Channon's Sideburns

I'm sure that someone more 'statistically aware' than me will correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Rasiak score 15 or more goals BEFORE XMAS? Then he was inexplicably dropped for pretty much the rest of the season? The subject was covered pretty much in depth...if I remember rightly it was assumed that Messrs Rasiak and Skacel had a 'falling out' with Mr Burley over an 'issue'. So if that was the case Ras got dropped not based on what he was producing, as you would expect, but because he opened his mouth - fine management. BTW, I think that season, had Ras continued his form, that we wouldn't have needed the Derby Play off games - we would have got automatic promotion. I thought that Saga arrived the season after? History now though..

Ooooh...handbag! ;-) Regardless of Weston's clarification (the cynic in me would think that Lallana WOULD say that to a Saints fan now he's staying), the fact you can only see one point of the Lallana argument speaks volumes. Prejudices? That's a very strong word to use on an internet forum. I think 'difference of opinion on whether a player is worth a guaranteed starting place' is a rather more elongated but truer statement.

Yes, Burley the ex-Scotland defender who played in a World Cup for his country had 'trouble sorting out the defence'. That's sums it all up in a sentence. Haven't seen anyone backing his decision to drop Rasiak though half-way through a purple patch...had he played him we may well have been promoted and George could have gained Saint-like status. Decisions change lives and careers don't they? ;-)

Ah well...time to take your fingers out of your ears and stop saying 'La-La-La-La Can't hear you!!!' then.... ;-) You seriously think that Sky, Talksport AND the Echo would take the risk of running that story without getting it verified? And, in response to 'Ooh Matron' (medication's fine BTW, I use Calpol ;-) ) from earlier, the reason I mentioned the other thread in the summer was when you look at the respected posters on it (for example Fitzhugh Fella - who has seen enough Saints players over the years to make unquestioned judgment) and their views on Lallana you will see that this isn't about me being 'obsessive'. As with this thread there were more questioning Lallana (importantly his play not his attitude) than were championing him. So there you go. Saturday was the first time I'd ever heard a Radio Solent presenter comment on a player like that when Temple mentioned that Lallana couldn't get the corners at training off the ground - so he's an obsessive like me as well then? Christ I'm starting to feel like Nineteen already..... I only respond to comments on here as everyone else does - and I'm only having to repeat my point because the thought police are out and about trying to dodge the issues - it's the same as the issue with Pardew - now I believe he should be given time, but you have to set a time period where you HAVE to make a judgement..you can't carry on saying 'Oh it will come together' when you could be heading for swapping places with Bournemouth. Which at the moment is a distinct possibility - or do you think we are 'too good to go down'?? How many times have we heard that before.... ;-)

I like the way you've overlooked the comments on that thread. Well done. Especially the link to the Sky Sports article confirming that he wanted out. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11719_5422063,00.html

Like I said - search for the thread from the summer. You may even find a mention of it on the OS.

I'm only overtly critical at times of him, because of the his performances for the last 18mths, and his attitude during pre-season. As you may recall (or you may want to look it up) there was a thread about him discussing when he told Wotte he wanted out around the time of the AFC Totton friendly - and check the reaction then from everyone on here then. He didn't want to be here, didn't want to play in League 1, didn't want to play for Saints anymore - that was the gist of things. Now my theory on his new found loyalty is based on he didn't get the move he wanted - perhaps no-one actually wanted him, I don't know. Just because he's seen as integral to our play by some doesn't change that. You can forgive, but you cannot forget. I still believe he'll be angling for a move come January. Just my opinion - you have yours and you're welcome to it. I haven't got a problem with that. I'm sorry, but for me playing for Saints is like this, if someone acts that way and they're not committed and want out - a change of manager will not change that.

Well done for today AL. See...some of us on here can actually still support the team without sarcastic posts trying to garner a reaction - I stand by my original view on him - a goal isn't going to change that..what do you expect me to say? - that I take it all back or you were right because he scored today? 'One swallow doesn't make a summer' as they say. I hope it's the same next week, I shall watch with interest at the game. One thing though, if you listened to Radio Solent you would have heard Kris Temple mention that in response to a texter complaining about his corner delivery that they'd watched him in training and he couldn't get the ball of the ground. So, it's not just me. As I said before, I'm not going to criticise him further until Xmas to review his form and progress, which I think is fair - after all it's what you all do to others isn't it?

So by playing him week in week out, Pards hasn't been 'fully trusting or backing him'? Jesus..I hope you make these many excuses for every player. Given that you've supported Saints for a long time I'm surprised at your support for him - he wouldn't have got near the 1st team had we been still in the Prem. and to answer an earlier criticism of my posts, there is no 'vendetta' against Lallana from me. I just happen to feel that he is not worthy of a place in the team at the moment - what's wrong with that? That feeling is backed up with his 'Billy Big Balls' attitude towards Wotte in pre-season when he 'didn't feel like playing' - perhaps Wotte told him to pull his finger out? I stand by my earlier assumption that he'll be angling for a move in January - League 1 or CCC doesn't suit him to be honest (too physical) - perhaps Surman can budge along the bench for him at Wolves or something. Under achievers like Hammond? Jesus - he's been here 5 minutes and you're protecting Lallana who's been here for years...

How ironic it is though that Pards has spent - £1.5M? and we're moving forwards.. Burley spent £7.5M and we went backwards.

It just goes to prove that form is temporary, but class is permanent.

Fair enough, I get the feeling however that Admin was the only way that the revolving doors in the Boardroom were ever going to be shut. We will get 20k + crowds, I have no doubt - once we start winning! Ironically, a few weeks ago, Wigan had Man U at the JJB - attendance? 17,500. It truly is amazing when you look at that and Poopey, that we can pull in the crowds in this league.

Ok, I'll give you examples of how Burley ****ed me off in that season: 1) His attitude that the Play-offs were our only aim (setting that as a target for the players was only ever going to produce under-performance - reach for the stars ring any bells?); 2) Dropping Rasiak mid-way through the season when he was on fire; 3) Spanking over £7M on players who never really performed - and THAT'S why we went downhill - he bought crap players on high salaries. 4) His non-sensical interviews showing complete delusion over our performances - and as was disclosed by Radio Solent, his threats to stop all interviews in future if they asked questions he didn't want to answer. 5) His lack of committment to the club by living in the DeVere - now HOW MUCH did that cost the club then? No wonder we were in the proverbial... As for the Rasiak argument (because I guess that's coming) he WAS an effective player before Burley trashed his confidence. As someone else has already said, he's a manager getting jobs based on one good season with Ipswich. End of. Sad, because I really thought that he was the right man for us.

..and then the circular argument regarding Lowe and his Associates continues. The key thing for me was Lowe's decision making - but more worryingly, it was the uber-support from his backers, Messrs Askham, Richards, and the long term Saints fan, Wilde. In any other industry a CEO with such a record of poor judgement (on management and playing staff issues) and results would not continue to receive such undoubting support. I do however hold some grudging respect for him, simply through his sheer bloody-mindedness in thinking that he was the best person for the job. In my view Lowe wasn't the dangerous one - it was the people behind him pulling his strings.

Hang on I sense he has a point... I give you Guy Askham as an alternative.

Balls...what a weekend not to be at the in-laws in Gothenburg.

Well for all of his 'hard work' he's not producing much. I'm sorry, have to accept your point but respectfully disagree. Unfortunately there have been many Saints players who showed some initial promise but for some reason (hmmm..involvement with U21 get togethers,nights out in Bmth,their 'head not being right') flattered to deceive before drifting down the pecking order, then down the leagues. Hang on...there isn't much further to fall is there? I don't rate him - why? Skillful? Yes. Industrious? Maybe (but that is only good if it is effective); Hardest Working? I think Trotman, Davis, Harding, Perry, James, and Lambert could have an argument with you on that one. Yes, he's talented, but we are CARRYING him in this team - no tens of responses on here claiming him to be our best player is going to change that - only Lallana can change opinion. He can start that by practicing corners and getting them away from the keeper. Back to basics before anything eh?

Last time I looked football was about moving forwards and backwards, side to side, not about moving around in circles.

Sorry but also your blind optimism about Lallana is clouding your judgement.

At last...make it happen. If it did happen I can stop going on about how we should have signed him before he left Bmth...

That's surely the same music used in the Incredible Hulk...just before the eyes go on David Banner.... And by the thread title, I was expecting an Allegro for some reason..

What do you mean 'lighten up' on Lallana? I love the way in which we have only two examples (West Brom in 08 and Birmingham 2 weeks ago) where he has made a recognisable contribution, and yet its ok to dismiss Paterson on what is it - 4 league games...? Yet Lallana has had over a season as first choice and has gone backwards. I didn't start the thread BTW so it's not just me wondering... I'll revisit the subject at Xmas....my bet is he'll be angling for a move in January so I guess he'll be prolific in December.

Sid Owen more like...

I think what Charlie is on about is that under Burley, the post match reports and interviews were always about 'there's a lot to be positive about', and 'we are working hard to improve things', and 'there's everything still to play for' (which was my personal Burley favourite). Now, that is fine if you're picking up points but after you've heard it for eight weeks and with no sizeable improvement being shown, you start asking questions.... Which is understandable - after all, we put money in to attend don't we? Under Burley (particularly the season where he declared at the start of the season and during it, that we were 'aiming for the play-offs' - NOTE not automatic promotion) the mindset within the players was all wrong. So, when they lost games they should have drawn, or drew games they should have won, out game Georgie Boy with his lame excuses, thus giving the players the let-off instead of knocking six bells out of them for not performing. The frustrating thing is, we all know what happened under Burley and DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN - where week in week out our players underperform but get let off by management. So if that makes me negative, fill your boots. But at Xmas, if we're staring relegation in the face once more, don't come crying on here saying 'What went wrong?'

It's almost 17 months since that game when he made a difference....and yet he's supposedly the player we should build around. Crazy. We should be concentrating on how we are going to give service to Lambert - THE BEST STRIKER IN THIS LEAGUE - instead we're going on about how we can guarantee Lallana a starting place when he can't even deliver a corner... Marvellous.