MarkSFC

who really gives a **** about the post match chat. The only important thing really is the NA Interview which will either be on Saints Player or BBC website. Turn it off after the game and get down the pub to celebrate another Saints win......

I have just read the article in the echo written by Lawrie and to quote him "it has to be said" that I find his article very disappointing. The underlying tone is one of defence, making his points very clear, and passing the buck on occassion. He likes to boost his ego doesnt he "if ever he wants a conversation I will be available" aimed towards NC, and in regard to new managers "...if they ever want a chat they know where I am". He goes on to say "I keep away from the training ground and wish them well from a distance". Well I should hope he does.....Regardless of all the great things you did for Southampton FC you're not part of the club any more Lawrie, just be a fan. He also speaks about "us" in his article - which seems to be on the behalf of "the players". MLT,KK and FB are mentioned. I find it interesting that he speaks so obviously for a collective group. It is clear to me that the man has a huge ego and misses the limelight. I dont doubt his affection for the club nor do I forget the great times he brought us in the late 70's/early 80's. I wont forget the players he brought in and the style he encouraged. I will never forget the moment I heard that Kevin Keegan (European Player of the Year!!) had signed. Nor will I forget when he left for Sunderland. No one is squeeky clean in this world, no one never makes a mistake or three but its how you act generally and how you move on that matters. Unfortunately some people cant or wont move on. When something has been such a big part of your life and you of it, it is very hard to let go. However you have to in order to let it thrive and move on, and for yourself as well. Some are much better at that than others...

not exactly sure what your point is particularly in regard to the Prutton Theory but basically neither of them are good enough imo to be first choice every game.

Martin must be fairlt highly thought of otherwise why did we turn down West Hams offer when he can go for free in May. Keeping him means another good option of course! Will be interesting who on that list stays. I would not be fussed (as long as we are up) if none of them were here cme August. None of those will be first team regulars in a team that will/should be challenging for promotion again. Its a whole new ebate on who to sign and what positions but I can see lots of changes in the back 5 especially as our management team is a former GK and CB. On topic thogh, herein lies the problem. Apart from Fonte, none of them are definite first choice. Jaidi would be if younger, Seaborne is not good enough in high tempo, fast paced, quick decision situations. And Martin is still developing......

No-one has ever come anywhere near Shilts. In 1982 when he joined I was on a summer football course and we were on the pitch during a tour of The Dell when in ran two blokes. Quickly our coach realised who one of them was and mentioned that if you want an example of a true pro then look out there at Peter Shilton. He doesnt have to report back for pre-season for a week or two yet here he is training. Made quite an impression on a 13 year old!

yeah that was glorious!!

good post.

Why worry about something toy have no influence over or can't be changed? The players and coaches will have to deal with it. I've heard many players over the years comment that playing Sat/Tues Sat/Tues is actually a benefit, especially when you are winning and in order to gain promotion , whenever the games happen to fall Saints have to win at least 11 or 12 out of 18 I imagine. We have a good squad so as long as we don't lose 2 or 3 "main" players at once for a few games we will definitely finish top 2. Chillax and enjoy it Alpine!

I think this is all about ego and political or business principles. Neither party (Illingsworth/Cortese/Club) come out of this with any credit really. Until both parties publically state their side of events we won't know, and until one or both compromises their stance/principle on this it won't get solved amicabally. If compromise was likely I think it would have occured by now so as it appears not too of, forget it. Pathetic situation. Everyone should just move on, hardly important in the whole scheme of things.

greats stuff. will the Echo carry the story....will it make local tv news?!!

Actually it is. The best winning run so far this season is 5 by Charlton (and they are currently on 4). Only 4 other teams have managed 4 wins in a row just once each, US, Brighton, Hartlepool, and Brentford. And just a point of note, Rochdale are currently on a 10 game unbeaten run....6 wins and 4 draws!!!

it doesnt say so in the article. Who was putting n the dinner then?

not saying he does not neccessarily deserve a lifetime award but WHO is this from? The Club? The FA? The LMA? I hope Im wrong and its from an official organisation rather than what seems like a bit of a PR stunt from his mates!!!

I like this post. It seems to me that Osman, LM, LeTss and co have (admirably in some senses) organised what will be for the audience/fans a fun and enjoyable event and a chance to see some of their "heroes" and for some of the younger ones, playters they would never have seen in person before. For some thats a good enough reason, and thats why the organisers would want as many former players turn-up. Thepointss that need to be answered though are: 1) Did the organisers approach the CLub BEFORE announcing this event in order to seek their agreement and/or partnership and/or assistance and/or support? I doubt it. Therefore, regardless of who is organinsing it they are not an employee or associate of Southampton Football CLub therefore it is not official and therefore the club cannot be expected to support it. Nor should they ridicule it, which they havent. They (it would appear) merely refused permission for their employees to attend it in an official capacity. Nothing intrinsically wrong with that at all because if its not official and something happens at the event Southampton FOotball Club could be open to anything. 2) Is the event a not-for-profit one and will the accounts be publically available? Without knowing the answers to these points, you cannot expect SFC to be involved. 3) The Ex-Saints organisation, however good, is not an official part of the club and for that reason alone, the use of the badge should not be permitted. We live in a very harsh corporate world and although on the face of it, not allowing a body like the Ex-Saints use of the official Club badge may seem petty there are distinct legal lines to protect companies under patent and copyright law preventing any grey areas. LEt one "unofficial body" use and set precedent and open the flood gates. I agree with the posters on here who say that our "heroes" are making themselves look stupid. The fans will never forget the contribution you made to the club and some far far more than others but that does not come with a cast iron gaurantee that you will always get free tickets, free hospitality or whatever. You should accept that and remember that the most loyal people are the fans and they get no favours whatsoever!! I disagree that the club is forgetting the past, it is merely being selective at present on which parts it is publically recalling and aknowledging. Both sides should just move on get on with their lives and do what everyone else does....support The Saints unconditionally.

I thought Ricky Lambert played well at the weekend and as for Dietmar Hammans' goal...excellently worked from Alexandria Oxlaid-Chamberpot. Shame about Danny Hardys mistake for the second though and David Butters was good. As for me Julie......

Shay Given still not gone anywhere has he...???!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and people think Seaborne is good enough for a team looking to play in the championship next season. Arguably at fault for the first three goals, definitely 1 and 3! AS I've said before, he's ok in this league against ok opposition, those without guile or pace or when he has plenty of space and time. When he's under pressure with ball at feet or has to make a quick decision he is not good enough to make the difference. He got caught out by CMS pace, amixture of not reacting quick enough to the situation and a lack of actual pace. For the 3rd goal he got done by quick movement. God help us against Bournemouth, Brighton, and Charlton if he plays! Although he made a couple of great saves and came for one or two crosses, again Kelvin was not good enough. Beaten at your near post for the first, static for the second, and well clueless for the pens!! How bad does he need to be for Bart to get a go?!! Still, overall despite the goals I think we were a litttle fortunate to come away with a point because in the second half I thought P'Boro were far better, indee for the whole game they played with a quicker tempo and had more pace and maybe energy to their play. They are a good side, despite their defensive record and will definitely be be top 6 so all in all taking 4 points off them is not too bad. It was an enjoyable game BUT, had we gone 3 up......!!!!

Depending on the relevance of each game Hampshire.

If the club was in breach of FL rules in the way they handled the complaint then fair enough, let there be appropriate sanction. However and regardless of any report surely a Private Company has the right to sell their product to whoever they wish and under their own terms as long as they are legal. For example a bank will sell one loan to one person at X rate and terms and the same amount to someone else on Y terms so if SFC decide that they will only allow Nick Illingsworth to buy tickets on a match by match basis so be it. As long as their reasons which do not have to be made public are reasonable and not racist, agist, sexist or contravine the Disbulities Act that fine by me. On a personal note I have met him a couple of times andnd found him pleasant enough and clearly a very passionate Saints fan. On the other hand I was careless enough to get sucked into the Silverspoons con and the way my complaint was handled - not by him personally mind you - was shambolic and added insult to injury. Maybe Nick I should remember that he was part of and used his name and media contacts to con hundreds of his fellow fans in going to an horendously organused and wildly mis-sold event. What goes around comes around and maybe he should move on and take the moral high ground rather than attempt to score some limelight points.

Slightly disappointed that a player capable of going straight into the starting XI was not signed but I guess we will never know how close we got or how hard they tried. Importantly we wont pay too much OTT. Overall though a good window. Lallana signing was the best bit and OXO staying should hopefully shut the doubters and the NC bashers up for a while at least. Or don't you like a chairman that actually told us what was going to happen and he was proven correct. Instead you listen to the ****** journos who just make things up and stir the s*** for a living but who must be right cos thats their job......oh hang on a minute, isn't Cortese's job to run our club?!! The only person that matters. Rant over... I'm please we have some pace in the team in terms of N'Guessen and Forte although I know little about them so we will see. Hopefully as successful as Papa and Antonio were. Signing Chaplow and Guly were good moves but as they were already here pre-Jan they dont really "add" to the team. I just hope that we dont lose two of MS,DH, or RC for too long at any stage. So overall a really good window without any really excitement value in terms of a new signing but Im more confident know of winning the league than I was in Dec. Come promotion and the summer I hope to see a GK (Lewis with any luck), a decent CB, a Prem/Champ expereienced CM and a Striker of reall note. Then we can dream about the Prem!!!!

I don't think anyone disputes the good RL did with the academy BUT the only thing that matters !at the end of the day! is how successful the first team is. That he F***** up big time. I hope NC does not make the same mistake......I'm sure he won't!!

this.

I still think we will finish 1st but a lot still depends on whether we sign the 2 or 3 better players. If not it will be very close and go down to the wire depending on injuries and suspension and possible jail sentances! On our day we are the best by a mile but inconsistancy early season has meant we are chasing!

I get the impression the Wengers methodology regarding kids is to get them into Arsenal and take them out of the limelight immediately to take the pressure off but more importantly to immerse them in "the Arsenal way". Then when they progress they either play a few League Cup games to ease them in or then go out on loan but by the time they go on loan they know exactly what Wenger wants and expects from them. By sending a player straight back out on loanmeans that Arsenal have to wait longer to get them into their way of doing things and potentially more importantly (to Wenger perhaps) they end up with bad habitts etc. As much as I like AOC if he goes...let him go and move on. Wouldnt want him back just so he feels like he has done us a favour by doing so and helping us get promoted. Either you are committed to Southampton FC or you are not. If not...bye bye son!

£2 million may seem steep but even if he cost more we would be getting a very good player. Just coming into his prime age and with promotion the aim we would be getting an exciting goalscorer who has already played in The Championship (and scored 11 goals in a relegated side). If we can get him brilliant!!