Peter Gilbert 7.9.00

Pete Meets his old mate Glen

Anoraknaphobia

10 Things to know about Southampton FC

i) Southampton were formed in 1885 by players of St Mary's Church YMCA : hence their nickname the saints.

ii) They have never won the championship but they came second in 1983-84 season.

iii) Their finest (and only) hour came in 1976 when Bobby Stokes scored at Wembley to beat Man Utd in the FA Cup final.

iv) They are the most southerly Premiership team, but is their ground the nearest Premiership ground to the sea?.

v) They've never won the League Cup like we have……three times in fact.

vi) Their ground is the smallest in the Premiership. Only 15,352 can fit inside.

vii) Matt Le Tissier has the best penalty taking record in the Premiership scoring 47 out of 48 with Mark Crossley of F****t saving his only errant effort.

viii) Their all time best goal scorer, Mick Channon with 227, is now a top race horse trainer. Can you imagine any Premiership players of today ever working again?.

ix) The Saints were the first victims of the three up three down rule when they were relegated in 1973-74 after finishing third from bottom.

x) They're pretty boring and I was astounded at the lack of 'football fever' there when I visited last season.


Well we're third in the league. We've scored 3 goals and conceded 1. We have 8 points after 4 games which is an average of 2 per game if we carry on like this we will end up with 76 points which might be enough to win the league but more than likely make us runners up and qualifying for The Champions League. We have made a good start. I t equals our previous best after 4 games. If we beat The Saints then it will be our best start in The Premiership but we haven't played anyone really significant yet, further sterner tests are to follow.

However let's not belittle this achievement which has been done with a new manager, new signings and several injuries.

Peter Taylor obviously is very keen to please us City Fans and so far he is doing so. He will find us a loyal bunch who appreciate a trier. That he certainly is. When you add Lennon, Izzett Sinclair and a fully fit Collymore to what we have already then you are bound to be optimistic. The media scum bags cannot wait for Stan to be stricken with depression or to succumb to a flare up or fit of pique. So far none of this has happened but the vultures are ready and waiting as they are ready and waiting to discount the whole team as being MON inspired and without his mercurial presence will be rendered impotent. This too has not as yet happened and I suspect it will not since the team PT inherited was not the figment of someone else's imagination but a team of genuine and talented footballers
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If we perform without a hiccup for this game we will win it however they have in Marian Pahars one of the best strikers in the league and he will be a constant danger
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We will need to take the game to them and batter their defence. In the last match against Ipswich we peppered their goalmouth with an aerial attack, but it wasn't until Stan came on that we really opened them up with tact and guile which ultimately was far more effective. It would appear from our miserly goal tally that we have something of a problem up front. We have missed chances and if this trend continues we will surely be made to pay dearly. So we need to win handsomely with our team ending up with three points and at least as many goals.
Glen Hoddle is a wily tactician and you can guarantee that his team will be well prepared.


Last Match City Player Analysis

Flowers: Ex Southampton and playing well.

Rowett: Entirely adequate in all departments.

Elliott: Playing well for club and country..

Taggart: He just keeps on getting better and better.

Impey: I've been skeptical in the past but he is 'on the mend' and working hard.

Savage: He is pure inspiration, playing his best football ever.

Oakes: A bit rusty, will need more matches to recover his form

Izzett: Keeps getting injured, showing signs of weariness after EURO 2000.'

Akinbiyi: Needs to be more clinical but shows real promise, needs to watch TC.

Eadie: Lively to say the least.

Guppy: He is slowly recovering his form, his crosses are vital.
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Subs:
Collymore: Showed genuine quality and as an Ipswich fan said to me afterwards; was the difference between the two teams.


May the force be with us, have faith !!!!!!!!!!!