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Article: An interesting question. | Southampton FC, Football.

Discussion in 'Southampton' started by lewebster, Aug 20, 2013.

  1. lewebster

    lewebster Well-Known Member

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    So the question is would anyone have preferred to have stayed in the Premier league as a mid table team until being purchased by ML and maybe being a few years ahead of where we are now, maybe already a cup win and European football.

    Or the path we have actually taken with all the downs then ups?

    I was devestated when we went down and thought it inconceivable that we would drop down another league. But I am glad of the route we have gone down as it opens your eyes to the bigger picture and you can then appreciate the good times more.

    We have a great team spirit, best in the league if you ask me and this is shown by the number of league 1 players still in and around our first team squad. I do think that players do as a rule believe the hype about big teams and big players when actually they should believe in themselves to become that big player.

    This brings me to the main reason for being happy with how things have gone for us.....Sir Rickie Lambert! The man is such a great all round player and nice bloke, just one of the lads, a mate. In just a few years he has now become my favourite player of all time surpassing the mighty MLT! Part of that is down to that England game and goal. I'm half English and half Scottish so wasn't overly bothered about the result but I desperately wanted Rickie to score, a similar feeling I imagine to your brother or son playing, I've never felt like that before!

    There is no way we would have taken a punt on Lambert if we had stayed in the Premier league so for me it's a no brainer and I for one can't wait for the book and then movie of Lamberts life to come out!
     
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  2. fatletiss

    fatletiss Well-Known Member

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  3. ----HistoryRepeating----

    ----HistoryRepeating---- Well-Known Member

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    The journey has made it far more special. Anyway, were it not for L1, we probably would never have met St Markus.
     
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  4. lewebster

    lewebster Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that!
     
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  5. TheSecondStain

    TheSecondStain Needs an early night

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    I'll have it just the way it is. I don't want to contemplate any other way. This story has been pretty damn well fantastic so far. Can't wait for the next chapter.
     
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  6. Saints_Alive

    Saints_Alive Well-Known Member

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    I know it's hypothetical, but would Marcus and Nicola have taken a punt on us IF we had been a Premier League team?....To me, it's doubtful as they saw a great opportunity to buy a reasonably big club, with good facilities and a biggish fanbase at a rock bottom price.
    From a personal standpoint, I hated our relegation and the subsequent years of mismanagement in the Championship and would like that period erased from my memory BUT it led to our takeover, so would I guess the question is, was the pain worth it?...Ultimately I would have to say yes...(just imagine Rupert still as CEO...*shudder*)
     
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  7. Downthe36

    Downthe36 Well-Known Member

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    The drop to League 1 was brutal, watching some players pull on the shirt of your club who were by no fault of their own, awful.

    Would I do it again...hell yes! The rise from the (almost) ashes has been incredible!
     
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  8. lewebster

    lewebster Well-Known Member

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    Tried editing the title but no joy, is that something only a Mod can do? If so I'm sure it's obvious what I've done.
     
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  9. thebronze14

    thebronze14 Well-Known Member

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    The journey has made it more special! In a strange way I feel more connected to the club after everything that has happened in a strange way!
     
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  10. lewebster

    lewebster Well-Known Member

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    I agree with you and HR about Markus not buying us if we had never gone down but it is a hypothetical question and just wanted to guage other opinions. Glad everyone so far is in the same head space, it's a great place to be.
     
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  11. fran-MLs little camera

    fran-MLs little camera Well-Known Member

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    The last few years have been so great, they have almost eradicated the bad memories. I didn't follow Saints in their heyday...all I have known is relegation battles and a few good years just below midtable. I feel part of something special here and, for the first time, actually feel very smug about being a Saints fan.
     
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  12. Dell Boy

    Dell Boy Well-Known Member

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    Good post and interesting question? Must admit during all those years in the top flight I was always happy with mid-table obscurity and the occasional good cup run, I also remember feeling so low when we continued to drop down to league one with Skates at work giving me a bad time.
    But now it feels like we have been reborn with good, honest team that wants to play for SFC. Such a shame Marcus isn't here to see it?
    Great point you make about Sir Rickie.
     
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  13. thereisonlyoneno7

    thereisonlyoneno7 Well-Known Member

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    I agree will all above. WHAT A JOURNEY!!!!!!

    From upset (prem to championship) to desperation (Championship to admin to league one), to, well let's face it if we wrote the story in 2005 who would have believed it!

    And Sir Rickie Lambert. No way would we have taken a punt on him in the Premier League. What a absolute legend. My name on this forum was aimed at MLT, but after 35 years as a Saints fan, Lambert is becoming the favourite. I never thought there would be a Saints player again after MLT that I would worship so much, but ask my neighbours...when Rickie scored for England last week, did I celebrate!!!!!!! I can safely say that I have never gone that mental about an England goal ever (even Beckham v Greece). I am struggling to remember when I went that mental for a Saints goal!

    Markus saw our potential and Nicola is following that through. We are all biased, but I cannot see another team in the Premier League with such an exciting last few years and such an exciting next few. My late sister in law said in 2005 if you don't remember the bad times, you won't fully appreciate the good times, but to be fair I think even if you just started supporting the Saints in 2008, you would realise the special journey we have shared.

    I cannot wait to see what Nicola has in store for us next!!

    No7 :)
     
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  14. Piebacca

    Piebacca Well-Known Member

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    Didn't notice until you mentioned it. People will see "interesting" because that's what they're expecting.
     
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  15. Hurlock Perm

    Hurlock Perm New Member

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    I started going to the football properly in the latter half of the 80s. Even though Saints were always a top flight team, when we got to the Cup Final in 2003, me and the lads I went with always felt that that amazing day out in Cardiff would be the pinnacle of our Saints-supporting lives.

    It didn't take long for that feeling to become concrete - disaster followed disaster - but we were very, very wrong.

    The last few years have surpassed that in so many ways - as outlined in the posts above - and to be honest, I think we needed it as a club. Wouldn't change it for anything and the fact that the core of the team that was there in the **** is still very much part of the now and the future speaks volumes.

    Tomorrow (the 21st) will be three years to the day that we found ourselves in the position below - quite astonishing how far the club has come really.

    3 years ago.png

    <party><party><party><party><party><party><party>
     
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  16. TheSecondStain

    TheSecondStain Needs an early night

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    It is quite astonishing. I think it's even more impressive than Norwich's own brilliant double promotion because Saints as a club was broken, finished. And it had to be rebuilt.
     
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  17. ChrisMarsdenFootballGenius

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    I was contemplating posting about at what point Rickie would surpass MLT in hero status but didn't as I assumed it would be laughed down. I'm glad you mention it.
     
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  18. TheSecondStain

    TheSecondStain Needs an early night

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    Rickie is certainly a worthy talisman for these days as he is the embodiment in one player of all that Saints have accomplished since 2009-10.
     
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  19. Lovelocum

    Lovelocum Well-Known Member

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    I have supported saints since 1989 (i was 6). My dad got us a season ticket at the dell. Seeing MLT play was amazing, he will never be surpassed by a saints player for skill and flair.

    But going back into league 1 was when I fell in love again, going to every home game and most aways. I've loved the journey and feel more passionate than ever. I do not regret a single moment. Of course Rickie embodies all that we have come to love, he has grown and flourished as saints have. Comparing technical ability MLT is way ahead but in terms of what they mean to the club they are on par, but in different ways.
     
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  20. rabbitspectrum

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    I would have rather stayed in the prem and kept all our good young players.

    I think the team spirit and good feel about the club doesn't quite make up for the respect we would receive if we had have been in the premier league for the last 35+ years. We would have a bigger reputation and so would be able to bring in even better players than we have this window particularly when you talk about already playing European football. And if the good team spirit is due to the promotion years we are dependent on something that is going to fade amongst the players soon.

    It's possible that we are a stronger club in a football sense but I think that's a bit of sentimentality. Which is what football is about for a lot of people in any case. No doubt the last few years have been brilliant as a fan and far superior to mid table obscurity.
     
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