Badger

A lot has been made of the 'plan B' , but in truth I can't remember when we last successfully implemented one, even Poch and Koeman were criticised for this no matter how good and attractive their 'Plan A was'. Going back Adkins tried to influence games in the Championship when we had a decent bench by the standard of the division we were in at the time. But I recall a lot of dissent on the mongboard and Radio Solent when he tried to make three changes during the second half whilst losing 1-0. The "tinkerman" label was bandied about for a few days, and Merrington accused him of 'confusing the players' by changing tactics. Hoddle had a reputation for being able to spot and change things as a match progressed, but I'd suggest that failed pretty spectacularly and was blown apart at Tranmere. Yes, I too think we should be able to adapt and see a game out more often than we do, but its not a new or just recent failure. As for goalscoring, I suspect Ings getting a couple again - post yesterday - might see a return of confidence and some goals again.

And he plays a character without a Yorkshire accent.

That criticism will start as soon as he begins scoring regularly for Bournemouth. Don't hold your breath.

You were in elevated company that evening then. I remember reading an interview with Rupert Lowe in which he said that was the first match he attended at The Dell when his company Secure Retirement were in talks with the club. He said how enthused he was by all the excitement and passion etc. This was probably playing up to the audience as everyone else I spoke to thought it was a pretty drab and low key affair against lower league opposition.?

Jos Hoiveld returns ?

Or if we want someone to crock Shelvey

Must be the Augustin Delgado of central defenders.

Dennis had shown he could pay a bit though before some of his trademark tackling and disciplinary issues were seen. We’ve only had 80 or so seconds from Jankewitz and we know how it ended.Stats : played 1, goals 0, shots 0, tackles 1, red cards 1. Pretty impressive, Dennis, Hurlock, Brian O’Neil would be envious. If someone like Jamie Vardy had been on the receiving end, Jankewitz would be a legend already Giving him all the benefit of doubt though, young, over eager and a rush of blood to the head. Reckless and nothing more. Reminded me of Paul Gascoigne in the 1991 (?) cup final when he crocked someone (notably himself also) with a rash challenge in the first few minutes ( surprised that wasn’t a red). Gascoigne was a bit older and a media darling so didn’t get the flak he probably deserved.

Good man. His grasp of English is superior to many native speakers.

Good idea but of course they stop short of saying it wasn’t a penalty, only that it shouldn’t have been a red card. I’m not aware it has been downgraded to a yellow though. So it’s just left to the likes of you and I to join the dots up in reaching a conclusion.

First two points here appear as sour grapes. Third point though has some merit to it. Even accepting there were other factors the other night heavily influencing the eventual result (injuries, inexperienced players etc, and the Cunt Dean effect) it is alarming how we seem to collapse under pressure even defending a 1 or 2 goal lead is often beyond us. Not looking to blame Ralph for the other nights collapse,as it’s been this way for some time, but our squad does seem mentally fragile. Further observation is that we seem incapable of Plan B, park the bus, and frustrate the opposition.

So can they expunge the penalty and last couple of goals as well then ? And bring back transportation so Mike Dean only officiates an Aussie Rules match in future ?

Possibly true, possibly not. May not have helped the situation though as given the ego driven twat Dean is his response was probably “ I gave as a penalty, it is a penalty and just to prove it I’m gonna send the cunt off as well...”.

In fairness my phone has been fairly quiet, and my work colleagues have allowed me to grieve in private. Perhaps an advantage of working from home in the lockdown, or maybe it’s just pity. Worse was the Tranmere debacle under Hoddle when I received texts from people I didn’t realise I knew or had lost contact with. As for Newcastle I don’t think they’ve won in their last five home games. Bet they can’t believe their luck in the fixtures playing us next.

Leeds c 1971 was the stand out humiliation at the time which was broadcast to the nation on MOTD at a time only two matches were shown to the country that night. Remember Barry Davies wanking lyrical over that match in his commentary. Available on YouTube for any sado-masochists. Leeds certainly a most dislikable club at the time. Everton away about the same time was an 8-0. At least no one can accuse us of being glory seekers.

Down to the bare bones. Who was it that used to say that ?

Skates signing his team mate Lee Gwon (five year deal).

Rather like Dzecko I believe he burnt his bridges at Roma. Bad attitude.

Fit in straight away then.

See Dune making some sympathetic responses on that thread. What became of him, or put it another way, why did he get banned ?

If it's true that Maitalnd Niles has a choice of Saints or WBA you'd think it was a foregone conclusion. Unless of course Fat Sam is able to offer a few incentives.

Reasonable article but doesn’t really reveal anything new, just gives it a bit of a Les tinted rosy glow. the appointment of Koeman wasn’t an inspired bit of business that Reed had identified him and brought him here against the odds. More a case - by his own admission later on - that Koeman just happened to be available and was the glaringly obvious stand out candidate with a name that would lift the club. Just a shame other similar candidates weren’t available for Les to stumble on in his next two or three appointments. Doesn’t answer about RK leaving and contrary to this piece it’s been widely rumoured that there was a rift between them. Offering Koeman an increased salary would have been a better deal than the recruitment and severance paid to the next two, let alone three managers after RK if you include Hughes. No mention of the Toby fiasco, and Les’s part in it, including his “relaxed about it” interviews. Or his part in offering Forster a deal to help cripple us financially. Reed deserves credit for his role in the early Liebherr years, but for me he was promoted beyond his capabilities and became guilty of believing his own publicity. Thanks Bunsen for your part in our rise and almost fall again.

One article I read said ANM wants to play more in midfield rather than defence.

I think that was his debut, and he scored with his first or second touch.

Pre-season friendly 1969 beating Dundee 5-0. Following weekend for the first league game. Home to West Brom. Was expecting something from Saints after the previous week, as a child you assume it would be like that regularly. Soon realised. Lost 2-0. Pissed with rain throughout the match and on the way home. Week or so after Saints beat ManUtd at Old Trafford 4-1, with Ron Davies scoring all four. Didn't go to the game and could barely believe the score when told. Further emphasised that following Saints would be a roller coaster. Thought that was longstanding, but well done to those who followed from earlier in the 60's and before.