Agree with this. Don't think Bale would have gotten the chance to play attacking roles under us though. He would have been stuck as LB and wouldn't have developed anywhere near as much.
They'll be lucky. Last year he was about 7 divisions below his level, now it's only 5. He scored about 60 goals all with an air of bashfulness.
The funny thing about Walcott is I don't think he is anywhere near as good as he would have been had he remained at Saints. I have to keep reminding myself that he is on £100k a week and has 30 odd caps (?) for England. If he was still at Saints, he'd be a better player but on a third of the salary with no caps. So, I guess you could say he's bettered himself but I still wonder whether he has any regrets. Same with Oxo really.
I think that Bridge has always been hugely overrated. He was very lucky to have Marsden playing in front of him at Southampton. He only had an England career because apart from Cole there didn't seem to be another left-footed player in the country at that time. If you compare him to Bale at a young age, Bale always wanted the ball, was supremely confident, would take corners and free kicks etc. Whereas the ball was like a hot potato to Bridge, he would get rid of it as soon as he could. He could cross a ball fairly well but even at his peak he would be a poor second to where Shaw is now.
Not to be too cruel to Saints players of the past but if we've had a player of major talent and skill in the ranks he has tended to show up like a cherry on top of the trifle. Saints have employed their fair share of journeymen.
Godders you seem to have forgotten Ted Drake (probably the best Southampton born player ever) and Alf Ramsey. You must have enjoyed watching them play
Would I be right in saying he is the only Saints 'bred' player to have played in a CL semi final (both legs?) To have scored in a CL quarter final? For that goal to be voted goal of the season?? in a massive game? I would say he bettered himself and was a great player too IMO. Marsden was what epitomised Strachan's side though. Not a great player but had more heart than Doctor Who and ran himself into the ground every game.
