david in sweden

For the benefit of those fans who follow the Swedish teams (and those who are interested enough to mail me from time to time.) The season began in earnest sometime before Easter, in order to have a longer break in the short summer ..and be free-(er) around the World Cup... (which of course Sweden isn't in - for once). Sadly, it started on a bad note on the first day, when the Helsingborg v Djurgården game was postponed after a Djurgården supporter died after a scuffle between opposing fans on way to the ground. The matches were rattled off in quick time and now we have reached game 10. (of the 30 match season). Last year's champs Malmö have set a hot pace and lead the table with only one defeat. Anders Svensson (38 in July) team Elfsborg have picked up after a slow start ....and are in second place, with a revived Kalmar side in third. At the other end of the table recent newcomers (like Brommapojkarna, Gefle and Halmstad are (as expected) struggling to keep themselves above the drop zone. Being too good for the Allsvenskan (Div.2) ...they can't bridge the talent gap enough to consolidate themselves in the top Division, and yo-yo every other season. A problem in the Eng.Prem.,too) Overall it's been a pretty boring start with a huge number of drawn games, and some pitifully low attendances. Average gates vary between 1500 - 8000, (depending on the size of the fan base). The highlight of the Allsvenskan - second div. league is the revival of Stockholm's Hammarby club. relegated three years ago they have struggled to kick start their game. Whilst Stockholm football has suffered at the hands of the west coast sides like; Malmo, Helsingborg and Malmo in recent years. Attendances have dwindled for the two large Stockholm sides, Djurgården and AIK, whereas the " slightly unfashionable " Hammarby club has kept its devoted hard-line fans, and drew a gate of nearly 21,000 for last weekend's game. presently top of their table, they will be looking for a return to the top flight at the end of the summer. the overall standard of Swedish football has deteriorated in the last 2-3 years, as (like England) some of the established internationals have retired, and the new talent isn't upto par. Many of the new talents are quickly signed up by Dutch, French and Italian clubs and very few of the current international squad plays domestic football in Sweden. National trainer Hamren has kept his job (despite not qualifying for WC) and recently came in for some strong criticism (from former captain Anders Svensson) for his methods and team selections.

....or buy a player for a huge fee just because he has half-a-good season.

.........reads like it was written by a 12 year old Tottenham fan.......

I think extending his contract... (which is what it would be).....answers that question, we don't have to bother. If he stays....it's likely that few (if any) players would move away. If he goes...the question(s) would be.. ..who do we sign to replace Shaw?....who do we sign to replace Lallana?....who do we sig to replace Schneiderlin ?....etc, etc, It's not down to the players we will sign in the summer, but keeping MP. An eventual new manager would want to sign those on his own " wish list " which would be bad news for some of our squad.

the real question has to be ........who would he be challenging for a regular first team place? to say he's a striker sounds encouraging ....but if he's played out of his best position we'll never see whatever it is he can offer to the squad. It's all down to the formation we play and if he'll fit in. Interesting note: In a Swedish TV interview (last year) ex-Saint Anders Svensson he said ....." Gordon Strachan told me (and Fabrice Fernandes) that he liked us both, but couldn't play us in the same team " Anders (38 in July)... left Saints to return to Elfsborg in 2005, said that successive Saints' managers never played him in his best midfield role that he did so well in winning a record 148 caps for Sweden). Mayuka continues to play for his own country in internationals, but might never get a look-in the Saints squad if he's not played in his best role .....whatever that is.

it really depends on where the guy plays best...and who he's playing alongside. Playing someone of out his "natural " position doesn't improve matters. There are loads of examples of players being played " out of (their best) position ", or not getting the service they had at a previous club, and not getting regular games in consequence. Remember JayRod's first half-season under NA? Stuck out of the left achieving almost nothing ....and loads of people complained and said what a waste of money he was. but MP changed him around. Think back to Carroll and Torres fiasco. Two players who did exceptionally well at one club, but were a waste of space in their new side when they didn't have the same service / play in same formation. I haven't seen the fellow play much (nor has anyone else), but perhaps it would be good for both brothers if he were with us, too . £3 million isn't SO much in the present market and worth a gamble.

...can anyone say they recognise the two lads walking behind MP ?.....

all we need is that bit of luck, and a few referees not afraid to award a penalty for England when Rickie is on the pitch...... World Cup history is full of surprises and upsets - even in Finals....so who knows. IF.. England get through this group...I wouldn't want to bet against them !

now ......you're expecting journos to be well- informed..........and start including truthful facts and info. on their rumour pages....stretching credulity a bit - isn't it ?

as I don't expect hear that van Gaal will have a secret meeting with Luke (in Brazil) and come back with his signature on a contract, there may be some delay with this one. However, a good World Cup (for Luke) ...and the price may go even higher........though I'd be sorry to see the lad go.... (if he does) - the money's beginning to look very nice, and (if he doesn't).....I'd hate to be an up-and-coming Academy left back ......waiting for a first team chance..... sometime in the next 10 years.

......haven't I read this question ...a few hundred times before ?. So for the sake of the stats....many people see 40 as the safety limit, although I think one team did go down a while ago with even more, but in most seasons clubs can survive with 38 pts. Simply.... a point a game average is normally enough........and a goal difference that doesn't exceed -10/-15.

why are all these stressed types coming on and bleating about new signings / sellings?.....what do they expect? Not every business deal is done by a handshake, over a dinner and a glass of plonk . Should Les Reed give a press conference every time we get an enquiry about a player?......or comment on offers we've had .....or refused?.........I think not. it's all too ridiculous for words. As each day goes by, one or two of our contributors are becoming more paranoiac by the hour...chill out:suspicious:. As soon as decisions are finalised we'll hear about it. No sensible organisation would talk about ongoing discussions / negotiations ....until the ink was dry on the contract (though some do). Cortese had the right idea there. As someone who recalls the huge surprise that everyone had when we signed Kevín Keegan. I much prefer that scenario than the " has Skacel signed yet" saga which was an absolute farce.

I didn't know about the Twitter comment, .....but I didn't say the media hates us either.......but I'm willing to buy the suggestion that certain journos are up to something and "someone " is behind these stories.

Interesting thought.(?).... IF we see MP signing a new contract, then one might think he'd be disappionted to see JD /PW leave ?.......or.... ....on the other hand.. if he stays......then it might be a condition that they go .. and that he wants to put " his own people " there instead.....?

aside from the (as yet) unrevealed details of reasons for dismissal......of " the said pair "....(to be discussed at a later date, I'm sure). BUT (surprise, surprise) ..it was quick of Cortese's newshounds to get straight on the phone to Luke Shaw (!)...who was surprised and " gutted " (for the want of a better adjective)...at the news. .....and somehow his comment has become another reason for unsettling LS and seems to suggest another reason for disatisfaction with SFC.. (really playing dirty here).....

exactly my thoughts, too Hypo. He certainly doesn't like to lose and (it appears) still has an axe to grind...I suppose the real question is ...Whose head will he bury it in?

.....this whole media circus is really depressing, it makes you feel like we're.... UP the junction...

Signing new players (in certain positions) is a must this summer. We sadly lack strength in depth. We have 15-16 good players.. and then a list of also-rans.....and those who've hardly had an outing. 1- we really must get another quality keeper to cover / compete with Boruc (in case of injury / loss of form). KD and PG have failed twice when called upon. 2- a new left back..... doesn't mean that Shaw will definitely leave, but as Danny Fox was the only recognised cover at LB.... we don't even have him anymore. 3-Extra CB. Fonte and Lovren ended up a better combination than I thought (last August), but a serious injury to either leaves us with Jos and Yoshida (who always seems to be played out of position). 4- A striker. We (obviously) rule out Osvaldo, and don't expect Billy to stay. Jay Rod won't be back until game 7-8 next season (if fit and in form).....so we need extra goalscorers in first 8 games. (yes, we have RL and Sam, but that's only the basic line-up.) IMO...these are all obvious requirements and shouldn't be seen as pushing anyone out.

Whilst some people will laugh at the memory of only one goal in his last season, we should recall that although history will relate Billy Sharp's goals got us promoted to the Prem..........Guly's performances in the first half of that Championship season .....(10 goals in League and Cup before Christmas) were outstanding by any standards.

indeed, without those 3 points......that season might have looked very different. Considering what came after, he's most likely been worth the money... just for that result.

pretty wordy, but a good analysis. Personally I don't think anyone can really criticise the season considering where we finished, and the record points tally. The main reason we dipped so badly mid-season was the injury to Artur Boruc. Prev.stats I published reminded us that in the (total) ten games that AB was out we won only 5 points (out of 30)....after that there was no way back to gaining a Euro place. KD (great servant to the club btw) wasn't prepared for the Prem. and no way was Gazzaniga prepared for his role either. We should have bought a top keeper in 2012, (and IMO not even Butland was good enough - even though our £6 million bid was rejected.) That's not just hindsight as everyone one can see almost every Prem. side had an international goalie... and Arsenal, and Spuds had THREE. Even after signing Boruc we should have got another top keeper (as cover) as clearly neither KD or PG were good enough. Whilst some people will only recall Boruc's " dance routine " against Giroud (at Arsenal). and the wind-blown " fluke goal" at Stoke as low points in his season...aside from that he has been very consistant. A lot will now depend on getting MP to stay. If he does we may see most (if not nearly all) of the squad stay on..if he goes, we're sure to lose some of the key names....especially as every new manager will want a few of his own pick of players, and any (potential) successor may not have the same enthusiasm about the Academy recruits, if results go badly. Next season..?..I don't think that a top four place for Saints is an absolute requirement there are still some good sides out there, but an improvement on 8th should be expected. The "new-look" Man.U may take a season or two to settle in, and Mourinho will certainly find the missing links to his squad, as will Liverpool. The dry spell that Arsenal have seen in winning trophies may well be over, but the key question will be how long will Wenger stay on at Arsenal. He may be not about to leave, but does he see himself " doing a Ferguson " and staying till he's 75? - I doubt it, but Arsenal may well be looking for his successor - just in case. I don't see any of the other (lower-placed) Prem. sides presenting a threat to the top six, but it's more a question of which of the seven above us may lose form and fall away, but MP is the key to our future. He must stay.

another case of where persistancy pays off......someone who watches a lot of small games with youngsters on wet afternoons ....week after week, yet can still pick a good'un when they see him. Nice story . well done Ron R.

perhaps there won't be as many bids as many people think ...not too many clubs willing to offer so much. with a start price around £20 million.... they'll be a very small number of bidders in that auction. IMO -if Pochettino stays, then most of the squad will want to....except maybe ***********

why do we give people contracts in the first place - if we don't expect to hold to them? Do your employers issue a statement regularly saying that YOU are still under contract? I agree with others on here.......Wait until the situation changes and then tell us. Meanwhile, find something more productive to help keep your blood pressure down.