Breaking into the top 7.

[Professor]

Stated ambition, how feasible?

At the end of this season there is likely to be a significant gap in points between the top 7 and the teams that finish 8th and below. It’s almost as if the top 7 are playing in a separate competition. With several of the teams in the bottom half of the table playing each other, there is not impossible for Saints to finish in the top half of the table if they can win 4 or 5 of the remaining 7 games but the team in 7th place, Liverpool, despite losing at St Mary's, is a comfortable 14 points ahead of Southampton. Two wins and a draw for Liverpool out of 7 games and they are unreachable even if Saints were to win all 7 remaining matches, which no one would imagine possible anyway.

 

But, here's another way of looking at this. Obviously, without the disastrous start to the season things would have been different, but if you watched the Chelsea/Man U FA cup game, something else stuck out. That neither team played better than Saints would have done. Two of the top 4 but too many passes went astray, players resorted to hoofball and chances on goal were missed. If Southampton had played as poorly as either team did at times, the fans would have rightly been on their backs.

 

So, can we break into the top 7? With this squad, and maybe by adding a top calibre CB, I don’t see why not. They are looking good enough.

[Barry Sanchez]

If we retain our current good players.

If we spend an awful lot of money on the other 14-17 players needed to bring in the squad.

If other teams dont think of this cunning plan.

Edited 3 April, 2013 by Barry Sanchez

[Wopper]

Getting rid of Adkins was the first step.

[saints_is_the_south]

Lets focus on staying up this season. Top 10 possible next season, then go from there.

[hutch]

We've only lost 5 of our last 21 PL games. If we carry that form into next season, and manage to convert a few of the draws into wins, we won't be far away.

[Saint Garrett]

If we retain our current good players.

If we spend an awful lot of money on the other 14-17 players needed to bring in the squad.

If other teams dont think of this cunning plan.

 

Why do we need a whole new squad ? Whats wrong with the current bunch. They're doing me proud at the moment.

[Barry Sanchez]

We've only lost 5 of our last 21 PL games. If we carry that form into next season, and manage to convert a few of the draws into wins, we won't be far away.

 

The League table does not lie, can we please stick to reality.

 

Clubs that can and will spend more than us or have more pull in terms of stature

 

Manchester United

Manchester City

Chelsea

Arsenal

Spurs

Everton

Liverpool

Now the above are the usual suspects in the top 7.

We will have to spend more than them to improve our squad, and also offer more in wages and fees, will this happen?

Also this is provided we keep and refuse to sell

Clyne

Shaw

Boruc

Schneiderlin

Cork

Lallana

Lambert

Puncheon

Davis

Rodriguez

If we do all it will say is Cortese is a charlatan and a businessman as opposed to a Southampton football club fan wanting to forward our aims.

[niceandfriendly]

If we spend an awful lot of money on the other 14-17 players needed to bring in the squad.

 

Step awaaaaaay from the crack pipe son

[Barry Sanchez]

Step awaaaaaay from the crack pipe son

 

If you think our squad is strong enough to contest for a top 7 place without that then you son are on the crack, do you think others will sit by?

 

Naive.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

We're capable of performances to break into the Top 7 but over the course of a season I don't think the current squad can. Teams in the existing Top 7 aren't getting weaker so it isn't as though a spot is opening up for us either.

 

The other thing that will be interesting to see is how the team plays when there is no pressure. For the past four seasons we've had something to play for. Next season, if we stay up and have a better season (say, comfortably mid-table), it will be interesting to see if the drive is there. Not suggesting it won't, but it will be a different type of challenge from what we've had.

[SaintBobby]

If by "breaking into the top 7", you mean just about scraping 7th place because one of the top teams has an unusually abysmal season, then I think it is feasible. Just. With one hell of a following wind.

 

But also a bit pointless. I'd rather win the League Cup, for example.

[Olallana]

If you think our squad is strong enough to contest for a top 7 place without that then you son are on the crack, do you think others will sit by?

 

Naive.

 

Isn´t it fair to think that our squad that is rather young will develop very much the next two-three years?

 

And for example Everton is not up there year after year. They need to overhaul quite a bit in their squad next two years and I dont see that they can keep on to the likes of Fellaini, Baines so much longer.

Especially the day when Moyes leave them I think they will go backwards.

 

We are 14 points behind Liverpool, 17 behind Everton after having a start with 4 points from the first ten games.

 

Of course it´s not easy but to aim for 8th-10th spot next year and then better the next year is not impossible IMO.

But you need to have a bit of luck with some signings, not too many injuries etc but I am confident we will strengthen our sqaud in the summer.

[Barry Sanchez]

If by "breaking into the top 7", you mean just about scraping 7th place because one of the top teams has an unusually abysmal season, then I think it is feasible. Just. With one hell of a following wind.

 

But also a bit pointless. I'd rather win the League Cup, for example.

 

This.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Isn´t it fair to think that our squad that is rather young will develop very much the next two-three years?

 

And for example Everton is not up there year after year. They need to overhaul quite a bit in their squad next two years and I dont see that they can keep on to the likes of Fellaini, Baines so much longer.

Especially the day when Moyes leave them I think they will go backwards.

 

We are 14 points behind Liverpool, 17 behind Everton after having a start with 4 points from the first ten games.

 

Of course it´s not easy but to aim for 8th-10th spot next year and then better the next year is not impossible IMO.

But you need to have a bit of luck with some signings, not too many injuries etc but I am confident we will strengthen our sqaud in the summer.

 

Big Summer ahead at Everton. Looks to me Moyes will go, and feeling amongst some fans (this is what I hear from my Everton supporting mate, I'm sure Barry will correct me on this) is that he is as good as gone.

 

He will be a massive loss for them.

 

If he goes, I struggle to see the likes of Fellaini & Baines staying put. Whilst they may get £30-40m for the pair of them, it is Everton, so they will most likely get around half of that to reinvest.

 

Players like Distin, Osman, Neville are all going to need to be replaced soon, on top of replacing their two best players. Seems a big ask for me.

[AussieDog]

Agree with 6 of your 7 in terms of spending power (and current squad), but although Everton may have a better history and a bigger ground than us - but I don't believe they are in a better financial position. As for keeping our "best" players, I don't care if we do sell them - on the proviso we replace them with better players. I happen to believe though, that if we replace three or four of the "journeymen" players with 40 millions quids worth of proven talent, along with our team and work ethic, we could sneak 6th or 7th next year or the year after

[Professor]

If we retain our current good players.

If we spend an awful lot of money on the other 14-17 players needed to bring in the squad.

If other teams dont think of this cunning plan.

Barry, Must assume you didn't see the Chelsea/Man U game on Monday because if you had you could easily have concluded that the Saints' team that played on Saturday, despite having 2 first choice players out, performed better than either of Monday's teams. Also indications in the Saints' line up on Saturday that Cortese's wish for home-grown players in a predominantly English team is feasible. In the second half against Liverpool there were 7 English players in the Saints' eleven including two teenagers. Of the non-English players involved during the game, two of those had other British international qualifications, Scotland and NI. Even one of the overseas players, Schneiderlin, qualifies as being home-grown.

The team representing Chelsea on Monday was about as far removed from being a London side as possible, with only 1 English player, the others being 5 from various European countries, 2 Africans and 3 Brazillians. What on earth makes people who love Chelsea as their club want to support an international mix-and-match like that and no wonder most of their international players don't hang around long as money offers crop up elsewhere. Man U, on the other hand, did have 6 English players on show in Monday and they seem to hang on to their overseas players for longer than Chelsea. If Saints can get to the top 7 without going down the Chelsea road it will not only be great for we Saints' fans but quite a boost for English football as some of our squad would have to be considered for the England team, especially those who've already been picked for young England sides..

[Suomi Saint]

Before worrying about this we'd better make sure that we are not aiming for a top 7 finish in the Championship. Still a long way to go to reach 40 points, which is going to be the minimum safety level I would imagine.

[pingwing]

but if you watched the Chelsea/Man U FA cup game, something else stuck out. That neither team played better than Saints would have done. Two of the top 4 but too many passes went astray, players resorted to hoofball and chances on goal were missed. If Southampton had played as poorly as either team did at times, the fans would have rightly been on their backs.

 

This was they key bit, got shouted down and laughed at by both Chelsea and United fans on monday for moaning that it was quite possibly the worst game of football of the season. United played like Stoke and controlled the possession in their own box to then hoof it at a pair of runners who looked like they couldn't have hit a barn door whilst Chelsea were trying to tap it about but had no idea where each other were.

 

So long as we keep the core of the team together next year and keep the style of football going we'll be miles further up the table from just playing properly and getting results from it. I don't see how 7th isn't achievable with mostly the players we have really, we play well enough to score against anyone and can generally keep their goal tallies down now (we've only conceded more than 2 once under Pottechino once and since November there has been only one other incident of it in the league). All we really need to do is keep everyone's heads up and a general belief that we can do it.

[saintbob40]

So since Cork and Shaw have been in the team that has provided 30 points from 21 games. Transpose that across a whole season and that would be 54 points which wouldnt be far off top 7.

 

The Poch factor is also interesting given we have taken points from Liverpool, Everton, Man City, Chelsea and frightened the life out of Man U at OT during his brief reign. This is also a young and developing squad so should improve. I think we need a big ball playing CB who can be the no.1 CB for headers with Yoshida sweeping up behind and back up for Cork/Morgan at DM. Provided that we can finish off the job this year and we can get Boruc, Cork and Shaw pinned down on long term deals then I think we will be a real force to be reckoned with in the coming years.

[hutch]

 

Clubs that can and will spend more than us or have more pull in terms of stature

 

Manchester United

Manchester City

Chelsea

Arsenal

Spurs

Everton

Liverpool

Rubbish. You have absolutely no idea whether that is true or not.

 

We will have to spend more than them to improve our squad

 

Rubbish. If we spend a couple of million on a back-up left back to replace Fox we will have improved our squad.

 

offer more in wages and fees

 

All the available facts contradict you, and none support your suggestion.

 

will this happen?

 

No

 

If we do all it will say is Cortese is a charlatan and a businessman as opposed to a Southampton football club fan wanting to forward our aims.

 

Or that Cortese is a shrewd Chairman who knows how to look after his prize assets.

[pap]

If you think our squad is strong enough to contest for a top 7 place without that then you son are on the crack, do you think others will sit by?

 

Naive.

 

Nope. Others will waste millions on punts trying to improve their squads and fail anyway.

 

What's your assumption here? That every other team is going to get 3 or 4 Michus?

 

Naive!

[Nigel=God-Poyet=Sod]

Let's not run before we can walk though guys. We are not yet safe this season, although we are in a decent position compared to the other sides and if we lose on Saturday for example, to a Reading side destined for relegation, then this thread would be ridiculed. We are playing excellent football under Pochettino and matching and outplaying the top sides but we are still playing catch up from our early season troubles. If we survive, next season may be a great season for us.

[Barry Sanchez]

Rubbish. You have absolutely no idea whether that is true or not.

 

 

 

Rubbish. If we spend a couple of million on a back-up left back to replace Fox we will have improved our squad.

 

 

 

All the available facts contradict you, and none support your suggestion.

 

 

 

No

 

 

 

Or that Cortese is a shrewd Chairman who knows how to look after his prize assets.

 

Lets keep this belter.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

This was they key bit, got shouted down and laughed at by both Chelsea and United fans on monday for moaning that it was quite possibly the worst game of football of the season. United played like Stoke and controlled the possession in their own box to then hoof it at a pair of runners who looked like they couldn't have hit a barn door whilst Chelsea were trying to tap it about but had no idea where each other were.

 

So long as we keep the core of the team together next year and keep the style of football going we'll be miles further up the table from just playing properly and getting results from it. I don't see how 7th isn't achievable with mostly the players we have really, we play well enough to score against anyone and can generally keep their goal tallies down now (we've only conceded more than 2 once under Pottechino once and since November there has been only one other incident of it in the league). All we really need to do is keep everyone's heads up and a general belief that we can do it.

 

It seems to be the new 'in-thing' to mock the idea that players improve as they get older. Also, the whole 'premiership experience' thing many were crying out for last summer, will be applicable to the majority of our squad.

 

So in essence, the entire starting XI will be better off than they were last summer due to better age and experience.

 

Many of the younger players (possibly stick the likes of Lambert & Fonte) in there also, may not have believed fully they were up to the Prem, especially after such a hard start, with some poor performances in the mix also. After a full season, and with performances such as City, Liverpool & Chelsea under their belts, I doubt many are going to still think that is the case.

 

In my opinion, there is every chance we will see improved performances from Shaw, Morgan, Cork, Lallana, Gaston, J-Rod, Yoshi & Clyne - possibly also Lambert & Fonte if they he is still here. Whilst not a starter, you can probably also add JWP into that list too.

 

With some quality additions, and a bit of luck (everyone needs some) we can't be top half, pushing on the fringes of the top 7.

 

If this group can still be kept together, and further quality is added, then who knows? Maybe it could happen.

 

I know Barry says that we can't compete on transfers, but wasn't the only reason Gaston came here for the money? The reason he didn't end up at Spurs or Liverpool? 2 of the teams in his list?

[Glasgow_Saint]

Last 8 games we are top 5 on form - I can see no reason why we cannot maintain this for a full season.

 

Therefore with the current team top 7 is possible - with additions top 4/5 imho

 

we have easily won against Chelsea, Man C, Liverpool recently and outplayed Man U....... we are going places and you all need to enjoy the ride

[Junction 9]

Last 8 games we are top 5 on form - I can see no reason why we cannot maintain this for a full season.

 

Therefore with the current team top 7 is possible - with additions top 4/5 imho

 

we have easily won against Chelsea, Man C, Liverpool recently and outplayed Man U....... we are going places and you all need to enjoy the ride

 

True, but with Saints there's always a QPR at home performance just around the corner. That's what makes the difference.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

True, but with Saints there's always a QPR at home performance just around the corner. That's what makes the difference.

 

They'll still happen.

 

Even Chelsea lost at home to QPR.

[JRM]

It seems to be the new 'in-thing' to mock the idea that players improve as they get older. Also, the whole 'premiership experience' thing many were crying out for last summer, will be applicable to the majority of our squad.

 

So in essence, the entire starting XI will be better off than they were last summer due to better age and experience.

 

Many of the younger players (possibly stick the likes of Lambert & Fonte) in there also, may not have believed fully they were up to the Prem, especially after such a hard start, with some poor performances in the mix also. After a full season, and with performances such as City, Liverpool & Chelsea under their belts, I doubt many are going to still think that is the case.

 

In my opinion, there is every chance we will see improved performances from Shaw, Morgan, Cork, Lallana, Gaston, J-Rod, Yoshi & Clyne - possibly also Lambert & Fonte if they he is still here. Whilst not a starter, you can probably also add JWP into that list too.

 

With some quality additions, and a bit of luck (everyone needs some) we can't be top half, pushing on the fringes of the top 7.

 

If this group can still be kept together, and further quality is added, then who knows? Maybe it could happen.

 

I know Barry says that we can't compete on transfers, but wasn't the only reason Gaston came here for the money? The reason he didn't end up at Spurs or Liverpool? 2 of the teams in his list?

 

i think you'll find it was because Spurs WOULDN'T pay that money for him as they didn't rate him highly enough, not that they COULDN'T.

Spurs will beat us for any player that they actually want and will out bid us on wagers.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

i think you'll find it was because Spurs WOULDN'T pay that money for him as they didn't rate him highly enough, not that they COULDN'T.

Spurs will beat us for any player that they actually want and will out bid us on wagers.

 

Where did I say they COULDN'T?

 

We outbid them. Which suggests we can compete.

[Barry Sanchez]

It seems to be the new 'in-thing' to mock the idea that players improve as they get older. Also, the whole 'premiership experience' thing many were crying out for last summer, will be applicable to the majority of our squad.

 

So in essence, the entire starting XI will be better off than they were last summer due to better age and experience.

 

Many of the younger players (possibly stick the likes of Lambert & Fonte) in there also, may not have believed fully they were up to the Prem, especially after such a hard start, with some poor performances in the mix also. After a full season, and with performances such as City, Liverpool & Chelsea under their belts, I doubt many are going to still think that is the case.

 

In my opinion, there is every chance we will see improved performances from Shaw, Morgan, Cork, Lallana, Gaston, J-Rod, Yoshi & Clyne - possibly also Lambert & Fonte if they he is still here. Whilst not a starter, you can probably also add JWP into that list too.

 

With some quality additions, and a bit of luck (everyone needs some) we can't be top half, pushing on the fringes of the top 7.

 

If this group can still be kept together, and further quality is added, then who knows? Maybe it could happen.

 

I know Barry says that we can't compete on transfers, but wasn't the only reason Gaston came here for the money? The reason he didn't end up at Spurs or Liverpool? 2 of the teams in his list?

 

Thats true, we have to pay more to get the better players, will Cortese do that for nearly every known or prospective quality player?

We are in essence buying players that dont want to come here, would Ramirez in all honesty rather be at Southampton or Liverpool/Spurs? Thats the reality of it all.

The same for City, they have to pay over the odds as players would rather be a Barcelona/United or Madrid.

Edited 3 April, 2013 by Barry Sanchez

[pap]

i think you'll find it was because Spurs WOULDN'T pay that money for him as they didn't rate him highly enough, not that they COULDN'T.

Spurs will beat us for any player that they actually want and will out bid us on wagers.

 

A lot of people said this at the time too.

 

So er, where did he end up going?

[david in sweden]

If this " revival " continues, then we have an outside chance of finishing above halfway.......however, the " Pochettino effect" would have to work from Day 1 next season.

 

I expect a good resolution of the goalie situation.......and to get at least two more defenders.....CB and an extra full back.

.....and someone to make sense of our strike force. Lambert, Rodriguez, and Puncheon of course....but IMHO...we need 5 available strikers, because Sharp, Forte and Barnard will most certainly go.

 

I really don't mind if Guly, Lee or Mayuka prove themselves and stay in the squad, but I do expect at least one new (permanent) striker, as well / instead / in the place of.

 

Historically....good youth players have succeeded in " fairly good squads ", which have been reasonably stable (by that I mean gaining wins /points on a regular basis).

After seeing the upside of JWP and Shaw, we might expect a couple of new faces in the next batch, introduced on an occasional basis. We'll need them ready in case of injuries/loss of form.

 

The old saying about " not winning anything with boys " is true - as we saw in the " Double Dutch " experimental season - it might possibly work in L2... but not at a higher level.

but introducing new younger recruits does work - as we have seen in the past, and this season with Luke Shaw. JWP might be first choice in many sides, but we have a VG midfield at present.

 

SO...assuming all these things ....why not a top six spot?..However, we would be helped by having one or two of the top sides having an " off-season "...and winning more away games.

Edited 3 April, 2013 by david in sweden

[suewhistle]

This was they key bit, got shouted down and laughed at by both Chelsea and United fans on monday for moaning that it was quite possibly the worst game of football of the season.

 

It wasn't just me then! Better in the second half, and a really well taken goal, but I was thinking (without considering the potential alternatives) "Christ; Welbeck, Cleverley, Young are all England internationals.."

 

I don't want to tempt fate any more than the next person, but hopefully in a couple of games we'll all be able to contemplate and express hopes for next season without that inevitable rejoinder...

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Thats true, we have to pay more to get the better players, will Cortese do that for nearly every known or prospective quality player?

We are in essence buying players that dont want to come here, would Ramirez in all honesty rather be at Southampton or Liverpool/Spurs? Thats the reality of it all.

The same for City, they have to pay over the odd as players would rather be a Barcelona/United or Madrid.

 

I don't think it's entirely true that they 'don't want to come here', but I wouldn't say it's unfair that players may rather be at someone like Barca/Liverpool/Spurs.

 

Taking off my Saints supporter hat, to most people, they may see these clubs as a more exciting prospect. I think there are some (young) players, such as Gaston (who spoke of 'the project' and being central to that - i.e. a team built around him) or Jack Butland (turning down Chelsea) that may place a premium on first team football - which they may feel they are more likely to get.

 

But in general, I agree we may have to pay a premium to prise top quality players away from the so called 'top clubs'. However, as/if we progress, I think this premium may shrink.

 

Obviously we need a bit of luck in getting in the right players and them being a success. Maybe, Pochettino can unearth us a Michu like gem? Maybe Cortese, or Reed ( ) will.

[Barry Sanchez]

As an example Philippe Coutinho.

[VectisSaint]

Breaking into the Top 7 (i.e. finishing 7th or above) in the next season or two is not too far-fetched. The issue is then staying in the PL when you have to compete in the Europa Noddy League and need two full teams to do so.

[Barry Sanchez]

Breaking into the Top 7 (i.e. finishing 7th or above) in the next season or two is not too far-fetched. The issue is then staying in the PL when you have to compete in the Europa Noddy League and need two full teams to do so.

 

I stated this yesterday, the clappers seem to think we should of been oN the tv last night playing PSG..........................

[lloydie]

Last 8 games we are top 5 on form - I can see no reason why we cannot maintain this for a full season.

 

Therefore with the current team top 7 is possible - with additions top 4/5 imho

 

we have easily won against Chelsea, Man C, Liverpool recently and outplayed Man U....... we are going places and you all need to enjoy the ride

 

Did I miss the point you started taking happy pills mate?! FWIW i agree with you on the top 7 thing, but just surprised how positive you are now!

[Glasgow_Saint]

True, but with Saints there's always a QPR at home performance just around the corner. That's what makes the difference.

 

Even with the dip against QPR we are still top 5 on the form table.

 

I think we will be the new Liverpool - beat all the top teams but lose to a few lower/crap teams like Stoke, WBA, Everton and QPR

[Glasgow_Saint]

Did I miss the point you started taking happy pills mate?! FWIW i agree with you on the top 7 thing, but just surprised how positive you are now!

 

Mate we just beat Liverpool and Chelsea + the way we are playing is very encouraging - agreed? I was nervous before but not now - only one direction for us and thats UP!

[Barry Sanchez]

Even with the dip against QPR we are still top 5 on the form table.

 

I think we will be the new Liverpool - beat all the top teams but lose to a few lower/crap teams like Stoke, WBA, Everton and QPR

 

I thought we were 7th in the form table.

[Glasgow_Saint]

I thought we were 7th in the form table.

 

Not if the form table is only for the last 2 games

 

what am I like?

[Barry Sanchez]

Not if the form table is only for the last 2 games

 

what am I like?

 

Ooh you are a one.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Although it is far too early to start this conversation, I couldn't have imagined us having this same conversation if Adkins was still here...

[Matthew Le God]

West Brom are only 4 points off the top 7 with 7 games to go, are they really that much better than Saints? Would we need to improve that much to get to their level?

[Barry Sanchez]

West Brom are only 4 points off the top 7 with 7 games to go, are they really that much better than Saints? Would we need to improve that much to get to their level?

 

The chasm between 1-6 to the rest is huge, Everton are the most catchable and still have the resources and pulling power we dont, and they I will add have been skint for the last 20 odd years.

We can bridge that gap no problem, well the only if we spend millions and keep our players, it really is that simple.

[pingwing]

West Brom are only 4 points off the top 7 with 7 games to go, are they really that much better than Saints? Would we need to improve that much to get to their level?

 

Where would they be without the loan of Lukaku? He's been pretty key in some of their bigger wins and when he leaves at the end of the season (as well as Odimwngie) I don't really see them as being better than us...

[Junior Mullet]

Something very exciting is happening with the club.

 

We will stay up this year and build in the Summer. Players coming in will be carefully selected so as to add to the squad harmony and our style of play rather than disrupt it. The club have worked hard to build a footballing brand and I like what I'm seeing.

 

My gut-feeling is that the current lot will be even better next year (experience, tactical astuteness and physical conditioning all improving) and with a couple of careful additions we will finish comfortably top half. My gut feeling is that 8th spot is about right.

 

Please don't tell me to concentrate on this year etc etc. I'm a football fan ffs.

[Wes Tender]

Yet another thread covering much of the same ground as several others. But as it seems popular and several claims have been made by some that need contesting, I might as well join in.

 

Chelsea obviously didn't play well against United as they were probably still recoiling from the shockwaves from being beaten by a small provincial team of youngsters and nobodies, whose rightful place is to be ever in the relegation zone or the lower divisions.

 

And yet again, as in other recent threads, dear Mr Sanchez persists in his nonsense of us having to spend megabucks replacing the bulk of the team if we're to stand any chance of beating the likes of Chelski, Citeh, Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Everton. This view is rather contradicted by our record since the New Year, when United were the only team amongst that group to have beaten us and that being a tight match too. Wins against Citeh, Liverpool and Chelski and draws against Arsenal, Everton and Chelski are obviously no indication that we will be capable of beating them again next year, even if we strengthen the team in the Summer.

 

The usual red-herring is raised yet again, that the sort of players who we will need (to enable us to beat the likes of those teams that we have beaten this year), will prefer to go instead to those glory teams, who are a bigger attraction to them. This doesn't take into account that their squads can only contain so many players and that when those squads are full, they will have to look further down the division. Neither is any account taken of the products of our academy, which has produced players of sufficient calibre that several of those glory teams look covetously towards buying them from us. So presumably if we can keep them, we will have those players of a standard sufficiently as good as some in those teams and already in-house. And how many other "Michu"s are out there available for relative peanuts?

 

The hierarchy of the top teams has already altered quite significantly in the past few years. It used to be the exclusive preserve of Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd. Then came Abramovich and Chelski advanced, subsequently the addition of Man City because of their newly found wealth. Tottenham have advanced because to quite a large extent they have benefited massively from buying one of our academy players. Liverpool have been going backwards these past few seasons and Everton are there because they have a very good manager, but are not a wealthy club. We are wealthier than them and who knows whether Pochettino might yet prove over time to be the better manager?

 

Nobody knows what circumstances might alter that hierarchy in the coming couple of years? Managerial changes might affect any of those clubs significantly. Ferguson won't be at United forever. Abramovich might tire of his toy, or might have some other fate befall him that means he will no longer bankroll Chelsea. But if we survive this season and build in the Summer, then provided that nothing significant changes our ownership or management, there is no reason why we should not look at the future with optimism.

[Saint86]

The League table does not lie, can we please stick to reality.

 

Clubs that can and will spend more than us or have more pull in terms of stature

 

Manchester United

Manchester City

Chelsea

Arsenal

Spurs

Everton

Liverpool

Now the above are the usual suspects in the top 7.

We will have to spend more than them to improve our squad, and also offer more in wages and fees, will this happen?

Also this is provided we keep and refuse to sell

Clyne

Shaw

Boruc

Schneiderlin

Cork

Lallana

Lambert

Puncheon

Davis

Rodriguez

If we do all it will say is Cortese is a charlatan and a businessman as opposed to a Southampton football club fan wanting to forward our aims.

 

I really hope we will have a net spend greater than Arsenal.... if not.... i would suggest we are championship. Their net spend since 08/09 is something like minus £20million. And frankly, they waste their money. £15m on oxlade, when I would rather have puncheon, lallana or Rodriquez and the change. He has done nothing their.

 

To shoot another whole in your argument.... Everton do not spend money..not in the grand scheme of things.

 

Liverpool.... they can keep their Downings,Carrolls et al. ROFL, and city, 1 biullion to win a title and an fa cup... I like your definition of spending money = success.. FAIL.