The Lowe-Down on the transfer pot & ambition

Last updated : 11 April 2002 By Christian Kelly
Chairman Rupert Lowe has said that there will be funds available for Gordon Strachan this summer. Saints spend relatively little in terms of Premiership budgets and we've still got half of the Dean Richards money to play with. With the huge support the club has received form the fans this season, Strachan should have quite a few pennies at his disposal.
Lowe said: "The team has done very well this year. The supporters have been fantastic all season and we hope the club will keep on improving its position.

"There is still a lot of work to do and the one thing we will not do is rest on our laurels.

"We cannot afford to spend amounts like £11million which Leeds did on Robbie Fowler but we will keep on improving the squad and there will be money for Gordon Strachan to bring in players."

Lowe is still admirably behind pushing the side forward as much as possible. After our finish last season, Lowe expected at least the same under Stuart Gray if not a definite push for a UEFA place. Next season for Gordon Strachan will be no different.

Lowe said: "I don't think the job is finished yet. The club needs to keep on improving and consolidate its position with gates which are averaging 30,500 this year and with the team currently lying in 12th place in the league table.

"We have all seen what has happened to Ipswich and Leicester - who would have thought a year ago that Ipswich would be where they are now?

"There is no time for complacency.

"I believe in football that when you feel most comfortable that is when you are at your weakest, and when you are weak, that is when you are stronger, because it keeps you fully cognisent. Complacency is a dangerous state of mind.

"We have got a lot more to do."

At the moment I'd have to be honest and say that Saints are a midtable side at best. There's not too much separating them from the sides struggling near the bottom in terms of talent. In terms of team spirit and Premiership experience we're a bit ahead. Strachan has to turn this side into one which will make that leap into what Hoddle called the second division in the Premiership and start looking for a 6-8th placing in the table.

Lowe continued telling the Echo: "I'm not saying we can win the league - for that to happen, everything has to go right over 38 games," he added.

"If we play our cards right and maintain our professional approach to each game. If we don't let ourselves get too big-headed or let ourselves get brow-beaten by the media coverage of the big clubs and keep our heads high, then we can do well.

"If you look at the results over the last 27 games since Gordon has been in charge we have done very well and we should be looking to improve.

"But I don't believe in aiming low, that is a defeatist attitude. There is no reason why we cannot improve on this season, and I think Europe is a realistic target."