david in sweden

I am also a bit pi**ed at all the gossip of Mane to MU....and some of the monks who write these comments in their tiny closters, think that £20 million is a big fee. I think Sadio will stay (at least in the short term), but if he holds his present form, and does move ....I'd want nothing less than a new club record fee for him.

"The 9 " has made a great list to study (on #6) and although I'd be quick I'd consider that Jaidi and Boruc were certainly worth the effort, it really is a no-brainer as Dean Richards (R.I.P) was quite outstanding in his seasons with Saints, and although it must have seemed a good deal at the time, his move (following Hoddle) to Spurs really marked a downturn in his career when many thought he would go onto greatness. In retrospect, Richards suffered the same fate as Lovren, who looked very good when playing alongside Jose Fonte, and in Deano's case he looked magnificent at times - (usually when playing the " aggressive CB role " alongside the more passive Claus Lundekvam), but he didn't really fit in at White Hart Lane, and Hoddle's departure and his later illness ruined that.

...and well deserved, too. In common with Kelvin Davis, who stayed with the club after our relegation (s) and played a magnificent role in our Championship season....Jose might not even have become a Saint .....had Alan Pardew not persuaded him to drop a division (from Palace) and join us ....even when we were starting an L1 season with - 10 points. A lot of water under the Itchen Bridge since then, but Jose (and KD) are the last two who played their way through L1, Championship ...and back upto the Prem. His international call-up at age 31, showed that he continues to improve and was no less than he rightly deserved. Well done Jose ...Good decision Les / Ronald.

I met Sven-Göran Ericsson at a PR signing in Stockholm (prior to the World Cup 2002). I pointed out to him that England had gone out of numerous tournaments because of poor penalty taking. (A fact he said.. he was unaware of). Two weeks later....in a press interview....he said that he was organising extra penalty practice..but it was one of those tournaments where we didn 't have to take them. It was the one and only time I've given advice to an England manager .... the more recent ones think they know it all....

can't get that bit into my head.......I'm still dwelling on the thought of us being 8 mins (+ inevitable stoppage time) ....away from winning the title. ask me another ......

with Krul out almost indefinitely....perhaps Stekelenburg will get the job in future - by default.

..commentator said that he'd now scored 4 goals in 7 games.......I think most of those also got the 3 points for Italy....(or) ?

unless I'm very much mistaken, and judging by the fact that he recently signed a new 4 year contract.. I'd say the answer to that one is ....Paulo Gazzaniga

I noticed that, too ........very poor comment .

strange you should write that ....I spent a very long time asking myself the same question .....about someone called ....David Beckham. ..but I think his career panned out alright .....in the end.

" Injury " ...can sometimes mean ... " lack of match fitness ", through illness or other reasons. We now know that Tadic had an " injury " problem last season and often looked " off the boil ", whereas now he is back to the same standard he was a year ago. Some people seem to think that because someone is " back training with the first team squad " a favourite phrase I've noted, that he'll be in the start 11 next game. Although JayRod is back playing, he still doesn't look a patch of his performances of 18 months ago. I never forget the old quote from Alan Shearer..." there is a lot of difference between being match-fit, and being fit enough to play ".

just one of many up-and-coming U21 lads who need some real game time. Think I read that Jason was a genuine " local boy " (that's if you count Totton as So'ton ) Admittedly, L2 isn't the top grade football, but he will come up against some veteran / experienced pro's ....and some bully boys . Will be good to see how he copes with it.

Old memories.... wud you look at them tre old fellers ...talking about Ireland's victory over Germany......what a fantastic trio they would have made.....in their playing days ...

......it has to be said that many players who are fouled (or who do dive) make a better job of " falling " that Mane does. Chelsea game was a prime example Even though he is (genuinely) fouled quite a lot - every time he goes down.... it looks a bit theatrical......

U21 manager Gareth Southgate has gone public with a comment that suggests that JWP is in line for an England call-up. That's "a call-up "..not necessarily a full cap not yet anyway, but the fact that GS made the statement suggests that Roy H. has " approved " the comment. A lot of people - not least a lot of our fans may question the selection of a player who isn't even a first team regular with Saints. Whilst it's true to say that Prowsie has a lot more competition to get a midfield spot for saints, than an England one - it seems clear that Roy hasn't yet formulated his new midfield line-up for next summer, after the departures of Gerrard, Lampard & Co....(of course JWP is nowhere near the standard of those 100 cap legends).. but everyone has to start somewhere .... and looking at the other contenders for an England place - it's fair to say that - in a year or two.. he might be a likely choice. If the " call-up " is indeed a possibility, his main contribution might only be to make up the numbers in training sessions, but at least this 20 year old getting his boots into an England dressing room does show a great deal of promise for him, and a good deal of faith (in his ability) from the England manager.

Mmm ....judging by the company he's keeping .....should be a good role model for his players ......

Er? ......try re-reading my first line again, Saint George. Gareth Rodgers said - we can't ditch a sponsor until our agreement with them runs out. (In some businesses "a contract " is legally-binding and time-linked - (unlike that of footballers / managers who can sign something one day and opt out the next). It's true we only made a " measly £8 million " sponsorship - but some deals were made when we came up from the Championship and were a struggling new Prem. outfit. Now we are in a better position, but we can't walk away from those deals, paint out the adverts pitchside, or cut their name off a shirt and pretend we don't need them. If new deals are "in the pipeline" - I'm sure we are a far better proposition now (attracting a lot more attention) than we were then. New deals will be worth much more. PLUS: more USA fans have come on the scene as previously FOX SPORTS screened only 1 or 2 games each weekend, (usually only the top four Prem. sides), whereas now NBC screen every Prem. game and clubs like Saints have attracted more interest (and a new fan base) in the States that just weren't there before. The excellent "Southampton Way" documentary was obviously made to attract a U.S. audience and (according to one US contact I hadcontact with) many people were quite impressed with Saints and many (rather like us) were already thoroughly pi**ed off with a regular weekly diet of Man.Utd and Chelsea games. It takes time to win over new sponsors, but if we are still showing a low turnover in 2 years time, I'll agree with you....however, big name US sponsors advertised around the billboards at SMS will surely bring in "bigger bucks " ....and a wider media coverage can only enhance both the reputation and revenue of SFC.

...that's probably because everyone else was rushing around with end-of-season tournaments and pre-season tours .... whilst he was getting a suntan ...." somewhere ".

good comments. The end of the " Academy " stage of a young players development is the real key to their future. They either go on to get a bench place in The Prem, or Championship... or end up with as a part-timer in National League or L2 side, and try to " makeover " their careers.

Nicely-frames article with some quotes from " The Southampton Way " documentary released in January... and available to be viewed on You Tube.

don't know that anyone suggested he was " bad ", but £15 million is a big ask for an English player now in the Championship....... BUT....if one of the " big teams " gets a major injury problem around New Year, they'll fork out the readies to fill that space in their squad. " One season successes " like Loic Remy get bought up and " disappear " into the myriad players fighting for a first team bench place. They shouldn't expect a regular starting place in the new club, but it harms the chances of the team they have left.. who lose their " star " player. QPR without Austin - would be fighting relegation from the Championship by the end of April.

Read that Klopp has told Liverpool players that ...." it's my way or the highway " and anyone who doesn't play accoring to his strategy will be ignored / sold / out in the cold. .....well can't be clearer than that - can he ? Wonder who'll be first out of the door?.

Agree totally. Any player from a London club gets praise.. regardless of his actual performance. Good job that Jack Wilshere wasn't there, this time. He gets MoM award just for lacing up his boots and running out on the pitch. One good goal and praise from Glenn Hoddle... and he's got a guaranteed place for the next 3 seasons.

and of course that fugure will drop ....as he gets closer to the end of his contracted time, and always assuming he continues to hold his good form.