SaintsWeb - Blogs

SaintsWeb - Blogs http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/blog.php SaintsWeb, the number one independent website for fans of Southampton Football Club en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:45:25 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/images/misc/rss.jpg SaintsWeb - Blogs http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/blog.php <![CDATA[Should I accept Glasgow's friend request? Poll please.]]> http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?110-Should-I-accept-Glasgow-s-friend-request-Poll-please Thu, 30 May 2013 14:25:20 GMT ---Quote (Originally by Dig Dig)--- Since accepting Glasgow as my friend on Saints Web, life on here has never been better. ---End Quote---

Originally Posted by Dig Dig

Since accepting Glasgow as my friend on Saints Web, life on here has never been better.

]]> Glasgow_Saint http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?110-Should-I-accept-Glasgow-s-friend-request-Poll-please History Shared - A Saints v Sir Alex Ferguson retrospective. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?109-History-Shared-A-Saints-v-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-retrospective Wed, 08 May 2013 10:18:55 GMT *It is not everyday that a character as important as Sir Alex Ferguson retires, his impact on Manchester United, turning them from a faded dinosaur... It is not everyday that a character as important as Sir Alex Ferguson retires, his impact on Manchester United, turning them from a faded dinosaur into arguably the biggest brand in world football is astonishing. The legacy he leaves is massive and in part due to his sheer longevity as Manchester United manager means that there will be a fair amount of shared history with any club who has played in the top flight in that time.

The following list is mainly personal memories of games we have played against Sir Alex's Manchester United, there may be some that people will see as being unfairly missed but such is the nature of football that this will be unavoidable.

1. Getting Big Ron sacked. Saints 4-1 Manchester United, November 1986

And I begin, bizarely, with a game Fergie had nothing to do with. No; wait. Bare with me here... you see, arguably, Saints set the fates in motion on one night in 1986. Ron Atkinson was under massive pressure to improve the Red Devil's fortunes and a trip to the Dell in the League Cup was seen as a perfect chance to seal some silverware. A comprehensive defeat with goals from Wallace, Clarke and two from a certain precocious youngster called Matthew Le Tissier saw the red devils crash out of the competition.

Enough was enough for the Old Trafford board and big Ron departed just two days latter. Ferguson soon replaced him and began building the foundations for the last two decades' dominant force in English football.

2. The Grey Shirt Debacle. Saints 3-1 Manchester United, April 1996

It was 3-0 to Southampton at half time.... three clear goals to the good against a side now considered to be unquestionably the best. Ken Monkou, Neil Shipperley and Le Tissier had given us the advantage yet, in true Fergie fashion, he deflected the blame away from his players and instead blamed the teams shirts. The grey hue of the away strip allegedley blending in to the Dell crowd and ensuring his players couldn't see each other.

Click image for larger version.

Name: man-united-grey-jersey1.jpg
Views: 48
Size: 35.0 KB
ID: 1112

Hands up if you can see Ryan Giggs..... I'm struggling.....

Emerging in their third choice Blue and White in the second half, Manchester United pulled a goal back but to little avail. We had recorded an (in)famous win over the Red Devils.

3. From the Sublime to the Ridiculous. Saints 6-3 Manchester United, October 1996.

A famous rout, only the decision to award on own goal for Neville for our sixth instead of allowing Egil Ostenstadt his hat-trick caused eyebrows to be raised. This was a true demolition in which Le Tissier utterly ran the show, capping his perfomance with an audacious chip of Peter Schmeichal, who's decision to wander briefly from his goal-line was sorely punished. We were starting to gain a reputation as Manchester United's bogey team... wonderful times.

4. Massimo Taibi. Manchester United 3-3 Saints. September 1999

A Marians Pahars goal after nutmegging Japp Stam was outstanding, yet the memory will always be the calamitous goalkeeper Massimo Taibi spilling Le Tissier's tame shot between his legs allowing us to equalise maters at 2-2. It will be making 'howlers' lists for decades to come.

Click image for larger version.

Name: DF724774-F45F-8C61-4A63419964EEF7A3.jpg
Views: 38
Size: 24.8 KB
ID: 1113

Psssst.... Massimo, It's behind you.....

5. A final goodbye from the Dell. Saints 2-1 Manchester United, May 2001.

On the verge of leaving the Dell for St Mary's and under Stuart Gray's brief stewardship, Saints had steadied themselves after Glenn Hoddle's bitter departure and were safely in mid-table. Manchester United also had little to prove, the championship having been tied up in relentless style.

An early own goal from Wes Brown saw us lead before Marians Pahars made it two on 16 minutes. After half an hour it was all rearguard action as we sought to keep the champions at bay but we did enough to make it 4 wins from 6 over Sir Alex Ferguson at the Dell. He was no doubt pleased to see the back of the Dell.

6. The Apex of Gordan Strachan's Reign. Saints 1-0 Manchester United, September 2003.

Cup Finalists, European qualification.... It was a great time to be a Saint ten years ago. Manchester United were in a transition phase, rebuilding in an effort to stay ahead of Arsenal, and a side featuring the future Old Trafford legends of Kleberson and Eric Djemba-Djemba arrived at St Mary's looking to push on.

A tight and nervy game saw James Beattie bring the roof of just before 90 minutes by strongly heading in a corner at the far post. We had been a match for Man United all game and the three points were richly deserved, sadly, our next home meeting in the league was to be a far more sombre affair.

7. An end to Saints in the Premier League. Saints 1-2 Manchester United, May 2005.

A smug Roy Keane gesturing to the Northam End, massive fan unrest and recriminations against the underperforming players and manager. It was Saints who cleared the way for Fergie to take over at Old Trafford and it was Sir Alex's side who hammered in the final nail into our coffin as we crashed out of the Premier League. The decline took a long time to arrest.

8. Cup Dreams. Saints 1-2 Manchester United. January 2011.

My prior blog here really tells the personal tale: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php...e-at-a-wedding

A wonderful day where league 1 Saints took the game to Manchester United. Richard Chaplow's thunderous strike saw Manchester United fall behind to us before half time. An upset was averted in the second half due to fatigue and Manchester United's ability to bring internationals off the bench yet this game was a sign of our then rebirth and hope for the future.

Click image for larger version.

Name: 2878138590-29012011193815.jpg
Views: 37
Size: 31.9 KB
ID: 1114

Chaplow's goal really was a thunderbolt.

9. His parting shot: "The Best Team to Visit Old Trafford All Season." Manchester United 2-1 Saints. February 2013.

The astonishing words to leave Sir Alex Ferguson's lips. An early Jay Rodriguez goal after a defensive error saw us lead before two goals in quick succession put the home side back into the lead at half time. The real story began in the second half with Saints camping out in the home half. Our pressing attacking play had caught Manchester United off guard and only a rare backs to the wall display from the Champions elect saw them preserve the win.

In our last visit to Old Trafford during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign, we were indeed praised as the best side to have visited there all season.

What happens now at Old Trafford will be fascinating, seeing Manchester United fans worry over managerial instability is a luxury most of us will not have witnessed. They will not be the only ones sad to see him depart though. In a way I am also sad to see him go, it was always fun to try and get another one over Sir Alex Ferguson. ]]> Colinjb http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?109-History-Shared-A-Saints-v-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-retrospective Bring back the OX? http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?108-Bring-back-the-OX Wed, 01 May 2013 09:49:56 GMT

Originally Posted by alpine_saint

Originally Posted by NickG

Thought you would have learnt that you shouldn't write of young players by now!

After slating Schneiderlin and welcoming the signing of Jay "already being tipped for England" Rodriguez with "why the f#£% have we signed him".

Ramirez has more ability than our other attacking midfielders. He has been inconsistent and petulant but if you get back to UK when we are playing (assuming still here after suspension!) He is worth seeing live.

Did more on Saturday in his brief appearance than the other attacking players.

He is still one of our youngest players - personally hope he stays and we sign others with his ability.

Surely in saying I'd have him back, I am writing about Ox too; last time I checked he was still young..

Schneiderlin is a fine player now, but he has taken his time getting there. Dont forget the likes of Giggs, Owen, Rooney, even Ox himself made much more of an instantaneous impact. I was wrong about him, but at the time it could have gone either way. Very easy to have a pop in hindsight; you didnt know Morgan was going to make it to the top, and dont forget there were those on here banging on about how great Olly Lancashire would be.

As for your accusation about my comments about J-Rod, I may have once wrote something when it appeared NA wasnt going to use him about why did we bother, but I have hardly been vocal about him.

But WTF, that all detracts from the "Alpine myth", doesnt it ?

Don't worry Alps you are the Fraser "We are Doomed" (from Dads Army) of the Forum!
The place just would't be the same without you!
Everyone needs a glass half empty man who sees only risks but rarely benefits as long as what you say is then put into it's proper balance context and perspective by adding in the plus sides!! ]]> Saint Without a Halo http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?108-Bring-back-the-OX From Reading with Love? http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?107-From-Reading-with-Love Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:54:28 GMT This script was waiting to be written from the moment Nigel Adkins was cruelly relieved of his duties by Nicola Cortese back in January. The... This script was waiting to be written from the moment Nigel Adkins was cruelly relieved of his duties by Nicola Cortese back in January. The fan-favourite manager, defecting to our main rivals from last season after his sacking and his first home game in charge coming against the club that rewarded him so poorly for the success he brought them.

Click image for larger version.

Name: _66616194_made.jpg
Views: 86
Size: 51.8 KB
ID: 1086

Guess who's playing host this weekend.....

Nigel Adkins is not a perfect manager, some of his substitutions earlier this year were bizarre, we dropped points in extremely frustrating style and looked at times to be tactically naive. He had however turned things around. After taking us to 15^th in the league after our defeat of Aston Villa at Villa Park he had shown that he could cut it in the Premier League. I was quite happy to overlook his weaknesses and give him at least a year to prove his worth as a Southampton Premier League manager. Nicola Cortese, our ever controversial chairman obviously couldn't overlook the weaknesses we had all observed. His sacking remains a personal sore point and I hope we never treat a manager with that indignity ever again.

In Nigel's position, how would you feel? His comments after our promotion back to the Premier League last April were highlighted as quite odd, 'all good things come to an end,' he reflected just minutes after the final whistle. He had fulfilled his role in Cortese's project, did Nigel know that he was not in-line to take the club even further? Did he not expect to get the chance?

In his position I would be burning with desire to prove Nicola Cortese wrong, and where better to do it then at the Club who pipped us to the Championship title last season? Reading's form last spring was not in the script as far as we were concerned and unqualified rumours that Nicola Cortese was furious over missing out on winning the league surfaced at the time. Nigel Adkins is on the surface quietly spoken, jovial and charming, our success under him does however provide proof of his drive, professionalism and ambition. He will want to succeed, win and be vindicated. He will be single minded in pursuing our downfall on Saturday.

Click image for larger version.

Name: v2-nigel-adkins-mauricio-pochettino-southampton.jpg
Views: 40
Size: 22.4 KB
ID: 1087

The King is dead.........

Reading have, for me, taken on the best young manager in English Football, a man who may have had the rug torn from under him just when he was proving his ultimate worth but a man who should see them safely promoted back to the top flight next season. He will need time to get the team playing as he wants, changing from Brian McDermott's effective and efficient style that served them well in the second tier but not in the first.

In his first press conference as Reading Manager Nigel Adkins showed his class in thanking the Staff, Players and Fans at Southampton for the support he received during his time with us. Such niceties are now however redundant, make no mistake. Mauricio Pochettino has impressed since taking over from Nigel Adkins but should be under no illusions going into the game this weekend. His predecessor is a man on a mission. He's coming for us. ]]> Colinjb http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?107-From-Reading-with-Love Team playing well under Pochettino: MYTH http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?106-Team-playing-well-under-Pochettino-MYTH Sun, 31 Mar 2013 00:06:25 GMT ---Quote (Originally by Glasgow_Saint)--- Heard this alot since the QPR nightmare - few selected quotes below since Saturday........ ...

Originally Posted by Glasgow_Saint

Heard this alot since the QPR nightmare - few selected quotes below since Saturday........

We have been superb since Pochettino arrived - QPR was a one off

One bad game since he took over get over it

we were brilliant vs Man United, world class vs Man city, excellent vs Wigan and unplayable vs Everton

Got me thinking have we really been "brilliant" "excellent" World class" "Technical genuis" ect ect

1) Everton game we looked good for first 60 minutes
2) United away - shocking in 1st half, good 2nd
3) Wigan same as Man united very poor in 1st 45 good for 2nd half
4) Man City good for 90
5) Newcastle again good for 40 (1st 20 minutes of each half) poor for 50
6) QPR very poor for 90 minutes

So imho we have played well for 280 minutes under Tino and been poor for 260. or 50/50
So we have been good for the 90 minutes only once, we have won one game in 6 and we are now in a real relegation battle.

The myth that we have been "superb" since Tino arrived is now dead.

]]> Dibden Purlieu Saint http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?106-Team-playing-well-under-Pochettino-MYTH ... http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?103 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 00:23:17 GMT ... ... ]]> shirleysfc http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?103 Vegard Forren - Signs http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?102-Vegard-Forren-Signs Sat, 19 Jan 2013 09:53:31 GMT ---Quote (Originally by ottery st mary)--- Very best of luck to Vegard Forren...:) onwards and upwards Hope you are a massive hit at the mighty...

Originally Posted by ottery st mary

Very best of luck to Vegard Forren...:) onwards and upwards

Hope you are a massive hit at the mighty Saints..:D

Good times ahead for you and for us..:)

COYS

This

Did he sign in time for Mondays game? ]]> JoeShmoe http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?102-Vegard-Forren-Signs Fury http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?101-Fury Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:15:43 GMT A few days have passed now since the event, and I have mellowed since the fallout of Friday. This blog will not be deleted though as it should remain... A few days have passed now since the event, and I have mellowed since the fallout of Friday. This blog will not be deleted though as it should remain as a record of reaction to one of the most controversial events of this season.

Nigel Adkins has been sacked, the man who helped us to back to back promotions, the man who gave me some of my best memories as a Saints fan has gone. Only 2 defeats in 12 games, laying 15th in the league. He has been sacked.

Apparently the new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has been brought in to help us achieve our future ambitions. He preaches attacking football, he has been rated by some of the biggest names in Europe. Despite having achieved very little at Espanyol.

We had a man who has already achieved a great many things in Nigel Adkins, a manager who preached attacking football, a manager touted for great things by many in the English game. A man who's last game for us will always be a 2-2 away draw to the European champions.

This is beyond cruel, beyond sense, beyond any kind of honour. What price for ambition? What price for our integrity?

We have overachieved beyond all wildest dreams in recent years. A five year plan for promotion to the premier league? Nigel Adkins achieved it's brief in only 2 seasons.

Nicola Cortese, what have you done? He was universally loved by the fanbase. Be prepared to fall on your sword if this fails.

]]> Colinjb http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?101-Fury Calculated Risk? http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?98-Calculated-Risk Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:14:43 GMT Under the ownership of the estate of Markus Leibherr and leadership of Nicola Cortese Saints have certainly not been afraid to throw the pennies... Under the ownership of the estate of Markus Leibherr and leadership of Nicola Cortese Saints have certainly not been afraid to throw the pennies around. Signing Rickie Lambert for £1 million mere months after coming out of administration raised many eyebrows. Gazzumping clubs for Jack Cork on re-entry to the championship raised a similar reaction in many quarters. Our Premier League status has now raised the bar further. £7 million for Jay Rodriguez, £12 million for Uruguayan International Gaston Ramirez. And now, continued stories that we have bid over 20 million euros for just two players already this window, Italian international defender Davide Astori and Brazilian wonderkid winger/attacker Coutinho.

“We are Southampton, we do what we want,” went the chant last year. It seems we are certainly trying to! Certainly not respecting our perceived standing in the Premier League pecking order we snapped Ramirez from under the noses of Spurs and Liverpool and now seem to be aiming for similar with these players. Villa, Liverpool, Juventus and Napoli are other names that have been linked with our targets yet all press reports state that we are in the pole position for Astori at least, and our interest in Coutinho is being confirmed in the same sources.

The first question has to be, where is the money coming from? The Premier League brings insane riches to it's members, yet these funds are very swiftly taken on player wage bills. If rumours are to be believed we were operating on a Premier League wage budget at Championship level, therefore the Premier League money was a necessity in the first place. So, these tens of millions of pounds we are spending, it has to be coming from somewhere. Is it a desperate and vulgar attempt to spend our way to safety? It is possible. However, based on the humility and prudence of our deceased owner. An owner who built a multi-billion engineering empire in his lifetime, it would be extremely out of character for a legacy he has left to operate in such an unprofessional and risky manner. Rumours still abound that Markus Liebherr left us a large 'fighting fund,' to operate with in his will. Sadly, I doubt we will ever know the full truth there.

The players we have signed; young, developing, growing, improving. Their value, in theory at least, will only go up as they get better. Should the worst happen and relegation ensues then yes, the star names will want to leave,but we should be able to get our money back through selling. Nicola Cortese has proven to be a mean negotiator with the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sale. That was a teenage kid with only league 1 experience, the players we are being linked with are internationals for some of the biggest teams in the world. “Financial fair play” may bring an end to this sellers market, but for the time being I believe the theory could hold.

It seems extremely strange to see us linked with such names when only 3 years ago it was Lee Barnard and John Otsemobor joining and going straight into our first eleven. It would have been perceived as pure fantasy to imagine the players of the kind of stature we are chasing joining us, yet it seems we are trying. After the Gaston Ramirez deal, who knows? It could happen. Whatever happens though, these players are being treated as assets, as commodities that will add value and appreciate in time. The money, in theory, could be safe.

It is a risky strategy, one career ending injury to a player signed in this manner could put the entire plan at risk, both in a footballing and financial sense (we better have good insurance!) Time will as always tell. We can only hope that the powers that be at the club have thought this through, I am 99.99% sure that they have as a banker such as Nicola Cortese should certainly know more about this type of financial dealing then the likes of me! ]]> Colinjb http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?98-Calculated-Risk Davide Astori Southampton target? http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?97-Davide-Astori-Southampton-target Sat, 05 Jan 2013 13:56:34 GMT ---Quote (Originally by Saint Charlie)--- IMO we need to sign him by Sunday night or not at all. Needs a full week training before Villa. If Fonte...

Originally Posted by Saint Charlie

IMO we need to sign him by Sunday night or not at all. Needs a full week training before Villa. If Fonte and Toshida play then Weimann will rip them a new one.

Transfer committee out, get a football man like Gordon Watson in to sign players. Upson would be better IMO because at least Ive heard of him and he would be cheaper because I hate it when we pay lots of money for exciting players when some bargain basement journeymen are available.

I hate it when it takes us more than a few days to sign a player. Would much rather we signed someone who we can sign in a day like Titus Bramble. I also hate it how we are now spending loads of money cos if we are relegated we will look like right chumps and everyone decent will leave and we will be **** again.

Oh, and Adkins out. ]]> Dig Dig http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?97-Davide-Astori-Southampton-target The Rascal http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?96-The-Rascal Fri, 14 Dec 2012 23:01:46 GMT An odd figure, one time outcast, one time hero. A man who brings at one time derision and confusion and another time respect and plaudits. An... An odd figure, one time outcast, one time hero. A man who brings at one time derision and confusion and another time respect and plaudits. An unexpected talisman in our season is Jason Puncheon, something that pundits predicted before the season but many long time Saints considered highly unlikely.

In January 2010 we first signed Punch. After a star turn for the away side in Franchise FC's 3-0 defeat at St Mary's in September 2009 he evidently caught the attention of then-manager Alan Pardew. A man with a checkered history; Puncheon had even dropped into non-league football after leaving Wimbledon's/The Franchise's youth system. Single appearances with Forest Green Rovers and Fisher Athletic saw him eventually snapped up by Barnet where he finally settled for a time. A move to then ambitious Plymouth Argyle in the Championship didn't work and led to him rejoining the familiar pastures of the Franchise on loan.

Click image for larger version.

Name: JasonPuncheon_2003887.jpg
Views: 47
Size: 22.2 KB
ID: 1019

Jason Puncheon in his time at Milton Keynes

His signing was greeted with optimism and his first impressions where outstanding. Goals against Walsall and Huddesfield looked to set him off to a flying start, yet it wasn't to immediately pass.

Puncheon was an ambitious, precocious young man. In Freddie Mercury's immortal words he wanted it all and he wanted it now! After missing out on promotion he would have been looking forward to pushing on in the next season. He didn't count on a remarkable talent in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. After a few frustrating appearances at the start of our League 1 promotion campaign he lost his place to young Alex. Jason's response was far from constructive. The toys were thrown from the pram and he was loaned to Millwall.

At Millwall he looked extremely good, a couple of goals in a league above his owning club signalled his talent, the following loan spell at Blackpool (after a decent performance against them in the FA Cup)..... in the Premier League no less signaled this further. Goals against Everton and Chelsea showed that he meant business, he knew his destination and it was clear he wasn't too fussy how he got there, just so long it happened as quickly as possible.

Click image for larger version.

Name: Jason-Puncheon_2627060.jpg
Views: 49
Size: 76.6 KB
ID: 1020

Jason impressed at Blackpool in their recent one season premier league campaign.

Now in the championship, many fans hoped he would be back in the picture at St Mary's, but no. Conflict with manager Nigel Adkins and chairman Nicola Cortese saw him farmed out again. Big spenders Queens Park Rangers took him on loan. After his decent showing for Blackpool he could surely push on for the R's, No?

No indeed. The terms which saw him move to QPR seemed odd to say the least, rumours that he had paid the loan fee himself only intensified the gossip. Only two substitute appearances came for Punch as QPR stuttered towards January. On return he was as defiant as ever; public criticism of our chairman showed he had lost nothing of his hot-headed character. Yet within days, a shock came to pass. Reports he had made his peace with the powers-that-be at Southampton. He was back in the fold. Had Punch smelt the coffee? Or was our place in the league table the main reason for his newly sharpened focus? Saints were Premier League bound, our desired immediate destinations had suddenly become one.

Promotion came to pass, we became a Premier League Club again, Puncheon was again a Premier League player. Puncheon has flourished in that time. The rascal, the persona-non-grata, the odd one out has become a key man. Every inch the premier league player at last, goals against Aston Villa, Reading and most satisfying of all his old club Queens Park Rangers have seen him become key to our plans, to our season. Drawing plaudits from pundits and fans alike he is finally excelling in the environment he always wished to inhabit.

Click image for larger version.

Name: jason-puncheon-southampton.jpg
Views: 50
Size: 19.8 KB
ID: 1021

His redemption complete against QPR with a wonderful strike

So, is this the happily ever after? Jason Puncheon's form will be attracting interest and his contract; the only thing that kept him tied to us during his more headstrong days, expires in the summer. Prior conflicts are still present in the memory, old wounds can only heal so much.

This rascal's saga is not over yet, there is no way that this story has concluded. ]]> Colinjb http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?96-The-Rascal Heroes and Zeroes http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?95-Heroes-and-Zeroes Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:08:23 GMT "You've done too much, much too young..."

Click image for larger version.

Name: 112407718_adkins_332045c.jpg
Views: 198
Size: 26.1 KB
ID: 991

The words of one of my home city's favourite exports, and while references to current buns for tea and 'wearing caps' are not quite relevant the sooner then expected success of our club is now taking it's toll. It's becoming clear that we have been promoted beyond our current capability. Heroes from last year are now being seen as zeroes, they have become victims of their own success.

Lazy comparisons with Norwich City, who we were in some quarters expected to emulate this year ignore too many other variables. Norwich shouldn't have been in League 1 in the first place three years ago, a year of dreadful management was their cause for relegation and a strong hand at the wheel put them back on course. They already had strength, had depth, had a solid experienced foundation at all levels.

Our foundations have only existed for three years. All levels of management have not seen this before, this Premier League. Nigel Adkins has never played at this level, never coached at this level. Nicola Cortese has never managed a business of this type at this level before and the players have not had to deal with this before.

It is so easy to forget how far we have come so quickly, indeed, that in itself is now seen as a cliché by some fans and a cop out excuse for how we are performing. Our quick progress has raised expectation to un-achievable levels, our idealistic methods that took us rapidly to this level in the first place are now just as rapidly being undone as naive.

The heroes of last year, our manager, our players even our controversial chairman havn't become incompetent overnight, they are simply taking in too much, too soon. All the ingredients are in place here to build success, but like a lego set without a manual it's easy to make a hash of it without the right points of reference. I asked in a prior blog if it's possible to get promoted too soon, our experience right now seems to suggest yes, but are we really so daft as to not expect a few bumps in the road? How you cope and learn in defeat is just as important as how you celebrate in victory. It is said in some circles that you actually learn more in defeat and loss then in triumph. I hope that everyone at St Mary's Stadium is paying attention.

So, my fellow fans, do we lose patience? Do we give things time to grow organically or do we get trigger happy? ]]> Colinjb http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?95-Heroes-and-Zeroes A Saintly Reward http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?87-A-Saintly-Reward Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:27:28 GMT May 2005. In the depths of relegation despair there was a shining light of hope. The academy, our jewel in the crown had crafted a team that ... May 2005. In the depths of relegation despair there was a shining light of hope. The academy, our jewel in the crown had crafted a team that reached the pinacle of the English youth game. The FA Youth Cup final. While a defeat to Ipswich Town was their unfortunate fate the future did look bright.

Two of these players have become full internationals and six have experienced Premier League football, yet only one of those achieved that at the club that set them on their way. An unused substitute in that final 7 years ago, Adam Lallana has bucked what became a very frustrating trend. Martin Cranie, Leon Best, Nathan Dyer, Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott all made it into the top flight after leaving Saints. While Bale and Walcott went straight into the limelight at neighbours Tottenham and Arsenal, Cranie, Best and Dyer had to take a more convoluted route. They very quickly fled Saints when it became clear that more money/fame/exposure could be obtained elsewhere. As David McGoldrick and Martin Cranie have found though, this route is frought with danger.

Administration, a player exodus, supporter unrest and uncetainty plagued Adam's early career. Thrown into regular first team football as part of Rupert Lowe's final flurry of eccentricity, the youth led dutch managed final season before administration, Adam Lallana was clearly a player who could hold his own at Championship level. Some of his contemporaries of the time, Oliver Lancashire and Lloyd James in particular were so obviously out of their depth, so Lallana shone as surely the next player to leave.

Astoundingly, he stayed. Despite interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers, who snapped up his academy counterpart Andrew Surman and Fulham. Adam Lallana was one of the leading lights as we advanced on an adventure under new ownership in League One. Fifteen league goals from midfield and a header in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final were instant reward as Lallana's stock rose even higher, yet as part of the new era we could afford to keep him.

Lallana adapted superbly to new manager Nigel Adkins' playing philosophy after Alan Pardew's cruel sacking. His technical ability and determination shining in an impressive and improving squad. Such was Adam's importance that he agreed a contract extension just before new year 2011, his agreement just as much a validation of our ambition and future vision as it was of Lallana's loyalty, Adam saw the bigger picture and his place within it. Promotion was won in impressive fashion that season and his seemless transition to Championship level football was no surprise.

Back to back promotions to the Premier league have led to some ruthless recruitment practices in the last month, to stay in the Premier League players of a certain quality are needed, Billy Sharp has already been moved on after only 8 months and captain Dean Hammond has joined Brighton. Adam Lallana has however impressed immediately. A man who has been with the club since the age of 12, a man who has seen everything a football club could ever expect in a decade, the good and the bad, a man loved by the fans is now reaping the rewards of his loyalty, professionalism and hard work. Not just a first team player, Adam Lallana is now filling the shoes of Dean Hammond as our captain and now incredibly, he is part of the England squad.

Fairy tales do not come as more profound in the mercenary world of modern football. Adam Lallana will probably not play tomorrow night but will gain valuable experience. We can only hope that his head will not be turned by being in the same squad as some more obvious bigger names; yet Lallana's star will surely only continue to rise. In a position where England has so many players that could have filled in Roy Hodgson has recognised Lallana as an option, it is rich, rich reward for a man who stayed loyal when leaving would have been understandable.

At a time when the free-scoring Rickie Lambert was being hailed as an England hopeful it is the less obvious, understated yet wonderfully talented academy product who is now on the national scene. He is a credit to everything our club stands for. ]]> Colinjb http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?87-A-Saintly-Reward Taking the Positives http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?86-Taking-the-Positives Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:37:41 GMT Ok, time for a bit of honesty. Who out of us would have taken a close entertaining game of football where Saints would emerge with a large amount of... Ok, time for a bit of honesty. Who out of us would have taken a close entertaining game of football where Saints would emerge with a large amount of credit last sunday? Just so long we avoided a hiding we could have held our heads high, right?

Indeed, we didn't get battered by Manchester United, we were a 37 year old former retiree away from at least getting a point. Paul Scholes was the fulcrum of Manchester United's comeback and it was dissapointing to see that tactically, we didn't respond to such an obvious move. Van Persie's hat-trick stole the headlines but without the constant pressure in the final quarter of an hour he wouldn't have had the opportunities that he eventually made the most of.

Nigel Adkins will learn, learn more about his new players and how they can mix in with the squad. Learn more about what he can and cannot get away with in this league and and learn how to set us up to close games out. The frankly insane suggestions in the media of replacing him with 'he who shall not be named' after just 3 games stinks of an excuse for bookmakers to make a cheap penny rather then any kind of logical thought. The way we have played against Manchester City and Manchester United where we gave them gboth an awful fright is based on Nigel's footballing philosophy, one that is seemingly shared by the senior management in the club.

Our effective midfield three of Davis, Ward-Prowse and the outstanding Morgan Schneiderlin look more then equal to the challenges this league presents. Adam Lallana has aquited himself well and even former pariah Jason Puncheon delivered what could arguably have been a man of the match performance seven days ago. Jos Hooiveld has been a rock at the back (although yes; he has conceeded two penalties.....) and Nathaniel Clyne looks to be a complete steal for only 2 million pounds.

And that brings us to Rickie Lambert. His fairytale continues. From lower league journeyman to goalscorer in all four profesional divisions. He is starting the season strongly and looks more comfortable for me at Premier League level then Peter Crouch did during his breakthrough year in 04/05. Crouch of course has scored over 20 goals for England, Rickie deserves a chance for his country if he can maintain his form.

They say the league table doesn't lie. After three games we have no points, we are bottom. Our performances do however tell more then raw statistics can at this stage of proceedings. Our need to turn these performances into points against the teams around us rather then the league's bigger names is obvious. The entertainment we will be receiving though in the process is going to be excellent. The Saints team we have now is not a pragmatic fitness focused team like the Strachan era, this is a well drilled attacking team that can force chances even when playing below par, this is a team more along the lines of the Chris Nichol era of goals-goals-goals. A naive approach? Perhaps. Yet relegation will not be the end of the world, the last seven years away have surely taught us that... and compared to 7 years ago, the club is a lot, lot stronger. ]]> Colinjb http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?86-Taking-the-Positives Gaston Ramirez http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?84-Gaston-Ramirez Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:10:33 GMT all this €/£/$ **** is too confusing. we need a internationally recognised football transfer currency, the blatter. all this €/£/$ **** is too confusing. we need a internationally recognised football transfer currency, the blatter. ]]> JPTCount http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/entry.php?84-Gaston-Ramirez