100 up for Anders...

[david in sweden]

Former Saints midfielder Anders Svensson will (most likely) win his 100th cap for Sweden tomorrow in the W. Cup qual. v. Malta.
After being released by Saints, Anders returned to his old club Elfsborg and has seen them in top positions in Allsvenskan (Swedish Prem.) every year.
Throughout the last 5 years, the Swedish media has been trying to de-throne him in favour of the younger Kim Källström (now playing at Lyon), but KK seldom seemed to reproduce his good club form at international level.

However in the last year Anders, (now 33) has been on top form and several times been MOM in international games, whilst Källström continues to disappoint in big games. Anders 100th cap will make him the SIXTH most-capped Swedish player ever -behind Henrik Larsson 105, Niclas Alexandersson 109, and former Sheff.Wed /Coventry star Roland Nilsson 116.
Only legendary goalie Thomas Ravelli's record (on 143) seems invincible now.

Sweden haven't qualified for South Africa YET, but if they do Anders may return to the site of his first cap, a friendly game v. S.A. in 1999. Seeing him play today is even more encouraging than when he was with Saints and was also in the FA Cup Final team 2003.

How Saints could use a midfielder of his calibre now.(!)

[DarrenLeTiss]

Yes Good to hear David thanks. Lets hope Sverige can follow up their win against Hungary with a convincing win in Malta tomorrow.

[forever a red and white]

would have to say, having some swedish relatives would be very disapointed if they didn;t qualify for the world cup

[Al de Man]

KK seldom seemed to reproduce his good club form at international level.

Unfortunately, the reverse seemed to be true of Anders whilst he was here. Good luck to him though.

[Smirking_Saint]

Unfortunately, the reverse seemed to be true of Anders whilst he was here. Good luck to him though.

Anders was more of an attacking midfielder, we never really used him properly, thought he always looked pretty good on the ball though

[SaintSparky]

Should he be pick, Congratulations to Anders.

[Saint Martini]

Anders was more of an attacking midfielder, we never really used him properly, thought he always looked pretty good on the ball though

A misconception really, he's a defensive midfielder / playmaker (a bit like Mascherano, although not as good and he doesn't tackle a lot). His role in the Swedish team for the last 50 caps at least has been sitting in front of the back four and spreading the play from there.

Its a shame he never got the chance in such a position at Saints. Although WGS has been one of the best managers at Saints in the past decade measured by his results he should have gotten more out of Svensson. He just didn't dare to play him in such a position and preferred players like Oakley and Delap.

[stkev7]

One for the Swedish lads,

I'll be in Malmo in early November to see some friends, is the Swedish football season still going then?

Alternatively I'm also in Copenhagen around that time too, is their season still going?

Cheers.

[The Majestic Channon]

One for the Swedish lads,

I'll be in Malmo in early November to see some friends, is the Swedish football season still going then?

Alternatively I'm also in Copenhagen around that time too, is their season still going?

Cheers.
The swedish season finishes in october .
Not sure about the danish season, there's always tivoli ( massive theme park) opposite copenhagen station

[stkev7]

The swedish season finishes in october .
Not sure about the danish season, there's always tivoli ( massive theme park) opposite copenhagen station

Cheers TMC but it ain't football is it?! ha ha

Thanks though.

[The Majestic Channon]

Cheers TMC but it ain't football is it?! ha ha

Thanks though.
No true, there's always the porn museum in copenhagen :o
I have a feeling the danish season might still be going so you could be ok for a match.

[sadoldgit]

Anders was more of an attacking midfielder, we never really used him properly, thought he always looked pretty good on the ball though

Agree, rarely used him in his strongest position. Thought he was awesome when we took Spurs apart.

[Rattlehead]

He used to run like he had shat his pants.

[The Majestic Channon]

Hilarious yet infuriating interview with Anders here

http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/sport/laulcalling/article6765687.ab

Very revealing and confirms redknapp was a total waste of space for us :mad:

The strachan bits are funny though.
Bara för de som kan svenska!

[Saint in Paradise]

Didn't understand a word that was said :D

[St Landrew]

Didn't understand a word that was said :D

Perhaps those who can understand and do speak Swedish, could do a summary of what Anders said, putting in a bit of nice detail where he references Saints players and managers. Cheers

[The Majestic Channon]

Perhaps those who can understand and do speak Swedish, could do a summary of what Anders said, putting in a bit of nice detail where he references Saints players and managers. Cheers
Talking about strachan he remembered half time when we were losing at anfield and W.G.S. was furious and shouted at each player, when it was Anders turn W.G.S. yelled " you have supported liverpool ..you have been their best player today!!! " then through a jacket in Anders face.
Then half time away to beacharest W.G.S. was telling all the players that 0-0 would send us to extra time, nobody dared tell him they had an away goal.
He also says he has a lot of respect for W.G.S. now .
Redknapp.
Said he was a nice bloke but had zero knowledge of football and never talked tactics! the only time they worked on a certain tactic was the week ahead of the last game v manure, they talked how they would play 4-5-1 all week only for saggy to say just before kick off.." couldn't sleep last night thinking we are home so we will play 4-4-2"
Said Quashie was " just a big idiot but thats for another show"
Said how before the 2nd last game away v palace (vital game) the players turned up an hour and 5 minutes before kick off and saggy wasn't there! when he did eventually turn up his ' team talk' was.. " we will beat these go on get out there" ( along those lines will have to watch it again)


Basically saggy just couldn't be bothered with us.

[St Landrew]

Cheers

[david in sweden]

Talking about strachan he remembered half time when we were losing at anfield and W.G.S. was furious and shouted at each player, when it was Anders turn W.G.S. yelled " you have supported liverpool ..you have been their best player today!!! " then through a jacket in Anders face.
Then half time away to beacharest W.G.S. was telling all the players that 0-0 would send us to extra time, nobody dared tell him they had an away goal.
He also says he has a lot of respect for W.G.S. now .
Redknapp.
Said he was a nice bloke but had zero knowledge of football and never talked tactics! the only time they worked on a certain tactic was the week ahead of the last game v manure, they talked how they would play 4-5-1 all week only for saggy to say just before kick off.." couldn't sleep last night thinking we are home so we will play 4-4-2"
Said Quashie was " just a big idiot but thats for another show"
Said how before the 2nd last game away v palace (vital game) the players turned up an hour and 5 minutes before kick off and saggy wasn't there! when he did eventually turn up his ' team talk' was.. " we will beat these go on get out there" ( along those lines will have to watch it again) Basically saggy just couldn't be bothered with us.

Nice translation in brief..Anders also said...an angry Strachan was a sight to see . He kicked the tactic board down ,screamed at everyone in the dressing room for 10 mins. after we'd lost. Anders said aside that from his (WGS) seemingly uncontrolled outbursts after sloppy results, he was a very fair and friendly man... in normal situations... and took a lot of time in building relationships with players, and in retrospect he came to like him.
WGS told Anders that (he) and Fernandes were Saints' best players, but that he couldn't play both of them at the same time.

Re-iterated (several times) that Redknapp had no tactical knowledge at all ! and Saints never did any tactical training..! but he knew how to get good players. Always managed to get right ones to play with one another etc, (cited his recent team-building at Spurs) but still maintained that HR had no football knowledge at all. Said that Harry was always OK to him. Talked about how we went to Brum (in relegation season) on the back of two wins ..but HR suddenly decided to drop 4 players and we got canned. No-one knew why and he couldn't explain why he changed a winning side and left his better players on the bench? By the time he brought them on as subs. the game was already lost.