Martin Olsson - Blackburn Rovers + Sweden left back (linked in local Blackburn paper)

[The9]

Apologies, I thought it was because you wanted to engage in sensible discussion.

Only until someone disagrees with me.

[The9]

It's a strange one. Pardew obviously signed Dickson as he must have thought he was better than Harding, it couldn't have been for cover as Joseph Mills was there at the time and more than adequate in L1. Whenever I've seen Dickson play always thought he was on a par with Harding defensively and better going forward. Strange how he's been unable to get near the team for most of his time here.

I think Harding's more solid in 1:1 defensive situations and has a higher workrate, Dickson is a better dribbler and marginally more astute positionally in that he doesn't get hugely out of position - which Harding does as play develops sometimes even when his starting position isn't that bad, but Harding opens up Lallana's options better, and his short passing and link play is slightly better. Not much in it pace-wise, both vaguely competent headers of the ball, they both got forward a fair bit and not much in it regarding crossing. Harding, I suspect, has a higher fitness level.

The limit to 5 subs would have hurt Dickson last season, as Adkins rarely used a specialist left back as cover, preferring to use Martin and have Cork to cover right back with the option of pushing the RB across if needed. Of course he did use Harding for Fox at Fratton...

[Dig Dig]

Seems we are still interested in a LB which goes against the protestations of certain posters on here from last week.

It was a theory put forward on a football forum, not a protestation at all.

[hypochondriac]

It was a theory put forward on a football forum, not a protestation at all.

I was derided for considering it highly unlikely that we changed transfer policy regarding buttner in a week because of Shaw. If we do sign a LB then it suggests that the Buttner deal was shelved for other reasons.

[Dig Dig]

I was derided for considering it highly unlikely that we changed transfer policy regarding buttner in a week because of Shaw. If we do sign a LB then it suggests that the Buttner deal was shelved for other reasons.

I said if we sign a left back it's likely that the Buttner deal would have been called off with nothing to do with Shaw. Again, not a protestation at all

[hypochondriac]

I said if we sign a left back it's likely that the Buttner deal would have been called off with nothing to do with Shaw. Again, not a protestation at all

Where did I mention you?

[Dig Dig]

Where did I mention you?

I'm assuming I was in the "certain posters" as I was one of only a couple mentioning Shaw at the time and we went back and forth a bit about it. It would have made sense if you were referring to me.

[hypochondriac]

I'm assuming I was in the "certain posters" as I was one of only a couple mentioning Shaw at the time and we went back and forth a bit about it. It would have made sense if you were referring to me.

I still consider it highly unlikely that we pulled out of this deal because of Shaw. If we sign another LB would you not also consider this to be the case?

[Dig Dig]

I still consider it highly unlikely that we pulled out of this deal because of Shaw. If we sign another LB would you not also consider this to be the case?

Yes I would. Just mentioned Shaw because the Buttner broke down around the same time Shaw signed his pro contract after turning 17 so wouldn't have been that unlikely I don't think.

[hypochondriac]

Yes I would. Just mentioned Shaw because the Buttner broke down around the same time Shaw signed his pro contract after turning 17 so wouldn't have been that unlikely I don't think.

OK. Thanks for the surprisingly polite reply.

[Mr Saints]

From what I have seen of Olsson, Foxy is a better option.

[Professor]

If we sign all the Blackburn players we are linked with they should gel together well with the ex-Blackburn players we already have. Could create a Prem team that might do as well as Blackburn have done.... I'm not sure NC/NA are keen on ex-Prem players from relegated sides. More likely that its mainly paper talk to link a newly promoted club with players from last season being off-loaded.

[skintsaint]

If we sign all the Blackburn players we are linked with they should gel together well with the ex-Blackburn players we already have. Could create a Prem team that might do as well as Blackburn have done.... I'm not sure NC/NA are keen on ex-Prem players from relegated sides. More likely that its mainly paper talk to link a newly promoted club with players from last season being off-loaded.

Not sure on paper Blackburn should of gone down. They have a few players that would improve our team and would be silly to write them off due to going down. Still not sure how Kean stayed in his job. Hasn't a clue.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Turkish]

So it seems most people are in agreement Martin Olsen would be a great signing despite many people on the HCDAJFU thread claiming no way should we sign a player who has been relegated.

[stug76]

So it seems most people are in agreement Martin Olsen would be a great signing despite many people on the HCDAJFU thread claiming no way should we sign a player who has been relegated.

Fair enough. Close the forum.

[scotty]

If we sign all the Blackburn players we are linked with they should gel together well with the ex-Blackburn players we already have.

Its about time a few rovers headed in the other direction. How many did they plunder from us when they bought the prem title? Off the top of my head I can only remember a few bit-part players in unimportant positions, like keeper, centre forward and left back, (plus a strong rumour at the time that dalglish was prepared to pay more for Le God than they forked over for Shearer but he wasn't interested in leaving.) So thats three with Kenna and Flowers, were there any others?

[Mowgli]

Its about time a few rovers headed in the other direction. How many did they plunder from us when they bought the prem title? Off the top of my head I can only remember a few bit-part players in unimportant positions, like keeper, centre forward and left back, (plus a strong rumour at the time that dalglish was prepared to pay more for Le God than they forked over for Shearer but he wasn't interested in leaving.) So thats three with Kenna and Flowers, were there any others?

Good shout. I'd forgotten about those Rovers fans who sang 'thank you very much for....' endlessly - adding a different name for each verse. Really ****ed me off. And it was more than a rumour about MLT. Jack Walker had offered to provide a helicopter for him to fly up each day from the Channel Islands. But Matt loves the area way too much. Good football, great golf courses, short flight to the islands. What more do you need?

So if we meet them in the cup (and have a few of their players) - we really must return the thank you!!

[Professor]

Its about time a few rovers headed in the other direction. How many did they plunder from us when they bought the prem title? Off the top of my head I can only remember a few bit-part players in unimportant positions, like keeper, centre forward and left back, (plus a strong rumour at the time that dalglish was prepared to pay more for Le God than they forked over for Shearer but he wasn't interested in leaving.) So thats three with Kenna and Flowers, were there any others?

Yes, interesting that - how the 'mighty' have fallen. Encouraging thought that the same will happen in time to Chelski and Mabu Dhabi City.

[Saint Garrett]

My Blackburn mate, text me saying 'he's absolutely class, surprised bigger clubs arent looking at him. e's very quick, and very good going forward, but not amazing defensively but not awful either'

..so just like Clyne then. Would seem to be a decent acquisition if we were to get him.

[Bexy]

Yes, interesting that - how the 'mighty' have fallen. Encouraging thought that the same will happen in time to Chelski and Mabu Dhabi City.

The difference being that Blackburn were only ever a small, provincial club to start with, who could never dream of attracting the kind of crowds that a London or Manchester club could.

[The9]

So it seems most people are in agreement Martin Olsen would be a great signing despite many people on the HCDAJFU thread claiming no way should we sign a player who has been relegated.

The secret to that is never reading the HCDAJFU thread.

Mental to think Olsson's been at Blackburn for 5 years, and made 88 Prem appearances basically without me noticing.

[Turkish]

The secret to that is never reading the HCDAJFU thread.

Mental to think Olsson's been at Blackburn for 5 years, and made 88 Prem appearances basically without me noticing.

I don't know if you're like me but I've had zero interest in the premier league since 2005 so won't know half the players we come up against next season.

[dellboypete]

I don't know if you're like me but I've had zero interest in the premier league since 2005 so won't know half the players we come up against next season.

Same here - I share an office with a chelsea ST, a stoke ST and a newcastle fan and until now I have refused to get into any discussions about the premier league.

To be fair, all three of them think we will do alright (ie - survive) but the stoke fan also thinks that our last game of the season could be decisive!

[Saint Garrett]

Same here - I share an office with a chelsea ST, a stoke ST and a newcastle fan and until now I have refused to get into any discussions about the premier league.

To be fair, all three of them think we will do alright (ie - survive) but the stoke fan also thinks that our last game of the season could be decisive!

Yer, we'll give them a footballing lesson and send them down.

[The Kraken]

I don't know if you're like me but I've had zero interest in the premier league since 2005 so won't know half the players we come up against next season.

I've paid so little attention I probably couldn't even get all the managers right.

[maysie]

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/southam...l#.UBfqdbRfHzM

[Maggie May]

If he's injured, how are we going to get him "Saints fit" before the season opener? Avoid.

[BILLY]

I don't know if you're like me but I've had zero interest in the premier league since 2005 so won't know half the players we come up against next season.

Me too. Haven't watched MOTD since we got relegated.

[up and away]

It's a strange one. Pardew obviously signed Dickson as he must have thought he was better than Harding, it couldn't have been for cover as Joseph Mills was there at the time and more than adequate in L1. Whenever I've seen Dickson play always thought he was on a par with Harding defensively and better going forward. Strange how he's been unable to get near the team for most of his time here.

This had a lot to do with Lallana, rather than their individual merits. Which one aided Lallana better going forward and could deal with gaps left from the lack of cover. I always thought we had an even choice at both FB's until things changed at the start of last season. Butterfield in dominance at the end of the previous season where his passing was that much better. although defensively weaker. Come the next season Richardson had moved on to make the spot his own.

[scotty]

I don't know if you're like me but I've had zero interest in the premier league since 2005 so won't know half the players we come up against next season.

Me too. Haven't watched MOTD since we got relegated.

One of the side-bonuses of promotion is that for at least one season I wont have to listen to steve f*cking claridge anymore.

[Mr Saints]

One of the side-bonuses of promotion is that for at least one season I wont have to listen to steve f*cking claridge anymore.

Claridge is excellent compared to what we'll be hearing from Lawrenson, Hanson and Dixon this season.

[scotty]

Claridge is excellent compared to what we'll be hearing from Lawrenson, Hanson and Dixon this season.

Not skates though, are they.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Steve Claridge may have once played for Pompey but nobody has been more complimentary about us over the last 2 seasons.

[PDobbo]

Claridge has been top drawer when commenting on Saints to be fair. I wanted to hate him, but found he was being really nice and complimentary every week. I actually started to think he was becoming red and white.

[scotty]

We've clearly been watching different FL shows then. Wasn't there even a thread about him on here, after he literally choked on his own words having to admit we'd looked terrific? Someone even posted a link to the clip.

[saint_ed]

We've clearly been watching different FL shows then. Wasn't there even a thread about him on here, after he literally choked on his own words having to admit we'd looked terrific? Someone even posted a link to the clip.

Only people who are completely and utterly blinded by their hatred of Pompey, pretty sad really.

[saint-ross]

Anyone who would rather listen to Lawrenson, Hanson et all over Claridge seriously needs their heads checking! The carp that they spout week in week out is mind numbing! compare this with SC, who gave nothing but glowing reviews of our play over the past 2 years, i know who id rather tune in to. It's because of these goons i wont be fussed about hanging on to catch MOTD this season over any other.

[CB Fry]

We've clearly been watching different FL shows then. Wasn't there even a thread about him on here, after he literally choked on his own words having to admit we'd looked terrific? Someone even posted a link to the clip.

There was a thread. It consisted of the OP being destroyed for being totally deluded. Claridge has said nothing but positive things about Saints for two years and still we get garbage about him being anti Saints. Mental. Utterly mental.

[Hopkins]

Just because you are complimentary about Saints doesn't mean you are a good pundit.

[sfc4prem]

Just because you are complimentary about Saints doesn't mean you are a good pundit.

Not hard to be better than Lawrenson ffs.

[CB Fry]

Just because you are complimentary about Saints doesn't mean you are a good pundit.

No, thats Jimmy Case fans who think that.

Claridge is a good pundit.

[InvictaSaint]

There was a thread. It consisted of the OP being destroyed for being totally deluded. Claridge has said nothing but positive things about Saints for two years and still we get garbage about him being anti Saints. Mental. Utterly mental.

This.

[scotty]

There was a thread. It consisted of the OP being destroyed for being totally deluded. Claridge has said nothing but positive things about Saints for two years and still we get garbage about him being anti Saints. Mental. Utterly mental.

I think not. iirc, it ended up about 50-50.

And each to his own. I stand by my personal opinion that I'm glad I dont have to tune in to the FL show and claridge for a while. Anyone else that wishes to is welcome to it, enjoy.

[mulletsaint]

We've clearly been watching different FL shows then. Wasn't there even a thread about him on here, after he literally choked on his own words having to admit we'd looked terrific? Someone even posted a link to the clip.

Must have been mate, 'cause I've watched all but one or two last season and I can't remember him saying a bad word against us. Even when we played badly he'd often refer to how well we'd played in previous matches. He was the same each time I heard him on 5live too.

I too wanted to dislike him but thought in the end he was a decent pundit who didn't let his past colour his judgement.

Anyway, yet another thread that's veered wildly off topic due to a lack of anything concrete I see.

[Hopkins]

Claridge is a good pundit.

He's not. Complimentry about Saints...yes. Better than Lawrenson, Shearer and Hansen...yes. He certainly does more research. Still an utterly annoying bloke who bangs on about the same pointless things ("set up" for one) and refuses to believe he's ever been proven wrong...yes. The only thing this discussion highlights is the incredibly **** poor pundits that TV seems to employ.

[mulletsaint]

He's not. Complimentry about Saints...yes. Better than Lawrenson, Shearer and Hansen...yes. He certainly does more research. Still an utterly annoying bloke who bangs on about the same pointless things ("set up" for one) and refuses to believe he's ever been proven wrong...yes. The only thing this discussion highlights is the incredibly **** poor pundits that TV seems to employ.

You're not completely right. How about how little we know about the potential Olssen transfer?

[saintbletch]

No, thats Jimmy Case fans who think that.

Claridge is a good pundit.

Completely agree CB Fry.

I used to read the Scouting Report column he wrote in the Guardian. He identified up-and-coming talent, rated them and discussed their strengths and weaknesses. Whilst his peers were talking about the Premiership he was looking at youngsters and lesser lights in the lower leagues. He identified Clyne as a talent at 17 as well as Lallana, Mackail-Smith and others.

For me, the majority of current football pundits form some sort of cosy old boy's club. The smooth running of a television or radio show is more important than getting their point across. Claridge, and perhaps Gabriele Marcotti are the only pundits I regularly listen to/see that call it as they see it. Claridge doesn't care about relationships or coming across as an argumentative tool. He wants to get his point across - right or wrong.

I can completely understand that he is not to everyone's taste. But he knows his onions, doesn't toe a party-line and tells you exactly what he thinks.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Maybe now that Best is injured we can sweaten the deal with olsson for cash + Barnard and/or Guly?

[St_Tel49]

We've clearly been watching different FL shows then. Wasn't there even a thread about him on here, after he literally choked on his own words having to admit we'd looked terrific? Someone even posted a link to the clip.

Anyone who thought that must have had their blue hate-specs on. Claridge was one of the few commentators to talk with any authority on the Football league and was consistently complimentary about saints and how we played but heigh-ho - some people prefer to follow their prejudices than accept what is actually in front of them.

[captainchris]

Perhaps Fox appears to be weak because Lallana provides so little support for him? Lallana really is not that great at putting in a defensive shift to be fair - that's not his game, so Fox is often going to get exposed. Now then, put someone like Ollsen in front of Fox and I wager you'll see a different game.

Fox doesn't help lallana either! Fox continually drifts way out of position excluding lallana from the passage of play. It is Fox who is a misfit that presents the biggest problem. The FOx issue will be further exasperated with the different system this year......FOx cannot defend and his positional play is very suspect. Whilst lallana may not be the best defender nor is Fox and it's his job! A new left back is rightly a priority.....