Badger

Was my view on signing him, and one good season aside - which IIRC drew a new contract - he's maintained the same level most of the time with us, and doesn't look like changing.

Hear what you say, but I think the general view is that Bielsa has a bit too much about him and will adjust his sides and selections as circumstances dictate. Mind you, he is also regarded as a bit of a loose cannon so not sure how he'd handle the critiscism, and if he'd walk away if the going got choppy.

My brain is now in McCalliog overdrive, so one other distant memory - was it against Wolves, and McCalliog the Wolves penalty taker, c 1970 or 71 whose penalty and retake were saved by Eric Martin?

Glad someone else recalls the 'popularity' ! I think he arrived with a good reputation from a big club having been part of Tommy Docherty's first phase rebuild but then fell down the pecking order with the arrival on the scene of some youngsters (Daly, Hill, Coppell etc) who were blitzing their wat through Division 2 (as it was then). Think he had a good career at Wolves and had been part of the Scotland team that beat England at Wembley 3-2 in 1967. All in all, pretty good pedigree. I think some of my older relatives felt he was 'living off of that' pedigree at The Dell, and felt he was on a par with Channon (no one was in those days), and Osgood, but had seldom shown it on the pitch. Bit harsh really because if anyone, despite their sublime talent, spent several months 'dining out' on reputation it was Osgood, although his regular deft flicks and touches were enough to keep the critics (without an internet to vent on and whip up a shit storm) at bay. All were absolute heroes in the end though. As for his looks, its remarkable when you look back at the 60's heroes how so many just looked as if they'd fallen out of a Carnaby photo shoot, none moreso than Bobby Moore of course (Jack Charlton on the other hand often looked as if he'd left the Miners Welfare CIU Club in Ashington at closing time). Hair normally groomed well for the day, sideburns in the late 60's. Not a nose or ear stud in site, and never an arm full of tattoos.

I watched some of the highlights again recently, and it brought home to me that McCalliog also played a great through ball to Channon for chance in the first half. May come as a surprise to some but McCalliog didn't win over the Dell crowd that easily, and was probably second to Hugh Fisher as a scapegoat when the MF didn't fire as hoped. I think fans knew the sort of pass and talent he was capable of (as shown in the cup run) but it didn't happen often enough. Think his part in the FA Cup run won him a reprieve for most though.

Nailed on I'd have thought.

in my view we acn afford one of those passengers, but all three of them is ridiculous.

Wonder what we missed off of Ralph's hopes, No 6, GK ?

... without seeing Lyanco kicking a ball yet that seems pretty emphatic

Just to ask the obvious question, why did Saints not look to absorb the ongoing Southampton club back into the fold ? Or did they try and the existing club decide to remain independent ? Perhaps understandable given their earlier experience and prospect of seeing their funding at the whim of someone making a balls up of the men's side of things.

Perhaps an unfortunate choice of phrase . Bound to be some grubby raincoats prepared to pay a premium on the ticket price for that sight !! So is this right, we have Southampton Womens FC , and Southampton FC Women ? Does have a feeling of the Judean Peoples Front to it

Aren't there two women's teams in Southampton, one organised by the club and another independently founded ? Is the independent one still going ?

Just reflect on the fact it's nice to be in the position of having options of who starts etc which is so much better than fearing they make it onto the pitch at all.

Anyone think the big club (even the Dugout Pioneers) bias will have a weighting in the setting of the fee ?

Do you mean the turnstiles at the Man Utd home game ?

I’m not convinced by Johnston but don’t know a great deal about him other than he’s rated as one of the better English gk available at the moment. This isn’t such a great accolade as it used to be if you remember the days of Shilton/Clemence and then about half a dozen English keepers who might have stood a chance of international football but for them. The one good season is a concern though. Remember the Cardiff GK when they were relegated ? Never really established himself again did he ? There is an obvious reason that Johnston as an English gk may be attractive, consider these options: • Johnstone , English, 28,free next summer, or knockdown fee in January ? or for example (at random) •Polish bloke with massive beard at Fiorentina (who was mentioned during this thread) 24 (?), at £10m Dint think it takes too much working out as to why Johnston might be the attractive option, and if it allows £10m investment elsewhere might be the right way to go. True that we’ve gone for English GK over recent years. At one time there was the “language” issue organising the defence, but think we’re past that line of thought now. Niemi was a damn sight better organising those in front of him than most we’ve had. “Up and coming” GK ? As back up, fine but think it’s a position where you also need experience as a first choice starter. Preferably one that isn’t one of the current pair.

I think you and I are in complete agreement here Totton Saint in that we’d both like to see Alan Ball or a reincarnation of him in our team again. I can’t name a player in the modern game who comes close, which is the point I was making. Others might refer to recent players who were inspirational to their teams on occasion (off the top of my head, Gerrard) but don’t think he comes close to the drive and skill of Bally. I do recall the Man City game. Think it was a quarter final at The Dell in December. Have a number if personal reasons to recall the match, December 1978. It was probably Channon’s first return to The Dell after going to City. Don’t recall the particular passing you’re referring to but I do remember the following season how Ball, Golac and Channon used to play some amazing one touch football at a high tempo down our right hand side. Tell that to kids today, and they won’t believe you.

Shame. We needed a decent left footer at one stage as well.

Have read this here before. I was going to ask why he wasn't considered to replace Souness, then I remembered it was Lowe who made the appointment. Dave Jones !!!

Did he have a dance routine on there as well ?

That always seems a good sales line trotted out by the player's agent to the media, and the buying club, possibly even the selling club if it has hiked the price. Does wonders for the player's image and ego as it does for the Director of Football who likes to bask in the success of this great signing. Trouble is the same shit was spouted when we signed Tommy Fourpast.

Don't think Kelvin was particularly rated amongst the fans at the time, although Bialkowski was regarded as a reasonably promising "custodian" in goal. If you're allowed "glovesman" I'll raise you a "custodian".

Didn't think those two let us down though. Seem to remember many were hoping we'd sign Wright permanently, and concern that Lucketti wouldn't play v Sheffield Utd (his parent club) in the last game decider. "Glovesman " - wtf ???

That surprises me. When he was on his way out I thought the consensus, and often repeated on here, was that they didn't rate him, and thought he was too small etc.

Christ it was depressing reading some of those names, which I'd conveniently blotted out of my mind. Schneiderlin - was always a strange signing that Rupert could find £1m for him at the time. Cork - as I recall we just couldn't afford to keep him. Wotton - think you're being a bit unfair on him, I always felt he was one of the battlers prepared to throw himself on the line for us in desperate times, but had lost a lot with age. Never doubted his commitment though.