13 Aug 2016 04:49:37
Hi guys . Firstly I have to risk abuse from you lot by admitting I'm a Evertonian . As an Evertonian I can empathise with Saints fans . Believe me we've had our share of betrayal in our time . Rooney ( once a blue always a blue ) , Barmby training with England between Gerrard and Carragher both with arms round him . A week later he'd signed for them. Moyes trying to sign Felliani and Baines for £15 mill the pair. Every time Lukaku goes on international duty his dad or his manager talk Everton down and makes it clear he's after a move .
I know Koeman didn't come out of his move to Everton smelling of roses but I think your board should be your main targets for abuse . When you look at the players Soton have cashed in on since Walcott left it's unbelievable. Champions league qualification would be a cert for Saints year after year . Your. academy is unbelievable, but then the coach is tweeting pics of empty pitch days before season opener due to players sold, the job he did was miraculous. The harsh truth is finishing above Everton twice in a row doesn't make you a bigger or better club . Your board like Evertons for far too long is happy to stay in the Premier League and cash in on it's assets. If Soton showed more ambition Koeman would be totally deserving of his Judas treatment. As it is double your money, who wouldn't change jobs for that . I don't expect him to be at Everton in 3 years time, but if he does well takes us up a level then moves up a level himself, he'll have done his job . I know you'll never forgive him but your board deserves equal abuse for selling all those top players far too soon . Far too many to name or even remember. Good luck for the coming season. G.

1.) 13 Aug 2016
13 Aug 2016 07:29:48
5 years ago we were in league 1, but yeah it's definately possible for us to get a regular place in the top four, and it's not a huge achievement to get around the top of the table three years in a row after being in the third tier of English football.

2.) 13 Aug 2016
13 Aug 2016 07:30:03
Cheers for your post mate. Koeman left because our board asked him to sign a contract extension going in to the last year of his contract - which personally I don't find unreasonable. For some reason, Koeman got the hump about this and decided to go to Everton. Everton doubled his wages and no one in their right mind would turn that down. I can't speak for other Saints fans, and I haven't got an issue with leaving for 6 million a year but don't lie about. Him coming out in the media telling all and sundry he's staying at St Marys and then within 3 wees he's at Goodison is what pis*ed me off. I can't quite see your point when we finished 8th, 7th and then 6th is our board just happy to stay in the premier league. That means we are progressing in my book. I don't know anyone who thinks we are bigger than Everton, but I do think your being a bit harsh on Bill Kenwright who stepped in and saved your ass. Has he or has he not been looking for investment ever since he walked in the place? Now you have this billionaire sugar daddy you think everything will be like it was in the 80's. Saints have a strategic plan that involves picking up players for pittance and sellings them for obscene amounts, mostly to your mates across Stanley park :-) . But all being told, that's our plan and at the moment it seems to be working. Seems to me, the only plan Everton have is to throw money at the problem. Well that doesn't always work does it. Ask Louis van Gal. I personally think you'll have a good season because you have a good manager but unless you support Southampton, I really wouldn't expect you to understand how are board operate. It can be frustrating when you see top players get sold but it's been happening for a while now and we still up improve season on season, punching above our weight. Guess time will tell if we can continue to do so.

3.) 13 Aug 2016
13 Aug 2016 07:31:59
Your saying that Koeman left because we had no ambition, yet all you've signed is an awful midfielder from a relegated club, a ridiculously poor goalkeeper, and trust me on that as I had to suffer watching him play live last season, and an old centre back. Not too mention you've bid £30 mil on a player worth a maximum of £10 mil.

4.) 13 Aug 2016
13 Aug 2016 10:25:37
Absolutely spot on st lee. Took the words right out of my mouth. I think it's expected that anyone other than saints fans don't see how our board operates the club, heck even some saints fans themselves are still not 100% sure of what the board is trying to do, me myself included. But we do see the bigger picture that this is the way the club is run and will be run in order to sustain financial stability and avoid a repeat of 2009.
I appreciate that you're trying to see both views and relate to us garyo. You have a brilliant director in Walsh and koeman is a quality manager no doubt. No matter what happens this season I'm sure you'll end up better than the last two seasons. Good luck.

5.) 13 Aug 2016
13 Aug 2016 11:37:15
Good morning Garyo welcome to the Southampton site. Good luck in the new season coming too. Only one comment to make on this post and this concerns our board. All the players that have left in recent seasons didn't exactly leave wailing and crying and being dragged out the exit door.

They left for one reason - money. Our board did the best thing and got top dollar for them Koeman left for the same reason 6 million of them. This is now the nature of the beast. No ambition? We have qualified for 2 seasons running now for Europe. No we have not had the history as you once had will agree on that one. Enjoy Koeman why you have him as he will improve you. Don't think you'll qualify this season for Europe but probably next season.

6.) 13 Aug 2016
13 Aug 2016 17:46:36
spot on welshgirl!