End of season aspirations

This season the Premier League seems to be more concertinaed and tight than ever before, with more teams closer together in levels of quality than previously. Considering Southampton's inconsistencies this year, what do you deem to be a successful season?


Season Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
2015/16 7th 30 12 8 10 38 30 8 44
2014/15 7th 38 18 6 14 54 33 21 60
2013/14 8th 38 15 11 12 54 46 8 56
2012/13 14th 38 9 14 15 49 60 -11 41

Looking at Saints' last three top-flight finishes it seems likely that the team may fall slightly short of their previous seasons tally of 60 points based on a projected 1.5 points from the remaining games (1.47 in their previous 30) which would give them a similar total to that of their 2013/14 season. However, despite a lower points tally, like many sides this season, a position of 6th is seemingly possible. Nevertheless a poor run of form could see Southampton tumble down the league with five teams only two victories (6 points) away from usurping them.

Remaining fixtures:
Liverpool (H)
Leicester (A)
Newcastle (H)
Everton (A)
Aston Villa (A)
Man City (H)
Tottenham (A)
Crystal Palace (H)

It is hard to predict what a tough game is this season and Saints will have to face three of the top four in their remaining fixtures, albeit the average position of the teams they will be playing is 10th. Liverpool and Tottenham, partly due to their Europa League exploits, have played a lot of games and Everton may be distracted by their FA Cup semi final less than a week later making these sides more susceptible, however teams in the race to stay in the division or bolstered by twists at the top of the table could mean a hard run in for the south coast side.

Predicted finish: 8th
Predicted points: 57

What is your opinion?

 

End of season aspiration?

European football.

 

So you had better hope Everton and Crystal Palace do not win the FA Cup then.

 

6th isn't out of the question.

 

We've dropped so many points that it is unlikely that we will finish much better than last season. However, I wouldn't complain if we get into Europe with a 6/7th finish. We could have been higher, but can't moan too much about 7th in a very competitive league....especially as I think we will have learnt from this season and will be better next season.

 

7th/8th is way better than I was anticipating at the start of the season. Was pretty sure we'd be hovering around 12th.

 

We are seventh with Chelsea and Liverpool close behind us with games in hand, so to me that is optimistic as we would likely have to match both teams and overtake Man U.

 

I guessed 10th. I wrote down my end of season table at the beginning of the season and seem to be woefully incorrect:

1 Chelsea
2 Man U
3 Arsenal
4 Man C
5 Liverpool
6 Tottenham
7 Everton
8 Stoke
9 Swansea
10 Southampton
11 West Ham
12 Crystal Palace
13 West Brom
14 Newcastle
15 Norwich
16 Sunderland
17 Leicester
18 Aston Villa
19 Bournemouth
20 Watford

 

Spot on and I think expecting to improve on last year is a bit much really.

It was always going to be a struggle to go above one of the 6 above us last year and if you throw Leicester and WHU in the mix then there's 8.

The truth is there's not alot between most teams in this league and I think a top half finish would be a decent season for us after the rebuilds we've had.

This Summer is gonna be a big one though.

 

That's a pretty tough looking run in but we have pulled off some decent results against good opposition.

A fit squad with nothing else to play for there are a few wins in there.

Don't think we will reach last season's points total but wins against Liverpool and spurs will keep me happy.

 

7th or better would be great. Oh and world peace.

 

I actually think that this summer won't be as big as the last few summers.

 

All our home games look winnable.

And all our away games look tough. But I would looove to beat spurs at The Lane, and in so doing prevent them from winning the league. Please God, I promise I'll be good.

 

I meant in terms of getting our business right. With the increased money a lot of teams will be pushing on. We need to try to as well.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping for Europe. But anything 10th or above I would consider a successful season.

I think this summer is pretty big for us. Just in a different way. The last two off-seasons we were sort of in scramble mode, having to replace some very good players. We had to do an awful lot just to stay in place. This will hopefully be the first summer where we have more control and can make a push for top four if we get the right players in.

 

We do. But it'll be a great start if we only have to sell players we want to sell for a change.

 

Yeah I know it won't happen but I'd love to see us not sell anyone, bring a few quality additions in and really see what Ron can do with this squad.

It's tough trying to improve when you need to sign 3 players just to try and be where you were.

 

I still maintain that we will finish above West Ham and Stoke and will be competing with Manure and the Scousers for 5th place, most likely finishing 6th or 7th.

 

We could lose Vic and Sadio and still have a pretty strong squad....If they can bring in £40m+, then we will have a great chance of strengthening overall to progress further next season, hopefully with a European campaign.

 

Aspirations? Win everything we're still in or finish as high as possible.

Expectations? 10th/11th