As usual has made me feel better. Particularly enjoyed the question about Lallana's groin, his eyes lit up "Adam will be itching to play." Such enthusiasm, got so much faith in this club from the coaching staff through the whole squad. ANyway to those of you of a nervous/human disposition, watch it asap!
I think this whole training in the stadium thing is clever. May not seem it, but gets the players a lot more used to it, and the condition of the pitch before the game. If it is gusty and the pitch is wet, the players will know totally what to expect from the pitch. Others may not agree but, it seems worthwhile, we need to hit the ground running if possible, this is the last game!
They may not have a lot of choice in the matter. Staplewood training ground is currently a construction site.
Well they trained their last week. I am aware things may have changed since, but I still think they would perhaps have held off one week, no? Anyway, it will benefit us I hope.
Lallana will be ITCHING to play on Saturday. How they're trying to stay grounded, the hear and the now, its all about winning another game of football and the players aren't looking beyond that etc
I think it is key they are treating this like any other game. NA is Mr. Consistent. Consistent preparation is important. They went through the same thing last year so everyone knows how to play in these games. Really like a cup final type of game.
He is so calm. He reminds me of Lawrie with his smiling authority. Saturday he will earn his corn. Win and he will be lauded both inside and outside the club. Not many do back to back promotions. How many take a team from Div 1 relegation zone to promotion from the Championship in a single bound? On track record alone, I still hold Lawrie Mac as our greatest manager, but this guy has edged out quite a few already and he maybe destined to be number one.
Feel more calm already. Good interview with fewer of his oft repeated phrases. I have never heard about a football team needing to be at the right level of arousal...I wonder whose job that is....has the very lovely Mrs Godders gone missing recently.
Lawrie Mac was a great manager but you can't really go beyond Ted Bates as our greatest ever. He took us from old 3rd division into the 1st division for the first ever time and then into Europe. If Nigel could match that........!
Ted Bates was Saints through and through...all those years with one club was a huge achievement. It would be good if Nigel stayed with us for many years like Alex Ferguson, because it would imply success and give us much needed continuity. Would love to think that NA feels a true connection with Saints and opts to stay, but things can change so quickly in football. Getting ahead of myself...our biggest game is tomorrow. COYR
I'm sure someone will know the answer (or look it up) but I've been exercising my cranium with this one. Obviously Lambert did it with Norwich last year. Keegan did it with Newcastle. I think Joe Royle did it with Man City but I can't recall anyone else winning back to back promotions into the top flight. Not doubt I will be corrected as my recollections clearly won't be exhaustive but regardless, it just goes to show that Nigel is on the cusp of joining a very elite group.
Keegan didn't do it with Newcastle or fulham. Ted Bates us the no.1 Saint ever. Lawrie Mac is a Legend too, and I often wonder if he regrets leaving and going to Sunderland. He could have done a Ted Bates.
Totally agree. He should never have gone. But whatever he did or didn't do, he will always be remembered for May 1976. It still annoys me that when they talk about FA Cup giant killers, Wimbledon beating Liverpool gets the headlines despite the fact that Wimbledon were a regular top flight team at the time. What he did with in 76 was incredible although that team was never going to get us promoted.
