Fitzhugh Fella

Sorry I disagree. I am just back too. Yes we had more chances than them but they defended manfully and we were disjointed and never played as a team. With the likes of Lallana etc we should have clinically taken them apart but we played like a bunch of pumped up schoolboys. Do we need a calm head who can put their foot on the ball or what. Huff and puff and plenty of energy but no nous. I am sorry but Adkins has not got this side organised yet and I'm not sure he really knows his best side. We lack composure, we are arrogant and we are not a coherent outfit. Play offs at best.

So my straight tenner against yours for us not going up? You have better odds.

St Bobby I will have a tenner with you on Saints NOT going up automatically

Just been given a trial at Dundee Utd

There are a few "ifs" creeping into your posts I notice. You attach a lot of cred to stats and fair enough, we all know they don't lie, but you don't seem to attach too much importance to recent form?

I have to say Deppo's train picture did make I laugh. Think Pancake is going to get a free book.

Now all I need is a cover suggestion and a designer

Just spoken to "Chief Sitting Bull" aka David Bull and he is delighted with "All Saints" - could be the winner.

Correctomundo up to now

Indeed plenty of one hit wonders but not sure I am man enough to describe them as turds.

There's some good ones here ta

to think up a title of our new book which is a profile of every player who pulled on a red and white shirt 1885-2011 in a Ist team fixture. In That Number was lifted from the "Oh when the Saints" song so I went to have a look at other verses. The song opens with "We are travelling in their footsteps Of those who've gone before But we'll all be reunited On a new and distant shore" So I came up with "Travelling in their footsteps - a Complete Who's Who of Southampton FC" But David Bull, the Editor is not convinced. I really can't come up with anything punchy and relevant - so can anyone else think of something? Someone else came up with "From Sashes to Stripes..and back again" but it doesn't really relate to individual players and their biographies. So open to suggestions. PS Later in the song there is a line "When the moon turns red with blood" which I quite liked!

Indeed it is Nebuchadnezzar - thanks for pointing out my error. Interesting the varied views on Oakley.

Ron, having heard the story from Benali's side you are well off the mark. Accept it is just from his perspective but I think you will find both sides are very aware of what is happening.

I dread the Prutton profile but I think in hindsight he was never the player we all thought he was. And his temperament is very questionable. I appreciate everyone's views on Oakley - just goes to show he was the sort of player you either appreciated or didn't.

Yes inclined to agree. Have changed Boo-boys to "doubters" on the back of your observation and also included the fact he was indeed a defensive midfielder. Thanks

Yep He and Morgan are similar

Fair point re boo-boys

well I distinctly remember Oakley not being everyone's cup of tea and quite a few found him frustrating. Hence my post although so far everyone has been very pro.

Just working on Oakley's profile - for me he was another player like N'Diaye who I could never make my mind up whether he was good or not. Here is what I have come up with. If I have left anything out or have been too praising I am interested in being told. Were you one of those boo-boys? OAKLEY Matthew 1994-2006 b. Peterborough 17 Aug 1977 5’10” 12st 1lbs Career: Huntingdon Schools/Luton Town School of Excellence/Arsenal assoc school/St Neots Town/SOUTHAMPTON trainee Jul 1993, pro Jul 1995/Derby County Aug 2006/Leicester City Jan 2008 Debut: v Everton (a) 6 May 1995 as sub Last: v Sheffield Wednesday (h) 25 Feb 2006 A hard-working, stylish midfielder Matthew Oakley ticked most, if not all, the boxes modern day Premiership club bosses insisted upon. More than one Southampton manager admitted that Matt Oakley’s name was always the first written down on the team sheet and in his eleven years of stalwart service he never gave less than 100% through some tough battles, mostly fought avoiding the top-flight trap door. If he had a weakness it was perhaps a carelessness that was infuriating at times and it is probably fair to say that he was always more highly thought off by his managers and coaches than some supporters. The boo boys amid The Dell/St Marys crowd would often – rightly or wrongly - make him the scapegoat in a poor team performance, but he would always put in a full shift whatever the occasion and was one of those players who was never noticed until he wasn’t there. Under George Burley Matt had his full share of injuries which meant in the summer of 2006 he was only offered a one year contract and there being a host of offers from other clubs he reluctantly accepted his future lay elsewhere. He has stayed relatively fit since departing, has captained both his subsequent clubs and made nearly 200 appearances to prove there was a lot more life in him than George Burley envisaged. Off the pitch he never conformed to the usual stereotypical image of 21st century professional footballer. In 1999 he helped set up Nebuchadrezzar Wines Ltd, a company which buys, sells, lays down and invests in good quality wine. The business, in which he is heavily involved, is still going strong in 2011. There always was more to Matthew Oakley than first met the eye. Comp App Sub Gls Premier/ 238 23 14 FAC 22 3 4 LC 21 2 2 Europe 1 0 0 Total 282 28 20

I honestly would like the club and the ex players and managers to bury the hatchet and be friends. Both NC and LM have done great things for the club and maybe both men have made errors. No one is perfect, but the pettiness does seem to be emanating from one side more than the other. As Weston correctly states, people should read the article as it does answer some of the points raised on this forum on this subject raised last weekend.

In his Echo article today he refers to things said on forums by people who hide behind their anonymity. He also talks about the fall out with NC last summer and explains how he has no wish to destabilise. He also said that the club contacted BBC last Monday to ensure they reported that last weekends celebrations and his award was nothing to do with the club. There is a lot in the article and while it is one man's opinions it is worth a read because he pulls few punches.

I am certain Steve Grant is not anywhere near the pocket of NC or anyone else at the club and I find he always tells it pretty straight. I also think Guided Missile has a point on his original posting. There are many on this forum who regard criticism of the club as akin to being being a traitor, they stick their fingers in their ears and hurl abuse at the messenger. That is the single biggest fault of this forum in my opinion. A forum can only be as good as the members that contribute to it.

You have a conscience Deppo - actually not sure that was a question or a statement!?!

Well I thought the NC reference partially explained why Pardew did not exercise our right to buy him. As you can see I have also edited it as it was only hearsay.