david in sweden

I agree, but Morgan was just joining the queue of those who had left (if rather late) and probably feared what would happen to the club after Pochettino jumped ship. In hindsight, it might be argued that he is " more marketable" (after this season's performances), than he was at the end of last. Of course, the Club has ultimate control...in that he has a contract...but it was an unpleasant time when reading the banter back and forth about his frame of mind after the exodus and everyone wondered how he would perform. To his credit he did button down and DAJFU this season. As he was with Saints - even before we ended up in L1, I consider he's done his shift several times over and (like Lambert)...I bear him no ill will if / when he leaves.

Is there a " moaner " in your workplace? In a working life of over 50 years, I've had a few different workplaces and in almost every one there was " a moaner ". Someone who found fault with almost everything, and everyone else, the working conditions, the boss and of course...their salary. We tolerate them, but in the end they are just a pain in the butt. They usually tell us how good they are, and how they are worth better. I still recall the finest response to one of these moaners at a certain workplace, who was confronted by a colleague who posed the ultimate question.... If you think this is such a bad job....why are you still here ? Strangely enough, the place seemed to be a happier place after he did leave. A football club is also a workplace where, if players (or others) feel they can do better, or are disatisfied with their lot...are entitled to leave - if they want to. The many articles circulating now, have the likes of Clyne and Schneiderlin " hinting " at wanting " a higher level "....not sure about JayRod's frame of mind, but the media seem to have two or three destinations already decided for them. IMO ...If they want to go then, providing we can get suitable compensation, they should go. We spend one third of our lives at work (some far more than that) and according to a recent survey ..40% of the population said - they didn't like their work situation. For many people it's a matter of job satisfaction more than the salary, and in a short career where the next injury could be career-ending, you can't really blame players for wanting to " make hay while the sun shines...." We will undoubtedly " lose " a few more players in the summer, and have differing opinions about how irreplaceable they are to the team. A former French president General De Gaulle. once said..." the graveyards are full of irreplaceable men..." and so it is with footballers (as we saw last year.) The bottom line is always ...." if they want to go, then let them go..." you can't reform the entire workplace just to suit one person. The happiest times in my working life weren't those where I was paid most, (and there were one or two of those), but the ones where there were NO moaners.

I stand corrected, but I thought I recalled him playing in a midfield role ....and he picked up a knock of some sort, and went off......or ?

pity he got yellow-carded twice and missed the end of the game. His no-nonsense style works well enough, but I fear opponents are going to be aware of this and may misuse his hard-man style to go down easily and influence the ref.

I certainly remember his playing days ....and " the Monastry story ". I'm pretty sure the Echo did an interview with him about it. whilst some sarcastic fan suggested .. he was doing penance for his "sins" " ....he said that he appreciated the stillness and the chance to contemplate life. Never the most skilful player, but as a " no-nonsense defender "........ HDAJFU for several seasons. RIP.

Had the same thought...perhaps Reading ?.....or maybe Swindon or Bristol City (if they get promoted).

This makes the difference for a club with Euro ambitions. Coming up against international strikers in clubs on the Continent you need international keepers. Obviously you play the man in form, but when such incidents occur (as Forsters injury), you can't be reliant on veterans or U21 keepers to fill the void. Arsenal had 3 internationals keepers a few years back (as did Spuds), and earlier this season Newcastle had to field their 3rd choice keeper (because of injuries). If that were in European ties - you could be out of the competition in one game.

I think the answer to that one has been seen this season. We have two international strikers, neither of whom is in form, and a third whose been on the treatment table for almost a year. With the best defence in the country, we're still in 7th place, mainly due to a lack of goalscoring talent...... if it were me I'd buy TWO more strikers and see who fits the bill.

Difficult decision, now that Charlie Austin in in the picture, too. and rumours suggest Ings will go to Liverpool. Ings was born in the area - if that counts for anything nowadays? - and much younger than Austin, although on current form you'd have to go for Charlie..... We must trust Les / Ron to make the right choice....

Seager is a goalpoacher, but in " the Big League" you'd need Sam G. up top as a target man, though he'll need to toughen-up if he is to play Prem. League longer-term. Really impressed by the skill of Jake Hesketh, but the lad will really need to "muscle-up" a bit in the gym, or he'll be kicked all over the pitch at a higher level. Must have been Gazzaniga's best game for U21's, as he's not always looked so confident in some of their league games. Still a long way from real Prem. standard, though. Slightly unfair criticism of Mc Carthy IMO, who sometimes takes his role as captain too seriously to the detriment of his own game. Great support from the fans (12,000?) and reminded me of when " the Reserves " won the FA Combination Cup 1969, when there were over 15,000 in The Dell.

would be a just reward for his efforts, and maybe Seager also. Although IMO Jake Hesketh was MoM.

Mmm...I thought that , too...

?..don't think we have too many at the mo. - do we? Elia is the only Dutchman, although several others have only been playing for Dutch clubs, but were actually born elsewhere....Italy, Serbia and Belgium.

Players expect to move around in their career, but for Krul to come to Saints and play under Koeman is surely a no-brainer for him. He has a good pedigree, and has played for RK before. Newcastle look like a team going nowhere. They must resolve their managerial situation in the summer, and some incoming cash for the new man to play with is a certainty. Don't know that much about Janmaat, but he must be worth a look if he is being mentioned.

I agree that his lack of height (compared to Schneiderlin - tall for MF) sounds like a major disadvantage, but surely it's his ability to pass the ball that's important. Lots of people suggest that he's Koeman's choice and if we sign him..for better or worse...he'll get a first team place. The judgements will come later. I'm sure.

and not bad for his first season......which would surely classify him as one of / the best managers Saints have ever had ...or ?

.if promoted?..... could be a good chance to loan out some U21 players to them.....

Schneiderlin MOM for me. K.Davis..several poeple talking about the " wind-blown cross / shot " which ended up hitting the top of the post, and rebounded into the striker's path. wouldn't blame KD for that - he hasn't got 8 foot long arms. S.Davis.not his best game, but I did notice him playing good passes, too. He is more consistant than many others in the squad. Easy to find scapegoats when we lose...isn't it? Pelle..I would have dropped him several weeks ago for lack of goals ..if we'd have had an alternative. Of course he lost his goal touch, but as a lone targetman, he's continually marked by two (sometimes three) defenders. He does take the ball and play it off, but rarerly gets chnaces with his back to goal. Referee?...Clattenberg has his reputation, but in a physical game like that I fail to see how we picked up 4 yellows and Stoke none. Charlie Adam lashed out at Schneiderlin and hit him in the face ....and not even a verbal caution ! In another game .....it might have been a red card. Stoke defending in panic sometimes, and Tadic unlucky to have both shots saved. 3 points lost...roll on Spuds. We really need to put it to Pochettino, if we don't achieve anything else this season.

is this the same incident ? ...the score box in the corner shows 2-1 at 83 mins. Surely not the controversial move that led to their second goal?

....do you mean his career of NOT being a goalkeeper. It seems that few people have ever seen him play, and many of those who did, either died of shock ...or laughter:lol:

Didn't have the time to trawl back through 200+ posts, so don't know what everyone else has said.. ......but fairly obviously ....having elevated to England's no. 2 keeper, the loss of Fraser Forster is a major blow for SFC and the national side. I'd expect to sign a keeper with a similar pedigree - even if not English. Clyne - departure looks imminent, despite all the " double talk " from both club and player. Byram tipped by some, but I'd look for a candidate with established international experience. Alderweireld - only on loan, but if Athletico agreed to £6.8 m fee and back out that means they want in excess of £8 million for a fee. If Les Reed doesn't swing the original deal, then he must be worth £10-12 million (as a good replacement would cost as much).. and he at least wants to stay. Schneiderlin...another likely departure,(but as with Lambert)...I wouldn't begrudge him a move, as he has done a good shift throughout the lower league years. There are several candidates on Koeman's short list; Clasie and Verhena for starters. Pelle ... I think will stay - unless some club in his homeland makes him an offer he can't refuse, now that he is in their national side. Replacement (?) Charlie Austin.... with the hopes that Jay Rod will return in glory and stay on with a new contract.

error

.....there are several issues here. 1) Very few people in the Football world could ever have seen Saints as a challenger top MU's historical position. Shaw moved before anyone had a chance to see that. If that were this season, there may not have been a (?) over his potential move.....if it wasn't justfor the money, he might have stayed. Luke's "success" was that he had a key role at SFC, and we played to his strengths. At Old Trafford, he is just a number in a team that plays totally another formation. 2) even during David Moyes' season (not a bad manager who did wonders at Everton), the " ghost of Ferguson " was still in the United dressing room, at a time when the team was in transition and they needed a new back-line which hadn't been satisfactorily replaced after losing Ferdinand and Vidic at the same time. The failure to even qualify for Europe was the nail in Moyes' coffin, and he would surely have stayed ....even had they qualified for Europa League. 3) My perception of LVG is media-driven (as for many others), but he came in as a hero from the World Cup looking like a friendly old uncle, but when the results went against him, he turned into the wicked stepfather and looked around for scapegoats. Shaw (overweight or not) was a prime target and he must have fumed at the thought of MU signing a teenager on 100K week ..for that sort of fee. Unless MU have a major injury crisis Shaw may find himself on the bench for a long time-or until LVG goes. At the moment, whether he's used or not..there is no way MU could recoup even a part of that fee ....were he to move elsewhere. 4) Finally, the deal was a no-brainer (from both sides). There is no way a Prem. footballer would be likely to refuse a move to MU, and the resultant salary he'd get, and Saints made a deal that will surely seal our record transfer fee (out) for several decades to come. Saints' are richer to the tune of almost £100 million, but sadly (for the "renegades" who jumped ship)... none of them has had a particularly good season. They may come again, but the secret of their "success" at SFC was that they all played in the same team, and knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. I will never understand how Brendan Rodgers could buy BOTH Lambert and Lallana... without understanding that they were both the key to each other's success. As it is.... he rarely has them on the pitch at the same time.

..maybe because he reminds everyone of their favourite Cockney second-hand car salesman ....