Saints travel to Crystal Palace to take on a side with a worse record than them , hang on a minute there are 7 sides with worse records than us ! Why are some people so pessimistic !

Saints go up to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace with half of their fanbase about to go into meltdown if you read social media, but the fact remains that there is still a lot more to be optimistic about than pessimistic.

Saints have kept last seasons squad virtually intact with the only significant departure being Jay Rodriguez who as much as i liked him has due to his injury problems not made much of a contribution over the last three seasons.

We have added to the squad with Wesley Hoedt and Mario Lemina and given that we did not have three key players in Austin, Van Dijk and Gabbiadini each for over half a season, the fact is that we now have a squad that is better than last seasons.

So why are people talking about this side as relegation candidates ?

Possibly because this time last year the same people were saying the same things, that we were going to be relegated etc etc, we ended up 8th making it a top 10 finish four times in a row and took part in a major cup final for only the 6th time in our history, but for the pessimists this was not good enough, the season was a disaster, the squad was rubbish and the manager didn't have a clue and oh the masses were not being entertained.

Personally I saw this as a good season, from a pure statistical point of view it could be said that it was our 4th best ever in 132 years, now that is telling you something, although some people still think that it is a disaster if we don't finish in the Champions League qualification positions and win a trophy as well.

There can be no doubt that we are in a little bit of turmoil at the moment due to a variety of issues, but this turmoil needs to be put into perspective, when we moved into St Mary's 16 years ago turmoil for this club was spending most of the season in the bottom three and then pulling clear in the last weeks of the season, in 2005 it got worse and stayed bad for several years.

Since then we have been continually moving forward up to last season, but there had to come a time when we reached a plateau and last season was it, from now on we are taking on clubs ahead of us that have far better resources, we have to rely on at least one of them having an off season and we have to punch above our weight.

Last season was not a crisis, it was a miracle given the circumstances and issues that we had and in many respects continue to have, the fact that the club came through it all and finished 8th with a cup final was not turmoil in any shape or form, but some Saints fans seem determined to make a crisis out of a drama.

So it is about time we have a bit of positivity, why are so many predicting doom and gloom against Crystal Palace ? We go there to take on a Palace squad that last season struggled and this season is doing the same with almost exactly the same squad.

There is no cause for alarm, we should be going there with confidence, there is absolutely no reason why we should not, every single factor points to making us favourites to win there.

I have always said that life is about perception, its not always about what is real, but what people see it as and this is the case now, we have been spoiled over the past 7 years, so much so that we now see losing a cup final as failure, hopefully in a few years time we will do, but given our one trophy in 132 years for the moment it is a step forward to reach a final.

So Saints fans need to step back, take a look at what the club is trying to do, accept that some times you have to take a step back to take two forward and appreciate what the club is trying to achieve and back them.

Football teams feel the vibe from the stands when they play, the magic of football is those games when the crowd virtually sucks the ball into the net, remember Dellhurst Park for instance in 1999, the attitude of the crowd helps the team and at the moment the crowd is not helping Saints.

This is a time for everyone to get behind the team and create the atmosphere to help us move forward, I want Mauricio Pellegrino to be the greatest manager in Saints history, I don't get that feeling from far too many of my fellow Saints fans who always seem to have something negative to say about the team.

As I say, I have seen the bad times and last season was not in anyway shape or form one of them, I would be happy being bored sh*tless at every home game if we reached a Wembley cup final every year.

The late great Bill Shankly once said.

"If you can't support us when we lose or draw, don't support us when we win"

He had a point.

Photo: Action Images

Dan_P326 added 09:55 - Sep 15 The only game we've won this season was against a 10 man West Ham side and we needed two penalties to do that. Few more performances like last week and there won't be 7 teams below us for long. Let's see a more positive attitude from the players and then I'll think about lightening up ;).
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Dan_P326 added 09:55 - Sep 15 The only game we've won this season was against a 10 man West Ham side and we needed two penalties to do that. Few more performances like last week and there won't be 7 teams below us for long. Let's see a more positive attitude from the players and then I'll think about lightening up ;).
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JGH added 10:06 - Sep 15 I agree Nick, the negativity is becoming toxic. Do people not remember where we were not very long ago, when we would have killed to be significantly worse off then we are now! The likes of Les Reed get a regular hammering on here, do people really believe that he hasn't done a good job overseeing the development of Saints' recruitment process, training facilities and continued success of the academy - all commonly regarded as among the best in the UK if not world.

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EarlsCourtSaint added 10:09 - Sep 15 Nick, absolutely spot on, I for one am so fed up with the attitude of instant success in this modern day world of entitlement. Success is not instant, it takes bloody hard work and graft, and like it or not, we do not have the purchasing power of Liverpool, Everton, Spurs, West Ham etc, all teams that we have finished above or close to in the past three seasons. Some people do not like to admit facts, we are NOT one of the biggest teams in the League, and we have punched above our weight for three seasons running, and could well do so again this year. Sadly far too many fans focus simply on the short term, believing we should be winning every game, the Leicester success hasn't helped, but that was a once in a century perfect alignment of the stars. And don't get me started on the Les Reed bashers, what does that man need to do to get some credit for what he has achieved over the past few years?

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Cjay80 added 10:16 - Sep 15 It is obviously born out of not scoring goals and not winning games. What better way to increase the positivity around the club than to score a goal and give 30,000+ paying customers something to celebrate? We got to Wembley last year and what a day it was. Again the EFL Cup was our best chance to achieve the same but it collapsed at the first hurdle to an inferior side. We need attacking football, shots on target and the goals, along with the positivity will come.

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SonicBoom added 10:17 - Sep 15 Yep there is too much negativity. The constant blaming and bashing of Les who actually seems to have improved the squad overall. People still using his bad experience at Charlton years and years ago as a stick to beat him with. I think he could be better and his appearances with new signings is baffling, but he's certainly not the sole culprit for all problems we have. We have a decent side and a good win will change the atmosphere. I cannot agree with your comment though that you would happily be bored at every home game if we get to Wembley each year. That makes no sense. We all fall in love with football because of the game itself. Watching it unfold, the excitement, the drama. You are suggesting that nothing matters, the entertainment is completely secondary to winning a cup. OK maybe the cup will look nice in the cabinet, but if we bore people to death every week no one will care and no other fans will respect our football. Also it would be a joyless experience turning up watching turgid football every home game. The atmosphere would be awful and no doubt soon turn toxic. I would love to get to a cup final, but I also want to be proud of the football my team plays. If I am happy with boredom then I'll just watch for results on the internet and then get the face paint and foam hand out for our annual trip to Wembley.

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LoisDeem added 10:33 - Sep 15 Recall the WHU game. Does anyone not believe that it was Saints (and fan belief) that forced WHU into giving away 2 penalties and losing a man. We need to recall this spirit. People like Dan will then just have to swim along with the momentum. Get positive, it used to be contagious. Don't just get up for the biggies, go for it. SUPPORT the Saints, especially if you're at Selhurst tomorrow, as there's plenty of day left to celebrate after.

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skiptonsaint added 10:35 - Sep 15 Good positivity and a win tomorrow would make things look a lot better. The only thing I would add is that we do now have the 8th joint highest wage bill I believe and with that comes a degree of expectation. I just want to see some fight and a reaction tomorrow.
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helpineedsomebody added 10:37 - Sep 15 bill shankly also said saints play ALE HOUSE FOOTBALL
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simmo400 added 10:47 - Sep 15 Guaranteed in this match. Benteke will score against us. So then we will need one goal for a point. Difficult so I'm gonna go for a hard fought draw.
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Sanguin added 10:52 - Sep 15 Yes, I agree, but I also think the fans are willing to get behind the squad and be more positive, we just need something to cheer. Imagine if we managed to get an early goal, or any goal, in our next home match. There’s a guy who sits a couple of rows in front of me who only ever seems to boo the team. I do my best to be supportive, but it’s difficult in games like against Huddersfield where from start to finish there was very little to cheer. I don’t think we’re in meltdown, I just think we still have the same problems we had at the end of last season. This makes me feel sorry for Puel, but it also convinces me that Pellegrino isn’t likely to go any time soon, since it’s unlikely any new manager would be able to solve our issues either. Regardless, of what’s happening on the pitch I have more faith in the club management than I ever have. I agree with EarlsCourtSaint, I really don’t understand how Les Reed has become some kind of pantomime villain. The corporate deals that we’re striking and the message we sent by holding on to van Dyck show the progress that the club is making. I’m confident you’re right that it’s one step back to take two forward, but it’s really uncomfortable to take a step back.

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TeamCortese added 10:55 - Sep 15 Nick, I think it's incredibly arrogant of you to take this self-righteous stance of labelling other fans as negative. If you want the best for Southampton FC you wouldn't have posted this article. It's divisive and serves nothing in changing the mood of the fanbase. Fundamentally people have the right to express their views and should not censor it to meet this blinded misguided form of "positivity". I'll be positive about Southampton FC when Mr Black is sacked, Les Reed is sacked and Mr Gao hires a competent respected managers such as Tuchel, Benitez, Pelligrini or even Eddie Howe. We have too many deadwood players at the moment and they need to be sold. People in this club are too comfortable both on and off the pitch. There needs to be a real shake-up. We also need to stop thinking about the past and focus on the present. We are a top 10 EPL football club and our owners needs to start supporting us in breaching the Top 6/7. At the moment he jury's out with Mr Gao. The reason why fans feel so aggrieved with the club recently is because we've lost a combination of player and managerial talent over the past seasons without any clear reasons other than to line the owners pocket, and to make matters worse haven't adequately replaced them. This lack of ambition seems to be similar to your posts Nick. Do you really want the best for Southampton FC or are you secretly cynical about the heights this club can reach? If so make please make it clear to people on this forum and don't complain about managers like Claude Puel going forward if they're doing what's expected of them...MEDIOCRITY!

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steve73 added 12:01 - Sep 15 Fair enough to criticize the negativity but this site constantly flip flops on opinions. One day we'll read an article berating negative fans; the next day we'll read an article more negative than anything posted in the comments section. Last season the pieces continually said everything was good and that Puel was a good manager. The pieces written since his departure have said the complete opposite about him. Differing opinions are what it's all about but not when they're all from the same person.

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larry12 added 12:13 - Sep 15 JGH is on something or living in a dream world. This squad is the worst one I've seen and is not better than last year's. The U23's are about 15th best in this country and the Academy hasn'y produced 1st team standard since Shaw. Delusional or yet anothe Les Reed plant on these forums. There must be dozens of these plants, all pretending that Les Reed is doing a wonderful job. 5 points off relegation. Get moaning, cos the club and players derserve it.

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IWOZTHERE added 12:15 - Sep 15 We have 3 or 4 'shining lights', but overall the squad has been 'dumbed down' into mediocrity over the last couple of seasons. In the early part of the article Nick glories in the fact that we've kept the squad intact? That is NOT a plus. A couple more should have gone, as should VVD to allow top quality (not 'nearlies') in where we obviously need them in creative/attacking positions. The vultures were rumoured to be circling over our other top guys. I think they would be much happier playing in an improved, balanced side without the primadonna, than they appear now. I'm dreading the next 'window' already, unless these desperate performances can be turned round.

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saintpp added 12:46 - Sep 15 Good article Nick but lost on the spoilt brat type fans we now have,. There has never been a better time to be saints fan 4 successive top 8 finishes a cup final european football and apart a few years in the mid eighties we have been usually been nearer the bottom than the top. Somebody posted we are 5 points off relegation my god we have only played 4 games and by the same token had we won last week we would be 4th,and in fact will be if we beat Palace if only for 30 minutes. As for the Reed bashers i find it incredible that they dont appreciate how far we have come since he was appointed. Somebody posted we should have sold players yet then they moan that we dont keep players to build a stable squad and call us a selling club. Seems some have it for him and will keep predicting relegation every season well maybe one day they can say they were right so they can say they have superior knowledge and are better business men than him and anyone who doesnt agree with them. Reed did what they wanted and sacked Puel i have yet to see any of them giving him credit for doing that. As for the poster who said this is the worst squad hes ever seen unbeleivable! What about the team when we came up with fox guly hoovedlt and other journeymen from the lower leagues. We have a team full of internationals at under 23 and full level and buying players from top italian teams. Sad to say of our fans deserve a relegation battle then they will really have something to moan about. No wonder players want to leave when they dont get supported when they need it,your bill shankly quote is spot on!

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bstokesaint added 12:59 - Sep 15 I can see both sides of the argument and I do agree Nick that we have been spoilt these past few seasons to the point where we just expect to be mixing it with the best and playing European football. Last season was far from a disaster, and personally I'd take a top 10 finish and a cup final every year. It will take some time and patience to try and make any inroads into any of the teams above us. A lot more than what we just see on the pitch. No, I think the board and Les have done a fantastic job and anyone that criticises them in light of where we have come from is a little short-sighted and ungrateful. That said, for the so-called "squad improvement" there is currently little evidence to suggest this on the pitch. I'll only ever try and get behind the players and can't honestly think of a time I've booed one of our own, I don't believe that helps at all. But, it really is difficult getting behind a team who really don't look like they're trying too hard right now. They're getting paid more in a week than I do in a year and hardly look like they're busting a gut for the privilege. The football is also incredibly negative. It genuinely feels like the team have been told if they keep possession the worst case scenario is we'll take a point and anything else is a bonus. We should be looking at teams like Swansea and Huddersfield and thinking it doesn't matter if we're home or away, with the quality we've got (and we do have some good players) we should be knocking 3 or 4 past them. Palace are pointless and goalless, but you already know (as someone else has mentioned) Benteke will score against us. That's not being overly-pessimistic either because he always causes us problems. Will we score 2 past them in one game and score one less goal than we've managed in total for the last 9 matches? You see, this is why fans aren't feeling too positive right now.It's all very well preaching we should be positive, but practically it's very difficult!

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LondonSaint added 13:08 - Sep 15 It would just be nice to have a goal to cheer about every now and then :)
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lemmsy added 14:00 - Sep 15 I'm in ur camp nick Supported the club for 48 yrs & have seen most ups & downs. I think the more recent 'supporters ' have only seen us on the up & have unrealistic expectations. It's fine having ambition but the likes of Leeds & skates followed this road & both r still suffering. It was 17 years ago Leeds threw everything at the champions league & still haven't recovered & skates bought the fa cup & look at them now. Take a look at charlton & Coventry, similar size clubs to saints on fan base & history. Charlton fans outed curbishley coz they kept finishing 8th.i reiterate any club outside the top six look at us as a role model

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BoondockSaint added 14:09 - Sep 15 Yikes! Les must have been up all night logging on and off! So let me get this right: We should be happy that: We are in the league to make up the numbers for the big teams. Maybe win a few cup games but lose anyway. Sell our best players every year to strengthen our rivals on the league table. Don't even try to replace them. Big name managers and players avoid us like the plague. We should never aspire above our station. Eric Black who has never been successful is tactical genius If players can't be arsed to put in an effort, it's the fans fault for not cheering loud enough. Anyone disagreeing with this is being NEGATIVE??

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BoondockSaint added 14:09 - Sep 15 Yikes! Les must have been up all night logging on and off! So let me get this right: We should be happy that: We are in the league to make up the numbers for the big teams. Maybe win a few cup games but lose anyway. Sell our best players every year to strengthen our rivals on the league table. Don't even try to replace them. Big name managers and players avoid us like the plague. We should never aspire above our station. Eric Black who has never been successful is tactical genius If players can't be arsed to put in an effort, it's the fans fault for not cheering loud enough. Anyone disagreeing with this is being NEGATIVE??

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saintmark1976 added 15:15 - Sep 15 Nick, a large proportion of the fan base is negative and concerned about relegation because recent results are exactly that, those of a relegation team. If you take our last twelve premiership games we have amassed eleven points. In anybody's language that's relegation form however you dress it up. Add in the fact that its perceived that some of the current players have a certain "don't blame me blame him attitude" about them and it's not hard to see why fans are disgruntled. Football fans are simple people and will forgive a team anything as long as every player in that team is giving it everything. Sadly that's not the case at present.

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lemmsy added 15:45 - Sep 15 Bondick saint Have we progressed on & off the field in the last eight years ? Please tell us ur master plan
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lemmsy added 15:50 - Sep 15 On the negative note if a team hasn't won or scored for a decade & a Bloke playing for them has never scored a league goal u can guarantee it'll change against the saints 🙁
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SanMarco added 18:06 - Sep 15 I think it is true to say that a lot of fans are not feeling very optimistic with the way things have gone in the last few months. I totally agree that given where we were a few years ago etc etc but that is not really how we perceive things in the moment is it? We got to the cup final in (I think) 1900 and 1902 so they were good seasons but that doesn't make me think that Wolves and Watford were exciting performances. I was actually more excited by Saints during our gallop through the second division (Championship or whatever they stupidly call it) than I am at the moment. Compare those two early goals at Peterborough or the 5-2 at Ipswich with last Saturday - no comparison in my view. We watch football to be entertained and Watford wasn't entertainment. If that is a negative view then so be it. There will always be pessimists who shout the R word at the drop of a hat and I am sure we will be alright this season but I will feel a lot better once we actually start showing it on the pitch. Beat Palace and Manure and we will all feel better, lose both and we won't - it is common sense really. Thousands of Saints fans do not feel particularly inspired at the moment - it is up to the players on the pitch to MAKE us optimistic. I will always support Saints and I expect all of us on here will but I am not going to have a go at people and give them NEGATIVE (yes the article itself is negative) labels just because they think we are poor at the moment and JWP is sh1te...

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