James Ward-Prowse

[sydney_saint]

Pretty disappointed with some fans reactions. I get that everyone deals with their disappointment differently. But imagine staying at one club for about 20 years, working through the academy, captaining that side, and working your ass for that team and being one of their top few performers over several years. Then you get a move as you are headign towards the twilight of your career with an opportunity to play in front of 60,000 people, for a side historically bigger than us, and one with European football, and your own fans turn on you? Like I can't believe people saying 'don't show up on Saturday'. After a decade of playing for our first team, do you not think he's entitled to say goodbye? I bet the same fans turning on him are the ones bemoaning there is no loyalty left in football. Cos yeah there is some, but it's got to work both ways. And all other players will see is a fan base that turns on you as soon as you leave, regardless of the years you played. 

I hope he does do a farewell on the weekend, and I am sure the actual fans on the stadium will give him a proper send off rather than the sad internet trolls. 

[Bad Wolf]

1 minute ago, sydney_saint said:

Pretty disappointed with some fans reactions. I get that everyone deals with their disappointment differently. But imagine staying at one club for about 20 years, working through the academy, captaining that side, and working your ass for that team and being one of their top few performers over several years. Then you get a move as you are headign towards the twilight of your career with an opportunity to play in front of 60,000 people, for a side historically bigger than us, and one with European football, and your own fans turn on you? Like I can't believe people saying 'don't show up on Saturday'. After a decade of playing for our first team, do you not think he's entitled to say goodbye? I bet the same fans turning on him are the ones bemoaning there is no loyalty left in football. Cos yeah there is some, but it's got to work both ways. And all other players will see is a fan base that turns on you as soon as you leave, regardless of the years you played. 

I hope he does do a farewell on the weekend, and I am sure the actual fans on the stadium will give him a proper send off rather than the sad internet trolls. 

100% this

Football fans have a certain autistic quality about them

[SaveloyMush]

Just now, Bad Wolf said:

100% this

Football fans have a certain autistic quality about them

It's not autism.

It's retardation.

[Bad Wolf]

1 minute ago, SaveloyMush said:

It's not autism.

It's retardation.

I dunno, as an actual auty myself (I may have mentioned it once or 800 times), this is exactly the sort of crap I come out with when emotion clouds my rationality and I take leave of context.

[jasonb]

Sad to see Prowsey go as I truly considered him one of our own despite the connections to that lot down the road. As others have mentioned you can't suddenly discount his efforts over a considerable amount of time. I'm sure 99.9% of Saints supporters will remember his efforts and his dedication to the shirt. I'd rather have a team full of Prowsey's than some of the utter tripe you see pretending to give a shit. 

Having said that, as one chapter closes another one begins. Onwards and upwards. Wilcox, its over to you son to get the players in through the door that you've clearly had waiting in the wings. Lets see if we can mould a team fit enough to compete at this level. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

10 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

Remember when the club were going to bin him off to Watford a few years ago? You also have fans demanding we get shot of Paul, McCarthy, Lyanco etc. Funny how this "NO LOYALTY IN FOOTBALL" crap doesn't work both ways.

That's the point. There's no loyalty in football - both ways. And as for those thinking West Ham are some 'big' club, they were always a yo-yo club. They've wangled some deal for a soulless stadium but they're no Man City/Man Utd/Newcastle. He could have led/guided us back in to the premiership; instead he's run off to some bang average premiership team. Perhaps I've been watching too much Ted Lasso, but I think he's made the wrong decision. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Since he's one of our best players, it's obviously a shame that he's going. It would have been lovely if he led us straight back into the Premier League and kept us there, staying as a one club player.

He'll be a big miss for us this season. Had SR not made a monumental balls up of practically everything they touched last season, we probably wouldn't have been in the situation where he's going at all.

I can't begrudge him the move. He's been part of some excellent teams and put in some excellent performances (He's also been part of teams going through horrible slumps). His goals have made the difference on a number of occassions and it's been great to have one of the best free kick takers around as part of our team.

He's been versatile, playing a number of roles in various tactics for several managers, getting his head down and not making a fuss. Often when those instructions didn't really get the best from him (or anyone around him). He's not the most creative central midfielder we've had. He's not been the best defensive one we've had either. We've even been blessed in having had a cracking free kick taker before. His skills are a mix, and has worked best when paired up another spcialist player, with him having license to link up further forward. He's been practically ever present, through his fitness and that reliability has been important as a lot of the better players left.

A wage increase (probably on what we paid in the premier league, or at least back to those levels), some European football at the age where he will be getting into his prime. He may not have ruled out another call up, whether that's realistic or not. So, a thank you for all the service and effort. We'll have to move on, and we can show our current and future youth players that there is a clear path through to our first team, that brings a successful career.

[Katalinic]

16 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Had SR not made a monumental balls up of practically everything they touched last season, we probably wouldn't have been in the situation where he's going at all.

I'm not so sure about that. I think he felt it was time to move on, just a shame it was on a low.  The meltdown on here would have been worse if we were still in the PL and he had left. In some ways having the excuse of relegation helps all parties.

[imadirtyurchin]

I’m disappointed he’s chosen to leave. But that his choice. So no farewell, let’s just draw a line under it and he can join the likes of fonte and lallana as “yeah whatever” when talked about in relation to saints. I won’t boo but I won’t cheer either.

my main concern like others have said : his leaving leaves the first team weaker whilst not really helping with squad size. Think it might get worse before it gets better. I don’t feel confident we will be buying players of his calibre any time soon. Hopefully we can shift the 8 or so dross players before we lose anyone decent. 

[rallyboy]

Never mind, he was good for us most of the time, let's not let the crap times ruin all of the memories.

It's difficult to turn down an offer from a big club.

If only he'd waited a bit longer, that might have happened.

 

[Osvaldorama]

1 hour ago, sydney_saint said:

Pretty disappointed with some fans reactions. I get that everyone deals with their disappointment differently. But imagine staying at one club for about 20 years, working through the academy, captaining that side, and working your ass for that team and being one of their top few performers over several years. Then you get a move as you are headign towards the twilight of your career with an opportunity to play in front of 60,000 people, for a side historically bigger than us, and one with European football, and your own fans turn on you? Like I can't believe people saying 'don't show up on Saturday'. After a decade of playing for our first team, do you not think he's entitled to say goodbye? I bet the same fans turning on him are the ones bemoaning there is no loyalty left in football. Cos yeah there is some, but it's got to work both ways. And all other players will see is a fan base that turns on you as soon as you leave, regardless of the years you played. 

I hope he does do a farewell on the weekend, and I am sure the actual fans on the stadium will give him a proper send off rather than the sad internet trolls. 

Mate he can literally fuck off. 
 

Why would any saints fan want to clap and applaud a West Ham player? He’s made his bed, he can lie on it. 
 

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

[aintforever]

West Ham have got a bargain there in today’s market. Good luck Prowsie.

Edited 9 August, 2023 by aintforever

[Marino]

1 hour ago, Osvaldorama said:

Mate he can literally fuck off. 
 

Why would any saints fan want to clap and applaud a West Ham player? He’s made his bed, he can lie on it. 
 

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

Typical gormless fan.

[Chez]

8 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

. I’m not sure Downes on loan is the answer - why would a non-starter for an average team like WH put any more effort into his game playing for Saints? Don’t like it one bit…there must be better options to buy.

What has being a non starter at a prem side got to do with the amount of effort he puts in for Saints? I'm not sure his effort was ever questioned at West ham.

He hasn't quite been good enough to conquer the Prem. But we are in the championship.

Who are you expecting us to sign? If they are good enough for the Prem...they will be in the Prem.

 

[Chez]

I don't build Saints players up anymore, so when they go, it's no big deal. I knew he would depart and don't blame him for doing so. 

I am concerned what we will have in the middle. Smallbone couldn't lace his boots right now.

[Saint_clark]

Would be pretty funny if he picks up an injury on Saturday. 

Nothing serious, just something that keeps him out for a few months.

[CB Fry]

8 hours ago, sydney_saint said:

I hope he does do a farewell on the weekend, and I am sure the actual fans on the stadium will give him a proper send off rather than the sad internet trolls. 

He is not coming to St Marys to wave on Saturday.

West Ham United have a league fixture at 3pm that day. He will be with that squad, most likely in the bloody squad.

The only exception is if something goes wrong on his medical today/tomorrow but even then I don't see him being at SMS this weekend.

[CB Fry]

10 hours ago, CB Fry said:

The responses to this news on here.... 

You've had more than two months to prepare for this lads, and you're still shitting the bed.

Jesus wept.

 

9 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

 

Don’t see anyone shitting the bed?

 

We’ve just lost our club captain… what do you expect? Joy and rainbows?

I see some people:

7 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

Mate he can literally fuck off. 
 

Why would any saints fan want to clap and applaud a West Ham player? He’s made his bed, he can lie on it. 
 

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

 

[Fan The Flames]

7 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

Real life is more nuanced than this.

[david in sweden]

12 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

It was inventible, as the window drew to a close there was a point at which this would move. We'll see similar with a few more of our players now, just not the ones we want out.

You can't help but wish him all the success in the world, he has been pretty much an ever present for us for years - never missing a minute, running more than anyone else - always committed. Maybe not the most vocal or strongest of captains, but the gap he leaves in this team will be huge. 

I imagine Flynn Downes is on his way here now, another Martin-ball player, like Manning (knows the style). Let's see how it pans out, but he is levels below JWP of no doubt.

well said S- Clarke. 

I hope Prowsey's deal is a good one for him personally.  He has given the best part of his footballing career to Saints - with little success to show for it.

Continually ignored by Gareth Southgate, where his free-kick /penalty taking abilities might have made the difference in tournaments , and his place in the 

squad was given others who never got to take off their tracksuits - and quickly disappeared from the national squad afterwards.

He is not too old to regain some respect from England where his long experience has been ignored and replaced by lesser "media favourites" who might benefit 

from watching his You Tube masterclasses on free kicks,  and any set of given "circumstances" his time may well come again. 

His continued presence as a  Prem. level player may well be some sort of revenge by scoring against those other Prem. clubs who have so blatantly

ignored him  whilst squandering multi millions on foreign imports who are obvious, over-rated square pegs.

 

At the moment - we have no suitable replacement, and no-one even close to his sort of team contribution but in time maybe a Downes (or a Smallbone) may 

become a worthy successor but that challenge may not be so hard - given the difference between top-end Championship sides and the Premier League's

drop zone.  If we get back up, it may well be at the expense of a Luton, or even a Burnley side who will look so clearly out of place in the Premier League. 

[chiknsmack]

12 hours ago, SaintStinger said:

So who will take the free kicks now?

Left foot Manning or Perraud, right foot Alcaraz or Smallbone.

[HnycS]

12 hours ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

Not James Bree with any luck.

Manning ? 

Alcaraz from the left Manning from the right. Lyanco, if from anywhere else on earth that doesn't include St Mary's stadium. (Liiving in hope).

[Weston Super Saint]

15 minutes ago, HnycS said:

Alcaraz from the left Manning from the right. Lyanco, if from anywhere else on earth that doesn't include St Mary's stadium. (Liiving in hope).

Odd.  You want Lyanco to take all free kicks when we play away from home?

[Saint Fan CaM]

4 hours ago, Chez said:

What has being a non starter at a prem side got to do with the amount of effort he puts in for Saints? I'm not sure his effort was ever questioned at West ham.

He hasn't quite been good enough to conquer the Prem. But we are in the championship.

Who are you expecting us to sign? If they are good enough for the Prem...they will be in the Prem.

 

It’s not the Prem as such, just that I’m not that keen on loans…I’m not convinced they invest completely in the club, the philosophy, the style of play or indeed the supporters. Downes may be a great character and it might be a loan to buy deal, which of course would be better.

[Smirking_Saint]

With respect… we knew Lavia was going, we knew Salisu was going, we knew Tino or KWP were going and we knew JWP was going

I am now genuinely dissapointed that we’ve not sorted our incomings quick enough

But this isn’t any information that wasn’t previously around 

Its not rocket science to ‘guess’ that we’ll lose a number over the next weeks or so.. Id not expect ABK, Onuachu, Perraud and maybe not even kamaldeen to be here either

[Miltonaggro]

2 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Would be pretty funny if he picks up an injury on Saturday. 

Nothing serious, just something that keeps him out for a few months.

At West Ham it would likely be Thrush or Chlamydia.

[Smirking_Saint]

The thing Im really concerned/confused at is our softening of our resolve around JWP

Was it enforced on the players end ?

Did we see more value in the sale rather than retaining him ?

Are we getting a player in return ?

Who knows 🤷‍♀️

[ant]

1 minute ago, Smirking_Saint said:

The thing Im really concerned/confused at is our softening of our resolve around JWP

Was it enforced on the players end ?

Did we see more value in the sale rather than retaining him ?

Are we getting a player in return ?

Who knows 🤷‍♀️

Could it also be that rather than paying in instalments they've offered to pay more (or all of it) upfront?

[Harry_SFC]

2 minutes ago, ant said:

Could it also be that rather than paying in instalments they've offered to pay more (or all of it) upfront?

I have seen this mentioned. We compromised on the fee to get more of the money upfront. 

[Miltonaggro]

7 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

The thing Im really concerned/confused at is our softening of our resolve around JWP

Was it enforced on the players end ?

Did we see more value in the sale rather than retaining him ?

Are we getting a player in return ?

Who knows 🤷‍♀️

I think we have blinked as clearly need to get on with our own business now. Likely cash up front and Downes on loan as part of the deal. Doesn’t look great but those may be the drivers. 

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

I have seen this mentioned. We compromised on the fee to get more of the money upfront. 

Otherwise known as caving in.

Seems like its been all talk from club to appease fan base, they said they didnt need to sell as we have the finances........ bullshit obviously 

How long before Wilcox thinks, fuck this and moves on?

[Smirking_Saint]

4 minutes ago, ant said:

Could it also be that rather than paying in instalments they've offered to pay more (or all of it) upfront?

Im genuinely not sure but it seems like, for some reason, we’ve gone from 40m to 30m which is a significant drop

Id be dissapointed again if it’s literally just to enable a loan deal for Downes IF it doesn’t include a form of buy option but we’ll wait to see, thats the rumour anyway and it ties in with what we know about our interest 

In reference to the post about the loan system, generally I do agree, thats loans aren’t that great due to players not buying in etc but it is a good method to get out of the Championship, plenty have employed it before (forest for example). It does mean you then have to try to rebalance a squad IF you are promoted or even if you aren’t, but in the former case you almost have to anyway so Im not completely against bringing in a few good loans

[Smirking_Saint]

Just now, tdmickey3 said:

Otherwise known as caving in.

Seems like its been all talk from club to appease fan base, they said they didnt need to sell as we have the finances........ bullshit obviously 

How long before Wilcox thinks, fuck this and moves on?

 

1 minute ago, Miltonaggro said:

I think we have blinked as clearly need to get on with our own business now. Likely cash up front and Downes on loan as part of the deal. Doesn’t look great but those may be the drivers. 

Im not entirely sure it is, for instance we stood strong with Tino and looks like we are with Lavia too, so not sure what changed with JWP.. I genuinely don’t know btw I just hope it was player pressure but I guess we’ll find out this week.. it’ll probably be done today tbh

[a1ex2001]

10 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Im genuinely not sure but it seems like, for some reason, we’ve gone from 40m to 30m which is a significant drop

Id be dissapointed again if it’s literally just to enable a loan deal for Downes IF it doesn’t include a form of buy option but we’ll wait to see, thats the rumour anyway and it ties in with what we know about our interest 

In reference to the post about the loan system, generally I do agree, thats loans aren’t that great due to players not buying in etc but it is a good method to get out of the Championship, plenty have employed it before (forest for example). It does mean you then have to try to rebalance a squad IF you are promoted or even if you aren’t, but in the former case you almost have to anyway so Im not completely against bringing in a few good loans

40 was never what we were going to get that was just the headline number I was realistically hoping for mid 30’s but if we have got most of the 30m upfront then it probably balances out.  Of course we need to sell any club that gets relegated does and most publicly say they don’t. Finances have to be balanced and players who don’t want to stick around will always be moved on surely everyone knew this was coming and wasn’t expecting the board to announce a full list of players we wanted to get shot of and who wanted to leave and stay etc

[Charlie Wayman]

11 hours ago, Bad Wolf said:

Wait until he realises Channon left and MLT was desperate to sign for Spurs and only stayed because his wife didn't want to leave the area.

Hey! My ire goes much further back than that, I'm still cursing Martin Bl**dy Chivers, treacherous B!

[CB Fry]

25 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

I have seen this mentioned. We compromised on the fee to get more of the money upfront. 

Exactly - getting £27m up front is phenomenal. Anyone thinking it is "caving in" is deluded. Most of the headline figures of so-and-so signs for whoever for £50m will be a package where the money is spread out. I would be interested to see if Leicester got £27m up front for Maddison.

[spyinthesky]

5 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Hey! My ire goes much further back than that, I'm still cursing Martin Bl**dy Chivers, treacherous B!

And we got Frank Saul as part of the deal.
That went well!!

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, CB Fry said:

Exactly - getting £27m up front is phenomenal. Anyone thinking it is "caving in" is deluded. Most of the headline figures of so-and-so signs for whoever for £50m will be a package where the money is spread out. I would be interested to see if Leicester got £27m up front for Maddison.

Not only that but Lavia and Tino are genuinely worth their price tags to other teams. They are good enough already and have the potential to become world class. We were never getting £40m for JWP and surely everyone knew that. He just wasn't in demand, won't improve and isn't good enough for the big teams. 

[Miltonaggro]

48 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Otherwise known as caving in.

Seems like its been all talk from club to appease fan base, they said they didnt need to sell as we have the finances........ bullshit obviously 

How long before Wilcox thinks, fuck this and moves on?

Could be that unfortunately, or a midweek meeting between Wilcox, Martin and Mowbray in terms of best (only) offer on the table and a need to reach a conclusion on a 29 year old player. Could also come from pressure from JWPs side of course. Only those very close will know. 

At the end of last season when Sport Republic issued the appeasement about ‘taking responsibility’ and being ‘committed to Southampton’ I pointed out that should they get us promoted it only restores us to where we were when they took over, no fanfare or thanks required from the fanbase at that point. Restoration not ressurection. Outwardly they have proved nothing so far apart from their ineptitude and stubbornness. The hope is that this has been addressed with Wilcox but the proof in the pudding has still to materialise.

It was always going to be painful losing our few stars, but its more about incomings, this window is crucial and so is January if SR are committed and the club are serious. There is no need to attempt be clever, the model is already there, and was used successfully at this club last time we hit rock bottom. You buy a core of players from clubs around you and above you and blend this with your best proven youngsters. You don’t gamble or game in this league.
 

 I would expect six starters arriving in this window and so far - front to back - we have one, so lots to do. Last season we were putting out a team with no spine, bereft of character or care. The Sheff Wed win was welcome but Gillingham bloody horrific, so in two games something like five shots on target and four goals against. I like Martin and I like Wilcox but they need to be ruthless and demanding from this point.

[derry]

Ted sold Charlie Livesey to Chelsea, in return he got captain Cliff Huxford. From what was left he bought George O'Brien ( a wonderful goalscorer and  a Leeds reserve), the skilful Dick Connor from Grimsby and turned an ordinary side into champions. Reeves into a 45 goal centre forward ably assisted by Terry Paine and the lightning fast John Sydenham. And the best match of my youth, an FA Cup visit to Maine Road to massacre First Division Manchester City 1-5 with Paine turning left back Cliff Sears inside out and Reeves scoring four against the great Bert Trautman in goal. The moral of this story, let's do it again. This is really where the journey began, six years later we were a first division side.

Edited 10 August, 2023 by derry

[Lighthouse]

21 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Exactly - getting £27m up front is phenomenal. Anyone thinking it is "caving in" is deluded. Most of the headline figures of so-and-so signs for whoever for £50m will be a package where the money is spread out. I would be interested to see if Leicester got £27m up front for Maddison.

I wouldn't say 'phenomenal' as such but I'd agree it's probably the most plausible line of thinking, given West Ham's recent cash boost from Rice and the relatively short window we'll have to bring players in once outgoings are finalised. Hopefully we can use that same lure of up front cash to tempt other clubs, who may have financial issues, to sell their best players.

[SotonianWill]

7 minutes ago, derry said:

Ted sold Charlie Livesey to Chelsea, in return he got captain Cliff Huxford. From what was left he bought George O'Brien ( a wonderful goalscorer and  a Leeds reserve), the skilful Dick Connor from Grimsby and turned an ordinary side into champions. Reeves into a 45 goal centre forward ably assisted by Terry Paine and the lightning fast John Sydenham. And the best match of my youth, an FA Cup visit to Maine Road to massacre First Division Manchester City 1-5 with Paine turning left back Cliff Sears inside out and Reeves scoring four against the great Bert Trautman in goal. The moral of this story, let's do it again. This is really where the journey began, six years later we were a first division side.

What sort of players were the replacements at the time. Were the likes of O’brien nobodies or lost their way or already first division quality players etc? 

[gordonToo]

Tuesday's (non) performance clearly concentrated minds.

[Badger]

15 minutes ago, derry said:

Ted sold Charlie Livesey to Chelsea, in return he got captain Cliff Huxford. From what was left he bought George O'Brien ( a wonderful goalscorer and  a Leeds reserve), the skilful Dick Connor from Grimsby and turned an ordinary side into champions. Reeves into a 45 goal centre forward ably assisted by Terry Paine and the lightning fast John Sydenham. And the best match of my youth, an FA Cup visit to Maine Road to massacre First Division Manchester City 1-5 with Paine turning left back Cliff Sears inside out and Reeves scoring four against the great Bert Trautman in goal. The moral of this story, let's do it again. This is really where the journey began, six years later we were a first division side.

When Channon left, Laurie brought in Phil Boyer to reunite him with Ted MacDougall. And I think bought Chris Nicholl the same summer, and still had a bit left over. Promotion at the end of the season.

It can be done.

(Lets not mention Shearer- Dixon/Speedie )

[derry]

38 minutes ago, SotonianWill said:

What sort of players were the replacements at the time. Were the likes of O’brien nobodies or lost their way or already first division quality players etc? 

Cliff Huxford was captain of Chelsea's reserve team, what a captain he turned out to be. His voice boomed out the whole match, the original hard man and tough as nails. George was volatile, a skilful reserve player at Leeds but a clinical finisher. He carried a knee injury for years but you wouldn't have known. A great player for us. The only time in league football I saw a player throw a punch properly. Harry Harris of Newport hacked George who threw a right upper cut and poleaxed Harris, who was stretchered off.

Dick Connor was an incisive passer especially forward and blended in, however he only lasted the one season until promotion but it was enough. I think the first game back in the second sivision we hammered Liverpool 4-0 at the Dell. The Saint's forwards were the key. Paine, O'Brien what a pair on the right, Reeves in the middle, either tommy Mulgrew or the brilliant in the air Brian Cifton and the quickest player in the country in my opinion, John Sydenham on the left. Over a hundred goals a season in the league more than once.

I hope these memories give you the picture. In those days managers assessed players after tips from scouts and believed their own eyes. We bought crap in later years because we didn't do that.

Edited 10 August, 2023 by derry

[beatlesaint]

23 minutes ago, gordonToo said:

Tuesday's (non) performance clearly concentrated minds.

You know its funny but i did wonder that, whether they've thought "we cant bugger around waiting much longer"

[sydney_saint]

I don't think the fee is as tragic as people think. No player his age or older has been transferred for more than JWP this summer in the EPL. He's presumably about equal with Maguire, but if we've got more upfront money then we slightly shade it. The prem is obsessed with youth at the moment

[sydney_saint]

11 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

Mate he can literally fuck off. 
 

Why would any saints fan want to clap and applaud a West Ham player? He’s made his bed, he can lie on it. 
 

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

....everything okay mate?

[Dellman]

1 hour ago, derry said:

Cliff Huxford was captain of Chelsea's reserve team, what a captain he turned out to be. His voice boomed out the whole match, the original hard man and tough as nails. George was volatile, a skilful reserve player at Leeds but a clinical finisher. He carried a knee injury for years but you wouldn't have known. A great player for us. The only time in league football I saw a player throw a punch properly. Harry Harris of Newport hacked George who threw a right upper cut and poleaxed Harris, who was stretchered off.

Dick Connor was an incisive passer especially forward and blended in, however he only lasted the one season until promotion but it was enough. I think the first game back in the second sivision we hammered Liverpool 4-0 at the Dell. The Saint's forwards were the key. Paine, O'Brien what a pair on the right, Reeves in the middle, either tommy Mulgrew or the brilliant in the air Brian Cifton and the quickest player in the country in my opinion, John Sydenham on the left. Over a hundred goals a season in the league more than once.

I hope these memories give you the picture. In those days managers assessed players after tips from scouts and believed their own eyes. We bought crap in later years because we didn't do that.

Ted was unique, his knowledge of players unequalled. I don't remember failed signings, there must have been some, but he made amazingly good ones -Ron Davies--at a time when we were nearly penniless. Players loved to play for him

[spyinthesky]

16 minutes ago, Dellman said:

Ted was unique, his knowledge of players unequalled. I don't remember failed signings, there must have been some, but he made amazingly good ones -Ron Davies--at a time when we were nearly penniless. Players loved to play for him

Of course in those days a Manager went to watch players who were recommended by his (part time) scouts.
He made a point of watching them play at home and away to get a better idea of their capabilities.
All that said I can remember the times when there was a dissatisfaction at The Dell about the team's performances and going back to the early 1950's rumours abounded that the Saints Directors not wanting promotion to the First Division after the team narrowly missed promotion from the Second Division, on one occasion being well ahead of the pack at Easter then suffering a poor run of form to the last game.
God knows what the meltdown would have been if Social Media had been around then!!
btw Big Ron Davies wasnt Ted's first choice. He originally wanted Bobby Tambling from Chelsea but the club couldnt meet the transfer fee required by Chelsea.
Thank goodness for that as Ron was a great player for Saints.