saint peach

They said it was all in the name of teamwork. The shame.

Last night I was fortunate enough to be the only external journalist allowed access to the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award. Yeah, not sure how I managed it either. As great as it was to interview Messrs Bale and Wilshere, first and foremost I am a Southampton man. One that is proud (if not a tad surprised) to see FIVE players in the official League One team of the season. So after competing official business I grabbed a word with all Saints' award winners other than Alex Chamberlain, who did not attend the event. On the link below you will find my Q&As with Kelvin Davis, Adam Lallana, Dan Harding and Jose Fonte. http://simon-peach.com/

Hearing the fans in full voice today at Brisbane Road singing in honour of Markus Liebherr, it struck me that maybe there should be a regular time slot to dedicate to him? The other week Barcelona fans dedicated the 22nd minute to applaud cancer-stricken defender Eric Abidal. Thought it was a nice touch and something similar would be nice at Saints for Markus. Maybe the 62nd minute in relation to the age he was when he passed away? Or perhaps the 8th as he saved the club on July 8? Maybe I am alone in this but thought I would put the idea forward.

I'll be there with the missus. Should be reet good.

As we remember the great and good to have graced the red and white over the years, I thought I best post these magazine scans from the late 1970s/early 1980s. Clearing out my laptop last week I stumbled across some images I had scanned in a while back of Lawrie McMenemy, Alan Ball & David Peach. Thought some of you may like to see them and reminisce: http://bit.ly/hbu27u

Easily the most difficult interview of my life.

Been meaning to put this up for a bit. Here is Ryan on the Dutch experiment and other stuff: http://bit.ly/eLahNt

Sounds confident to me

Rickie seems to think we can beat United. I bloody hope he is right. http://bit.ly/hbu27u

Just spent 10 minutes on the phone to Ryan. Seemed liked a nice enough lad but was like getting blood out of a stone. Pressed him on the Saints issues but refused to buckle too much. Will post quotes on his Southampton experience tomorrow.

He is playing for Sporting Kansas City, formerly known as Kansas City Wizards.

Wasn't that Lee Holmes?

Some of you may remember that in the fateful 2008/09 season we had a lad called Ryan Smith on the wing. Ryan is now plying his trade in the States and seems to be doing pretty well out there. I have an interview with him this evening and was wondering whether you guys had any questions for him?

That's another matter altogether No, I work for the Press Association (although all opinions are my own, blah blah, blah).

No, didn't fancy pressing him on it. Think it was quite an innocent comment, though, so would not read too much into it.

Unfortunately that never quite came to fruition. Maybe one day...

Following on from his comments on Guly penning a new deal, here is a chunk from my interview with Rickie: http://bit.ly/eoQECA I found it interesting so hope some y'all do as well.

I cannot claim to have been in his kitchen or garden, but I will post the rest of our conversation on a thread tomorrow. Until then I can reveal he can't cook, loves Steven Gerrard, enjoys watching NFL and has no pre-match rituals. Oh, and he doesn't rate Dan Seaborne's dress sense very highly.

He didn't say, unfortunately. However, Rickie admitted he would like Gerard Butler to play him in a film of his life.

Just spent 25 minutes on the blower with the legend that is Rickie Lambert. Check out the Saints Web homepage for his views on Guly signing a new deal. More snippets from Lambert to follow of the coming days. COYR!

For what it's worth, here is an updated piece about Chamberlain I penned a few weeks back. http://bit.ly/esLxTn

Thanks, just about survived. Cannot understand how that was a Premier League club so recently. Oh, and feel free to check out my story about Puncheon on my blog: http://bit.ly/eBsuAP. There will be other interesting stuff on their soon as well. Promise.

Had the misfortune of reporting on Portsmouth v Millwall today and, I have to say, Jason Puncheon looked outstanding. Played some nice balls, showed some good touches and had a hand in the Lions' goal. All in all a good performance. After the game I asked manager Kenny Jackett whether there was any update on the situation and this was his response: “Puncheon is on loan for us and we’ll see. At the moment our focus is on the games that are coming up so quickly at the moment through up until about January 8th when we play Birmingham at home in the FA Cup. With those type of games you just sort of have to focus on those games. But, overall, in his loan spell - in his short loan spell with us - Jason Puncheon has played well.” Granted there is nothing wildly exciting in that but it sounds like they want him, although they are still a little unsure about something.

After much speculation, the official website has confirmed it http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2222518,00.html

I wouldn't go near him. Saw him for Hull the other week and looked well out of sorts. Still got a good touch but his fitness has gone.