david in sweden

Now that's more impressive - but what does it mean ..?

Agree with that Duncan. Throwing lots of finance at it, isn't necessarily the right route either. I was puzzled by Sol Campbells prompt departure..especially as he was on good money, personally I think he found L2 to be on a par with Hampshire League (in a manner of speaking). With his background and experience it must have been a real culture shock for him. No wonder he left so soon. No matter how much you offer top players, there is no guarantee they will " make " the side successful. Admitedly, Lawrie Mac did it for us in the late 70's /early 80's but we were already playing at the highest level when most of them came, and those chosen made the difference, but even then we didn't win the League title, or even a cup afterwards. Notts County won't solve their problems at that level so easily, although they ought to be in L1 by next season if they are expecting progress in the long term.

YES there is - and a player cannot play for MORE THAN 2 clubs in the same season. EVEN...If they are going to move...and sign a pre-nup agreement, they still cannot play competitive games in that same season. The only likely moves are those who want to go..like Saga..no-one is going to move from a successful club,unless they are at odds with the manager, etc. Can't see any of our " sought-after " players going - no matter who wants them. Unfortunately, many fans have a mindset that we have to sell our best. MONEY ISN'T A PROBLEM.......I liked the sound of that, I'll say it again ... MONEY ISN'T A PROBLEM, anymore. ML could probably buy Man.U or Liverpool without breaking sweat, or worrying his bank manager, if he so desired. (Except that FIFA /UEFA rules say you can't own two clubs in the same country....or something similar.) I'm sure money will be forthcoming in January and expect to see 2-3 new faces, but not for million pound prices. That sort of funding is not needed at this level and will likely be available in the coming seasons when we move up to CCC ...and later on in The Premiership ....

MANY THANKS rockhill, we foreign fans can't see such things because of BBC's ban on overseas users:x. Hope some of you can do this for all such matches in future.

I'd go along with that and give a few more bench-sitters more than just 5 mins at the end. If the worse comes to the worst and we have more injuries they'll need match practice anyway. (if tactics allow -of course).

I was thinking a similar thing the other day. Few on the Saints staff will remember that (and a lot of the players weren't even born then,) but it's still a painful scar in the memories of many older fans. In those days, the mere prospect of travelling to Elland Road was a nightmare and some of their players were harder than their fans.

It's spine-tingling for me just reading these comments, as I can still recall the original " slower " version when sung at full volume at The Dell. COYR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This happens all the time, but let's not be too hard on someone who's well on his way to 20 goals before the New Year and our new " hero" . I recall a conversation with some older fans about Derek Reeves, our record goalscorer when we were last in this league ..50 years ago ! Reeves (for the uninitated) scored 46 goals (39 league and 7 cup) in 1959-60 when we were Div.3 South Champs. Reeves (they said) scored goals with almost every part of his anatomy, but they all counted. " 46 goals sounds a lot, one man said to me, but he (Reeves) missed 100 " Let's be patient with Lambert, he's looking good so far - and already top scorer in L1.

This is a fair question topic(IMHO) and if you put it in context of Sport/Saints LEGENDS are (I submit) players who, either from long-service, or great achievement have left an indelible page in a (club/sports) history. In some cases, the achievement is not based on mathematics / time period. Paine (most apps.) Channon (most goals) and MLT (for goal-scoring achievements beyond the call of duty, or expectation) are obvious and undisputed examples. However, a third category exists for others who are " fans favourites ". Ron Davies is not " best " in any of those categories but nevertheless few who saw him play would deny his place as a club legend. The effect certain individuals have over a shorter period also gives ground for the " legend " category; such as Marian Pahars who (despite) an all too short career destroyed by injury) -scored some of the most important goals in those two seasons that kept us up in the Prem. in the " Great Escape period." Secondly, it depends on the sport. The Tiger Woods "saga" is not unusual in one way, (as it offends the American view of " public people's morality " - not one I totally disagree with, incidentally). For his age, TW is without question one of the best golfers ever to tee-off in a tournament, and although, (as a husband and father) I deplore his reported misconduct - it is essentially a matter between him and his wife. However, the "image" that golf gives itself is not the same as with football - where such " indiscretions" as adultery (incl.some England players) does not affect their popularity, or sponsorships, but in some ways - even enhances it. Such behaviour is apparantly, expected and generally tolerated in pop-stars,politicians and film-stars - but not sporting legends. Like it or not, whatever the outcome of the Tiger Woods "affair(s)" ...HIS legendary sporting status may never be surpassed. His career will be (if it has not been already,) destroyed by an intrusive media, who will hypocritically discredit anyone, in order to sell newspapers.

As someone who has spent half-a-lifetime teaching English to foreigners, I'd agree with that. Firstly, A.S. is TOO fast in putting his questions, and the build-up was too long for Berbatov to grasp sometimes. I had a chuckle when he said Berbatov spoke " perfect English " ..coming from some one like AS - thats a laugh. IMHO Berbatov came over as a very pleasant guy, but with limited vocabulary and a bit of difficulty in grasping English grammar (but, that's not unusual). Although Shearer's Saints career was fairly short,(I had a great admiration for him as an England player,) but, he needs to leave the " dressing-room style " vocab. behind him and focus on a watching/ listening TV public when interviewing people. I agree that Lineker has a good media-style and hopefully Alan will get a few tips. Being an " Expert" commentator is a real curse in any field,) but TV bosses must learn the difference, when picking " legendary / star players " and their ability to communicate in words of more than two syllables. Should we expect to have Wayne Rooney as an " expert " commentator (say) in 10 years time ? ..I hope not for everyone's sake..........(still I'd prefer listening to Shearer than Hansen any day !)

Not in the end of course, but Kettering fought them hard for 108 mins (1-1) but the second goal was the killer. After that it was all downhill for Leeds and Kettering lost heart. At that point it was 36 Leeds shots for 1 goal - not a good average though.

Don't know if I'd have chosen another word instead.(?) As I recall, there were some raised eyebrows and a look of real disbelief on his face. Makes you wonder if anyone had informed him about our disasterous past ? He was fairly new at the time and obviously few people outside of England remember such occurances.(1990-98)

yes of course I am, but what a fascinating game! now in second half of ET... still 1-1 Leeds had 36 shots..... v. 5 from Kettering ! LATER , Ah well a bit to much to hope for I guess, Leeds score twice in a minute ...Now 3-1 with 12 mins.to go. SHAME!! great effort by Kettering but Leeds ran out 5-1 winners. (44 shots to 5) OUCH !

Leeds really making hard work of Ketttering 1-1 at FT (now extra time) .then pens ? LEEDS ..... Corners 16 LEEDS...... 30 shots .v. 5 How energetic will they be on Saturday? .... don't hold your breath

David Peach played 1974-80.(mostly at left back. In 278 games he scored 44 goals. He was the regular penalty taker, but scored quite a few from outfield while playing in various other positions. I think around 20 +/- were penalties, but his 34 goals are a league record for a full back. However, MLT's record is a League record for most of the most pens. 48/49

well it MIGHT be.....? , I also noted that we played WIMBLEDON (away) in rd.3 jan.1978 (won 2-0 ) but I think they must have been in the Football League at that time. Can't recall which year they came into FL ? ..anyone ? no more ideas.

well it MIGHT be.....? , I also noted that we played WIMBLEDON (away) in rd.3 jan.1978 (won 2-0 ) but I think they must have been in the Football League at that time. Can't recall which year they came into FL ? ..anyone ? and after that ...rd.4 jan.1986 v. WIGAN won 3-0 at Dell (they surely must have neen non-league then) , or ????

Non Leaguers do very well to get to the 3rd round - don't they whilst we were in Div 3 South in the 1950's..we used to start in Round 1 (like now) Nov.1954 rd.1 v. BARNET (then Athenian League amateurs) won 4-1 AWAY Dec. 1956 rd.2 we played WEYMOUTH at the Dell won 3-2 Nov.1957 rd.1 we played WALTON & HERSHAM AWAY won 6-1 (Reeves 4) Nov.1958 rd.1 v. WOKING (then FA Amateur Cup holders) won 4-1 at The Dell OTHER NON LEAGUE OPPONENTS : January 1939 we played CHELMSFORD CITY. and lost 1-4 but that was AWAY, thats all I could find. DC

.and surely the " transfer ban " is because they still owe outstanding sums to various clubs for incomplete transfer deals ?

Thanks for the maths Draino, I enjoy stats. but maths isn't my strong point. We always talk about those 27 years in the "top divison" though of course, but the " Prem." as such has only been with us since 1992. If you look "too closely " at those stats.- it's even more depressing. Of 13 seasons in the Premiership from 1992-93, we finished 8th once and 10th twice, the rest of the time it was a bit more of a struggle. Thank God we had MLT !

I have to admit that it was an off the cuff remark, but I now see (after checking) that; Most Prem. sides have played 15 games, so far; and they are nearly halfway through THEIR season. (38 games) 11 Prem. sides have scored up to 19 goals... OR LESS. 4 of those have actually scored LESS than 15 goals. (Pompey 13) Although my original guess wasn't that accurate,, its not so far from the truth and must be pretty boring for their fans, ....don't you think ! I much prefer having my side score 3 every week.

You know that sounds like a good idea.. MLT for penalty training, maybe also David Beckham for free kicks.... and Rio Ferdinand for .back passing:(,(or David James on taking crosses.:mad: well, maybe not then ..lets leave it to MLT role at present.

I know some people will say that I'm bragging (and I am), but it's the truth ! In Spring 2002, shortly after Sven-Göran Eriksson took up the England job, he was in Stockholm doing a PR "thing" for a CD set of classical music (which I also like). I thought it would be interesting to see him at close quarters, and as I was working in the vicinity I went along to the store where he was doing the autograph signings and found a place in the queue. I have to admit that I was also going to put in a cheap plug for the " Bridge and Beattie for England campaign " that many Saints fans had at the time. When it got to my turn, I took a few extra moments to inform him that England had gone out of big competitions TOO MANY times in the past - because of our inability to find 5 players capable of scoring from the spot. He gave me a shocked look, and asked, " Is that really so ..? " I assured him it was, and he shook my hand again and thanked me for the tip. Some time later, when interviewed on TV, he said that England players would be doing extra training in penalty-taking. (Of course I didn't expect to get credit for the tip, and for once... England didn't have to face the problem in THAT World Cup). Now, I don't know if I'm likely to meet Fabio Capello soon ..but if I do .....!! **btw... Svennis' CD set was a great buy, and I still listen to it regularly. The profits from the sales of (said CD) ...went to the Swedish FA's Youth Development Scheme.

** .....and Peter Crouch as I recall, too

.or whatever the timeframe ML / NC are planning for looks exciting. If money buys successful teams (which Chelsea and Man U.seem to think) then at least we have some secure backing, and we don't need the likes of Drogba and Wayne Rooney in this league,(as Lambert, Lallana amd Connolly seem to be doing OK thank you). BUT somehow the whole idea of OUR team picking up so many positive results and scoring lots of goals is really encouraging, no matter what league you are in.Naturally,there's a lot of prestige being in the Prem. but when you consider in those 27 years we had, we barely finished in the top 10 more than half-a-dozen times, while much of that time we were still holding our breath in the last week of the season. Look at the current Prem. table almost everyone in the bottom half could be in the relegation zone if they lose 2 or 3 games before New Year, and most of them have hardly managed a goal per game. Stressful and boring and very little prestige. Whereas we were on a hiding to nothing from day 1. For us to get a play-off place this season and then get promoted would sound like a Biblical miracle, or a crazy Hollywood script. Meanwhile we march on, scoring lots of goals and with a steadily improving team - who knows what will happen? Personally, whether it's L1 or CCC is immaterial right now. We have a good team and a great manager .and who knows how far we might go?. COYR !!