kingcole
Well-known member
Despite what some detractors may have to say about our south coast neighbours, nobody can have failed to notice their success this season so far. I for one was backing them to be relegated back to the championship.
With 17 games to go they are sitting pretty in 3rd spot, 5 points clear of the euro drop out (2 of champions league) and just 10 points off the summit. They have taken points of those around them including back to back wins against Arsenal and United in recent weeks.
4 years ago they were promoted as runners up to us in league one. Unlike our first (successful) season in the championship, they romped it to the promised land.
Southampton's academy is well regarded and has produced some gems of late. With our amazing academy up and running, maybe we can dream of the same?
The similarities don't end their though. We both have new grounds with similar capacities and once all has settled down, would likely have similar crowds if enjoying the same results in the same league.
We have recently groaned at the players we have lost and have been a little meh at some of the replacements. In the last year they have shifted out £110m worth of players and have been noted for keeping at least £30m back for a rainy day. This puts our FFP agenda into perspective. They have invested in lesser known players with smaller fees. Difference is, their managers and coaches have go the performances out of them. Maybe CH is about to do the same?
Southampton don't face another top 5 rival in the premiership until mid march. By which time they may have sown up their champions league spot.
I don't want to cover them in any more glory, but there is no reason why this can't be us. Needless to say if the saints are running out at the Neu Camp next season then I will be ever so slightly jealous and the stick we gave them for not keeping up (although this was of course directed st Adkins more than the team) a few seasons back will seem like a distant and very irrelevant memory.
With 17 games to go they are sitting pretty in 3rd spot, 5 points clear of the euro drop out (2 of champions league) and just 10 points off the summit. They have taken points of those around them including back to back wins against Arsenal and United in recent weeks.
4 years ago they were promoted as runners up to us in league one. Unlike our first (successful) season in the championship, they romped it to the promised land.
Southampton's academy is well regarded and has produced some gems of late. With our amazing academy up and running, maybe we can dream of the same?
The similarities don't end their though. We both have new grounds with similar capacities and once all has settled down, would likely have similar crowds if enjoying the same results in the same league.
We have recently groaned at the players we have lost and have been a little meh at some of the replacements. In the last year they have shifted out £110m worth of players and have been noted for keeping at least £30m back for a rainy day. This puts our FFP agenda into perspective. They have invested in lesser known players with smaller fees. Difference is, their managers and coaches have go the performances out of them. Maybe CH is about to do the same?
Southampton don't face another top 5 rival in the premiership until mid march. By which time they may have sown up their champions league spot.
I don't want to cover them in any more glory, but there is no reason why this can't be us. Needless to say if the saints are running out at the Neu Camp next season then I will be ever so slightly jealous and the stick we gave them for not keeping up (although this was of course directed st Adkins more than the team) a few seasons back will seem like a distant and very irrelevant memory.