david in sweden

I wasn't upset, merely reminiscing over some of the poor judgement calls that some previous Saints personnel had made. Although for me the putty medal goes to Rupert Lowe, who decided NOT to sign a young African striker named Didier Drogba because he thought that (DD) ..had a bit of an attitude!. Please God send us someone with an attitude !

...noting that Drew Surman got Norwich's winner last night, and consolidated their automatic promotion spot..it seemed ironic when I recalled that Drew, although born in S.Africa of So'ton-born parents (grew up in Portswood) and was a dedicated Saints fan was youngest-ever to play for Reserves in 2002, before gaining first team place. Forcibly sold to Wolves when we were on the brink of extinction whilst the Administrator dithered over the Pinnacle bid, and before Marcus Liebherr was allowed to put his cash on the table, and so too, Nathan Dyer who was sold to Swansea for a fraction of his true value. I thought back to others in the last 10 years who left the club..not always willingly. midfielder Hassan Katchloul, Morrocan international who walked into the Dell and asked for a trial in 1998. He fitted to well into that late 90's side with Beattie and Pahars as well as contributing a few valuable goals. Sadly (as the story goes) a greedy agent persuaded him the grass would be greener at Norwich, although he eventually moved to Villa at the last minute where he failed to fit in,( as with his spell at Wolves). Gone but not forgotten. The Academy produced a dozen or more "starlets" who moved on and made careers at other clubs..often in CCC and Prem. Obviously, the names of Walcott and Bale stay firm in the mind because of the " offers we couldn't refuse" at the time, but a few came to mind. Few fans lamented the departure of Leon Best first to Coventry, or David McGoldrick who returned to Nottingham as the prodigal but both seem to have cemented a good spot in their respective sides, as did the young Dexter Blackstock who left for a reported £500K (to QPR) when being fifth-choice striker at SMS. Matt Oakley, another good young player struggled hard with a terrible knee injury and left in disgust when only offered a new one year contract, but is still a driving force in CCC (now) with Sven-Göran Erikssons Leicester. A few others departed when their Academy days were over and they hadn't (then made the grade with Saints). Mike Williamsson (Newcastle ?) together with Nile Ranger who was(allegedly) branded a bad influence in the dressing room, as was Brian Howard who feel out with the (then) manager, but still went on to higher things. The "other " Crainey " lad recruited by Strachan?..moved on and matured into a Premiership spot with Ian Holloway's Blackpool side. Obviously some players do "mature" late on; Martin Crainie and Matt Mills being two examples, but you can't keep everyone in the hope that one day they might turn into " real footballers ". In the nervy few weeks ahead, as we stand on the brink and look at the increasing injury list, I can't help thinking it might feel a little better, if we still had one or two of the above ...still on the books. NOTE : No direct criticism intended to any of the present personal at SMS :

I think that we should keep the vast majority of the present squad, but with Puncheon def to go. Likwise Pulis and Mills. I think it's 50/50 if AOC will go, but N'Guessan won't be staying unless he gets fit enough to do a Forte from the sub.bench in the next 6 games. Connolly and Holmes have had a terrible season (injury wise) but are both worth one more season to see. Jaidi has been a tower in the centre and should also stay one more year whilst we look for a " clone " to replace him. I agree we need ANOTHER midfielder, especially considering my above comments on Punch and AOC. If Jimmy Case still a registered player? (JOKE !)..but he'd was a great figure. preferred an experienced midfielder as captain. YES we need another striker. The stories about the return of James Beattie sound like a verse from Old Lang Syne, but nice as the thought maybe to some . I'd go for someone a bit younger..with international experience. ANYONE who says our squad will be too big..should recall the injury crisises we've had this season. No squad is too big, it might boost the wage bill, but we can't be consolidating our place in CCC when we've got back up...or even going for promotion again. PLUS we have several Academy lads on the brink. Nuff said !

The player in that excerpt has HASSLI on his back... seem to recall that Saints had a young player on trial by that name ...some time back . Could it be the same Eric Hassli ??+

for celebrating. ? Lee Barnard fell foul of the procedure on Saturday, and it might ultimately contribute to a longer suspension. I thought the idea sounded a bit stupid from the very start, but it was supposed to put a stop to players revealing a message on their vests..like ...Bloggs for best tyres ..or even Jesus Saves ..) but apparantly ..like warnings on cigarette packets..it doesn't discourage people from doing it, rather like the practice of swearing. There's a difference between swearing at an official ..and doing so to an opponent whose just fouled you ..or swearing at yourself... when you missed a open goal from 3 yards. In the heat of the moment, few people might stop to think twice about their reactions. " Pardon me referee, but I'm pretty sure that fellow was offside ..." or " Oh ..I'm sure you didn't mean to kick me, but my ankle does hurt ... or finally .." oh silly me , I should have scored that one - shouldn't I ? I have to say that players must get a real "high" from scoring in League games, and the fans also of course but what sort of "celebration" is acceptable ..and which not so?. Removing shirts does seem a bit stupid, but not nearly as bad as someone who might remove their shorts !!, but nevertheless it still seems a bit ridiculous to me that a player knows he will be yellow carded..or as has happened to " someone " in a Saints shirt ..was it Stern John?...getting a red, as they had already been booked earlier in the game. What do you think ..? ...should some goal celebrations be punished, and if so what is acceptable, and what is not. For my part I think that having 10 other guys jump on you to congratulate you is the most stupid of all, as it could cause injury ..and actually did finish the career of an Ipswich ..or was it Arsenal player ??...(name escapes me) ..who scored the winner in an FA Cup Final and the resulting "pyramid " celebration injured him so badly, he never played again. Thoughts anyone ?

indeed they will . Looks like the most entertaining games will be on the west coast this season ; Malmo, Halmstad and Helsingborg in particular (or the front side of Sweden - as the locals there like to joke. Stockholm they say ..is the ba*kside of Sweden ! ) The Gothenburg sides look very pale at present and top league football in Stockholm is restricted to only TWO clubs now. ..and to be perfectly honest its only ONE as AIK are based in the little land-locked council area of Solna. (which is a bit like Eastleigh is to So'ton.)

who ever said he was underated? He's had some poor runs of form, mostly due to injuries which he was carrying for weeks at a time but still played. He is the player who has been subbed most times this season, but (I suspect) mainly because NA didn't want to overstress him. Great finsher and good at half chances, too. Not underated in my book.

looking at it another way. We have failed to score in SIX home games. 3 defeats and 3 goalless draws. BUT likewise failed to score in SIX away games 5 defeats and one 0-0 draw. Apart from those away games mentioned, we obviously scored more regularly at home having scored 2 or more on 11 occasions.

watching this again, I also see Anders Svensson (at his best) scoring a solo goal (third) from his own half and really showing some class.

well....Beattie is now 33 and Ormerod will be 35 in October..nice memories maybe but I wouldn't think they'd be able to re-live their former glories..do you?

yes I know - but I din't want to mention that. I like their play style and they will get it together soon.

..at least when they've brushed the last of the snow off the pitch(es). New season start was at the weekend, and last years champs. ..Malmö carried on where they left off in October with a convincing 4-2 win away at Trelleborg. (something of a local derby, that one ). As was the game for Anders Svensson's Elfsborg who won their opening game 2-1 against Häcken with a last minute winner. It's 10 years since he signed for Saints ..but now at 35.. he really has matured into a good captain for his side. With over 100 caps for Sweden, he is still an automatic choice for the national side and Elfsborg are being tipped (yet again) for the title which they've narrowly missed for the last 2 seasons. The Stockholm derby AIK v. Djurgården was a colourful one (that was all the fireworks that were supposed to have been banned from the ground), but nearly 30K watched the game that thankfully ended 0-0 and saved the inevitable after match battle of the fans. A good win for promoted Norrköping (returning to the top divison after a very long absence) and a satisfying draw for newcomers Syrianska (a club first formed only 20 years ago by refugee / immigrants from Syria and Lebanon) who finally made it to the top. It's early days yet, but hopefully looking forward to some attractive football in the summer months when the pitches regain some of their quality. (more updates ..as and when ) David Cross Stockholm Sweden

....nor does it show how many were saved by opposing keepers who were playimg the game of their life... think we've had a few of those this season, too...

my thoughts exactly. Where are those critics now ???????

[ Let's hope we can get a few more on-target for the rest of the season. with 3 games in hand on the other promotion contenders, it's all up to us now . OK I'm satisfied now.

interestingly, Saints have scored more AWAY goals (32) ...than any other side in L1..and from only 18 games. We're now balanced with 18 games both home and away. In comparison the 33 we have scored at SMS, pales into insignificance when compared to some other sides lower in the table. Other promotion contenders have been much more productive at home. Already almost certain of promotion ..Brighton have managed 45, Bournemouth 43, whilst Peterboroughs 60 home goals looks like terrifyingly big tally. As an old fan who grew up with games at the Dell, where we used to say the crowd support was "worth a one goal start", it's sad that we haven't netted a bit more often at home. Let's hope we can get a few more on-target for the rest of the season. with 3 games in hand on the other promotion contenders, it's all up to us now .

agree with all those ..except maybe Hirst . He was a class " toughie-type " CF. Was unlucky to damage his leg when training pre-season 98/99 ...and never recovered proper fitness. 1997-98 was a tough season, but Hirst, Ostenstad, Kevin Davies ... and MLT all managed around 10 goals each. Quite an accomplishment when you consider we spent most of the season in the bottom half of the table.

Amen to that one !

In their defence...I think Phillips was reluctant to come in the first place and clearly wanted to keep his career on top. You see now that 4 years later he's still coming off the bench (at Brum?) ..and scoring in stoppage time. Might not have liked him too much at the time, but a good man to have in the team. Crouch's career was going nowhere, until he came to us. When Harry finally used him and talked him into an England shirt inside six months. I rate him as a very useful Premiership no.9 with good ball skills, whereas many people only see him as a clumsy beanpole. When Harry gets to manage England...he'll have Crouch's name as first on the team sheet..together with all the other Spurs "Anglo's ". I don't blame either of them for NOT wanting to play in the CCC. Would you expect either of them to still be with us in L1?.

didn't even see him play ..was out at the toilet and getting a cup of tea at the time ....!

exactly my thoughts ---a draw was best. It holds back 'Boro's points total ....and keeps B'mouth in check - behind us. Now it's all up to us. THREE games in hand on most of the other challengers..if we foul up now, we only have ourselves to blame.

A million ..that's chicken feed..do you remember Agustin Delgado ?

a question many of us might ask and I wouldn't have known either, except that By chance I found a web site that was screening games in the Victory Shield U16 internationals) (see also thread on Luke Shaw). In the preamble to the kick off the commentator named the N.I. goalie ..Chris Johns as someone who had (or was)... signing for SAINTS. !! Shock.. Horror I've never heard of the lad. However, I was very impressed as he seemed to quite tall, and had good command of his area, and had a carefree, left-footed kick that easily punted the ball from box-to-box and set up attacks on several occasions.The defence in front of him wasn't so impressive, and had 4 lads ball-watching whilst the England U16 CF ..(son of Andy Cole) coasted though the N.I. defence unchallenged to net just before HT. I didn't see the rest of that game , but was left with a good impression of Chris Johns. OK I hear you say, he's only 16 but he certainly looked like a good prospect. Assuming I heard correctly... he might be in the next crop of Academy signings. as they say ..one for the future ?

tbh I got so impatient I looked it up myself. Brighton and B'mouth beat them twice and would lose 6 points each. Huddf'd won once and lost once - lose 3 points as would do 'Boro. Saints and MK Dons both lost to them once and therefore lose nothing . A table revised (as of today ) would look like this. Brighton 74 Hudd'f'd 67 SAINTS 65 MK Dons 65 Peterb'o 63 B'mouth 59 only a little better for us and tough on those teams who have still yet to play them again.

I think they will survive the season... BUT if they don't..how would that affect the points tally of clubs who've already played them, if their record is expunged ? We lost our home game ..so we "lose " nothing, but what about Brighton, Huddf'd, Peterboro', MK Dons and Bournemouth? some of them have probably played Argyle twice already.