david in sweden

I think end of season bonuses are quite common for managers - aren't they? Didn't I read about managers who get a bonus - if they kept their teams from being relegated.. Besides there's a considrable amount of difference in payments for higher League positions, so he'd only get a proportion of that, and IF we finished high enough for some sort of Euro competition - even more.

Lots of convincing arguements, - although I don't agree with every one of them - in the Echo criticism of Pochettino view of the FA Cup. I might suggest a few ideas (in his defence) .... Firstly, his first task last season was to save Saints from a relegation battle which he achieved. Continuing on from there in August in pursuit of the Cortese vision getting Saints into Europe. Everyone including the majority of Saints fans, and the Football World in general were amazed at the whirlwind start we made in the Autumn, and some would argue that had it not been for the Boruc's injury (at Chelsea) and the subsequent injuries to Wanyama and Schneiderlin ....and laterly Lovren, we might still be capable of a place in the top four/five. Cortese for all his better decisions ..(and there were quite a few). was the perfect example of " a new broom " in the organisation and had determined to erase the memory of the League 1 club he was chairing and create a new European entity, but did it to the detriment of our history, which for many of us is the core of our support, and ignored everything that went before. Surely this atttitude was conveyed to MP who seems to have been spending hours every day on the training ground. Further...his vague grasp of the English language - please everyone stop saying he speaks " Perfect English "..I teach the subject, and he doesn't, although he does understand basic football jargon. In common with many "foreigners " he may not understand the romance / history / glory factor to winning the FA Cup in particular .. We were already out of 2013 cup, when he arrived and doesn't understand fully the fans affinity to the competition. NOTE: Swedish football fans (and likewise some other Euro lands)... don't even talk about their Cup competition and regard it an an interuption to the " real matter of the League " -an attitude I recall that was levelled at the League Cup in England, when it was first introduced in the 1960's. The one thing he will have learned from this episode is : don't ignore the FA Cup in the future, we're unlikely to ever win the League, but the FA Cup isn't second best for 80-odd other league clubs. Our bench may be populated from promising young players, but in general we don't have the strength in depth needed at this level. We lost by one (let's admit it) very good goal, but our " star players " missed several other gold-edged chances that might have won the game. Not entirely his fault. Disappointing YES .- but we live and learn - let's move on.

??... don't know what you're looking at but it looked OK on my screen.

I had that thought too, but then I remembered Middlesbrough some time back... (during Bryan Robson's management years) . They got to TWO Cup Finals....lost both of them....and then got relegated. I go with the OP ....it's a no-brainer .....8th. in the Prem. sounds pretty good to me, and at least we'll have something to build on next season. Gus, on the other hand may win a Cup, but end up like Wigan.. (that's if Sunderland Board don't sack him for getting them relegated).

Exactly, Perez has had responsibilty for Cup games since MP arrived. It was his call and ..guess what, he might have been telling the truth..some players needed rest and /or were carrying injuries. What it did show was that our bench doesn't give us the strength in depth that other sides have. Our problem is not the " first team regulars" , but their replacements who aren't upto the same standard. Chelsea, Arsenal and Man.City don't have a " regular side "as such, but have the ability to keep internationals on the bench, and change players without affecting the balance of the team.

well said Dronski . Those fans who want constant success should have been born in North London or Manchester. I'm proud to have been born a Sotonian - even when we were in L1.

I do read a lot of your posts Glasgow,(though not agreeing with everything) but perhaps you should look at the maths you quoted. In the 2,555 days (since 2007)... you have posted over 18,000 times. That's an average of more than 7 times a day. Even if you do post more on the 40 or so match days each season, that means you post nearly 30 times each match day - Can that be correct?. I wouldn't want you to stop posting, but maybe you'd attract a bit less notoriety, if you were a bit more "selective" when you did.

Of course it's changed .....a bit, anyway. Some.....may have passed away, and new people join, but many of the regulars are still here. Some of the worst " offenders " who came on line and insulted others - instead of addressing the issue in the OP -back then .... have since been banned by the Mods. However, there is a feeling that the angry tone of some " newer" contributors is merely the same people " re-appearing " under a new pseudonym. Starting threads "for fun" isn't a new phenomenon, but there are other parts of the site that are " non-football " that some haven't found yet. Sadly, many who used to supply good viewpoints or start " interesting threads " seem to have given up in despair and gone elsewhere. IMO some of the newer/younger contributors do lack a bit of patience when it comes to the issue of team selection / team building. It's not easy to form a working group in any organisation who can work and train together and produce results immediately and fans (rather like some club chairmen get impatient quickly). As a fan of an older generation.(I watched my first Saints' game in 1959), perhaps I'm a bit more philosophical than most and realise that it does take time to get results. I always return to (one of) the famous McMenemy quotes... " as a manager, you can never win. If we get a result, the fans say ..the team played well....If we lose, it's my fault 'cos I picked the team " Coming after the FA Cup humbling at Sunderland, I'm bound to remark that our two best chances fell to (argueably) our best two players; Lallana and Lambert but reading some of the insulting threads in the last 48 hours - you'd never know it. Consider if you will that the expression " a bad day at the office " originated in the business world but means much the same in football. They might have won it for us. Still right now, I'm still glad to be a Saints' fam (in 8th place) than a Sunderland one (in the relegation zone). Glory (in the title of the OP) will come again with our next win, and once again fans will express their joy - except the " fans " who are never happy with anything, or anyone.

very mixed opinions here, but TBF I do agree that longer term; a trophy, top 6 or a Euro qualification should be our real aim. However, after last season's relegation worries, and the very surprising start to this season, I do think that finishing 8th, or a little better would be a satisfactory season For those of us who have suffered decades with the indignity of losing out to ManU (with the exception of 1976, of course) I am pleased to see them descend to the levels of " an ordinary Prem. " side, likewise with Tottenham would always be top of my hate list ( if I had one - that is). I would regard finishing above Man U and Tottenham some sort of a " moral success " before moving on to greater things. Another reason being that our rapid success has yet to " settle properly " with some fans, many of whom didn't see us getting out of the Championship in less than three seasons. Although the playing staff seem to have the right level of confidence. Our recent " clear-outs " in the last two transfer windows (someone quoted ....21 players) isn't over yet. Not surprising considering our meteoric rise since 2009. There will be more.... and I hope to see our future with a stronger, more skilful set of players who aren't in the first team squad yet. WHO?.... .I hear some people saying. Aside from his maniacal outburst, I still rate Boruc very highly but we do need another quality keeper. (Thanks KD ....and all that, but I don't see Gazzaniga as better either.) The full back situation seems OK - even if the Shaw transfer to ..whoever takes place.), - he'll be a hard act to follow. We need another (if not two) dependable CB's. Lovren , of course and (though I've been critical in the past).Fonte is playing as well as I can recall, but Jos is on the way out, though maybe not Yoshida yet. Despite his fantasttic stats. I can't see Schneiderlin being here in 2-3 years time. He won't, it seems, get to play for France under the present French coach and is surely worthy of greater things elsehwere. Lallana, of course and even Steve Davis (what a good buy he was) are good for a few seasons but I'm still concerned that the excellent Jack Cork may go, whilst I'm still not 100% sold on Wanyama. Ramirez seems to have lost his way, whilst JWP has lost that " edge " he had in his earlier games, and he's begiining to look ordinary, though he surely has a good future. Osvaldo was going to be the " new Rickie Lambert " but that's all finished now and it leaves Jay Rod still looking for a long-term strike partner up front, (although I'm surprised Guly is still here). I hope to see RL doing a....Teddy Sheringham / Kevin Phillips - type role and being a good impact player coming off the bench, but the fact remains, it'll take a "special " sort of player to replace him. There are too many " gaps " and not enough depth on the bench. Of course, we're all enthusiastic about the Academy prospects, but how many will become the next Shaw or Chambers (or AOC, or Bale)? Consider the " promising names " that have fallen by the wayside in recent seasons; Matt Paterson, Oscar Gobern, Joseph Mills, Ryan Doble, Harlee Dean, Reeves, Sam Hoskins are the first that come to mind. Frankly, I'm concerned about our squad line-up fornext season as we don't have any " up-and-coming " Academy lads capable of Prem. standard in all positions, we need more quality everywhere. Arsenal... and Chelsea don't have regular first teams, they have an amazingly deep squad (few of whom are from their own Academies) and can play a changed team every match if required. I don't think this present Saints squad (good as it is) is ready for bigger things YET, and so another season, or two... won't do any harm until we build a new, where we have real depth and quality, even ON THE BENCH, without people sounding off that " someone " wants a transfer because he hasn't played for four matches. Sorry to the rest of you, but I'm reasonably content to be 8th (at present) and what the Sunderland game did was to show up our key deficiencies. Three games in a week is not unusual for the " top sides " to handle for several months each season....when they are chasing a League title, a Euro trophy and still be in the later stages of a couple of cup competitions, but as we saw yesterday, we haven't reached that standard YET.

*** Not his season, but Lloyd Isgrove actually played in that ill-fated League Cup game at Leeds last season. Others who have already debuted in the League Cup last season - and before - are; Jake Robinson and Jack Stephens as well as former players (no longer at the club)like; Ben Reeves (scored 10th goal yesterday for MK Dons, and Sam Hoskins (currently Yeovil).. and Ryan Doble. Although they don't all make the grade, having been at Saints Academy must look good on a youngsters CV, if he eventually " moves on ".

I can see this in more of an historical perspective than most Barry, but I think it is really more about consistancy than just winning cups and titles. True, there was 1976, and the JPT (though a cheap copy of the " biggie" ) it did make a nice day out for the fans). The only time we've actually been Champions (of any League was winning the old third Division in 1959-60)..on all other occasions we came second but still got promoted. Despite the apparant " lack of success" someone noted that (prior to 2005), our record of surviving 27 consecutive seasons in the top flight put us .. 8th in the all time history of clubs. We can note that Arsenal have never been relegated since the current Football League inception in 1921, however they haven't " won " anything in the last 9 seasons. Every club has it's ups-and-downs, but some never seem to come back. Remember " the mighty Leeds" of the 1970's ....and in my youth, one of the greatest clubs was ....Wolverhampton Wanderers. I won't say too much about that team at the eastern end of the M27, :yawn:but they have some very impressive club honours - even if it is ancient history. They may even become the first club who.... having won the League.... and the FA Cup... to be relegated from the Football League entirely. Looking at the " great names " currently in the Prem. Everton (last trophy 1995), Aston Villa 1996.....and Newcastle..(what a cup record they have ) ..last one a trophy.. in 1969. If we survive a few more seasons (in the Prem.) and continue to build.... we may look back at the period 2009-2013, as one of the most impressive in the history of any league club.

Hopefully, the majority of fans will applaud that statement, but we shouldn't forget that to have been holding up the league position we have, and having produced some of the performances we've done.. it takes a good squad to perform well every game. We are still a team in transition...this time last year we were still looking to avoid relegation. Right now, I'd be more than satisfied to finish 8th. Certainly no other team in the league has introduced the number of new faces in home-grown talent that we have, but it needs time to bring in new talent (Sam Mc Queen got on the pitch yesterday for his sub.app). These lads may arrive on the conveyor belt, but there simply isn't the strength in depth on the bench to cover for injuries, suspensions and lack of form). Thank goodness we didn't sell Jack Cork, Yoshida has looked better recently than at any time in the past, but Jos and Guly have just about passed their sell-by date, we shouldn't comment on Rickie because despite his age, his past record speaks for itself, but there will come a time when even he will regularly ....start on the bench. The likes of Ramirez and Mayuka have never been convincing, and Osvaldo (who was trumpeted as a saviour in September)......should be forgotten ASAP. and yet, the football world is still praising us for introducing young ENGLISH players into the game, but even they may have to wait a while to replace those international players who have already passed 100 caps. What I want to see is; a steady improvement of the squad, (both from outside and the Academy), and a sensible acceptance that we will lose games against top teams...(and even ocassionaly some near the bottom,) and more fans willing to accept that we don't have a Divine Right to win every game in our newly-found, swashbucking style.

well said Nick G. although our players have a high level of fitness, 3 games in a week (all of which were played in less than perfect weather) was bound to take its tally on even the best. We may lament Lambert miss, although I'm sure he does more....and don't blame Guly who did a lot running, but scarcely got a pass or a shot of his own. Their goal ...(I've watched the re-run a few times)....appears to be a shot going over the bar, but at the last second it dips and hits the underside of the bar and behind KD. More luck than judgement IMHO. Sunderland didn't have a mid-week. We didn't...and it showed a bit. I don't think S'land played so much better than we did, but we lacked our normal pace we've seen in many earlier games. We shouldn't expect to see players roaring around (like the Six Million Dollar Man)..as we did early season. In almost every game we've had the lions' share of possession and in some cases overwhelmingly so.......with 26 games behind us...what should we expect of them?. As has been noted Fonte had a horror of an injury to his leg after the Hull game...(where was the yellow card for that one, Ref?).....and Morgan looked to be carrying an injury for a couple of games. Victor looked a bit stronger than before, and Lallana (who covers more territory than most) does seem to be wilting a bit, and no wonder. I feel sorry for the players, but more for those fans who appear to be playing Russian Roulette whilst drowning their sorrow in tears at their local. What will they be saying after our away games at tottenham and Man City, I wonder? ....it was a poor game but at least we aren't facing the relegation battle that Sunderland are. 55 years years a fan, I'm a bit more philosophical than most, so move on guys ..it's Wham next week.

maybe not so easy when the opposition play with everyone in their own half and with 5-6 men in their own penalty box........

Man of the Match? 2/3rds of the votes split between 4 players. Yoshida 20.95% Davis 20.00% Fonte 16.51% Cork 14.29% Interesting....... 2 or 3 names there that don't normally get much of a positive mention. well done lads.

.........who did they suggest wanted to buy Jonno Forte?

Mmm...looks good, but he's an Argentinian. ...whatever would possess him to join Saints ...........I wonder

No!....... but they have reserved a parking space for his Granny..... when she comes to train........

Quite right and so we should. Looking back at his You Tube video, you can see that when he was on top form ( the first half of the Championship promotion season) he played like a real Brazilian and made it all look ..SO EASY ! He got to double figures by mid January and was near enough upto Rickie's tally. Sadly , like many strikers his form went off a bit, then Billy Sharp arrived (and outscored Rickie) and helped secure promotion. Guly was not the only player to find the move up to the Prem. a bit beyond him, but he gave us some lasting memories before he fading into the background, and at 32 he doesn't come near RL nowadays. He mentioned (in an interview last year) perhaps moving back to Brazil to finish off his career? ...maybe so ..... Good luck to him.

Mmmm.... maybe we should sign his younger brother then, Rui's injury record might be a problem....?

OK fellas... this is only a joke, but remember all those turgid threads last season about ....." how many points do we need to survive ?". Some of you went to great lengths to look up the prev. highest, etc, etc, but for us even be discussing the prospect of a good League finish ...and a (really) outside chance of Euro football.. ....doesn't the thought of already having 39 points on the board .....and with 12 games still to go ... raise a smile, and bring a sigh of relief to a few of us?

I was thinking much the same thing, and I 'm going back over 50 years..... There were times when players really worked well for Ted Bates, and of course Lawrie Mac was famed for his " man-management " methods - whether handling England internationals, or " trouble-makers". The thing that makes this squad different is that most of our success has been achieved from the development of lower league players, " Prem. rejects " and our own Academy lads. The balance seems great. Despite having spent big fees on several players they don't seem to have appeciably prospered the team. Ramirez still hasn't got into the rhythm of things, Osvaldo never did and though Wanyama started quite well, he'll have to start over if he's to make a comeback after his injury spell out. But it is a joy to see the fluency of play, and even if we don't get all the points every time, we always seem to get the plaudits.

another media hype suggesting that we will buy Danny Rose from Spurs .....after we sell Luke Shaw in the summer. Spurs are rumoured to be letting him go ...well .no thanks. Over several decades we have been sold Spurs' rejects and we don't need another. However, if they do sell Rose....and they need a replacement ....they can have Danny Fox... if he doesn't settle in at Forest.

absolutely typical - isn't it. Some behind the scenes gossip suddenly becomes A bid from Arsenal....(an illegal approach ..or just tipping their toe in the water?) These "hacks " haven't bothered to keep upto date with everything and think the sun shines through the orifices of the Emirates and Stamford Bridge. Our owner is a billionairess...and even in the unlikely event of the club changing ownership, it would take a multi-millionaire to buy and run it successfully. In short ...we don't need their money, and certainly wouldn't part with any of our top players for such paltry sums. We may have a good first team, but we need a bench with equal amounts of talent in the event of suspensions, long-term injuries (such as we've had in the last three months). I haven't read of many dissenting voices from the first team squad - have you?. Osvaldo wanted out ..and I for one.. am pleased that we obliged. We want a good attitude in the dressing room, not moaners. Yoshida has gone on record as saying he's never considered leaving ....and Jack Cork is in precisely because he's the ideal person in Victor's absence....and Victor will find it hard to get back in so soon. Calum Chambers is just another of our new talents and I think he enjoys the rivalry with Nat Clyne for the RB spot, and doesn't seem at all concerned, and with Arsenal threatening to let the moths out of their wallet is not impressing anyone at SMS. The "story / non-story " of a last-minute bid of £5 million for Morgan was so laughable as not to be true. If ANYONE leaves the Saints - they won't go cheaply either. The Mirror....and those other tabloids who serve as the Prem's " lackies " have sold most of our squad three times over since August.

agree totally. You just can't please some people. If you make a good deal ...and get someone for a lower fee, people automatically think he's no good. If you pay a lot...they say he's a waste of money if he doesn't score ine very match. Look at the stick Jay Rod got in the first half of last season. As soon as MP gave him a chance he showed up well and is still improving. Over the years some of the very best players we've signed were bought for around £1 million - -or less ! Consider the opinions caste out when we paid £1 million for 28 y.o. Rickie Lambert. then there was the suggestion that he wouldn't cut it at Championship level.....and then the same criticism when we got back to the Prem. He 's past it and won't be any good. Not a bad free kick on Saturday, though ! Need we remind them (again) of his goal tally last season? He has already got more goals than some " big name" Prem. players who cost 10 times his fee. Sadly, the majority of players who cost us £2 -3 million or more (in those days) were a great disappointment. Time (and the value of money) has changed a lot in recent seasons, but IMO players like Lovren and Jay Rod look pretty good value for their fees in today's market - don't they?