trousers

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1086379/Soton-1-Wolves-2-Iwelumo-nets-insists-wont-mess-Scots.html Iwelumo was full of praise for Saints, who have lost too many experienced players because of their financial crisis but are being expertly coached by Jan Poortvliet. Iwelumo said: ‘Saints are a fantastic side for a team with an average age of about 19. They are one of the best footballing sides I have come across in a long time. ‘They made it hard for us even with 10 men, they found space and were comfortable on the ball. At times they were fantastic to watch so it was a great result for us. I’m sure they will get out of trouble.’ Southampton don’t believe they are in for a relegation struggle and their delightful style of passing belies their lowly situation. They hit back through Alex Pearce’s headed goal and, despite Jason Euell being sent off for a challenge with Richard Stearman which could have resulted in red cards for both of them, were unlucky not to earn a point. Central defender Pearce, on loan from Reading, said: ‘We showed what we are capable of, especially in the second half with only 10 men.’ Next up is a trip to Reading, yet coach Poortvliet insists: ‘The boys never know when they are beaten. We are capable of beating anyone in this league — why not Reading?’

Mike Wilde agrees with that last one....he's got a piece in tomorrow's matchday programme about "the club's ambitions to return to the Premier League"....

Thanks. The deed is done.

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=10905 Schneiderlin: "I will speak with the gaffer and the physio before Saturday and hopefully I will play" Since when does a Frenchman who couldn't speak a word of English 3 months ago start using words like "gaffer" in interviews? Unless of course these articles are ghost written by someone else on behalf of the players.....hmmmm....

But that would be a selfish stance to take....

The last pub landlord to 'confirm' that a takeover was "imminent" was in May 2007.....just after he got off the phone to "America"....

Hear hear.....much better articulated than I ever could.....it's pragmatism like this that we need.....

He does support Saints. That's the point.

Ok....let's clarify some things here.... Take things out of context and no Saints fan "WANTS" Saints to lose. Great...that's something EVERY Saints fan can agree on. Terrific. Now then, add a dose of context and take away HUMAN EMOTION and what are we left with? We are left with the logical scenario that a forthcoming SFC defeat (be it the next one against Wolves or another defeat not so far down the line) COULD be the moment in time that SAVES Saints in the longer term by inducing a regime change for the better. Now, let me pre-empt the usual 'emotive' responses to what I've just said.... No, I'm not anti-Lowe per se. No, I don't want Saints to lose any games. Yes, if 'lack of success' over the coming weeks results in a regime change which, according to Long Shot's discussion with someone 'close to the action' , ends up saving the club in the long run then why, oh why, do people see short term pain as fans being dis-loyal? Surely, IF Long Shot (and his contacts) are correct then it's Long Shot and similar minded people that are being 'true' and loyal fans because they can see the 'bigger picture' (a phrase that obviously raises the heckles of those that only see things on a game-by-game basis.) Lastly, why all the vitriol when either side of this argument COULD be right ? Bottom line is no-one knows so perhaps there should be respect for arguments on both sides rather than the emotive "you're no Saint fan" response to people who can see that a negative can be turned into a positive? Anyway, back to the blinkered vitriol....

No, I'd have wanted them to win.... Hypocritical? Perhaps. It's a paradox whichever way one looks at it but it doesn't mean Long Shot's viewpoint is wrong. It's just a different opinion. Doesn't make 'him' or anyone else a 'bad' fan if they genuinely believe it will help the club in the long run....

Usual apologies for a new thread but this question looks like getting overlooked in Long Shot's thread.... Would be interested to hear what Duncan had to say as I miss his insights on here. Thanks

And therein lies the paradox....

Yes, of course we all want the incumbent management to do well but it was widely recognised that Steve McClaren was doing more harm than good but, like it or not, it usually takes a failure to inject new impetus into a situation - that's just a fact of life. If England go on to win the World Cup in 2010 you will be able to trace the seeds of that triumph to Steve McClaren losing against Croatia in November 2007. It's a head and heart situation. Of course noone wants their team to lose in their heart of hearts but sometimes the head is wiser than the heart. Take away human emotion and the logic is sound.

But, IF what Long Shot says is correct then you are advocating the demise of SFC.... All a bit paradoxical IMHO

+1 Anyone got a transcript that we can all argue over?!

Devil's advocate question coming up.... Were you happy that Steve McClaren lost the England manager's job? (I'm assuming you're also an England fan here...)

Phil - I respectfully disagree (at a general principle level) Take away the irrational emotions that many people who enjoy watching a game of football exhibit (and I'm not saying that that emotion is a bad thing, it just interferes with rational thought) and what Long Shot says is a perfectly understandable viewpoint. Analogy alert... Burning back old vegetation allows new shoots to grow. Amputating an injured leg can save the life of the patient. England not qualifying for Euro2008 gets rid of Steve McClaren. Long Shot makes a valid point whether people agree with him or not. (and I'm not declaring here whether I agree with him myself...just respecting his opinion)

Hurry up....I want to be the one to do '69' on Rupert

Surman to Stoke? Been thinking about this one. Is the answer 'coal' ?

Well, Nigel loved him enough to give him a hug every now and then...

p.s. I thought you were starting to describe your average Saints supporter there.....clinging onto the hope of back-to-back victories....yeah, you're right....will never happen....

So it's safe to take off my strait-jacket then?

I wish them well. "Break a leg" and all that....

I wonder if Drew thought we drew too or if Drew thought we won?

Sorry(ish) to sound like a scratched record but how come Svensson's likely no-show for the game on Saturday warrants a full page OS article yet last week Schneiderlin's (supposed) injury didn't.... "And the needle returns to the start of the song and we all sing along again"