St Landrew

He was interviewed on Radio Solent on Saturday after the game. His scouser accent came across as a little grating [sorry, just can't stand the nasal noise], but I forgave him. And let's face it, at the moment, it's dead easy to forgive anything Ricky Lambert might do, that could possibly annoy.

I have absolutely no interest in Darts, but I appreciate when someone is great at something, whether it be knitting or grand opera, or indeed, Darts. In truth, I think the pub connection with Darts has kept it out of recognition. It's also a working class thing, and therefore not of any value. Personally, I don't believe in that judgement, I just perceive it as true. Snooker, on the other hand, has pulled its image away from clubs and bars over the decades, and so has built a measure of respectability; whereas Darts has embraced the beer culture. While that status remains, rightly or wrongly, I doubt it will ever be recognised. You could say that Darts is the last sport of the ordinary working class person. As such, it is instantly condemned to obscurity, and those associated with it.

Think you missed out on Terry Paine and Ron Davies. But then again, I don't expect fans to appreciate people who they haven't seen. But I expect people to read what others have said and perhaps wonder why everone might make such a noise about them. Terry and Ron can back up the hero worship with proper appreciation from their peers and opposition managers. After all, Terry was a member of the 1966 World Cup winning squad, and Ron was the best CF in Europe according to Matt Busby. Now, is that something you can use as a yardstick..? And as for MLT, many of his peers, and those from opposition teams thought he was utterly brilliant. For example, I remember a glowing tribute made by Gary Mabbut, of Spurs; and Barry Horne said that to be thanked by a footballing genius [for running those extra yards for MLT] was the best thing that ever happened to him. No less than Alan Shearer thought MLT the most skillful he had ever seen with the ball at his feet. That's some accolade. Just because the powers that be, didn't have the nounce to pick MLT for England on a regular basis, [and instead chose a worker in Darren Anderton] and so ensure his greatness, there have been plenty who knew he was a legend. Who else, for instance, would have had such a following, that a whole groundswell of fans from other clubs wanted him playing for England. The call was so loud that the Fantasy Football League programme took up the shout, and eventually had him on the show in sketches, where he was portrayed as a footballing god. Local hero only..? I think not.

I took your point, but I would never confer upon Motson any legendary status at all. Even recognising him as poor is too good for him. But I entirely agree, he should never have been let near a microphone. I've re-read my previous post, and I must admit, I did phrase it badly. At least we both agree he was/is crap.

Just teeing you up... Why would you want to use a spoon..? :confused:

Legends are such a odd band of people. They can be great sportspeople, actors, politicians, etc.. But they can also be bad, or eccentric, or just one-offs. The people who are often mentioned in the same breath as... they broke the mould when they made him/her. In terms of sportspeople, MLT comes under so many of these categories that he almost qualifies for a category on his own. Sportspeople today have to train and practice, train and practice. That's not to say that MLT didn't. But his gift of being able to play magical football didn't come with practice, although that did no harm. It was always there. Personally, I have always put the skillful players above the runners and the cloggers and the effective players. And MLT was at the very top of that pile of skillful players. Add in the fact that he has been putting in time for charities for as long as he has been around, and you end up with an all-round person. Plus, he's human. He makes errors of judgement, and he apologises for it. No arrogance, no pride, just human. Oh, he's a legend, all right.

That's a tidy bit of data. Nicely worked out.

Thank you mate. Although Dad wasn't up to the technical bits and bobs of photography [my eldest brother did the techy bits of developing] he did have an eye for composition. We have hundreds of his little snaps, and I doubt if there is a truly bad one amongst them. The captions you see with the photos are his too.

That's early 1954 in Millbrook, one of the first post-war estates. In the first photo, you'll notice the back gardens of Severn Road and the houses and gardens of Teme Crescent opposite. The second photo shows elder brother and sisters playing in the snow. The house in the background is in Calder Close. The trees on the left have been removed over the years and, the last time I saw the area, there were none left. The third photo shows the huge green outside our house. Severn Road runs along, just behind the two lads pictured, and the green is behind them, all the way to the trees. Sadly, about 20 years ago it was completely built over, and the area is completely ruined IMO. But that's progress for you. When I lived in Severn Road, it was pretty much as you see in the photos.

I think they are just bemused by the whole thing. A team that used to be the totally dominant one, some 20 years ago, is actually an alsoran. This isn't stuff that scousers are used to, despite their club's slow descent; and I doubt if they know how to deal with it. One thing is for certain. Benitez has not got long in the job, unless Liverpool's expectations are lower than I think.

I was totally with you until you suggested we go with our stringest team. I'd definitely choose our strongest.

Agreed, and drop Connolly to the bench and start Papa Waigo. He works quite well with Ricky. I'd go 4-5-1, with Lambert as the striker, and it would mean that Papa would be caught offside less often.

I mentioned that during the game. It sounded absolutely superb. I remember I had a little dust in my eyes at the time too.

Tbf though, the BBC did the shortlist... No, you're completely right. The British public are morons.

Not strictly true. One day I'll get around to posting up my MOTD copy of Saints V Spuds in 2003 FA CUP 3rd round, on Youtube. Hanson had some glowing things to say, and even Mark Lawrenson [miracles do happen] praised us. Ex-Spurs Lineker was totally gutted at being thrashed, but he kept his professional cool, which is credit to him.

If you consider Motson to be a legend, then hell, are your expectations low. I remember John Motson's first commentaries, and they were USELESS. HE WAS UTTER CRAP..! I couldn't believe it when he succeeded David Coleman as the main football commentator. I always thought the BBC would eventually see sense and get rid of him. But his sheer appalling bad commentary has been adopted like a lost child by the football viewing public. He is almost the worst football commentator it has ever been my misfortune to listen to. The worst being dear old Brian Moore [RIP]. At least the Beeb kicked him out quickly enough. Actually, I've just changed my mind. Brian Moore was preferable, so Motty [le god, I hate that nickname] is the worst, as far as I'm concerned. Nothing against the bloke at all. Just that he has made a career out of being really poor at his job, IMO. BTW, FF has prima-donna Motty stories to tell.

Bloody joke if you ask me. I'm sure the reason why Giggs was speechless was that he knows it's silly having a footballer as a lone Sports Personality [yes I know Beckham was too, and that was just as ridiculous]. Does anyone think he'd be Sports Personality if he played for Bolton, or Blackburn..? Of course not, it's a team sport. Lifetime achievement, no problem. That he would deserve.

Crikey, I know that mate. And I also know what you are getting at. I think we are probably talking around an area of agreement, in any case. Not to worry. I'll see if I can get to a game over Christmas time, perhaps with our mutual friend coming down too.

Don't make sweeping statements, GS. I would have had Billy Davies at St Marys in a heartbeat, last season; and I suspect there were plenty more Saints fans who felt the same.

Err... I think that was the point. To get people's attention. And then to direct them to reason why they were coming together. Personally, I think it's an excellent way to protest. Nobody takes the blindest bit of notice of banner wavers anymore, and this causes no disruption, it doesn't harm anyone, and it looks like it's a fun thing to do. Well done those attention whores.

Tbh Arizona, I wish you wouldn't tempt fate, by posting this kind of thread. Even though I don't believe in fate..!

I think we are in agreement that Saints are not the real deal yet. Even Pardew says we are not there yet, as a team. But let's put it this way. If we aren't quite the team yet, but still win, then we can be reasonably satisfied, knowing that there are many areas in Saints armoury where they have to do better, and there is time to work on them. If however, Saints were not winning nearly all the time, but hanging around the bottom 4, at this time of the year, then there would really be something to be concerned about. Some people might say that we're still preciously close to the bottom 4. Well yes, but only because of special circumstances. In truth, we're a top 6 team, and that is allowing for the poor run of form in the early months of this season, where the management were getting their feet under the table, and also turning around the losing mentality, that had unavoidably existed at Saints for far too long.

As mentioned before, I did the BBC Predictor last week, and my table ended with Saints on 81 points, and guess what..? In 4th place. I had to be very careful to make sure I paid as much attention to other teams form while I made my judgement on games. But it's probably no coincidence that I came out with practically the same points and position as SRS. What we obviously can't account for is mysterious drops in form, or key player injuries that cause a major impact to a team.

Lambert has excellent timing, and is certainly one of the best strikers of a ball I've seen in years. Tbh, I'm a bit puzzled how the bloke has stayed in the lower leagues all his career. He has a great deal of skill and vision, and now that he has much better fitness, he's far too good for League One.

Alright Duncan, you've got me. No, I was at home working, and listening to the commentary at the same time. But that's not really the point. I was making a general observation, which is that you can't spray the ball around, like Brazil, every week. Even Brazil don't spray the ball around all the time. Sometimes, you have to win by any means you can. You can't always one-touch the ball around the opposition in little neat triangles. The fact is, is that Saints are winning nearly all the time, and by some measure of goals. Yesterday they even kept the ball out of their own net. It's a busy time for me, but I suppose I'm going to have to offend a customer, put work aside, and get down there, so that I can talk on equal terms.