Fitzhugh Fella

Pleasurable reading - karma

Thanks a good read from a fan's perspective

Just back from my first away game of the season and some observations Firstly that is a bloody long way to go for a there and back away game, 9 hours in the car! But it was worth it because I saw a “man against boys” performance. Hull puffed and put pressure on but the defence was magnificent and Forster did not have to make a save of note. Some have said it was a “dirty” victory but that is not quite accurate as we played plenty of good football and quite frankly should have won by more than one goal (the one criticism I have at the moment is we are too wasteful in front of goal). But considering we had a tough away game in midweek and they did not today's win really was truly praiseworthy. Wanyama was awesome this afternoon, his low centre of gravity coupled with his physique makes him the perfect defensive rock/pivot and Schneiderlin just uses him like a wall to play one/twos off. Davis is now integral to our midfield, he was so industrious today but tellingly his industry never went to waste. If only he could finish. Pelle must be getting knackered and I am concerned we have no back up (like for like) for him at present especially as he is only one booking away from suspension. Gallagher is injured but for reasons unknown the club don’t want to tell us how seriously. Hodgson was there today but gawd knows who he was watching, after his shocking decision to promote Chambers from the U21s over Clyne for the recent 2 England games I have lost all faith and respect for him. He has done us no favours in recent months and we can do without his patronage. A final word on the Hull fans, what a nice bunch of people they were, so complimentary about us and the game was played in a pleasant atmosphere with our away support yet again mightily impressive. On the way home tonight on the car radio I heard Jose Mourinhio praising the “fantastic remarkable Southampton” which was music to my ears. If our squad was deeper I would be starting to believe in our chances of a top four place (mad I know) but I fear the winter, heavier pitches and a few injuries to key players such as Pelle. But 10 wins out of 11 games is frankly unbelievable and Koeman - calmness personified - deserves a massive pat on the back, I far prefer him to MP as he seems so much more grounded. Oh and a final word, surely to God Jack Cork’s contract situation should be sorted sooner rather than later? I would hate to lose him next close season.

It's good he seems to be so level headed but it is sad now that in English football some teams will be always regarded as "bigger" than others and Graziano has already grasped the concept in the interview. In days gone by Wolves, Sunderland, Forest, Villa etc were regarded as massive clubs but now it is all about wealth of the owners and the amount of plastic armchair fans you can accumulate from all over the world, especially the Far East. We are it seems looked at as a good solid stepping stone to the elite.

That sure is a very original reason to support the Saints

Thanks for that - I was outside the library this morning and noticed the poster advertising it.

Bit arrogant this. When we reached the top flight for the first time Stoke were already there as an established decent side who stayed a while before their decline in the 80s. They do have a reputation as a "manhandling, physical" side but their fans are among the most passionate and noisy in the premiership and as far as I know they don't have access to sugar daddy funding so for that reason alone they deserve respect.

You are welcome anytime

Hope you enjoyed it Colin and you enjoyed your pint afterwards! Thought it went well and Jim Steele's comic interventions broke the ice!

Amen

Thanks that was a good read, have fwded the link to David Bull

It really won't be late Colin 9:30 at the latest I would think, there are going to be a few Saints players there ie Hugh Fisher, Jim Steele, and Paul Bennett.

Enjoyed the Lambert interview, a good read!

Yes Billy I went to visit Arthur in his house once, he lived in Highfield near the Crown pub and he was a charming man, full of good stories from both the football and cricketing world. He also gave me a few photos which I have used in the various books over the years.

If anyone is interested David Bull is doing a lecture on World War One and its effect on Southampton FC and their players, this Wednesday at the Winchester Discovery Centre. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20141009-southampton-fc-and-the-great-war-2006844.aspx

It will end in tears and sooner than their fans realise. When the manager/chairman relationship breaks down it is only a matter of time, believe me.

Allen's spin now Awford is blanking him will be interesting. Apparently the player McInnes wanted to sign is doing well with another club and everytime he scores McInnes gets more hacked off with Awford.

If you read his biographies (a good place to start EBS 1980) you would know his Dad often took him to The Dell where his first hero was Derek Reeves.

Indeed Trousers, this is a significant development and the beauty is...... Neil Allen is part of the story!

Just occasionally, information comes my way from impeccable sources, so what I am going to divulge tonight, “nutjobs” can take as 100% verbatim. I would not post if I wasn’t convinced it was the truth. This is not idle gossip take it from me. There is, apparently, massive tension between Andy Awford and McInnes, in fact the relationship is so bad it is fair to say they both hate each other. Not healthy I would say. “Champagne Ian” never rated “Andy Awful” in the first place (you might remember Awford was not considered up to the task when they instead went for Richie Barker) and I gather the chairman has since been interfering on football matters and even setting up potential transfers without AA’s knowledge. The story gets more intriguing, as it appears everyone’s favourite journo, Neil (Paragraph) Allen has now been dragged into the crossfire as Awford suspected a story The News ran was planted by McInnes. He, not surprisingly, was furious. Awford hasn’t the clout (yet) to ban The News himself, but took revenge by curtly and pointedly only answering "yes" or "no" to any of their questions at press conferences pre and post-match. The bottom line is Awford and McInnes have no mutual trust whatsoever and the relationship between the two is at breaking point and will only end in tears. You heard it here first.

Yes we did and we had no option but to, legally but I think we saw that loyalty in football is a fickle beast which works both ways.

I agree with most of your sentiments except the bit about the club sticking by him etc etc. Let's face it if they didn't think he was good enough they would have shipped him out him quick enough, especially if Cortese was in charge. Look at how Bernard, Sharp and Lee were quickly put out to pasture once we had no further need of them.

To be fair Ron has acknowledged that AL is in a mess and bad PR has contributed to that. Deep down Adam probably is a nice lad it's just that fame and fortune has turned his head and his judgement is no longer sound. It is a great shame as he could have gone done in our history as one of the best but his behaviour and words during the summer antagonised the masses myself included.

Should have kept his mouth firmly shut, this article just fans the flames. I never minded him leaving it was just the manner in which he conducted himself during the transfer which sticks in the craw and won't be forgotten.

Don't get me wrong when Saints score or win no one jumps higher and no one is happier in the pub than me (which I think makes me different to my big mate Alpine not) but I just don't like getting carried away. Incidentally apart from a wobble on this thread I have been very supportive of this new regime and even more so since they were kind enough to endorse Hagiology and the history. I don't relish attacking the club but I agree I am no shrinking violet when I see things I don't like. I was anti Lowe in his final years and grew to thoroughly dislike Cortese, but I like to think I give people a chance. Incidentally I still drink in the Ave prior to games so next time say hello. I am sure our arguments would be less robust face to face.