david in sweden

.....and I hope they realise that's the one in South Wales ....and their fans don't take the ferry to Ryde ....

I visited in 1980.......and it was 25 deg C. ....in late November.

Indeed it is. I seem to have paid more attention in my geography lessons....our opponents are based in Beersheba, which is some distance south of Jerusalem.

The " Pathway " leads to a crossroads....and that's when we sort out the men from the boys. The gap between the (former) U21 sides and the real-time Prem. is enormous and many players (like Sam Gallagher for instance).. only get their chances when there is an injury crisis, or dramatic form-loss by the regular first choice. I recall a couple of seasons ago when James Wilson showed up well in an MU side and scored a few goals, but now he is (I think) at Brighton? Bit of a come-down. Will be interesting to see if Marcus Rashford can make the start eleven regularly with Mourinho at the helm.? Of course it's good to see the " home-growns " making the grade, like JWP (who despite his Saints critics, has captained the England U21s and established himself as one of the best - at his age level.) and has clocked up 100+ Prem.apps. More recently Matt Targett has come in and DAJFU without too much fuss, or failure. (Justified or not, the criticism levelled at JWP reminded me of that which Adam Lallana experienced in the early days, before he really established himself). The only real exception to this trend being Luke Shaw who looked very good as part of a Saints Prem. side, before he moved onto MU. Most of those who followed Walcott and Co. to other Prem.clubs, made their reputations in our Championship days - (both before and after the Liebherr takeover.) Like many others on here who have commented on those up-and-coming who have made it through the youth ranks, I long to see some of our home-growns getting a chance, and even if it means that we don't reach the dizzy heights of last seasons 6th place, if anyone can exploit this "untapped talent" - it surely must be Claude Puel.

No. He's the fellow who gives a perfect pass .....to the striker who can't shoot.

couldn't agree more. He has been the " stand-out player " in both games so far.

....and if we start well....we can even put Matt Targett on for the last half hour.

.....not if it rains, though.

Maybe the highlight(s)....were the entire four year contract he signed at £65K /week ....and only getting to start 48 games for Saints. Another Nicola Cortese coup. There is something seriously wrong about signing a player for £12 million, who is subsequently ignored by 3 successive managers, and then walked away for £nothing.

so much for a move to Everton. We might have Marina a bit longer, unless Les can dip into the Black Box once again...and come up with a better solution..

well he maybe Victor's replacement at least partly. The pics. I've seen of him, he's about half of Victors weight and only half as tall. But I shouldn't worry. I'm sure that info. was in the Black Box before we started negotiations.....or ?

Cuco was Koeman's " Jeremy Pied". The type of player that a new manager knows CDAJFU ...when needed. When he was needed last season - he did OK. Some of those people who thought he was a " strange buy " were pleasantly surprised, and few will forget his Goal of the Season - even if it was a mis-hit fluke of a shot. Better he can be appreciated by the Koeman's, than he stays at SMS and becomes " another Yoshida ". (always available, but always on the bench.)

whilst I agree with your comments of the players (above) I think they are too inexperienced to " experiment " with in the Prem side. If you need a real goal poacher?, we'll have to wait until Ryan Seager is back fit again.

well that's the Diamond discussion sorted. Tell me how good are you at explaining the offside rule to a woman?

YES.....I was about to say the same thing, but then we'd both look like idiots. at that age ..he already has a limited shelf life, but would be a real acquisition - even for a season. His international experience is phenomenal by any standard. .......Another Alan Ball, or Peter Rodrigues.

......and just perhaps .....the opportunity to see if those Academy lads can cut it in the Prem.?

looks like Puel is relying on (Thierry Henry mark 2) in the person of Redmond. Nice thought, but where are the goals coming from in the meantime? Personally I'd start with Charlie Austin... and bring Shane Long off the bench after the break, and put him up top against tiring defenders. Much more of the rough treatment that Long (got against Watford), would put him in the treatment room for the season.

they'll offer odds on anything they can get the " mug punters " to bet on ...... A flying saucer landing in Trafalgar Square?.....or snow on Christmas Day. (that's not a joke), it's a regular bet in Stockholm but despite the Nordic winters, the closest we came to that was a slight flurry on Boxing Day ...10 years ago.

I agree, having JayRod score goals at Championship club would look impressive, but if he's going to be playing in a Prem.side then he must learn to score in the Prem. He's had two years of rehab......it's time for him to prove himself again.

you mean someone like...... Charlie Austin, perhaps?

whilst I agree with your comment about " buying crocks" , I don't believe that David Hirst came into that category. He was pretty fit when we bought him and played well. signed in October 1997, he scored 4 goals in his first 5 games. He didn't miss a game for the rest of the season, and ended up with 9 goals from 28 starts. the problem you referred to was ..according to memory, whilst training for the next pre-season and running through the forest, he stuck his foot in a rabbit hole and the resulting knee injury was so bad that it more or less finished his career with Saints. Such fluke injuries go along with dropping a mayo bottle on your foot (Dave Beasant), and falling down a ladder on a boat (James Beattie) fortunately not career ending, but pretty dumb anyway.. and who was it......who injured themself getting out of bed? The purchase of Charlie George and Delgado (both club record buys at the time) goes against all common sense if you buy someone who's carrying an injury.

VERY impressive ball skills, but for that size of fee...I'll be even more impressed if he scores 20 goals a season.

I am nowhere near 90 ...yet, and I didn't say there was a conspiracy, merely that the media using the name of a Prem.club only " juices up " the story for their readership. Sadly, I've seen far too many newspaper stories that use oblique references to heighten the importance of an occurance. Did he say that ...or what did he say? My only regret is that what is really a "non-story" maybe seen to reflect badly on the club, by someone who was, at best.... just another player who left 4 years ago. we're all entitled to an opinion, and you've given yours.

my first reaction, too !