Halo Stickman

Mirror says we went for Long after Hernandez rejected us. Sorry if already posted. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/southampton-agree-shane-long-transfer-4042174

On the contrary john_ro, your English is very good, especially for someone writing in a second language. Welcome to the forum and thanks for the interesting information.

Yes, I think this is a sensible approach and one which could pay dividends with regards to hanging on to our players in the future, especially if things turn out well for Morgan at Saints and not so well for our ex-players at their new clubs. Granted there’s a few ‘ifs’ there, but you never know – a lot of things can change in 5 months, especially in the world of football.

Was this gal any good at translating?

Almost as long as this new bloke has taken to do his f*cking medical!

Yes, it looks like Morgan’s lost of head could cost him big time – he needs to seriously consider his future.

You’re right of course about Keegan being our most sensational signing but I was just as gob-smacked by Peter Osgood signing for us in 1974 (yes, I know it’s prior to kpturner’s arbitrary 1976 cut-off date!) Granted Ossie wasn’t a world star like Keegan but he was an immense player nevertheless, and his transfer from Chelsea came so out of the blue. Back then Saints had no previous history of landing such a star player, whereas by the time Keegan arrived we had established quite a reputation for signing marquee players – McDougal, Boyer, Ball, George etc. To this day I clearly remember a lad telling me at school break-time that we’d signed Osgood – I simply couldn’t believe him until I got home to see it for myself on the news. Amazing. As for Rickie Lambert, from the point of view of what he has actually helped us to achieve these past 5 years, I’m struggling to think of a more effective signing – Ron Davies probably, Ball and Case possibly.

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If I had seen this in my day I am sure I would have plumbed the depths of depravity sooner.

Ah yes, Mike Pickering, one of many Saints’ players over the years who did a very fine job for us, only to be discarded as we moved on to bigger and better things. Perhaps this is the other side of the sentiment and loyalty coin so many of our departing players have tossed us this summer as they too have moved on to what they deem to be bigger and better things? Anyway, enough of that nonsense; a far more significant change – at least from the point of view of English football in general – occurred that summer within the opposing team: Spurs acquisition of Ossie Ardiles and Rickie Villa initiated the first trickle of the steady stream and eventual flood of foreign imports into our game. So, in that respect, the above footage captures the end of an era: no longer would the English leagues comprise teams fielding almost exclusively British and Irish home-grown players. Incidentally, for those blaming foreign imports for the sorry state of the present day England team, it’s worth remembering that Ardiles and Villa first came to world-wide attention – along with Mario Kempes, confetti and ridiculously tight shorts – during that summer’s World Cup finals; the second tournament in succession for which England had failed to qualify. Also, for those harbouring suspicions concerning the 1978 Saints 0-0 Spurs result, it’s also worth noting that those suspicions are as nothing compared with those surrounding some of the games in that year’s World Cup finals, particularly Argentina 6-0 Peru when the hosts needed to win by 4 goals to reach the finals. Anyway, back on topic: I seem to recall reading on here a few years ago that the legendary Dougal was now breeding English sheepdogs, or perhaps I read that on the Magic Roundabout forum … or the Magic something forum?

Great memories; thanks for posting. I remember the Spurs fans making threats about smashing up the city if they lost that game, and there was quite a hostile atmosphere before and during the match. Like you Duncan, I found the match itself a little strange, and suspected both teams of being happy to play out the draw.

It was interesting how easily David Pleat reeled off 4 or 5 of our current academy players on 5 Live earlier this week.

… it would be one of those painfully bloody long ones that I have to endure Mrs Stickman grizzling her way through when I’d rather be watching the f*cking cricket.

So, which one of these is correct?

Does this mean Bear goes top of the ITK league?

Another 50 for Sean Terry, this time against Northants. I seem to recall he finished last season with 2 successive 50s; if so, then that’s 4 in a row for the first eleven.

He might well have done; personally I prefer Clyne at right-back, and think Wenger might be right seeing Chambers as more of a central defender. I’m not sure why Saints didn’t pursue that option more – it’s all water under the bridge now though. Anyway, if Chambers had made the right-back spot his own, I can’t see a player as good as Clyne being content with hanging around on the bench. The problem, as I see it, is that, whilst it’s obviously highly desirable to have at least 2 good players covering every position, a really top-class player is never going to be content for very long sitting on the bench at a club like Saints – it might be different at a club competing in the Champions League where the squad is more likely to be rotated.

Well, he was behind Clyne for large parts of last season

Wasn't that how much Chambers went for?

… not to mention the dilemma of having to find a £16 million right back willing to play in our reserve team for large parts of the season.

When I can afford the op I’m gonna get one of those French dangly things added, like this: Stiçkman. Cool.

This is very true: players can flatter to deceive in major international tournaments. Andreas Jakobsson and Mikael Nilsson looked a lot better playing for Sweden in Euro 2004 than they ever did playing for Saints the following season.

Now then, now then, goodness gracious guys and gals, how’s about that then.