Hamilton Saint

I loved her first 5 or 6 albums - up to Court and Spark. But then she lost me. Her lyrics became too convoluted and the music lost its melodic charm. And then she became precious and arrogant and bitter.

I grew up on Hollybank Estate in Hythe from 1960-68. I used to go down to the local newsagent on the estate every Saturday evening to pick up a copy of the Southern Evening Echo's pink edition - with its detailed description of that day's game on the front and back cover. I went to St. Mary's College in Bitterne Park (John Sydenham was a former St. Mary's boy). My first visit to The Dell was in about 1963 - always stood behind the goal. I think it cost sixpence (6d) for boys in those days. One of the great days of my youth was when Saints were runners-up in Division Two and got promoted to the First Division. And then we got the great Ron Davies. Ron Davies, John Sydenham and Terry Paine. Those were the days! After I emigrated with my family to Canada in 1969 it became difficult to follow the exploits of my team. And then came the wonders of the internet! I started following the Saints closely again in the days of manager David Jones. Now my good friend Tony (who was in First Form at St. Mary's College the same year as me, 1964-65) and I listen to every Saints game together via Saints Player. He lives in Wimbledon; I'm in Hamilton. We text back-and-forth on Skype about the game and chat about how our week has gone. The internet is an amazing and wonderful thing!

As a follow-up to my comment about the AP news agency, here's how they summarize the situation at the top of the table after Sunday's games: "With the loss, City fell five points behind leader Chelsea. Arsenal climbed above Tottenham into fifth place, one point behind Manchester United. In Sunday's other game, West Ham also gave its European ambitions a boost as a superb second-half display saw the Hammers beat struggling Hull 3-0." I rest my case.

FYI, these AP reporters are not based in Toronto. They would be based in London and sending reports back to N.A. And they are not writing for a particular "rag"; their reports would be picked up by papers across the continent. My point is that they ought to write their summarizing articles as an over-view of many games, not just focusing on one of the perennial "big clubs".

The American news agency Associated Press (AP) provides stories on the Premier League for north American newspapers. I read their summary of the Saturday games every week in the Toronto Star. Their reporters invariably focus on the "big clubs". This week's article is no exception. Of the 15 paragraphs in their summary of games, the Man Utd vs QPR match gets 13 paragraphs, with two paragraphs devoted to the Chelsea game. Revealingly, Southampton's one mention (a single sentence) is given as an aside in their focus on Man Utd: "United remains in fourth due to Southampton's surprising form continuing with a 2-1 win at Newcastle." That's it. And so it goes every week.

"... some sceptics laughed..." "... were tipped for relegation ..." "... the grisly predictions made about their fate last summer ..." "... many tipped them for relegation ..." "... they are embarrassing a lot of their former doubters ..." This is Oliver Holt, who predicted on August 16th. that Saints would finish 20th. He doesn't mention once that he was one of the skeptical laughers predicting relegation.

No, I don't mean that. Not everyone lives solely for money. Many do; some don't. Some will go, as I said; some will stay. I also presume that salaries will continue to rise at St. Mary's.

We need one dependable goal machine.

Some will; some won't. For many players money is the #1 consideration.

Thanks for this! Great reaction from Tadic.

Chelsea: 1-1 Arsenal: 2-0 for Saints Man U: 1-0 for Saints

That's a brilliant analysis.

I think the longest spell of consistent scapegoating in recent memory was for Paul Telfer and Rory Delap. Have to say I wasn't really a fan of either of them: got irritated at Telfer's chronic difficulty at getting his corner kicks over the first defender; and must have watched hundreds of Delap's long throw-ins into the box. I think we scored from one of those. One out of 357 ain't bad, I suppose!

Large contingent of Ipswich fans in the Northam end. Lots of singing.

DM says we're deployed as 4-2-1-3 Davis in the hole behind Pelle.

Yes. Come on, saints!

So many in contention. Good sign! 1. Alderweireld 2. Wanyama 3. Clyne 4. Bertrand

Best wishes to all - from us, Saints fans in Canada!

Signing of Ronald Koeman. He has done a wonderful job, and I really like his no-nonsense, humble, and understated style.

Interesting memories of an incredible, fascinating year at SFC! Thanks.

Saints strike force is now Rhodes-worthy. Rhodes-metal builds to the future. Saints' attack is now Rhodes-tested. Saints ready for its Rhodes show. Saints display their Rhodes-map for the future. The Colossus that is Rhodes. Etc., etc.

Indeed!

Great. Thanks for that!

He usually comes across as magnanimous before a game, but if he doesn't win ... well, watch out!

Agreed. But instead of criticizing the ref directly - and on his own behalf - he took the weasel's route and claimed there is a "campaign" against Chelsea. It really is disgraceful behaviour coming from a manager. You can see his influence on his team. They are constantly trying to con and pressure the ref.