david in sweden

Nothing to complain about here.....he's got talent ....for a youngster. He's hardly likely to get anywhere near the senior England squad..so why not. T&T are unlikely to qualify for World Cup again in the near future, and it will please his Dad for sure. Rather as Wales or Northern Ireland recruit anyone with a grandfather from the homeland, Jake can qualify to play international football - even at CONCAF level. Good luck to him.

In some ways this is an even more important appintments - even than AP. A DOF will be a PERMANENT member of the Board and will be there as the " ultimate expert " on football in the football club. Therefore he must be someone totally knowledgible, trustworthy and responsible. Neither Leibmann or Cortese has claimed to be any sort of authority on English football, let alone L1 - they are (thankfully) responsible for the financial and organisational side of the club. They have also said that they are planning long term and theefore AP's job is likely to be safe - even if we don't make a play-off spot. Alternatively, if we are still in the bottom six by end of April they may have to think again, and AP's tenure maybe questioned. The DOF will hold the key to the question : Do we replace the manager and he (DOF) will give AP his P45, and then take over running the team .......until another manager is appointed. Thus the DOF has to be the RIGHT man for the job. Names like Keegan, Strachan, are therefore on that list.

There are two clear camps on this. You either like him ..or you don't. Others have pointed out negatives but he did give us our only trophy, and that wasn't luck either, MU and Tommy Docherty had a good side out and we were Div.2 (CCC). The later years in the era of the " Five England captains " gave those of us who remember it - the finest football of that / or any other generation. 1983/4 season we finished second to Liverpool by only three points, and there are fans who say ..had the season been two weeks longer - we would have won the league title. It was no surprise that he eventually left (for his ill-fated return to Sunderland) when - as Kevin Keegan pointed out - the directors wouldn't approve more money for big signings. Sunderland weren't called " the Bank of England club " for nothing! He had come to the end of his tether. I was disappointed - but not surprised. Historically the Saints' Board has always failed the club over money at crucial times - even back in 1948/9, and here was another betrayal. As for those who think him arrogant, he said on his appointment (1973) that his brash Geordie style would ruffle a few feathers - and it did. However, he came on Ted Bates' recommendation and in hindsight I think he was the best choice. LM had confidence in his ideas and his players and wasn't afraid to say so. Many players lifted their game under his guidance and what he did to lift the club's morale and image may never be repeated. He has had phases of unpopularity - and others of a higher ethical standing, as when the Board / Rupert Lowe refused to allow Graham Souness money to buy players, and he quit in protest, along with GS. Maybe it's the old North v. South squabble..we can't get along with them, and they don't like our " stupid " accents. Personally, I think LM deserves a lot more credit than some give him, and rate as one of the best managers the club has had......arrogance or not. His contempories as managers had respect for him ; (Sir) Bobby Robson, Brian Clough, Jack Charlton, Ron Atkinson and Graham Taylor - even though they didn't always agree on everything - in public. A generation of " younger fans" who are quick to decry his contribution to the clubs history are only looking at half the story.

Of course it's good to see Man.City start well, (esp.as we have had decades of MU at the top.) Good players can come into the side and make an impact directly. Those with memories of Lawrie Mac's " five england captains " would surely agree that " good / very good " players can change a game singlehanded - and frequently do - but they are in Prem. we are not. Main trouble here is finding the " right type of players " in L1 that is another challenge. Top class players don't even want to play in CCC - let alone L1. CCC players are either - on the way up, or down. Thats why AP has to find players who have a good background; Luckily KD stayed on at the 11th hour, Murty has seen action at a higher level, as has Jaidi when he gets in the side. The likes of Thomas and Perry are good journeymen with tons of experience - even if thay can't keep up with Usain Bolt nowadays. Newcomers with L1 experience will make the difference. Lambert and Hammond have over 100 games each at this level, also Harding and Trotman (although younger) looks a good prospect. Additional younger players ; Lallana, Paterson, Schnederlin, James, Mills...will all have this season to prove thay are worth their places. IF everyone stays fit, and we gets some half-decent refs. then we will move up the league with a good squad to fall back on in the event of suspensions and injuries. We can only hope that we can play good passing football on some of the cow-patches that pass for league grounds at this level. Playing on a Prem. standard pitch like SMS should be a real advantage.

It all depends what you mean by " gell".....and just how long does it take to gell...do we think ? 5 games ...? .or 10 ? ....or half a season ? The nucleus you refer to is mostly the back line, of course I know the old adage " you build (a team) from the back " ...and I think it looks good. We must expect to concede the odd goal but we really need to convert more of those (many) chances we create every game. AP has tried several formulas ..and obviously discounted the likes of Wotton, Paterson and Lancashire as first team choices ...and finally lost Rasiak, (although Lambert will be even better in future.) Harding, Hammond and Trotman look good. Mellis is still young and an unknown quantity in an experimental team. On the other side...Murty looked good ....before his injury, and neither Jaidi or Papa Weigo haven't started a game yet ......so I think we are still in the " gelling " period. With a bit more consistant refereeing (an unusual quality in this L1, I know) and if the cross bar was 6" higher we'd be PLUS points by now........ I think that with Jaidi and Papa W. in the side as regulars we'll have a clearer picture by mid October, but it's going to be a LONG season especially as we started with -10 pts. in the first place.

Well..mixing with the rich and famous eh, Chris? We saw him briefly when he was on summer tour in Sweden with the Saints in 2002/3 . Very quick-witted and doesn't take bull-**** from anyone. Great sense of humour. best regards David.

Actually Anders has been quoted as saying how much he admired Barcelona and Real Madrid. He stopped short of saying that he would like to play there - - but it's obvious the style of play he likes. One of my few gripes against WGS was that he didn't give Anders a prolonged run in the positon where he is best suited...." in the hole " behind the strikers. Anyway it's all water under the bridge now, but if Sweden qualify for the World Cup and he continues to play ..he'll likely finish up the second /third most-capped player in Swedish football history ..he need to get to 118...and he might well do it .

It still remains the problem that no matter WHO you buy - if you don't play him in HIS best position - then he won't perform at his best. Putting SOMEONE in another shirt because a team has injury problems /or / inadequacies may solve a selection problem but don't blame the player if he doesn't look good. Of course some players are versatile. Years ago we used the term " utility player " which really meant you could put them almost anywhere and they'd DAJFU. Fans tended to disown them because it looks like they had to change position in order to get in the team. Many times we were very glad we had players who could do just that. IMHO; players like Jimmy Gabriel, David Peach and Nick Holmes were outstanding because they could change - not everyone can. Those players you/we have mentioned were outstanding in their chosen role but often disappointed when played elsewhere by a desperate manager .

I don't really blame Saga (or anyone) for wanting to better himself, or hoping to further his international career. I do think he's had a bad deal from Saints (starting with the loan out last season) which was an obvious way of saying we didn't want him. He does seem to be a bit short of confidence and really needs a coach to give him encouragement (think Lawrie would have known how to handle him) in any case he does have a chance to re-establish himself in the current squad and score more of those great goals we've seen from him before.

I have to agree with you. The Swedes were EXTREMELY lucky ..and to think that they had to win by an own goal. Watching the game on Cable here in Stockholm my son was ranting at the ineptitude of the Swedish strikers, (especially Källström and Hysén ) who both missed several good chances. Anders (Svensson) said that the joy of winning his 100th cap was tempered by, what he called, " the worst international game he'd ever played in ". Whether Midsud just had " a good game " or if he is capable of producing this form regularly ..is a good question. Even though he was the sole striker, he certainly gave the Swedes backline a few frights, but fortunately goalie Isaksson was in good form.

maybe ....? perhaps Wolves owe us one - after taking Surman from us for a cheap fee.

and 66 cap Maltese international was a real thorn in Sweden's side in the World Cup Qual in Valetta. A brick wall defence and some heroic keeping made life difficult for the shot-shy Swedes who missed a dozen decent chances but eventually won 1-0... an own goal in the 80th min. Tough on the Malts. to be honest. The Swedes who had good command of midfield will draw a breath of relief in taking the 3 points but will ask questions on how the speedy Mifsud turned the Swedish defence and came periously close to scoring several times. Mifsud (a Saga look-a-like) is 28 had a couple of good seasons with Coventry 16 goals from 86 starts.. and a couple more on a loan period with Barnsley, ......before being inexplicably released by CCFC. TIP : Are you listening Alan Pardew..he's worth a look.

I thought the point was... that we had an expensive squad for L1..? but the only players we've bought since August are the three named and then for less than £2 millionin total. No ..SO... much for L1. The " prices " of those who remained are nothing to do with Marcus Liebherrs expenditure as they were bought by the previous administration(s).

I think the main problem was ..just that ..he was a nice bloke, (too nice ). Had a lot of respect from the players, and did well in the coaching role ..but as manager....forget it ! He had a plateful when he took over after Hoddle's " disappearance " and suffered the loss of Katchloul and MLT at the end of the season. He started the next season with ; Delap at LB (another out of position choice), no Dodd, Beattie on the bench and lost Dean Richards to Spurs after 4 games. At that moment we were bottom of the league and he was out of the door. Sorry Stuart you deserved better. I think that this was just the first of several situations that RL got himself into. Having " lost, misplaced or deserted " his manager(s), there was always a great deal of indecision and long delay in getting " proper " replacements. The same fate that had afflicted Dave Merrington (perhaps the best youth team manager we've ever had) 7 years earlier, would befall Steve Wigley (another fine youth coach) and the even Doddsie - in later years. Rupert Lowe never learned one important rule of management..if you're going to sack a manager, make sure you've got the new man in place the next day. Every subsequent day of indecision seemed like a week and the media had a field day (every time) at the clubs expense.

my thought EXACTLY ! .. Minsk.

I'd go for Frannie Benali....or ?

You're forgetting that we " inherited " some of these players from CCC days. when the economy was on another level. Davis Thomas Saga and Bart were all bought when in a higher league. The present side bought this season cost about +\- £2 mill. - not so much.

..don't forget the duck-shooting ! I think the best answer though, is a couple of sessions with MLT teaching then how to side-foot a shot, or chip the goalie, and how to take a penalty.

Anders Svensson about to win his 100th cap for Sweden. see complete story (for those interested) on Overseas Saints site.

Former Saints midfielder Anders Svensson will (most likely) win his 100th cap for Sweden tomorrow in the W. Cup qual. v. Malta. After being released by Saints, Anders returned to his old club Elfsborg and has seen them in top positions in Allsvenskan (Swedish Prem.) every year. Throughout the last 5 years, the Swedish media has been trying to de-throne him in favour of the younger Kim Källström (now playing at Lyon), but KK seldom seemed to reproduce his good club form at international level. However in the last year Anders, (now 33) has been on top form and several times been MOM in international games, whilst Källström continues to disappoint in big games. Anders 100th cap will make him the SIXTH most-capped Swedish player ever -behind Henrik Larsson 105, Niclas Alexandersson 109, and former Sheff.Wed /Coventry star Roland Nilsson 116. Only legendary goalie Thomas Ravelli's record (on 143) seems invincible now. Sweden haven't qualified for South Africa YET, but if they do Anders may return to the site of his first cap, a friendly game v. S.A. in 1999. Seeing him play today is even more encouraging than when he was with Saints and was also in the FA Cup Final team 2003. How Saints could use a midfielder of his calibre now.(!)

if we apply the same logic, Glasgow, when we eventually get our first win , .....we'll hire THREE more !

I think it might be added " with some degree of SUCCESS " in managing at this level. Pure knowledge doesn't automatically give you the right answers.

I wasn't claiming that it was the result of the seaosn, only that it gives some encouragement and confidence to everyone concerned ...at a time like this.