MINIBARCELONASAINT

5. Mayuka's goal against Barnsley - proved he can score in a competitive game. Worth his weight in gold. 4. Wayne Thomas against Ipswich because it was sexy and it annoyed Roy Keane. 3. Lambert's goal against Stockport on January 30th - we won 2-0 but it was the worst game I saw during our League One outings and without the goal it probably would've ended 0-0. Truly awful game. 2. Big Rahdi's first goal for Saints in the 1–1 draw away to Carlisle United on 26 September; the 95th-minute goal came from a free kick which earned us the draw and kickstarted his competition for goals with Jose. 1. Guly's first PL goa...........................

Thanks Deano

When we were back under Pardew, the players took it in turns to choose the music they listened to in the changing rooms pregame. Puncheon and Jaidi listened to some awful tinpot grime music. Back then, at least, we were largely an indie music side, them apart.

edited

This. Especially with Bale, top 4 with. No doubt in my mind.

That was cute.

There is talk in the media and at Sky about Shaw getting a call-up. Stelling tweeted yesterday that it's just a matter of time before Shaw is called up.

Which forum poster would this be, if this was us?!

I can only see one obvious weakness in his game, which was evident against RS and WBA; diagonal balls over the top and in behind him. But for 18 and that to be his only flaw in 180 odd minutes of football is promising. I reckon he'll get 10-15 appearances this season.

I know it's some forward projection, but has anyone contemplated how not getting picked throughout the season for England could negatively affect Lambert's contribution to Southampton; or further down the line, if he had a terrific season and wasn't taken to Brazil could that kill off his drive? I just watched his FATV interview, having previously thought it was the Gabriel one from ITV and his last line was, "I hope a scenario will come along that'll better this in a few months...well in a year or so." I think Brazil is everything for him now. It'll drive him this season and I reckon he'll be even better than before, but if that call-up didn't come it may ruin him.

As much as I hate the icon, my hand is near my head! O well, play players out of position ie Cleverley, if that's how you wanna play it, Roy! Hopefully he will play the second '45! Thanks for letting me know, trousers, means I can go and play 5 a side during the first half without missing SRL!

Have Sky indicated Lambert isnt starting be it saying it or that two other strikers are?

Anyone know when the team is announced? Whether I play five a side tonight - 1950 KO - is dependent on whether Big Rick starts!

Get the Pope to bang on about the Saints and he'll get his agent fee.

The title is pretty self-explanatory; The Bleacher Report's tactical analyst has put together the best 100 players in the PL based on a devised formula. Just passing on the article if anyone's interested in Saints players did: Artur Boruc was at 125; they included the 25 players that narrowly missed out. (72.7/100) Jack Cork - deep-lying playmaker - is at 99; "Roy Hodgson could do a lot worse than call young Jack up to his squad." (73.7) Adam Lallana - inverted winger - is at 98; "If Adam Lallana could stay fit, we'd have an England international on our hands." (73.7) Jay Rodriguez - wide forward - is at 92; "He's developed fantastic chemistry with Rickie Lambert." (74.2) Rickie Lambert - target man - is at 81; "He was far too intelligent for the lower leagues, constantly moving and tormenting his markers before beating them in the air and firing the ball home from 40 yards." (74.6) Victor Wanyama - anchor defensive midfielder - is at 48; "nothing short of a tremendous coup on Mauricio Pochettino's behalf, as the Kenyan could have easily signed and slotted into Manchester United or Liverpool's first XIs.......The only aspect of his game that let him down in our grading was his passing." (76.1) Morgan Schneiderlin - anchor defensive midfielder - is at 27, ahead of Lampard and Gerrard (!) but not Carrick who comes in as the tenth best player in the PL and Kagawa as 9th, so there is the end of that who's midfield is better argument; "notching up an astonishing average of 4.1 tackles and 3.9 interceptions per game." (77.9) so 6 players in the EPL100 and 7 in the 125. It explained it was harder to include players that weren't playing in England last season, so perhaps Lovren may have featured otherwise. Other than that, I can't argue that we should have had many more in. Clyne could feel aggrieved but I don't think Shaw played enough to warrant inclusion at his age. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1720614-br-100-best-premier-league-players/ Enjoy

Back to the striker argument, as we do have money to spend, it is persuading them to come to us (what's been said here and confirmed by the few I know at the club); who is out there that you think is realistic and worthy? I'll start with Bas Dost: Jackson Martinez:

Q1: What were your opinions of your first season back in the Premier League? I predicted 13th (http://www.maycauseoffence.com/2012/08/17/can-the-premier-league-new-boys-survive-the-drop/) so was happy with a 14th place finish, just a point off of my prediction, but was mainly pleased by our continued evolution on and off the pitch and was pleased to see us stick to our playing style regardless of the opposition. For just one season I think we made a lot of important progress to ensure second season syndrome will not be a problem for us. Q2: What are your expectations for the upcoming season? 10th. I think we need to finish higher if we're to keep our better players and attract the ilk of players we have been in for this window, but I don't see it happening at present. Q3: What are you expecting from West Brom this season? A trade of places with Southampton, so 14th. Q4: Happy with the clubs transfer business so far? So far, yes. More to come is essential to meet our aims though. Q5: What other positions need adding to before the close of the transfer window? A striker and a versatile defender. Q6: Favourite memories of games against West Brom? We were well-beaten both times - I didn't enjoy any of it! Seriously though, as raised in the first question I will always admire us if we play and stick to our game, which we did at St. Mary's despite Lukaku dominating us. Q7: Worst memories of games against West Brom? Lukaku effortlessly battering our defence. Q8: The previous game between the sides finished 0-3. What were your opinions on this game? It was separated by the man that you'll miss this season; Lukaku. Q9: And finally, score predictions 2-0 Saints.

Just back from the game, which I thoroughly enjoyed for what it was: a chance to see the majority of our 25-man squad and new signings. Boruc: Ever confident to receive the pass from his defence. Made a few saves of note and wasn't at particular fault for their two first-half goals. 6. Chambers: Good display and played without nerves, but would have to improve if he is to get regular games this season, which I think he could with game time. 6. Shaw: Only played the first 35 or so due to a knock to his left leg, but was strong attacking down the left flank and linked with Rodriguez excellently. 6. Lovren: Clearly a different class to our other centre-backs. Commanded the back four well. 8. Hooiveld: Looked comfortable between Shaw and Lovren and scored with a neat header. 7. Wanyama: Calm, sometimes too calm; strong, efficiently not recklessly; and had a variety of passes in his portfolio, which dispersed play well in the middle. Assist for Morgan. 8. Schneiderlin: Played with authority. Joined attacks frequently and looked comfortable with Wanyama as his partner. Scored the third. 8. Rodriguez: Ran at his right back excellently, tirelessly pressured the back four and generally worked hard. I think he'll be pivotal in us pressuring high up the field this season. Did himself no harm with Roy in the crowd either. 7. Lallana: I know it was just a friendly, but if he can regularly play like he did today in the PL then the boo boys will shut up quickly. Good goal, intricate link up. 8. Guly: Covered for Chambers well in terms of work rate, but lacked any defensive awareness in the build up to RS' first goal iirc. Was good going forward and passed well. 6. Lambert: Apart from his moment of madness, he was his usual impressive self. Was on top form and has clearly no lasting effects from the end of last season. Looked very sharp. 7. Davis: Near-post. 5. Fonte: Did ok. Nothing spectacular. 6. Maya: Confident with the ball at his feet and carrying out of defence. 7. Fox: Not as bad as some would like to make out, but certainly not good enough for a run of games at LB. 6. Cork: Little difference between him and Chambers, really. Made one blunder but luckily didn't cost us. 6. Isgrove: Didn't look as impressive as he has done this preseason, but warrants a place in the 25 unless we sign another attacking player. 6. Davis: Constantly pressuring, endless work and maintains possession. PL standard Hammond. 6. Ramirez: Does the odd turn/shuffle/feint which excites but too often followed it up with a wayward pass. 6. Puncheon: Gave us another dimension when he came on. Typical Puncheon performance cutting in from the right and running at defenders on his left. Got the winner. 7. Mayuka: Didn't do anything wrong or play badly but didn't really do anything positive either. 5. For those of you that don't know/remember/care I am a ballboy at the club, despite being far too old (20 this season, but they keep asking me back and its cheaper than a season ticket!) I've been doing it for four years now so a familiar face to some of the longer-serving staff and players. Was speaking to a few of them today and the general consensus was that we are a striker short of a top ten finish but they did confirm we are in the market for one still. No names were mentioned.

I'm currently watching Rio Ferdinand's testimonial with my girlfriend, who is, in the typical missus way, bombarding me with questions with either genuine interest or an attempt to show it to please me. It has sparked a few Saints related strings of conversation though. I'm sure there are more in my living memory (98 onwards), but I can only remember MLT, Oakley, Benali (I think) and one against Celtic, possibly Michael Svensson's. So: Who was the last Saints player to have a testimonial? Who do you think is most deserving of the next one? I'd be torn between Kelvin and SLR. I'd be tipped to say KD as I think it'll be his last active season in a Saints shirt, whereas I reckon Lambert has at least two seasons in him at the top.

I'm, without a doubt, certain the comparison was in overall ability/potential and not playing style in regards to Bale and Walcott. I think you can therefore legitimately make that comparison. I brought the story up because I am fascinated about how opinions on a player that hasn't really had much game time at PL Level can vary so much - from Lampardesque to average PL midfielder (though, having read the entirety of this thread it is apparent some believe there is no difference!). Though, having seen the spectrum of responses re: Lambert's call-up I guess it's not as surprising and the attraction of football will continue to be it's subjective nature. Whilst on opinions, I was coaching out in Germany last week and the coaches I worked with and the kids I coached were all eager to know how "a small club like Southampton" could hold on to Rickie Lambert and wanted to know why he wasn't in the England squad! Then, when we organised a tournament for the kids and let them pick their teams, after Manchester United and City had been taken, the next three teams were AFC Wimbledon, Wolves and Saints! "Why?" I asked. "They have cool kits!" was the reply.

It is rather odd how opinions differ on this player so much. I've crossed paths with the European Scout for Wolves whilst doing my badges, who used to be a coach at Southampton, who says that whilst JWP's attitude and work rate is faultless, he doesn't have the ability to be as good as Bale or Chambo or even Walcott. He believes he'll be an average Premier League midfielder at best. The same guy believes after JWP nothing is coming through our academy of Premier League potential for quite some time.

Southampton FC @SouthamptonFC Glasgow_Saint is ITK

Yes, we are soon to release the details of our October half-term football course which will be taking place at Trojans Sports Ground.

Hi sydneysaint17. The summer cricket course is for 7-15 year olds, however we offer a range of courses, from half-term multi-sports to school partnerships and community sessions. Our coaches coach from ages 18 months to 18 years!

http://www.forwarddrivecoaching.com/ Hey good people of the TSW. Forward Drive Coaching is company I have set up with a friend in the past year specialising in Cricket and Football coaching. If any of you have kids, this is cheap childcare but great coaching in school time and the holidays. All our coaches are NGB Level 2 and CRB checked. Some of our coaches are this summer coaching in Germany with the German FA; so be assured the quality is top.