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You have described 8 aspects, not one nor another. Predictably he might do all these things when the oppo are expecting it. But he might also when they aren't. That's not so predictable.

Does anyone know if there is a website for managers that specializes in briefing them on tactics discussions on rival clubs' forums, lol?

178cm

...thrash Liverpool at home. We might even beat them the way they are playing. Or if we are to go out of the competition, let it be Arsenal, home or away. But wouldn't it just be great to beat Theo's club, even without Theo! (So why not dream? Football is nothing without fantasy.)

It looks more likely that England's bid may succeed now that Warner is backing it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8383459.stm So we should really begin a campaign aimed at the FA for Southampton to be allowed to bid. if there was enough groundswell of support in the city for it we could convince them. We just need belief!

Send Ron's history to Solent Uni, Tim. He's worthy of honouring too. And a ghost-written auto bio from his memories would help Ron's finances enormously. Great idea. I'll order my copy right now. Well done!

How much did we eventually settle for Theo? Adam, as he is actually playing for us now, is worth at least whatever that was, because whilst Theo at 16+ was sold on his potential (sadly since bllghted by injuries), Adam (equally skilful imo) has more team experience . Adam is as important to our team building now as Theo (despite his talent) was, and perhaps it could be argued even more so..

Become a steward. Then you can go to St Mary's but not watch!

Terry Paine was in the Southampton Schools team when we were a Div 2 side before we went down

He's only scored one goal this season ffs. I think we should rest Lambert, Kelvin, Lloyd, Connolly and a few others and play some of the reserves who have done well recently, like in-form Paterson and Saga (who although not in AP's long term plans needs to perform well for his own career and our transfer fee, and will do the job well. ( We do currently have eight games in four weeks and must rest some of our key players when we can to get the best out of them when it matters.) Bart Murty - Thomas - Perry - Mills Wotton Waigo - Saga - Mellis - Holmes Paterson Subs: Davies, Jaidi, Harding, Lambert, Hammond, Antonio, Lloyd

I'll have you know that Saints football matches are the only places that ANYONE will LET me sing. I'm obviously putting off the rest of the Itchen. (And not a painted face around me.)

No, Saints have always been at their best with fast wingers. But we must have tough, speedier backs and the wingers have to backtrack to help the defence otherwise we get caught out too easily.

Why? Marcus is interested in the club's history and support and OC exemplifies this. As does this thread. As also does the 'Big Ron Davies Update' thread. I'm sure he would be interested in reading them (imho)

I think this thread should be sent to Marcus, mods.

I would just love that! If you read this Ron, please say you will! I'm sure we can all raise enough so it won't cost you anything.

I agree. Surely a feature of this season is that players with attitude problems like BWP, Dyer and others are no longer here. And we have an enormous squad of players including a good number who aren't going to get anywhere near the first team squad. AP, earlier in the season, said that there are too many here for him to give enough attention to during training, and the squad was smaller then. We have thirty nine players, enough for a league of their own (not a bad idea actually). Idle hands can cause mischief, and it is a miracle that we have such a seemingly settled and positive team spirit in such a large squad. Thatcher doesn't like watching from the sidelines, and he could be the person that rocks the boat. Excuse the analogy, but we ain't out of the rapids yet. January is going to be interesting. But only AP knows how many of our loanee crew he will have to replace come January, not us.

Though she would annihilate their left wing.

Won't wear red. Useless, and very predictable. What do we want with a footballer who won't turn round ffs?

I would suggest that is the best time to put him on the pitch.

..and Papa starting first.

I have the answer, Teddy! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Makélélé

Do thirteen goals for and four goals against not convince you? We all know Wotto's limitations, but his strengths (and AP's coaching) lie in that quite reasonable run of results.

I agree with you. Its has been very noticable that without Wotton we have not controlled the midfield. Schneiderlin seems to lack confidence without Wotton there to do the hard tackling. He was a sad figure against Brighton, terrible basic passing mistakes many times, and he constantly moved away from confrontations in midfield. Schneiderlin is very talented and normally strokes the ball around quite deftly creating interesting attacking situations. He is not a defensive midfielder, so needs someone like Wotton to do the tough stuff. Hammond too was not at his best, and Antonio lacks the footballing skills that Papa has, so all in all we allowed a more determined (and skilful on the day) side to over-run us. Also, I am not convinced that 4-4-2 is our best system. We are predictable and less creative. I prefer to see Papa starting; he is fast, mesmerises the opposition with his skills, and gets into the goalmouth. Antonio and Connolly are more effective when defenders are tired. Revert to 4-4-2 later to accommodate Connolly by all means, but not at the beginning.

It''s a sunny warm afternoon in London, and I'm on my way. If the wind keeps down Brighton won't score freak goals. 2-1 Saints. COYR!