sadoldgit

deluded

jihadist

Like The Titanic, there are players who really should never have left Southampton. I'll start with Steve Williams. One of the best young talents we have ever produced. He was a joy to behold running the midfield with Alan Ball and a long England career was there for the taking. Sadly he signed for Arsenal and it all started to go pear shaped. He never really fulfilled his potential at Highbury (although I see he comes in at 38 in a top 50 of Arsenal players) and the long England career never happened. I used to work around the Highbury area and often saw him running the streets with Tony Woodcock. I was tempted to tell him he had made a huge mistake but he had been an Arsenal supporter as a kid so I suppose it was a Rickie Lambert situation. Steve played 279 games for Saints scoring 18 goals. He played 95 games for Arsenal scoring 4 times. He only got 6 England caps. What a waste.

Nigel and his bus departed some time ago now. It was always a naff phrase. Can we drop it now please? Ta.

box

Last will and testament?

It keeps me off of the streets Batman! And I do love an underdog.

Once a sailor always a sailor eh Batman!

I think that a lot of people made their minds up about Lowe as soon as the reverse takeover was mooted. He wasn't a football man. He was in it to make himself a lot of money. He was called Rupert. He shot ducks. He had ruddy cheeks. He was a "city type." He was posh. He was arrogant. He liked hockey. He made some mistakes with the club's history when trying to ingratiate himself with the fans. I am sure there are other reasons. This was certainly the case on the Saints forum I used at the time anyway. He never managed to rid himself of the negativity that attached itself to him from day 1. I am sure there are people who will go to their graves sticking pins into a voodoo doll of Rupert Lowe.

Just for clarification the headline to the feed said "Premier League: 20 youngsters who can make an impact in pre-season."

Fair play to Jack for moving on to try and get more playing time. Even with Morgan going I think that RK would have gone for a replacement and not used Jack. Could be wrong but I always got the feeling that Jack wasn't a key player.

I don't think any of us knows what went on behind the scenes but I assume that if a professional footballer gets a new contract offer he realises that he is wanted. I really don't think not feeling wanted had anything to do with his move but who knows for sure? There are few players out there who could insist on starting each week. Messi and Ronaldo spring to mind. Jack Cork doesn't.

I am not saying you are wrong MLG but I am surprised if anyone gets guaranteed starting places in the squad sizes we have today. Personally I think it is a bad idea. Isnt competition for places meant to be a good thing?

If we didn't want Cork why did we offer him another contract?

I'd be interested to know how many sides have bounced straight back up again. I see Fulham as a similar club to us in terms of size and they have struggled. Not easy.

Apart from the fact that Cork turned down a new contract with us and decided to move to Swansea. And perhaps Clasie is a better player?

I think we need to use everything we can in order to compete. We are never going to be a "brand" like Manure but we can use the stepping stone approach for players and managers to our advantage.

Thanks for the heads up KB!

As it was America (don't know which state) it could be that at 17 they were still below the age of consent in that state?

Quality quality controller!

My bad, it does say left back!

The Guardian have Will as one of 20 youngsters to watch in The Premiership. 18 year old CH who can play left back. Played 45 mins against Leipzig. Not seen him mentioned on here before. Anyone seen him play?

Used to love those reports in the old days about the trialists. Also the feedback we used to get from the training sessions. Remember Minty getting some grief from the club about giving away details of a set piece corner kick. Happy days!

If you as a club had a great player you would want to tie him in for the whole of his career. If you were said player and agent you would want to keep your options open with a shorter contract surely?

Duncan, if you are still reading this thread - there is a good book to be written about Lowe's time at the club. Do you think he would be interested in telling his side of the story?