Saints defeat against Manchester City seemed like the end of the world, however we need to take this loss in perspective and keep calm and carry on.

Sunday's loss to City reminded me in some ways of a score draw in football, if you are the team that equalises in injury time it feels like you have won the game, if you are the team that conceded it feels like you have lost, that was very much the case on Sunday at St Mary's in respect to our season, because we were beaten by City it felt like the whole season is collapsing around us with some supporters very quick to press the panic button on social media sites.

But we have to get perspective here, we are still third in the League and although yes we have some difficult games coming up we have some very winnable ones as well so there is no reason why we cannot be there or thereabouts come not only February when our fixture list eases, but at the end of the season.

What our good start has given us when combined with the failings of those teams that finished above us last season is a very good foundation to build on in terms of position, but we have to temper that with the fact that the summer saw a massive rebuilding process in the team and that was not ideal and we are still a work in progress despite our lofty position.

So what we don't want to return to is the summer months when social media was awash with screaming and ranting fans claiming that we are in meltdown, Sunday was disappointing but the scoreline did not reflect the game overall in terms of the fact that we were competing right until the time the third goal went in with two minutes to go.

So those who have been slagging off individuals need to calm down a little, we should win as a team and lose as a team and that means backing every player on the pitch, as well as giving Ronald Koeman time to get the squad not only bigger but better.

But our good start has bought us breathing space, of course it would not be ideal if we lost the next two games, but the fact is if we were to draw them both we would still be third, if we were to draw one and lose one we would still at worst be fourth and even two defeats would not be catastrophic in terms of league position, we would be at worst still 5th and even the biggest bed wetter would have taken that after 15 games.

So now is a time for calm, it is a time to stay behind the team, we have a great manager, a owner and board committed to building the club up in a proper way, we just have to realise that firstly this is football even the best teams don't have it their own way all of the time and secondly we are still a work in progress both on and off the field and that being the case we shouldbe looking for steady sustainable progress to measure ourselves by.

This season still has a lot going for it and could well be our best one since the 1970's as the club have said "We March On" we supporters just have to make sure that each and every one of them are marching alongside them every step of the way..

Photo: Action Images

beachymike added 10:56 - Dec 2 Well said Nick. I think too many people forget that the manager and the (largely new) squad have only been together since August. We definitely March On!
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steadyeddie added 11:27 - Dec 2 Good Article. Really looking forward to my visit to the Emirates!!!
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TheWestStand added 11:31 - Dec 2 Excellent Nick. It amazes me just how fickle so many Saints fans are or maybe it's just that a disproportionate minority rant histrionically on social media and on here in particular. Where we are today and, as you say, even where we might be in a few days time, is still absolutely light years from most expectations a few months ago. Perspective is everything. By the way I live in South Africa now but remember you from Clive Foley's coach days with Trev's Travel! Were you on the coach that got the brick through the window at Wimbledon of all places I think it was?!

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stmichael added 11:46 - Dec 2 Is it not possible to discuss a defeat and the reasons behind it and the performances of individuals when not up to scratch without being accused of bed wetting hysteria fickleness etc.. I didn't see any of those things on this site just supporters debating the match and the performance which is what the sites for isn't it? Balanced opinions which deserved to be heard not ridiculed.

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stmichael added 11:50 - Dec 2 I take some of that post back!! Have just read ST GEORGES posts re MC game and they were ALL of the things you just mentioned :)
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SanMarco added 12:15 - Dec 2 We don't get many of the real headbangers who need to keep taking their medication on here. I think that sometimes the tremendous disappointment of a game like this one makes people who post quickly afterwards perhaps go over the top. If they had waited 24 hours they might have been more measured. There is a world of difference between commenting on players' performances, or even how good they are in general, with the sort of abuse that happens on the terraces and in social media etc...

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Jesus_02 added 12:34 - Dec 2 Hey, with social media, and comments threads like this its soooo easy to say stuff in the heat of the moment. I am pretty sure that most fans we be back to thinking we can nick something at the Emirates. I know I am. Yeah, I still think Ron was wrong to change thing defensively because the midfield was crock, but that was his processional opinion and if Harry Reed was a disaster he would have got stick for that too. The only thing that has genuinely made me scratch my head is, what has happened to Gardos? We paid 6m for this guy and he seemed alright to begin with.

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bstokesaint added 13:28 - Dec 2 I agree, I'd have been very happy at the beginning of the season to be where we are now. That said I do feel that now we are here we should not be reflecting on those historical aspirations, but seeing how far we can go. Our players do need to take it up a level to stop all the doub setting. Even a single point against Arsenal or Man U will show we can compete. I personally think we've looked a little lethargic in the past 2 games. Our passing definitely hasn't been up to the standard of earlier in the season. I refuse to blame individuals, but there are a few of our players that I know can raise their game. That's what frustrates me the most.

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SaintNick added 14:02 - Dec 2 Hi West stand, yes i was on that coach at Wimbledon worrying to think that would be 36 years ago this January i think
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saintstowin added 14:51 - Dec 2 The overreaction: For me it’s the contrast between Sunday and the astonishing 3 points almost week in, week out + clean sheets, that makes any defeat all the more stark. You almost get used to being 2nd! And I also think (and I include myself here) missing an opportunity to prove the media/neutral doubters wrong – that we had not truly been tested or when we had against Liverpool/Tottenham we lost – was so frustrating, more so than a ‘normal’ home defeat against the bigger boys. My one worry is the slight lack of spark from some, in comparison to earlier on, possibly at the worst time with hard and frequent fixtures. But I completely trust our leadership and our team. It’d be great to get a bit of luck and take 2, 3 or 4 points from the next couple of games and re-group then. Saints aren’t used to being talked about so glowingly and so often and perhaps we need to ignore the good and the bad press and see where we are in the new year.

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exitclub added 20:21 - Dec 2 Hey West Stand, I am in New Zealand and I too was on those coaches with Clive Foley and the beginning of SISA..with the Branfoot out campaign. The craziest experience ever though when Saints played Newcastle when Alan Ball took over, and we had a live feed played to a conference centre near the Dell, can't remember the name of the place, and Le Tissier scored a sublime freekick to win the game 2-1 and the whole place went ballistic. I think there were about 500 in the place. The noise was immense. Great times and looking forward to the Saints V Tottenham game when I finally get back to the UK after 13 years

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ChristchurchSaint added 20:29 - Dec 2 Good points Nick- I agree that all of us are disappointed, but we do need to put it in perspective. City are, without doubt, the first or second best team in the EPL- that is obviously up for debate! Although we lost badly, without the injury to Morgan, we would probably have lost by one goal, which was really to be expected. City are a huge club, with a team that is worth about 3X ours. We need to stay calm, relax, and cheer our boys on to the next points- whether it be a win or just a draw- which I would be more than happy with- on Wednesday at the Emirates.

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SaintDownUnder added 23:59 - Dec 2 Nick this article about sums up exactly how I feel. God we can be our own worst enemy at times. The last time I was back in the UK was December 4 years ago where I watched us away at Dagenham and Redbridge........ and now a minority of fans think its a crime to lose to city who over that same 4 year time frame have had a net spend of nearly $400 million pounds. (source below). http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/manchester-city-transfers. For large spells we played well and had we taken chances we might of exposed the softer side of City....... hardly the end of the world. Lets not load ourselves up with unrealistic expectations that distort our perspective, lets just enjoy the way we're playing, the trajectory we're on and expect a few highs and lows along the way. lets march on.

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TheWestStand added 09:33 - Dec 3 Hi Exitclub. Yes it's tough being a Saints fan in exile! At least we get Terry Paine on TV here every Monday!!
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