Matt Le Tiss was simply before his time. I think if he was in his prime now, every top team in the Prem would be trying to sign him. The media, and the public, didn't really understand him back then, because let's face it, he wasn't a stereotypical English footballer. But these days I think the average football fan and journalist has a much better appreciation of football abroad (and its superiority over the English game), and Matt would be rightfully appreciated and pushed into the England set-up (and to a bigger club playing regular CL). He scored 10+ goals in eleven different seasons, of which four of those were 20+ and one was 30+. From midfield!!! He practically scored a goal every other game from the 89/90 season until 97/98. And this doesn't even mention the assists, set-piece ability, and all round showmanship. And he was mostly injury-free throughout his career (because of his 'lazy'-style?). It really is one of the mysteries of the Premier League era how he stayed at Southampton for so long.
You could say he was actually behind the times. He was the last of the loyal players, a bit of a relic of better times to me. Every reason to move on yet chose to stay and he single handedly saved the club from relegation year after year. My footballing hero for ever.
Southgate shifting the responsibility of last night on people that preceded him. Allardyce's first game was against Slovakia, and we looked solid whilst not spectacular. Last night, we were anything but. The man is out of his depth; therefore the FA will employ him.
Southgate hasn't the charisma or experience, to manage the senior side. Most are just egotistical footballing wanna be's, that think they are so wonderful they just have to turn up to win a game of football. They are put on a pedestal by their home club fans because they once did something unusual on the playing field. When it really comes down to push to shove........they haven't got much better skills than the kids I coached when they were 8 or 9!!!!!!
I see the curse of the pink shirt has struck again. Loved it when Pompey 'played' in it a couple of seasons ago, my Pompey chum spent a long time trying to convince me it was "cerise" while I made many frankly un-PC comments. I used to wear something similar as a barman at the old Top Rank Suite back in 1979, only with frills down the front, I knew it was pink. I do hope Scotland wear it when they play us.
Southgate was doing a good job with the U21's. I wouldn't want to ruin that for the senior team, which will ruin any manager until we change approaches and start playing for the long term. If we try to get Southgate long term with the U21's and Howe long term with the senior team, creating a real pathway for the U21's to step up into the first team that would at least provide a structure that can be built on even when managers leave (al a the Southampton Way). At the moment it's whoever has been in good form for 2 games for one of the 'big clubs'. It's mix and match, no continuity, no stability or obvious plan.
I would like to see the time when a core of a winning U21s side can step up smoothly into the senior squad. And a time when good players are left in the U21s and they can win a tournament. At 66, I may not live to see this.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37626734 Gareth Southgate saying that he has inherited a mess. He may have been talking about the chaos of losing a manager after one game or he was referring to the team (unlikely I'd have thought, solely because a manager shouldn't say stuff like that). He has certainly inherited a very average side...though let's remember that he had about 8 players pull out injured. Last night was the first qualifying game that we hadn't won in 3 years....but not going to cry about that as I think we were lucky to hold on for a draw thanks to Hart. Going to reserve judgement on Southgate until we've had a few more games when he has his full squad to choose from.
We are so bad and clueless it's ridiculous. I was trying to be positive before the euro's, but since then I've just been bartered down into submission. Just so bad. Our midfield is an utter shambles. Sturridge... PASS THE BALL
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-10-12/gallery-southampton-october-internationals A gallery of our players in international games...perhaps you can view it, because I can't. Working now.
Certainly the wrong direction for Japan [I'm sure you know this really]. Singapore is a usual stopover/refuel for the UK. Me, I'd stay for a day or two. Maya might not have the time.
That's a relief...it's usually me. I couldn't read articles till I realised that you had to drag them up/down rather than the system that worked before.
Same old England as of recent times - frustrating as hell to watch. BUT they are my England and i will always support them no matter how bloody rubbish they are - just like some of the dross from Saints that i have stood/sat through at various times over the years ! Odd thing is England CAN perform occasionally - its only a few months since they beat Germany in Germany 3-2 playing some exhilarating football in the 2nd half, and i thought that they played pretty well against Russia in the opening game of Euro16 - but they are so inconsistent. Its never been easy being a football supporter !
