david in sweden

Nice thought Nick, but no self-respecting Prem. player wants to go down ONE division, let alone TWO. The wages wouldn't cover their speeding fines !. ...and with THAT section of our fan base alive to the thought, ANY former Pompey player would be on a hiding to nothing from the start. - (even if they didn't know they would move to SMS later in their career.)

There are a number of reasons for this. The scouting is one. When we were in the Prem. we had the likes of Terry Cooper travelling around the world looking for likely signings...but no more. When we were Prem. we signed Lundekvam and Östenstad, they were experienced but not regular Internationals (in a Norwegian side that was quite good). Likewise in Sweden, when we signed Anders S. (under S. Gray) he was a fringe player in a (then) good Swedish side. Same situation with Michael Svensson, who had graduated to the squad without becoming a regular and we signed him at that point. Incidentally, the £2 million we paid was a good price for a defender (at that time). Though we later signed M. Nilsson (was in the same category) an occasional utility player who had a good Euro tournement, and we bought him cheap, but he didn't fit in anywhere in the defence, because he was better as an attacking midfielder. Promising young Swedes often go to Holland, France or Germany, (M.Svensson did) because the general standard isn't as high as the Prem. Just now there is a big generation switch in the Swedish side. Very few top class players left, and some of their new youngsters are STILL playing in Sweden's Prem. which is not SO good as the Prem. and nearer CCC. Expect to see (a) Prem side spend £5 million + on goal-poacher Rasmus Elm (one of Kalmar's THREE brothers). But really their better players are either too young ..or not " English " enough in their playing style. They are just promising players in a good side. We would want to buy someone with pedigree (like the Svenssons) but they wouldn't want to play at this level (rather like our two Poles) and still keep their internatoiomnal dreams alive. At the moment, League 1 needs good, tough, older experienced types.

How... CLOSE ..? ...Give him a pen someone for goodness sake !

As long as he has replacements lined up, he can sell them now and get some spending money back ASAP. Their salaries alone would cover a few costs.

Thr right sort of CH (McGrath, Ruddock, Watson, Richards, Svensson) can frighten the average striker with an angry grimace ...and a tough shoulder ! SIGN HIM UP NOW, AP!

He may well still do some of those things, but I think he wanted to see them play first hand himself before he made those statements. If you want to sell a product.. you don't damage it in front of the customer!

wait abit ..maybe, if they are fit and avilable when we return to the Prem.

Buying the RIGHT players to fit the bill isn't easy! Yes there are a lot of players available on free's, Bosmans and even low fees but it isn't as easy as going to Waitrose and picking cans off the shelf. All managers have the bad experience of buying the " wrong " player, and once you got them - you stuck with them. I'm impressed by AP's manner and I'm confident that he'll get it right - most of the time. Trouble is that the experienced players we need are on the tail end of their careers and every season is precious and they want to get the best deal. For the managers, they are in danger of buying players ..who used to be good - but perhaps can't cut it anymore, or worse.. have an injury problemthat will never heal. The RIGHT players will be able to come into a L1 side and fir in straight away (many good examples in the past) and suddenly the whole team will gel together in a few games. I rate Perry ..but have never considered Ollie Lancashire to be first team material (not yet anyway) - and certainly not last season. (Note; JP / MW) OL had rave reviews in the Academy, but hasn't made the transition upwards. Loaning him out for 3-4 months to L2 / Conf. side may be preferable to a run in the reserves. I'm sure AP will shock us with some surprise signings in the next 2-3 weeks.

No surprise with Stern John really..any player with his experience would want to play at the highest possible level..considering his age.

wait a minute..I'm just polishing my crystal ball,..yes yes I can see it's going to be ..........00000000000 ........oops ! the powers gone off !

..more or less my estimation, too Nick. A bit of restrained panic before Saturday, thereafter - filling the gaps and getting cover for injuries ..like Thomas and Powell.

...by the end of August, he'll be happy to play for us - if he hasn't moved !

one of OUR problems is that sometimes we think TOO MUCH ! I heard a talk at a seminar recently reminding us that... 90% of what we worry about will never happen, and the other 10% is probably unavoidable. In the end we will have a squad of players and AP will make the best of it. All this heart searching about ..." wish we'd signed him, and I hope he doesn't leave " is surely important to some, but in the end we want 100% dedication to the cause. There's no room for "moaners" in the dressing room or anywhere else. .....so for those players who aren't totally happy.......Play up or shut up!

Good news in one way. Adam has a bit of an attitude, and he shows some arrogance (not a negative comment) when one recalls such players as Steve Williams in the 1970's. Good skills, a winning mentality and a bit of aggression, Now that Surman has gone he can feel that he can be a class midfielder, too.

As a fan of over 50 years standing....mostly at The Dell, I think there are many factors to consider. Which division we were in at the time they played, what was the success rate of the team, and what was the division like at the time. The players you mentioned were all first teamers during our (old) Div.1 days. With the exception of Moran, (who was a natural goal poacher but never England standard)....all played at some international level U21 / 23 , full. The pace was different, so too were the pitches and the type of ball they played with. I recall Terry Paine who could have dribbled a ball across a ploughed field if asked, and John Sydenham argueably the fastest winger Saints ever had... till we saw Theo Walcott in a full flight ! All players have " good seasons " , thankfully some of them had consistancy, and played well for several years. It helped (as was noted on another thread) to be the right player.. in the right team ..at the right time. A quick look at the Millenium Video/ DVD shows the SFC Dream Team (selected by David Bull and Duncan Holley) and in all fairness I think they picked well. I was fortunate enough to have seen most of them play. Apart from Paine (59-74), Ron Davies (66-72) and later MLT 86-onwards most of their choices were from the Mc Menemy years, when we won FA Cup and promotion back to Div.1...and played with a star-studded squad for almost 10 years (sadly only names to young fans who never saw them play). In retrospect , one can say that certain players were excellent even in poor teams, but I would have loved to see players like MLT and Pahars in the same McM. teams with Keegan, Ball and Osgood... or even have seen the injury-stricken Ronnie Eklund around to have replaced TP - when he left in 1974 ...or, even Michael Svensson playing alongside Mark Wright ! More recent players are often fitter because the game IS faster nowadays, but sadly many are lacking in basic skills that older players grew up with. Modern training methods suit the game plan, but often leaves out room for genius to show itself. I just feel that I'm fortunate to have seen many good players over the years -even if they didn't always - " win things " . ..

well said ! Experience !

He's put in some useful performances for Halmstad in the Swedish Prem. -which in all fairness is barely good CCC standard and now has moved to Holland - where the standard is only a little better. Still, the problem is - what do you do with " useful " Academy lads when they come to the end of their time ? In reality if they haven't made a breakthrough to the first team -ala Walcott, Bale, Surman, Lallana...by then they have little future and it costs money to keep them ALL! Tim Sparv was just " useful " ...but would not have been able to command a first team place at age 19, and likely didn't want to wait until someone left , or retired in order to get his team place. Good luck to him !

looking at some threads on him, it's difficult to see if he had ANY fans at SMS.

Stern John's decision to move on yesterday seems to have a number of fans wringing their hands and grating their teeth in despair...but if fact it's the best for all parties if he .... (and any other like-minded players) move on. We have " lost " players almost every season since I can't remember when to; other clubs, through injury or retirement and sometimes their replacements have been just as good ..or better. Those who are out of contract, (as John is) have a right to make new decisions, and in Stern John's case he has a limited number of seasons left... at any sort of League level. If he (they) want to go ..then good luck, say I, better we have a squad of committed players at SMS than an atmosphere of discontent in the dressing room. So IMO, it's thanks ..and goodbye to Stern and others who don't feel happy about things. Many years ago I worked at a firm where there was a " perpetual moaner ", the sort of barrack room lawyer who complained about everything..until one day..while he was having a gripe, someone voiced aloud....... ........" if this is such a bl**dy awful place to work....how come YOU' RE still here.? " He was scarcely heard from again and left the company shortly afterwards, (to everyone relief).

I think most of us expect some action during the coming week, but the deadline isn't until the end of August and you have to see WHO you need to buy ......and that won't come until we see the first few results. Many clubs have a last minute rush to borrow /loan out players, but I expect AP to have most of him men in place before then.

a gut feeling, eh ?....maybe you've got the 'flu coming on..........

Mmm .. ' sure it isn't rheumatism ?

I think the thing to remember is that this is League 1 and running costs at this level cannot be compared to higher leagues. Even the best prepared teams in this divison don't have the facilities or the financial clout that we have now. If necessary ML would inject an extra MILLION, but it's upto AP to get the right team and make it work. By the time we get promotion there will be more funds available - but for the time being we must run the club along suitable lines.

as promised ...for those interested see; Overseas Saints.

It doesn't mean that he (AP) isn't doing anything, but in some way it's nice to think there is something that we DON'T know about and new signings will come as a surprise. Rather as the Keegan signing did (but not on the same level of course.) It is a bit of an anti-climax to hear; a rumour, then a visit to SMS, talks with agents, medicals, eventual signing, press conference etc, etc, then ...Surprise, Surprise, and a sudden announcement - thats more exciting.