Southampton 11-04

[swaledale]

Truth is, our poor first couple of months plus of the season and the three defeats in February have cost us dear.
Despite that I think we can all consider this season a success. Most didn’t expect us to be in contention for the play offs with so few games to go and that is encouraging.

Won’t be easy next season. Tottenham/West Ham/Forest, Burnley and Wolves are all likely to be strong contenders for starters and there are at least half a dozen current Championship clubs who are as there or thereabouts as us.

The other problem imo is, when you build a squad that relies heavily on four or five loanees, you may have a much more considerable rebuild than might otherwise be the case…still, in Eustace I trust. Could just do with the squad gelling long before late October and a little more luck with injuries next time around.

Are we in a better position than this time last season? Of course we are.

Indeed we are, though some of Eustaces subs makes me think he doesn't want to be in the play offs!! Again we run out of steam, but overall we have had a better seson than expected and another good transfer window should see a team capable f being top 6 next season.

I get what you say about loans, but they do provide an avenue of getting 2 or 3 quality players to help a promotion push, that the club doesn't have to risk a transfer fee on. Then if we reach the promised land, recruitment for the prem can begin. Its both risky and costly to recruit permanent players, not to say difficult to get the quality whilst in the champ, so I'd expect a similar approach next season.

[SithHappens]

So much potential in this squad. Hopefully sign Ozoh and Clark at least.

I know when teams come down you expect them to go up but look at Luton and now Leicester.

Roll on next season.

[macstheman]

Roll on next season.

Come on Sith, let's have a bit of sun first with a bit of bat on ball!

[SithHappens]

Come on Sith, let's have a bit of sun first with a bit of bat on ball!

Of course. Not the bat on ball bit though.

[ramAnag]

Of course. Not the bat on ball bit though.

Philistine!

[ramAnag]

So much potential in this squad. Hopefully sign Ozoh and Clark at least.

I know when teams come down you expect them to go up but look at Luton and now Leicester.

For me Leicester has been more of a surprise than Luton who always seemed to be overreaching themselves.
I know Swale is right and clubs in our position have to use the loan market but it always seems to be a bit of a ‘back to the drawing board’ exercise the following season.

Not as certain as you are about Ozoh and Clark. They’re both more than decent and if Ozoh replicated his performance against Stoke more often I’d say definitely ‘yes’ but he has been a bit ‘in and out’. As regards Clark…good footballer but a little lightweight perhaps. Be interesting to see what the consensus of those on here is.
For me the ‘one that got away’ was Harrison Armstrong.

[swaledale]

For me Leicester has been more of a surprise than Luton who always seemed to be overreaching themselves.
I know Swale is right and clubs in our position have to use the loan market but it always seems to be a bit of a ‘back to the drawing board’ exercise the following season.

Not as certain as you are about Ozoh and Clark. They’re both more than decent and if Ozoh replicated his performance against Stoke more often I’d say definitely ‘yes’ but he has been a bit ‘in and out’. As regards Clark…good footballer but a little lightweight perhaps. Be interesting to see what the consensus of those on here is.
For me the ‘one that got away’ was Harrison Armstrong.

I think Clark will develop into a very good player, Ozoh too, but will they be within our budget to buy?

Your correct RA, in that loans do mean a rethink the following season, but then if a club gets promotion they have to recruit at least 3 or more better players and its easier to do that by replacing loans, than trying to shift players on long contracts, even assuming players of the right quality would 1) be within the clubs transfer and wage budget and 2) Come to the club in the championship. So a loan player provides quality for a fixed budget.

[swaledale]

Philistine!

I'd rather watch paint dry!!

[SithHappens]

Just can't do cricket. F1 and the WC will get me through.

[ramAnag]

Just can't do cricket. F1 and the WC will get me through.

I have exactly the same attitude to F1. Like Scalextric but less fun. Each to their own.