Stud mark of doom

What? Ok you could argue against it but at a minimum there is an extremely good case for Shilton being on there. He was immense for us - the best player in the world in his position - and played for us at his peak. He might well still be our highest capped payer (49 while with us from memory). He certainly used to be. In my view Fonte is not in his league.

If Le Tiss played today he’d also be very fit - and amazing obvs. Killer would I think be great. Agree that Jimmy might struggle with today’s refs. Although we certainly wouldn’t have conceded that last minute goal at Everton with him in the side. I can still feel one his tackles, on Sharpe I think, at goodison from c1990. He didn’t get up.

Ok - why is 81/82 better than the obvious 83/84 answer? Team full of stars - didn’t we have 5 England captains at one point? And Keegan was incredible - there was no one remotely like him in the 83/84 team. Amazing football nearly every week - lots of goals at both ends. We were top for ages, towards the business end of the season, and I actually thought we would win it (I remember Frank Bough saying “and Southampton extend their lead at the top” on Grandstand, without any surprise in his voice, so I wasn’t the only one.) 83/84 was also great to but we didn’t really ever look like winning the league. We were 5th or 6th most of the season from memory and it was only a very late amazing run than got us up to 2nd. I think it was out of reach way before the end. Although the run to the semi was great - exposure on national live TV was a novelty too - we also had Adrian Heath and my worst moment in football.

The mo po season v cup final appearance thread made me think - what is the best season ever in terms of experiencing the season rather than outcome. I think the mo po season is right up there but I’m going with 81/82. The second Keegan season. The promotion season to the prem is also very close.

I agree but that is a different question. Plus when we were watchng the brilliant/painful football we didn’t don’t know what would happen.

The poch period was amazing - even when we lost we were generally fantastic to watch. We used to boss everyone - even the ‘big’ clubs. There really is no contest.

Isn’t the strachan comparison a bit disprespectful to Hughes - his record is loads better than Gordon’s on arrival. I agree I’d be happy if he does as well whilst he’s here!

Oh no - I’ve now spotted this a question the club is genuinely asking in a survey. FFS! Who puts these surveys together? I hope they aren’t getting paid anything.

This is a surprisingly good question. My initial answer was 10, obviously, and surprised it was even asked. We are the best. It did made me think though, this is why i got so annoyed with puel and Mo Pe and their crap football. I don’t expect to win every match - that would be as tedious as watching Chelsea, United or whoever, but I do expect us to have a go. With Hughes we have our club back. Also, there is clearly some uncertainty but looking back over the last 40 or so years We have clearly made an absolutely brilliant decision. To take one example - the last goal at the Dell. No club can compete with that - Priceless. And our climb through the divisions following Markus’s intervention was amazing to witness. It’s not all about winning either - one of my favourite away trips was our relegation at Forest. Brilliant atmosphere - some great tribute from the Forest fans too. Life is not all about winning. Nor is football.

8 or 9th clearly acceptable. Not ever looking even likely to score - not acceptable.

Gareth was a FlyBe Knight

I may not be quite right but it is very close - longest serving manager since Nicoll was I think the great Ian Branfoot, with just over 2.5 years!

Most people I know are waiting to see if we screw up the Hughes appointment. I can’t face yet another Puel/Pellegrino

Most people are know are waiting to see if we screw up the Hughes appointment. I can’t face yet another Puel/Pellegrino

I think it’s much harder now than when Leeds we having a pop at it. In fact, the Leeds business model was not much different than Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool. One of those clubs was always going belly up, as there were five clubs chasing the dream and only 4 spaces. Leeds were the unlucky ones but only looks stupid in retrospect. Now the top sides have massively ingrained their advantage over the rest. Trying to break into the top four really is next to impossible now.

Did someone say Lexit?

Also - who remembers “the bruise brothers” Shearer and Ruddock coming in against Swindon in the league cup - 0-2 to 4-2

Well, sticking Gabi on for a centre back has to be right up there in my opinion. What are the others that spring to mind? Super Ken for Dia? Against us, the one I remember is Kevin Philips on his return for Brum. Dogs abuse for what seemed like 15 mins while he warms up. Jogs on. Scores.

Give it a few months and we’ll haves Moyes and Sam being called in to save the day at Everton and West Ham respectively.

You forgot ‘during the game’.

One thought - sign Hughes up quick. He’s great.

When have we ever done one before? The only one I’m aware of was for Terry Paine’s return to The Dell with Hereford in the 70s. (I remember there was a big picture of Terry running out smiling at waving, while Channing etc stood and clapped, at the start of the “Guinness book of soccer facts and feats” - my most read book as a kid)

We should give Hughesie a guard of honour.

If we lose 1 0 and Swansea win 10 2, do we stay up in alphabetical order?