10 Apr 2024 07:05:20
5 thoughts on the promotion dilemma.

1. As a Saint I want that euphoric Wembley win. As a Football fan, the top 3 deserve promotion more.

2. I fear promotion could mean get beaten most weeks next year but we also have a better chance of keeping THB and KWP so should have more hope than the year after.

3. Another year away could develop our young players and help us master more styles of play. Then again that depends if we stick or twist with the current approach.

4. The prospect of beating Pompey in the playoffs next year could be historic but the loss of finances and players could hurt us.

5. I do not have that same feeling of "a side on the up" as the Adkins and Lambert years. We need the vision and play to inspire that, whatever league we are in.

Which do you feel is best for the club? Promotion now or another rebuild year?

1.) 10 Apr 2024
10 Apr 2024 09:55:16
Good question :
My answer is entirely dependant on whether we get rid of RM
Another year in the championship with him at the helm, will achieve nothing.
I fully support your comments about ‘developing our youngsters and ‘support more styles of play’ .
Then is never going to happen under RM.
He doesn’t even change our style of play within a game let alone a season. He’s also never really given the very promising youngsters a chance.

Stay in the championship / new manger .
Would need to be someone who wants free flowing, fast attacking football. A manager who wants to win a game from the first to the 90th minute.

Promoted / new manger
I think we have the squad to stay in the EPL, just.
I don’t think we have ever seen the best of our players as they have not been allowed to play naturally.
I would love to see RM unleash the team, let them play fast and direct football. There are some very good football players at Saints… but imagine being a lin attacker/winger and watching the pirates patsy football going on, meanwhile they are making runs, taking up good positions and never getting the ball.

So I’m not really sure we can fully judge the current squad while they are playing under RM rules of engagement …

2.) 10 Apr 2024
10 Apr 2024 13:34:57
I think you have hit the nail on the head there @south_hants_rich

We have young exciting talents like Alcaraz and Sulemana but we have not played to their attacking strengths, nor have we had an aerial threat or air of unpredictably about us.

At the start of the season, I predicted 4th and that looks like where we will be. I think RM is probably a good man manager and I am grateful for that unbeaten run but his strategy does lack flexibility.

Our style needs to be adapted to our team strengths and the opposition, not based purely on the Board and Manager's philosophy.

Some very interesting games and decisions ahead.

3.) 11 Apr 2024
11 Apr 2024 12:48:16
I understand the reasons for staying put but I would far prefer to go up - every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

As I previously said, we lack that winning mentality. That generates self belief which in turn gives players confidence to look to beat players, pass forward and take risks.

4.) 11 Apr 2024
11 Apr 2024 21:28:56
Yes, the more I think both scenarios through the more I hope for promotion.

Being a Saints Fan is not good for the blood pressure but it is always fun to be fighting for something whether promotion or relegation, rather than languishing in mid table.

I think our ultra possession style may be damaging that winning mentality. Psychologically, if you are always playing safe rather than pressing forward that must take away that killer instinct and confidence. The fans get nervous or bored too, which feeds into it.