eelpie

Kevin Philips, considered too small to play upfront and released by Chris Nichol

Not much point now in spending on Staplewood if we haven't got the money or desire to invest in strikers and other key players that will bring the squad back to the high standard of recent seasons

The longer Puel digs in and hopes his theories work the more important each game becomes. The diamond was working better in midfield yesterday but strikers find themselves playing in positions that do not naturally suit their styles.. Play specialist wingers and strikers where their skills work best, before it is too late. A good manager should be able to adapt, when the need arises.

This too

This

Well at least that sorts Fonte transfer rumours

But what is the average prediction so far? From 4-0 to 0-4?

The club would have loaned Jay out but for his late goal that saved our pre-season, so I hope they really do have confidence in him, because it is only playing that will bring Jay up towards his best. but I agree.

That's hilarious

That sounds ominous

And we are very lucky to have you writing on this forum

JWP must be doing something right at international level.

Not to mention the Exclamation Corps

His assists are better, but his 2 points could yet take us to the World Cup.

You really do have a problem.

He didn't look mentally weak against Slovakia. He was the player that grafted, that inspired a docile England victory.

Whatever, everyone else was worse though.

Our league position under Koeman will probably not be improved on for many years, so he will be a legend when memories of his leaving are less hurtful, but he probably had the best squad to work with, and I think much of his success is due to Mane's incredible last weeks . But fair play, Koeman did us proud. I still feel we owe most to Pardew though in that we virtually had zilch squad when he came.

I was very shocked when Dodd and Williams were suddenly sacked, and there has never really been an insightful explanation as to why. What was going on at the academy and club at the time? I agree that since D & W left the Academy hasn't seemed to improve much. Is there a wider coincidence that following Shaw's criticism about their sacking the big exodus of Shaw, Lallana, Poch and others began? Is there a reason why Academy talent aren't progressing as well as in Dods's and William's day?

It's a bit harsh to suggest that all players will never make the grade if they haven't done it by 20, even though they may not have here. Some take longer to develop and become successful at a top level. Others don't necessarily find their best position here - Phillips always comes to mind. Saints saw him as defender, but elsewhere he became a top striker.

Nearly 25% on target doesn't sound good to me, and explains a lot.

Questionable, and not stated clearly enough for me anyway, and by mentioning players pre-Pardew it focused attention on his predecessors, and so on. But if this is not what you wanted, sorry. I did enjoy reading your post btw, but I can't think about recent managers without comparing them with the daddy of them all, Ted Bates. Back to the OP, I think we owe most to Pardew, because without his experience and canny purchases we might not have got out of League 1 at the second attempt and with a different manager at that difficult time we could even have wallowed there for years. Pity he couldn't keep his hands off players' ladies, though. After him Pochetino gave us the punch and flair that moved us to the next level, more so than Koeman. Truly, each played a vital part in our rise and I'm so pleased to have seen it.

This was the full quote, so what's the problem?: 'Fonte may well feel he earned his chance to play for a bigger club, but he has refused to be drawn in to discussing that for now. "Was I disappointed the Man United move didn’t happen? Let’s leave that for another time,’ he said. ‘Now I’m focused on Southampton. I’ve lots of targets: to play in the Champs League, to play in a World Cup, to win a trophy in England." You are over-reacting.

The Op didn't actually specify that it had to be from the examples that he mentioned, not that it matters.

You left out Ted Bates there. It wasn't easy for him when he became manager and he didn't always get it right. But the club had faith in him, and so did the fans. It took a while before Saints emerged from the then 3rd Division, but he had advantages - charisma, vision, common sense and time to get it right. The best manager by far. (The Op didn't specify which era btw.)