What did you genuinely expect from the season?

[NickG]

As we went into first game, with the squad and manager as they are, what did you genuinely think we would achieve this season?

 

I was very down after last night's and saturday's games -looking at the opposition I felt we could have got 4 points (nearly 3 saturday and Palace were nothing special).

 

But was thinking this morning, many on here were saying we were dead certs for early relegation, a Cardiff season ticket holder I know said he had been talking to mates with season predictions and had us for relegation with record low points.

 

We are two places above relegation and I think 4 points as it stands this morning - far far from comfortable - but is it better than anyone expected?

Edited 9 December, 2008 by NickG

[Danbert]

I thought we we're relegation certs. Portaloo has given us a team that can compete at this level from castoffs and youth team players. I think he's done a very good job under the circumstances.

 

It hacks me off the way that after one bad results the headless chickens on here go bezerk. So we lost a game - get over it.

[wadesmith]

After watching the West Ham friendly, I honestly thought we would end up top half..maybe even top six, we just looked awesome. I was so excited about this season. It's just been a total flop. Last night really worried me

[Dicko]

We look too powder puff

 

I think we lack leadership and our players are too nice

We need a bit of c**t in us

 

I'd like to see a nasty, aggressive central midfielder (who may not have the same talent as others) install some fire into them.

He can lead by example, get into opponents faces and even do a bit of nasty stuff off the ball

 

That's what we need

 

Not sure where we will find him though

[NickG]

Dicko -agree we are weak at both ends , but rather than repeating post match thread we knew we didn't have them at start of season so did you expect this?

 

I thought we would be mid table, so I am disappointed, but think we are doing better than what many predicted

[Dicko]

Dicko -agree we are weak at both ends , but rather than repeating post match thread we knew we didn't have them at start of season so did you expect this?

 

I thought we would be mid table, so I am disappointed, but think we are doing better than what many predicted

 

Having gone to the West Ham game, I thought we would spank a few teams at SMS this season

 

On day 1 my prediction was 9th, missing out on the play-offs, but playing great football

Sadly, I can't see us avoiding relegation now, especially once a couple more go in January

[Greenridge]

I thought we would be mid table, so I am disappointed, but think we are doing better than what many predicted

 

You're definitely a glass half-full type which is commendable. I thought we'd be where we are and that is hovering around the drop zone. I initially thought that survival this year in the CCC would be key to the clubs future however the with the dwindling crowds I wonder even if that will be enough. It might just be that administration is inevitable which would be a catastrophic outcome.

[LaptopSaint]

I thought we'd be lower-mid table and still think that can happen. Gimme some strikers though.

And then next season... big dreams!

[ottery st mary]

Not a lot to be honest, especially after the pre season and in particular after The Exeter game. Carling Cup.

 

In truth we were no better than Exeter and they have definitely got a correct mixture of youth and experience, we lack. I can honestly say that at least 4/5 of there players would walk into our side. Moxey, Sercombe, Stewart, Taylor, Gill....and coach Tisdale.

They also have a coaching set up that is more suited to the CCC than our group of Dutch Masters...Hence my thoughts at Exeter, we could end up playing each other again next season as equals....How the mighty have fallen as the previous season in the pre season fixture we were just too good for Exeter in most departments.....We have definitely gone backwards as a club in many areas.........Finances..I suppose, with

dreams still in The Premier League....Where did it all go wrong.

 

 

in The first Division next season.

[Fan The Flames]

I expected us to struggle this season, but last night we were so far away from scoring is was frightening. Even when we were struggling in the Prem we didn't look this ineffectual.

 

I now feel survival is out of our hands.

[Wes Tender]

I thought that the combination of Lowe and Wilde back in charge, a manager inexperienced in British football playing the youth team in a formation that seems set in concrete regardless of circumstances was a bizarre combination that will lead ultimately to relegation. I factor in the likelihood that financial circumstances mean that we will have to sell any player who shows quality in a few weeks and that therefore that will be the final nail in the coffin for us.

 

If we do survive, I will be delighted, but the long term prognosis of continuing along that path will certainly be relegation and probably administration, as there is not a indefinite production line of young talent and in any event attendances will fall reducing revenue further when the decent players are gone.

 

Our only hope is a takeover and there doesn't seem to be any sign of that, so beyond that we just have to hope that there are three teams worse than us. I grow ever more doubtful of that too.

[Saint Billy]

As we went into first game, with the squad and manager as they are, what did you genuinely think we would achieve this season?

 

I was very down after last night's and saturday's games -looking at the opposition I felt we could have got 4 points (nearly 3 saturday and Palace were nothing special).

 

But was thinking this morning, many on here were saying we were dead certs for early relegation, a Cardiff season ticket holder I know said he had been talking to mates with season predictions and had us for relegation with record low points.

 

We are two places above relegation and I think 4 points as it stands this morning - far far from comfortable - but is it better than anyone expected?

 

Nothing once I realised Lowe was involved again.

[Scummer]

I expected us to get relegated, and to be honest we are doing a pretty good job of meeting my expectations. If we were able to hang onto our better players we might scrape through, but we all know that isn't going to happen. I expect us to be worse in the second half of the season than we've been in the first.

[solentstars]

As we went into first game, with the squad and manager as they are, what did you genuinely think we would achieve this season?

 

I was very down after last night's and saturday's games -looking at the opposition I felt we could have got 4 points (nearly 3 saturday and Palace were nothing special).

 

But was thinking this morning, many on here were saying we were dead certs for early relegation, a Cardiff season ticket holder I know said he had been talking to mates with season predictions and had us for relegation with record low points.

 

We are two places above relegation and I think 4 points as it stands this morning - far far from comfortable - but is it better than anyone expected?

 

mid-table and nothing has changed my mind on that,

we can get good results at reading and derby and lose to teams like barnsley so i expect highs and lows with such a young team.

[saint1977]

We look too powder puff

 

I think we lack leadership and our players are too nice

We need a bit of c**t in us

 

I'd like to see a nasty, aggressive central midfielder (who may not have the same talent as others) install some fire into them.

He can lead by example, get into opponents faces and even do a bit of nasty stuff off the ball

 

That's what we need

 

Not sure where we will find him though

 

We've needed said player since Marsden's legs went IMO. SMS is far too friendly a place to visit whereas the best Saints teams historically have had a Case, Williams (he could seriously play but could really put his foot in), Dennis and going further back a Steele or Hollywood. If I was a CCC player up against this bunch, I'd just put my foot in for the first 20 minutes, perhaps risking a yellow and you know the rest of the game would be easy. So it proved for Palace last night.

[Sheff Saint]

I thought we'd get battered.

 

At the moment we're above that. I also said if we finish 4 from bottom then hopefully next season we can add one or two older heads to a squad of youngsters that would then be experienced (Please assure us of that Rupert...)

 

So four from bottom is still the aim.

 

We'll not finish a lot higher, thats for definite, but if we can get 20th - who knows next season?

 

This year we seem to have a great win, a few average performances picking up points, a horrible horrible performance, a few average performances not picking up points and then a great win...

 

Fingers crossed that'll see us safe, but i'm worried.

[Legod Third Coming]

I expected us to finish lower half. I hoped and prayed we could sneak a play-off place. That is still not impossible so I don't give up hope, but 17 points behind QPR is a tough ask.

 

My money is on 15th. Will that be enough to stave off adminsitration? I think so. I think the global credit crisis will actually come to our aid as assets the world over will have to be revalued and we'll be a beneficiary of that.

 

What would I feel about 15th? Satisfied - nothing more. It gives us a genuine opportunity to build for the future.

[Legod Third Coming]

We've needed said player since Marsden's legs went IMO. SMS is far too friendly a place to visit whereas the best Saints teams historically have had a Case, Williams (he could seriously play but could really put his foot in), Dennis and going further back a Steele or Hollywood. If I was a CCC player up against this bunch, I'd just put my foot in for the first 20 minutes, perhaps risking a yellow and you know the rest of the game would be easy. So it proved for Palace last night.

 

I don't think we're too nice. We make plenty of decent tackles. In fact, most teams can't get near us on the ball.

 

What we lack is end product - not sure how much of that Chris Marsden football genuis gave us???!!!!

[graymalkin33]

Pre season i said 5th-9th

Now id say 15th-17th

Next season id say mid table (IF WE HOLD ON TO YOUNG PLAYERS)

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

I thought we'd scrape relegation, but if we dont start scoring we'll be first to the bottom of the pile!

Edited 9 December, 2008 by SOTONS EAST SIDE

[ottery st mary]

Lots of frustration....But this has become even worse...I feel so gutted..I can see what is about to happen and I can't stop it slipping over the edge as I can't hold onto the grip any longer....A wierd dream evolving before my eyes...Her indoors still shouts..Its only a game you big wuss.

[Saint Billy]

I expected us to finish lower half. I hoped and prayed we could sneak a play-off place. That is still not impossible so I don't give up hope, but 17 points behind QPR is a tough ask.

 

My money is on 15th. Will that be enough to stave off adminsitration? I think so. I think the global credit crisis will actually come to our aid as assets the world over will have to be revalued and we'll be a beneficiary of that.

 

What would I feel about 15th? Satisfied - nothing more. It gives us a genuine opportunity to build for the future.

 

Are you LGSC on acid?

[Thedelldays]

i expect the team to try week in week out...of course it was going to be a struggle but the team and manager do not seem to try all the time..yet so many say they are proud of the passion shown...where was that last night..

 

it is all well and good saying the formation is fine and pint out 5 games and two 1st halfs...the season is more than that...we have played more than that....what is utterly dissapointing, is the fact we have no plan B...we NEVER seem to change it, despite the fact we never looked like scoring a goal...is that so much to ask for...

 

it also does not help when the manager is quoted on the BBC saying this...

 

Southampton coach Jan Poortvliet:

"Maybe it was because we were on television and the pressure affected the players".

 

 

i mean...WTF!!!!...

 

there are many teams in this league with no money at all..made up of less talanted players and they seem to be able to do better...im not saying we should be top 6 but im saying we SHOULD have the wit about us to mix things up now and then......we dont..

[Sheff Saint]

I don't think we're too nice. We make plenty of decent tackles. In fact, most teams can't get near us on the ball.

 

What we lack is end product - not sure how much of that Chris Marsden football genuis gave us???!!!!

 

Sorry but we are far to nice.

 

We have no physical presence whatsoever. How many goals from set pieces have we conceeded this season? Lots.

 

Look at the first goal last night. We let some old fat bloke bully us off the ball. Yeah, it was a foul, but the harsh thing is you get away with that in the CCC every week.

 

Football isn't just about pretty passes.

 

It's horses for courses and we urgently need some physical presence in the team from somewhere. And players like DMG need to be doing to opposition defences what Kuqi did to us all last night.

[Andy_Porter]

I would be happy to finish a point above relegation tbh, I said at the start of the season the same. Relegation from this league would be horrible, it's a **** league with some really **** teams, league one would probably be even worse.

 

After the Derby game I honestly thought we would be in amongst the play-offs, didn't take long to realise it was just a one off performance against a poor team. We are such a jekyll and hyde team, for every Derby, Reading or Preston there is a QPR, Palace, Coventry game if we could find some consistency and a goal scorer we would be a mid table side. I feel we lack leadership both on the pitch and from the manager, I do enjoy watching us play this season but we really do need a bit more from some of the lads.

[jim_bergerac]

Beginning of the season, I hope we would survive and that was my only ambition given the lack of funds and the promise of youth.

 

There have been times when I have thought if it all comes together we could push on. Last night was a timely reminder for me - so still survival is no.1 for me.

 

I have always thought if we stay up this year we could push on next season.

 

C'mon ye Saints

[Bourno]

I fear relegation, but hope for fourth from bottom. We are far to inconsistent to achieve any higher and if we have a player exodus in January then League one here we come :>(

[jim_bergerac]

I would be happy to finish a point above relegation tbh, I said at the start of the season the same. Relegation from this league would be horrible, it's a **** league with some really **** teams, league one would probably be even worse.

 

After the Derby game I honestly thought we would be in amongst the play-offs, didn't take long to realise it was just a one off performance against a poor team. We are such a jekyll and hyde team, for every Derby, Reading or Preston there is a QPR, Palace, Coventry game if we could find some consistency and a goal scorer we would be a mid table side. I feel we lack leadership both on the pitch and from the manager, I do enjoy watching us play this season but we really do need a bit more from some of the lads.

 

A fine summary fella

[Andy_Porter]

If we lose any more than one of Lallana, Surman, Cork and Schneiderlin then we are in massive trouble after January. Could do with getting Saga or John back to help out but I doubt that's going to happen.

[true-saint-keit]

Survival was what I was hoping for pre-season. Glimpses of brilliant football against some of the best sides in this division raised my expectations. Glaring fallability and inconsistancy lowered them again.

Without a proven goal-scorer, fancy, intricate passing mixed with naive defending will see us struggle.

[Victor]

As we went into first game, with the squad and manager as they are, what did you genuinely think we would achieve this season?

 

I was very down after last night's and saturday's games -looking at the opposition I felt we could have got 4 points (nearly 3 saturday and Palace were nothing special).

 

But was thinking this morning, many on here were saying we were dead certs for early relegation, a Cardiff season ticket holder I know said he had been talking to mates with season predictions and had us for relegation with record low points.

 

We are two places above relegation and I think 4 points as it stands this morning - far far from comfortable - but is it better than anyone expected?

 

I expected that by Christmas the manager would know his best side.

 

I knew nothing of the abilities of P & W and very few of the players so was merely hoping rather than expecting as regards the performance of the team.

 

It was clear from the decisions of RL during the summer that it would be a continuing saga of meddling by non-footballing staff and a lack of stability throughout the club. I expected this to be reflected on the pitch.

 

I expected Charlton, Watford and Forest to be marginally better than they are so I suppose I should be pleased we are not second from bottom.

 

I am not.

[Oz]

We are two places above relegation and I think 4 points as it stands this morning - far far from comfortable - but is it better than anyone expected?

 

i have to admit that it is, however i still feel we will go down. the jan sales and or admin will crucify us, unless lowe is ousted/resigns.

[David Strover]

I thought we'd get relegated. I also thought we wouldn't win as many games as we have so we are doing marvellously.

 

In all honestly it's fairly certain we are going to get relegated. Just be watching any televised game you can see we are a team of boys playing against men, there is no team spirit, no killer instinct, no tough-guys and - oh - we can't defend too....also we have a divisive chairman who has split the fan base and we are in financial poo because of a stadium deal put in place by a divisive chairman who has split the fan base and blames everyone else for the current problems.

 

We're down. Get used to it now and it won't seem so bad come April.

[bjk]

I've seen some of the best football ever from a Saints side this season but this alone doesn't win matches.We simply need more experience in the team,a decent goalscorer and the know how to hang onto a lead.January is going to crucial to our survival hopes and i can see it going to the wire again this season.I feel the final fixture away to Nottingham Forest is going to be a very massive game.I just hope its not on Sky.

[Fan The Flames]

Is it too much to expect Lowe and his chums to put their hands in their pockets and finance a strenghtening of the side, to give the lads a fighting chance.

 

In all the years they have been at the helm we have never demanded money from them but now is our time of need. we have a good bunch of lads that with a few extra experiance heads they could go on to do something. To expect them to compete every week when they are clearly under strength is the slow kiss of death.

 

Now is the time for investment, we obviously can not raise the money as a club so the great guardians of the club need to.

 

In the words of the Bob Geldof 'Give us you ****ing money' Lowe and chums

[ottery st mary]

Leroy Lita would have done for me up front...But he went to Norwich.....So I will not mention him again.

Now that sort of goalscorer is what I expected this season....Anyone would do and od course a proper Centre Back for this division.....Lucketti available again....

[surrey1saint]

Portaloo has given us a team that can compete at this level from castoffs and youth team players. I think he's done a very good job under the circumstances.

 

It hacks me off the way that after one bad results the headless chickens on here go bezerk. So we lost a game - get over it.

 

Agreed.

[Thedelldays]

I've seen some of the best football ever from a Saints side this season but this alone doesn't win matches.We simply need more experience in the team,a decent goalscorer and the know how to hang onto a lead.January is going to crucial to our survival hopes and i can see it going to the wire again this season.I feel the final fixture away to Nottingham Forest is going to be a very massive game.I just hope its not on Sky.

 

jesus christ...

[obelisk]

I feel the final fixture away to Nottingham Forest is going to be a very massive game.I just hope its not on Sky.

I shouldn't worry about that. Both sides will already be down by that time but it might be a battle for last place.

[St Marco]

I still maintain what i said pre-season that we are in deep ****. However things as they are cannot continue. If they do we will be in the bottom 3 come saturday, possibly even bottom. We have dropped points where those below us are now gaining them. But my main concern is we play a system that isn't working and with pretty much half the season gone doesn't looklike it will. We don't play to our strengths and as much as people try to say we play nice football the reality is we don't. Were allowed to play at the half way line, it is amateur stuff.

The next 4 games to me are vital because if things are to change then that is when, if that is changing tactics or manager so be it. But if we get to like 10 games left we can't change that late and must ride it out.

The other worrying thing is the transfer window. It looks pretty obvious we will be losing a few players, if we lose Surman and Davis were done for in my book.

[Mr X]

I genuinely expected to finish mid table before we got rid of everyone who knows where the goal is, with the current team we should be good enough to finish a couple of places above the relegation zone but when we lose surman, lallana, davis etc in the trasfer window we will be as good as down

[Charlie Wayman]

I thought and I still think we will go down.

 

After last night's display, it is difficult to see how the kids will ever pick themselves up again.

 

Some of the blokes in our pub last night before th e game thought we'd surprise and beat Man U in the Cup. After this load of rubbish, they had all changed their tune to

"Are they this bad every week?"

[mitch01]

I said from the very start that 21st place would be outstanding. I expected almost nothing from this season, thats why I wasn't all that upset last night. You could see what we were trying to do, but there was no real killer instinct. If we keep this squad together they can get better and better, I am not too disheartened.

[Mr X]

I said from the very start that 21st place would be outstanding. I expected almost nothing from this season, thats why I wasn't all that upset last night. You could see what we were trying to do, but there was no real killer instinct. If we keep this squad together they can get better and better, I am not too disheartened.

 

but we cant keep this squad together that is the reality, there will be players sold in the transfer

[Weston Saint]

Quite honestly from the start of the season, survival. Both financially and football wise.

 

With a hope that such survival brings better times next season.

 

I am still hopeful but with many of those same doubts still existing at present.

[up and away]

Go back to the end of last season and you you will see a several posters believing we were favourites for relegation this season. That was when it was still assumed Pearson would be here. There is nothing from last season to indicate we should be doing any better than we are now, when you take into account the financial adjustments we have had to make. What I have seen this season has given me hope that we can avoid relegation, although a big ask. As disappointed as I am over the results the style of football has been an improvement.

[VectisSaint]

As we went into first game, with the squad and manager as they are, what did you genuinely think we would achieve this season?

 

I was very down after last night's and saturday's games -looking at the opposition I felt we could have got 4 points (nearly 3 saturday and Palace were nothing special).

 

But was thinking this morning, many on here were saying we were dead certs for early relegation, a Cardiff season ticket holder I know said he had been talking to mates with season predictions and had us for relegation with record low points.

 

We are two places above relegation and I think 4 points as it stands this morning - far far from comfortable - but is it better than anyone expected?

At start of season I thought relegation was quite likely. But that was before I really understood JP and his tactical ability. Now I think relegation is nailed-on. UNLESS, something is doen pdq to replace a 3rd rate coach who has no idea how to manage a team in the CC (cue pathetic replies about us having no money so he's the best we can afford ****** rubbish)

[sfc6mufc3]

I'd hoped that last season was a one off but when I saw the manager we have in charge and players being sold I realised that it would be the same, what I'd like to know is what lies ahead??

 

Say we survive this season are we just going to accept that we are now the same as Barnsley, Norwich etc always floating with relegation or can we do a Burnley/Plymouth and turn it around??

 

I'm also surprised that teams like Coventry and Norwich have players like Lita, Eastwood & Morrison and we have a sheff Utd reserve striker up front. Are they that much better off financially that they can offer a better deal than us?

[Nick65]

Didn't expect much from this season to be honest - would have settled for 20th place, no wholesale selling-off of players and a bit of financial security.

 

I'd certainly take that now.

 

If we could actually put all of 'our' players on the pitch, I think we'd be comfortable in mid-table. For me, nothing illustrates the chaotic state of things better than the crazy situation of having 3 proven goalscorers out on loan, while we make do with 3 guys (Robertson, Paterson, Pekhart) who probably wouldn't be certain of a reserve game at most Championship clubs. No disrespect to these guys (especially Paterson - at least he's ours), who might make the grade but they're not up to it yet.

 

Anyway, I'm hoping the return of Schneiderlin & Holmes from injury and (please God) John or Saga (or even Rasiak) from wherever will see us OK.

[SaintDonkey]

At the start of the season I thought that realistically we would be in a relegation scrap - one that we are far worse equipped to deal with than last season. So far it's pretty much as expected although I had hoped that we would have scored more goals (and feared we would concede more).

 

I still think that if Jan can get anywhere close to keeping us up with what is basically last season's youth team (which wasn't a vintage year) along with a few loans and cast offs then the guy is a miracle worker. And just maybe the legend of Nigel 'luckily kept us up on the last day of the season with a much stronger squad' Pearson will be laid to rest.