Badger

This is surprising as he was widely acclaimed for working with, and bringing youngsters through at Feyenoord. Perhaps the question is whether his "attitude" towards the U21's is more to do with the management and personnel involved in it, (be it Reed or Hunter) rather than the players. Or perhaps he genuinely feels the players at that level are not up to making the step up. If there is a conflict on this scale, then I can only see one outcome, and it won't be the 5 year contract on another thread.

Rather like when Chris Nicholl was sacked, the obvious outstanding candidate is along the coast at Bournemouth. Whether Howe might be interested is entirely another matter. He is worshipped down there, would he risk that status, to move here, knowing a big club chance is likely to come his way anyway ? As Bournemouth are showing ambition in backing him in the transfer market would we be such an attractive proposition ? The name circulated a couple of years ago was Thomas Tuchel, but now that he's at Dortmund there is litttle prospect that he'd give that up - CL & 80,000 crowds - for the relative obscurity of Saints. Perhaps we dodged a bullet in 1991 not appointing Redknapp, but I still believe he was the outstanding candidate then, and would have been better than Branfoot.

Good point, but wasn't Alan Ball , or Graeme Sounness mocked for how often they told the squad of their medal haul, (in Ball's case about his WC medal) ?

Deep down I didn't expect a win yesterday, and the team announcement - playing Yoshida, Martina, and Targett - cemented that thought to be honest. Perhaps we should have stuck Caulker in as well for good measure. If going for wing backs, might Cedric have been a better option ? As for the match, seemed in control until Davis (mainly) & Yoshida combined to give Palace a clean run at goal. Yet again, our biggest problem is converting chances. 12 corners, and only two near the end really created a real opening. Too many players want too many touches (which seems to be the real 'Southampton way' , as it used to be like this with Lallana & Rodriguez, but they were a cut above the present lot, in creating more and eventually taking an opprtunity). Most seasons I feel its season over when we exit the FA Cup.Now I hope we have that this year, although if the current slide continues we'll have the 'excitement' of looking over our shoulder at the drop zone to look forward to.

Main positive from yesterday is that I don't have to worry about the scramble for a semi-final. or final ticket (again) this season. Other than that, I suppose we've only got half a season of that vile green away shirt to put up with.

I did wonder about the selection process involved in recruiting for this position when Wilson was announced, or when we were first linked with him. I'm not critiscising him on his selection, or suitability for the role, but what would make him stand out to Les Reed above other possibilities ? If he had a track record of unearthing a few gems at Huddersfield then fine, but I'm not aware of any (I think Jordan Rhodes pre-dates his time there). Then again a similar thing could be said of Mitchell at MK before joining us. The track record over the last 12 months though has been pretty poor, and like many I suspect many of the signings are Ronald/Erwin inspired rather than by the Head of Recruitment. I find it surprising that we are not still linked with Byram, or now with Cook at Leeds. It appears that AFCB without our mega-centre at Staplewood and 'black Box' are more alert in the transfer market than we are. Hope Kat realises what a poor return on Marcus investment at Staplewood the present incumbents are serving up.

I sincerely hope so.

I've said that ever since Chris Nichol was sacked. Remember the disaster that followed.

Monk had one golden season when it well for them, but had to sell Bony, and I gather from a couple of Swansea supporters I know , some of the recruits have not been up to scratch (sound familiar?). As you say it turned sour for him, and it could it head that way for RK ? Is a single 'successful' season is the most we can expect from a manager nowadays ?. Perhaps it is, Poch came to us after a good season at Espanyol and it all going tits up the next. As for Howe, that could be coup, but certainly wouldn't happen mid-season, and if AFCB stay up he'll certainly be in demand, but would he be more principled than 'Arry, in 'joining that lot down the road?'

A proven one would probably be out of our pocket, unless we're talking of Austin, injury record and all. I'd settle for one who could get 15, or as we are at the moment, one who might at least get into double figures. But with our proven and acclaimed scouting network we should be seeking an up and coming one.

Yes, a Spanish U21 from Malaga. Good idea. Obviously encouraged by the roaring success of Juanmi.

I'd be happy to see him go to Arsenal tbh, anywhere but to Poch.

Got your answer ?

takes me back.... have had a few beers in both of those pubs, (& the Vilage Bells was it?) over the years, as has my Dad, Grandfather etc. The Anchor had a stunning barmaid in the mid 1970's, or at least it appealed to me at the time. It was enough to encourage the underage Badger to drink... Anyway, glad to hear some of our lads are down to earth to go in The Anchor rather than seeking the glitzy life. Perhaps it shoulds be on our club tour when enticing players to sign.

No thanks. Thee is a reason he's available. If we do need to recruit a new manager, then the summer would be the time to do it, and try to attract someone of choice rather than one who has just fallen off the merry merrygoround.

None of whom can be relied upon as a regular goalscorer though, that is what worries me more than the current injury status. Yes, its better to have more options, but if we're replacing one bloke who regularly fires blanks with another I'm not sure how that bucks the trend.

King Rufus ? I drove past it today. Small world. Did wonder if it was still trading though. Shame to see the other one closed down a while back.

In fairness to him I don't think Wanyama displayed any tantrums at Parkhead to exit Celtic though, even if he was a knob in how he conducted himself with us earlier in the season. Mane, yes he threw his toys about before leaving Salzburg or so I read. As for the other one, that signing defies belief given everything we (& Poch in particular) knew about him, but of course the men responsible for that have slunk away to avoid any lasting critiscism.

This is the critical thing. We should have had the West Ham game sewn up at HT, but didn't. Today according the BBC stats we had possesion, and shots. A worrying stat is 9 corners, which should be a golden opportunity for us, but our corners tend to be pathetic affairs where the GK gathers the ball unchallenged. I wondered in the summer where our goals would come from, given how timid we are in front of goal. Rodriguez was never going to be the answer as - Fulham away aside - he always needed about 4 chances before he'd take one of them. Long is proven as a goal in every four games. Not sure we have the answer available to us in the squad as it is. Having scored twice against Arsenal, Long will dine out on that for weeks, and isn't due another goal for about 8 games. This problem is compounded by our mistake riddled defence.Martina, Yoshida we expect the errors from, but it appears pretty contagious this season.

spread

No doubt Ross Wilson* is working on it ! *the Jock we brought in from Huddersfield in case the name is incorrect.

Haven't we learnt that South Americans are a 'no go' for us. Our experiences of them have been pretty dire.Guly aside, of course,

firm

Merry Christmas from Gloucestershire.

Ho !