david in sweden

Not such a crazy idea maybe. What is the average Prem. manager looking for?..A young, ENGLISH player with Premiership and international experience. YES. AOC has been a valuable squad member for Wenger who doesn't trust him enough to start him ahead of his " favourites " like Ramsey and Wilshere and the countless numbers of " forgettable " Frenchmen he has at the club, but sadly Alex's injury lay-off hasn't helped his career, either. AOC hasn't had much luck in his time as a sub. in England games, but nevertheless made a good impression whenever he did get on the pitch. The question of who would he replace?... .is only a matter of time. Teams evolve all the time and you'd have to go back to 1960's to find a Saints team that played "almost" unchanged for more than half-a-season. I would want to lose Steven Davis (unless he wants away himself)..... but he's past 30 already and HIS sell-by date must be on the horizon. He's contracted until 2018. BUT..... the thought of a potential midfield based around ....JWP, Clasie and AOC would be quite a revelation. Price: not a giveaway of course, but if Wenger is "genuinely interested" in Victor Wanyama?.. then " some sort of a deal +/- cash" might be an option, eh Ronald? .

Absolutely right " The 9". Cedric has spilt blood for the cause on a couple of occasions this season - and had the black eyes to prove it. Many more incidents like that and he'll have more scars than Henry Cooper ...

Nah, that can't be right. Haven't you read all those fans on this site who say he's total cr*p.

The question of "derbies" has come up several times on this site in recent years, and of course it depends from which angle you take on it. Geographical ....maybe. Although some clubs are a long way apart and can't be compared with those in Manchester, Liverpool or (especially) North London. Historical ..almost certainly but when you consider that in over 100 years Saints and Pompey haven't played each other nearly as often as some people seem to think. In the days when the Bristol clubs travelled down to South Devon (either in L1/L2 or their equivalent Div 3 /Div 4 days)....they really were the closest geographically,but I don't know whether Bristolians or Devonians considered such meetings to be "derbies" but it was a heck of a long way to anywhere else....maybe the Midlands?. Looking back over the years ....whenever we played " southern" clubs (other than the one the other end of the M27) I noted some London media-types would take one look at the map, and then call games against Yeovil, Reading or Swindon to be " Southern derby games ". Obviously they were absent from social studies classes in their secondary schools. I don't have stats. at my figure tips, but I'd guess that ...in the last 50-odd years, our meetings against Swindon, Reading and even Bristol City haven't been so far - (numerically-speaking) behind those against Pompey,(supposedly) closest....geographically. Someone driving to B'mouth can clock the mileage and prove me wrong. Games against Bournemouth weren't uncommon in the 1950's Div 3 days, until we got back up to (old) Div 2. After which it was down to the occasional Cup match. Recently read an article by a stats. nerd who said the teams we had played the most - in living memory - were; Coventry and Norwich which could never be described as derbies although we have the most history against them. For me Bournemouth maybe close on the map, but a long way from being called a derby. If we're still playing each other in the Prem ...in 5 years time ..I'll re-think it.

I couldn't agree more, I've had similar thoughts myself in the past. Surely the best example must be Rickie Lambert, who (at best) was not the greatest goalscorer in L1, until he was brought into the Saints squad. He and Lallana, made the Saints side tick for several seasons. Of course we can talk all day about Morgan Schneiderlin, too. and I know he's at Man U ....and all that, but seeing him on the bench there makes me think that he was always one of the first names on every Saints team sheet when he was with us. Steven Davis is a great asset, but many said that the SPL was too low a level for him to be able to come in and succeed in the Prem. I know we haven't won titles and Cups, but there is something about the " togetherness" of a Saints squad that brings out the best in a many players. It's also part of the reason for the success of Shaw, Chambers, Targett and Ward-Prowse - who can come in at the highest level alongside established interanationals and DAJFU. There were a few questions raised about Dejan Lovren's performances in France - but I've always thought our back line (and Jose Fonte in particular) made him look perhaps - even better than he really was. There was a time when he looked like a potential player of the season.....but moving to L'pool he finally got found out when there was no-one to support him at the back of the L'pool defence. Others who have moved on have had similar experiences. Nat Clyne certainly improved to the point where he was capped for England, but he was " all at sea" in his first games with Saints, then gradually improved, but somehow he doesn't seem the same player now (with L'pool). Looking at the outcome of the careers of Lambert, Lallana, Lovren and Clyne I don't see that they have improved because of their big moves, and they surely didn't just become " bad players " after they left. Finally, I think a sustained period with the same manager would also go a long way towards " blending " a good squad together over a longer period.

I think some of the " on-the-field punch ups" didn't help the situation either...Duncan. I can recall Terry Paine's violent encounters with Pompey LB Roy Lunnis. Think Lunnis was a muscular 6' 4 ".... but Terry gave as good as he got - despite the obvious difference in their physiques. Were they both sent off in one game? I know a few fans around me got " pretty mad " at their confrontations.

to be fair.....both the U18's and the 21's have had major injury problems this season, and 5 or so (?) of the U21 lads are already out on loan. At least ...10 of the (normal) U18 squad have had game time ....at some point .....for the U21 's so far this season. However, not to degrade Jake Vokins' efforts....his chance has come and he's taken it with both hands, he wouldn't normally have had a look-in. but that's often how careers are made and if he continues to show up well, then he has a good future ahead of him. Those injured lads may not be back much before the end of the season, and it will be good to see if young Jake can be consistant enough to keep the shirt.

it means .." Whelk " that I've awaited every game in the hope that we'd get some positive result out of it, (and there have been a lot of disappointments along the way), but the thought that I might be " happy " for Saints to lose a game has never entered my head. Do you look forward to the prospect of Saints losing a game?

a fairly basic lesson that Brendan Rodgers ignored after he bought Lallana and Lambert, and then kept one of them on the bench all the time ...... There were dozens of games where L&L ran the show for Saints.

AND several thousands others who were locked out - as Spurs personnel hadn't opened up the whole ground and not everyone could get in. I heard stories of fans (inside) shouting over the wall (to those locked out) ....with the score as our goals went in ......

no-one who saw George playing could ever forget him, although they would only had a season or so to do so, as he moved clubs so often in his 17 year career. " Journeyman " would have been a good phrase to use about George - who played for 8 league clubs in his time, and arrived at The Dell in Sept. 1962 at the age of 29. George looked very imposing,(at a time when a 6 foot tall striker was a rarity) and his mere presence in the penalty box would often deter both defenders and goalies. With Saints starting a disasterous season (1962-63) and only one win in the opening 8 games, George scored on his debut and helped give Saints a deserved win (2-1) against a Tommy Docherty Chelsea side which included youngsters like Osgood, Venables, Tambling and Bridges who would go on to get promotion and greater glories. Few fans ever forgot a game v. Middlesboro some weeks later when...after a dull 0-0 first half, Saints blitzed 'Boro 6-0 with George netting a hat-trick in 4 mins. I was present at the now legendary 3-3 FA Cup Dell replay (that is mentioned in the OP) and remember George's barnstorming style and, at a time when "shoulder charging" was legal in the game, and taking advantage of that ,George terrorised the somewhat shorter 20 year-old Forest keeper Peter Grummit, and scored a goal that ended with both of them and the ball in the back of the net. Fellow "Scouser" Rickie Lambert 's career might have been a carbon copy of George's although - without the level of success that Rickie had late on in the Prem. In George's first season, he scored 16 goals in 38 League / Cup games, plus a bonus, when returning after an injury, he netted 7 goals in 2 games for the Reserves. After the age of 30, his decline came fast and although he scored 15 goals in 30 games in the following season, Manager Ted Bates re-couped his much of his fee and made a shrewd deal, letting him move onto Coventry for £12,000. (a very good deal for a 30 y.o.), whilst knowing that the young Martin Chivers was coming on song and was a part of the Saints forward line that netted 32 goals in the last 10 games that season (after George's departure). After only a season at Coventry, he moved onto Swansea, then Walsall and even had a season in the fledgling US Soccer League before ending his playing career back at Brentford (aged 36). He didn't had the pace anymore, but still managed to score goals at a good average return wherever he went. In later years, he managed lower level clubs like Halifax and Watford to whom survival was always a victory over bankruptcy. Although, barely 18 months as a Saints player, he's not forgotten by older fans of that generation who would probably smile a little ... just at the mention of his name. George died in 2000 in Halifax. aged 67.

perhaps one of the main differences is that Theo, Gareth and Luke (not forgetting AlexO-C) all came through the Academy and played Saints' football at a lower level. Morgan, of course was never an Academy graduate although he was only 18 when he arrived, and we were still Championship level. Victor has progressed through several clubs to get to us , and his time at Saints is the last rung on the ladder before he hits the real big time (££££-wise). Whether or not Victor will be able to turn in the same level of performance in a " bigger club " remains to be seen, but he might want to take a look at the careers of those others who have been - and gone, and see how they have got along. Larger bank accounts come, but many have to be content with a bench place every other game, and their international careers fade very quickly afterwards. Those who enjoyed 90 minute games every week of the season will be sorely disappointed.

Seems to me ..." even historically " that those who excel in their club sides " fade away " when thrown in with players from other clubs when they play internationals. A good club player does well when those surrounding him know how he plays / how to service him.....it's only spectacular efforts that draw attention to players who otherwise struggle for consistancy (Andros Townsend, Ryan Mason) are typical examples. Harry Kane may pick up the odd goal in friendlies ....but against top class opponents ....he may well disappoint and become anonymous. The "power" of the London-based media always seem to further the careers of English-born players from London-based clubs ahead of everyone else, and woe betide an English Team manager who ignores their " demands " when the team performs poorly. Whilst Hodgson holds the strings, Rooney is still a big name, but as soon as " his star wanes ", it'll be someone else.....

Seems to me ..." even historically " that those who excel in their club sides " fade away " when thrown in with players from other clubs when they play internationals. A good club player does well when those surrounding him know how he plays / how to service him.....it's only spectacular efforts that draw attention to players who otherwise struggle for consistancy (Andros Townsend, Ryan Mason) are typical examples. Harry Kane may opick up the odd goal in friendlies ....but against top class opponents ....he may well disappoint and become anonymous. The "power" of the London-based media always seem to further the careers of English-born players from London-based clubs ahead of everyone else, and woe betide an English Team manager who ignores their " demands " and the team performs poorly. Whilst Hodgson holds the strings, Rooney is still a big name, but as soon as " his start wanes ", it'll be someone else.....

personally I think he's more of liability than a resource. Reluctantly, I'd let him go to another club where he might fit it better. I'm sure Ron / Les have a suitable replacement hidden away somewhere in the " Black Box"....

Do I want Saints to lose? Is that a serious question...or what?......I watched my first game 57 years ago....what do you think my answer would be?

really feel sorry for Ryan. He's had a couple of good seasons on the way up to the U21s, and deserved a loan out if anyone did. Guess it was just the luck of the draw, hope he can mend quickly . Good luck Ryan.

Think this something "the average fan" doesn't understand. It's a hobby...and if her son is a fan, eventually he'll own a football club ...that his Grandfather bought. I've met a couple of " very well off people " (though not in her class), they are often obsessed with some sport activity and the cost is the least of their worries. Billionaires with piles of money and don't worry about the millions floating around, and with Cortese gone - we are now a club that doesn't have piles of debt.

well of course Easter is " a moveable feast ", but perhaps the atheists who planned the international schedules didn't think about that ....

I could respond with a quick review of the Swedish scene...... through British eyes. Economics - Swedes pay some of the highest domestic tax rates in the World. It's supposed to pay for all the things we take for granted, but there a 25% VAT on most items / services and a toll system that taxes you every time you drive over a bridge in a city (like Stockholm) that is built on 14 islands (!) everything costs and it's no joke to say ...."there are no free lunches" in Sweden - unless you are a company director. The governing minority of Social Democrats (Labour) and Greens took over 18 months ago, edging out a Conservative / Centre Alliance that had ruled for 8 years and kept the country on track amid several financial crises. Most non swedes I met, said they thought we were crazy to vote out a Government that had been so successful in stabilising everything. Housing there has been a housing shortage in the big cities for several years, and the influx of the 200,000 refugees in the last year hasn't made that situation any easier. Loads of people in their twenties are still living with their parents because there are no flats to rent - unless you are a Government minister when there is always "something" - in a very fashionable area. Many immigrants want to live in big cities, but the housing situation is so acute, that when thousands arrived two months ago - some of them ended up sleeping in tents in the forest - which represents 90% of Sweden's enormous land mass. Health the idea of a free, all encompassing Health system went out the door 15 years ago. A visit to the doctor will cost £17 each time, and you'd think they were on commission, judging by the way they dish out medicines. If thats not expensive enough....wait till you get to the chemists with the prescription. Emergency visits to hospitals take a long time - if you don't die whilst waiting. Personally, I visit to Boots to stock up on basic essentials whenever I visit the UK. Crime ..A lot of people seek to blame immigrants for the massive increase in crime, but the decline of traditional family life and youth unemployment has a price. There is a huge rise in violent crime in cities and many Swedes can recall the time that knives were only used to peel potatoes and whittle away on the back porch. The Police were recently criticised for "suppressing / censoring " crime figures that might suggest negativity towards refugees who roam the streets with no work /money. Immigration .Sssh - lest your comments be regarded as rasist. :rolleyes:But it's no coincidence that the Swedish Democrats (a sort of soft-core neo Nazi party) couldn't raise the 4% of votes required to get into Parliament 10 years ago, but today have topped 20% in opinion polls. Most of that "support" has come from the disatisfied verges of both left and right parties who see the country losing its "traditional Scandinavian identity", and see "the newcomers" as source of cheap labour in a country that already has its own unemployment issues. Education has become a big issue as the School system has lost many thousands of " Forties baby-boom teachers (retired) ..and the influx of many refugees has put a huge strain on a system where everyone needs to learn Swedish (the national language - spoken by only 10 million people worldwide)....Yes silly isn't it . aside from that ....almost everything published is very PR.....and tries to support a status quo that no longer exists in reality.

Uh-Huh....so it's alright apart from that, then. Maybe thinking of moving back one day .....or ?

A song for Rickie? ...How about "Happy Birthday. Rickie Lambert is 34 today. Congratulations Rickie. ...there can hardly be a Saints fan in the country who begrudged Rickie his move back to Scouseland, but it signalled the beginning of the end when Brendan Rodgers, (who had also signed Adam Lallana) ..then put them both on the bench .....and went out and bought " Stupid Mario ". Brendan....What a tactician ....after watching those games where the Rickie and Adam practically ran Saints games single-handed, he played one at a time instead of realising that the secret of their success ..... was in playing them together. Ah Well....that's life. Not sure how much career Rickie has left, but i hope he enjoys it. Well done Rickie-Saints Legend..

without a mass of boring statistics; I suggest firstly; taking note of which team wins the League Cup . Oh well Capital One Cup (then)..... second; after the home game with Crystal Palace on May 15th third.....waiting to see who wins the FA Cup the following week. .....alternatively ....find out which matches John Moss and Mark Clattenburg will be refereeing, in which case you can forget my three suggestions above .....

OK it's Prowsie's thread really..... .....but the mere mention of Steve Williams always comes to me when I see the developing Jake Hesketh in full flow....a sort of " skilful arrogance....". Matt Oakley was a good player, and DAJFU..(and never should have been allowed to leave), but he was..... a "road sweeper " .......in Lawrie Mac's terminology.... Steve Williams had audacious courage, plus vision...and was supremely confident (for one so young). The ageing Alan Ball (R.I.P) once said .."Steve was my legs " I saw his debut game (at Fratton Park in 1976) he was still only 17, but seemed totally without nerves, despite the hammering he got from some of the Pompey players.

OK ...one down and four to go .......