david in sweden

back to the original OP guys.... what's the betting.... it's NONE of these?

........Mmm, there are a lot of players out there today who can't do that !

so there's the answer.....do you want it on a Christmas card as well?

Mmm...which of his boot-laces are they bidding for ...?

well spotted sir, a former junior who scored a hatful of goals for the Reserves with the incredibly patriotic name of Craig DELL Maskell (no he didn't sell computers) but his name was right for the club.´ started getting games in the wake of McMenemy's departure but never impressed Chris Nicholl enough to keep him and he was sold to Huddersfield for £50K....when he later moved onto Reading for £250K (Saints got another £100K as % of the sell-on). He returned to The Dell (via a spell with Swindon) for a fee something around £300 K ?(unsure) ....when Alan Ball took over in 1994 and although he scored on his first app. (a 4-2 win v. Liverpool when MLT got a hat-trick) but he never made it back as a regular competing against Maddison, Shipperley, Heaney and Watson ..and at a time when MLT hit his best form. Eventually moved onto Brighton on a free

this is a very old debate subject isn't it ? would you prefer to be beating second-rate teams in the (second) division, or testing yourself against the best (in the World ?).although that's questionable I think there are more " world-wide " international players in the Prem. than in any other major league. I'm sure that players with ambition who want to play for their country and the Championship is not the right place to fulfill that dream PLUS of course the salaries are much higher in the Prem. IF we did play every season inthe Championship we wouldn't have such a good side, or ...we would be promoted every season..or fail to win the play-offs which means that we wouldn't be the "best side " and all the very best players would be sold off every season. SO ......do you want to be the "fourth-best " team in the Championship every year ?...Not for me. When we were promoted in 1966, we struggled from day 1..but managed to survive half-a dozen seasons..then came the 27 seasons after the second promotion..(1978) but rarely getting above half-way, except for the Fantastic McMemeny years in the early 1980's. The up side was ; those occasions .(and they were more a few), when we knocked over one of the top four... .and did it with style. For me, I'll happily take another 27 seasons in the lower reaches of the Prem. thank you .....unless Messers Cortese and Adkins have other ideas. after having wrirren this, I saw that it amply describes a side like ...CARDIFF (at least in the time that DJ was there.)

.....and 31 ...in February, too

an interesting idea, but I hope no-one interprets the volume of links with the strength (or otherwise) of the said " rumour". It might well be down to the fact that the first past the post with a "rumour" is then copied by many others......it which case it offers no greater credibility:?

My favourite Mc Grath story is the one where he looked daggers at a young opposition striker...... and then asked him if he was covered by BUPA

.and you may be correct, but hindsight is wonderful isn't it ? but there is a lot of difference between players that we may say we like (on a thread) and those we ...didn't bid for / didn't want / missed altogether......... so let's move on and not dwell on such things.

for people who think that £12 million was wasted on Ramirez.....(I don't) ....surely cannot concede that such sums would be well spent on ..... Butland ! I'll take an older experienced keeper at this stage...I really can't see Butland coming good.....regardless of where he goes.

Whilst what you say is true, it should be remembered that most of the goals that RL scored were in L1, and YES...he still looked good at Championship level.... I'm pleased for his sake that he made it to the scoring stats. in the Prem, but soon 31 ....he is definitely close to his best buy date, if he hasn't passed it already. Former " legends" .Ron Davies, Mick Channon and MLT all scored most of their goals in successive seasons in Div.1 / Prem. sides.........not quite the same. We'd all like to see him continue to score, but IF we are ever going to sell him (and make a good deal) ......it has to be this season otherwise he will stay...and stay... until the goals twindle away and we'll have the sad memory of how great he once was.

Well I must have watched him on some of his bad days. Maybe he was good and the rest of the 'Boro side were s**t? Even in his best season (2004/05).. he scored only 6 goals in 49 matches He is already 28 y.o. and topped 300+ league games and scored just 29 career goals. In 34 games for England, he is yet to score.... Liverpool are presently playing him at left back, and if they paid £20 million for him...how much do you think he would cost now ? A rumour (on Wikipedia) suggests he is returning to *Boro - ON LOAN.

Aha ...well ...a comment handed down from on high.......that's the answer then ..is it ? No more to be said then .....or

well said that man ! (I'm not desperate to see him go.... but he'll be 31 in February... btw)

AGREE 100%. Some sort of " clone " of John McGrath (God rest his soul) or Neil Ruddock..or Jim Steele.. but preferably one who didn't get booked every game, though.

According to League rules, the captain (is supposed) to be the only person to speak with the ref. in the event of a dispute or arguement. He is the team's rep. on the field, which is why it was a bit difficult in earlier seasons when KD was honoured with the captaincy, because he couldn't run out of goal every time we needed to ask /speak to the ref. It really needs to be an outfield player.

I was about to say the same thing Window Cleaner Not that I'm anxious to see RL go, but sooner or later he will play his last game for Saints...and all must be aware of that..and be prepared to " move on". (I am of the generation that saw the legendary Ron Davies in the late 1960's ..but after 5 or 6 years ...the magic had gone and it was painful to watch and sad when you remembered " how great he had been ". I'd hate to see the same thing with RL. QUOTE; ......." .the graveyards are full of irreplaceable people " .....Gen. Charles De Gaulle

....whilst Adam is out of action ? I'm sure we don't need a poll on this, but there are likely to be some varying ideas. Me ?....the (somewhat improved) Jose Fonte seem the most reasonable choice... but I'd go for Jack Cork !

a refreshing taste of honesty ....from the manager of an L2 side (who probably struggle to find 5 other players to sit on the bench), but it's hardly appropriate when compared to Premier League sides who have a squad of 25 + U21 players ...(who don't even have to be included in those figures). I'm sure Martin Ling's side almost " picks itself " .. but it's not the same as life in the Prem. The element of " surprise " selection and the use of subs. during the game can clearly be seen as a key factor in winning matches / gaining points. NA often talks about changing formation during games, and last season ELEVEN goals were scored by oncoming Saints subs.

It has been suggested but no apology is necessary. Quite a few people have refuted that arguement already, whilst some of us have already made the same statement as you have above. Maybe it's just TOO logical for them to grasp.

it isn't, of course ......but there's hardly anything fans can do about it - except worry about things that haven't happened yet . NA won't consult you ...or me ´....when he picks the team anyway. If we are told (the truth) then several people on this site will further aggrevate their ulcers, and begin to worry /criticise likely changes .....that process has already begun and there is even a small minority considering the selection of Jonno Quick Even when the side is performing a bit better, there is an element of enjoyment is seeing how fringe players perform when selected...or do you want the current team to continue for the rest of the season? Whilst I'm looking forward to Adam's return....(whenever that is ?)....I still think there's an element of suspense in NOT knowing the start eleven for the games v. Sunderland, Fulham, Stoke, Arsenal, FA CUP v. Chelsea.....and then Villa, Everton and ...Man Utd....(second time around)....and I'm pretty sure that it's going to generate some degree of uncertainty in their team selection ..for other reasons. Either they will know if he's going to play ...or NOT.....and how will his replacement perform? I hardly think that thousands of Saints fans will stay away because Adam ISN'T playing ......so what's the difference?

...maybe it's just that the fans aren't Labour types, though you can't expect the fanbase to be a cross-section of society in every city. I always remember the (politcal majority )to have been 51 / 49 to one party or the other.