If I ever have grandkids, they might hear me mention the names Lallana and Lambert once or twice. But they will get sick to death of me talking about Matt Le Tiss.
Glad this was posted as I'm feeling down. I agree with the sentiments...people come and go, some leaving more of a mark than others. Especially in the last few years, some players have been moved on and side-lined not because they were suddenly poor but because we needed to up grade because of promotions. We have lost the odd promising youngster because we needed the money. However, this time feels different. We are doing well and don't need the money (at least, not desperately)...so why do several players want to leave. We have given them chances or improved them and suddenly we're not good enough. I blame MP for suddenly up and going...he is the cause of the disruption. I don't know whether he would have stayed if Nicola had...I'm not a great believer in his loyalty to a man he had known for such a short time. The only light on the horizon is Koeman...I am hopeful that he will be a success here, but he has a very difficult job taking over a team in flux. The first thing he (or Les Reed) should do is give new contracts to Fonte (need some stability at this time) and Cork (how much would we have to pay to get a player of his calibre again).
Nice post, FLT. You remind me of a conversation I had once with a very dear friend, now departed. He and his wife were walking on a beach in Greece. A pair of newly weds from their hotel were walking ahead of them. Mate's wife spots a single tattoo on the young man's shoulder - an Arsenal badge. She commented that, if he was to have only one tattoo, the lad might have had the name of his wife. My mate's reply to his lovely wife of forty-odd years was that people can change their partners, but no matter what they can never change their team. I have cursed Saints over the years - letting Lawrie go through lack of ambition; sacking Chris Nichol; treating Nigel so shabbily are just 3 times that immediately spring to mind. But they remain the oldest love of my life and whoever pulls on the shirt gets my support. I lament the passing of so many; I remember the contributions of some of the greats. Terry Paine was my adolescent idol and I'm delighted to see him back. But as others have said, I remember fondly those who have paid a part in the development of this club. Davies, Channon and MLT will feature in "grandad's-boring-monologues-on-football" for ever because their silky skills were displayed in a Saints shirt. But the contribution of some unsung heroes will not be forgotten. Those who choose to take off the shirt and don another simply remind me that they are employees and getting sentimental about them is daft. When Luke Shaw plays in CL for United; if Dejan Lovren turns out against him for Barcelona I shall think of them as ex-Saints who gave me great moments to remember. Even if my personal current favourite - Morgan - turns out for Arsenal next year I'll nod approval of a raking pass or one of his rare goals,but I'll recall that night in Bristol or that sublime finish against Liverpool. But they will be gone, and my true affections will be targetted on the new players. Give me until Christmas and I'll be raving on about the new striker, or whoever. So I hope that Luke is a great success at Old Trafford. He is a true star and deserves his chance of riches. It has been a joy to watch him develop, but now we move on. We are reminded, rather cruelly, that SFC is a business and its better employees will always be looking to get a bigger pay day. But, FLT, for us , as fans, it's always blind love of the club. And long may it be so. Now, come on Ronald. Give us something to get excited about.
Fran, your opening line is exactly why I posted it. A few weeks ago I wondered what the hell was happening. Last week I thought it was settling down and then yesterday I came back from being away with work and there was everyone leaving again. I just then thought that no matter how much I don't want it to happen, it doesn't matter. In my life time it's happened a lot and will continue to happen. Listing those players that came and went who had meant something special to me, seemed to put things in footballing perspective. We are Southampton. We are still here. ^ ^ actually this makes me think of one more who came and went with a very, very special place in all our hearts. Thanks Markus. One Markus Liebherr
And the fact we've all been through so much together, on one amazing journey from the bottom of League One to the Prem (specifically Lambert, but poss Lalla and Morgan)
I remember several years ago reminding a girlfriend of the time (she has been a long term one) during an argument where she had mentioned Saints, that I had loved Saints many more years than I had loved her. I asked her to do the maths herself
Last year the wife asked me who came first? Her, our daughter, our dogs or Saints. She wasn't annoyed by the answer, just the deliberation before I gave it!
One of my old favourite who I couldn't understand why Saints signed him at the time but he won me over Chris Marsden
I was a bit pissed off when we lost 2 of our best players to money bags Blackburn. How things change, how they stay the same.
At the start of the summer I was desperate that we didn't sell anyone. However, after having it rammed down our throats by very newspaper, blogger and tweeter in the world that Shaw etc would be leaving, I'm beginning to care less. Now, I just want it over and lets see what our money can buy. I doubt we will ever be able to recreate what we had in the sense of our being a team that has grown together from the very worst of times to some of the best, but who knows what a few million pounds and a respected manager might do. I now think that keeping Cork, Schneiderlin and Lovren is more important than keeping Lallana. "Cautiously optimistic" (a phrase borrowed from someone in some thread somewhere).
