InvictaSaint Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 (edited) The whole 40 points thing is a virtual (if not complete) myth. Only a couple of times in premier league history has 40 points been required to stay up. West Ham famously went down on 42 but that was very much the exception. Statistically over the last 25 years or so, 37 points gives about a 58% likelihood of staying up (part of a very good Telegraph article from 2015 which is worth a read). We are 3 points off that. 39 points gives a 81% likelihood of staying up. We are 5 points off that total. As another poster mentioned our getting relegated would require a whole host of clubs below us to all go on a fabulous run in the last 8 games which simply isn't going to happen. Anyway... let's focus on tonight and, I hope, 3 points for Saints. Edited 5 April, 2017 by InvictaSaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 Not only are the players losing confidence and belief but so are the fans. Reading through this thread is quite disheartening, so many fans are very downbeat about our prospects for the season and even tonight's match. Time was when we assumed a home game meant 3 points (or 2) whichever year and in whichever league we happened to be. This is the worst I have known the pessimism to be at The Dell at St Mary's. Little wonder, when we started this week's trio of matches there were 9 very winnable and valuable points up for grabs and grabbing them would have energised our season. Typically of Saints they failed at the first hurdle and now understandably there is an air of despondency about the place, players and fans alike. Even without this negativity the recent form and rise of our opponents has ensured that it will be a very tough match that few can honestly claim we deserve to or will win. There is a difference between hope and reality and if we go about things in the way that we did in the second half on Saturday then we'll be very lucky indeed to come out of it with a point. The tired old rhetoric of being clinical and all players have the responsibility of scoring not just the strikers doesn't wash anymore. Puel has had a whole season to sort this out and there is no magic potion that'll turn our strikers into world class goal getters overnight. Sad days but many will be satisfied with a 1-1 tonight, that's how low expectation s are now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USA SaintsFan Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 No Bertrand?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamplemousse Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 Palace fans very worried that Kelly is starting for them. Hopefully Long will take full advantage of him, he's the weak link in their defence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 I'd like to have seen Boufal start rather than Long. Is he injured? Nice to see Pied fit. Bet he plays before Caceres does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baird of the land Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 Glad to see Long start. Hope Bertrand is just a knock but been impressed by mcqueen this season as deputy. Interesting to see Hojberg is seriously out of favour. Really hope its just first season issues with him. Feel oddly confident given the gloom on here. Expecting a reaction against a Palace side with a weakened backline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchen Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 No Bertrand?? As he's not on the bench I assume it's an injury. I'm a big fan of him but he had a dreadful game on Saturday. He spent the whole time moaning at averyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamplemousse Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 I'd like to have seen Boufal start rather than Long. Is he injured? Nice to see Pied fit. Bet he plays before Caceres does. I don't think we'll see Caceres ever play for us, unless Yoshida or Stephens gets injured/suspended Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pass the Dutchie Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 Good to see Pied on the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 Didnt watch Bournemouth game, hope we are not as bad as that game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 No Bertrand?? Just our weekly new injury I suppose. We're not regularly at the top of that table for nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 I'd like to have seen Boufal start rather than Long. Is he injured? He's pulled his strop apparently. Hopefully not too serious, but with our staff who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 Really need a win tonight but injuries have royally buggered up our season :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 So no Boufal or Bertrand in the squad .... At least sims is on the bench I like the kid and Pied was a bit if a shock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 Really need a win tonight but injuries have royally buggered up our season :-( Yes it really hasn't been a good season for injuries... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 5 April, 2017 Share Posted 5 April, 2017 Forgot Sammy Lee was at Palace now seems a bit strange seeing him scurrying around the SMS pitch tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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