saint1977

Cheers for that mate, just stuck the series on record.

I'd agree with this and Swansea (Shelvey) need more depth if they are considering having a good run in Europe this year as Newcastle really suffered from Thursday-Sunday scenario. I think Redmond will be a good buy for Norwich and with R V-W up front they should enjoy one of their best seasons since the early 90s. Aside from this though, there hasn't been a huge amount of activity. Not sure on Di Canio's new arrivals at Sunderland and Fulham have bought solidly but nothing staggering. Moyes taking the reins at Man U and Jose and Pelligrini getting their feet under the desk might get the chain moving for some our targets and those of other clubs. It's not often that 3 of the CL level clubs change manager at exactly the same time. In terms of what we need for Saints, I agree on the striker, high priority as we lack competition and really struggled for goals in the last few games. Disagree on the winger though, we badly lack a pacey outlet and have limited ability to counter attack effectively when teams pack the midfield. In fact, I'd like to see a winger/striker (or give Mayuka a sustained run in the first XI), a second winger and a taller striker to give Rickie a run for his money and offer us another hold up option. I'm not that fussed by a DM but clearly the club are judging by their attempts to buy one. Lovren gives us a good balance at the back and hope Forren gets a chance.

I can remember plenty of seasons where we didn't have stripes. My favourite kit in fact is the sash which I still wear because the last couple of kits haven't been my cup of tea. Not keen on this year's as it's a bit too generic and although the away is much better, that v-neck is weird. Have a feeling the AAP ironed on logo will fall off after long. I'll still go to as many games as I can afford the petrol for though and I really do think some people overreact to things like kits. Mind you, not as bad as some of the boneheads moaning on the transfers thread. We've signed a highly rated CB in Lovren, which we badly needed and if he hadn't had a slight dip in form at the end of his time at Lyon we wouldn't have a sniff. We bought slightly out of form/sour players under Lawrie and made them shine again so why not now? We are clearly after another 3 or 4 high quality players and I think we'll get them. I know how badly we need pace out wide and up front but be patient.

Having Exeter, Torquay and Plymouth in our region, I see more L2 football than most Saints fans and judging by his form for Stanley he has realised that it is last chance saloon. Many of those 8 goals were 30 yard worldy specials and should do well at Crewe. L1 is probably right for him as a winger, can't see him above L1 and he was never a left back in the first place. I'd be wary of judging any of our young players from 08/09 based on their time at Saints as the club was run by people who should never have been there and was in total freefall. Thank God for Markus and NC. Even though we started badly in L1, the teamsheet told you we'd turn it around. With the 08/09 team, JP and Wotte did pretty well to get over 30 points out of that team. Morgan, Lallana and Kelvin's form were the only good things that emerged from 08/09.

Rod does have a little bit of a point re: Saints but he's got to be joking re: the skates. Kanu the FA Cup winner got treated really well didn't he? Sol, the guy that lifted that tainted Cup? The local SMEs? The alleged £60m in unpaid taxes? Besides which, Saints have never consistently looked after our heroes well, especially in the Askham years and either have the skates. In fact, that goes for most clubs, English football ignored Bobby Moore for years. That said, Franny and MLT, whilst they are heroes of mine, are worth far more than people like Ron Davies and Bobby Stokers were at the end of their careers so it's all relative. Can't see it affecting gates that much as people either want to watch the cricket or not and can't see Hants fans decamping enmasse to Hove given the rivalrly but it could off-pitch income streams like merchandising.

Wayne was great for Saints back in the day but better that he excels playing for Nigel at Reading in the NPC than spends more time on the bench like he did at City. Not too bad a commute from Cobham either if he's still based there, or if he's back in Winchester that's not bad a trip up the A33 either.

Whilist someone copied the link to the Bridge-to-Reading Telegraph story on the Redknapp thread, I also spotted this - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertynews/10104659/Footballer-Lee-Barnard-and-Playboy-model-told-tenants-get-out-in-14-days-or-we-cut-power.html Not suggesting this is directly related to the club itself other than Lee is still technically on the books so to speak.

I agree he shouldn't be written off and his pace would be very welcome as only J Rod has got any change of pace in our final third. However, his record in European competition and the USA would concern me although some of his international caps may have come as a lone striker. Hope there's some legs in the Will Buckley story, always rated him. Ince or Matt Phillips - happy with either if it was on the cards. The ambitious - but still feasible - signing would be Lens from PSV.

Indeed, the Soul Cellar thread was one of this forum's longest until the PTS started in July 2009.... This was well before my time but I recall reading about a major incident at the Warrens (was the Parkside Tavern and a Marsdens pub when I drank there in the 90s, hate to think what it is now..) in the late 70s when Saints weren't even playing. I think a local non-league side had a FA Cup replay at the Dell v Millwall and it kicked off big time with the locals who were having a Saturday afternoon beer or seven! Can remember Millwall causing a lot of mayhem at the mid-80s FA Cup game - might have been 1985-6 - Saints won the replay. The big London clubs and Man U used to regularly have fans in the Milton and Upper West who didn't exactly hide when their team scored. Can't remember any major disturbances in the 80s beyond scuffling apart from one game with Everton 1987ish?

Sorry, keyboard slip! I was going to say that my dad remembered Ossie could return any physical stick he took, including a sending off at Blackburn. Did that involve John Bailey? Also, Charlie George was signed for quite a lot of money - didn't he have an accident with a lawnmower or something like that? How did he fare for Saints?

As a footnote, my first set of Wilson golf clubs were originally Peter Sainsbury's, via the old man who bought them from Peter. Thanks to everyone who replied on Steve Mills, I never saw him as a player but did go to the charity game in 1988 with Keegan, Bally, Dennis, Channon and others playing. Good to see that the Unit at the General is still going strong. I know my father rated him although his all-time favourites were Big Ron, Ossie, David Peach, Channon, Armstrong and Keegan. My favourites growing up were Moran, D Wallace and obviously Shilts when we bought him at the very start of me supporting Saints. Steve Williams was quality. Ossie was before my time - what do people remember of him? Obviously he's known as one of the 1976 Cup winners - I remember them re-uniting when Jim Steele took over the Chamberlyne Arms in Sholing in the mid-90s. M

I remember going to Steve Mills testimonial in the 80s but as a player he was before my time. He died tragically young. My father said he was a very fine full back before injury and was on the verge of England recognition. Did anyone see him play and what was he like? How young did he have to retire from the game? I'd love to see more of these posters on here and far less of the 20 or so boring trolls.

'probably gets 5 small fishes a week' - this is what Pompey players should be paid in. A whole skate could be one of them if they get MOTM. Lens is exactly what we need, no thanks to whoever said Skrtel, looks like a character from American History X and has definately lost a yard of pace. I also still remember him getting taken to the cleaners by Havant & Waterlooville's front line in the FA Cup.

Massive favourite with Saints fans. Branfoot started as he meant to go on when he released him and replaced him with Terry Hurlock. I know Hurlock has a certain cult value but he wasn't a patch on Jimmy as a footballer. Jimmy had one heck of a shot on him, can remember him nearly taking the roof of the net out with a free kick V Sheff Wed and a long range pearler at Liverpool which would have meant a lot to him. Many an office in Southampton with Saints fans in it had a poster on Jimmy, Branfoot made a big mistake there. Good story in MLT's book about him, if an opposition player dished it out to the young players like MLT, Rod Wallace or Shearer and they told Jimmy about it, Jimmy would soon put a strong challenge in on the offending opponent to stop our youngsters being pushed out of the match. At Forest, Stuart Pearce got MLT early and when MLT told Jimmy, he took one look at a very wound-up 'Psycho' and said to MLT 'sorry, not today son'!

Unless the ball is seaming around a lot, and judging by the tail end resistence by Lancs it doesn't seem to be excessively, Hants ought to be scoring at 4 or 5 an over against that attack unless it's hooping around corners. Chappell was a good seamer 10 years ago but miles past his sell by date and Hogg is also very slow albiet that he gets a bit of bounce from about 76mph. Once the shine goes off the new ball, get on the front foot and if the pitch has any carry in it go forward and hit them down the ground, they haven't any pace to force you back. Riskier to play across the line against the lack of pace if the pitch a bit soft. Their spinners might make the ball sit in the pitch a bit but not a huge amount of turn to negotiate. Can't remember the last time Lancs had such a poor bowling attack, Balcombe and co would wipe the floor with them.

With Poyet suspended, uncertain if Brighton will take up their option. Wouldn't be surprised if he popped up at Bournemouth actually. Howe is rumoured to have a decent wage budget to strengthen, it was strongly rumoured that he was interested in Dean when he was at Burnley last summer and rates him as a good leader. Would do well for Bournemouth and no need for Dean to move house or uproot his family.

ESPN summary fair but agree harsh on Forren. Fox was our consistently worst player, Jos had a terrible start but did show great character to improve and feature regularly although will find it harder to nail down a place next term. Adam is copping a lot of criticism presently but remember how well he was playing before he got injured v Reading and when he came back in the new year he never got started again. He is plenty good enough for this level but just needs an extended pre-season starting a couple of weeks early along with Forren and Gaston to really get strong and in top condition. What we do need is more competition up front, which MP has alluded to, express pace in wide areas (Lens) and more defensive reinforcements. Might be another keeper coming in as well if Kelvin moves into a coaching role.

I think it might be the other way around - Enrique LB and Shaw LM. Bear in mind that Shaw got stronger and quicker throughout the season and was getting forward strongly. Also, although Fox improved a bit under MP when he realised that he was better off as a basic LB that couldn't charge forward or hit hollywood cross-field passes, he was still a seriously weak link overall.

14th is decent, more than decent for first season back in the top flight. The home wins v City, L'pool and Chelsea were the highlights, along with the opening day performances at City and twice v Man U. If we'd have defended properly those games would have yielded more points. Had an awful start but the new signings generally did well - Clyne and Boruc were the best but Yoshida was great value and J Rod has shown enough to build on. Should see more from Gaston and Vegard next year but don't know about Mayuka. Shaw's emergence was wonderful to see and JWP did himself proud at City opening day. We got away with it until January with CBs, would have been in real trouble with any injuries or bans to Fonte, Jos or Maya. What is needed is an injection of pace and width, plus more competition for Rickie and J Rod. Defensively, we'll almost certainly strengthen but the core of a good squad for a few seasons ahead is there - Morgan, Cork, Clyne, Shaw, Yoshida, Forren, Lallana, JWP, Punch, Rickie, J Rod.

Tragic news, after all the different threads about transfer funds etc this reminds us of what's really important. Very best wishes to Richard and family.

Today's comments do seem very similar to those he made after our relegation in 2005, "Not sure if I need the hassle, squad needs major surgery" etc. Don't see this ending happily for QPR....

Saints ought to be getting at least a point out of Sunderland and 3 vs Stoke so this debate should prove irrelevant. Need to focus on the prize money at £800-odd k a place we rise, could net an extra £3-3.5m if we win the last 2 games. If we lost the next 2 some questions will be asked and there might be a bit of additional transfer activity. Don't think we will though and expect us to get 4 points. 43 points = good first season back IMO.

Amdy Faye is available on a free isn't he, bet he signs him. This whole argument from Harry of 'QPR are just as likely to do a Wolves than go up' is bizarre, he can only be doing it to lever more money out of Fernandes. I think his media bubble burst a bit this season and I've noticed recently that he's being referred to more and more as a former Southampton manager whereas when he was at Spurs he'd managed to expunge it from his CV. I'd hate to be a QPR fan and have people like MBia playing for them and Samba picking up his enormous wages. They have to get up next season or literally bust. Can't see QPR fans being patient either if they have a slow start. Nigel will do the opposite at Reading, build a younger, more energetic side plus his regulation signing of Billy Sharp.

Blimey, away games in the 1970s were a bit more tasty in terms of the home supporters! Feel sorry for the lads being chased at Leeds in 79 semi, tough place to visit back then. Can remember Millwall causing problems in the mid 80s at the FA Cup game. In terms of strange away games I've been to, Bolton away in 2002 was one. WGS played no strikers and very little happened in a very poor game until Bridger suddenly cut inside and crashed a venemous into the roof of the net. Then we left Djorkaeff totally free (I think Marsden was supposed to pick him up) in the 94th minute. Everton away 1999 - lost 4-1 with 4 goals in about 10 minutes. One of them was a comedy own goal by Claus. Carlisle away 2009 - took 1000 fans and great noise, another strange game as Pardew's side was still gelling, conceded a goal to a huge deflection and then Pidgeley dropped a free kick onto Jaidi's head in the 96th minute! Surprised my Carlisle supporting friends we were staying with were speaking to us afterwards! Brentford away - Lloyd James first time stunning volley after about 3 minutes, went off injured, Ostemobor had to be told where to stand and be positioned by Fonte. Barnie missed a sitter from about 5 yards and then it was Brentford v Kelvin after that. Brilliant penalty save and 3 or 4 other worldies, eventually conceded a late header. Had a few in the Griffin pre-match but one toilet block for 1500 fans. Worked in London back then and crashed on mate's sofa. Tranmere away FA Cup - let's not even go there... Villa away in the FA Cup - got distracted and missed Southgate's header. Didn't have a shot on goal all game, Boa Morte was dreadful and team got booed off. Derby away - 0-0 75 mins in first season Pride Park opened, one of their Italian players dived, penalty and then conceded 3 more in quick, depressing succession. Hopefully we've left those 'Soft' days behind. Sheffield Wed away early 90s - lost an end of season game 5-2, neither side bothered to defend!

Hard to judge Gaston, brainless sending off apart, until he's had a full, robust pre-season with us. Tim Vickery in his BBC Sport column on S America hinted that Gaston's fitness was a problem and I suspect he'll get a two or three week break in Uruguay and then the club will get him, Forren and possibly Mayuka in training ahead of the rest of the squad. I think it is more of a stamina problem than anything else with Gaston, don't know about Mayuka and it's been hinted on here that the club want Forren to bulk up a bit to deal with the likes of Carroll and Lukaku next season. Then I think we'll be in a better position to judge. It'll force Adam to continue evolving his game if Gaston improves his stamina and consistency because Adam's finishing needs a bit of work in the summer. Like Gaston, he's had good games but has vanished away from home at times although not as much as Gaston has. Who coaches the strikers and ACMs?