TijuanaTim

"I'd far prefer that than a 2-0 win over Bradford, for example." ..but if you beat Bradford, you may then get Palace in a semi and then United at Wembley...

What's to 'enjoy' about losing at OT?...We weren't gonna win the cup in '76 either...I'll tell you what mate, I'd rather beat Bradford/Palarse/Blackpool than get shafted at Anfield and have 'had a day out', get my drift Si? ;-)

Why is it that my preference (especially in cups) is for my to have this route? Thinking about it here is my rationale(s). How far have we ever got playing Arse/Chelsk/Manks/Scouser or even Spurms for that matter 'away'? How much do we gain from those sort of matches? It can be demoralizing for a team on a decent run and confident like now, to go one of those Meccas in the early rounds and have their @sses handed to them. If one of our up and coming stars e.g. Lallana has a blinder, guess what with a massive attention match like that there is every chance they get snapped up and spend the forseeable future 'riding the bench' dressed in a different kit...Don't say 'that won't happen', look at Bale/Walcott/Surman who have barely five games between them out of a possible 60 odd this year. ------------------------- Whereas: If we play a home ala Rotherham/Hatters, we have every chance to win. A win gives us confidence. A win gives us the opportunity to make the club more revenue. A win gives us the overview that our cup performances have been a success. I want to win this tie and then get the winner of Donny/Brentford, Notts County/Forest Green, Accrington/Barnet/Gillingham or the like!! It gets harder by definition the further you go. So let's continue on 'The Path Of Least Resistence'....or do you still want one day out somewhere?

Look how high Ron gets to head this down for Jimmy Gabriel Here he is scoring four in one game at Old Trafford .v. Man U http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9024836154390592659&q=ron+davies#

I would like the path of least resistence to go as far as possible. We're not ready for pompers yet...this time next year we will be. + I always prefer winning there or winning away.

Just got of the phone with the Big Fella. He was really pleased at the FA Cup and combined with hearing the pompers result said "You've just made my day" (you didn't hear that from me). Also spoke with Chris Harris, the top 'EPL' guy over here, he has recently done outstanding 'historical' style interviews with Martin Peters, Alan Mullery, Martin Tyler and Rodney Marsh. Well he wants to do one withour guy and remind everyone (outside of Southampton) what a superstar Ron was!! Chris is Welsh and very pro-Ron. I'll keep you updated....

Is it just me? I really want to trust Bart, support him and have faith in - it's just that he schits me up FFS COME ON TT - Believe in BB!!

Thanks HS

what colours are we playing in?

Yes Dog, however it's best to understand that this is Ron's choice. He is a man of very simple needs, all he has, wants and needs is right there...and Albuquerque, well it has a great and extremely healthy climate.

Sorry Mojo (BTW, do you look like Jim Morrison?)...should have made it clearer. Prior to that loud-mouthed racist Atko being known as 'Big Ron' there was this wonderful, dignified, goal-scoring machine that all true Southampton Football Club fans know and love, that was affectionately known as 'Big Ron'....hope this clarifies things for you mate.

Mate...Classic FFS!! Number One with a Bullet...posted on the pompers site already!!

Just got back from seeing the Big fella in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has been understandably down in the dumps since his wife Chris's passing.. He has been lacking company, so I drove out (some may think that's 'no help FFS') and spent some time with him. By the time I left last weekend he was doing so much better. Eating properly again and socializing a little more with locals. He is renewing his driver's license so that he can drive again and (keep your fingers crossed) also renewing his passport - without it, there obviously, no chance of him returning to Southampton. Ron wanted me to share the FACT that he has been quite overwhelmed with the amount of love, warmth and regard sent to him from everyone. I read word for word every post, e-mail and message you sent to him either thru' me or on the message boards. Life has been really cruel to Ron recently, however, he appears to be getting through it with dignity. Through the wonder of the internet and my laptop, I showed Ron the four goals .v. Man U he scored, the one he laid on .v. Man U again for Jimmy Gabriel in a later draw and also some footage playing for Wales .v. England where he had a goal disallowed (thanks in all cases to 'A Kinda Red' for the links). He has an amazing memory for goal, plays and games. He also remembers signing almost every 'autograph' request. He speaks so highly of the players Channon and Paine, yet says they could have signed a few more autographs for the kids.

Just left the Big Fella's gaff to head to Albuquerque airport and off to Seattle to watch Bex and tha boys in the MLS Champioship game. A couple of great days with Ron, I managed to really help him understand how loved he is and today he got out all his old memorabilia to share. TBF, he was given some pretty high accolades during his career. Some amazing stuff, there is a picture of him at the training ground with Wynne Davies and John Toshask (the dynamic Welsh forward line). They are all dressed up in 'casual' attire, the startling thing is that both Wynne and Tosh are clearly taller than 'Big' Ron FFS Oh...and he wanted us to beat Norwich (another ex club)...I kept him updated with the score.

After an absolute 'nightmare' night (long story involving sleep walking from exhaustion) I finally hooked up with the Big man today. Took him out to breakfast then lunch and drove with him to some places for him to take care of vital business...he has not had any transport until now. Also delivered a care package, some nice quality winter clothing and some good reading including a copies of 'Taking Le Tiss' and Mick Channon's book as well. Well his health is much better, he is coping well/bravely with his loss and also moving much better with his new hips. As he ate and when we had quiet time I read him each and every good luck wish and memory that you - his friends sent him on here and by e-mails to me. Thank you so much, he was visibly moved and comforted by your care and concern. To be honest Ron has always been averse to coming back and has not been one that tries to draw attention. However and quite surprising to me, he how he seemed to warm to it a lot after spending all day with him. There are some wonderful ideas, let's see if we can make them come to fruition. I'll see him again tomorrow.

Just got in, checked into a hotel as it's late And Ron is probably asleep. 12 hours non-stop, partly on route 66, past Grand Canyon NP, through the Navejo nation past some place with Jeronimo associations. Have a lot of stuff to take care of with Ron in the morning and I will ask him. Also people want to interview him right now and he just does not want too. Good night...

...just setting off now across the South from Cali to New Mexico not in the Merc, but in an old Buick to go see recently widowed Big Ron Davies, hopefully can cheer him up somewhat. Have books (all soccer), nice winter cloths and some good cheer (especially from a lot of you).

Old Codger dominates our very existence, good on him.

Speak with Ron at least once a day at the moment, keep up with what's going on - you know. Anyway last night with a lot of time on his hands, Ron took out all the notes, wishes etc that we have sent him and re-read them. He has read them before and appreciated them, yet last night he went through them one by one and really digested them. He said "I did not realise my Saints friends loved me that much." I have got to tell you it was a really lovely moment when he told me that, he has felt isolated and your thoughts were very reassuring and comforting to him. To quote Ron "It's finally sinking in how lucky I am to have so many friends back there." Hopefully I will see him tomorrow, it's a helluva long drive from Huntington Beach, if I can make it I will, if not I'm stopping in Flagstaff and then getting to New Mexico on Friday morning. I have all sorts of stuff for him, including a lot of new messages, a few good books (including Taking Le Tiss) and some top quality winter clothing. I used to work in fashion retail business and Ron was (unbeknowingly) actually a customer of mine...and I know he likes his clobber. His wardrobe now is barren, even of essentials. So thanks everyone for the continued words of support, I'll check in and give you feed back when I see the big fella.

Well...the latest is that I'm driving from California over to Albuquerque, New Mexico t'see the great man. He had a tough week last week although his spirits improved at the weekend. So on Thurs/Fri I will pass on messages from Johnny Sydenham and all of you good will. He'll be geeting print outs of all the supportive stuff you've written on here. Thanks as always, positive re-inforcement will help our 'friend' right now.

It was FP in 65-66 with Uncle Leo, (I think it was with Leo) Dunc. We won by a few, a lot more 'friendlier rivalry' in those days (apparently). A guy called Dean was good..tbf, hardly remember. My first games at the Dell I have very good, vivid memories of, as it was so exciting. The first game I really remember well was the early '69 cup clash at the Manor Ground where they had Atko and his brother I recall both playing. We were all young skinheads and Oxford never saw anything like us. My mum has a picture from the front page of the Oxford Mail with me on it.

Gotta say, I truly thought for ages that Dunc was the only one that went to all those games (or at least the only one I knew). As it turns out there seems to be more than one could have expected...on here alone. It stands to reason there are also (some 33 and half years on) some dearly departed Saints that went...and then again maybe one out of how many Saints use this site?? 1 in 10? 1 in 30? Who knows. One thing for sure, not many Saints did the whole thing maybe only 60 or 80 at the very max. A fairly unique group. Funny thing is, we only took about that many with 'Coombsie's Comandos' to Sheff Utd on Christamas Eve 1973...who went to that??

Is it me...or can anyone else actually NOT get this, subscribed - they've taken payment...and the only game I can get is Derby WTF? HELP!!

Great job JM. Very informative - thanks. Did you tell him about Chris Davies? Did he have any message for Ron?