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Comment | Saints At Manchester United The Verdict
at 12:08:42
Still trying to work out which are the teams we should look up to that are so brilliant at defending they don't make defensive errors. Man U's defensive errors for our goals, were far worse than our mistakes that led to their goals.
Indeed nearly, if not, every goal scored is the result of a defensive error of some sort |
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Comment | Is a change in Saints transfer strategy needed to progress ?
at 14:41:17
EthanEvansDDT if you define success as being top 4/winning the Prem, then I'm afraid that you will forever be disappointed. As ItchenNorth says, given our relative financial power, Top10, the occasional cup, or at least cup final, and European tour is what constitutes success for us.
For teams such as Burnley or Huddersfield, realistic success for them is the odd few seasons in the Prem. I doubt whether either of these two clubs would really expect to become (semi-) permanent residents of the Prem as clubs like Saints and West Ham are (and Newcastle, Leeds, Aston Villa and a few others should be).
I understand why you, and indeed all of us, want more. But the reality is each club more or less has a ceiling of what can realistically be achieved given their revenue. Over the last few seasons, we have reached ours. A little depressing perhaps, but that's the way it is. Just remember where we were a few short years ago ... |
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Comment | Is a change in Saints transfer strategy needed to progress ?
at 13:14:54
I can never understand why people continue to believe the smaller clubs in the Premier League (ie 7th-20th) will ever be able to compete with the Big 6 on a sustained basis.
The reason for the split between the Big 6 and the rest is that they gain so much more revenue from commercial (worldwide supporter base) and matchday income (bigger stadiums + champions league).
2015/16 revenue: ManU £515m, ManC £392m, Arsenal £350m, Chelsea £334m, Liverpool £302m, Spurs £209m. The rest £100m-£140m. Saints were £124m
As the figures above show the other 14 clubs have relatively similar revenue. This is because the bulk of their revenue comes from TV. In 2015/16 73% of Saints revenue came from Premier League TV income (only 27% for Manure). Hence we can't, and probably never will be able to, pay anywhere close to the wages the Big Boys can offer. And any new investor, Chinese or otherwise, would not be able to bridge this huge gap. As we all know, Leicester City's fantasy season was a one-off. The similarity in revenue also explains why it 's nearly always so tight from 7th downwards. Although all these teams are capable of having the odd good season. They key difference between these 14 teams is basically: 1) Quality of manager 2) Recruitment strategy 3) Academy. Probably in that order. And Saints are pretty good at all 3 most of the time.
We have had a very good run over the last 4 seasons, arguably outperforming what our long term average should be based on revenue. A dip would, sadly, be no surprise.
Of course I would love us to kick on. However, the numbers say this isn't going to happen.
Hence I believe our transfer strategy is spot-on, and I hope we are able to continue spotting and buying under-valued developing gems. My bigger concern next season is how many opportunities our academy players will get given we are not in Europe, and hence have many fewer games. |
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Comment | Saints V Crystal Palace The Verdict
at 16:04:51
I've just had a quick check, and apparently the sun will rise again tomorrow, so Nick's negativity will continue. Steve73, I'm with you, generally I just read the comments |
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Comment | Saints V Crystal Palace The Verdict
at 10:18:00
Our biggest problem this season is shot conversion, including of "quality" chances where we are last in the league. We did not get lucky last night, as you suggest. With a goalscorer up front we would have scored a hatload last night, and this is true of several other games this season, as the impact of Gabbiadini has already proved. Whilst I agree with you that Yoshida and Stephens look frail, particularly when the ball is in the air, and particularly against big, physical forwards. In their defence, excuse the pun, they are very good ball players, although admittedly this isn't their primary job, and with them in the team we play the ball out from the back extremely well. Don't get me wrong I am not their biggest supporters, and would certainly like to see what Caceres has to offer |
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Comment | Next Three Games Will Define Claude Puel's Season
at 13:07:58
Nick, you do your X games to decide a season shtick every few weeks, I assume as clickbait. Just seems a bit more ridiculous than usual this time with Gabbiadini apparently injured and, as SanMarco says, end of season mid-table obscurity beckoning |
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Comment | Saints At Sunderland The Verdict
at 11:15:20
Whilst Gabbiadini was clearly the catalyst, I suspect that it greatly helped that for the first time since Christmsa we had a full week to prepare for this match instead of only 2 or 3 days (something that has rarely been there case throughout the season). As has been said before we have played more games than any other team in the Prem so far this season, and far, far more than those not involved in Europe. For most of the rest of the season we will only be playing once a week so should see less rotation and more consistency. Bring on Wembley |
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Comment | Saints At Liverpool The Verdict !
at 18:42:34
Classic Nick. One of the great nights in our history, and you still have to start off with some negative remarks. |
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Comment | Saints At Bournemouth The Verdict
at 10:46:41
Just because we don't have a game for 10 days doesn't mean the players aren't tired, mentally and/or physically, and hence need a rest. See Eddie Howe's remarks on the performance of his team after 3 games in a week. Hence Puel's decision to rotate. We were much fresher/more energetic than Bournemouth, particularly in the second half. Hence, 7 points in 7 days.
Regarding points vs. last year. Yes we are ahead now, but we will have to go some to match last year's total, as we will need 39 points from 21 games to reach 63. Much higher than the current points per game rate. |
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Comment | Team Selection Stability Needed This Week
at 07:25:56
With regards to league form, I largely disagree with all the above. Apart from the MIddlesbrough game, which ironically we won, Puel has picked what most people would consider to be our strongest team in the league games. Certainly stronger than the midweek teams used for the league cup and first 5 European games. Indeed Nick, if I didn't know the result, reading your second paragraph I would have thought that we had lost to Middlesborough by not playing Soares and Bertrand.
So it is difficult to blame rotation for the dropping of points against Palace and Hull. And Puel will continue to rotate through to 4 Feb - and I agree with him. We have 10 games (11 if we beat Norwich in the cup) between 28 December and 4 February, playing every midweek except one. If we play our strongest team through this period, and people will be screaming for this against the scousers in the semi, the players will all be knackered/injured.
From then on, games are only once a week, and it will be interesting to see what Puel does. |
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Comment | Saints At Arsenal The Verdict
at 14:42:48
Nick, for the record, which do you think are the less important games over the next couple of months? |
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Comment | Saints At Arsenal The Verdict
at 10:54:39
I guess from this report we can deduce that there are no circumstances under which Nick will admit he got it wrong (unlike some more magnanimous folk such as Highfield49) .. and by extension, that Puel got it right. We totally controlled the game, and hence the team selection must have been correct |
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Comment | Saints Able To Handle Tough Schedule Due To Squad Building
at 09:41:32
This article conforms to the key requirements of Illingsworth buzzword bingo: " despite doubts by some supporters", "those that bemoan the player transfers over the last couple of years", "Saints fans whinging that [new signing] was rubbish", "supporters need patience", and "a game that will define a season". |
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Comment | Vital Fortnight For Saints !
at 15:00:50
Been an unusually long time since the last "vital x games" which shape a season article.
Whilst 5 games in 2 weeks is technically correct, really its a 7 games in 3 weeks block. |
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