Brussels Saint

Also as a feelgood factor for the fans, who will probably need to spend another season in Div. 3. I know I would love a trip to Wembley, with a chance to win a trophy and finally have some good news for this club. Imagine Markus being given the trophy on the pitch, to show off to 30000 Saints fans after a victorious Wembley performance.........

........this thread is hilarious.......Saints fans cant agree shocker Lets face it, whatever the club does some will like it some not. On the basis of this thread (not exactly scientific I admit), those in favour v those against, I make it 14 v 7 in favour, so good decision.

Get tickets for the Chapel as they've now designated it as the family stand, that way you should be surrounded by other parents with young nippers. Never actually been in that stand myself, so maybe someone else can confirm if its a good experience for what sussexsaint wants........

I tend to agree with this, as I'm not a huge fan of the chairman being in the squad photo's, but with Markus I really like it. He just looks always so damn jolly.

Ixelles, down by the Flagey ponds. Been here 9 years and love it. Costs me a fortune to watch the Saints though. ;-)

Imagine though had Fry gone for the Swiss first up, how many now would already be complaining about the lack of ambition they show and imagining what a MLT led, Kevin Keegan manager ambitious takeover could of brought! Fry would have been accused of going for the Swiss money for the creditors and not caring about the club. Bizarrely, I think the exposure of Pinnacle has had a positive impact on uniting the fanbase.

NC saying he and Marcus dont own the club, just the custodians.......its the fans who really own it...............I'm filling up!

Cant believe it works, I was sure us overseas fans would get some guy called Roger Day online....but actually the football......must be because Marcus is listening too ;-)

I thought of this too, but I'm not sure, despite everything it would be surprising that any player would purposely be half hearted, happy to be dropped and not playing 1st team football. Saga has had periods of poor form in the past, but its rare he does not seem to try. MLT never seemed to put much effort in (but obviously was, especially when going for a throw in ) If that does not convince, you could also argue that he would try as I think his contract is up at the end of the season and he needs to play for a good one either at Saints or elsewhere........

Now Poland have all but missed out on qualification for the WC, do you think this will now impact how Saga views staying at the Saints? So far this season he has shown commitment and quality on the field but was searching for a move to ensure he was in Polands WC squad. Maybe this is not such an issue now........so might be good for the Saints. Thoughts anyone?

Yup, fully agree with what you say, but it does not mean lallana cannot himself provide the width. The difference is provided in the balance between an atypical winger, byline/cross type with a creative player who can come in from the wing when needed. True both midfield wide players need to maintain their width, but I quite like having one of each type in a team.

Personally I think the Saga/Gradel loan exchange is still on and Papa was bought here as a striker (Quote from AP "He's a quick, creative forward player who will help us score more goals and I can't wait to see him in a Saints shirt."). Also if you play one natural wide player the other side does not need such width and can accomodate a lallana type. If the Saga/Gradel exchange does happen I would go with: Davis Murty(Thomas), Trottman, Jaidi, Harding Gradel, Schneiderlin, Hammond, Lallana Papa, Lambert If it does not happen I suspect AP might go with Mellis on the right.

This is a great thread.....hugely enjoyable with all the positivity. Signings are great and it looks like we are building an excellent squad. Sat. might be tough though as I saw on another thread, it unlikely the work permits will be ready (plus Senegal have a friendly so no papa).......and Saga will be with Poland

I'm a fully paid up member of the happy clappy club and am a relentlessly positive, but I thought this was a fair enough question from Alps for this forum. Anyway, back to the original question, Pardew states Saga does not have a bad attitude and his performances this year show that. In fact during his whole spell at the club I struggle to remember him ever having a bad attitude, he just wants to be sure he gets in the national team which is fair enough............does not mean he does not give his all everytime he trains and plays. My guess is that the only unsettled one is spider due to him being a young kid, constantly told he's amazing by the FFF and wondering if he's not throwing his career away in L1

Lets face it, the FFF know their stuff. Their system is used around the world as a model on how to produce talented footballers capable of winning world cups. If they say playing L1 football will hinder his development, I believe them. They also rate him hugely and I tend to agree with them rather than the opinions of some of us fans. The question remains why we at Southampton have not got him to perform at the level which clearly he is capable. If every week he turned out and gave majestic performances the French would not have an issue. From their point of view they see one of their greatest future talents not performing as they expect and as such their advice is obvious........move to a club/league that promotes your talent. Personally I would hate to lose him as I think AP could be the man who gets this out of him. From his comments since becoming manager AP clearly rates him.

OK my line up for all you crossword fans out there: GK - 1000 degrees meets Steve RB - Sit Down LB - Desperate Thomas......Hardly? CB - Rastafarian urges his horse on CB - Down west he's often referred to as John RM - Ladder, Crackers, you choose? LM - Eve's beau makes a sound like yellow fruit CM - Sneakly tip toeing over CM - The organ of choice ST - Holidays for OAP's commence winter sports immediately ST - Shaun's son meets Earnie's other half

What's encouraging looking at the players signed, is that AP has clearly understood where we desperately needed to strengthen and as you mention, on paper those signings look to be pretty decent. We can complain about how long its taken, but lets face it, none of us really know the specifics involved in signing players or how long it takes, plus AP obviously needed to get a good look first at what he inherited. Overall it’s hard to argue that after only being in the job about a month, NC and AP have actually got the right players in pretty swiftly. Now let’s get another CB, pacy striker & winger in, plus IMO, sell Rasiak, (give away) Pulis, Molyneux, plus loan Lancashire & White before the transfer window closes. At that point we can then judge AP on whether he can get the team to play as you can’t argue he does not have the players.

Here's a question, why is that managers pretty much across all divisions and clubs simply dont see what the supporters see? Managers have more experience in the game, coaching badges, know their players and see them in training every day. It's not just Pardew, but almost every manager I can think of. You would have thought with all that they would be able to make better decisions than the fanbase every time. We all know he should drop Wotton but he does not - this must be based on something. We never knew what WGS saw in Telfer. Higginbottom at left back........ripley.........there are loads of examples just at our club and thousands at others. Any idea why managers with all their knowledge make these decisions when it seems us, the fans, can get it right? (I'm honestly not having a pop at the fans here btw just in case it seems that way.)

Davis Murty, Thomas, Wotton, Harding Mellis, Schneiderlin, Gillet, Lallana Lambert, Saganowski If its not working for Lallana, bring Holmes on.

Millwalls Victor Meldrew is shocked when he discovers a Saints player actually able to trap a ball........."I don't believe it!!!"

Priority 1 - Hulking CB, Jaidi would be perfect Priority 2 - CM, Box to Box type with height. Defensively at set pieces we still look small. Priority 3 - LM or RM with pace, the one thing the team lacks. I would go for wide LM as I think Lallana can develop into an effective RM. Priority 4 - Striker if Ras or Saga leave. Would like to see Saga stay as would compliment Lambert really well. I'm not sure we need much else. James covers at RB/RM, Mills at LB/LM. Gillet, Pato, Holmes, Thomson (maybe Mclaggon) all seem capable of providing decent competition.

Just got back and overall, like many I was fairly happy. Kelvin, 8, - You dont need me to tell you how good he was. Murty 7.5 - Looks the biz. Moves incredibly fast for a fat man. I was about 5 rows back in the kingsland and a couple of sprints of his along the sidelines were immense. This guy is not slow. Thomas, 7.5 - Strong, won a lot of headers and is vital against the type of forwards in this league. Perry, 7 - Class still shows, but despite this I would still prefer we sign a monster to play alongside Thomas. Harding, 8 - MOTM for me. First class defensive performance, not great going forward, but few right wingers in this league will get any change from him. James, 6 - Quiet. Did not notice him much to be honest. Morgan, 7.5 - Class and will get even better. Wotton, 6.5 - Actually not bad. Did what it says on his tin. Lallana, 6.5 - He is a good player and you really see it in his touch, need to find his best position.........anyone any ideas..........I'm lost Saga, 6.5 - Tried. Has skill and ability, but is absolutely not the 1st striker, he is so much better as the 2nd striker. Pato, 7.5 - Really a good game and surprised everyone a bit I think. Need to see more, but this was positive. Subs: Gillet - I thought he did ok, but everyone else thought he was rubbish, so I'm probably wrong there. Gobern - I thought he was rubbish, but everyone else thought he did ok, so I'm probably wrong there! Thomson - Now he was rubbish I'm sure of that!........But unfair to be honest as was not on long. Interestingly was sat next to some Millwall fans in the Kingsland (who were alright to be honest)........They did get booted out though for celebrating their goal, which I thought was fair enough.

Coming over from Belgium with my girlfriend (who is coming from Warsaw)........last time I brought her was the PNE game last year when Saga got 2.......its a Polish thing....she inspires him!

For me the number 4 was always either worn by a "libero" or the teams best midfield passer. Glen Hoddle wore 4 for years...........

Noe Pamarot would be a good call at RB, has some class. I'm pretty sure we almost signed him a couple of years ago, but he choose to go to Spurs. Guessing that and the Portsmouth connection would make him somewhat suspect. Also would he come here..........probably not..........talked myself out of it.......terrible idea.......what was I thinking!