david in sweden

......or is that just the bookies trying to offset the losses they'll get when they have to pay out on Koeman, anyway?

and you're not the only one cambsaint. George's stats are quoted in the prev. #79. He scored 17 times and had one saved, after which he lost his place in the team to the young Martin Chivers. (you remember him, of course?) Chivers didn't take many penalties, because that task then fell to Terry Paine who slotted in 20 in the space of 4 seasons. George was one of my favourite players, too. Despite his slight build (5' 6") he was one of the best goal-poachers I've seen in a Saints shirt; whether it was a tap-in or a 30 yard volley he could score with either foot, and even the occasional header.

it's fairly clear from the above poll who is the fans favourite on this one. But there are other players who deserve an " honourable mention" but you need to go back a bit...and look at...In that Number. Throughout the 1950's CB John Page was the designated penalty-taker and put away 23 in his career and seemingly missed only 2. After he left the club George O'Brien took up the task and netted 17 times , incl. 6 in one season . After he had one saved, he was injured and also lost his league place to the up-and-coming Martin Chivers. At this time Terry Paine took over and actually scored 10 penalties in 1963-64 (which included 2 in a game twice. and ended with a career tally of 20 pens. For all his many goals Ron Davies managed only 8 in his time with Saints, until Mick Channon took up the task and also ended with a career total of 20. David Peach's tally has already been reported on an earlier post. Before MLT appeared on the scene...... Kevin Keegan managed 7 in his second (and last) season with Saints. There's little doubt that Matt has the highest % of penalties to goal tally as well as the largest number scored. I don't have historical stats for other club, but I believe he probably has the highest number of converted penalties of any English League player.

.......and let's not forget van Wolfswinkel at Norwich ..

In the natural progression of things.....4 players managed to make the successful transition from L1 to the Prem.(last season), and came out better than they were at the beginning. (2009) Lambert, Lallana, Fonte and Schneiderlin. One might also argue that Puncheon also improved, but that's purely hypothetical as he's not here anymore. The majority of the others " fell by the wayside ". Adkins' best (previous) effort was his time at Scunny. He also made the transition through L1 / Championship...and into the Prem. but found his level of incompetence there (no offence Nigel). We made it so far *****il MP arrived to save the day), but NA had made some glaring mistakes. Such as...going into his first season with only KD and PG as his goalies. He failed to get sufficient cover in defence, and then, having bought in Jay Rod....didn't seem to know how / where to play him, which left us relying on RL much of the time. His game tactics that worked in L1 and Championship were far too predictable for most Prem. sides and it showed. This coming season...... we will see exactly what MP is made of. His previous experience in bringing on young players (Espanyol / Saints) paid some dividends in the long run - even if neither club actually won anything. At Spurs the task is different, as they have a great many experienced (and costly) prima-donnas who might not take to the idea of " double-training " and the like. If Spurs do well, then he'll have " won them over " ......if not and they're only mid-table by Christmas, he might be on his way sooner than he (or anyone else thinks.) There's more than a little of the " Abrahamovic mentality " about Levy as well. They'd do well to scout out another manager for a Plan B - after New Year. We'll see.

what a good question that is. Both had a very easy manner of taking them.....MLT could place them to left and right, and Rickie just hits them as hard as he can off of a short run-up. Statistically... MLT has scored more (but he was with us much longer). Rickie has a 100% record although he did admit (in interview ) that he had missed a couple in his earlier career before Saints. I really don't care. You have to trust someone and I just loved seeing them do it in a Saints shirt. I hope that England can find 4 others (incl. RL) in case of one of those dreaded WC shoot-outs.

now that's an interesting question. According to whatever record book you read. David Peach (a left-sided defender, mostly playing at LB between 1973-1980) scored a total of 44 goals in 278 apps. Of those, 20 were "outfield goals and 24 were successful penalties (of 26) he missed 2. Although it doesn't surpass either of the above, he does hold the FA record for highest number of penalty goals scored by a defender). George O'Brien (leading goalscorer in the early 1960's) was a good penalty expert, but I don't have any stats. to hand. Terry Paine also took quite a few in his career, but didn't always score.

it takes a bit more than 100% fitness..... and some sweet words about the honour of playing for England to galvanise some players into action. Last season they didn't manage it, otherwise MU would have qualified for Europe. They can afford to spend time sitting on their fat wallets on the bench and talk about the pride of being in the squad, without ever setting foot on the pitch. They are strikers, they need to score goals.

rather ironic..... considering they just fell out of L2 into the Conference. Hope they can make it back soon.

Wow Dalek, Do you expect William Hill to start a book on those three suggestions......or ?

Agree with that one CB. .......or will someone suggest that ambition is a dirty word - unless it's a lifetime career with Saints. Good luck to him, I say. Just get a decent " sell-on clause " in the contract, and .....who's the next in line from the Academy?

Some strongly differing (love / hate) views on that one. I haven't seen such a controversial thread in a long time. My view ?....Agree with most of the content, but it seems as though he's giving a lecture rather than writing an informative article ...if that's what it is. But as a Saints' fan, he's too close to be unbiased. As for the difference between the two named players. Given his well-documented life-history (from beetroot factory to Brazil). Rickie Lambert deserves his move to Liverpool. I wouldn't deny him that at all. I get the feeling that Rickie would prefer that move - to a win on the lottery. Adam seems to think he's bought a winning ticket, and is just waiting for the cash to hit his bank account.

??........too many big words, or.... ?

fairly clear that we need to ship him off......somwhere......and soon. Another season at Juve ?....or cut our losses and take the next best bid to get some of our mis-spent Euro back.

if he can play like that every week, £8 million would be a "steal " don't you think ?

a potential Lallana deal (with Liverpool) will look like another version of the Lambert deal. Extra payments for apps.....goals scored and /or future international apps. Think this is to get around the " sell-on " clauses they both have. Bristol Rovers are to get 25% of the Lambert fee, but one of the original stories I read suggested the fee was closer to £8-10 million. This way Rovers will get £1 million instead of a potential £2 -2.5M. Lallana 's deal is much the same. Bournemouth stand to get a hefty sum in any case, but 20%/25% of a £25 million fee would lower Saints´profit on the deal to less than £20 million. He's worth more. Had it not been for the sell-on clause, I think we might have accepted Liverpool's £20 million from the start.

as Roy's playing around with an experimental set-up (in Equador game)....I ask myself if Wanyama might not be the answer to our " extra CB " question ?

I'm not sure that the OP has the correct question. Whether Shaw stays or goes, he is our first choice LB and definitely worth his place. (According to Roy Hodgson's judgement...There's only be one or two "Englishmen " in the Prem. who have a better claim). The real question that comes to my mind is ........Chambers or Clyne, and I'm less sure about that right answer to that one.

To .......frank's cousin 227, and sadoldgit 237...........interesting that you had different comments, but I think we're all on the same path. There's no doubt all this newspaper gossip is unsettling to players and fans alike, whereas it may well be " misinformation " to quote Les Reed, (or just a money-making gimmick to feed the bookies). Personally.... I think most players will stay but the likes of Shaw and Lallana will have " issues " to sort out with the club, but as I said before no matter WHO it is, if they're not happy with the situation then we are better off without them if they are to become a negative influence in the dressing room. No-one likes to work with a colleague who's a " moaner ". Of course Pochettino jumping ship hasn't helped and no-one (outside of the Board) really knows who his successor will be, and until we know we won't know the players' reactions. Having got used to MP, players will wonder if the new guy will be a kind uncle or an ugly ogre, but that's life in football. If the new guy is good at his job he'll settle the squad down quickly. We finished 8th .....an excellent result (historically) so there is an element of ..." if it aint broke - don't fix it " We know that we need replacements. We were already short of strikers when JayRod got injured.. and now that Rickie has gone .....Sam is the only striker left who's pulled on a first team shirt. Whether the new people are from Les' wish list.... or the new manager's is immaterial - if they fit in. In the event of losing Shaw and/or Lallana new names will appear anyway....and everyone's hinted at another CB and a Boruc' type clone as good goalie competition so there will be new names on the team sheet anyway, I just don't think we should persist for ages with those who aren't 100% convinced that they want to be here.

the bookies have a field day - don't they? How many tens of £millions go on stupid bets based on " non stories " that have absolutely no substance.?

.....he's just young ....what did you expect ?

I'm sure he knows his start eleven already. Equador game was more of a try-out for those who needed game time, those recovering from injuries and the new lads he wanted to look at one more time. there was hardly half a dozen there who are likely to start the Italy game.

surely Jones and Smalling are the worst CB pair to start for England in ...ages. Luckily it was a " friendly ", Roy.

for the last 18 months we've had a whole squad of players falling over each other to get into the first team. Academy graduates wanting to get playing time and others swearing loyalty to the badge..... well the bottom line is..... if they don't want to play for Saints anymore, it's best they go ASAP and we get the best price we can. having a discontent in the dressing room is the worst thing we need right now. Bring in those who want to play. to those who want out .....thank you and goodbye !

.......2 million - if he shaves it off.