Wed, 19th Jun 2013

Echo Sport

Pochettino planning Spanish raid?

By Simon Carter

7:43am Wednesday 23rd January 2013

Pochettino planning Spanish raid?

Pochettino planning Spanish raid?

NEW Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to return to Espanyol as he seeks to make an impact at St Mary’s.

The Argentine, pictured right, was in charge of the La Liga Club for three and a half years prior to his sacking last November.

And Spanish sources have told the Daily Echo that Pochettino could turn his interest to several of his former players.

Among them is attacking midfielder Joan Verdu, who has been Espanyol’s best player this season by some distance, and on loan striker Samuel Longo.

And Pochettino is also being linked back in Spain with his former Espanyol loanee midfielder Phillipe Coutinho.

The Brazilian youngster, 20, was previously linked with Saints earlier this month when Nigel Adkins was still in charge.

Coutinho – said to be on the verge of joining Liverpool from Milan – played the second half of last season on loan to Espanyol. Despite being a selling club, Espanyol are expected to be very keen to hang onto prize asset Verdu, whose contract expires this summer.

A product of Barcelona’s youth system, the 29-year-old was signed by Pochettino from La Coruna in the summer of 2009.

Verdu has scored six goals in 20 appearances this season, compared to scoring only five goals in each of his previous two campaigns under Pochettino.

The new Saints manager also sanctioned the loan signing of Longo from Inter Milan last summer.

But with Espanyol’s main striker Sergio García back following a lengthy injury layoffs, Longo has not featured recently, much to Inter’s annoyance.

Inter are believed to be keen on recalling the Italian Under 21 international – but only with a view to finding a new club.

Boca Juniors forward Nicolas Blandi is also believed to be close to joining Espanyol, pushing Longo further down the pecking order.

Sources have also told the Echo that Pochettino could be interested in his former Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni.

He is rated as one of the best shot-stoppers in the Spanish league and has been capped 70 times by Cameroon.

Kameni left under a cloud last January, citing a lack of ambition from the club.

However, the excellent form of Wily Caballero means he’s been forced to play back-up at Málaga.

Pochettino has also been linked to Anderlecht’s versatile Argentine defensive midfielder Lucas Biglia.

Arsenal are believed to have been monitoring the 26-year-old, who is rated in the £8m category.

Comments(86)

Comments(86)

Seedhouse the Unrepentant says...
8:00am Wed 23 Jan 13

8

SaintMax says...
8:11am Wed 23 Jan 13

We were only linked worth Coutinho before I think due to NC and Mau already being in dialogue.
All exciting stuff, this is certainly putting us into the European spotlight.

St.Yorkie says...
8:12am Wed 23 Jan 13

I'm not really Xenophobic but...I know we can't wait for all the academy lads to mature into Premier League footballers, but do we have to have the anticipated influx of Spanish, South American and Italians?
I know there are several factors to consider - but we already have a very large proportion of non-British players in our team. Are we saying they aren't good enough?
I know British players are expensive - but are we just going to buy success? By success I mean conquer Europe?
I love watching talented footballers - especially in a Saints shirt, but there is part of me that says it's wrong to have 11-non British players representing our club!

SO50 Saint says...
8:15am Wed 23 Jan 13

I can't see that happening St Yorkie whilst we have an academy as strong as ours. I saw the interview on Sky yesterday and he is certainly looking at the youngsters already here. The way Shaw is playing I can't see MP being interested in bringing in anyone else and the same goes for Clyne too.

City Saint says...
8:16am Wed 23 Jan 13

Some look good indeed, but I'd rather see this team spirit preserved and major changes over the summer, at this point.

With solid management, the squad we have now has proven it can keep us up.

I suspect jay rod might get moved on to make space for the likes of Longo if those deals shape up.

And Mayuka needs a good African Nations Cup run to rediscover his form, else he might also be cuckolded.

Sir Rickie has at least one more season in the top flight in him if he can stay fit, maybe two.

Lockssmart says...
8:21am Wed 23 Jan 13

Saints to be renamed paella FC?

OSPREYSAINT says...
8:23am Wed 23 Jan 13

Two threads, same subject! My only worry about these imports, exciting as they are, is that it might divide the dressing room, hopefully MP can keep the Team ethic intact.

DUBAI-SAINT says...
8:24am Wed 23 Jan 13

Bring them on, I have faith in our management and the board. It's all exciting stuff and if they feel these players are neccesary to shape our squad better and move us forward, as that is the ambition, Then lets get behind them!

OSPREYSAINT says...
8:29am Wed 23 Jan 13

We have yet to let anyone go, some of the peripheral players need to be given the opportunity to play football, too many Ryan Dickson situations must be a drain on the wage bill.

Little Hitler says...
8:31am Wed 23 Jan 13

St.Yorkie wrote:
I'm not really Xenophobic but...I know we can't wait for all the academy lads to mature into Premier League footballers, but do we have to have the anticipated influx of Spanish, South American and Italians?
I know there are several factors to consider - but we already have a very large proportion of non-British players in our team. Are we saying they aren't good enough?
I know British players are expensive - but are we just going to buy success? By success I mean conquer Europe?
I love watching talented footballers - especially in a Saints shirt, but there is part of me that says it's wrong to have 11-non British players representing our club!
We all know Cortese's vision, which is to develop the best young players in the country. Even now, I'd wager that we have more British players in our side than most Premier League sides. We're also fielding one of the youngest starting 11s at present.

However, it will take some years for the real benefit of our new acadamy set-up to pay dividens. In the meantime I'm quite happy for us to bring in carefully selected / quality players from the continent.

three halves says...
8:31am Wed 23 Jan 13

At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.

St.Yorkie says...
8:33am Wed 23 Jan 13

Not thought of the team spirit arguement! Perhaps we have got where we are largely due to that bond the squad and the manager developed.
Not saying it's gone (or even going) but replacing some of the people that make the dressing room tick for example may be negative!
Perhaps they better think about Esperanto lessons for the team?

st.athan saint says...
8:45am Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
We have yet to let anyone go, some of the peripheral players need to be given the opportunity to play football, too many Ryan Dickson situations must be a drain on the wage bill.
hasn't he signed for bradford city ?

Strasbourg Saint says...
8:45am Wed 23 Jan 13

St.Yorkie wrote:
I'm not really Xenophobic but...I know we can't wait for all the academy lads to mature into Premier League footballers, but do we have to have the anticipated influx of Spanish, South American and Italians?
I know there are several factors to consider - but we already have a very large proportion of non-British players in our team. Are we saying they aren't good enough?
I know British players are expensive - but are we just going to buy success? By success I mean conquer Europe?
I love watching talented footballers - especially in a Saints shirt, but there is part of me that says it's wrong to have 11-non British players representing our club!
I understand your concerns, Yorkie but I'm unsure whether or not they mirror mine.

Frankly, I don't care what nationality, religion, colour or first language a player (or manager) is/has. My only concerns are these.

1. They are the best person for the job .... within the limits of available funds.

So, I wouldn't want us to go down the Chelsea/Man City route. It's time football finance was checked so that only money generated through the club (or affordable loans) can be used to run a club. Having attacked PFC for following a somewhat different route, I'm certainly not going to defend any irresponsible overspending by Saints. I can't see the Leibherrs or the Don allowing that, though.

2. New players/staff understand the importance of the club's ethos. That is, they come to built on the 'good' things which were evident during the times of Ted Bates, Paine and Channon and continued through to Matt, Franny, Doddsy etc. It got a bit lost during the dark years but we have seen it return under Markus, Nicola, Pards and Nigel.

Players like Kelvin, Rickie and Spiderman embody it today, it's evident in the youth structure and I for one don't want the club to move away from it.

New players (and here's the rub), especially from overseas, may need time to understand this but it really is an important part of being a Saint.

Seedhouse the Unrepentant says...
8:46am Wed 23 Jan 13

three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot

three halves says...
8:48am Wed 23 Jan 13

The number of foreign players in the Premier league is madness.
Over the last ten years they have changed the face of the game.
A fair number have been top players and improved the quality of the game but some clubs are filled with cheap imports instead of using British players which is a sad reflection of the way the game has gone.

warrens 76 says...
8:49am Wed 23 Jan 13

Fantastic, onwards Saints..

This time next year Rodney we WILL be billionaires..in Europe from fair play anyway.

Strasbourg Saint says...
9:02am Wed 23 Jan 13

three halves wrote:
The number of foreign players in the Premier league is madness.
Over the last ten years they have changed the face of the game.
A fair number have been top players and improved the quality of the game but some clubs are filled with cheap imports instead of using British players which is a sad reflection of the way the game has gone.
B0ll0cks! Every foreign player (including Scots and Irish) playing in England (and Wales) creates a space for and English (or Welsh) player elsewhere. If they are good enough, they can do what Joe Cole and Nutter Barton did and look globally.

I'd go further, if I was the Don, I'd be looking to send some of our top young players overseas.

Imagine the character building opportunities. Having read several of Spiderman's interviews produced here in Strasbourg, it's clear that his move to England has not only helped him develop as a player but as a man. So, let's get young Stephens, Reeves and co playing regularly in the European leagues (i.e. Portugal and France). They'll come back better for it - as players and men.

Puddletown Saint says...
9:07am Wed 23 Jan 13

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
St.Yorkie wrote:
I'm not really Xenophobic but...I know we can't wait for all the academy lads to mature into Premier League footballers, but do we have to have the anticipated influx of Spanish, South American and Italians?
I know there are several factors to consider - but we already have a very large proportion of non-British players in our team. Are we saying they aren't good enough?
I know British players are expensive - but are we just going to buy success? By success I mean conquer Europe?
I love watching talented footballers - especially in a Saints shirt, but there is part of me that says it's wrong to have 11-non British players representing our club!
I understand your concerns, Yorkie but I'm unsure whether or not they mirror mine.

Frankly, I don't care what nationality, religion, colour or first language a player (or manager) is/has. My only concerns are these.

1. They are the best person for the job .... within the limits of available funds.

So, I wouldn't want us to go down the Chelsea/Man City route. It's time football finance was checked so that only money generated through the club (or affordable loans) can be used to run a club. Having attacked PFC for following a somewhat different route, I'm certainly not going to defend any irresponsible overspending by Saints. I can't see the Leibherrs or the Don allowing that, though.

2. New players/staff understand the importance of the club's ethos. That is, they come to built on the 'good' things which were evident during the times of Ted Bates, Paine and Channon and continued through to Matt, Franny, Doddsy etc. It got a bit lost during the dark years but we have seen it return under Markus, Nicola, Pards and Nigel.

Players like Kelvin, Rickie and Spiderman embody it today, it's evident in the youth structure and I for one don't want the club to move away from it.

New players (and here's the rub), especially from overseas, may need time to understand this but it really is an important part of being a Saint.
I am with St Yorkie. I cannot wait to see some fantastic Spanish players coming in but do not want us to end up like Arsenal Chelski or Man City with all overseas players. We are an English team and must have a spine of quality English players.

My fear is the likes of Shaw Cork and Adam to be sold for these flair players to come in. COYR

OSPREYSAINT says...
9:09am Wed 23 Jan 13

st.athan saint wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
We have yet to let anyone go, some of the peripheral players need to be given the opportunity to play football, too many Ryan Dickson situations must be a drain on the wage bill.
hasn't he signed for bradford city ?
Yes I was using him as an example.

TSS says...
9:19am Wed 23 Jan 13

Personally pretty happy with the squad. To achieve cortese ambition we will have to strengthen, but at the moment we have a well gelled team. A bit like norwich last year, that are playing well. Im hoping for one spanish midfielder, a playmaker maybe. Will be interesting to see what MP thinks of the current squad.

three halves says...
9:20am Wed 23 Jan 13

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
three halves wrote:
The number of foreign players in the Premier league is madness.
Over the last ten years they have changed the face of the game.
A fair number have been top players and improved the quality of the game but some clubs are filled with cheap imports instead of using British players which is a sad reflection of the way the game has gone.
B0ll0cks! Every foreign player (including Scots and Irish) playing in England (and Wales) creates a space for and English (or Welsh) player elsewhere. If they are good enough, they can do what Joe Cole and Nutter Barton did and look globally.

I'd go further, if I was the Don, I'd be looking to send some of our top young players overseas.

Imagine the character building opportunities. Having read several of Spiderman's interviews produced here in Strasbourg, it's clear that his move to England has not only helped him develop as a player but as a man. So, let's get young Stephens, Reeves and co playing regularly in the European leagues (i.e. Portugal and France). They'll come back better for it - as players and men.
I guess your comment is tongue in cheek as thats the way i perceive it and i do find it very amusing.

andy newbury says...
9:23am Wed 23 Jan 13

st yorkie is right, we are a british (english) club we should have predominately british players, strengthen our team with foriegn imports but not be over run with them.garry neville said it all on monday night for me. there needs to be some sort of restriction sooner or later on the amount of foriegn players on the field of play for a team at the start of the game.this would then bring more home talent into the game.this I know is some time away but we are supossably a club with great youth potential . we need a mixture of youth and experience which we have, tweek it don,t obliterate it please, as stated before we as southampton F.C.keep our tradition,s please!!! after all that is why we have such a great fan club and following

OSPREYSAINT says...
9:27am Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
st.athan saint wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
We have yet to let anyone go, some of the peripheral players need to be given the opportunity to play football, too many Ryan Dickson situations must be a drain on the wage bill.
hasn't he signed for bradford city ?
Yes I was using him as an example.
I notice that he wasn't even on the bench yesterday.

SO50 Saint says...
9:32am Wed 23 Jan 13

I think I heard on the commentary that he was injured Osprey

SaintMax says...
9:33am Wed 23 Jan 13

Unfortunately a pure English team wouldnt cut it, look how bad our national side is. Also a blend of technically skilled european players will have a huge effect on our own youngsters confidence and ability.
Why are quite alot of people in here always moaning, always finding something negative to winge about.
If we got into Europe next season and the likes of Bayern or Madrid came to St Marys you would be clapping your hands off!
IMO you can not compete in Europe, or even this league without a blend of talented young English players and skillful global players.
Bl oo dy cheer up some of you..

SaintMax says...
9:35am Wed 23 Jan 13

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
three halves wrote:
The number of foreign players in the Premier league is madness.
Over the last ten years they have changed the face of the game.
A fair number have been top players and improved the quality of the game but some clubs are filled with cheap imports instead of using British players which is a sad reflection of the way the game has gone.
B0ll0cks! Every foreign player (including Scots and Irish) playing in England (and Wales) creates a space for and English (or Welsh) player elsewhere. If they are good enough, they can do what Joe Cole and Nutter Barton did and look globally.

I'd go further, if I was the Don, I'd be looking to send some of our top young players overseas.

Imagine the character building opportunities. Having read several of Spiderman's interviews produced here in Strasbourg, it's clear that his move to England has not only helped him develop as a player but as a man. So, let's get young Stephens, Reeves and co playing regularly in the European leagues (i.e. Portugal and France). They'll come back better for it - as players and men.
Like Strasie

Bring back Branfoot says...
9:40am Wed 23 Jan 13

three halves wrote:
The number of foreign players in the Premier league is madness.
Over the last ten years they have changed the face of the game.
A fair number have been top players and improved the quality of the game but some clubs are filled with cheap imports instead of using British players which is a sad reflection of the way the game has gone.
But look at the standard of the Premier league. Technically some would say that the La Liga is better, but for entertainment value, most, that I meet, prefer our league. Foreign imports have raised the bar considerably.

A lot of managers look abroad because most of our talent is overpriced. So the market ends up dictating where clubs go looking for talent, in this case abroad.

I agree that some imports are seen as duds on big wages, but most still represent their country at international level, and some have struggled here and moved onto pastures new and done really well, Diego Forlan being the perfect example.

rednwhite72 says...
9:43am Wed 23 Jan 13

If any club in the league is promoting youth development and homegrown talent its Southampton. We have one of the best youth acedemies in the country.

Sainty saint saint says...
9:56am Wed 23 Jan 13

A couple of things:

1. Pocchetino states in an interview with Sky that he;ll be looking to the academy first, but then towards Spain as that's the market he knows best (or words to that effect), so I don't think we need to worry too much about being 'overrun by foreigners'.

2. Bit unfair (and scaremongering) to moan about Chelsea and Man City having 'all overseas players'. Off the top of my head Chelsea have Cole, Terry, Lampard, Bertrand, Cahill, Moses. Man City have Barry, Hart, Milner, Lescott, Richards, Rodwell, (Sinclair). Even Arsenal (that terrible foreign team) have Gibbs, Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, the Ox, Jenkinson.

Clever Dick says...
9:57am Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
st.athan saint wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
We have yet to let anyone go, some of the peripheral players need to be given the opportunity to play football, too many Ryan Dickson situations must be a drain on the wage bill.
hasn't he signed for bradford city ?
Yes I was using him as an example.
I notice that he wasn't even on the bench yesterday.
I think we may be having trouble getting rid of players because they are on good money that most C/ship sides can't match. It's the unfortunate price we are paying for being able to pay bigger wages due to our bigger attendances in the lower leagues. Fortunately a number of these are getting toward the end of their contracts and will simply move on for free when the time comes. It's probably why so many have gone out on loan.

Jesus_02 says...
10:01am Wed 23 Jan 13

St.Yorkie wrote:
I'm not really Xenophobic but...I know we can't wait for all the academy lads to mature into Premier League footballers, but do we have to have the anticipated influx of Spanish, South American and Italians? I know there are several factors to consider - but we already have a very large proportion of non-British players in our team. Are we saying they aren't good enough? I know British players are expensive - but are we just going to buy success? By success I mean conquer Europe? I love watching talented footballers - especially in a Saints shirt, but there is part of me that says it's wrong to have 11-non British players representing our club!
I don’t think its Xenophobia, its common sense really, and it’s natural to worry.

However, I can’t see the club investing all that money in the academy and training facilities, only to tread the same path as Portsmouth.

For anything to grow it needs roots, our academy is just that. Cortese may be ruthlessly ambitious but he is no fool

Bring back Branfoot says...
10:02am Wed 23 Jan 13

SaintMax wrote:
Unfortunately a pure English team wouldnt cut it, look how bad our national side is. Also a blend of technically skilled european players will have a huge effect on our own youngsters confidence and ability.
Why are quite alot of people in here always moaning, always finding something negative to winge about.
If we got into Europe next season and the likes of Bayern or Madrid came to St Marys you would be clapping your hands off!
IMO you can not compete in Europe, or even this league without a blend of talented young English players and skillful global players.
Bl oo dy cheer up some of you..
This guy has hit the nail on the head, look at the National team, it perfectly reflects where we stand, talent wise. Although I think the problem with the players in our national side has also been a question of charchter. Even when we had a quality side ten years ago, they simply capitulate when the stakes are raised. The players seem to lack the back bone we see in other national sides to be winners at international level. Psychology and strength of character is never better demonstrated than with penalties!

Euro 96, home soil and a mediocre German team take the trophy. 2002, shocking 2nd half display against Brazil, etc. They seem like rabbits caught in the headlights!

saint andy says...
10:02am Wed 23 Jan 13

oversea players
weren't we one of the first with Ivan Golac years ago
but agree would hate to go down the chealski man city road
add quality but not overrun with them,
we have some of the best British talent coming through bed them in slowly ,
from what i have read our new manager seems to be thought of very highly.
onwards and upwards ,
best of luck to Nigel when he takes over Aston Villa (well if he doesn't they are fools)

Mr. Miyagi says...
10:08am Wed 23 Jan 13

Jesus_02 wrote:
St.Yorkie wrote:
I'm not really Xenophobic but...I know we can't wait for all the academy lads to mature into Premier League footballers, but do we have to have the anticipated influx of Spanish, South American and Italians? I know there are several factors to consider - but we already have a very large proportion of non-British players in our team. Are we saying they aren't good enough? I know British players are expensive - but are we just going to buy success? By success I mean conquer Europe? I love watching talented footballers - especially in a Saints shirt, but there is part of me that says it's wrong to have 11-non British players representing our club!
I don’t think its Xenophobia, its common sense really, and it’s natural to worry.

However, I can’t see the club investing all that money in the academy and training facilities, only to tread the same path as Portsmouth.

For anything to grow it needs roots, our academy is just that. Cortese may be ruthlessly ambitious but he is no fool
Your are a wise man Jesus. You're not our new assistant manager are you??

St Retford says...
10:08am Wed 23 Jan 13

The trouble is that English players tend to be quite sh1t. I mean, seriously, look at our national team.

The only way English players will improve will be for us to churn out a load through our own academy. We're going to have to do this ourselves, unfortunately. So until we've got a home-brewed spine of a team that we can sprinkle a bit of fairy dust on in the form of fancy foreign imports, we're going to have to go looking abroad, and where else than the best league in the world?

And before anyone says the Premier League is better, consider the last six European (ie Champions League, Super Cup and Europa League) finals between Spanish and English sides have all been won by Spanish teams on an aggregate score of 18-2 (or something like that).

SaintMax says...
10:13am Wed 23 Jan 13

saint andy wrote:
oversea players
weren't we one of the first with Ivan Golac years ago
but agree would hate to go down the chealski man city road
add quality but not overrun with them,
we have some of the best British talent coming through bed them in slowly ,
from what i have read our new manager seems to be thought of very highly.
onwards and upwards ,
best of luck to Nigel when he takes over Aston Villa (well if he doesn't they are fools)
I used to live Ivan Golac. But have a look Andy at what Sainty Saint Saint.. Saint pointed out about Chelseas and Man City above. They too have a good backbone of Egnlish players.
For me the worst culprits used to be Arsenal, but now its Newcastle... and what would that suggest Pardew would have done with Saints if he had still been here.
Panic buying a full squad of non-english is due to having no strategy in place for the team and a poor youth structure.

SaintMax says...
10:17am Wed 23 Jan 13

your right St Ret, the undenyable best team in tht world, and perhaps the last decade is the Spanish team. I wonder how many were Espanyol?
Now I would be worried if our new manager was Chinese, and he was looking to the far East or Africa to fortify our side, but thats not the case.. NC does have a plan.. trust him

SO50 Saint says...
10:20am Wed 23 Jan 13

Retford I think what you'll find is the top teams in Spain (Barca, Athletico and Real) are probably all better but the actual standard of the league who can beat who is what's exciting about the prem. Saying that I notice Barca lost there first game of the season on Sat evening to Sociedad I think

Confucious says...
10:25am Wed 23 Jan 13

With British, Japanese, French, Argentinian, Brazilian, Uruguayan, Portuguese, Dutch, Belgian, Polish and Ghanaian players in the squad, Jesus Perez will have his work cut out helping Mauricio with his communication.

I gather he's pretty good at it, but we shouldn't expect miracles from Jesus. Rickie presents a huge challenge.

Jesus was apparently quite agitated when Rickie asked: "If we 'uv a diamond, oo's go'n in de 'ole?" Then Rickie told him: "Now dun, now dun, cam down, cam down."

Confucious says...
10:29am Wed 23 Jan 13

Rather off thread, but I thought it was a really nice gesture from Jason Puncheon when he threw his shorts into the Northam Stand fans at the end of Monday's match.

St Retford says...
10:34am Wed 23 Jan 13

SO50 Saint wrote:
Retford I think what you'll find is the top teams in Spain (Barca, Athletico and Real) are probably all better but the actual standard of the league who can beat who is what's exciting about the prem. Saying that I notice Barca lost there first game of the season on Sat evening to Sociedad I think
I know what you're saying, but I've spent quite a lot of time in Spain and Barcelona (I make a distinction between the two because that's what people in Barcelona do) and you can tell just by watching kids in the park that their approach to the game is basically better than ours. They have a level of technical ability that's taken for granted which, if a player over here had it, he's be hailed as the messiah.

This is the way football has gone if you want to be successful (it will be the great lasting legacy of this remarkable Spanish national team) and we need to get with the programme.

La Liga is a little distorted simply because Barca and Real are so good, but I bet you a pound that the 10th placed team in La Liga would wipe the floor with the 10th placed team in the Premiership.

Taoboy says...
10:36am Wed 23 Jan 13

Reports in today's Mail stated that saints will be doing double training in Spain. Sounds harsh, hope they come back with a clear plan for dealing with Manure.
And not too tired!
Fitness starts to tell now from this point in the season. Gaston needs to do the full match injuries apart. He is still to find an effective dominance.
Re transfers, it's very easy to see the grass is greener with other players, I disagree with those who think the saints squad are not up to the premier. Some are, also the squad must be big enough to buy and sell players without weakening the performances on the pitch. Every match is a cup final. Points please!!
Saints are now committed to a major gamble, I for one don't know what to expect yet I see real growth as a possibility.Growth can be painful sometimes exciting too.
Cmon you Saints.

SaintMax says...
10:43am Wed 23 Jan 13

I think we still have to invest in the side. Yes we have played very well and to an extent matched the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton but we have no depth. Our bench is embarresingly light on talent, and that shows when we play great for 65 mins, make some substitutions and the whole flow is completely disrupted.
We can not hope that the current 11 or so stay fit for the run in, as if SRL for example (and god forbid) received a bad knock that kept him out for 6 weeks we would be toothless.

Rising_Son says...
10:43am Wed 23 Jan 13

Puddletown Saint wrote:
Strasbourg Saint wrote:
St.Yorkie wrote:
I'm not really Xenophobic but...I know we can't wait for all the academy lads to mature into Premier League footballers, but do we have to have the anticipated influx of Spanish, South American and Italians?
I know there are several factors to consider - but we already have a very large proportion of non-British players in our team. Are we saying they aren't good enough?
I know British players are expensive - but are we just going to buy success? By success I mean conquer Europe?
I love watching talented footballers - especially in a Saints shirt, but there is part of me that says it's wrong to have 11-non British players representing our club!
I understand your concerns, Yorkie but I'm unsure whether or not they mirror mine.

Frankly, I don't care what nationality, religion, colour or first language a player (or manager) is/has. My only concerns are these.

1. They are the best person for the job .... within the limits of available funds.

So, I wouldn't want us to go down the Chelsea/Man City route. It's time football finance was checked so that only money generated through the club (or affordable loans) can be used to run a club. Having attacked PFC for following a somewhat different route, I'm certainly not going to defend any irresponsible overspending by Saints. I can't see the Leibherrs or the Don allowing that, though.

2. New players/staff understand the importance of the club's ethos. That is, they come to built on the 'good' things which were evident during the times of Ted Bates, Paine and Channon and continued through to Matt, Franny, Doddsy etc. It got a bit lost during the dark years but we have seen it return under Markus, Nicola, Pards and Nigel.

Players like Kelvin, Rickie and Spiderman embody it today, it's evident in the youth structure and I for one don't want the club to move away from it.

New players (and here's the rub), especially from overseas, may need time to understand this but it really is an important part of being a Saint.
I am with St Yorkie. I cannot wait to see some fantastic Spanish players coming in but do not want us to end up like Arsenal Chelski or Man City with all overseas players. We are an English team and must have a spine of quality English players.

My fear is the likes of Shaw Cork and Adam to be sold for these flair players to come in. COYR
Isn't there a homegrown rule coming in?

SaintMax says...
10:45am Wed 23 Jan 13

Confucious wrote:
Rather off thread, but I thought it was a really nice gesture from Jason Puncheon when he threw his shorts into the Northam Stand fans at the end of Monday's match.
I noticed, and it was actually aimed at the Everton element. They made quite an impact by all accounts..

SO50 Saint says...
10:51am Wed 23 Jan 13

I know what you're saying, but I've spent quite a lot of time in Spain and Barcelona (I make a distinction between the two because that's what people in Barcelona do) and you can tell just by watching kids in the park that their approach to the game is basically better than ours. They have a level of technical ability that's taken for granted which, if a player over here had it, he's be hailed as the messiah.

This is the way football has gone if you want to be successful (it will be the great lasting legacy of this remarkable Spanish national team) and we need to get with the programme.

La Liga is a little distorted simply because Barca and Real are so good, but I bet you a pound that the 10th placed team in La Liga would wipe the floor with the 10th placed team in the Premiership.”


Another thing with Spain is the money situation is completely different to that over hear where more money goes to the big clubs leaving the smaller ones behind and struggling

Rising_Son says...
10:54am Wed 23 Jan 13

Confucious wrote:
With British, Japanese, French, Argentinian, Brazilian, Uruguayan, Portuguese, Dutch, Belgian, Polish and Ghanaian players in the squad, Jesus Perez will have his work cut out helping Mauricio with his communication.

I gather he's pretty good at it, but we shouldn't expect miracles from Jesus. Rickie presents a huge challenge.

Jesus was apparently quite agitated when Rickie asked: "If we 'uv a diamond, oo's go'n in de 'ole?" Then Rickie told him: "Now dun, now dun, cam down, cam down."
I think you'll find that our Ghanaian is actually Zambian!

OSPREYSAINT says...
11:01am Wed 23 Jan 13

Is it me or is the site having a wobbly, there 48 comments here earlier? Now none.

OSPREYSAINT says...
11:02am Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
Is it me or is the site having a wobbly, there 48 comments here earlier? Now none.
..and now they are back again!

allsaintsnocurves says...
11:10am Wed 23 Jan 13

It's natural to be linked with so many different players with a new manager...but don't expect us to sign all of them! lol.

MP will want to bring in a couple of players who know his style of football because it will be easier for him to get others to follow their lead. This is not to damage the development of the youngsters already on the books but to enhance their development into the Spanish mold of training. This will increase the level of skills amongst the players and speed with which they can make decisions on the pitch during games.

English players don't always have the vision or awareness of the continental players and this needs to change if we are to be successful in the future playing a style similar to Barcelona.

Saints n Winners says...
11:17am Wed 23 Jan 13

The best British footballers abroad - ref the Mail. John Charles still rules.

http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/sport/footbal
l/article-1161515/TH
E-LIST-Sportsmails-5
0-British-footballer
s-play-abroad.html

Can't believe Steve Mcmanaman is so high - they used to call him the postman in Spain cos he would spray his passes everwhere; and not always to a team mate.

Gazza had a bad injury but when he played he was always the best man on the pitch.

Say what you want about Beckham; he's fairly thick but he has been good overseas. Has he been driven to it by his wife though? which backs up what someone said earlier - living abroad gives you a depth of understanding of human nature (others and yourself) that staying at home can't buy.

hedge end bob says...
11:19am Wed 23 Jan 13

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............
..as if I G A FCUK.

Confucious says...
11:21am Wed 23 Jan 13

Rising_Son wrote:
Confucious wrote:
With British, Japanese, French, Argentinian, Brazilian, Uruguayan, Portuguese, Dutch, Belgian, Polish and Ghanaian players in the squad, Jesus Perez will have his work cut out helping Mauricio with his communication.

I gather he's pretty good at it, but we shouldn't expect miracles from Jesus. Rickie presents a huge challenge.

Jesus was apparently quite agitated when Rickie asked: "If we 'uv a diamond, oo's go'n in de 'ole?" Then Rickie told him: "Now dun, now dun, cam down, cam down."
I think you'll find that our Ghanaian is actually Zambian!
Oops! Just shows how ignorant I am about Africa. I remember getting told off at school when I asked my teacher how many hyena bones you need to make a laughing stock.

angus mc coatup says...
11:34am Wed 23 Jan 13

I think the manager is doing exactly the right things,he's looking at players from a culture that he has played,and managed in.It's a good long term aim to use academy, and other young players brought in.but surely the number one priority is to preserve our prem status.and if we have to import a few spanish or south americans to realise those ambitions then so be it.
I'm as annoyed as most people about nigels removal but thats history now, and we should back the new man and move on.
I have seen some reports linking saints with a player by the name of
lucas biglia from anderlecht,now he is a really good holdng midfielder of the micheal carrick mould (watched him pre season at st mary's) liked what I saw there.here's hoping we snare him and a couple more as the quality outside of the starting line is not as good as it should be.
always a saint
COYR !!!!

El Santo says...
11:56am Wed 23 Jan 13

St.Yorkie wrote:
I'm not really Xenophobic but...I know we can't wait for all the academy lads to mature into Premier League footballers, but do we have to have the anticipated influx of Spanish, South American and Italians?
I know there are several factors to consider - but we already have a very large proportion of non-British players in our team. Are we saying they aren't good enough?
I know British players are expensive - but are we just going to buy success? By success I mean conquer Europe?
I love watching talented footballers - especially in a Saints shirt, but there is part of me that says it's wrong to have 11-non British players representing our club!
Pochettino brought up plenty of players from the Academy in Barcelona. He might need a few foreigners now, to strengthen the squad and give quick results, but I think he will take good care of our Academy, in time.
I still miss Nigel, though.

st bevois says...
12:05pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
three halves wrote:
The number of foreign players in the Premier league is madness.
Over the last ten years they have changed the face of the game.
A fair number have been top players and improved the quality of the game but some clubs are filled with cheap imports instead of using British players which is a sad reflection of the way the game has gone.
B0ll0cks! Every foreign player (including Scots and Irish) playing in England (and Wales) creates a space for and English (or Welsh) player elsewhere. If they are good enough, they can do what Joe Cole and Nutter Barton did and look globally.

I'd go further, if I was the Don, I'd be looking to send some of our top young players overseas.

Imagine the character building opportunities. Having read several of Spiderman's interviews produced here in Strasbourg, it's clear that his move to England has not only helped him develop as a player but as a man. So, let's get young Stephens, Reeves and co playing regularly in the European leagues (i.e. Portugal and France). They'll come back better for it - as players and men.
Good idea Stras - send it into the club! Man U do the same with their youngsters - but not normally abroad.

El Santo says...
12:10pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
three halves wrote:
The number of foreign players in the Premier league is madness.
Over the last ten years they have changed the face of the game.
A fair number have been top players and improved the quality of the game but some clubs are filled with cheap imports instead of using British players which is a sad reflection of the way the game has gone.
B0ll0cks! Every foreign player (including Scots and Irish) playing in England (and Wales) creates a space for and English (or Welsh) player elsewhere. If they are good enough, they can do what Joe Cole and Nutter Barton did and look globally.

I'd go further, if I was the Don, I'd be looking to send some of our top young players overseas.

Imagine the character building opportunities. Having read several of Spiderman's interviews produced here in Strasbourg, it's clear that his move to England has not only helped him develop as a player but as a man. So, let's get young Stephens, Reeves and co playing regularly in the European leagues (i.e. Portugal and France). They'll come back better for it - as players and men.
That's actually an excellent point!

st bevois says...
12:10pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
three halves wrote:
The number of foreign players in the Premier league is madness.
Over the last ten years they have changed the face of the game.
A fair number have been top players and improved the quality of the game but some clubs are filled with cheap imports instead of using British players which is a sad reflection of the way the game has gone.
B0ll0cks! Every foreign player (including Scots and Irish) playing in England (and Wales) creates a space for and English (or Welsh) player elsewhere. If they are good enough, they can do what Joe Cole and Nutter Barton did and look globally.

I'd go further, if I was the Don, I'd be looking to send some of our top young players overseas.

Imagine the character building opportunities. Having read several of Spiderman's interviews produced here in Strasbourg, it's clear that his move to England has not only helped him develop as a player but as a man. So, let's get young Stephens, Reeves and co playing regularly in the European leagues (i.e. Portugal and France). They'll come back better for it - as players and men.
Good idea Stras - send it into the club! Man U do the same with their youngsters - but not normally abroad.

SaintMax says...
12:20pm Wed 23 Jan 13

angus mc coatup wrote:
I think the manager is doing exactly the right things,he's looking at players from a culture that he has played,and managed in.It's a good long term aim to use academy, and other young players brought in.but surely the number one priority is to preserve our prem status.and if we have to import a few spanish or south americans to realise those ambitions then so be it.
I'm as annoyed as most people about nigels removal but thats history now, and we should back the new man and move on.
I have seen some reports linking saints with a player by the name of
lucas biglia from anderlecht,now he is a really good holdng midfielder of the micheal carrick mould (watched him pre season at st mary's) liked what I saw there.here's hoping we snare him and a couple more as the quality outside of the starting line is not as good as it should be.
always a saint
COYR !!!!
He does look a good buy, but I cant help but think that the press have put 2 and 2 together and come up with 9.
In otherwords, we have a new Argentine manager who is looking to recruit, he is an Argentine player who is looking to move and likes the EPL.
I think someone else pointed out that he could be a little like Puncheon initially (moody stroppy) expecially if he is on strike and not honouring his contract.
Id take him though.

st bevois says...
12:34pm Wed 23 Jan 13

I may be wrong but I feel that there will not be too much action in the transfer window. Listening to the comments made by MP, I sense that the current message is along the lines: "if you want a relegation battle then you are at the wrong club, we aim higher and we expect you (the squad) to up your game and achieve your full potential and take the club above that and to establish ourselves in the PL; (and possibly) if you don't then we will look to bring in and replace anyone who we feel is not capable of meeting our aims and ambitions".

OSPREYSAINT says...
12:38pm Wed 23 Jan 13

hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............

..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.

OSPREYSAINT says...
12:40pm Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............


..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.

OSPREYSAINT says...
12:43pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Confucious wrote:
Rising_Son wrote:
Confucious wrote:
With British, Japanese, French, Argentinian, Brazilian, Uruguayan, Portuguese, Dutch, Belgian, Polish and Ghanaian players in the squad, Jesus Perez will have his work cut out helping Mauricio with his communication.

I gather he's pretty good at it, but we shouldn't expect miracles from Jesus. Rickie presents a huge challenge.

Jesus was apparently quite agitated when Rickie asked: "If we 'uv a diamond, oo's go'n in de 'ole?" Then Rickie told him: "Now dun, now dun, cam down, cam down."
I think you'll find that our Ghanaian is actually Zambian!
Oops! Just shows how ignorant I am about Africa. I remember getting told off at school when I asked my teacher how many hyena bones you need to make a laughing stock.
They all look the same in the dark! Oops that could be regarded as a bit racist, not my intention.

Rising_Son says...
12:48pm Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............



..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
anyway

voiceof thepeople says...
1:07pm Wed 23 Jan 13

..as ugly as most of the saints team, should fit in well.

Mush On The Beach says...
1:10pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Gazumping Liverpool 3 times in one season would be priceless.

SaintJD says...
1:15pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Now Monday is over with I just pray that the new guy doesn't try to stamp his mark on the team too much too soon.

Great performance on Monday and I hope he will realise that, first team wise, there isn't much wrong.

I'd hate to see any of our best players, particularly the young ones and Ricky, moved aside. That is the course to disaster in my opinion.

End of the season if he wants to go mad, fine, but for now please take a slow and easy approach and just tweak what Nigel was doing so well.

Unless we buy in someone of real quality I also want Boruc to stay in goal now out of the three we have.

I worry that Cortese, and potentially the manager, may be tempted to go with Gazza's youth and Argentinian factor.

Makes you wonder actually, Gazza signing and Courtino link, mmm.

As for the Spanish links - 90% people putting two and two together, but probably truth in one or two of them.

One thing's for sure, the type of player we sign will tell us who was in charge of signings and what they disagreed on...

Defenders/Keeper = Nigel had a blindspot NC didn't like.

Flair midfielder/striker = Nigel wanted defensive reinforcement but NC wanted flair.

Hope I'm wrong, but I think you'll see a few more attacking midfielders in the next few days and very little at the back...

SaintJD says...
1:18pm Wed 23 Jan 13

By the way - the Echo must spend days finding the least flattering pictures of people for this site. Can't just be coincidence that all of them are so fecking bad.

SaintJD says...
1:20pm Wed 23 Jan 13

voiceof thepeople wrote:
..as ugly as most of the saints team, should fit in well.
Afternoon Kent. Mum made your bed yet?

Licky_Rambert says...
1:22pm Wed 23 Jan 13

St Retford wrote:
SO50 Saint wrote: Retford I think what you'll find is the top teams in Spain (Barca, Athletico and Real) are probably all better but the actual standard of the league who can beat who is what's exciting about the prem. Saying that I notice Barca lost there first game of the season on Sat evening to Sociedad I think
I know what you're saying, but I've spent quite a lot of time in Spain and Barcelona (I make a distinction between the two because that's what people in Barcelona do) and you can tell just by watching kids in the park that their approach to the game is basically better than ours. They have a level of technical ability that's taken for granted which, if a player over here had it, he's be hailed as the messiah. This is the way football has gone if you want to be successful (it will be the great lasting legacy of this remarkable Spanish national team) and we need to get with the programme. La Liga is a little distorted simply because Barca and Real are so good, but I bet you a pound that the 10th placed team in La Liga would wipe the floor with the 10th placed team in the Premiership.
just so happens that Real Valladolid are playing Stoke tonight, in a friendly that i arranged.

hedge end bob says...
1:23pm Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............



..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
Well did i pass todays test?????

hedge end bob says...
1:24pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Rising_Son wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............




..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
anyway
Good God another policeman.!!

Rising_Son says...
1:28pm Wed 23 Jan 13

hedge end bob wrote:
Rising_Son wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............





..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
anyway
Good God another policeman.!!
Not usually, but I just couldn't resist.

hedge end bob says...
1:31pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Okay enough of the jokes.. i may not be as educated as most on here but i think you guys can work out what i am trying to say without dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's. My hearts behind SFC and to me that's all that matters.

OSPREYSAINT says...
1:35pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Rising_Son wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Rising_Son wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............






..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
anyway
Good God another policeman.!!
Not usually, but I just couldn't resist.
lol like it! I would rather the Club spent some of it's spare dosh on a loud speaker system in the Kingsland so that I could actually hear what is being announced. For all the good it is at the moment Nigel could have been speaking Spanish all along, I couldn't have told.

OSPREYSAINT says...
1:36pm Wed 23 Jan 13

hedge end bob wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............




..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
Well did i pass todays test?????
Close, but no cigar. Capital I needed.

hedge end bob says...
1:38pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Rising_Son wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Rising_Son wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............






..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
anyway
Good God another policeman.!!
Not usually, but I just couldn't resist.
all a joke

El Santo says...
3:41pm Wed 23 Jan 13

St Retford wrote:
SO50 Saint wrote:
Retford I think what you'll find is the top teams in Spain (Barca, Athletico and Real) are probably all better but the actual standard of the league who can beat who is what's exciting about the prem. Saying that I notice Barca lost there first game of the season on Sat evening to Sociedad I think
I know what you're saying, but I've spent quite a lot of time in Spain and Barcelona (I make a distinction between the two because that's what people in Barcelona do) and you can tell just by watching kids in the park that their approach to the game is basically better than ours. They have a level of technical ability that's taken for granted which, if a player over here had it, he's be hailed as the messiah.

This is the way football has gone if you want to be successful (it will be the great lasting legacy of this remarkable Spanish national team) and we need to get with the programme.

La Liga is a little distorted simply because Barca and Real are so good, but I bet you a pound that the 10th placed team in La Liga would wipe the floor with the 10th placed team in the Premiership.
Hey, Retford, would you also say "I have spent quite a lot of time in the UK and Glasgow/Cardiff"?
Not everyone in Barcelona think they are not part of Spain, mind you. Actually, "RCD Espanyol" gives you already a clue who these are...
;)

Strasbourg Saint says...
4:10pm Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............





..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
Well did i pass todays test?????
Close, but no cigar. Capital I needed.
..... and an apostrophe in ......

...... today's

But Bob, I've said it before and I'll say it again (and I think Osprey, RisingSon and Retford would probably agree), this site is about debate NOT English grammar. As far as I'm concerned, keep posting and don't get too hung up on the grammar or spelling.

The only ones I (usually) correct are WUMs and skates, but anyway, I rarely bother responding to either these days.

Otherwise, the only mistakes that horrify me are ......


......... the ones I make but don't spot until I've already submitted my post; I hate that.

As for Spain, I see there's a pic on the official site of the boys at the Neu Camp. I bet Messi rushed out of the changing rooms to get all their autographs before grabbing a ball for a quick kick about. I just wonder how many times Adam nutmegged him before admitting he was still struggling with his fitness.

OSPREYSAINT says...
5:19pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............






..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
Well did i pass todays test?????
Close, but no cigar. Capital I needed.
..... and an apostrophe in ......

...... today's

But Bob, I've said it before and I'll say it again (and I think Osprey, RisingSon and Retford would probably agree), this site is about debate NOT English grammar. As far as I'm concerned, keep posting and don't get too hung up on the grammar or spelling.

The only ones I (usually) correct are WUMs and skates, but anyway, I rarely bother responding to either these days.

Otherwise, the only mistakes that horrify me are ......


......... the ones I make but don't spot until I've already submitted my post; I hate that.

As for Spain, I see there's a pic on the official site of the boys at the Neu Camp. I bet Messi rushed out of the changing rooms to get all their autographs before grabbing a ball for a quick kick about. I just wonder how many times Adam nutmegged him before admitting he was still struggling with his fitness.
As I keep saying, our services our free, and there is a super no money back guarantee, and we are only here to help! Never ever take me seriously, it would be bad for you health.

OSPREYSAINT says...
5:21pm Wed 23 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
Strasbourg Saint wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
hedge end bob wrote:
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
three halves wrote:
At least he will speak the same language as the players he brings in.
Idiot
OSPREY, is seed being abusive ???????. You bollicked me recently for using such a bad word. (idiot) Hope my grammer and spelling pass the test today...............







..as if I G A FCUK.
I think sardonic rather than abusive, just mocking the standard response from kent/3 halves when he hasn't got a clue how to respond.
... any way I am Spelling and Grammar Police, not Abuse and Swearing monitor.
Well did i pass todays test?????
Close, but no cigar. Capital I needed.
..... and an apostrophe in ......

...... today's

But Bob, I've said it before and I'll say it again (and I think Osprey, RisingSon and Retford would probably agree), this site is about debate NOT English grammar. As far as I'm concerned, keep posting and don't get too hung up on the grammar or spelling.

The only ones I (usually) correct are WUMs and skates, but anyway, I rarely bother responding to either these days.

Otherwise, the only mistakes that horrify me are ......


......... the ones I make but don't spot until I've already submitted my post; I hate that.

As for Spain, I see there's a pic on the official site of the boys at the Neu Camp. I bet Messi rushed out of the changing rooms to get all their autographs before grabbing a ball for a quick kick about. I just wonder how many times Adam nutmegged him before admitting he was still struggling with his fitness.
As I keep saying, our services our free, and there is a super no money back guarantee, and we are only here to help! Never ever take me seriously, it would be bad for you health.
"your health!" I am sure the missing 'r' was there when I hit the submit button, this site is having a laugh at my expense.

Suprawow says...
6:30pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Do we really want/need Espanyol players? Saints 23rd in the League on 23 points. Espanyol 20th in the League on 21 points! Are they better than what we have? Where's the improvement? I don't see much evidence of it. Seems to me MP just wants to bring in his own players, ones that he can communicate with. That will cost money and cause more disruption and I feel shipping a load out is probably more important.
And while I'm here I DON'T like the way Cortese is handling things and managing the club, he's making himself look a fool as well as SFC.

Suprawow says...
7:09pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Oh, and in reference to my post above. Both in 15th place.

mickey01 says...
7:23pm Wed 23 Jan 13

City Saint wrote:
Some look good indeed, but I'd rather see this team spirit preserved and major changes over the summer, at this point.

With solid management, the squad we have now has proven it can keep us up.

I suspect jay rod might get moved on to make space for the likes of Longo if those deals shape up.

And Mayuka needs a good African Nations Cup run to rediscover his form, else he might also be cuckolded.

Sir Rickie has at least one more season in the top flight in him if he can stay fit, maybe two.
trouble is he speaks the wrong language ! its just like our city there will be more foreigners than home grown talent and we may as well kiss the acadamy goodbye

SPIKEISLANDTRADER says...
8:06pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Lockssmart wrote:
Saints to be renamed paella FC?
COSTA LOTTA
hope we are not set for bankrupt status

More Echo Sport