thorpie the sinner Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Donny on Saturday represents a must win game for saints! I know every game is important but this match could make or break our season! if we win, one it will be 3 points closer to saftey, two, it will be back to back victories (can't remember the last time that happened) and third it may well prove to be the catalyst for an upturn in our fortunes that sees us survive, and i don't mean just in the championship!!! Lose, and I dread to think of the consequences!! I alluded to the spirit of southampton in another thread, and its fair to say there was a mixed response of opinion. For all the doubters who believe that it died with Lowe etc, I ask you to keep the faith. The spirit is something that each of us feel whenever we think about the team that is in our blood. It is the team that delights us, saddens us, angers us, excites us. It provides us with experiences that are forever etched into daily lives. To a man, we all talk to our friends, family and work colleages about the fortunes of our team and the rest of us saddos come on here to argue and have a laugh on a daily basis. What I mean to say is, that spirit and strength of belief isn't dictated by one man, in fact he is irrelevent. as someone said on the other thread, in 20 years he will be long forgotten, Southampton Football club won't be, even if we are playing under a different name. The spirit is alive in all of us, please don't forget it! Back to the thread, I think we should all join together to pray for a saints victory, we have never needed one more! get down to the ground if you can afford it and make some noise. Lets make it a cauldron of sound!!!! if you can't make it, listen to it on the radio, check in to this site or watch sky sports. Whatever it takes, if we all believe for 90 minutes, we can effect the resurgence of our proud football club. The southampton pheonix is ready to rise from the ashes!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brmbrm Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 "Must win"? Bit of an overreaction. Yes, we need to start stringing wins together, but i'll be quite happy if we lose to doncaster and win the next 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorpie the sinner Posted 11 January, 2009 Author Share Posted 11 January, 2009 "Must win"? Bit of an overreaction. Yes, we need to start stringing wins together, but i'll be quite happy if we lose to doncaster and win the next 4. I said 'must win' purely on the basis of what a home victory against one of nearest rivals could do for maorale and confidence. If we lose, we are hardly going to win the next 4! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 The next game is always the most important game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildgoose Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 The next game is always the most important game. Agreed! Every game is important.....especially from here on in. I do agree though that a win next week AT HOME may well turn things for us mentally, and could therefore prove to have extra significance. Here's hoping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjphilsaint Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 if taking points off of our nearest rivals means a must win game... look at fixtures in the next few weeks donny norwich watford all within a calendar month none of which we can afford to lose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 considering we are languishing in the bottom 3, arent they ALL important ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 considering we are languishing in the bottom 3, arent they ALL important ? Of course, but if you are going to lose, then IMHO it's probably better to be losing to Swansea and Sheff Utd, than losing to Norwich and Watford. Of course other results matter, but winning against our relegation rivals guarantees we either claw back 3 points on them or pull away from them. Thes e next 5 games are really crucial with 3 against our nearest rivals and 2 other home games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 (edited) considering we are languishing in the bottom 3, arent they ALL important ? Yes you are of course right but it is because we are in the bottom three that it is really important that we win not only for the points but also for team and fan confidence. So I agree that the game against Donny may seem to be our most important game of the season at the moment but there maybe more important ones to come Edited 11 January, 2009 by John B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 even more so with forest hitting a bit of form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 even more so with forest hitting a bit of form. Forest are 5th in current form table (last 8 games). We're 21st, with Plymouth, Derby and Charlton below us. Norwich, Watford and Barnsley just above us. We need to hope those teams maintain their poor current form whilst we improve ours. The next 5 games certainly provide us with a chance of doing that (3 against relegation candidates and 2 other home games). Whether we can improve our form is the key question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian the Red Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Of course, but if you are going to lose, then IMHO it's probably better to be losing to Swansea and Sheff Utd, than losing to Norwich and Watford. Of course other results matter, but winning against our relegation rivals guarantees we either claw back 3 points on them or pull away from them. Thes e next 5 games are really crucial with 3 against our nearest rivals and 2 other home games. Absolutely right! 3 wins and 2 draws is the minimum requirement, 4 wins would be better, 5 wins and I'll need someone to pinch me and wake me up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Didn't we say that about Barnsley? The reality is that the Donny means very little - its putting a run together that we need. 4 or 5 wins on the trot would pull us clear irrespective of what part of the season we do it. Experience shows we play better away from home (amazing to think the players see it as a disadvantage to play in front of their own fans!!!!) and against the better teams. On that basis, I think we should be cautious about expecting too much from Donny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Doncaster is but one team. We need to finish above three to avoid relegation Everz round of matches offers the opportunity to claw back ground on other teams, or put space between us and them, whoever we are playing. I understand the "6-pointer" theroy, but if the players think like that too, it is leaving the club open to more underachieving f**k-ups against the likes of Swansea and Sheff Utd where our rivals may get a win. JP, in my opinion, MUST get the "every game is a Cup Final" attitude across to the players, not the "tough 6-pointer coming up lads" attitude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Before kick off, Doncaster will be presented with a framed photo of a man holding the FA Cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WealdSaint Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 The season is'nt over until we are mathmatically relegated. But agree the next few games are important, some decent results and we have a fighting chance. Sadly, other than at home to Sheff. Utd at the end of last season, I can't recall many "must win" games that we have won recently. I'm always up for a change of course! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 I think the game is pyschologically important. We need to show we can win at home and play well when it matters - not when it doesn't. We also need some bloody luck. Although Forest was a disaster, if Surman's shot goes in and doesn't hit the post it's a different game. We have a monkey on our back about home form and we need to shift it. AND we need the boys to get confidence back because that (at their age) is what the boys rely on to carry them through. It was what was working for us in the early season - a bit of swagger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Before kick off, Doncaster will be presented with a framed photo of a man holding the FA Cup. More likely to be a framed print of a beetroot cheeked smug tosser of a man in tweed,holding a freshly shot pheasant or duck in each hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 We also need some bloody luck. . I totally agree we do not seem to have had much this season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N/West Saint Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 "Must win"? Bit of an overreaction. Yes, we need to start stringing wins together, but i'll be quite happy if we lose to doncaster and win the next 4. If we can't beat Doncaster to win 2 on the trot how do you think we can win 4 in a row? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 The Nottingham Forest game before Christmas was a must win, and we somehow bottled it, and I have no reason to suspect we'll do otherwise against Doncaster. Yes we won yesterday, and everyone is more positive, but we won with a less than inspiring performance. That said, Doncaster are probably the weakest team in the league this season, and we could do them with the new additions. A right back please or another CB will make me happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 I totally agree we do not seem to have had much this season By many accounts we had a fair quota yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 By many accounts we had a fair quota yesterday. Yes it would appear so but in general our luck has not been good this season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 It is a must win game, not only because it is a 6 pointer but because psychologically a home win is vital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Yes it would appear so but in general our luck has not been good this season Don't buy that at all. Over a season it will pan out. Bad luck is a poor excuse IMHO. We are just one of many clubs* who will have dodgy decisions given to us and against us. *Man Yoo may get more than their fair share of shouts, but that is nothing to do with luck (more to do with pressure, expectation etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Don't buy that at all. Over a season it will pan out. Bad luck is a poor excuse IMHO. We are just one of many clubs* who will have dodgy decisions given to us and against us. *Man Yoo may get more than their fair share of shouts, but that is nothing to do with luck (more to do with pressure, expectation etc). Things go against you at the bottom and you never seem to get the rub of the green. It's been proven that confident people are more lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Don't buy that at all. Over a season it will pan out. Bad luck is a poor excuse IMHO. We are just one of many clubs* who will have dodgy decisions given to us and against us. *Man Yoo may get more than their fair share of shouts, but that is nothing to do with luck (more to do with pressure, expectation etc). Of course luck plays a part in all aspects of life and we are not having much at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Things go against you at the bottom and you never seem to get the rub of the green. Of course luck plays a part in all aspects of life and we are not having much at the moment. Get out your: Lucky heather, rabbits foot, black cats, horseshoes, dried acorns, scarab beetles, crystals, white witches, etc etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Whilst i do not necessarily think it is the most important game of the season, it is vital if we want to build some momentum and support within the supporters. We keep winning away because the system works, we come to SMS and perform badly because we make it easy for the opposition because we cannot sustain pressure on their back 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 The trouble with this 'massive game' reasoning is that it means as much to the opposition as it does to us . You can bet your bottom dollar that Doncaster will come to SMS absolutely determined to get something from the game - and given our home form this season you'd be a fool to bet against them getting something . Saints 0 Doncaster 0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Landrew Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 I really don't understand this selective must win mentality. Every game should be considered a must win. Must win mentailty is the mentality of a loser. It suggests that there are games that you are allowed to lose. If a club is going to be succesful, then every game is a must win from the first game of the season to the last. Do you think clubs like Man U talk about must wins..? No, every game has to be won. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 There is no doubt in my mind we have to win this game and no reason for us, not to win comfortably. No ifs and buts.....we will win JP, you know it is a must. No excuses from now on in. Two more players required....proper footballers....not others yuf cast offs. We could turn our whole season round and move up the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 I really don't understand this selective must win mentality. Every game should be considered a must win. Must win mentailty is the mentality of a loser. It suggests that there are games that you are allowed to lose. If a club is going to be succesful, then every game is a must win from the first game of the season to the last. Do you think clubs like Man U talk about must wins..? No, every game has to be won. That's complete crap, of course every team will try and win every game but some games are more important than others. If you beat the teams around you you can jump above them, it's the same for Man U v Chelsea as it is Saints v Doncaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stepgar Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 I said 'must win' purely on the basis of what a home victory against one of nearest rivals could do for maorale and confidence. If we lose, we are hardly going to win the next 4! Totally agree, yes I would take a loss to anyone if it mean't we would win the next few games. However, this is Saints remember, we don't like to play the obvious game. Every chance we get to put ourselves in great position weather it meant going fourth in Prem or putting didstance between our selves and the compo we **** it up. We have been doing that for as long as I can remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Get out your: Lucky heather, rabbits foot, black cats, horseshoes, dried acorns, scarab beetles, crystals, white witches, etc etc etc You missed the bit where I said it has been proven that confident people are more lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 You missed the bit where I said it has been proven that confident people are more lucky. Rubbish, lucky people are more confident more like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Rubbish, lucky people are more confident more like. These guys did a study and found that people who believed and were confident that they would win, won more often. I think it was gambling they based it on, but I reckon the theory holds. Otherwise why do the big clubs get the rub of the green all the time and those at the bottom don't? It's self-fulfilling isn't it? So in a way yes, if you're confident, you're luckier, if you get lucky it boosts your confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 I really don't understand this selective must win mentality. Every game should be considered a must win. Must win mentailty is the mentality of a loser. It suggests that there are games that you are allowed to lose. If a club is going to be succesful, then every game is a must win from the first game of the season to the last. Do you think clubs like Man U talk about must wins..? No, every game has to be won. I think that's the attitude that marks out really good players from average ones. It always cheeses me off that we can 'raise our game' to play a decent team... Well the best players motivate themselves to win not because of the opposition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offix Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 They are ALL important, but I think that when (at the end of the season) we look back we will determine that the home-loss against Forest is where we lost our status as a CCC club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainchris Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Whilst i do not necessarily think it is the most important game of the season, it is vital if we want to build some momentum and support within the supporters. We keep winning away because the system works, we come to SMS and perform badly because we make it easy for the opposition because we cannot sustain pressure on their back 4. This sums up the season in a nut shell for me.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintjersey Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 People are talking about luck at home, didn't we have two penalties in one match against Watford and still f*** it up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BotleySaint Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 The must win home game against Forest turned out awful for us. The difference this time is we are going into the game on a win and we have a couple of more experienced players in the team including a couple of defenders. On paper we should beat them. Let us hope that Jan can motivate the players unlike last time. (Though didn't that match follow the team Christmas party in Ireland?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Of course, but if you are going to lose, then IMHO it's probably better to be losing to Swansea and Sheff Utd, than losing to Norwich and Watford. Of course other results matter, but winning against our relegation rivals guarantees we either claw back 3 points on them or pull away from them. Thes e next 5 games are really crucial with 3 against our nearest rivals and 2 other home games. cant believe you actually had to explain that.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 People are talking about luck at home, didn't we have two penalties in one match against Watford and still f*** it up? You could say it was unlucky to miss two penalties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 If we are going to have a chance of staying up its our home form will have to change dramatically, starting with Doncaster on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 Ahhhhh the ever refreshing 'most important game of the season' thread...... not seen one of these since errrr - the Forest game barely 2 weeks ago....!!! Must win, 6 pointer, can't lose, catastrophic consequences blah blah blah. Let's face it guys if the managers and players don't realise the seriousness of our current plight then we are in deep shyte. We have to pull our fingers out before we get set adrift at the bottom - that means 20 cup finals between now and season end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 11 January, 2009 Share Posted 11 January, 2009 You could say it was unlucky to miss two penalties You could but you would be wrong. They were ****e penalties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 12 January, 2009 Share Posted 12 January, 2009 You could say it was unlucky to miss two penalties I'm no lover of the idea of bad luck, but I will accept that on the odd occasion you will have poor decisions go against you or your best player will turn his knee in the only rut on the pitch. BUT missing two penalties is not unlucky. That's just poor execution whatever way you look at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorpie the sinner Posted 12 January, 2009 Author Share Posted 12 January, 2009 I wasn't party to the Forest 'must win' extravaganza, hence my post! Just think 3 points on saturday can be the catalyst for a revival, defeat and we are back to square to one but a lot further in the mire, points wise and confidence wise! The main crux of my point was the sprit that prevails in all of us though. Maybe the doom mongerers will get their way and we will go down without a fight, god, they will have a field day on this site!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMike Posted 12 January, 2009 Share Posted 12 January, 2009 yes i agree, it is vital to follow up the win at barnsley with a win v donny, get some positive momentum going into the other games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now