david in sweden

I recall Steve as the sort of player who shone brightly as a winger " in the Reserves". ...at the same time as (the late) Austin Hayes, Funnell, Hebberd, Waldron, Shipley and Tony Sealy. Steve actually scored 21 goals for Reserves in 1977-78 but never got started in the first team where he was understudy to a certain ..Alan Ball at 7 and Ted Mc Dougall no.11... and so had no chance to progress in out First Division side (Prem.) at the time, and Lawrie Mac " let him go ...." His move to Exeter was highly beneficial and he scored lots of goals for them. He had 3 spells there ...as well as terms with Shef. Utd and Bristol City. Career figs. were quite impressive, too After only 6 apps. (1 goal with Saints) he went on to play almost 500 league games and netted an impressive 134 goals. -------------------------------------------------------- btw : MIke Pickering looked a good buy in 1977, but was only with us one season before moving back to Yorkshire. He " apparantly" had a difference of opinion with Lawrie Mac...end of story !

old to enough to have seen him play ...regularly !

It has to be said that " very few " players are great from day one and it takes some time to settle in - not to mention that after playíng in Italy all his career ...then League 1 must be " a bit of a change " to say the least. ....then again there's the langauge, too....does Papa Weigo really understand our tactics ?

...although that is a problem on the left Colin, I think I read that the lad turned in a few good games for the junior side, so a bench place is some sort of reward-gesture.

good planning Winchester, but you forgot to add.... 6. winning the play-offs in May.! COYR !!!

YES, I commented on that on another thread. If we continue, we'll be clear of the pit by the end of November. Just look at the form (or lack of it) of those teams above us in the drop zone.

IF...we continue ...we'll be out of the pit.... by the end of November. Have you looked at the current form of those teams immediately above us ?

...looked like this when he arrived. Davis James ------ ------ ------ Wotton ------ ------ ------ ------ Lallana ..and, of these, only Davis would have been a first choice selection. Assuming that most of us think Saturdays result was one of the best (and most satisfying) so far this season, the remainder of the line-up are his own later acquisitions, who are just coming together. (and Papa Weigo and Jaidi have barely played 4 games each)....I think AP 's done a good job. I do hope our more impulsive fans will realise that very few clubs win every game just because they have bought a whole new team. (Yes, I've followed Man. City results but Mark Hughes has top class players in his Premiership squad ..who would doubtless be kicked to death in L1, too).

Some players tend to get into that "utility " slot, (as a fill-in when the usual player is injured,) I feel it is somewhat unfair on any player who willingingly plays where the manager puts him - and turns in a mediochre performances only to get stick from fans afterwards. Very few players can " play anywhere" and do it well; Jimmy Gabriel, David Peach, Nick Holmes and Chris Marsden are a few names who come to mind, but most players are best in one role. A recent thread highlighted two (Stuart Gray) signings; Rory Delap and Anders Svensson who both fell into the " utility " category when succesive managers had a shirt to fill, and they were played out of their " best positions ". (Both players have enjoyed considerable success since they left the club). Playing (everyone) in their best position is a managers dream-scenario but becomes a nightmare for the " oddman out ", when he's handed the spare shirt and told to play elsewhere. If Wotton can play consistantly well in that postion - he's worth his place. His long history with Plymouth proves that he has the experience at this lower level and surely in the " type " of Gillingham games - he'd be an asset in midfield. When we played the more "skilful sides" ..(apologies for use of that word in L1)...then Schneiderlin may be a better bet. I go along with using specific players against specific opposition teams as a " short term " solution. Older fans recall a much under-used 1960's defender named Tony Byrne, who " man-marked" George Best probably better than anyone else ever did, but rarely had a regular role in a Saints shirt. Wotton may be the Huxford/Walker/Case type of defender we need right now, especially as " skill " seem to be at a premium in L1.

re (Mellis)....nor, should we add ...is he permanent (!)..and not Trotman either. If they continue to perform well... both would give us some much -needed skill in their respective areas, but after they return to their parent clubs....then AP will have to re-build all over again after New Year.

How nice to read so many good match reports, Nick I can agree with yr. Surman comment (not a great goalscorer) BUT yr. comment about Lallana's apparant lack of pace - may not be a problem. Several others, on here, have used the word " poacher " (about AL) and if that is the case, it may not be so negative as you might think. Looking back many top goalscorers (of the past) often lacked pace but made up for it with guile and skill on the ball; and still scored lots. My (long ago) memories of George O'Brien (1959-66) was that he was one of the laziest players I've ever seen, but it didn't stop him striking goals in from every angle or distance and taking half-chances whenever they came. More recently (MLT) who never won a 100 metres sprint, but had so much vision and scored unbelievable goals (looking at the video again). Great players with pace look exciting - until they lose that extra yard. Marian Pahars was dream to watch, but had nothing to offer after he'd been crippled by countless defenders. We can all recall players like the teenage Michael Owen...and Theo Walcott...but without their fast pace have much less to offer after 22/23 -ish. Lallana (hopefully) may exploit that sixth sense that goal poachers have and I'm still excited to see that sub. goal he scored in the away match at WBA a couple of seasons ago...it looked even better on TV. Lets hope Adam can continue to take his chances.

Very nice post, Landford, After 50 years as a Saints fan... and now sitting in my cellar in Stockholm I can echo those thoughts totally. We've gone full circle in the last 50 years and I am also glad we've still got a club to support. I shall go out and buy a bar of Swiss chocolate, or a cuckoo clock to show my appreciation. From now the only way is UP..and the Board is the best as we've ever had.

best suggestion I've heard today !!

You don't know how much we can laugh at that comment in Sweden. The colourless leader of the opposition Social Democrats in Sweden is called Mona Sahlin. Her hapless history has followed her around for 15 years. She was "guilty " of not paying lots of household bills; day-care, lots of parking tickets, and the mis-use of her Government credit card whilst on holiday, at the same time that her party wanted to raise everyones taxes. She used the dreaded credit card to buy nappies (not for her children) and ...(wait for it )...a Toberlone bar (and she couldn't pronouce it correctly either). Might seem weird to people in the U.K. but here Toberone is still one big laugh and means only one thing...Mona's blundering economy. (sorry it's not football)

(Delap)...(SG)... who also bought Anders Svensson at the same time. Gray got the sack soon after and successive managers played them both " out of their natural positions ", and they forever felt the anger of fans disappointed at their performances. (!) .and both did infinitely better after they left.

Good post LTC, As a statistics nerd myself, I agree with your point. At least we can see that starting over isn't always easy. I don't have my In that Number to hand, but i bet Lawrie Mc Menemy's first ten weren't much better and we got relegated his first season in charge.

Very good article. Cortese is a man with vision and the wherewithal to get it. It shows a lot of difference between long term expectations....( upto to CCC) ... and short term disappointment (Bristol Rovers game). Some of our fan base could benefit from some of his confidence.

Well, I'm just as disappointed as everyone else that were not doing better. I've been a fan for over 50 years and seen bad times before, and this doesn't feel any better. You said you haven't called for AP to go..you then go on to say that you'll give him until of October. I was wondering if you meant it because you also say in your opening para. that you don't like him (past history etc)! A bit biased perhaps? Most people seem to think that Jaidi and Papa Weigo are valuable additions, but Jaidi has played only 3 games (1 goal) and Papa W. had his first full game yesterday - and scored. Not really a lot of time to turn it all around, and YES.... AP still hasn't got it right yet either, but I like him better than any manager we've had in the last 4/5 years. People on this site have stated that Rovers were the best side we've faced this season, I think that it can't be ignored. Half of the teams we've played already are better organised than we are, and some are in the top 6. (I'm disappointed that we don't have a big striker, but with John and Rasiak deciding to go, it'll be hard to persuade a good striker to drop to L1 for us. Lambert still looks a good buy and laid on both goals last night...not so bad.?) We have to take one game at a time, but if things haven't turned around by the end of October - I'm sure M. Liebherr will be looking at his options - after all it is his money that's kept us alive in the first place....I can't recall the last time we had a good start to any season ...no matter which division, or manager we had... I've learned patience and its still a long way to the end of April. (No more mentions of Po*pey, but it's one of the few joys in life at present !)

so many memories of watching Ron play. Especially the season that he single-handedly destroyed a " soon-to-be-relegated " Aston Villa side at The Dell. Ron scored FOUR (two headers, two with his feet) ..hit the bar and had another disallowed. We forget how good his ground skills were, as when he waltzed through the Villa defence and slotted home from an almost impossible angle. Great stuff ! Good luck Ron... we'll pray for Chris' prompt recovery.

Got someone else lined up - have you ? Let Marcus Liebherr know ASAP and he'll give you a blank cheque I'm sure. ...and how many new players do you expect the NEXT manager to buy in ...and how long will it take them to settle in..? ....I really can't believe I'm reading some of these criticisms ! Has anyone spoken to a Pompey fan recently ...btw ?

Changing managers isn't the answer. Last season we were down to ONLY two., which was an improvement on the seasons before when it was 3 or 4 changes... every season. Where do these impatient people come from ? A brand new team (well almost) and someone out there expects us to be pushing for play-off places already. We are not Premier League anymore and looking to change the manager before Nov. 5th. My goodness .. if only some of these people had been around in the distant past. Ted Bates (God rest his soul).. .and Lawrie Mac (thanks for 1976 LM ) had some pretty disasterous seasons between them, but fans weren't looking to oust them every few months. I can recall one " fan " (at The Dell) who'd regularly call for McMenemy's sacking every time we had a poor result ...( and there were a few of those,) BUT when LM did go ( to Sunderland) ..this " fan" was the first one to call him a traitor for leaving the club ! You can't please some people ! With a -10 points start and a brand new line-up... I'm giving AP my support as long as we stay in this division.

Well said! Already he's got critics. What do they expect..? He hasn't trained with us, can't handle the language very well ..if at all ? ..and isn't the single-handed answer to our strike problems. What's next ......some people want to write him off straight away. Give the guy a chance. The " match-changing " hero type Roy of the Rovers (too long ago for some of you ) ...only turns up once every decade, let's not make him the scapegoat for the whole teams shortcomings .

A good item hectors house. Lawrie McMenemy used to say that footballers are only people and ..." you need to kiss some and kick the others ". I'm sure that AP speaks his mind to players in private, and if they don't pull their weight he'll tell them so...though perhaps not in the same tone to everyone. Naturally we all accept that not everyone plays well every game (noted yesterday was the first game that (some) thought Hammond was... less that brilliant). Obviously AP wouldn't pick someone he didn't think was capable of DAGJFU, but if the player disappoints he won't run to the Echo and blame him publicly, and I'm sure one or two know that know they have to perform better in order to keep their place(s). I think he knows what he's doing and will get them doing it right ..eventually. Missing all these chances is annoying but i recall a fun story from " my Dell days" In commenting on goalscorers, we all were amazed looking back to the season (now 50 years ago) when CF Derek Reeves scored 39 league goals..and a few in the Cup. WOW !!..we thought, only to be brought down to Earth by the moaning voice of a pensioner behind us .... " Yes, he said 39 goals ....but he missed 100 ! " . (We may not see 39 goals from anyone, but I'm sure it 'll be more fun when we really get in gear.) COYR !!!!

Surely now the bookies will run a book on ...WHEN Pompey get their FIRST POINT ....and later in the season ........ on WHICH month they get their first WIN... .and in WHICH year that will be ..... exciting, eh ?