St Landrew

Watched Master & Commander [2003], for the umpteenth time, the other night on my DVD, and when it had finished I realised Film4 were showing it, which was momentarily odd, as I thought there was something wrong with my remote control. As I write, I'm trying to think of a poor part to that film, and I can't think of more than the odd few seconds. Utterly brilliant IMO, with everyone perfectly cast, and I wish they would make the sequel that they planned to.

Because there is a B team. Enough reason..?

Time to vote for those nominated players. 6 to choose from, but only 1 vote this time. The player with the most votes gets to be in the A team. The 2nd most voted for player is the B team's RB. I feel I have to remind you again - no legends, no longevity, thank you. Just highest quality players to have played in the right-back position. Those older supporters will appreciate that 2 superb, older players managed to get enough nominations to be listed in the final 6. Now get voting..

I kind of agree with you LTC. However, I think it might have more to do with my finally accepting that SFC isn't a Premiership club anymore. It's taken a heck of a long time to come to terms with it, and I've been having to contemplate the thought that we'll probably take seasons to get back into the Premiership. We'll possibly [probably..?] drop even lower, which is another thing I can accept. But I can't accept the club going out of business, despite there being a real possibility. If Southampton Football Club ever wound up completely, and went out of existence, I'd certainly give up any pretence to watching football. I'd might even accelerate my design to buy a large boat and bugger off to the med for the following 20 years. Having said all that, and told you where I am - I am happier now with Saints than I have been for about a year, although Nigel Pearson's attitude brought some much needed pride back. A year ago was around the time when the executive directors issued their ill-timed statement, that killed off any ambition and good morale that had been lingering at SFC, despite NP later on. Now we're building from the bottom up, and if Rupert can just let Jan Poortvliet do his job, and stop pulling the rug out from under him, I think he can achieve something at SFC. I don't think we'll ever see a billionaire come in and save SFC, but I also think the bubble is finally about to burst in the Premiership anyway.

I'll let you into a little secret. I don't like Sat-Navs. I've a pretty good sense of direction, due to so many years of sailing; i.e. knowing where the light is, even on a cloudy day, sense of time, and hence direction. I've used Sat-Navs several times, just to check them out, and I've found them all useful, in a overly helpful way. But the one thing I didn't like about any of them, was that I wasn't aware how I'd got to my destination [all used during night time driving]. Which means I didn't learn anything about the journey, because I'd wholly trusted the Sat-Nav. Not good to surrender a skill, however lowly you might judge it. I suppose I'm kind of old fashioned about these things. The only really Sat-Nav I'd ever contemplate is one designed for a sailing boat, just because it saves a lot of extra equipment. But then it would have to be 100% reliable. Which isn't going to happen.

Someone has actually been watching Saints play.

That's the shop assistant's opinion. I'll trust my own. EDIT: Let me put it into some perspective for you. When I managed one or two Comet stores, I would ask my staff to give completely honest information, and not to tell half-truths. Once or twice I came across sales people who would advise customers to purchase a particular product over another, even though it was clear that the other was more suitable, and the customer actually wanted it. I found that there was more commission obtained with the product they had advised the customer to buy. Do your own research, and don't take anything as gospel. Even what I might say - except the previous sentence.

No Lane assist..? Useful feature which means you get that awkward unfamiliar multi-laned junction correct first time. Very useful in continental Europe if you're not confident. Beckers are fitted as standard to Mercs and Ferraris. Sort of says something, eh..? Available at Halfords too.

My school football teammate and captain, David Stamp. He was on Saints books about the same time as Nick Holmes. He appears in a squad photo, but never played a senior match. Left sided midfielder IIRC.

Are you expecting answers with a title to your thread like that..? Amusing, if inaccurate. Would you like me to amend things slightly..?

Well, let's qualify that. For decades the BBC have been employing John Motson. Enough said..?

I've said myself in the recent and distant past that I'd take a season load of boring 1-0s to promotion. But Saints aren't doing that, and don't have a tradition of doing that either. And they certainly aren't going to start doing it either on the basis of a edgy 3rd of a season with a totally new format and no money to do anything else, in any case.

Well I'm no Lowe luvvie, and I certainly don't come on here to defend him or justify his existence. Yet I can appreciate when the team play decent quick passing football. And when they do it, it's a little revelation. If someone can't see the difference then they must be looking the other way. Which I'm prepared to believe with some supporters. Even Arsenal get beaten despite their pretty football. It takes time to get it right, but when it is right, it is superb to see. I've seen it in flashes in matches this season. We need to be doing it more.

Of course, you could really frighten yourselves [if you haven't done it before] and do a sailing weekend. Guaranteed good time, and you'll have a tough time staying sober.

Are a lot of people going..? Paintball perhaps, or Karting. Mind you Amsterdam is a good shout. As is a murder mystery weekend. Perhaps not in Mumbai though, eh..?

Shouldn't you be using a little judgement on what you believe, whether you want it to be true or not..?

At HOME perhaps..? Will Cope is a fine commentator, although you wouldn't believe it from the comments we occasionally get on here about him. Alex Stand-in wasn't bad at all. Besides, anyone can make mistakes. I heard the prize idiot commentator himself John Motson say that a particular team hadn't beaten Portsmouth for 50 years. And not one mention of the fact that neither team had been in the same league for 45 or more of them.

I thought he was very good.

The very two players I cited as probably being RBs [although apparently CB Fry was a little lightweight, being more technique than brute force]. We know they won't get a look in. Neither will Charlie Wayman in later threads. However, we salute them, in any case.

Yes, I agree.

Well I can see what the problem is, and it's simple. Saints play european style football, which involves playing much more through the middle with short, quick passing. That means things can get very tight, especially at Home, where the teams are going to pack players behind the ball. When you have 10 or 11 opposition players behind the ball it gets very tight indeed. Occasionally you're going to get through and score, but if you don't vary the play you become predictable, albeit pretty to watch. During Away games, the opposition come out of their shell much more and attack, creating gaps in their defence. Which is why our game is paying off much better there. Now, I've no doubt Jan Poortvliet sees this, and his staff see this. And I've little doubt that they are telling the youngsters to vary the play. But footballers aren't the quickest of humans upstairs, even if they are quick in the legs and feet. This is going to take time. And for those who want to pay for JP's ferry journey home to Holland, I think you need to think again, because this is it, like it or lump it. People will know I'm no fully paid up member of the setup at Saints, but I am acutely aware that we're stuck with it.

Oh btw, Nominations end late Sunday.

Saints take foot off the throttle surprise shocker.

That's narrowed the field down somewhat..!