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From the Terraces
Tagged:
Championship, Southampton
Despite a second-half fight back on Tuesday night, Southampton are in serious danger of being relegated to the 3rd tier of English football. Southampton PodJockey Sam Poulton voices his concerns on the future of Southampton FC, and asks whether the Saints fortunes will ever turn upwards again. I do believe that this is a dark point in the history of Southampton Football Club. I cannot see at the present time when this club is going to turn around and start to threaten for promotion again. Unfortunately we will never be a realistic threat until investment from outside of the club becomes a reality. Although there are credible discussions with the board at the present time about investment from a certain source, I cannot see it materializing and I believe that Crouch and the other directors are fooling themselves into thinking that the investment will be obtained in the original 3-6 months period first stated by the board.
I look at the players that are currently playing in the side and all I can see is a period of doom whilst we rely on these players. Jason Euell has regularly shown that he is not at a sufficient standard for this division and Jermaine Wright also seems to have problems completing 90 minutes without making sloppy and costly mistakes. I do not believe that relegation will happen this term but let's be honest, as we are only in 18th position, and 22nd means relegation, we are in a survival scrap whether we like it or not. I know there is the argument that we are actually the same points away from the play-offs as we are from the relegation zone, but we are a lot closer to the drop zone than that treasured play-off spot. Let's be realistic, we are never going to challenge for a play-off spot this season because of the inconsistent performances and the amount of teams that are between us in and 6th place.
I cannot see this club being transformed for a long time. I believe the last 3 years have represented the importance of financial stability at a football club and how, if you are to succeed in football, investment is crucial. I personally feel dejected after watching the QPR match and the difference in that side to the one we beat so convincingly in September just because the rich owners can afford to play for quality players. I find it very disheartening that this can just happen in the game now and that there is nothing for clubs to do to stop it or respond to it.
Unfortunately until investment comes our way we will continue to lose players like Rasiak and Skacel in what are very poor financial deals for Southampton FC because no transfer fee is received at all which suggests that the only real intention is to cut the wage bill. Although they are big earners for our club they are not earning serious amounts of money which emphasizes the financial struggle the club will continue to have in recent years. This financial struggle is likely to reflect our on the field results as well which I believe will continue to fall short of what the club and the fans believe is satisfactory.
Maybe I am just being very negative but I am very sceptical about investment coming our way and, until it does, I will continue to believe that a period of instability will remain at our club for many years to come.
I think you are 100% right
I think you are 100% right Sam, it always seems one shambles after another.
What I dont understand from
What I dont understand from Southampton fans is why you dont accept that the club maybe biding their time with a new managerial appointment. Hoddle will takeover but he cant right at this moment. Be patient Saints.
Hoddle won't take over if
Hoddle won't take over if we're relegated to league 1 - we're impatient because the current trend has us edging downwards every week
Saints fans are downcast
Saints fans are downcast because this is probably our worst team for almost 50 years - and even then we were on an upturn after the arrival of Ted Bates as Manager. We are downcast because we have been promised investment for almost 2 years, which hasnt materialised - whilst some of our rivals have seen huge new injections of cash. We are downcast because our once robust finances have been decimated and we are now in financial meltdown, with no way forward beyond "lets hope something turns up!" And we are downcast because our "friends" along the coast are enjoying the time of their lives, signing top class players and inspired by the hang dog Manager who led us to Relegation.
i don't think you're being
i don't think you're being negative just speaking the truth. this situation will only get worse without any investment. if this continues other teams like the q.p.r.'s of the world will be on the up while we continue to slide. i'm optimistic by nature but this situation is really starting to wear on me
It's really just shown what
It's really just shown what a difference the parachute payments made. When we stopped being a Premiership club playing a division below and officially became this season a Championship club, the whole outlook changed.
When you sell your best players, and we had so many talented players last season, lose your manager and don't have any money, it's no surprise to find yourself falling below standards. The really frustrating point is there's only so much you can do as a fan to support them - buy a season ticket, buy a shirt. We can't bring in the millions Saints need, and we're relying on the board to find investment. If they don't do that then things will only get worse.
