trousers Posted 18 January, 2010 Author Share Posted 18 January, 2010 For me, the midfielder with the old and commanding head, and who is a former Saint too, would be Matt Oakley. He's done it for Leicester in getting them promoted, he's still doing it. Matt showed during administration his heart is still with Saints, so, why don't we make a move for him? Crossed my mind too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ART Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 I know they have probably hung there boots up but someone like Thomas Graverson ex Everton or Matty Holland or maybe even Matt Oakley that type of player would be a great addition to the squad. We could also use a big lump up front to take some of the burden off Rickies shoulders Henderson Hulse aggyman someone who can hold it up cause chaos get us a goal and give Ricky a rest for last 10 15 mins of a game No doubts who that could be. Kevin Davies who may be tempted by a decent 2 -3 year contract seeing he's reaching the limit of how much longer he could play in the Premiership. Plays ugly, distracts defenders and now and then finds the back of the net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackedoff Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 Put it this way, until we get a midfield player that can do the Case, Ball,Bremner,Ince etc type job ( or something near it )we,re going to remain in this league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 Put it this way, until we get a midfield player that can do the Case, Ball,Bremner,Ince etc type job ( or something near it )we,re going to remain in this league. Er, with no pre-season we are 7th, 2 points off the play-offs... Hardly cause for this sort of nonsense yet is it? Last 8 games, won 5 lost 2, drew 1. One loss to league leaders and one to a team who are on fire at home, but both of whom has worse 8 game form than us. People seem to have got confused about having a couple of 'poor' results and some sort of malaise of which there is none. A few weeks back I watched us tear MK Dons apart with no Jimmy Case. And then do the same to Bristol Rovers away, Charlton at home and Walsall away. I think we've been invaded by goldfish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulstersaint Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 Someone like Danny Murphy - currently at Fulham. A top midfielder who can tackle, track back, close down, make a pass and score a few goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shroppie Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 Who else is old enough to remember Terry Paine? Saw him a lot after he moved to Hereford. He didn't move a lot, but could pick a pass to perfection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 I don't understand why they have to be and "old head". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singeon Sears Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 For me our current midfield simply gets overrun by the leagues stronger sides. Morgan is not yet consistant enough, good game bad game. The right side seems a problem with James/Papa/Antonio all having a go. I would also say Lallana has the ability to do better than he has done so far. All in all I think we need 2 players, a CM and a RM, then we might start beating the top 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 Stocks and Danns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorpie the sinner Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 Stocks and Danns? Thats what I keep thinking!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 think there maybe some adjusting posts in the play offs threads if we do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackedoff Posted 18 January, 2010 Share Posted 18 January, 2010 Er, with no pre-season we are 7th, 2 points off the play-offs... Hardly cause for this sort of nonsense yet is it? Last 8 games, won 5 lost 2, drew 1. One loss to league leaders and one to a team who are on fire at home, but both of whom has worse 8 game form than us. People seem to have got confused about having a couple of 'poor' results and some sort of malaise of which there is none. A few weeks back I watched us tear MK Dons apart with no Jimmy Case. And then do the same to Bristol Rovers away, Charlton at home and Walsall away. I think we've been invaded by goldfish. MK Dons being the ONLY decent team that we have beaten this season thus far. Until we get a decent dominating midfield together I will stand by my comment about staying in this league. If we cannot match the Huddersfields and Colchesters of this league,then forget matching the Leeds and Norwich,s . We can have the best strikers,keeper and change the defence all we like but this midfield neither supports the attack nor protects the defence to a degree where we can beat the BETTER teams in this league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 (edited) Who else is old enough to remember Terry Paine? Saw him a lot after he moved to Hereford. He didn't move a lot, but could pick a pass to perfection. Of course, lots of us are old enough to remember Terry, and his 10 year long double act with John Sydenham (on the left). He was a boyhood hero to many of my generation. Even more so when you consider he played for England 19 times, whilst we were still in Div.2 (CCC). Never forget the Wembley game v.N.Ireland (Nov 63) when Eng. won 8-3. Terry scored a personal hat-trick and made 4 of the other goals (the only England winger to score a hat-trick at Wembley). He wasn't "FAST" in the way Sydenham was (John had been So'ton schools sprint champion-and it showed)...but Terry had what some people called guile (clever or crafty). He could read the opposing full-back and had several tricks of his own. After 30, he moved to midfield, a bit slower- but he had so much vision, I'm sure he could have found his man blindfold, he was so accurate in passing. Ted Bates used to say, he could see a train coming out of the tunnel - before it had gone in. While it was sad that he left Saints (when he was ONLY 35,) the change of pace in the lower division helped a lot and I know he won a lot of friends at Hereford, as well as helping them with a promotion. Edited 19 January, 2010 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 Of course, lots of us are old enough to remember Terry, and his 10 year long double act with John Sydenham (on the left). He was a boyhood hero to many of my generation. Even more so when you consider he played for England 19 times, whilst we were still in Div.2 (CCC). Never forget the Wembley game v.N.Ireland (Nov 63) when Eng. won 8-3. Terry scored a personal hat-trick and made 4 of the other goals (the only England winger to score a hat-trick at Wembley). He wasn't "FAST" in the way Sydenham was (John had been So'ton schools sprint champion-and it showed)...but Terry had what some people called guile (clever or crafty). He could read the opposing full-back and had several tricks of his own. After 30, he moved to midfield, a bit slower- but he had so much vision, I'm sure he could have found his man blindfold, he was so accurate in passing. Ted Bates used to say, he could see a train coming out of the tunnel - before it had gone in. While it was sad that he left Saints (when he was ONLY 35,) the change of pace in the lower division helped a lot and I know he won a lot of friends at Hereford, as well as helping them with a promotion. Simply the best Saints player I have seen in the last fifty years without him I doubt if the club would have the success it had in reaching Div 1 and the Premier League Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 19 January, 2010 Author Share Posted 19 January, 2010 I don't understand why they have to be and "old head". It was just an idea from a lonely internet forum chum.... I just think having someone in the midfield who is in the 30-35 age bracket who's "been there, done that" and fancies a challenge in the twilight of his career is worth a shot. I guess Wotton fits the age bill but I'm talking more of an accomplished figure who would cost a few bob more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambosa75 Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 I'm surprised no-ones mentioned Brian Howard. Local lad but is an attack minded central midfielder who appears to be a fixture on the Reading bench this season. He would be a class act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 19 January, 2010 Author Share Posted 19 January, 2010 I'm surprised no-ones mentioned Brian Howard. Local lad but is an attack minded central midfielder who appears to be a fixture on the Reading bench this season. He would be a class act. Yep, he'll do....quick.....on the blower to Coppell.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 MK Dons being the ONLY decent team that we have beaten this season thus far. Until we get a decent dominating midfield together I will stand by my comment about staying in this league. If we cannot match the Huddersfields and Colchesters of this league,then forget matching the Leeds and Norwich,s . We can have the best strikers,keeper and change the defence all we like but this midfield neither supports the attack nor protects the defence to a degree where we can beat the BETTER teams in this league. A bit selective, your memory, isn't it? I seem to recall us beating Charlton 2-1 in the JPT Cup and drawing with them away in the league 1-1. I also seem to recall us beating Nowich in the JPT and drawing with them at home in the league. The league leaders Leeds only won by 1 goal against us away and Premiership Birmingham only scored one goal more than us too. Don't you count draws as matching the top teams? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 Yep, he'll do....quick.....on the blower to Coppell....Did I miss Reading re-instating him as manager? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 (edited) Its mentioned on the other thread that Colchester aren't pursuing their interest in Nobby Solano. Class player - whether he still has the legs is another matter. If he doesn't make a return to newcastle, would be worth a look a la Connolly. Edited 19 January, 2010 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 19 January, 2010 Author Share Posted 19 January, 2010 Did I miss Reading re-instating him as manager? Isn't he our DoF in waiting....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Mywords Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 Simply the best Saints player I have seen in the last fifty years without him I doubt if the club would have the success it had in reaching Div 1 and the Premier League No need to have any doubt, John. Without Terry Paine, the club would never have reached the top flight when it did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 I'm surprised no-ones mentioned Brian Howard. Local lad but is an attack minded central midfielder who appears to be a fixture on the Reading bench this season. He would be a class act. He has just moved in to a new house at Bartley. He would like to join Saints at some point but he has a new contract at Reading which puts him way out of our wage structure. I know he was sounded out but we can't afford him at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 MK Dons being the ONLY decent team that we have beaten this season thus far. Until we get a decent dominating midfield together I will stand by my comment about staying in this league. If we cannot match the Huddersfields and Colchesters of this league,then forget matching the Leeds and Norwich,s . We can have the best strikers,keeper and change the defence all we like but this midfield neither supports the attack nor protects the defence to a degree where we can beat the BETTER teams in this league. I did the anlaysis before that we have beaten plenty of top sides earlier in the season when they were the top sides... When we lost to Swindon they were something like 10th/11th. Yes, we've lost to Leeds and Colchester - big deal. We've yet to play Huddersfield at home - forget the away game, it was the 3rd/4th game of the season. And forget Swindon, that was also pre-half our current team. Let's just see what happens when we play those sides now. We matched Nowrich twice - that looks pretty bloody good form to me, based on the fact they are now runaway form leaders. We drew with Charlton at their place and beat them at home in the cup comfortably. We wallopped Bristol Rovers away in the cup, only for a couple of sloppy goals to make them look good. We are a decent side, we've just gone a few games without playing sparkling football, it happens. We're in League One - some games will be a battle and some won't. All that matters is we win the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ART Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 When we played Swindon they were right down there in the bottom 4 with us and hadn't won a game in 10 games. They beat us and haven't looked back since. They weren't up there with the top teams then. Check out statistics at Football 365 mate and don't try brainwashing us with over enthusiastic data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 We played Swindon in the 3rd league game of the season; I think the league table after 2 games is largely an irrelevance at that stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackedoff Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 I did the anlaysis before that we have beaten plenty of top sides earlier in the season when they were the top sides... When we lost to Swindon they were something like 10th/11th. Yes, we've lost to Leeds and Colchester - big deal. We've yet to play Huddersfield at home - forget the away game, it was the 3rd/4th game of the season. And forget Swindon, that was also pre-half our current team. Let's just see what happens when we play those sides now. We matched Nowrich twice - that looks pretty bloody good form to me, based on the fact they are now runaway form leaders. We drew with Charlton at their place and beat them at home in the cup comfortably. We wallopped Bristol Rovers away in the cup, only for a couple of sloppy goals to make them look good. We are a decent side, we've just gone a few games without playing sparkling football, it happens. We're in League One - some games will be a battle and some won't. All that matters is we win the war. Agree with your final comments and your analysis of the Charlton/BR games,however you cannot use these examples and disregard the poor results. In both the Norwich games we were second best for large parts of the game and in both cases were fortunate to get results.In the two home games since xmas,against ( for most part )10 man Exeter and non league Luton, the midfield did not in any way dominate. In response to the thread title, I would gladly swap ANY of our young midfielders for a 30 year old Alan Ball or Jimmy Case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modern matron Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 Agree with your final comments and your analysis of the Charlton/BR games,however you cannot use these examples and disregard the poor results. In both the Norwich games we were second best for large parts of the game and in both cases were fortunate to get results.In the two home games since xmas,against ( for most part )10 man Exeter and non league Luton, the midfield did not in any way dominate. In response to the thread title, I would gladly swap ANY of our young midfielders for a 30 year old Alan Ball or Jimmy Case. We will lose and we will play poorly. But 3 defeats in the last 21(might be wrong) is promotion form and frankly I have watched Sints for 40 years and it's been very rare to have a run like this so calm down. As for Jimmy Case he was good for us not great unlike Bally - just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modern matron Posted 19 January, 2010 Share Posted 19 January, 2010 When we played Swindon they were right down there in the bottom 4 with us and hadn't won a game in 10 games. They beat us and haven't looked back since. They weren't up there with the top teams then. Check out statistics at Football 365 mate and don't try brainwashing us with over enthusiastic data. Sorry Art we've got a new team since then so hardly relevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintalton Posted 20 January, 2010 Share Posted 20 January, 2010 how about volz, the former fulham captain, center mid or right back, really rated him in his time at fulham and just checked on pfa website and he is not contracted. i know he has had injury problems but if fit would be surely one of the most influencial signings we could make and i my opinion a player to take us to that next level. come on pards have a look even if its just short term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 20 January, 2010 Share Posted 20 January, 2010 There was an interview with Lawrie Sanchez in 4-4-2 a few months back in which he said that Volz ALWAYS had an injury problem. I'd steer clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 20 January, 2010 Share Posted 20 January, 2010 Agree with your final comments and your analysis of the Charlton/BR games,however you cannot use these examples and disregard the poor results. In both the Norwich games we were second best for large parts of the game and in both cases were fortunate to get results.In the two home games since xmas,against ( for most part )10 man Exeter and non league Luton, the midfield did not in any way dominate. In response to the thread title, I would gladly swap ANY of our young midfielders for a 30 year old Alan Ball or Jimmy Case. How about tearing MK Dons to shreds at their home? Can we count that result? Norwich have not beaten us regardless of what happens in large parts of the game. No team can have 100% control or ball retention. We're a good side, and I wouldn't swap any of our midfield for Alan Ball or Jimmy Case - they would be made to look static at the pace of today's game. Legends in their era but leave them there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Mullet Posted 20 January, 2010 Share Posted 20 January, 2010 IMO James will make one of the top three CM roles his own now that we have a right back and Hammond is out injured. I would still like to see us get another top CM player in and get rid of Wotton, but I reckon James will take his opportunity with both hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 20 January, 2010 Share Posted 20 January, 2010 IMO James will make one of the top three CM roles his own now that we have a right back and Hammond is out injured. I would still like to see us get another top CM player in and get rid of Wotton, but I reckon James will take his opportunity with both hands. Thought he did well tonight, very. But so did Wotton to be fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 21 January, 2010 Share Posted 21 January, 2010 Wotton played like a paraplegic IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 21 January, 2010 Share Posted 21 January, 2010 Wotton played like a paraplegic IMO I think we established some time ago that when it comes to football analysis, you're more Helly Hansen than Alan Hansen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 21 January, 2010 Share Posted 21 January, 2010 Could just let Lallana be that link man... No he often tries to be too clever and does not pass the ball earlier enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorch Saint Posted 21 January, 2010 Share Posted 21 January, 2010 Wotton played like a paraplegic IMO Yet again watching a different game to me.Thought Wotton had a good game last night.Think we play better when he plays in holding role as he gives the licence for others to go forward. He will never be a world class player but to win a championship or get promoted you dont need 11 great players. IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint michael Posted 21 January, 2010 Share Posted 21 January, 2010 lee carsley did this for everton and brum and cant get a game now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 21 January, 2010 Share Posted 21 January, 2010 Carsley seriously injured recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted 21 January, 2010 Share Posted 21 January, 2010 I think the MK Dons game last night proved we need an old head in Midfield to put his foot on the ball, pass it and keep posession. When we went down to 10 men we just reverted to the long ball - hoofing forward - inviting MK Dons on to us - and keeping up the pressure on ourselves Wotton is great as a defensive midfielder but he's not a great passer of the ball - Wotton and Mills were both very guilty of just punting the ball forward Wotton was best in a 3 man midfield - sitting in front of the back 4 winning the ball and then giving it short and simply to Morgan, Hammond, Melis or Lallana to make the play Oakley would be a good fit for this role - and I can see him joining us for a swansong next season if we are still in League 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 21 January, 2010 Share Posted 21 January, 2010 In response to the thread title, I would gladly swap ANY of our young midfielders for a 30 year old Alan Ball or Jimmy Case. But of course, even with this hypothetical scenario being possible, they wouldn't be available to us in our current circumstances. They played for us towards the end of their careers, but we were a Premiership team. Would they have been amenable to dropping down to the third division at the time in light of their distinguished careers? I don't think so. So our current thinking must through practicality concentrate on the lower division modern day equivalents of those players, or else a Premiership equivalent who is much older than 30 and having his swan song season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintsmonkey Posted 22 January, 2010 Share Posted 22 January, 2010 any chance for us getting Lee hendrie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Mullet Posted 26 January, 2010 Share Posted 26 January, 2010 IMO James will make one of the top three CM roles his own now that we have a right back and Hammond is out injured. I would still like to see us get another top CM player in and get rid of Wotton, but I reckon James will take his opportunity with both hands. Gettin Lloydie!!!! Prove me right mate. COYRAWM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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