david in sweden

one of the points raised in the excellent Nicola Cortese interview was a question about players who are soon to be out of contract. (I think the questioner was worried about signings like Forte becoming discontented if we don't go up) ..but more to the point .. WHO is out of contract in June ..and do we / you think they should stay?

Defenders often do last longer and in our club history it's not unusual to have defenders in the 34/35 age group. They may not be quite so fast on their feet but they know how to " use their head " when facing fast young, one-footed wingers. I'd give Jaidi one more year - at least, I can recall Jimmy Case being a handful to cope with when he was past 36 . Don't underestimate experience.

I can see very few will believe you, LTC but I go along with the theory, too. In line with that; 2 of the top six will "lose " form and drop back while we gain points. I've noticed that in the run in for the last few seasons, that a couple of top six teams drop away and thats our chance to move up. YES, we have to win almost everything and it may well go up to the last game, but if we have the impetus to do that we will be the in-form team for the play-offs.

Nothing new - at all. There are various articles, and mentions in books of young players " lodging " with families way back in the 1960's. It's good for the young / single players to have a home base, and a sympathetic landlady who can be " mum" for them, especially if they'd come from long distances. Sometimes, even senior players took in apprentices from faraway places. It wasn't so easy travelling back and forth to Scotland in the 1960's, and we had quite a few Scots in the youth sides around that time.

I'd quite forgotten some of those but having seen most of them play, I'd have to say its REALLY impressive. The likes of Osgood, Charlie George, Dave Watson, Rodrigues, Jordan and Worthington looked good on the team sheet and must have been a tremendous encouragement to youngsters in the side - but to be fair most of them had better days behind them. For purely inspirational signings ...you have to say KK and Peter Shilton. Mc D and Boyer were always a threat together ..and having got one, he eventually had to sign the other. But for me, the best of the rest were; Peach, Nicholl, Golac, Mark Wright, David Armstrong Perhaps one of the most influential signings was seen AFTER LM left, that was the signing of Jimmy Case.[/ Jimmy was the best man in Chris Nicholl's side every season for more than 6 years after.

Although they are not in the same class (or Division) that Claus and Michael S were, they are nevertheless very impressive and the comparison is clear. The sort of cultured sweeper role that Fonte has at the back is something that has been credited to Lawrie Mc Menemy's managerial time. (It's difficult to see the same model in any other clubs of that period) but the presence of Jahdi is similar to several " hard men " we've had in the past. John McGrath was of course a one-off, and Jim Steele had a similar no-nonense style. Since the start of the Prem. 1993- we had Monkou, Van Gobbel, El Khalej, Deano, and of course Michael Svensson all of whom grew up with the school motto " ...None shall pass ". They carry the right size and body weight, and were all the type of players I wouldn't like to argue with in a bus queue. Jahdi is the latest graduate of that class, and I hope that he can stay long enough to justify it .

of course, Claus and Michael were playing when Saints were a good side in the Prem. Obviously, Fonte and Jaidi look good at this level, I'm sure Fonte will get better but Jaidi already has reached his peak as a player and even if we get back up to Prem. in the next 2-3 years he'll be on the way out. BUT yes it's good to see a sound central defence pairing.

but did Beckford a yellow card for diving ?

As I recall, TDD.... isn't SMS capable of extensions with second tier stands being built on ...? If NC can get us our own Stadium Railway station and more parking nearby then the problem is solved.

That was a Boxing Day game, and nearest thing to a local derby nowadays and there are old club links Tisdale etc, and I think Exeter fans wanted to visit a decent stadium, too.

interesting thread Paul, BUT to be fair, you can't put Ted and Lawrie in the same category, as some of their successors. Ted was boss for 18 years and Lawrie 13... of the rest only DJ and WGS had more than about 2-3 seasons. For Ted..TP has to be the best (along with John Sydenham) in the Div2 days. After 1966 promotion undoubtedly, without Ron Davies we would have been down the first year. As it was, after Davies finally left, we did get relegated. One word has to be said about Mick Channons "unorthodox" signing but he was certainly our best player for 6-7 years after Paine and Davies went. AS for Lawrie McMenemy...Apart from signing more than half a dozen England players, it's difficult to pinpoint more than a dozen others who were as good. There was a lot of media hype around KK signing, but he only stayed 2 seasons and therefore I rate Peter Shilton's 5 years stay (242 games) as a better signing. With 49 caps at Saints, he was No.1 England keeper the whole time. Jimmy Case was LM last signing but made as big a contribution to Chris Nicholls sides as anyone that CN signed himself. On a personal level, I liked Ivan Golac who I thought was the most entertaining defender we ever had, and would even bring those in the stands to their feet when he went on the attack.(** At the DELL, there were barely 6000 seated in the stands - the rest of us STOOD on the terraces.) I wouldn't argue with most of the rest you chose though I thought DJ made some very good buys which didn't always show in the results. WGS was worth the job just for signing Michael Svensson and Antti Niemi. Its too soon to judge AP's new boys, Lambert is superb, Harding and Hammond too but surely Forte is one of the safest CH we've had in a decade, and we haven't seen the best of Puncheon yet either. The only real question is ..having set the standard now, who will we have as new signings NEXT SEASON ...can't wait:smt031

young reserve sides can expect the occasional thrashing from higher league sides giving their (pro's /returning injured players) an outing. (Plymouth 0-7) Saints have done that a few times over the years and first teamers on the way back from a lay-off have scored 3 or 4 to get some form back. Of course we must have reserves, I really don't see the rational about having 17-20 players and expecting them to play the entire season. Our season will end up being close to 60 matches..even without the prospect of play-offs. you can't expect a 17 man squad to play the entire season without injuries /suspensions /loss of form. (Recently HRedknapp said he couldn't find a place for Russian (Pav) in his high-scoring start side..but now that Defoe is out as they have a few injuries, he's glad he's got an in-form striker to call upon.)

.and why not , I've heard sillier suggestions:smt111

Strange as it may seem JM ..I had a similar reminisence last week ..(and as an ex-pat myself)... I'm surely allowed to relate this story. I met a business contact from LATVIA, and when the subject came around to football..(what else)... I mentioned both Pahars (and Bleidilis in conversation and he was suitably impressed and spoke admiringly of them). Sadly careers that are cut short by injury never seem complete as a record..(even MLT's who surely could have continued a few more years)...but I thought of Ronnie Elkund too, who took the team by storm for those few months he was with Saints and few have forgotten him...even now.

Those who " come through the system ", or an experienced pro.has saved the day many times in the past. Season 65-66, despite getting promotion we tried out 7 players in the no.9 shirt, most successful was reserve CF Norman Dean who weighed in with 11 goals in 18 starts. Though not classy enough for Div.1 (we bought Ron Davies instead) Norman's contribution included a hat-trick in the 5-2 thrashing we gave Pompey at FP. ( A club record). Mick Channons debut app. that same season was enough to earn a draw (v. an excellent Bristol City side) and help the points tally. Bob McCarthy solved our RB problems for several seasons (early 70's) as did Tony Byrne who got more Irish caps than he did first team apps. at one time -and always marked George Best out of the game when we played Man.U . Likewise Paul Bennett filled the CH spot well after John McGraths departure. Paul Gilchrist and Bobby Stokes were on hand to fill valuable places in the mid 70's... and who can forget Tony Funnells phenomenol run in 1978 when he scored twice coming off the bench v. C.Palace..and proceeded to score 5 more in 10 starts to help get us promoted back upto Div.1. In the late 1980's Micky Adams played in several positions and never let the side down withoout ever being a regular. Nicky Banger scored in 3 successive games (Norwich, Liverpool and Man.U) coming off the bench in 1993, and helped keep us up. Such performances are usually invaluable. Upto date, what a good job we have Wayne Thomas and Chris Perry available for Wembley, as neither of them would expect to be first choice CH nowadays and I think David Connolly still has an important role to fill when he's 100% fit again. NO - sorry, we really need Reserves and many a legend has been made on the strength of such situations.

.you guessed ! .but even at that level he must be worth a few extra goals.

..after being tipped as a possible target in January and unofficially "training with Saints" and supposedly and getting a trial with Pompey..(must have been a nightmare in itself) ..SSN report that Michael Mifsud has returned to the land (or in his case... island) of his fathers, and will play for Maltese Premiership (LOL) side Valletta....or whatever level that is equivalent to ..? With his talent and experience, I expect to see him win the Golden Boot as Europe's top scorer next season .

most sensible statement on this thread..e-.mail it to NC and he can use it in his discussions with Wembley / FA ..or whoever...it's stupid to waste the space when we can sell the tickets.

I never for a moment doubted that we still had ambitions for the play-offs, but we can only play one game at a time..and " promising " play-off success is something that AP has carefully avoided ...in case it doesn't happen. Bearing in mind that we are 10 points better than all the teams around us because we've won / drawn the games - and it's only the FA / Lord Mc Whinging that deducted the points from our tally. Like the blind referee, we are a team who is better than our league position shows, though we get no credit for it. Tranmere is not the first time this season we've been "screwed" by an incompetent ref. though hopefully it will be the last !

Youngsters do grow up, (well some of them do.).and they can't go from Academy to first team in a season...even if your name is Walcott or Bale ! Loaning out is not a negative thing; Lallana had been loaned several times before his debut. Many get great reviews at Academy level, the majority don't make the grade to "senior" football, and the lower leagues are scattered with former youth players, some of whom are late developers but most have found their level. We have a good /very good record with young players who make it through to first team. Dodd, Bridge, Oakley,Surman, DMG, Dex. Lallana all started as teenagers (though not all Academy) and made their way up...not forgetting the two in the former paragraph. If we get bad injuries problems,(as happened a year or two back) then we need ready-made replacements. Players like Bart, Mills, Gobern, James, Antonio, Aaron Martin have all spent time on the bench and look to have a future, others like Lancashire and Paterson didn't look quite so secure...even after their excellent performances at youth level. We need the "extra bodies" as cover. Perry, Thomas and Wotton may seem " past their prime " to some people, but it is they who will start at Wembley on the 28th - as we have FOUR ? cup-tied players amongst the first team regulars. YES we need Reserves, some are the stars of the future, other the journeymen who help them develop and are ready to step in when the call comes. Thank goodness we have them.

I could have written that myself. My long term planning includes longer visits to UK in years to come after my retirement.

I'm one for praising GEORGE O'BRIEN...180 goals in 6½ seasons. (1959-65) Mind you he'd also be in the running for the LAZIEST player. George would never run more than 10 yards for the ball, but once he got possessson he'd have a shot at goal 25-30 yards, left foot or right ...no problem. As many small men, he was quick and deadly in the six yard box....and put away a few penalties in his time, too. Great shame these old heroes aren't on film to watch.There was no MOTD till about 1970.

right teams and right score but it was October 1989..and it was Div.1 (not L1)

and if you want to go back further than that ..our promotion season 50 years ago 1959-60 . We beat Mansfield (H) 5-2 followed by 6-3 v.Shrewsbury (H) just 4 days later. (that season we scored 106 goals, and won the Div.3 South title)

well YES ! in the now legendary 1963-64 season Saints scored ... 100 league goals:smt041..and 20 came in the last 4 games in early April. 70 of those were at home and we finished that season in tremendous form. Cardiff (A) 4-2 Bury (A) 5-1 Swindon (H) 5-1 we couldn't believe it when we started our last game at The Dell on 94, but finally beat Rotherham (H) 6-1 Those were the days ! But it also happened two years later , the promotion season 65-66. Cardiff (A) 5-3.. followed by Bolton (H) 5-1.... and a month later (with great satisfaction ) Portsmouth (A) 5-2