david in sweden

WEEEEEEEEEEEL...I could think of sillier scenarios, I suppose. I know there is a conspiracy theory in everything, now ..tell me that van der Waaaaaaaaals is also agent for Dean Gorre ?.. ......and I might start to believe you've got the right thread. Not that I'm saying that Wotte and Gorre won't turn things around...just because they're both Dutch and so was JP - thats only guilt by association. Ask me again in april, but meanwhile expect Denan boom (or whoever he is ) to join " Sale " and then... the coup de grace...we sign that other Dutchman...EDWIN... VAN DER GOALIE !!!!!!!!!!

In retrospect, I know that Wotte had " accepted the job " several years ago before Burley " suddenly arrived." instead. As Wotte was Lowe's choice in the first place ... WHERE/ WHEN/ HOW......did Poorvliet come into the picture....and WHY?

I always like Rupert's "extra clauses " in contracts - no-one else seem to do that very often... so how about this...? Do you want to move, Nathan? Well I don't want to go down to League 1, where you can't afford me ,..or stay at SMS and wait for the Pompey fans to come and get me ...so I'll go to Swansea and maybe get in a play-off game. ..............OK you can go then! To Swansea.........DEAL IS : £1 million up front NOW......another £1 million, if Swans win a play-off and go up..to Prem....... ..........and 25% of any eventual sell-on ....if / when he moves at a later date ? How's that sound ? Who likes playing football manager on line ?

Although I am loathed to say this; I think we should put the " pretty football " back on the shelf, and get the experienced guys first shout and battle it out every game (considering our league position). Once we start moving up the table, we can try and introduce a bit more flair. I admire the experiment, (and sorry for JP's sake that it failed) but this is a cloggers division and Wotton has played in it for years, so too has Thomas - ....pity he's still out. Euell has experience so they should start. Most matches are games of two halves and so we can try the younger legs - in the second half.

Only a fool of a manager would play the same side home AND away,(except maybe Alex Ferguson), the tactics are different and so should the line-up be. Strange isn't it that we've got so many points away and almost nothing at home....why's that do you think ? If I'd picked that formation 4-1-4-1- I'd say you have to play a big man up front ....and that's McG. 4-4-2 is better suited to Saga + McG, and it seemed to work. Who would have put McLaggon on as first sub ..? not me, I was surprised but the lad got himself a goal. Interestingly, I followed the game on text and at 40 mins, (when the score was still 0-0) the actual possession was Norwich 40% Saints 60% - so it's not as if we were outplayed, but Saga is a trump card in this situation and if Norwich had mastered him in the first half, we'd have had few alternatives. Are you suggesting he'd have got 2-3 goals if he played 90 mins? (In prev. seasons, Wright-Phillips was used as sub. and scored nearly all his goals coming on afte HT. In those games he started, he was almost invisible and not in the action at all.) I think we should start with Saga especially at home, but let's hope he can continue his good start, now that he's back.

However they selected their teams, it was based on whoever was on form / uninjured / suspensions and all those factors have played a part this season. As for the lazy " geniuses " you mentioned..yes it's true that Terry Paine, MLT (even oldies like Jimmy Greaves ) hated training, but still had that magic touch and could put the ball in the net. However, I think that such players are fewer than you seem to suggest, and I don't think that Saints have any such players in that category at present. Most top players train hard and need to keep their best form. Which " genius" did you have in mind ..(that Saints have been ignoring this season,)....... if you know of one, let's hear about him.

Yes I saw that that, but he said, he'd spoken to " the gang of four," and then...went on... " I also spoke to Wayne Thomas and Jason Euell " Now I know that Thomas is a long term injury case, so I don't expect him to be at training or even for treatment EVERY DAY, BUT Euell isn't, neither is he suspended.....so why wasn't he around with the others who presumably meet and train together every day ???? I'm afraid I might turn this into a conspiracy case but .....what can we think? If he's in the line-up tonight ---I'll shut up about it in future.

Like you I'm glad that these two might be staying, but finances aside..Surman has had a " satisfactory half-season " but if I'd been watching him ( as a Prem. scout ) ...I don't think I'd be over-excited...and in view of the fact that transfer talk came in August..and we've hit a world finanacial crisis since then, I don't think anyone would be willing to "experiment " with himunless they were really convinced about his quality. Many of our former "stars" who moved on ; Bridge, Walcott, Bale; BT, took 6-12 months of rumour-ising before they actually departed. Unless Surman, (suspended today) really sets the team alight and scores every other game - I don't expect him to be moving..certainly not for another 6-9 months. Lallana made a terrific impression at the end of last season, but injuries have set him back and no-one knows how " fit " he is? . No bidders just now. As for the others, Kelvin Davis did everything except give a pint of blood with his article on club commitment last week so I don't expect him to go anywhere - especially for the stupid sums I heard quoted recently. ( No-one else to talk about unless Rupert Lowe is away cooking up some fantastic deal to transfer Rasiak or Euell, who don't seem to be a benefit to the club at present.)

You're not the first one to ask that question Pancake, Does anyone have RELIABLE information instead of stupid wisecracks ? After all he is one of our highest paid players (according to prev. thread here) quote after AGM. in December.

Friendly on Jersey..? ...sounds feasible. Have Boyle in the squad, local lad, will bring in a few fans, might even gain a few more... good practice for the Reserve / Academy lads, they need matches to keep fit.

...............is this the new striker Mark Wotte was talking about ...?

No there won't! ..they'll all be called ... "Brooklyn" .. "Romeo " ...or "Cruise " mind you they all sound like names from some third-rate American soap.....

I wouldn't get too excited. I think Pele is not an uncommon name these days, and usually " borrowed" by Latin / S.American players who have unpronouncable names in the first place...but at least it gets them noticed !

Good reponse Phil, though it seems to me that enforced changes were also caused by suspensions/ injuries / and a bit of poor form amongst the many youngsters.

Mmmm....should someone tell him that if he turns up at SMS tonight that .... ......or... shall we just keep quiet about it .......??? ........and maybe wait for HIS match report ....should be interesting.

the share value is hardly likely to increase much..perhaps if Gavin Davies is so keen to get rid of Lowe/Wilde- he'll buy them out !

..if he was English, we'd just call him .......BERT !

....more likely we'd sign a right back to play at centre forward (!) .......new tactics to fool the opposition. aaah ..it's all double dutch to me .

.....ought to be from a first hand source from someone who's actually THERE. Maybe we can restrict a thread to actual comments /info. ..and NOT a lot of guesswork or negative reactions. What do you think, Webmaster?

I don't know if they qualify......I think Saga and Rudi are still UNDER 30, and almost everyone on the list must have passed the magic age....or at least have been around long enough to understand English....sorry Dutch ...well what I really mean is ....if they're still interested to stay with the club.

Sounds like Mark Wotte was first choice before Burley, and second choice after JP arrived. I think everyone deserves a chance. 5 games enough ? No one is born into the job of football manager (listen to me Nigel, I'm talking to you now)..but Wotte's job as manager of the Dutch U21's with an impressive list of current Prem.players does have some degree of credibility. SO ! .....everyone down to the Potters Heron, a special press conference and our new signing is .............. ? (who knows - if MW is still here in a season or two he might convince one or two of those old dead beats; van persie or Kuyt to come to SMS !

Mmm...what sort of difficult questions did you have in mind, Lady Saint ?

.....no, it's all right, we have a coach TODAY (at any rate). Don't bother him unless it's something really serious !

RUBBISH ! My unnamed source says that the cleaning lady makes a great cup of tea, and that, as we know, keeps the English going ! Wanna' cup, Mark ?

Thanks for the clip, Tim ..not to take the edge off a nice win, the Swedish line-up was nearly all reserve /young hopefuls ; most of whom are still playing in Swedish sides, (whereas most recognised internationals are in the top Euro teams.) I haven't looked at any stats. but a few may have been debutants, and the rest hardly have 20 caps between them. However, looked like the Yanks played a fast game, (Swedes like the slow midfield build-up) and not to take anything away from the hat-trick hero, as anyone who nets three must be pleased. I've spent the weekend watching FA Cup games on cable TV and have seen a lot more experienced Premiership players miss easier chances than those 3. NOTE; as I understand you have occasional contact with Big Ron, send best wishes to him (from another anonymous 60's fan who also thought he was the best centre forward in Europe at that time ).