Tranmere.

[saintstr1]

From the position we were in last June EVERYTHING this season is a massive bonus.

[david in sweden]

Only realistic people need reply.

 

This season we will finish about 10th, we will get the the Q-F of the FA Cup and will lose to Leeds in the Final of the JPT

 

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

I think it's about time everyone chilled out a bit and realised that due to the sh!te start we had to the season and the -10... we won't be going up this season, to put things into perspective, we wouldnt even be in a play-off place without the -10

 

I agree with that too,

Considering we had the -10 to start with, we've done as well as any team in contention for the play-offs. No-one can blame AP for the minus position, that was the FL.

We've EARNED 39 points this season, it's not the fault of anyone connected with the club that there was a deduction.

 

Only Leeds have had ANY real consistancy (lost only 2 league games) and Norwich and Colchester has embarassed each other in away fixtures, and 2 of our defeats were in the first 3 league games (.pre. Jaidi, Trotman, and Papa W) and Lambert is amongst the highest scorers in the League.

 

What do they expect. Some people call for the managers head every time we concede a goal. Next time we lose a game, they'll start a petition for his head. As we wouldn't have a club without Liebherr and Cortese and their finance, I suggest people think carefully before expecting miracles every week.

 

They've planned for the next 5 years and are more patient than many of our fans !

[Wes Tender]

Before making any realistic assessment, there are a few imponderables that need to be taken into consideration. The transfer window has not closed yet and has another couple of weeks to go. It is even possible that Leeds might falter from automatic promotion, especially if they lose Beckford. The same goes for any other team in the division; we could strengthen while others weaken.

 

Whilst it is still feasible that we might make the play-offs, I'd still fancy us as favourites to get promoted once there. I would rather we went up this year even by scraping in, rather than as champions next year. Then, next season, I'd be quite happy if we went up again via the play-offs.

 

If we don't manage the play-offs this season, then OK, we will have done really well if we get anywhere near contention, but there is no problem with aiming high as a strategy.

 

With the FA Cup and JPT Cup, I think that we could beat Leeds on a neutral ground like Wembley, especially if they don't have Beckford and we have added some extra quality to our team. It would give us a psychological boost. We could get past Ipswich in the FA Cup, but already getting further than both Manchester Unitied and Liverpool is a great achievement considering our current position.

[ericofarabia]

Only realistic people need reply.

 

This season we will finish about 10th, we will get the the Q-F of the FA Cup and will lose to Leeds in the Final of the JPT

 

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

I think it's about time everyone chilled out a bit and realised that due to the sh!te start we had to the season and the -10... we won't be going up this season, to put things into perspective, we wouldnt even be in a play-off place without the -10

 

Are you going to run around SMS with your Willy hanging out, eat a turd sandwich and buy everybody in the pub a drink if we actually acheive any one of Play offs, FA Cup semis or even Final or win The JPT

 

I never did get my drink from 2 years ago

 

I think we'll do better than 10th, and haven't given up on a play off place, The FA Cup, basically every round we get thru is extra money in the coffers, but I really am a bit apprehensive on the nailed on Wembley appearance..... hopefully saturdays result for The Dons will have re focused everybodies attention and make us realise it getting Norwich out of the way is only half the job done.

[ericofarabia]

 

. We could get past Ipswich in the FA Cup, but already getting further than both Manchester Unitied and Liverpool is a great achievement considering our current position.

 

Even Portsmyth have managed that, so it takes the gloss off it a wee bit :cool:

[eelpie]

You're quite right, Stu. Of the teams above us we have only beaten MK Dons, Walsall and Hartlepool I believe in the league, so eighth to ninth is the realistic target. AP would be slated if HE were to accept this, but we have yet to prove we can beat the top teams, and only when we have done so should a play-off place become the expectation. The players would do better if this demand is removed, imo. Let us not forget that our 'five year plan' is consolidation in League 1 this season. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Be ambitious, yes, but take one game at a time, and see how things pan out.

 

To achieve the play-offs would mean at least five teams having a very bad run. That would be remarkable. Better the attitude that we have nothing to lose by playing our best.

 

That said, COYR!

[The Cat]

Agree, except for the FA Cup bit as I think we'll draw on Saturday and go out in the replay.

 

Maybe we can still sneak the play offs this season, but I'm not really that bothered as by next season we'll have some new and better players who for the first time in a number of years will have a full pre season together.

 

Would be some season if we went up champions. And if Leeds, Norwich and Charlton go up we'd be huge favourites to do that.

[John B]

Before making any realistic assessment, there are a few imponderables that need to be taken into consideration. The transfer window has not closed yet and has another couple of weeks to go. It is even possible that Leeds might falter from automatic promotion, especially if they lose Beckford. The same goes for any other team in the division; we could strengthen while others weaken.

 

Whilst it is still feasible that we might make the play-offs, I'd still fancy us as favourites to get promoted once there. I would rather we went up this year even by scraping in, rather than as champions next year. Then, next season, I'd be quite happy if we went up again via the play-offs.

 

If we don't manage the play-offs this season, then OK, we will have done really well if we get anywhere near contention, but there is no problem with aiming high as a strategy.

 

With the FA Cup and JPT Cup, I think that we could beat Leeds on a neutral ground like Wembley, especially if they don't have Beckford and we have added some extra quality to our team. It would give us a psychological boost. We could get past Ipswich in the FA Cup, but already getting further than both Manchester Unitied and Liverpool is a great achievement considering our current position.

 

Possibly Liverpool and Manchester United may have got further if they had played Luton;)

[a1ex2001]

I think you need to amend it to 'Next Season we will scrape into the play offs before loosing in the second leg of the semi' to me next season is more of a worry than this as I'd more or less accepted that this season was for building I am however yet to be convinced we have a plan and that the manager isn't just randomly aquiring more and more players.

[derry]

I think you need to amend it to 'Next Season we will scrape into the play offs before loosing in the second leg of the semi' to me next season is more of a worry than this as I'd more or less accepted that this season was for building I am however yet to be convinced we have a plan and that the manager isn't just randomly aquiring more and more players.

 

We are certainly not looking like a good footballing side never mind a dominant one at the moment.

[Wes Tender]

Possibly Liverpool and Manchester United may have got further if they had played Luton;)

It's all the luck of the draw, but we have already had to endure extra rounds and both of those teams would have reasonable expectations to have progressed much further. There are very few teams from our level or below still left in the last 32, so we have done comparatively well, whereas the likes of Man Ure and Liverpool are shock exits at this stage.

[Mao Cap]

yep.

[Block 5]

Stu, I agree with most of what you say.

However, I'm not sure that we will get to the JPT final........ or the FA Cup QF.

MK Dons and Ipswich play us on the back of good wins.

[LaptopSaint]

Only realistic people need reply.

 

This season we will finish about 10th, we will get the the Q-F of the FA Cup and will lose to Leeds in the Final of the JPT

 

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

I think it's about time everyone chilled out a bit and realised that due to the sh!te start we had to the season and the -10... we won't be going up this season, to put things into perspective, we wouldnt even be in a play-off place without the -10

 

 

I think we'll finish 8th, lose to Ipswich in a replay, and - IF we get past MK Franchise FC which will be tricky - beat Leeds at Wembley in the Paint Pot.

[RonManager]

I think that after a frenetic and heart-stopping last day, coming down to an almighty contraversial incident in injury time in one of the other matches, we will find ourselves in 6th place.

 

I think we will win the JPT Trophy - beating Carlisle in the final.

 

I think we will get past Ipswich as we will raise our game (sorry Bungle but it's a Tuesday night in Tranmere).

 

This will show the players just how well they can play and trigger our run to the play-offs.

 

I will not predict how far we will get in the FA Cup as I don't know who we will draw in Round 5.

 

COYS

[West End Saint]

I think that this season has already been a success we have our club on a sound financial footing with no debt the owners clearly know what they are doing and are building for the future that alone makes this season a result.

 

On the playing side we have a good manager that is building a very decent squad that will be able to get out of this league and perform in the next we have every reason to think the future is bright in Red & White.

 

I am really enjoying this season and where ever we finish we have made progress I would love us to win the JPT anything else is a bonus

[saintwarwick]

Possibly Liverpool and Manchester United may have got further if they had played Luton

 

Utd lost to a team 2 tiers below them just like we beat a team 2 tiers below, same equation really but you would expect Utd to win than lose as opposed to a saints win/lose.

[saintwarwick]

I think that this season has already been a success we have our club on a sound financial footing with no debt the owners clearly know what they are doing and are building for the future that alone makes this season a result.

 

On the playing side we have a good manager that is building a very decent squad that will be able to get out of this league and perform in the next we have every reason to think the future is bright in Red & White.

 

I am really enjoying this season and where ever we finish we have made progress I would love us to win the JPT anything else is a bonus

 

This just about covers everything for me. If we get a playoff place that will be a bonus but not the end of the road if we don't. Hope for a place at wembley and honsetly think we can overcome MK over 2 legs and beat Leeds in the final. Not tooo bothered if we lose to Ipswich on Saturday but a win will be another bonus if not a fixture pile up. Onwards and upwards

[S-Clarke]

Good thread, totally agree.

 

anything achieved this season would have always been a bonus, why people are getting het up saying it's a failure if we don't get promoted this year is bizarre.

 

It's great having ambition, i have no problem with that - but you have to be realistic with it.

[Pat from Poole]

Only realistic people need reply.

 

This season we will finish about 10th, we will get the the Q-F of the FA Cup and will lose to Leeds in the Final of the JPT

 

Next season we will be promoted as champions of League 1

 

I think it's about time everyone chilled out a bit and realised that due to the sh!te start we had to the season and the -10... we won't be going up this season, to put things into perspective, we wouldnt even be in a play-off place without the -10

 

 

I'm not so sure. I fear Lambert and Lallana, and possibly even Fonte will move on if we don't go up this season as they won't want another season in Div 3 and higher league sides are bound to come in for them, and even though we would probably get decentish fees, we'd be looking at another major re-construction of the squad. I'd rather have the players than the cash.

 

If we start badly in Div 3 next season like we did this season, which we could if there's a few ins and outs within the squad, how long will it be before both the fans and Cortese get impatient?

 

 

I fully accept that we could have lost our club last summer, but we need to somehow go up this season. There is no guarantee at all that we would be in the top 2 next season, it's taken 3 years for a really massive club like Leeds to get back, assuming they finish the job in the next few months.

[S-Clarke]

I'm not so sure. I fear Lambert and Lallana, and possibly even Fonte will move on if we don't go up this season as they won't want another season in Div 3 and higher league sides are bound to come in for them, and even though we would probably get decentish fees, we'd be looking at another major re-construction of the squad. I'd rather have the players than the cash.

 

If we start badly in Div 3 next season like we did this season, which we could if there's a few ins and outs within the squad, how long will it be before both the fans and Cortese get impatient?

 

 

I fully accept that we could have lost our club last summer, but we need to somehow go up this season. There is no guarantee at all that we would be in the top 2 next season, it's taken 3 years for a really massive club like Leeds to get back, assuming they finish the job in the next few months.

 

There is no way Fonte or Lambert will leave this window, or the next window.

 

If we come to next jan and we're not near the promotion picture, then i'd expect them to get restless (and we'd probably say goodbye to AP too) - but they've signed up here for a project, not for a 6 month stint.

 

they signed knowing that promotion this year would be a bonus, and not something that is 100% possible - so they won't sulk and demand a move if we don't go up.

[Pat from Poole]

There is no way Fonte or Lambert will leave this window, or the next window.

 

If we come to next jan and we're not near the promotion picture, then i'd expect them to get restless (and we'd probably say goodbye to AP too) - but they've signed up here for a project, not for a 6 month stint.

 

they signed knowing that promotion this year would be a bonus, and not something that is 100% possible - so they won't sulk and demand a move if we don't go up.

 

 

If Lambert scores 30-plus goals this season, I could see a Prem team coming in for him in the summer. Somebody like Wigan, Stoke or even Newcastle. He's on a good salary with us, but I couldn't see him turning down a move to the Prem.

[Scudamore]

I will not predict how far we will get in the FA Cup as I don't know who we will draw in Round 5.

 

Go on...have a guess!

[Sold To The Man @ The Bar]

I think that after a frenetic and heart-stopping last day, coming down to an almighty contraversial incident in injury time in one of the other matches, we will find ourselves in 6th place.

 

I think we will win the JPT Trophy - beating Carlisle in the final.

 

I think we will get past Ipswich as we will raise our game (sorry Bungle but it's a Tuesday night in Tranmere).

 

This will show the players just how well they can play and trigger our run to the play-offs.

 

I will not predict how far we will get in the FA Cup as I don't know who we will draw in Round 5.

 

COYS

 

I will take this, see in MK on Wed Ron ?

[St Landrew]

One of the most sensible posts I've seen on here for a long time. At the outset, the aim of the owners was to build up the club, ready for promotion at the end of next season, or so it was said. There was always an outside chance that things would go very well this season, and the playoffs might be possible. They still might, and that is why the goals have been shifted. There is absolutely no reason to limit the team on its ambitions, because if they achieve, it will be ahead of schedule. So my preseason thoughts of being mid-table, to just outisde the playoffs may come to pass. Anything less would be a disappointment. Anything more would be a tremendous bonus.

[NickG]

Facts to help having realistic view;

 

Form over October / November / December / January

 

(period chosen as after team got settled, signings came in, Pardew had backroom staff - and deliberately as when form improved)

 

Played 16

Won 10

Drawn 3

Lost 3

points 33

 

21 games left. This form, repeated, would give us just over 43 points and a total of 72 points

 

looking back over last 10 years that total would put us on previous years either in play offs or very close.

 

We will continue this form? Who knows, could easily drop, particularly if Lambert/Lallana get injured or lose the form they had in this period.

 

Can we match it or improve on it? Again who knows with Fonte, new RB and maybe even bigger signings in the window an improvement is certainly feasible.

 

The facts show we are likely to be within reach of play offs.

 

Would be interested in any fairly reasoned argument to show it is totally unrealistic to consider it!

[RonManager]

I will take this, see in MK on Wed Ron ?

 

I'll be there. Was going to train it from Didcot but unexpectedly not working there this week so will be driving from Taunton as I can't get back the same night by train.

[Saints foreva]

We don't know which teams will be coming down from the Championship yet.

 

Clubs in the relegation battle at the moment:

Peterborough

Plymouth

Sheffield Wed

Reading

S****horpe

You could even say Derby with the dreadful form they're on.

 

I reckon the likes of Sheffield Wed, Reading and S****horpe would challenge for promotion next season.

 

With the amount of money we've spent it would be a complete embarrassment if we didn't go up. We would still need to make little additions to the squad imo.