david in sweden

Good comment Vectis, but I fear that the tail-end of that particular composition might detract from the meaningful reverence of the occasion in the first place. Have to say that anyone who hadn't seen " You'll never walk alone " in the Hollywood musical version might be forgiven for thinking it came from a hymn book, .........whereas the words to " Abide with me "...actually did.

I'm a great believer in the use of stats. as long as one can read them in the correct manner. contrary to most of the others on the chart, Saints were a relegated side in 2009, and had 3 more seasons at a lower level before we got back into the Prem. A lot of this is also affected by the club's income potential / stadium capacity, etc. Most of the top 5 (listed) have larger arenas than SMS and the FPP rules also now limit what clubs are capable of paying ut in salaries (not a bad thing in itself), as it may hinder future bankruptcies (ala Leeds, Pompey) but it has it downside for us. We may never be in the market to pay £100K /week to anyone, so I guess it 's a situation we must learn to live with. However, give the progess in the last 3 years, I'd say it's " good housekeeping" to have achieved what we have and still stay low on this sort of salaries list. Someone else made the point that the " Gaston / Osvaldo" type deals that go sour also falsely inflate the stats. in terms of good economy.

my thoughts exactly.

Mmmm:rolleyes:.....next stop " body searches " ......ala Heathrow style? Come early in future ..... Quite a difference between "the one idiot who threw the flare" and the Continental tradition where fireworks, flares and smoke bombs are part of " the football culture". More commonplace in Southern Europe perhaps, but in Stockholm - where there are three "top-tier clubs", their derby games are often marred by pyrotechnic displays, One match last season was held up by the ref. after smoke obscured the pitch like a fog.....and it seemed strange it's allowed in the Swedish "safety-first" society.

I haven't seen Matt Phillips play as often as many of you...but he seemed a bit " in-and-out " in those games I've watched him. Certainly he was MoM in a couple, but looked completely out of it in others. Don't know opinion of others who've seen him regularly?.

thanks for the update Vectis....I'll consult " Ancestry " next time before I mention any sibling connections. Also interesting as I was also trying to recall siblings who played for Saints?....not so many... The three Wallaces are the obvious that comes to mind, but there were one or two " Floods " around in the 1950's.... as I recall ?

.....and Stoke isn't the only city where it can blow hard a bit. SMS is also open to the occasional gale force wind......

another factor we shouldn't overlook: ..... is that Pelle is (according to my count) on 4 yellows, and with Man.City (a) and Liverpool (Cup) next in line, a suspension would leave us very thin up front.

Oops ! my mistake, but isn't it called " National League " now ?

TBH I'd be sorry to see them go, but if RK really likes the "Southampton Way " we might pay him enough to keep him longer, but is one of the best managers around. Like Lambert to Liverpool, surely no-one could begrudge Pelle a season or two in his homeland, but we should hope it's a more successful move than Lambert's was.

that's an interesting one, Vectis Bobby and Jack's mother was the (only?) girl in the Milburn family with (I think) her 7 brothers?. 'Wor Jackie..... was a God on Tyneside, but I think all the brothers played football to some reasonable level ...

Latest reports suggest Sam Gallagher and Jack Stephens are on their way back with the club wanting them to go somewhere where they are wanted. A strange situation for the two of them. Gallagher clearly should be another option for MK Dons who haven't set the Championship alight this season and despite having (so-called) more experienced players on the books they aren't finding the back of the net and consequently are too close to the bottom of the league. A more daring manager might give Sam a run of games before condemning him to a permanent bench place, but then again it's (his) job on the line. Jack Stephens is unfortunate to be in a club that is exceeding all expectations in the Championship, whilst the manager is happy with his tried and tested squad. Interesting that Swindon were overjoyed to have him - and Turnbull- last season .....maybe they are only suited to L1 level - who knows. One good loan that seems to be working is Jason Mc Carthy's spell with Wycombe who seem to love him, and he has several months extension. Loans, like big transfers, can be hit or miss affairs - but it takes the right player in the right club at the right time to make it stick. Think of all the clubs that had Jack Cork and Ryan Bertrand on loan from Chelsea, but weren't confident enough to sign them permanently. As for Sam and Jack...hopefully they will have another chance, and although it sounds like a big drop....I think Saints ought to find one or two lads who could help Eastleigh up into League 2 for next season, (but maybe not these two).

The manager is responsible for team selection and clearly Ronald Koeman doesn't rate him above others in the squad. Can't disagree with that. Clearly he has (some) talent, but the reports about " toughening up " routines in training seem to have tilted the balance. The Prem. is a tough (physical) league, too..and skilful players who come along have to get used to that PDQ. ( A reminder of the early days with Gaston here). As always there are two options. (1) I'm not getting game time and I want to go back home .........or....... (2) I'm willing to stick it out and fight for my place. In time Juanmi will make his own decision, but just now ....we're not missing him.

His return (such as it was) was very slow given the time-frame of his absence. Feel really sad for him to have gone through all this pain. He was desperate to get back, but who knows how long he will be out this time. However, it does highlight the urgent need for signing another quality striker in January. Although Pelle and Mane are in good form, ....injuries and suspensions ... can ...and do / have happen(ed). Shane Long is (apparantly) back, we don't have many other striker alternatives but it may mean we (finally) see Ryan Seager on the bench in the near future.

A few of the current " success stories " in the U18 /U21 side have come from players who were " rejected " by other Prem.sides. Buying someone (if we are) for £50K...from an L2 side (regardless of his talent) shouldn't create waves in a press conference, as he's not likely to break into the first team squad in the forseeable future. Don't expect RK to know the names /progress of every Academy lad. Signings at this level are not uncommon, we have signed goalie Harry Lewis (from Shrewsbury) and given contract extensions to half-a dozen U18/U21 prospects.

Agreed. Although RK comes over quite well in interviews, it's fairly obvious he didn't study English to a higher level at school. But we shouldn't complain too much as his predecessor hardly uttered a word of English in his entire tenure as coach / manager (whatever he called himself).

Not Steven Davis scoring AGAIN! Saw that SD scored the only goal in the friendly v.Latvia. He must have taken notice of his critics on this site who said that he couldn't score goals.......

WELL.....Parma aren't the hottest thing in Italian football, and if he's been given a free......trying to start a Prem.career at 28 may not be so easy. The fact that he's Victor's brother, may not qualify him for anything....Whoever had a brother who was better than they were?...remember the " Wright- brothers "

with so much media coverage already..we can only hope that Saints have their foot in the door on this one. Sounds like a good prospect and at 16 ....there is a great chance for him to develop in U18/ U21 level.......IF he decides on the right move.

Looking back on his entire career.. .his very short spell at SMS surely can't warrant more than just a couple of paragraphs? .....will he blame his quick exit on poor results ..or Player Power?

Mmmm..a bit problematic .. How was he with God Save the Queen?

.......and likely to sell a few Saints' shirts, too.

......not to mention (too loud ) the legendary ...Anthony Pulis. what a good job Souness didn't give Ali Dia a 5 year contract before he watched him in a real match .....

A recent thread on here - disclosed some fans poor reactions to Ralph's PR jippo's, but apparantly he goes down well on the other side of the Atlantic, and if he satisfies " those fans", then I'd say there isn't much for us to complain about. If we are to get anywhere near creating an " international image " - we have to start somewhere. Wonder what the club strategy is to "sell in" the Saints image in Japan?

very impressive data " 9 "........so is that ....a YES or a NO ?