david in sweden

lots of praise for him on the OS, but I think that lots of us might like to add our thoughts after he has been forced to give up his fitness fight, it would have been great to have seen him one more season. For a while it seemed as if Lunderkvam and Svensson had been there for years, such was their domination of the defence in the years 2002- on..Michael Svensson was already a hero figure in the Swedish national side before signing for Saints. His brave and sometimes, tough " no-nonsense " performances made him lots of friends in a very short time and it was sad to see him disappear from the scene. Older fans who recall the likes of; John McGrath, Dave Watson, " Razor " Ruddock and Mark Wright will joyfully recall his dominating presence of the penalty area - at all costs. There are many who think that his prolonged absence through injury was one of the key " on the field " reasons which led to our relegation. However, I heard an unusual tribute to MS a few years back. We were lucky enough to see the Saints on summer tour in Sweden during the Strachan era. We visited the south of Sweden (my mother-in-law's birthplace) where MS grew up, and met an old aunt (a retired schoolteacher) who knew Michael very well. She told us that when MS was around 13-14, he volunteered to be a class " buddy " to a fellow pupil who was disadvantaged, and needed some social support in class and in the playground. " Michael was a good lad " she said, " he took to the task well, and helped the youngster to overcome his handicap, was a good friend to him and helped him adjust easier in school ". A great testimony to someone with leadership skills, and a great role model. Let's hope the new management is sensible enough to keep him on and work with our youngsters at SFC.

I think we have to realise that this sort of deal is rather rare, and the complexities of it are hard to define. It's not the same as a League 2 side going bankrupt, as Saints are the highest-placed club (ex CCC) maybe Leeds to meet this fate and the fact that they are not a single entity as a company (part SLH) makes it more complicated, even taking into account the -10 pts. There are other issues like the SMS arena which is also (part) of SLH - but not wholly-owned by SFC. Not to mention players who are in /out contract, those we want to keep / or release. Agents influence, outside pressures all contribute to this awkward situation. The management position is unresolved and there isn't a complete Board of Directors to steer this through anyway. Whether Mr.Fry is a football fan or not is immaterial as this is a complicated legal matter, and as he's pointed out (several times) the club SFC is only a part of a larger entity (SLH). I really don't blame Pinnacle for trying to negotiate the best deal for the team next season, (even though the suspense is killing) but the having committed themselves so early in the issue, the FA can't be seen to lose face over this one, even though they realise they are on thin ice legally. **(Someone ought to write a book about it afterwards and it could be the guidelines for when a Prem. club goes pear-shaped in the near future.) I'd much prefer to see the Pinnacle deal go through and have some real commitment in the Boardroom (MLT) and some former Saints faces in/around the club afterwards, rather than some millonaire who puts a load of high-flying bodies in place who don't know/understand the club / culture / fans. (example Clive Woodward - clever guy and all that - but he 'aint football). Sit tight a bit longer. As a last resort I'd take the Swiss cheque, but I'd still like to see MLT leading Saints in the future and that means Pinnacle.

All things considered, I think he should apply for a job as a diplomat. It's been a terrible time for everyone concerned but MW has conducted himself with dignity and loyalty - especially as he's likely to get the boot next week. Thank you Mark Wotte, that part of your job was first class.

well Lordswood Saints ....The answer to that must be that the fans are the only people really concerned with the clubs continued survival. Any prospective buyer knows that without the turnstiles clicking over; the club, its history and SMS are merely symbolic ...of what used to be... and recent history shows that "fan-power" is something to be reckoned with at Saints...(deposing Lowe and Co. etc)...and THEY are hardly likely to antagonise fans by totally ignoring them, until one day they announce ..we are the new owners. Don't know the outcome, but the Tony Lynam threads are at least INFORMATION from the horses mouth - even if it is the selective truth. Going out to the media every other day with the message..." .....were still working on it - but it 'aint ready yet " ...is no news. As this long drawn out matter comes to an end (hopefully - soon) the fans are most concerned. Whoever ends up owning the club will have to court the fans and get feet tramping through the turnstiles in vast numbers next season and should keep the fan base sweet. They'll be enough headlines when the ink is dry and the management team /new players are announced. (BUT I do agree the waiting is very frustrating).

......do you mean that the criticism is GROSSLY unfair ...? (well what do you expect on a hot saturday afternoon - when there is no match to watch ...)

Maybe because we don't have too mnay " current " player to brag about anymore - wish we did. I wouldn't want to ignore ANY Saints player (present or past) except perhaps Ali Dia, but there isn't much to comment on just now - is there?

Thanks " doctor " I'd forgotten but it was the Swedish TV commentator who got it wrong, and I stupidly quoted him. It looked like a few heart attacks on the English bench at one time ...and the 28 deg C heat didn't help either.

There was some (ex-Saints interest Crainie / Walcott) but if you're an England fan, you can read a match report on the drama on Overseas Saints.

was billed by the Swedish media like a World Cup Final. England soon silenced the 30,000+ crowd in Gothenburg with a goal in.. 56 SECONDS. The Swedes failed to clear James Milner's corner and the ball fell to Martin CRAINIE who slotted home left footed from inside the box. Joe Hart was kept busy and went full length to save a 20 yard free kick. With one wing in darkness and the other in blinding sunlight, both sides played fast flowing football in the 28deg C heat. but Englands passing game was just too much for the Swedes. England went further ahead on 27 mins. when Onuoha muscled his way into the six yard box and slammed home a low corner from.. Milner ! The Swedes were trying to make a game of it but their Theo look-alike Martin Olsson was well contained by Crainie, while the Man City pair Micah Richards and Onuoha won everything at the back. Worse was to come for the home side when the luckless Bjäsmyr, returning to the field with head bandaged from an earlier duel, turned a Milner centre in to his own net. HT 3-0 Milner had been outstanding in the first half but now playing in the shade 2nd half, Theo Walcott came in for some rough handling as he continually waltzed through the Swedish defence and twice tested the Swedish goalie Dahlin. England appeared to be cruising until Sweden got a goal back through the skilful Marcus Berg on 67 mins. This sparked a Swedish revival and they got a second goal 7 mins. later when Ola Toivonen curled a free kick inside the neat post, this time beating Joe Hart's left hand. The match rose to fever pitch when the unmarked Marcus Berg scored again on 81 mins. to bring the score to 3-3. Tempers flared a little as Frazier Campbell was booked for fouling the Keeper, and Walcott needed prolonged treatment after yet another heavy tackle. FT 3-3 and extra time began. Extra time continued at full speed with end to end play and desperate clearances in both boxes. England had a further setback on 104 mins. when Frazier Campbell made another pointless, rash tackle and got his red card. With no recognised CF (after subbing) Theo Walcott was forced to play up front as Englands 10 men held out. Score still 3-3. England were on the rack as the Swedes pressed forward roared on by the huge crowd, Marcus Berg headed against the bar with Hart beaten, but the English defence held firm with the prospect of penalties looming closer. Extra time finished at 3-3. Penalty kicks will decide this and England coach Stuart Pearce must have nightmare memories of his England miss in 1996. Drama till the end..... MOM James Milner slipped (ala Beckham ) as he took his penalty, but Swedish hero Marcus Berg fooled Joe Hart with his kick which hit the diving keepers feet and went wide. 0-0. Englands penalty takers Hart (himself), Cattermole, Adam Johnson; Theo Walcott all netted .......and the Swedes scored theirs..... until 4-4. Then it was one kick / miss to win / lose. Arsenal's Kieron Gibbs scored mumber 5 before the unfortunate Molin hit his shot against the post and England had won this drama with 10 men. England are in the Final and they play the winners of Germany / Italy on Monday Night. WOW ! What a game.

surely they mean "former" Saints striker ? according to prev. OC thread, he was released after the end of the season, so he must be a free agent.

somewhat different situation when a Prem.club is involved. The FA wouldn't dare let a Prem.club go into liquidation - what would that do for their image as legislators? Reminds me of a famous quote (forgotten who) an economist / bankman? ........from the 1930's. He said .." If you owe the bank £100 and don't pay - you will surely go to jail. ......if you owe the bank a million..they will make you a director !" Never a truer word.

don't know if many of us would be rational enough to spell rational at one o'clock in the morning, maybe his finger hit the wrong key ..?

don't rush off just now! .......the U-21 Championships on are and only local league games are being played. July is the only " reliable" month for good summer weather and everyone makes the best of it. So not much of anything. I'm not sure when they re-start Allsvenskan (thats Prem.) fixtures but I'll get back to you on that. david in sweden

I'd considered that, Nick. It may be a face-saving thing on the part of the FA. If you don't appeal - then we will look at it again. Which in all fairness they ought to. The Holding company was set up when we were in the Prem.years ago and the biggest debt is on the stadium (itself a separate entity) - and not SFC. In the eyes of the law, SFC is a subsidiary of SLH - as is the stadium company and several others too, I think.

..nor do I expect us to hear until AFTER the deal is done. No company does bsuiness / or a takeover by running to the press and its shareholders every day with confidential info. We must wait a little longer.

As you say, the idea of having one (or several) companies is a good way to monitor the profitability of one unit against another. IF - the stadium is "owned" by another seperate company within SLH then it doesn't " belong" to Saints, but to SLH. (just as the club does and the catering side) The majority of the debt (as I understand it) is the cost of the stadium debt. The FA's prev. enquiry stated that the club and SLH were inextricably entwined is bl**dy obvious - but it doesn't answer the question as to whom actually in " in administration " the holding company ......or SFC.? Many large Prem.sides have a similar structure. Would Liverpool or Chelsea be relegated / deducted points if they went into admin. when thee is a holding company cotrolling everything else ? I doubt it ! It surely needs the High Court / House of Lords to make a judgment on the ownership question, and the FA to own up and make a just decision. Precedents are created all the time - perhaps it's time to clarify the situation. M' Lord !

Agreed Nick. IF indeed, he is leaving then I think you got it 100%

Thank goodness for that ! It may not be resolved yet but at least some first hand info. we can rely on. thanks Tony.

we are all here on the verge of; 1) a nervous breakdown 2) a heart attack 3) a gigantic booze-up (select your category after consultation with your doctor), but WHO (in the media, or the fan base for that matter ) really has the real story.? After reading the BBC site; SSN site and various press comments (Daily Mail) - it seems that they are all re-hashing (as journalists will) ,the original short report by Radio Solent about the " alleged " appearance of the " Loch Ness Monster " (in this case it was KK).. in the car park at St.Mary's together with some fuzzy cell-phone pictures of Michael Jackson (with suitable hood over head) sneaking into the side door at SMS. They all failed to see Richard Branson climbing out of the boot of an SUV with the cheque book sticking out of his back pocket, and creeping in through turnstile A. This guessing game really has everyone on tenderhooks (which is exactly what the media is paid to do) but it plays havoc with the average fans emotions. At the time of writing - there has been no Friday announcement, which IMHO doesn't mean that the deal has collapsed, but that in reality .. that news does not always arrive in time for the newspapers deadline. Please someone show some sanity and quit reporting your neighbours' mates, brother-in-laws, milkmans...drunken rumours.

Absolutely, you can't judge anyone on a few games. I'm not going to compare him with anyone, but..... at this age Alan Shearer had only played a handful of games and still wasn't a regular - till he was past 21. Plenty of time for the lad(s) to develop.

well maybe its THAT friday they mean....the 24th?

absolutely, we ought to have a club staff like the Liverpool side in the 60's -70's .....no-one gets a job unless ....they are a former player! MLT, Dowie, Flowers, Puckett ...do I hear more ? Armstrong as scout, Nick Holmes maybe ..?