Bigger Than Bolton........
Bigger Than....... |
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Kenny Jackett has opened his heart in today's Sunday newspapers with a frank interview of what he wants from his career - the Premiership with Swansea City followed by the Welsh job. Easy, Easy? Well, not really but Jackett explains why he thinks the Swans could make it in the Premiership by comparing us to both Charlton and Bolton with an almost famous in folklore line of "I see no reason why we can't be bigger than Bolton."! Jackett was speaking in today's News of the World and says "Ask me what I see as being the pinnacle of my managerial career and I'll say taking Swansea into the Premiership and eventually managing Wales. To get mentioned in international terms must mean that you have been very successful as a club boss. I feel managing a nation suits a man in his mid-fifties. "As a younger manager I now want to be involved in the day-to-day affairs of a club. At my age, the smaller number of international games in a season wouldn't come around quickly enough. "If I had 10-15 years experience at a club, I think a national job would suit me. If I can look after my short and medium-term future and then get mentioned for Wales I'd consider that to be a huge compliment. "I see no reason why Swansea City can't be a Premiership Club. There are strides to be taken before we reach that standard but there is no limit in terms of potential for Swansea. Our new stadium is the vehicle to progress. "There are two clubs we can use as role models. I recall Charlton playing in the lower leagues under Lennie Lawrence. They didn't have a home ground at one time. The Valley was overgrown, the club played at Selhurst Park and had crowds of 6,000-7,000. "Charlton enjoyed evolution. They built up gradually over a period and became the Premiership outfit they are today with average gates over 25,000. Bolton are another example. They have survived and flourished in competition with Manchester United and City. I see no treason why we can't be bigger than Bolton. "If we are holding a top six spot down in the New Year I might just start conceding we are genuine contenders to go up. We are proving to be the passing side I always knew we were." What to read next:The opponents won't be known until Saturday afternoon, but Southampton FC have announced their ticket pricing structure and how the tickets will be sold to give supporters plenty of time to sort their tickets out. Recent months have seen a number of events and issues divide opinion and split the supporter base but as we head towards the play offs it is time for everyone at Saints to kick in the same direction. Against Stoke City Russell martin selected a side that was very much a second string line up, with the play offs looming should the manager repeat this for the trip to take on Leeds on Saturday. A big big game for just Leeds now, although by Saturday the odds on them going up automatically might have changed slightly so here is all the info for those travelling Saints fans who are still going, The hope of getting back into the Premier League automatically has long gone, but the season is not yet over and we now have a good chance of getting to Wembley and going up through the play offs, here we look at who we could meet. This should have been a celebratory day for Saints fans, there should have been a feeling of positivity, but the truth is that the fight has been knocked out of the supporter base and we go into the play offs with confidence both on and off the pitch at a low ebb. Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report. In the second part of our pictorial look back at some of our games against Stoke City from the past, here we look back at more recent games, so most of you would have been at them. We have looked through our photo archives for a look back as some games against Stoke City over the years, what are your memories of these games ? Saints go into the last two games of the season with their hopes of automatic promotion ended, even the hope of finishing 3rd is only a point away from being ended, but they do have something to play for and that is getting back the togetherness, character & fight Russell Martin has recently be moaned. |