06 Sep 2018 01:01:59
What's your realistic prediction for winter break and final season position? I think around the winter break, we will be 8 - 14 place and come the end of the season we will be finishing around 10th position (maybe even challenge for 7th and 8th place) . Feel it might be a little optimistic but I think we can do it.

Not sure if mark Hughes is the way to go and say we are in the relegation zone come winter break, should we stay with Hughes or get a new coach? Who would take over as manager?

I see us taking 3 points vs Brighton which would be nice to gain momentum for upcoming games.


1.) 06 Sep 2018
06 Sep 2018 12:22:09
Hmm not entirely sure. hopefully top half both times but.
yeah agree with the Hughes point.
yep hopefully three points against BHA, but there a decent side and cannot be written off. seem to like beating man u so.


2.) 06 Sep 2018
06 Sep 2018 13:25:21
I have to let my head rule my heart and say that I think we will finish the season around 13th or 14th place. Not sure about MH but we have to give him a run until Christmas and if we're in bottom 6 look for someone else but that makes it awkward for the January transfer window having someone new that doesn't know the players or what positions that need strengthening. Also depends on who is available to come in and take over. With our recent record of manager ins and outs a lot of managers wouldn't even look at us.


3.) 07 Sep 2018
07 Sep 2018 12:49:42
Its still very early days but I think we'll eventually finish somewhere between 10 and 15. We'll see the trend of the top 7 or 8 being streets ahead of the second tier teams who duke it out with each other in what will be a tight finish.

I don't think Mark Hughes will go unless we are playing terribly and back in the relegation zone with no hope of turning things around. He will likely get more time than the previous two managers as the board seem to rate his experience.

By the winter break we'll see the league taking shape in its two tier structure, but spots between 9 and 18 will probably be separated by no more than about 10 points. We'll be in that mix somewhere but I only see us picking up around 15 points between now and then.


4.) 08 Sep 2018
08 Sep 2018 18:32:10
Hi guys

I think we have made a reasonable start to the season nothing earth shattering but fair. I think the key to improving is to cut down on the stupid sloppy mistakes e. g. Everton away last year 3 points instead of 1. I was encouraged against Crystal Palace admittedly without Zaha but to score 2 goals and keep a clean sheet shows promise. I understand people's reservations about MH but last season there were not many managerial choices and I was encouraged by our transfer dealings, it looks like Danny Ings could be our missing link as long as he stays fit. I
also believe this club needs a season of relative stability where we are comfortable league wise hopefully providing the platform for good cup runs and no more nailbiting finishes. I
haven't seen too much of our football this season and let's hope MH doesn't tinker too much with the formation. As figo wrote there are few points covering many places in this league and the ability to cut out sloppy mistakes, lapses in concentration ( how a player cannot concentrate for 90 minutes baffles me? ) can make all the difference between a good and mediocre season. don't forget we also had a new owner at Xmas, I think the first 4 games have been an eye opener who would have credited Watford and Bournemouth being at or near the top of the table, it just shows what can be achieved with a modest budget, and good training and motivated players. We all know this league is a marathon not a sprint but I am optimistic we can have a good season playing entertaining football and looking forward to Saturdays. Regards vs coyr.


5.) 09 Sep 2018
09 Sep 2018 18:32:31
I like the look of this squad.

All of a sudden there is character flowing throughout the squad. This has been missing.

Based upon this and the potential of many in the group I predict an improving situation as the season develops. 7/ 8th for me, and somewhere along the way a strong cup run.


6.) 12 Sep 2018
12 Sep 2018 12:49:47
We all get very optimistic don't we after 1 victory!
I would be delighted with a top 10 finish/ if we finish with more than 50 points.
However, I can't see this happening. We now struggle to get regular victories. And I think all other teams around us are as good as us if not better, with the transfer market being what it is it has allowed other teams in the bottom half to strengthen their squad. The likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, Watford, Newcastle are all at the same level as us. Because of this the premier is so much tighter, 2 seasons ago we finished 8th but only 6 points off Watford who finished 17th.
A few seasons ago I would have said we were the best team outside the big 6, now I just can't get behind that statement.


7.) 13 Sep 2018
13 Sep 2018 17:15:06
Hi SaintUS - Another great topic you’ve brought up

I think we’re good enough to be just below Everton (assuming they have the season they ‘should have’) in the top 10 - between 8th and 10th (so 9th then! )

It’s a bit of a dog eat dog division though isn’t it. One moment you could be looking like a lost cause and heading down down deeper and down, the next could be one little spark to change the status quo and pick up a few wins or points and go right up the league table and be hanging around just outside the big boys. Alongside Arsenal then!

I won’t rule out relegation for the Saints But I’d also not rule out use finishing top six or seven. No idea, and that’s part of the ‘beauty’ of the Premier League. The beautiful game and all that

Keep Hughes. I like him as a man and as a manager. I liked him loads as a player too. Think he’s starting to find his best team - although it’s often at the expense of my fave players (What a goal Steven Davis scored for Northern Ireland the other day, quaaaaality player) but yeah. Backing Hughes all the way.

Three points against Brighton would confirm my enthusiasm. Defeat may just curb it.

Good stuff, good mix of comments. Up The Saints!


8.) 14 Sep 2018
14 Sep 2018 17:54:22
Wow, I am loving some of the positivity - I want some. I don’t rate Hughes but would take him happily over MP2 but not CP, Koeman or of course MP1. I’ve been of the same opinion in the 12 games or so he has managed and although too early to fully judge, I have not seen a recent signing that could develop into a great player and high sale. This is supposed to be our module, or so I thought.

Honestly speaking I am struggling to see past 14th. I think we can feel somewhat fortunate to be on 4 points, although I missed the Everton game.


9.) 14 Sep 2018
14 Sep 2018 19:48:11
Haha Saint Etienne. Just need Rossi and Parfitt now. lol.


10.) 15 Sep 2018
15 Sep 2018 14:14:33
It's very hard to judge, but between 11-14th is what I expect. Looking at the players we have by position, it's false to believe that Newcastle, Watford, Bournemouth etc are at our standard; the bench however is a different matter.
Hughes isn't a bad coach and he has clearly tried to improve upon his coaching weaknesses: being vocal during the game, creating stronger relationships with the players and developing other systems. I think that we can progress under him to the level we were just before Poch came in - with a core of young, hungry English players (Targett, Sims, Jones, Slattery, Obafemi (Irish, yes) and others) that can emulate that promotion team. But in the longer term we need someone more dynamic, I like Giovanni van Bronckhorst of Feyenoord, so that we can return to European heights.