AussieDog

I still get up at 3am on a sunday morning to check if Saints have won....but I couldn't be arsed to watch England in the World Cup. That's because Saints are in my blood, whereas when I have bothered to watch England all I see is a bunch of overpaid prima donnas who don't give a sh1t. Maybe if they showed some pride, then I would regain my interest. I don't think I would ever support anyone other than Saints, but if I felt the players we had were as indifferent to the club as the current international mob are to their country,...then I would definitely lose some of my interest too.

Shearer. To see a 17 year old run himself into the ground and score a hat-trick against "the mighty arsenal" before being subbed to a standing ovation.....spine tingling stuff. Honourable mention to Graham Baker too - although if you were late getting to the game you would have missed his best contribution as he scored within 60 seconds!

I only saw him play live twice and on tv a few times and my opinion of him was that he didn't really add anything to the team as he was too unpredictable and erratic, and didn't work hard enough when we needed to defend (might be a harsh assessment, but I can only go on what I saw). Unless we get hit with a bunch of injuries ourself, then I don't think he will be missed.

He certainly wasn't the most skillful, but he was the hardest working player I ever saw and was consistently good. He could turn a game, and was part of the most enjoyable Saints team I had the pleasure of watching - Kevin Keegan The other reason he was up there with the best for me, was because he had to WORK at being the great player he was. Although players like Best, Marsh, Bowles, Gascgoine, Osgood, Currie, Cantona (and of course LeTiss) had far more skills, they all (even Best) could have been even better if they had been as dedicated and hard working as Keegan

A footballers career can be over in an instant with a nasty knee injury, and I am sure they are all aware of that. If some idiot comes along and offers him a 3 year contract on 50k a week, he would be nuts not to take it! As much as I would like to see him stay, if he has any sense he would grab an opportunity like that with both hands if it did come up. However...if some Championship or Premier League team tried to get him on the cheap, then I would hope he would show a bit of loyalty to us if we are odds on to be in the Championship next season come January.

I want us to be a successful side that contains some players who have "worked their way through the ranks", and to be a club that can pay its way without running the risk of going bust again. I'd love it to be the Premiership, but would settle for being a yo-yo side like west brom......maybe an occasional cup final, or hope for a good year in the premiership and qualifying for europe. I want the club to retain it's identity. I would get no satisfaction whatsoever out of being a man city or chelsea supporter. I have a feeling that by the time we get back to the top English division, that either a few more clubs will have imploded, or that the "elite" clubs will have formed their own european league (at least that would give us a chance!)

some people on here are so "precious" aren't they?? I bet they trawl these forums looking for something to get upset about. Thanks for the update FF.....I totally agree with you about times like these reminding us as to why some of us became Saints fans. Over the past 10 years we have lost that community and family feel about the place. As for Mike Osman - everyone is entitled to their own opinion but i find him a genuinely funny guy and a true saints fan and doesn't deserve the stick he appears to be getting. I actually met the guy many years ago when he still had a "proper" job as he was involved in some renovations on a house of mine back in the 80's. He and his family have always come across as very genuine people. Oh....and I was lucky enough to play Remedy Oaks earlier in the year too....what a top, top golf course!!

supersized ones are best. Keep the mars bars in the freezer first, and then keep them in a bowl of ice cubes before eating....might as well make use of the ice cubes too.

I think it's only fair that I let her come with me, as she just finds me irresistible and wants us to share everything enjoyable. Including her girlfriends (another reason why I don't want to leave Australia - the women are so liberated over here!). Why should I deny her those pleasures??

I saw this thread and thought "oh no, not another Cortese bashing" and almost didn't bother reading it. If I'm being truthful, the events of this season had started to turn me against him, as the only press that comes out is negative press, however I was heartened to read some of the points raised. I do believe he needs to smarten up his approach to PR though. He needs to learn it is ok to have an opinion (whether it's for or against) and that it is imperative to keep Southampton in the public eye while we are rebuilding. Once we become successful then I don't think we would give two hoots about what is going on, but for now he needs as many friends as he can get.

My 1st wife and I used to have season tickets but it used to get embarrassing when she started taking her book along and would read it during the game(I kid you not). That's not the reason she is an ex - but it would be a good enough reason on its own! I moved down here in 2003 (minus the ex!!) and met a gorgeous aussie girl who I subsequently married. First trip back to the UK was in 2006 and there was only one game on while we were back but she wanted to show an interest so I bought her a ticket. We played QPR and lost 2-1 after being 1-0 up but she absolutely fell in love with Saints, and the whole game atmosphere (even if she can't understand the offside rule!). Trouble is, it's costing me a fortune now as every time I want to buy something from the Saints shop she wants something too, and when we got to the JPT Final I had no choice but to bring her back with me making it a VERY expensive trip. Luckily I managed to get a couple of tickets from friends back home, and also the next 2 home games. Now the missus is REALLY hooked and is making plans for us to come back for a whole season in 2013 (when youngest kid leaves school) so we can go to EVERY game. Don't get me wrong...I love Saints and experience all the highs and lows of winning and losing every week - but the thought of 9 or 10 months back in the UK through a british winter is NOT enthusing me right now!

Beckham as player Manager I think I have just had a brain fart......or is this all a dream and I haven't actually woken up since Saturday's game.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and some have earned the right to say more than others. Matt gave his heart and soul for 16 years. I couldn't care less if he has made a few mistakes or errors of judgement (in all honesty his biggest mistake was probably staying with us for his whole career!) - haven't we all? It doesn't mean I want him running our club, but it does mean I will give him the time of day to hear what he has to say. From what has been reported he doesn't seem to be saying anything different to what alot of us are thinking anyway. Cortese has chosen not to be PR friendly and if he's not going to give us any reasoning and insight into his thought processes then I think he's fair game to thses types of comments.

Last year Norwich lost their 1st game at home 7-1 and sacked their manager....didn't turn out too bad for them, did it. As much as this has left a bitter taste in my mouth, I'm reserving judgement on how this season is going to pan out until I know what Cortese has up his sleeve.

surprised at the timing and disappointed.....but had a feeling this might happen once the dust had settled from the past few weeks. Shocking timing with the transfer window closing tomorrow....unless something has already gone on in the background. The whole thing stinks though. I'm not impressed.

I hope we field a strong side, but think it's an ideal opportunity to give a few fringe players a run-out. Give Bart and Guli some match practice, have Lambert on the bench and give him half an hour to keep his fitness up, and maybe give Mills and Alex O-C a runout, with 2 or 3 of the other Academy players on the bench to get a taste of the atmosphere. Can't see there being much of a crowd though. Will be very surprised to see more than 10,000 turn up. Would like a win, just to stop some sort of Swindon "hoodoo" building up, and to keep the winning mentality going after Saturday.

I enjoyed watching Waigo play in the games I saw, but if he was that good, why hasn't a CC or PL team tried to sign him?

nope....it's the PLAYERS fault - when was the last time a Manager scored a winning goal or saved a penalty? For all we know they are playing like world-beaters in training - yet put them out on the pitch they lose their way. There is only so much a Manager can do, and once they are on that pitch they have to step up and take responsibility for their actions. I still believe we will have an excellent season - but if results are going against us at the moment, then it's down to the right people to accept responsibility for that, and then to take steps to put it right. All this "pressure of being favourites" is bullcr4p. Pressure is what you make it, and if you can't handle that type of pressure you need to put your hand up and say so and give the Manager the opportunity to move you on and replace you with people who CAN. Winners never quit and quitters never win!

Here's my comments, without even being at the game. Tell me if I'm wrong. 1 We need to teach Jaidi to pass short 2 Puncheon is a great....backup to Lallana 3 We need a creative midfielder 4 We need a winger with pace who can also be direct 5 Hammond has lost his way 6 WE NEED A PLAN B!!

I don't like the idea of hitting a woman, but why not, if the circumstances dictate? I would protect my wife and my family with my life and take ANY steps against ANY person if I felt they were in danger. I don't condone violence, but when there is no alternative then gender should have nothing to do with it. We have females in our armed forces and you can be sure they are trained to kill or maim in exactly the same way as men are. If you've been in to town on any Friday night you will see some gobby little sh!tes (male and female) looking for trouble. I'll avoid them if I can, but I wouldn't hold back if they launched into me or my family.

Bullsh!t!!! Chris Nicholl's era was one of the most successful, in terms of league position, and considering he was a no-nonsense centre back, his teams played with flair. I can't say I was devastated to see him leave, but I was mystified at the time. I would have him over ANY of our managers since (jury is still out on Pardew, I'm afraid, but I'm still hopeful he will do the business). I know none of my fellow Saints fans had "widespread happiness" at his departure!

So...on another topic (because the Markus tribute forum ISN'T the right place to start criticising others) - I find it really bizarre (and bad mannered) if Puncheon did actually turn up in jeans. It shows a marked lack of respect. I am surprised he was even allowed to go. This was a time for team unity as well as for paying due respect to Markus Leibherr and you can bet your bottom dollar that at any other club "function" he would have been instructed to have worn a suit (Can't remember...but I bet he didn't turn up at Wembley in a pair of jeans!). I have to admit I haven't taken to Puncheon at all - he seems a bit of a misfit to me and I would only see him as backup to Lallana, but obviously Pardew has seen more in him than that. Will be interesting to see if anything comes of this, but for now, my respect for Puncheon has definitely slid further down.

All fantastic memories (except Markus of course)...thanks for bringing them back

Markus Liebherr SAVED OUR CLUB!!! to the tune of Bob the builder......add more words if you can think of some...lol

You DO know how far apart Brisbane and Melbourne are, don't you??? London - Majorca = 833 miles Brisbane - Melbourne - 851 miles