swedish dave

JWP always made a point of being " super fit" and he covered more ground than anyone else in games. He played every minute of every game in our last two seasons in the Prem. before his move, ( A Prem. record) After he joined WHam, Moyes used him in almost every game and he delivered with 8 goals and 8 assists, but after WHam (foolishly) sacked DM (who won them their first trophy in decades), JWP fell out of favour with those who followed on as their manager. There followed a series of ill-chosen loan-outs for James.. I don't suppose that Prowsey lapsed in his training routine, and maintained a good level of fitness. Passing 30 is not a death sentence for a good player. James Milner has just retired ...after passing 40. I have consistently read "his critics " on this site, but I see him as anchor in midfield whilst Charles and Jander are good players, they are both young and have much to learn, and may not still be with Saints come August. NOTE ; I don't make comparisons with Walcott and Lallana's swan songs with us, who had seen their best years before they came back . For me ...getting Prowsey back ......is a no-brainer.

.but certainly does in terms of goal scoring, he scored 24 for Orient and helped keep them up in L1. 5'10" ...isn't exactly a "big striker" , but many of football's big-time scorers weren't giants either.

I guess you missed my opening post. The entire situation was created BECAUSE we sold him to Orient when a more sensible solution would have been to loan him out (as we did with several others). OK ...so we go back to Orient and see if he wants a return, and then smile and pay them a fee. We see what he can do, and it's better than buying "another unknown " .....like Downs.

Whilst I agree with your comment, I do wish they'd concentrate on the ongoing game they watch, and leave their old storylines for other occasions. It's not the first time (they) have missed a goal whilst blathering on about something much less interesting (and occasionally ) non-Saints. Interesting comment was from the legendary Kenneth Wolstenholme; .." a good commentator should say.. as little as possible and concentrate (on what's happening) in the game ."

On closer examination you can see that (Dom) was 21 in May, and already had 20 games for Young England sides (U17-U20) between 2022-2024. His 3 loan-outs saw him get game time on 45 occasions before those two unfortunate freak injuries. At two of those clubs he was used as a sub. for one of their regular strikers. Also he is not "so short" as we have been led to believe. He was listed at 5' 10" tall when signing for Orient. who used him as their first choice striker and scored 23 times in 40 games last season. I don't see him as a front line striker, but alongside / behind a Stewart, or Larin, he could be a useful addition to our strike force, much as Adam Lallana was when paired with Rickie Lambert back in the day. Orient's survival was entirely due to his goal tally, and they will be glad of the income when he eventually signs for a higher level club. As I noted in my opening post, I believe that in the chaos of last summer, he was simply " overlooked" by the people who called the shots, and who had no knowledge of his record with the club, and saw him as " a recovering young player " who might not contribute to the cause. I'm glad that he had such a good season, but would be mindful that he might be a force to reckon with (in the Championship) - if we don't get him back - someone else will.

Clearly you seemed to have missed the point of the argument. Aside from those previous loans, it's his recent form as top scorer in League One that has drawn the attention - and he achieved that in a team that narrowly missed relegation thanks to his 20+ goals. Your comment about "undersized striker " was surely a spur of the moment comment. We all like to see a big man up front, but a quick look at some of the " undersized " names in football would show you that many of the historical top names weren't " giants " either.

Everyone's career "starts" somewhere. Jamie Vardy started at Fleetwood when they were in L2 (or was it National League ? ). Oh... and (that) Rickie Lambert started at the bottom of the pile, too. and this site was full of people who said that 30 goals in L1 - doesn't mean he's going to succeed in the Championship... If Dom isn't a starter in our "re-vamped 2026/27 squad" ... I'd have him on the bench every week.

Everyone's career "starts" somewhere. Jamie Vardy started at Fleetwood when they were in L2 (or was it National League ? ). Oh... and (that) Rickie Lambert started at the bottom of the pile, too. and this site was full of people who said that 30 goals in L1 - doesn't mean he's going to succeed in the Championship... If Dom isn't a starter in our "re-vamped 2026/27 squad" ... I'd have him on the bench every week.

having followed the Academy sides (along with the first team) I'm surely not the only fan who followed the progress of Dom Ballard from his earliest days in the U18's. Season by season he outscored all comers, by a country mile. This success continued when he reached the U21 side (a level that many youngsters fail to achieve) and inevitably he went out on loan to clubs in " the men's game " and his performances didn't go unnoticed. Sudden injuries can set a young players' career (or even end it) and so it was sad when Dom was out a long time after his. Rehab can take a long time ....whilst meantime ...back at the club.... managers and coaches came and went and Dom remained an forgotten name seen only in the treatment room, and when eventually fit, the new staff members couldn't be blamed for asking "..Dom who ? ", and so in an attempt to give him a chance in the the future he was sold (rather than the normal loan-out) and went to Leyton Orient and not only saved their position in League One (they finished 20th) but also ended up as leading scorer in L1. Now is the time to admit this was a wrong move from Saints' perspective -even if we had a "good deal " with a juicy sell-on clause but after spending most of his youth in our Academy, he finally achieved the success he deserved and he belongs back here.. So.....my message to the club.....for goodness sake ..get him back PDQ. This is surely a no-brainer in his case, and for anyone who says ,,(he won't make it at " the higher level") ...remember people said that about Rickie Lambert - several times. Dom will never become... 6 foot tall striker, but playing alongside someone who is, he must surely be worth a chance to prove himself.

...the usual fixture against Eastleigh, of course

Historically, very few Academy lads make it through to be first team regulars. The difference between U21 football, and the Championship (not to mention Prem. level).. is enormous for youngsters to adjust to. Last season was the first real showing of young talents in the last ...10 years? When JWP headed up a group that included; Stephens, McQueen, Targett and Reed, (some of whom were stuck behind Bertrand as first choice). Now we saw Cam Bragg establishing himself and new names like Oyekunle, Williams, Sillah Dibaga also getting minutes. They might not be on the bench quite so often yet, but they've taken the first steps. Our biggest challenge will be getting replacements for those who leave, and a few new names who might come to the club - depending on who the manager is by August.

reading between the lines of the EFL "rule"., there is much emphasis on the " 72 hour period " but little else aside from " the encouragement to fair play and an honest attitude". The assumption being that the same "spying " activity taking place 73 hours (or more) before game time is not considered an offence of any sort. Hypocrisy of the worst kind, and not worthy of any type of sport. The only justice that has come out of the whole mess is that having failed to win any of the 3 games involved Boro ' did not benefit from their exploitation of the entire case via social media with their crocodile tears.

whilst we are " nit-picking " over the whole affair, it's interesting to note that one of the bar staff at Boro's golf club named our " spy" (WS) to the club, and /or the media, after WS had bought a drink in their bar. Naming a person who has made a purchase on a credit card IS a criminal offence, as it breaks the law on several counts, and such actions are.." technically-speaking" - a breach of personal integrity attached to credit card purchases.

not just . " the lawyer " who played once 30-odd years ago). I would have asked him which team he supports now ? Has he watched Boro " at all ..in the last 30 years? Danger signal was there was already "a Boro' connection" in the first EFL "trial" before they pronounced the verdict of cancelling Saints' place in the Final and the -4 pts. The subsequent "independent meeting " was only ever going to agree with the original decision - especially as there was also someone with a Boro' connection on that panel. There is no argument (or excuse) for the offence, but the loss of the Final place (and potential promotion money) is a massive "fine " in itself. The verdict itself was a disgrace, and like a death sentence for a parking offence. Clearly the EFL thinks that no such offence has been committed in the last 6 years (since the Leeds affair), but the very stipulation that no such "event" should be allowed in the last 72 hours before a game - is clearly is an admission that such spying events are commonplace, and they simply close their eyes to such situations.

(sadly) we put him out on loan because, he ** wasn't good enough to be our No.1 in the Championship His move wasn't so successful, and so if he doesn't move this summer, we are back with ** the same problem.

There'll be a lot more than simple in/ out transfers. Those who are determined to leave will obviously go and we can (hopefully) get a good return on the deals for those who do depart. The key question will be WHO will manage the side next season ?..as it seems an obvious conclusion that Tonda will leave ..and so players will want to know who the new "gaffer" will be ...and PDQ. Team building will be back to Square One, starting at the back. I won't start quoting names as some are fairly obvious, and some others may be unexpected.

Going out with a bang , eh Bill. Maybe they might resign him - again, after all he's only just 40 !

OF COURSE......we want to win every game, but this fixture is somewhat " meanings less" in one sense. We have already qualified for one of the playoff spots, and no-one's crystal ball can predict who we will play. (With respect), Preston can only be called an "average Championship side" and if we start with a full strength side, it could be unfortunate if a "fluke injury" could harm someone's play-off chances, and the team's future. If the media is to be believed we are likely to lose some top names - regardless of a promotion - or otherwise, and with that in mind, it would be an ideal chance to include some of "Lallana's young hopefuls" from the U21's, and see if they come up to standard. Playing well in the Prem. is a challenge in itself, (even for top players) but with the inevitably of needing to replace some of our stars, we need to analyse our best available talents PDQ, before plunging into the summer transfer market - yet again. I don't need to list all the likely departures, (we can all guess) but there are a number of players who may be playing their final Saints games in these remaining fixtures. IF there are any " likely lads " looking to make the next step up and an opportunity to impress. We have nothing to lose, but a chance to find our next young talents.

the reported attendance was 70,000+ , that lot wouldn't fit into Spurs ground and the only place big enough to hold that number would be Old Trafford. !!!. I think the FA puts a limit on attendances at Wembley, and they may have decided on a limit beforehand. Not sure how many Saints fans went, but it looked like we had more than City ??. A trip to Wembley is a big deal for both fans and players. Noted that when younger, Tom Fellows said he told his Baggies team mates that he might go to Wembley one day, and they laughed at him.

Considering the quality of the opposition ..and even the cost of their starting side, I thought we played a v. good game. After the first 10 minutes of all-out defending, I considered that - had it been a Championship (VAR -free game) - Leo Scienza's " goal " might even have been allowed. It was hard to pick out our MoM (although Casper Jander was outstanding in his own right), and even Cam Bragg (as Downes' replacement) fitted in seamlessly. We held them to 0-0 for 80 minutes and then took the lead with (my) goal of the game. Azaz hitting the ball on the turn after a great pass from Matsuki. Matsuki had a great impact in just 20 minutes on the pitch. Aside from the Azaz assist, he might have scored a second, (but for the goalie's push over the bar), and then he made a goal-line clearance after Peretz was marooned up field. THB and Wood also looked a great partnership in the back line. City's two goals were both a bit flukey in their own way. Docu's deflecting off Bree's leg on the way in, and Gonzalaz may get goal of the season for his unstoppable strike, which even two keepers wouldn't have kept out. Quite the best Saints' performance I've seen in a long while, and much for them to be proud of. Even City's " big guns " made little impact after Pep G. was forced to put them on - in desperation - near the end.

and to be fair ...even then we're not fielding our best side. No Stephens, Manning or Downes.

maybe..but for the sake of players from "unfashionable clubs" it's a once-in-a lifetime chance to play at Wembley.

I know Spurs new ground cost a billion, but there is more atmosphere and spirit for both players and fans when playing at the national stadium.

seems like we have two or more candidates for almost every midfield / striker role. You can start with one , and put the other on sometime later on in the game, and it works. Matsuki has been outstanding in some games, gets some stick, but is not afraid to give it out. Don't see Bragg as a regular starter YET, but he moves around the pitch well, finds space and rarely makes a bad pass. Not a standout figure, but neither was Prowsey back in his early days.

well I'm pretty well convinced by the fee we eventually got ..32 million ..or ?