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Southampton ! Can This Team Make A Name For Itself
Monday, 3rd Feb 2025 14:00 by Jo Preston

Saints ahd two debutants at Ipswich on Saturday and now we at The Ugly Inside have our own debutant with their first article, Jo Preston asks the question, but what is the answer

Can this team make a name for itself?

OK, I know it is only one win and against second bottom, but a win is a win and vast improvements have been clear for all to see under Juric in terms of style and effort etc. The question is, can this team make a name for itself and go into the history books this year or perhaps, next year?

In my mind we have been down and out for weeks. I cannot see a great escape this time around. There is just too much to do. However, likely we will only need like 30-32 points to finish 4th bottom (assuming no one goes on an amazing out of character run) and from where we are that is only say 24 points maximum from 14 games. This equates to 1.71 points per game, which over an entire season is a 65 point season.

But we all know football does not work that way. We all know there is no way in the world this team could ever get 65 points in a season. But the good news is, they don’t have to. They only have to do it for about a third of a season. Team can do this and often over a season teams do go on such runs. So, can we? No question if we do, it would be by far the biggest escape in PL history, probably in top flight football history. Juric needs to get that belief in there. Make a name for yourself boys.

Alternatively, assuming normality continues and we do drop down back into the Championship, how well could this squad do next season after a summer of ins and outs and under the Juric reign. Personally I think the signs are bright. Juric obviously knows how to play the game and is getting a bigger tune out of most of them than the previous three managers ever did. I believe with a summer period to build his own team, we could push for the title, but ONLY on the proviso that we can keep some of what I see as the key players.

For me those key players are going to be Wellington, Onuachu, Archer, at least two from Dibling, Fernandes and Gronbaek, THB, Wood and at least one other, and also I would suggest we try to keep AA as we know in that league he will score 20+ goals. Anyway, I am sure there are others, but you get the point. We need to keep as many of the good ones as we can but would they stay?

Personally, I think they should. At this stage I doubt any of them would get signed up by a top half of the PL side, so if they leave, they could find themselves back in another relegation battle with their new team. Why not stay and make a name for themselves. Get into the SFC history books and win us our first ever tier two title.

Easy for me to say sat here with not a pot to pee in, but if I was most of those I would be thinking, OK, let’s see how it goes for a while in the Championship. I would be thinking to myself what fun it could be to make a serious title push and win something meaningful, rather than making up the numbers in the PL. Yeah I know all about salaries, but not all players are total mercenaries. Some do actually want to win things.

So, in summary, I am feeling really bright about the next year or so. I think we are down and will not go on the amazing run needed to go into this years history books. But I do honestly believe we could push for our first title next year if we can do as I have said, Keep Juric, let him build his team and keep some of these core players.

Southampton FC. 2026 Champions of the Sky Bet Championship.

All Photos Via Reuters



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arfurdent added 15:27 - Feb 3
I've also taken to Pernod with an OUzo chaser
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Bowlercow added 16:05 - Feb 3
And I thought I was an optomist
KWP leaving is given as is the sale of Dibling unless we can persuade him to stay a Saint and be loaned out to a top club Rambo will not get a first choice spot ina top half PL team so hopefully will stay
Big Les will be loaned out to another PL club by Chelsea
If Gronbek is prepared to play in the Champonship him and
Fernandez can boss any championship mf
It still leaves us needing striker to play alongside Adam and a commanding CB
Last big question is can a Juric team handle the physical side of a very tough league
That's always assuming we don't get to 33/34 points
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Colburn added 16:08 - Feb 3
I think Wolves will get more than 32 points but it is an odd season. If we avoid bottom spot then we would have regained some pride and be in good spirit for next season. I don’t see Dibling and Fernandes staying.
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IanRC added 18:20 - Feb 3
Still not convinced by Sulemana Nick. You cannot deny he makes things happen.
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SanMarco added 13:23 - Feb 4
Goodness me - optimism!! We were due a bit of luck and it came along in the form of the Ipswich keeper. It wasn't a particularly good performance though so the club were right not to arrange an open-top bus parade. Knowing SR that would get lost en-route anyway. It would end up at Poopey Town Hall.

If we beat Bournemouth and Brighton then we can start doing the maths - until then I shall just enjoy the unfamiliar feeling of a win.
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