david in sweden

I really don't think we can say that " so-and-so " is the ideal partner for Fonte. It depends a lot on form, fitness, opposition + ground conditions. Playing at SMS... is not the same as the sand pit they played on at Exeter on Tuesday night (even though we won at the death). Jaidi isn't as fast as he was, but having a central defender with his build is a good thing- it can't be denied. Fonte is the most consistant (best) defender we have but a quick analysis of results this season looks like this ; of nine defeats ; 3 were with Fonte and Jaidi together, 3 with Fonte and Seabourne together, 2 with Martin and Fonte and one with Jaidi and Seabourne. Fonte has made 23 League starts, Jaidi 14 ...and Seabourne 12 . Martin has made onle 3 league starts (we lost twice and he was out a omg time after being injured in the Swindon game. ........AND the Jaidi and Fonte pairing is the most common pairing in those games that we've won. At present it looks like Fonte + A.N. OTHER but I'm glad that we've got others to choose from. Jaid may have one more good season left in him but at some time NA will decise on Seabourne provided he continues to improve. Martin is a good prospect (note West Ham rumour in the window) but is a long way from first choice material , but I'd definitely keep him. On a hot day, and a dry pitch as SMS I'd probably take the mobile Seabourne, but I don't want to see Jaidi disappear too soon.

It is indeed. fairly obviously he won't be in the start line-up, but most likely come on as a late sub . ..and score the winning goal ! (all Roy of the Rovers stuff, eh ?)

Give it to Ron, I fully accept your comments about TF (lack of ) progress. Obviously, not one of RL's better decisions. Considering we have TF on a ..5 year contract (OUCH!) we must do something more with him than merely let him train with the lads every week. Goalkeepers (with rare exception) are least likely to be replaced and seldom injured as outfielders are. It is the most consistant position and many keepers are with clubs 3-4-5 seasons or more, whereas the "average " player may not hold his place more than 2-3 seasons (because of injury, loss of form , and eventual transfer). Being no.2 goalie (or No. 3 for that matter) must be a boring life if you get - splinters in your butt - every match waiting for the incumbant to twist his ankle, or break a leg. We have a long list of reserve goalies who never made it, but who stayed for years; Tim Flowers did get a spot eventually but only after he'd seen off Peter Shilton and John Burridge. but the likes of Neil Moss,Ian Andrews, Gordon Smith and Alan Blayney..never made the grade with us...and as it seemsat present - neither will Tommy Forecast. I think he should go out on a long loan, and see if he can find "whatever form " he had as a promising youngster at Spurs. I still feel sorry for the guy and he should get a chance to prove himself - even at Eastbourne. Judging by their league position and frightening minus goal difference, if he can save then from relegation , he'll have proven something. As for alternatives..Bart is still young , and obviously touted as "crown prince " when Kelvin puts away his gloves, but I was horrified to see him last weekend (v: Man Utd) when he seemed to lack pace in his own area, almost seeming to move in slow-motion. If Owen's early effort (that hit the post) had gone in - we'd have lost by a cricket score , I'm sure.

Hey Give it to Ron, (Yes I saw Ron play, too) Firstly, I was not making a judgement, and certainly not suggesting he was possible first team material (someone else misquoted me there). Nor did I say he was future England material (but some of the media s***e that came out when he was signed made it look so). I couldn't find the original reports when he signed, but I'm sure it was written that way. Any player (goalie or otherwise) needs games to get experience and being one of ..FIVE ? keepers on the books, he's certainly not getting regular outings. I believe you if you say he's not good enough, but IMHO a tall keeper (say 6' 1" - 6' 4" ) sounds quite impressive, but (if I read correctly?).. TF is as tall as Crouchie .6' 7"..? ..and that surely does hamper his speed and movement. As a former goalie himself NA will, (sooner or later) make a judgement about TF future, however it is thankfully him and not us who will take the responsibility. Getting games under his belt is the one way that he / we will find out the truth. 0-3 isn't a good start, but (in common with Grimsby at the same he went there)..Eastbourne are already sitting in the drop zone, and a -25 goal difference at the half season point. That surely says something about the lack of quality in their defence , too. Many players go through bad times when they are regularly on the bench..or even don't make it to the bench, but everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves. Our history is littered with players ..incl. goalies who never made the grade with us yet went on to careers elsewhere. Whatever, his "level" I hope that TF gets a fair judgement of that. Good luck Tommy, with some of our " enthusiastic " fans ... you'll need it .

problem is people expect to see fantastic football (like the first half v. Man U.) every week and according to reports the Exeter pitch was pretty heavy and it was hard to move the ball around. Visiting places like Exeter, Hartlepools and Tranmere are going to spoil good form, even with talent passing the ball. Some grounds are more like a rugby pitch than SMS' billiard table surface so it's good to see that we can grind out results when needed.

you are correct of course, but can't help thinking there were strings attached somewhere...

Firstly, I didn't say Forecast was first team material, but that if you recall.. there was a lot of media hype about him when he moved here. Having said that a 6' 7" goalie is bound to attract attention. Tim Flowers was pretty appauling in the beginning and in a queue behind Shilton and Burridge, it took time for him to develop. It's all about confidence, and letting in 4 goals is easy if you have a dubious defence in front of you. I can recall the start of the 1982-3 season when Saints conceded 18 goals in the first 7 games and our goalie...was Peter Shilton. NO ! I am not comparing Forecast with him, either. We have 3 senior keepers and a couple of (ex) Academy lads around too, Decisons have to be made and putting him out on loan is the best way to find out his value. He 's fairly sure to be the one to go..Let's just hope we don't eventually regret it ! BTW Grimsby were near the bottom of L2 before Forecast was loaned to them last season, which says something about their defence.

Forecast had rave reviews when he came here on a 5 year contarct ! (same time as Bale left), but hardly seen any action. Some people say he's s***e, but very few have seen him outside the training ground. He's still relatively young and most keepers don't develop until they reach 30. Memories of Tim Flowers, who was abominable as Reserve keeper but eventually got his chance and went on to win an England cap before moving to Blackburn's Prem. League winning side (together with former Saints Shearer and Kenna), and England keeper for a while after. No-one gets good by sitting on the bench, my guess is that NA (a former 'keeper himself ) will sneak off to watch Eastbourse a few times to see what he's got in the Reserve department) and not dump him at the first opportunity.

No-one can play for FULL internationals for two countries, but anything LESS than a full international doesn't count. example; Nigel Quashie played for England U21 (in a former life ) but was later capped for Scotland because he had a Scottish grandmother, which is much clearer than the case of Tony Cascarino (born in England) but played several dozen games for Ireland? on the basis of an Irish grandmother (...who in truth - never existed). Players can qualify for citizenship after 3 years residence. Some while back someone suggested the Englsih goalkeeping crisis could be solved by a German-born Arsenal ? 'keeper obtaining citizenship - because he'd been living in the UK... for 5 years.

seems like he can turn it on when he wants to, but can be a bit moody and has had issues with prev.club managers. If he gets along with Holloway , you'll see some exciting football from him - if not we'll have him back in May and flog him to Millwall instead - if they can come up with 500K.

yes guys, I was a bit annoyed too, but let's be fair ...most of the season , or the year for that matter the service is pretty good. Twice a year (on deadline day) they'll be this panic..so what? does it really matter that you had to wait an extra 30 mins. to read others on a transfer that has already gone through? .. For those of you who expect micro-second response all the time, I say thaw out a bit. In the transfer market, what's done is done and the others must wait for next season.

but he's probably good on assists..

Oh.... Skacel not signing for them either, then?

I'd go along with that. Good suggestion.

Well... there's always a diamond in every pile. At first, no-one was impressed by Ivan Golac when they heard he came from YUGOSLAVIA..or Marian Pahars from.... LATVIA ? and Hassan Katchloul (from MOROCCO) apparantly walked into the DELL ..and asked for a trial.! If Salihi signs, we'll have a chance to see, won't we.

it might look better on paper, we have ONE game in hand on most opponents, but have played THREE away games less (than home fixtures).....

ah great days ..if only there were ....another Marian Pahars...

now that would be a surprise ...!

now they have drawn CRAWLEY ..at home in round 5 score forecast anyone ?

No but at least he scores goals. For all the good press about Schneiderlin, his goal-scoring record is abysmal ..1 goal in three seasons??? though Hammond is a little better, it's obvious that AL, AOC and Chaplow are also capable of getting on the score sheet.

ANSWER : If we can play for 90 minutes, as we did yesterday ...we could be top of the Prem...for one week at least but we have to do better than we did v. Notts County and Tranmere.

Not been mentioned so far, but I'd like us to sign an experienced midfielder. Over 30 - no problem. Watched Paul Scholes yesterday - (NO!- not to buy him,) but at 36 ?..he still looked class. can remember when Terry Paine was moved to midfield when he was past 30, Alan Ball in his "second childhood" servicing the midfield with great passes. David Armstrong at The Dell and CMFG at SMS, all could command midfield and pass a good ball. Nothing against our existing quintet, but Schneiderlin never seems to be in the thick of it, and never scores, and the rest are talented - but YOUNG. Come back Jimmy Case - all is forgiven.

...not the daftest suggestion this month. could he be persuaded to come to L1?

to be fair, he didn't have so much to do -except pick the ball out of the net twice, but he did look rather slow on his feet. I don't know what weight he is , but he ought to be more mobile. Maybe not his fault, but comes from being an " occasional " goalie who plays two games a month with the "U21" side..