david in sweden

I obviously didn't hear that ..what EXACTLY did he say ? .or what words did the reporter put in his mouth?

.or so it seems. After over 400 posts and almost 20,000 visits to the thread. There never was a deal on for Stock. O'Driscoll sounds pretty pi**ed off that the story may be unsettling his team and the player may think the club is trying to sell him behind his back :mad: and Pardew though asked - has never even hinted that he wanted, or has even bid for the player, or even wants to. A report on one site said Saints had a offer of 800K rejected by Donnies.:confused: and the clubs couldn't agree on a valuation. Either O'Driscoll and Pardew are the world's best poker players, or such items as this should never have seen the light of day. Now every former-player, or discarded Academy lad will be tipped to return to their "spiritual home " when in fact, most of them weren't even born in the county. I don't normally lose my cool but this type of time-wasting theads that doesn't even amount to... a sniff of a rumour, really gets up my craw. Some people must feel good to spread such groundless rubbish but I think it's just plain stupid. Is there anywhere in the football world where people value the TRUTH ? RANT NOT OVER!

Of course, lots of us are old enough to remember Terry, and his 10 year long double act with John Sydenham (on the left). He was a boyhood hero to many of my generation. Even more so when you consider he played for England 19 times, whilst we were still in Div.2 (CCC). Never forget the Wembley game v.N.Ireland (Nov 63) when Eng. won 8-3. Terry scored a personal hat-trick and made 4 of the other goals (the only England winger to score a hat-trick at Wembley). He wasn't "FAST" in the way Sydenham was (John had been So'ton schools sprint champion-and it showed)...but Terry had what some people called guile (clever or crafty). He could read the opposing full-back and had several tricks of his own. After 30, he moved to midfield, a bit slower- but he had so much vision, I'm sure he could have found his man blindfold, he was so accurate in passing. Ted Bates used to say, he could see a train coming out of the tunnel - before it had gone in. While it was sad that he left Saints (when he was ONLY 35,) the change of pace in the lower division helped a lot and I know he won a lot of friends at Hereford, as well as helping them with a promotion.

We all get 10/10 for that observation, but who...? It won't be Stock, it seems...but someone who is say 28-32, experienced in a FORMER Prem./ CCC SIDE and without a tragic inury record, and no good buying some "former star" whose knees will pack up after 3 games. All this tripe about good passing is fine, but we needs someone who can win the ball first!:smt081 Come back Jimmy Case. The trouble is that everyone is going to ask a £1 million+ from now on, as we are the only club below the top six in CCC that has any cash to splash,and you can be sure that everyone knows that. It will take some shrewd dealing to get someone at a half-reasonable price. Someone who can win a 50/50 tackle without getting a yellow card, and knows how to put the ball in the net himself. All the best names I know have retired now but surely to goodness SOMEONE on our coaching /scouting staff (if we have any now)... can come up with a name.

I guess it's down to how much of a realist you are...and how much you believe we can do it. Pardew certainly does (either that or he's just conned 3 players into believing something he doesn't believe himself)... OR the non-playing, non-managing fans on this site just don't have any faith in the teams ability to do it.... despite the fact according to this seasons form ..we have EARNED 39 points, (and had 10 of them stolen by the FA) ..and if we do the same in the second half of the season ...we will qualify for play-offs. Take your pick ....are you an optimist, or a pessimist? (it 'aint over till the fat lady sings ..right ?)

Yes -but they played different roles - didn't they? I also thought of MS as the first ball-winner and Claus doing more of a back-up sweeping role but they were a great combination.

Maybe you didn't watch the same match as I did? He shouted at the lino and ran over to him and then pushed the ref in the chest when confronted by him. He had to be restrained by several other players and after the red card, had to be led from the pitch (I think)... by a Saints official). Pushing and shoving may have been "OK " between two players but you can't assault match officials. I totally agree that 10 matches was totally out of order, but I think the ref. must have made a bad report about him, and the FA committee looked more closely at his disciplinary record and threw the book at him.

Unfortunately, Claus' heritage with Saints is clouded by a couple of dramatic headlines, when in fact his overall performances for Saints were exceptional over a 10 year period. He is one of only 10 players to have played over 400 games for SFC and the only non-British player ever to do so. He wasn't bought for his goal-scoring ability but he and Michael Svensson were two of the BRAVEST defenders I'd watched in the last 40 years. If Fonte plays half as well as Claus, I'd say we'd done a great deal.

Not even Man.Utd or Liverpool when they play lower league sides in the FA Cup !

There have been MANY... and this is only part of it. But here's the story so far.. Elliott Ward, a former junior at West Ham (when AP was manager there) is now at Coventry BUT apparantly out of favour with CC manager Chris Coleman.(some Coventry fans seem to think there is an " issue" between them - not confirmed). Ward (apparantly) agreed terms with Saints last week , but at the last minute Saints stopped the deal, and Ward was forced to return to Coventry. Coleman has accused (Saints chairman Cortese) of all manner of wrong-doings and even said that CC will not do Biz. with Saints in the future ? What business ? ..some think we had our eye on another CC player, too OR a Saints player was involved in the original deal but it was called off because he didn't want to move ? This story really has played out its time and no crime has been committed, but Coleman is miffed about being stuck with a player who, he clearly doesn't care a sh*t about, but is still stuck with him and now doesn't even have any transfer fee to buy anyone else with.

I actually watched that infamous game when he was sent off. Having lost a decision about a foul ..he attacked a linesman verbally and the ref. physically... and had to be restrained by his team-mates. It resulted in a 10 match ban, when we were struggling and sorely needed his presence in the side. IMHO that ban was more of a small factor in our eventual relegation than many on here care to admit. On his day, a talented player, but has serious problems if he can't control his temper over losing a decision - nice guy maybe - but no thanks !

My thoughts, too. It might have been that there was a Saints player involved in the exchange / transfer deal and didn't want to go, and that made NC back down at the last minute. Hard luck on Ward, but I think Coleman is the one being "childish". He clearly though he was getting rid of a player he didn't care a "sh*t " about - and it backfired, and he felt miffed about it. It won't be the last deal to fold at the 11th hour..it's not valid until the ink is dry on the contract and registered with the FA.

.and it may not be the last time that happens........any suggestions? Teams aren't going to lay down and die just because we scored late on. I don't think AP will let that go by unmentioned in the dressing room - do you ?

I agree with that too, Considering we had the -10 to start with, we've done as well as any team in contention for the play-offs. No-one can blame AP for the minus position, that was the FL. We've EARNED 39 points this season, it's not the fault of anyone connected with the club that there was a deduction. Only Leeds have had ANY real consistancy (lost only 2 league games) and Norwich and Colchester has embarassed each other in away fixtures, and 2 of our defeats were in the first 3 league games (.pre. Jaidi, Trotman, and Papa W) and Lambert is amongst the highest scorers in the League. What do they expect. Some people call for the managers head every time we concede a goal. Next time we lose a game, they'll start a petition for his head. As we wouldn't have a club without Liebherr and Cortese and their finance, I suggest people think carefully before expecting miracles every week. They've planned for the next 5 years and are more patient than many of our fans !

.and not forgetting Anders Svensson who was terribly mis-used during his time with WGS. AS had his best position which was playing " in the hole " behind the strikers. WGS couldn't /didn't want to ...use this talent and consequently Anders was often on the bench - or left out altogether. I know Anders liked Saints and So'ton as a home but was very disappointed at his treatment. Back at Elfsborg,(his original club) he has masterminded their recovery, helped them get Euro football for the last 2 years ..and at 33, he passed his 100 caps for Sweden. I greatly admire Strachan - still do - but he wasn't good at coaching players who didn't fit his beloved playing style which was unchanged in all his time at SMS.

not forgetting... one of the RICHEST owners in the Football League IMHO ..If AP gets to be manager of a Prem.side again ..it will be with Saints.

agreed...they broke the mould when Jimmy Case finished playing. Beware ....some others here have suggested; Robbie Savage, David Prutton or Nigel Quashie . they sound more like a HEAD CASE :smt021

MLT born 14 october 1968...that makes him 41 and a bit... Why..do you think you can persuade AP to play him ?

well spotted that man, but of course he didn't ACTUALLY pick a team and manage the defeats that led to his own downfall. That's a big criteria for sacking a manager - isn't it ?

He is a player who seems to do OK in a specific role. Statistically... he's started 12 times this season and was ever present in the good unbeaten run we had in the Autumn. He's been used as sub 9 times. It's hard to come on and fit in, and yesterday (when few played well) he was no real replacement for Hammond. Typical for a utility player but IMHO he's worth keeping as a " regular sub."

Schneiderlin looks good in games where we control the play, and often passes well, but he lacks " bite" in the middle of the park, and has been subbed 13 times this season so far.! Is that a lack of penetration, or fitness?. few people doubt his skill, but in midfield you need to " get stuck in " but if you're booked every time you make a clumsy tackle, then it 'aint working. I'd feel happier with MS if he was " last man standing " and had netted a few goals. If we are comparing these two..based on goals and assists, Lallana wins hands down. If you drop MS and put AL in a definite midfield role , you lose his (AL) strike power and you ABSOLUTELY must have a stronger figure up front beside Lambert.

"proper match" is right, though he's had a few outings in the reserves of late.

(4th signing) ..which he effectively is. He started well last season but the injury put him out for a year. He's still got bags of experience, and I hope he maintains his form and fitness and he will give some balance to the left side. With Hammond out now..we def. need a strong attacking " midfield general." Injuries like his can be a short term problem, or a season-long nightmare.

I don't necessarily think it was Pardew who decides on the valuation. Mick Channon said once that Ted Bates did everything, coaching, picking the team and also took care of organising the transfers. More recently - during Strachans time - WGS said he gave "the unmentionable chairman "- a list of players and left it to him to get the best deal he could. Nicola Cortese's banking background puts him in better position to decide finance than 90-odd other chairmen in the League. I wouldn't be surprised if AP had quite a long list, but NC did the deals and dealt with " valuations." Besides as Donnie also want Gillett..maybe there's a discussion about his valuation. Certainly a 29 year old midfielder from CCC can't be worth ..so much !