david in sweden

not alone surely?. I'm convinced that too much was delegated to Ross Wilson, and a number of the " disaster signings " were made on his watch.

Tough, no-nonsense, born and bred Yorkshireman who was 100 goal marksman for Sheffield Wednesday whilst picking up England recognition along the way. Moved to Saints shortly before his 30th birthday, and had a good season scoring 9 goals that included doubles v. Liverpool and Tottenham. 97-98 was a fun season for Saints goalscorers with MLT and Ostenstad getting 11 goals a piece, and Kevin Davies matching Hirst's 9 Prem. goal tally. in a freak pre-season 98-99 accident (jogging in the forest), he stuck his foot in a rabbit-hole causing a knee injury that effectively finished his Saints career.

I can go back to the 1960's and recall there were always some fans who thought players over 30 already had one foot in the grave and it was a waste of time and money to sign them, only to find that history has proven them wrong. That list is ENDLESS. Whilst players at that age may already be past the halfway point in their careers, the real benefit is that such men are often the key to the success of the young newcomers who have very limited experience at this level. They learn faster - and it shows. Theo Walcott was paraded as our first " Academy legend " with his name at the top of the board at Staplewood, and only a few old video clips to show his most successful moments. Today's youngsters see Prowsey as the benchmark for the second generation of Academy successes, and our newest teenage talents may even find themselves training alongside both of them on a daily basis and the experience they gain is invaluable. Even at 34 , a fit Theo has found a new lease of life and many of his doubters are now being convinced of his value to the club. Suddenly, Theo has become " the new Shane Long ", a bit long in the tooth for some, but always there to DAJFU in any circumstances . He has been desperately unfortunate not to have been on the scoresheet several times in the last month, but he was finally rewarded for his industry on Saturday with a classic assist for Che Adams' goal, and finally getting a goal himself with a quick finish whilst surrounded by Spurs defenders. Better late then never ? - maybe, but we may yet be indebted for his input this season when we consider the potential loss of stature and vital income that such relegation would be likely to bring.

or more importantly .. if Liverpool are still struggling to secure a top four place ... and haven't qualified for next season's CL ...it'll be even harder. As for yesterdays game, it felt like a moral victory as we started with our best CB pairing of the season, and ended up with two defenders who have only recently returned from injury. Spurs bench was full of high cost subs. and yet they still lost the advantage. We saw well-earned goals from our two players who have had long goal-droughts by their own standards, and especially pleased for Walcott, who has been so close in recent matches without getting a goal. Prowsey turned up at the 11th hour and did a captain's job for us as expected. Would have been nice to have won, but whilst Selles criticised us for conceding " two poor goals " our one point was well-earned, whilst Conte returned to North London having " lost " two points. I know which team will get most criticism and will want to blame the referee and VAR.

3 tough games in 6 days is a big challenge for almost everyone - except maybe for Prowsey who never stops running. On paper MU and Tottenham are the most difficult fixtures , so resting a few of "the regulars" for 50 minutes is not the same as ignoring them altogether and with 5 subs available there is the chance to change things around if Plan A isn't working. We need 100% fitness for Saturday. Problem yesterday was that with 67% possession and all-out attacks in the second half.. we managed just one shot on target...= S.N.A.F.U. In some aspects we are still playing the " Ralph model " by starting back passing when we get into the final third, which gives the opposition time to organise themselves.

We can easily see that this is the most promising Academy group in the last 10 years. ..(then it was JWP, Jack Stephens, Reed, Targett, McQueen etc,) so this crop is equally exciting to watch, and with around a dozen U21 lads already out on loan to League sides, the current U21's sides are often made up of most-promising upgraded U18's, some of whom even played last season....whilst the U18 side squad has frequently fielded some 14 and 15 year olds who can DAJFU. This is good experience for them (regardless of the level), even if it means that the run of results has been a bit erratic at times. The U21 side are near the top of their division whilst regularly playing against overage opponents who already have had Prem. experience. The strike force in the U21 's is formidable where (despite losing JJ Morgan to Chelsea) players like Ballard, Bellis and Dibling had a fantastic first half to the season. Kamari Doyle is a very promising midfield-supplier who is good with assists and is developing Prowsey-type skill with free kicks. At the back goalie Jack Bycroft, and defenders like Payne, Small, Simeu, Finnegan and Lawrence have already had loan spells away. Had we not been in such a precarious position in the Prem. I'm sure some of them might have had some game time at the top level by now. Survival this season will mean we have a wealth of young talent just waiting to kick start after the summer.... and even if the worst were to happen they will certainly be a force to reckon with at a lower level.

Careful Charlie Wayman...Not a suitable comment for a football site with youngsters on here. (haha)...You might pro-woke someone's displeasure but nevertheless. I think Mellors was a gamekeeper, and not a gardener.

......ever since Alex Ferguson's days that is a standard clause in the manager's contract .......

Saints 17 shots United 10...and we might have won, but for the woodwork..so who was playing for a draw?

......and doing a double over Bournemouth might be the most important match for the rest of this season.

Great news. Have you got your seat booked on the supporters bus ?

Agree with the sentiment Vectis, but there are several factors that have caused this. We are talking about a squad that has been brilliant in the first half of the season. but some of our best B teamers went out on loan in January (to play some " men's football ") Payne, Small, Finnegan and Lawrence - all defenders are away. Up front, Morgan has disappeared off to Chelsea, and goalscorers Pearce and Turner are also out on loan and many places are filled with lads from the U18's. Although one might think that putting some experienced heads ( Bree, Lyanco and Orsic) on the pitch might help it has had the opposite effect, as they are not used to playing the same formations and the regular squad youngsters are not used to playing alongside new faces - regardless of their background.

20 unbeaten games at home? ..always a good time for a defeat. Whilst last weeks nightmare v. Liverpool is only a bad ink blot in United's club records, everyone has to lose sometime. OUR DREAM SCENARIO... A goal for Onuachu, a Prowsie "special" at Old Trafford to equal Beckham's record and a clean sheet for Bazunu.. What more can you ask... well, I can dream can't I ?

Nice reading Bob 76, (like you I've been a fan for a while, my first game was 1959) but you have to admit the game has improved in some ways, although not always for the better. The ownership of clubs, and even other states was an inevitable progression when football-loving billionaires found they had nothing better to squander their money on, and so they can call the shots. It is of course unfair on the rest of us, (who although managing to maintain our Prem. status) still struggle by on 15-20 million transfers, whilst the big money clubs spend 100 million or more every transfer window, yet seem little better than before. Being able to view TV games are good - even with adverts - otherwise people like me would never be able see Prem. games at all. Being a fan is an expensive hobby for many (especially in bad economic times) not to mention travel costs for those faithful 2000 plus who always follow to every away game and sing their hearts out. My trips from Sweden to my home city haven't been cheap over the years either, but like the wedding vows it's - for better or worse - and we stick with it. I had long campaigned for VAR which does right some injustices, although I think that deciding that " a hand or arm " being offside is wrong, as it is not a " body part " that you can legally score with, and how a player can be offside with his back to goal can be considered to have "an advantage". The main problem with so many formations is that " good players in another club" often never adapt their skills to a change of formation in their new club. The Grimsby defeat was only bad for our reputation, as some of the regular Prem. side weren't even on the bench, and didn't represent a " normal side " but we have them on the books and when given a chance they must adapt, show-up and be seen. The result was bad, but we learned a lot more about them. I'm sure that we will have a better side in - a year or two -, as at present " our best talents " are still in their teens and playing in the Academy. The main question is - will we still be in the Prem. when their time comes?.

Some good points here DT, but JB is the most inconsistent player in the club. He often does a very good job, but on a bad day he's a real liability. Likewise ABK gives standout personal performances, but he doesn't always seem to know where his defensive partners are..... Stats. show that Salisu often DAJFU, but he can't seem to find a good CB partner. Caleta-Car is good, but should never have retaliated. The Grimsby player provoked him, then went down like a tree which was enough to earn the penalty. Lyanco can give out some stick,(ala Romeu), but is something of a " loose cannon" and I am always fearing that his next tackle might earn a yellow. I also like KWP and Perraud as first choice full backs, but Maitland-Niles has shown up well in some recent games and deserves a starting place. Few goalies are perfect, but dropping Bazunu now would kill his confidence. He must learn to play against the Man.United's and Tottenham's in this league if he is to become a real Prem. keeper, and whilst Caballero might do well in an emergency - Bazunu is " the future" and (not Willy).

Whilst I agree with your comment about Moi, Stuart A. has had so many niggling injuries he isn't upto a 90 minute game and is much more of a benefit coming on later when the opposition has sweated a bit. SA was very impressive after he came , but for all his skill doesn't have the pace any longer.

I wouldn't blame Selles for the starting selections and it was an anticipated team selection against L2 opposition EXCEPT that I drew breathe ( in horror) when I saw McCarthy in goal ! Don't ask me why ...Nuff said. We can't have players under contract, and sitting on the bench every week without giving them some game time, and (on paper) ...Grimsby are the weakest opposition we've had all season. Result too much % possession and not enough creativity. Grimsby restricted their attacks to chance long balls whilst our 75% got us little more than 12 shots over the bar, a couple of disallowed " goals " and a VAR set-up that approved two penalties for Grimsby whilst ignoring an equal number of handball shouts against them. S.N.A.F.U. performances from players who ought to know how to score from 15 yards. Our continued lack of height up front cost us a win - yet again, whilst even a couple of L2 defenders took care of our insipid attempts to score. ANALYSIS ...The club has bought too many young players with "some sort of individual talent ", who shone in lesser leagues but had little or no understanding of team play at a senior level and lacked the support of more experienced players around them. With these names " picked out of a hat " before the kick-off , we should still have won this game comfortably. One of the most embarrassing results in my 60+ years as a fan, but considering our recent form perhaps was not totally unexpected. All credit to Grimsby came with a plan which worked - after we gifted them two goals, scored by a player who had never previously taken a penalty in his life, and he did it twice.

Those of you who don't like / dismiss stats. can avert your eyes as there is no obvious excuse for a side that has already shipped 41 goals, BUT a closer look at the results shows another picture. Blame the managers or their formations if you want, but the main reason for our sorry position is down to the lack of goals scored and not necessarily the defenders who have conceded so many whilst keeping just 2 clean sheets, (both away). it is also obvious that win, lose or draw we are most likely to concede at least once, and that the goal drought is the main cause and not those conceded. 7 home defeats - (five of them by one goal margins) - is a miserable return from home games when we have managed to score just 10 times. yet 12 ( of our measly 18 point tally) have come from our 4 wins in away games, whilst scoring just 9 goals . In short ..we have lost 10 games by a single goal margin, and failed to score at all in 9 games this season. Whether we blame the strikers we put out every week , or the service they are given is open to argument, but it's obvious that just one goal in any of those games those would have given us 10 very valuable points and a comfortable mid table slot. Hopefully the remaining games ( 8 home and 6 away) can produce more goals and hopefully avoid the inevitable.

..and will need a very good accountant to explain away the obvious breaches of FPP rules they have made in recent years, and even worse news for their fans as Everton have managed to keep their Prem. status whilst Liverpool have picked up every trophy in recent years. There are several other clubs I dislike a little more but who are likely to survive, but some sort of satisfaction in knowing that after 25 years of waiting we finally beat them at Goodison - before they finally move to their new stadium.

Five Prem wins this season. Worst defeats (conceding 3 or4 goals ) 2 with ABK and Salisu as CB's ABK and Salisu ( twice ) 2 with CC and Salisu and 1 ( yesterday) JB and ABK JB and Salisu - twice Lyanco / Salisu - once CC / Salisu - once Defeats by one goal margin 4 times with ABK /Salisu combination 5 other combinations conceded once. Not much to argue about there except...that but Salisu is the common factor whether we win or lose.

Their biggest worry is that the USAF might fly overhead and shoot them down.

Given the history of Academy graduates over the last 15 years, we see that those few who were sold to " bigger " clubs got much attention whereas many others in their squads disappeared into the obscurity of lower / non league clubs. Saints can be proud of those who have moved on (to greater things), but on my reckoning at least 30 former Saints Academy graduates are making a living playing in various lower leagues today. The outcome of moving to / and staying ...at Prem. side is a much bigger challenge. Many people seem to think that a promising youngster from the B team, need only move up the corridor and gets given a first team shirt. As I have repeatedly noted the performance level between the top of the Championship and the bottom end of the Prem. is ENORMOUS. On average... at least one, often two newly-promoted team will drop down again after two seasons. Players are no different. The present Academy group is one of the most promising the club has seen since its inception. Our current U18 squad is playing its "second string" players as many of those who started the season have already moved up to the B side, and are at the top of their league playing 6-7 teenagers - against B teams who utilise their first team and even Prem players. Many in the (19-22 age group) that one might expect to be in B team are amongst the dozen or so already out on loan to lower league sides and we see the likes of Nathan Tella and Will Smallbone are featuring regularly with their Championship clubs. Whether or not they might return and make our first team in a future Prem. set-up is an open question in the present circumstances. The Walcott's Oxlade-Chamberlain's, Shaw's and Lallana's used to make the cut with the "big clubs " but a great many just don't make it. Loan outs are good for everyone. Lower league sides get a promising youngster who has the chance to prove himself in "men's football" and the result is obvious. If they can't make it at L1 /L2 level they have little chance of returning to St:Mary's and expecting first team game time in the Prem.. or even in the Championship in the worst analysis.

Just calculate it the quick way. Choose any of those games you want. We need a MINIMUM 7 wins, which would give us 36 points, (that has been enough to survive in some seasons....) BUT I really can't see 3 teams who are worse than us at present.

A disturbing report from the FA about abuse of officials is quite damning and the volume of attacks on them ..and even their families.. was horrendous. Teenage referees, and now the advent of female officials only makes the situation worse when they are insulted in the worst manner possible. I've watched football matches for over 60 years, and grew up hearing fans recommending the ref. to visit an optician, and even questioning his parentage but the whole situation has grown out of all proportion. Violent behaviour on the pitch carries over to fans, and we are all " better referees" - when watching TV games - than even those responsible for VAR decisions. What was once deemed.. " violence of the tongue " has spilled over, and we recognise that in modern day parlance some footballers cannot speak two sentences without at least hearing a swear word. One wonders if refs. are issued with a handbook of different countries swear words - as the offence is the same in any language whether understood by the official or not. We need good referees, and it is obviously a hard job to learn and even more difficult when "doubtful decisions" can mean the difference between winning a title or avoiding relegation. Last Saturdays referee showed some grit in the first 15 minutes and booked a few for fouls, but after the incidents surrounding Lemina's dismissal he seemed to give up the whole disciplinary issue as a lost cause, and many worse fouls went unpunished in the second half. Referees need to be more aware of player's bad behavioural tactics, and whatever happened to booking players for diving / feigning injury ? which have become worse. If we are to take part, or merely watch football games, it must be recognised that for better or worse the ref. is in charge and should be obeyed. As fans we may buy a ticket for the game and have an opinion, but freedom of speech should not mean freedom to abuse.

Correct CB Fry ....Those " pro-Jankewitz fans " you mentioned also failed to notice that he'd picked up a red and a handful of yellow cards earlier that season whilst playing in the Academy sides. Not a good recommendation, but I don't fault Ralph for giving him the chance. He had the opportunity... to put his talent where his mouth was....and it lasted about 1½ minutes. He returned to Switzerland ..to the ironically-named club.. " Young Boys ", having discovered that " the man's game " offers bigger challenges. Last I saw he wasn't even making the bench for their league games.