St Landrew

Indeed. In fact it has been posted many times on this website, and the one previous to it, that Paul Sturrock confirmed that Beattie had nothing to do with his leaving SFC, or that another player was involved. It's actually in print somewhere, and if I thought it would change the rumour mongers opinions one jot, I might just bother trying to find it. But let's not let the truth get in the way of a good tasty bit of scandal, eh..? EDIT: Btw, I was on the point of moving this thread, but I believe I've actually made it Saints related myself.

So his I'm here for the long term statement cuts no ice with you, yorksaint..? I've actually speculated what might happen to the club if Markus Leibherr sold it. Do you think he would deliver to people who wouldn't try to better it..? I don't. But then, I think he's here for the long term anyway.

Thoroughly enjoying this season, possibly as much as the time I felt similarly, under WGS in the Premiership. In the back of one's mind, although this is League One, one senses the success that will eventually come, and unlike last time, it's not going to be built on a foundation of sand. Once again, I'm actually looking forward to the fight, exactly like I did during Gordon's era. Possibly, even more so, when I think of the confidence I have in the owner of the club.

Absolutely nothing wrong. However, the author of the thread was alluding to the simple fact that Saints would indeed be in the top 6 if they had not been docked 10 points. Nothing more, nor less.

Ssssh..! I do.

Last night's edition of TG [06-12-09] was quite simply, pathetic. Clarkson deliberately banged a Renault Twingo Sport around to the point where it was a write-off. There was airport support vehicle racing, and Guy Ritchie. Forgive me, but I find the current fetish for damaging perfectly sound vehicles actually quite sickening. Only an idiot, with no sense of value and of the engineering and design, would perform such a demonstration. Basically, the programme has become a thug, and I say this, in full aknowledgement of my laughing out loud at it only a few weeks ago. And when is someone going to road test a vehicle where they look under the bonnet, showing the engine, [optional] home service points, test the mpg properly, as well as the acceleration and top speed, explore the handling and comfort and practicality, relative kindness to the environment, costs of ownership, etc.. and make a valued judgement on the vehicle, relative to its price and depreciation, that can be relied upon..? Because there isn't a programme out there anymore that does this, and actually hasn't been for donkey's ages, whatever you think of the merits of 5th Gear. And let's have some bloody motorbikes properly tested too.

Was going to add my tuppence worth, but I think you've got the answer you were seeking.

As mentioned before in my previous post, I did the Beeb's Predictor just this last weekend, using form guides, and allowing for the odd minor hiccup from every team. Unfortunately, the HDD, on which I stored the image, was a trifle dodgy, so I haven't been able to post it up before. I've managed to retrieve it now though. Please bear in mind, that one or two matches, from the calender, having been called off, have yet to be re-arranged, and are not available in the BBC Predictor as yet. Therefore, this table is incomplete, but I've kept it, as the remaining matches do not alter the situation significantly enough to change the prediction; that is, that Saints could lose those two remaining matches and still be where they are in the table; and no other team can make inroads on them. Make of the table what you will, as it was merely an academic exercise, on my part. It is no more or less valid than anyone elses prediction. Interestingly, how did Charlton overhaul Leeds..? I don't know, but perhaps it illustrates how, in-error, the current table is. Or perhaps this is just a load of bollix. Which seems a bit more likely. :

Whilst that reads quite well, and undeniably makes some valid points, the simple fact is, is that Saints have accumulated 32 points this season, so far, 10 of which have been removed. We would be in the play-off places right now, but for the 10 point deduction. The truth is Whitey, is that you may have failed to read the title of the thread, and first line of the author's post, which suggests that Saints would currently be in a top 6 berth if the 10 point penalty hadn't been applied. But taking up your point about the league table; we can judge Saints against other teams, but acknowledge the innaccuracies of an incomplete table. It's something we cannot control, as the test has to continue until sometime in May 2010. But there really is no need for formula, or averaging out, or waiting until the season ends. The table becomes more accurate with each passing round of matches. Yes, at this point, the league table does lie, and won't tell the full truth until the end of the season. But we can only go on what we know so far. Try the BBC predictor, as I did. I tried to be rigorous in my judgement, using the form of teams up until now as guides. For Saints, I used their form from a few matches in, as I think it has been acknowledged, we were not up and properly running by week one of the season. I know this can't be relied upon, as form goes up and down, as variables come into play, e.g. injuries, illness, opponents, etc.. but it was worth the tedious exercise. We make the play-offs.

I think you've managed to put me off that one, Jeff. It's not that I'm a Disney film watcher, but I find very little pleasure or positive experience in negativity. There's enough of it in real life, and I particularly don't like to watch violence towards women, wrapped up in a sexual act. I just don't want that imagery in my head. Memento I liked. Watched a couple of films over the last few days. One was The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and the other was Ocean's Eleven [the remake]. On violence, I must be getting more sensitive, as I get older, because I noticed the violence in TMWSLV and years ago it would have washed over me. Such a good film though, and excellent from the genre of that era. Ocean's Eleven is such fun. You can tell everyone was having an absolute ball, while making it. Although it remakes the classic film from 1960, I think it actually out does it for class, even though the original featured the Rat Pack. Never mentioned it before, but I love the music score and selected tracks too; very smooth stuff by David Holmes. The credits roll nicely too. In fact, there isn't much to not like.

Fair point. If he'd have gone down it would probably have been a penalty. That said, it is still wrong for a team to go through to such an important competition on he back of a wrong decision. Henry was, like other players, just playing to the whistle. We're all taught that from an early age in team sports. I notice Hermann Hreidarsson saying that Pimpley's penalty wasn't one. Didn't stop him accepting the decision though. BTW, I don't blame Schneiderlin for his comments. I'd expect him to say such things. I'm always slightly suspicious when overseas players want England to do better than their own country anyway.

Markus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese are an entirely new bunch of owner and operator. I'm not sure they would apply the standard levels of patience that seem to come with the job of managing a football team. Markus says he's here for the long term, and good for him. I think he's individual enough to apply his own standards. As to cloggers and hoofers, I have been impressed with the standard of play in League One, and just occasionally from League Two, although this isn't an observation from just this season. Aside from the journeymen, there is plenty of skill, but what most often seems to be missing is speed of thought and vision, even from the technically gifted, plus a little less fitness than top line players. Indeed, some lower league players seem to be just a fitness level away from being able to cut it in the Premiership/Championship.

Did anyone further pursue that Youtube list..? Predictions for home computers from 1966, plastic grass, etc.. BTW, on that original link, I notice that the UK government was NOT taking a lead again, and the Post Office [when BT was part of it] were not interested either. Typical..! Also of note, Michael Rodd was a very good presenter, IMO. Very much of the old communicative school though.

The GP circuit obviously. Same here.

I think some of you people are very sick. You certainly make my stomach turn over with your comments. You ought to take a good look at yourselves.

I talked about Papa Waigo's offsides being so close that they'd probably be allowed in the Premiership. Did anyone see MOTD and the Wolves players during a free kick, against Bolton..? By my reckoning, that's at least a couple of goals we could put back on his tally.

But they were very entertaining, and if one read between the lines, they made sense. But I agree, Pardew's delivery is rather refreshing.

Yep, I take your point about it getting harder and yesterday, as a little excercise in tedium, I did a BBC Predictor for the remainder of the season, using Saints current level of form as a guide. We ended up in the playoffs [4th place actually], but it was a struggle, only hitting the playoff positions by March, as the other teams around us didn't falter, because all I could call upon was their form levels too. But it doesn't work like that, does it. Often, teams falter, or go on a run of form. And it is only those teams that can maintain a high level overall, over the season, that achieve. So I'm hoping, indeed expecting one or two teams above us to falter, and it is up to Saints to fill one of those vacant spots.

Just assume that he wasn't, but just reminding people of how some viewed Pardew when he first arrived, and leave it at that.

Oh, I don't know SOG. I think people on here are pretty much convinced Pardew knows what he's doing. They may have taken a while to be convinced, but the evidence is there now. And there is plenty to like. He's passionate about winning, his teams play entertaining, attacking football, but they can defend as well. He can pick a good player and put him into the right position. He can bring players on and coach them to play much better [Lallana, for example]. He sees the same game as the supporters, which helps a great deal in terms of respect; and he talks a huge amount of sense. Under his managership, Saints are becoming a [dare-I-say-it..?] consistent and winning team. It might just be too late for this season, but who knows..? Saints are doing practically ALL the right things for the cause, and there are plenty of games left. As long as we keep winning most of the time, there's still a good chance.

Do you know I've never found that in my personal encounters with French people. It has been very much the case that they are kind and courteous, and occasionally it is English people who are more likely to be rude and ill-mannered. For example, the ill-informed and generalising post above. But aside from that, Wenger may well be a bad loser, a tag he shares with Ferguson. But he is also a very great football manager. Arsenal are very lucky to have him.

Every team's primary target is to avoid relegation, even teams like Man U, Arsenal, etc... But they start to look up. It's just a matter of when.

I find that attitude rather strange. It isn't just beating Walsall that has provoked a renewed positive reaction, but the accumulation of great results and form. Remember, this is Southampton FC we are talking about. The perrenial let-us-down-in-the-end team. However, a slight word of caution. Leeds Utd are after Tranmere Rovers. I'm doing the predictor, on the Beeb website, and it's a tedious slog this early in the season. Although I'm predicting the same good form, we are having a harder time getting much higher than we are at present.

1800, or thereabouts, Saints fans.

Can I offer you the very best of luck that this happens LGSC..?