It will not please all fans. Those who wanted us to stop selling, consolidate and challenge. After all we had UCL quality players in our team back when we came up…
So a lot of fans are pissed off today (paging @barry-sanchez )
The interesting point is that Ralph admits trying to change that approach was the mistake. (At this point the masses respond with NO it was Managerial Appointments that were the mistake).
In reality no matter who came in as manager we had the Fonte & VVD sulking undermining the unity of the group AND bad managerial appointments so a double whammy.
In hindsight, what I believe we need to do is to be a lot BIGGER than we are. In that respect it is right to try and expand the fan base, get the Yanks and Chinese on board increasing our commercial revenues, lucrative tours etc AND (eventually) when we have that traction, supersize St Marys). It embarrasses the hell out of us when 10 Saints Fans go down the pub here for a crucial game and around 500 Scousers turn up to see Stevie G (They PAID for that, we only got 30 when MLT came for FREE!)
So I understand growing the business.
So returning to the Southampton way? Buying more Mane’s and having them for 2 years makes footballing sense - it gives a motivated team players trying for the dream move. That model means they would be more likely to come to us than say Bompey or Huddersfield or a Villa, Fulham OR Everton WHU.
The MODEL got us into the top 10, but we moaned, we wanted more.
Well our dream must be Cup Runs and Europa League Football. Maybe UCL via that THAT route. We will not break that top 6 UNLESS one of them screws up. But that is fine, give me a Milan away day every year and a Semi On…
So.
Puel and MoPe were bad fits, in fairness MP & Koeman were good fits. Sparky looks a good fit. 60% success rate - they get another season.
Sparky in charge of the 1st team - Ralph acknowledged his experience - that means he will make his own decisions on tactics shape and style and thank God for that.
Les is no longer the ONLY football man in the management team with experience. That is a positive as well.
I am in the well done Ralph Camp. You admitted you farked it up. You know we want to watch players playing for the shirt and we want to enjoy our football. Home comes first. All transfer income re-invested in the playing side - good.
Now get rid of Forster Ffs.
I migth enjoy this close season. We know we will kick out anyone who doesn’t want to bleed for the club.
So long Soufiane
THE SOUTHAMPTON WAY IS BACK!