david in sweden

Having lived in Sweden for several decades .......there was a bit of that with the transfer of the two Svensson's to Saints around 10 years ago. Both were class internationals, and even if we don't use phrases like " world-class" ........at least they'd have ranked as top-rated players in Europe at the time. BUT .....I suppose it depends on whether you are referring to transfers IN ....or OUT! I think Alex O-C's transfer to Arsenal had a bit of that about it!....especially when I heard the amount of the fee..... so ....on the same theme .....I felt a huge sense of relief and a little bit of a WOW factor when I heard that Tommy F. was going to Gillingham ...for the entire season !....after which ...........WHOOPEEE!!

naturally..... Rangers' new owners are a bit miffed about having to run a club in the Scottish 3rd division, and disregarding the legalities of contracts with the old club and newco.......this may have dragged on and left a sour taste for weeks to come. BUT we need a team (and in this case -a player ) who know officially who he has a legal contract with... and he can concentrate on his new task. If indeed SFC has made an offer to settle the matter ...then all the better. With all the millions we have / and will continue to spend / on our "new look " squad...it's a small price to pay for harmony and peace of mind. Good call Nicola !

if we've got more than 12 points by the end of September - everyone will sit up and pay attention.

my thoughts too. I can't recall so much " rivalry" between the two clubs, certainly a few seasons in the 1950's ...but we played Bournemouth more frequently in Div. 3 days. but after we moved up to (old Div.2) in 1961 B&H were relegated in 1961/62 and spent a lot of time in the (old) Div.3 and Div.4) ..L1 / L2 as is now). They did have a little flurry of success in the old Div.1 but I would never regard our games as derbies or any sort of rivalry........

maybe not BUT.......if the current stories running about Lens are true, we shouldn't miss the opportunity.

.....that's because they've not played in the Prem. before.........as for the standard.....I expect we'll see that by the end of August.

how the papers like to use word play about signing players............. the best headline I've seen so far is .....SAINTS focusing on Lens !

some people seem to suggest the advent of Luke Shaw will blow off the Buttner deal...! (maybe ?) but now that we have signed the young goalie....we 'll need another experienced international one.. as proper back-up for KD, and .......the two centre backs.....and the extra striker ! That'll do nicely thank you.

and the deal saved us £6 million ..or was it £10 million? ...for Butland. good business once again Mr. Cortese.

.........and you are seriously concerned about that .......?

sssssssssssssssssh!

read in the small print.somewhere... .he is 6' 5" but at 20.... he's likely still growing ......

why so ?

.....which makes it a good thing that neither you nor I are responsible for picking the side - doesn't it !

that's clearly the advantage of a good pre-season. It gives NA a chance to do a bit of ..." wheat sorting " I certainly don't expect to see them all starting games in the first month. It'll be down to form and injuries. Steven Davis will start I'm sure and perhaps even Nat Clyne, but expect to see Jay Rod on the bench as sub. for ...Lambert ? we haven't bought "the rest" yet, but don't expect massive changes for the first game.

Intelligence !.....I'm sure we'd all like to think so......maybe Joey Barton missed taking the test? ........it may be their job, but clearly some of them have limited learning abilities!

might sound like it to some, but most pro. footballers want to play, and not sit and get splinters in their *ss every week .

Well first of all Alpine, you must be happy to have a lad who can successfully play at "some sort" of junior level. Neither of my lads were really good enough for that. One damaged his knee whilst ski-ing.... and the other is more successful as a musician. However, I think it's good for your son to keep some perspective about what can happen. I recalled two short stories about young players. Gordon Strachan said his first day at Coventry(?) ..he had to " sort the wheat from the chaff " and let some of the youth players go. After telling one lad....he " wasn't going to make it", WGS had to comfort the boy who was so upset...he cried! Bobby Charlton (talking about the time before he signed for Man.Utd)....said that his father told him he had to finish his apprenticeship (as an electrician) first before signing.....in case he broke his leg and couldn't play anymore...... We can hope that we might see " young Alpine " in Saints colours one day, but in the event... he doesn't he ought to have some clear perspective of the rest of his life...in the event of...

He is a realist, I'm sure. At 33(?) he knows his time at this level is only a matter of time....and his time is running out. Having been granted an extra years contract, he will be in a good bargaining situation....when he (eventually) moves on. He may be on the bench for match 1....but after that won't be surprised to see him as someone's last minute buy before Aug.31st. .or go on loan in September...as he won't want to end up in Dickson's situation and spend a season in the wilderness between bench and the training ground.

not pointless Lighthouse. I'd say it was a good assessment. Obviously form plays an enormous part in the equation now, whereas in Npc and L1 experience carries the day even in a fairly well-organised side. In the Prem. there is no margin for error. The difference is between a good side that can sustain changes in personnel and continue OK....as against a side that is ageing and needs repair ....or, as in 2005.. .trying (unsuccessfully) to seek panic measures to stay afloat. In 2005 we sank! Last season's squad looked fairly well-drilled, with in general used good subs. when necessary (11 goals scored by oncoming subs.).and the new acquisitions can only improve the mix. NA showed that he had a Plan B when necessary, and we have created the bulk of a 25 squad which defies the thought of seeing a sub. coming on .and muttering " ...Oh No ..not HIM ". Now it's more likely to be WOW....it's HIM ! Adkins' new look squad of eager, young talent looks exciting and it gets better every signing - doesn't it?

error

error post

of course it's not a new concept at all....can think it was around 30 years ago, but also agree that it doesn't work well ...so often as it requires well-drilled players with good spacial awareness (of the pitch) and vision, but having said that it could work as our brand of passing football seems to do well - most of the time. why not ?...it's worth a go.

unbelievable goal at 1min.06 !