david in sweden

at least they managed to finish the season before the snow came. The Swedish League (Allsvenskan) winners are Malmö who played a good standard of football most of the season and importantly saw off most of their rivals in the important matches. It was their 17th title win, and although it's difficult to compare them with English league sides (they'd certainly struggle in the Prem.)....it's an impressive record in Sweden. The trailing sides like AIK (Stockholm) and Gothenburg lacked consistancy during the season ..as did last years winners Elfsborg, who finished a poor sixth, mainly because they drew too many "easy" games but most critically, lost key games against the other top sides. At the bottom end - it was a real case of the Great Escape for the legendary Brommapojkarna " Academy " side who drew their final game against their nearest rivals (Michael Svensson's old club) Halmstad and survived for yet another year, whereas Halmstad will have a repeat of last years play-offs against Sundsvall who came third in Div.2. The two sides already relegated Syrianska and Örgryte will hope they can recover some form next year and get a swift promotion back upto Allsvenskan. However, all eyes on now the two upcoming World Cup play-off games between Sweden and Portugal. Will it be Zlatan Imbrahimovic or Cristiano Ronaldo who gets to go to Brazil. Both players can be called " world -class " but are in international sides that are .....less than best .......standard on current form. Örebro (a former Prem.side) get a quick return to the top level together with " the surprise package"... Falkenberg who won the Div.2 title. The close season (as such) in Sweden will last until February when the " richer clubs " will start practice games (in Spain / Portugal) in February and wait for the season start in April.

I wouldn't underestimate the contribution that Brett Ormerod made during his time (as James Beattie's strike partner), and for all the good work he did with assists etc, I don't ever recall any mention of him as a candidate for an England squad place ?....whilst JB was grossly ignored (by England) at a time when he was on top form. Maybe Jay Rod isn't prime England striker material, but his name has been mentioned by a few media names and seeing him on his current form, he has to be a better bet than Welbeck at present. Rickie came in a DAJF England when we had no other options. He's unlikley to ever be first-choice (except in friendlies), but I fear JayRod may miss his chance because of the other options. However, on current form I would rate him..... at least as good as / better than......Ormerod without meaning to denegrate either player.

Now it looks like an interesting competition - doesn't it ?.....with the possibility of Chelsea in the next round. There's still a long way to go to win the thing, BUT......it begs the question ..will MP be tempted to play some of the " regulars" instead of our standard reserve / bench players ? If he continues to play the same line-up as in the last round, it'll show he either has confidence in them (knowing we won't lose three points)- if we don't win .or maybe he just doesn't worry. If he sees this as a possible entry into Europe ?..then he might be tempted to strengthen the side with a few " bigger " names. Osvaldo?..Lovren?..or Rodriguez..(who played in prev.rounds) .....or one or two others.

can't go - unfortunately, but in a Q&A session ....find out what they thought about each other as players ? There careers overlapped in one season 1986-87...... David Armstrong had half a dozen great seasons as a rampaging, goal-scoring attacking midfielder, but reverted to a defensive (LB) role in his last season, (then aged 32).....just as the 17 y.o. MLT was coming into the side. What did they know / think about each other at the time?....and do they have any particular memories of that season ?

I always wondered if he had "something personal " against Saints as he has never favoured us. He played 7 seasons for Liverpool (1981-88). Although our wins there were extremely rare..... we actually won 1-0 in 81/82, and he even scored twice in our 0-5 defeat the following year. However, visits to The Dell weren't always so happy for Lawro. In that same period, Saints won 3 and drew 2 games against 'pool.. Not sure if he played every time, but he surely doesn't have so many good memories about us. Whatever the reason, it sounds childish to bear a grudge for so long.......but not to be compared with my total dislike of Spu*s ( but I'll comment on that another time.) .

...bored to death - was she ?

always gives me lots of confidence ...when Lawro predicts us to lose. Is he the only journo' who DOESN'T think we are an improved side ?

if we can all say the same thing ..this time next year...in between European games, then I'd agree. But YES I think he's really excellent so far ..

Ambition : To win the next game ....and the one after that.......and the one after that .....et aL..........

.....and the first few bars of Walk on the Wild Side. Lou Reed R.I.P.

We've all gone out on a limb with outrageous comments from time to time, but successful sides don't materialise overnight or even after one or two significant wins, and some people do jump the gun. I think the OP was a bit premature at the time it was posted, but nevertheless I think we've found a formula that is considerably better than was the case in the Spring. Time will tell. If we don't get results from upcoming games v. Arsenal and Chelsea this site will be glowing hot with people calling for MP's sacking and lamenting the days when Nigel Adkins was king.

.......well said. It's our lads who need to develop and not our job to help out David Moyes.

...if Berbatov had done his job (marking his man for the corner) ....things might have been different, as it was ......Rickie virtually had a free header, (**No criticism he took it well and it looked great.)

TBH....Lawro's been wrong so many times, I'll start to worry ......when he begins to predict us as winners.......

.......all that is true, but he was (previously) forced to play quite a few games at full back, whereas he was first and foremost bought as a central defender. He'll be in the Japanese squad for the World Cup, but should certainly get an outing for Saints in our various Cup ties. However, agree that no-one is likely to get a look-in for Prem.games with the Lovren / Fonte duo playing as well as they are at present.

QUESTION (for someone ITK) If a club plays in Europe.....are they restricted to only using the same " 25 approved players " (+ U21's of course) ....that the Prem. League demands? Might sound obvious, but it's a different competition, and so I wondered............?

I'd give Omar Rowe a chance before committing to " borrowing " a Man.Utd reserve player ....

would that be allowed ?. The League might say that we have three other keepers already on the staff, two of whom have played in the Prem. already ..... and even if it were....who has a "spare keeper " anywhere near Boruc' standard who would be willing to part with him?.

.......and already playing in the England U21 side , too

let's face it .we're already on the plane to Brazil........so whoever Roy chooses now should be those who are on the up and may be needed to make up the numbers. Half the England side has already picked itself (on form)..there must be questions marks against players like Lampard, who will undoubtedly travel, and the inconsistant form of the Cleverley's and Smalling's who may play for Man.utd ....but only when they can get off the bench. The Saints players mentioned are regulars in our Prem.side and look likely to improve even more. Their "superman, double-training " may provide the extra stamina and be an advantage in the Brazilian climate. Roy has nothing to lose (in friendlies)....because if he tries them and it doesn't work, at least he's given them a chance......if he doesn't he'll get slated for not giving them a game. ***** all this conjecture is dependant on form and fitness - of course.

You'll call it hindsight, but I think several of us are " thrilled " by Lovren's performances so far, but then again .....we didn't condemn him before he'd even played a single game.

I know the one in the Spurs v Hull game is capable of making blunders! Steve Bruce will tell the truth ...and get a touchline ban for 3 matches. We don't need 3, 4 of 5 match officials to decide that one ...the Sky commentator had it right the first time. When the Spurs man centred the ball..... it struck the defender's thigh and rebounded onto his arm ----- Penalty ? ....Never in a million years..except at White Hart Lane.

Despite being named team captain, Adam would surely admit that last season's crop of minor niggling injuries and his subsequent less than 100% fitness was a major contribution to a disappointing (personal) season for him. However, he does put in a shift whilst he's on the pitch - even if he's not always there for 95 mins. a game. There's no point in flogging a dead horse, and keeping any player on an extra 10-15 mins. when he's done more than his share, and unwise if he can subbed. with a pair of fresh legs. In the last few games, Adam has shown even better levels of skill and involvement and yesterday he looked as good as I've seen him all season....I see no problem with subbing someone who 's done well in a game for 60-70 mins. - especially if (as with Jay Rod yesterday)... they can leave the pitch to a standing ovation. Adam has deserved that many times in the past. Maybe now .....we'll see Adam's name popping up again on "Woy's " next squad list for the upcoming " friendlies " .

In one of those rare (Cortese) interviews, he admitted that he loved football, but that he was nervous and often felt ill before games, (something that MP seems to have " coached -out " of the present rampant Saints squad). However, this doesn't seem to have affected his skill to make fiscal and personnel decisions at the highest level. He has a sort of " detachment " in these issues that seperates him from the " dyed-in-the wool " football oligarches who dictate everything in some other clubs. Those occasional stories that come out of SMS about his management style, only go to show that those who complain about such things are perhaps in the wrong job to start with. Most of the club (it seems) are all pulling in the same direction with the quite obvious success that we 've seen recently. Determined?, detached?. .even cold-blooded? (perhaps).... but surely the game needs a few more people with his balanced vision in today's crazy football world.

Some people (MLT was one) aren't known as the best-trained players in the game, but can hold down a place due to their skill, vision and individual contribution to games. (MLT again). Both Gaston, (and to some extent Osvaldo) made their names in Italy, where the game is played in vastly different conditions and where the style of play is quite different from the Prem. Although Italy has it's " tough guys ", the physicality of the Prem. seems to be something that some players find it hard to adapt to, and haven't shown that same input (so far). I'm not convinced that either of the above cannot make their way in the Prem. but seeing the type of style that MP is playing it's difficult to see that either of them can become a regular name at the moment, especially considering the form of others in the line-up at present. Time will tell, but somewhere along the line serious decisions (soon) will have to be made - if they are to maintain their " market value " in the game, and their contribution to the club's success. Something I'm sure that NC is acutely aware of.