Fitzhugh Fella

But this was March 1972 and Davies had scored only four goals all season. True, the arrival of Gilchrist appeared to galvanise Ron, who scored another seven in April. Even so, he finished behind Mick Channon in the scoring charts for the third consecutive season. Indeed, Ron’s dominant role had become one of “putting Channon in”. Gilchrist’s subtlety of touch equipped him well for this part. This attribute also meant that he was comfortable, playing deeper, as he most productively demonstrated in his fourth full season of 1975-76. In the FA Cup Fifth Round v West Brom, he came in for Peter Osgood, who had been playing behind Channon and Bobby Stokes. Having scored a spectacular goal when the tie went to a Dell replay, he became a midfielder upon Osgood’s return, replacing Nick Holmes in the Sixth Round and then Fisher, all the way to Wembley, contributing another goal in the semi-final. He had played a one-two with Osgood, 25 yards out, and when “no one challenged”, he “decided to have a shot.” The break-up of the Cup-Final team, the next season, came quickly. Paul was among those dropped after the opening-day defeat at home to Carlisle. He would make only two more appearances for the Saints, both of them – in the League and League Cup – back at The Valley, before he made a couple of unwise career-choices. First, he opted for a one-year contract on loan to Alahfi in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Both on and off the pitch, this proved a “disaster”. He returned after three months and soon moved to Third Division Portsmouth – an even bigger mistake, he reckons. He remained in the lower divisions with Swindon, where being signed over the manager’s head by Danny Williams the Director of Football he was never really accepted by the manager, Bob Smith despite scoring six goals in ten games. This lead him to Hereford where he was ever-present in their 1979-80 run-in, scoring in their last-day win that was not enough to spare them having to seek re-election. They were voted back, but Paul had played his last game in competitive football. During a pre-season friendly behind closed doors against Wolves, he suffered a snapped cruciate ligament in a less-than-friendly tackle. It rankles to this day that not one Wolves player came to see how he was after game. although it took a year of unsuccessful treatment before it was decided that he was finished before he was 30. There was talk of Southampton arranging a testimonial for him with a present Saints side taking on the FA Cup team which would have been raised a nice sum to retire on, but Lawrie McMenemy ruled that there was no dates available in a busy schedule and so it was Paul had to make do with a “pitiful” £750 payment from the PFA. With bills to pay, he and a partner opened a fitness centre, catering for businesses in Swindon. The first of its type, it was widely copied – so much so that Paul sold up after seven years and moved near to Tunbridge Wells. although he worked for BMW in Redhill, where he was an after-sales/service adviser. He then worked for Caterham Cars for a few years but has now retired and found the time to have a full knee replacement. Lifted from my website - don't mind but could use the plug saintsplayers.co.uk

I was there cowering in the North Bank, afraid of getting a beating. When Jenkins shot I couldn't actually see the ball cross the line and when all the West Ham fans went up in the air applauding I thought their 'keeper had made a great save and then I realised they were applauding Jenkins goal. Wouldn't happen today.

We have a significant sell on clause. I hear he would be keen on a return to St Mary's but there are one or two European clubs sniffing around at present.

The 5-3 at home v Huddersfield was the first time

Slightly more trivial it was also the first time three subs scored in an away match.

I didn't realise it was the last kick.

Hopefully this is considered worthy of a new thread. With help from Keith Fray who has digitalised all Southampton's results since 1885 in preperation of the forthcoming Official History book, I have checked to see if Saints have ever overturned a three goal deficit to win a competitive football match. The answer is never have we managed it - either home or away. We have come back from being 3-0 down at home to draw 3-3 a few times, eg Liverpool (Pahars), West Ham (Paine) and Forest in the Cup (1963) but never won a three goal comeback and certainly not away. What is it about our manager? Never before have we scored 5 goals away in a either half of a game and yet we did it at Charlton under his stewardship. Two records in one season.

Yes we are all frustrated and yes the standard of players willing to come here is diminishing, but calling a bloke a joke before actually seeing him play is premature. Spors made some errors last summer, signing Downs and letting Ballard go was just one, and its not surprising confidence in him is low. But I was at Stoke on Saturday and for the first time this season we had round pegs in round holes and boy did it show. Immediately Azaz looked a better player than some on here were giving him credit for, and in Harwood Bellis and Stephens we also had two maligned players suddenly looking like strong central defenders. Good managers and tactics can improve players, I'm going to give this guy the benefit of the doubt although I do agree SR and Spors are dining in the last chance saloon. There is no more room for errors.

Unlike you I place less emphasis on stats when forming an opinion. His minuses have overtaken his pluses this season. We need a complete rebuild and if we can get 15m for him now then that would be a good bit of business as Archer is an adequate replacement for now. What a shame we let Ballard go.

Define prolific and even if he once was he aint now

Because he's not very good, seems to have lost his interest in us and he's a useless captain. And that's just off the tip of my tongue. Hope it helps.

The apathy on and off the pitch yesterday was palpable. Most were too disheartened to boo. My anger has given way to resignation bordering on despair. At least in the Branfoot days we never went down and there were people around the club who had a vague notion of how to run it. And of course we had some players who were proud to wear the shirt. Everywhere I looked yesterday was decay, apathy and malaise. These are tough days.

That Villa game came the week after Russia invaded Ukraine so maybe Putin is to blame?

Our myopic gaslighting manager is telling the Echo he's happy with what we already have.

100% correct, by coincidence I was meeting AH yesterday afternoon on an unrelated matter and the clique thing is not an issue as far as he is concerned.