david in sweden

......OR in agents fees and over paid players !

with our fate (+\- 10points) already sealed, I would expect an announcement in the next few days. New owners will want to introduce themselves, and make the best of a bad season and give everyone a chance to meet them and get media coverage while the season is still unfinished. PLUS - a chance to watch the last game v. Forest to see their NEW team. I don't have access to names...but the likes of a " Souness consortium," or even " Hoddle consortium " wouldn't be a bad choice, IMHO both were "victims" of their encounters with Lowe (one way or another) and are , at least - " real football ". Hopefully they'll be no trace of the previous Board (with a few exceptions - Mary). Sooner the better and let's get on with the planning. Good for the club, fans and players to know what's happening ASAP. COYR !!!!!!

Neither can I ...and to be fair, Shearer isn't proven as a manager/coach and he isn't likely to drop TWO divisons, or even one if Newcastle go down. To be fair, like many of the older fans I remember the legend that grew up around Shearer (then 17) scored a hat-trick v. Arsenal at the Dell in 1987. BUT It took a long time for him to establish himself. In the next two seasons, he scored only 3 goals in 27 starts. Even when he became a regular(1990) his goal scoring record was very modest, and he left in 1992 aged 22, and went onto become one of Englands best post-war CF. HOWEVER, many great players have fallen by the wayside when it comes to managing teams. Keegan was good with ONE club, so too Hoddle. Keane was another recent victim. Even the 66 World Cup side didn't produce many. Only Jack Charlton and Ballie had any sort of career after that ..and then at lower levels. SORRY, the idea is nice, but the choice of manager is crucial...it needs experience and someone to work with young players. For me Lowe's last disaster was NOT keeping Nigel Pearson ! Alan Shearer ?.....a nice memory, but not someone to get us out of League 1.

Mr. Fry said... Well whoever ends up buying the club, they surely intend to do some sort of big investment. Logically, who would lay out millions (even to buy a bankrupted club possibly in League 1,) and then run it with a squad of Academy lads and maybe get only in 10,000 crowds ? NO ! I can see that (whichever league were in, new owners will have a manager they really have faith in, and a " new team " containing some former internationals..and a few " names " - (even if they are experienced and over 30). Things look pretty black just now, BUT new owners willing to invest ...aren't likely to sit back and wait for " something " to happen.

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT Nick, but Mark Fry's position is that THE CLUB is not in administration, it's the holding company ! If he is correct legally speaking (and he seems pretty confident) then we shouldn't use the " A word" when speaking about the club.

Of course, everyone will be upset and consider this a betrayal of some sort, but his contribution (since his return) has been worth 5 points that might be invaluable at the end of this circus ! Anyway the man is a current international for his country and has scored goals for them this season. Does anyone really expect him to continue playing in League 1 - if thats where we end up.? Besides which, IF as some say, he's still under contract then we'll get some sort of fee, and ALL money is welcome right now - isn't it ?

Very impressive stats. Thanks Lazlo. I notice its only happened 4 times in the last 5 seasons, and by the look of it they were all the slaughter of bottom of the league sides. Arshavins goals were all against a top of the Prem. side - very impressive!

Yes Vectis, I thought about that but he wasn't regular during the 10 years he was with us, (some long term players have been ) BUT nevertheless his really good, consistant spell you named were his best years.

as Liverpool have always been my " second team " ..I was amazed to see a second fantastic game ( in the space of one week) ending at 4-4 Of course the Arsenal lad scored all 4 ...but then I thought to myself .. WHO was the last Premier League player to get 4 goals in a game? (it surely hasn't happened quite so often in recent years..) **I know it wasn't Premiership them, but Ron Davies got FOUR (in the old Div.1 days) ..on at least 3 occasions.

A good example of a local lad who made it to the first team (not too many of those in the past). A lad from Merry Oak who made a debut at 19 and got famous when MOTD was at the Dell (1977) and he scored a scorcher in the first minute. Stayed at the club for about 10 years though never a regular. Lawrie sold him to Man.City to fund the purchase of Peter Shilton (sorry Graham) but that WAS a good deal for Saints! Chris Nicholl bought him back in the late 1980's but he was never quite the same player and eventually succumed to injuries and quit. GOOD LUCK GRAHAM !

YES - that sort of coincidence occured to me, too and it's a little creepy isn't it ?

I'm glad someone made that point Ribbo, I'm tired of people picking on " former players " who happened to score a goal and then blaming Saints for parting with them in the first place. You can't keep EVERYONE, nor should we try. If players don't get in the first team, they are either not good enough or they are with the wrong club. It's clear that players like Dyer didn't fit in with the formations that various (past)managers used, and so he's better off in a club that can utilise his skills. No-one should blame him for wanting to play football, and sooner or later he may play in the Prem. (but IMHO not with Swansea) The irony is that Chris Baird was the " forgotten man " for several managers and to be fair, wouldn't have got in our teams when; Richards, Svensson and Lunderkvam were playing at their best. As it was his one good season was enough to give us the £3 million windfall we got when he moved to Fulham. Truth is no-one knows who'd be better or not in 5 years time - except for the Walcotts of this world - it's impossible to say. Why players like Mark Peters disappear without trace, while " troublemakers " like Kevin Davies and Brian Howard make a decent career when they play for the " right manager ". Lawrie McMenemy turned Mark Dennis into one of the best left backs in the clubs history, when no other club would have him - unfortunately L. Mac. wasn't around when David Prutton needed the same sort of handling ! Such is life!

after my brief mention of newly-promoted Örgryte's bottom place in the Allsvenskan (Prem.) League...worse was to come when they not only lost 0-3 to Gothenburg in a derby game on Monday...but last season's goal-scoring hero Marcus Allbäck tore knee ligaments in a fall during the game and will likely be out for most of the season. Not to mention that their star Brazilian forward is also injured! It never rains, but ... (looks like a tough season ahead för them now.)

Well...... Helsingborg and Gothenburg always seem to be attractive sides, but so too are Malmö (in their new arena). Trelleborg are not such great side (historically speaking) and GAIS are a bit so-so. Nice entertainment when they have a "good day". Best thing is probably to take a look at the league table and fixture list in mid july before deciding where to go.

of any league. Drinking my morning cup of tea in my 2004-05 seasons Saints mug, I read through the fixture list. including ..Chelsea, Liverpool , Arsenal..........Man.Utd ! but also West Brom and Middlesboro' (probably on the way down again) and...... NORWICH and CHARLTON. Two teams who were relegated since,too. Ironic that we are all in the drop zone together - but tough for the fans of all three clubs. We are sharing the same fears...and Charlton are down already.

sounds a sensible idea, but do you think the new management will listen ?

perhaps it should be called.....4 penalties and a goal ! or .....David Jones' Diary - the real Lowe down on Rupert !

.....for fans with interest for the Swedish game ..and a few familiar names see latest post on.. OVERSEAS SAINTS

Week 3 into the new Swedish season (April to November) and .. a few familiar names especially for those fans who travelled here for the summer tours in " the Strachan Era" ....a good start for the now already legendary, Stockholm-based " Academy side " Brommapojkarna (BP).. (not ALL under 20 admitedly, though they have good youngsters.) BP made a great start with 2 wins but suffered a controversial defeat 2-3 v. (3rd place AIK - Stockholms top side) who scored in the 92nd min. Table toppers are ; Malmo... and Helsingborg (incl. the incredibly-fit 37 year old HENRIK LARSSON (ex Celtic /Barcelona)HENKE " is scoring again, and can still expect to get a spot in the international side. Halmstad are fielding ex Saints Academy lad TIM SPARV in their midfield. Hero of the day was Elfsborg's ANDERS SVENSSON who scored from a Beckham-esque free kick in the last minute v. Gefle to win 2-1, whilst last years title-winners Kalmar, are having a nightmare start with only 2 draws in their first 4 games and sitting near the bottom. Another good win (3-0 v. Häcken) for former Sheff. Wed./ Coventry favourite ROLAND NILSSON, now coach for GAIS (from Gothenburg). Last seasons goals from (one time Saints target) MARCUS ALLBÄCK, now 35, got Örgryte promoted - but they have had a disasterous start and are bottom without a single point and soon to face goal-happy Gothenburg who scored 5 in their last home game.

.........well, let's wait until the 4th May at least... ?

I think you've summed up my thoughts Mike, It seems to me, from watching games on cable here (in Sweden) that some attacking moves " look good " but there's a lack of vision (which sadly few players possess) Walcott is in a class of his own compared to others in his age) .. In our side, no-one knows what to do when we get into the box, or are challenged by a hulky CH. Lack of talent... or lack of vision? DMG's goal v. Palace was that inspirational (MLT) touch that we've lacked for many seasons. When he (DMG) learns to keep th ball down and aim straight, he'll become " someone's " top scorer. It is asking a lot to transform "boys" into men capable of dealing with an experienced defenders and they haven't learned how to cope with the " off the ball tricks" like fouling when the ref's back's is turned, or the elbow in the head in an aerial duel. People have spoken about poor displays when we were simply fielding an unsuitable/ inexperienced BOYS team. I have seldom seen ANYTHING worse than Aug. home fixture v. Blackpool (lost 0-1 : a penalty which no experienced player would have conceded.) We were totally outclassed by a squad of giants who clogged there way through the whole game. A prime example of MEN v. BOYS ! These lads have potential, but now we are about to pay the price of a youth policy WITHOUT experienced support. Some of them will disappear from the scene and re-emerge in 2-3 years as bright hopefuls for a Prem. side after their sojourns in League 2 or Conference sides.

Hi Chris ....and we might add ... .....WHO the new owners will be, ? ..HOW MUCH they will invest... .....and who THEY might have in mind for a manager? .....then maybe we can revert to this thread. best regards from Sweden.

from long time ago ..? (with apologies to Pete Seeger). Looking at CCC games quite a few names crop up of former Youth players who passed through Saints ranks on onto ......better things. Mills/Doncaster, Brian Howard/Barnsley, Crainie now Charlton (via Pom**y), Dexter/QPR now loan Forest, Another CH Garry Monk popped up with a winner for Swansea (also have Dyer on loan) and I even saw Mike Williamson's name on someone team sheet...so why have they "made it" when we let them go? Some were sold, some were trouble - but many others just didn't show talent to warrant keeping them when they turned 20. This season we've seen a dozen teenagers get chances, most weren't even up to CCC standard -but at least we saw them. The problem is, of course that when most (of the above) were on staff as juniors - we were still a (struggling) Prem.side, but not one of them was anywhere near the standard even for CCC football. Teenage stars like Walcott, Bale and Surman who even get a chance in first team are very rare and the best of the rest are pleased to get a place travelling /on bench. We need squad players who are good enough to fill in for injured players and many didn't even get into the reserve side when here. Quite simply few clubs can afford to keep a 16 year old for 6-8 years ..in the hope that he " might " make it...sometime. It happens ..the last name coming to mind was ..Chris Baird (!) but for most of them, they go and maybe do well to get into a Conference side. No-one can really be blamed for missing " late-developers " (Lawrie Mac. let Dennis Wise and Kev Phillips go when they were still apprentices !) but it happens all the time. So my question is, Which young players (we now have) are we ready to let go (based on their " not so unimpressive " showings this year).. Olle Lancashire, Joseph Mills, Jake Thomson, Matt Paterson, Oscar Gobern..or Schneiderlin, Gasmi, Smith or McLaggon ? Can we afford to keep them? ..and if not. How long before they re-emerge in a higher league side because we could neither play them, or afford to keep them (all) for another 2-3 years ?

Agreed Gemmel, Hindsight is a wonderful thing - isn't it?... and we've all had our share of " I told you so " comments. What's done is done and there's no changing it. Isn't it about time we looked at the club with some vision of a positive future and stop slamming everyone ? COYR !!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't have chosen better words myself, Lordswood Saint (Incidentally my first match was in Jan 1959.) We all have our own memories, but somehow a bankruptcy/club disappearing would be very painful, as there would be so much to grieve over. Of course I am looking for a miracle to revive the clubs " fortunes "(?)