WATERLOO SUNSET: SAINTS EPISTLES

The 10 best Saints clips on You Tube?

Whiling away an hour this week, I came across a few old clips of Saints guaranteed to raise a smile and cheer of recognition. Got any others you want to share?

1 Matt le Tisser recounts the Ali Dia saga
2 Ali Dia Saints v Leeds clips
3 Le Tissier’s Top 10 goals
4 Mick Channon’s 1976 testimonial footage
5 Saints 2 Palace 0 - 1976 semi final
6 Pompey 0 Saints 1 - 1984
7 Matt le Tissier’s Sky Sports last day of the season 2008
8 Francis Benali singing When I was Just a Little Boy
9 Marian Pahars - goodbye to a Saints legend
10 1976 cup winning goal

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Clearout

by PeterB in Admin's moans

No real surprises with the 5 first teamers released but are there more to come? Dyer looks to have played his last game and with the financial plight of the club as it is the prospect of bringing in cash for the likes of Rasiak, Skacel, Surman, Safri and Viafara may be too much for Rupes.
The squad appears to be shaping up although lack of full-backs is an issue.

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All Change

by DT in General stuff

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A situation has arisen that will run and run over the next few weeks to rival the Christiano
Ronaldo Man U / Real Madrid ” Should he say or should he go saga ” . The London Saints Skipper DT has been approached unofficially by Barnet Cricket Club to run their Under 10’s team this season and lead them onto Under 11’s, 13’s etc etc. So far this campaign has been run in the press with no official approach being made to the London Saints hierarchy. DT has said he is very happy running the London Saints team but can’t deny that it has been his life long ambition to manage the mighty Barnet Under 10’s (and that it would make his mum’s dream come true). He released a press statement last night, after a few beers and taking advice from club stalwaught Lord Lucan saying that he would not make any further comment until the end of the Lord Nelson Cup tournament so that both he and the club would not be distracted and could concentrate on winning the cup .

There are many important factors in the equation away from the financial considerations.
Firstly year on year with the Under 10’s, going to Under 11’s, 13’s 15’s etc the Manager would see progress with the players improving (and subsequent satisfaction) whereas managing the current average Over 45’s London Saints team would lead to managing the Over 46’s then Over 47’s and eventually the Over 5O’s with not the same progress being shown as with the youngsters - in fact some cynics might say it would be a complete reversal of fortunes

Another factor is that the Under 10’s always turn up on time for their start (not 30 mins late or more in some cases) and matches are always started punctually and another being that despite 55 extras being conceded by the Under 10’s yesterday morning, none of them bowled a 13 ball over !

So a big decision will have to be made in the next few weeks . A compromise may be to get both clubs to agree to DT doing both jobs but that may be only a halfway house solution with both teams suffering not receiving the full 100% concentration of that fine cricketing brain (NB The Skippers ‘ Art of Captaincy ‘ is out in the paperback version this Fridays with book signings taking place in the Orange Kipper,Hornsey) as matches clash and he has to race from match to another. Well that was the Skippers excuse for his rash decision to let Little John bowl the final over yesterday and his loose shot to get out off the first ball of a new bowler having seen off the quickie !)

It will be a difficult choice with sentiment, having looked after this bunch of old farts, for years up against seeing a new team coming together and progressing and take on the world. To be continued

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Rain Rain Go Away

by DT in DT's cricket blog

With the London Saints latest game called off we are yet again unbeaten in May and with the next game not until June we have suffered only one defeat in England in the last 10 months - beat that Fergie There was the small matter of a defeat in Scotland but that was only a 20 / 20 game and in the depths of winter in temperatures where our natural calypso talent couldn’t shine - didn’t think it was possible to be so cold in the cricket season until I went out today for a walk on Bank Holiday Monday at the end of May ! - roll on summer please

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Some things never change

by DT in DT's cricket blog

A new cricket season but some things never change, like Derby’s inability to field 11 players . This year they could only muster 5 definites so consequently our first game was cancelled which was a shame as it was glorious weather . Hope you agree with me that we have gone past playing rabble like Derby on their crappy pitch, no changing facilities and teas and that I should strike them off our list of opponents for next year . We may not have the choice anyway as he was quite upset when I made my feelings known about this late cancellation . This would leave us with just one other football supportes club that we still play and that is our old rivals Sunderland and they are close to folding as I know their Skipper now plays for Gents and the Mackems games are limited this year

As to other things that never change and that is the poor attendance at Nets - only 3 at the 1st Net (I know most of you have natural ability and don’t need to practice but it was bit disheartening) Glad to see to see 9 though turn up for the 2nd Nets session as the good weather encouraged a few more to turn out . Hope to see a few more this week

Even more reason to turn up to Nets and impress the Skipper is the fact that our pace bowling attack !! has been decimated this year with Arran (Swampy) moving to Scotland, Garry (Psycho) moving to Devon, and Gavin (still no name ?) moving to become a full time babysitter with the imminent birth of his 2nd child - good luck to both Alex and Gavin
In addition the newest member of our pace attack - Little/Where’s John’s mind may be distracted later in the season with the birth of his first child - poor kid will soon be questioning why its grandparents didn’t do a better job in the sex education stakes . We do welcome back Dave Nanton this year after his planned nuptials and move to the US have been cancelled which is a shame for Dave but good news for us if he can forget his baseball swing and remember his cricket one

Anyway onto the 1st game in 2 weeks time - May 25 v Walthamstow Horizontals - the Skipper has taken preparations very seriously for the game at Winchmore Hill Cricket Club and went down yesterday to check out the pitch . I can report that despite recent sunshine, that the bounce is very low with the ball not coming onto the bat at all . Why such serious scouting ? Well my son was playing for Barnet Under 11’s on Sunday v Winchmore Hill Cricket Club . He has been moved up from the Under 10’s which is encouraging but it is amazing the difference in one year’s growth of kids as they are quite a bit bigger and stronger (some very talented and well coached kids who would put our fielding to shame) . He did struggle a bit as did Barnet in a comprehensive defeat but he took the first wicket - clean bowled beating the batsman for pace - oh how I wish I could do that these days - as I get slower he gets faster and it won’t be long till he passes me ! Anyway the future of English cricket is in good hands with loads of kids playing it in these clubs - Barnet have 130 colts turning up for training every Friday and I hope to be able to persaude a few of the to join us in a few years - I have told Daniel I will keep going until I can play with him in the same team as equals - not long to go now

Anyway onto the new season with a few fewer faces but with the sun set to continue to shine all summer !! with great hope and expectation so please feel free to use this blog to repond or even initiate views on the season or the price of bread or whatever

Cheers

DT

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Pearson’s future

by PeterB in Admin's moans

It’s well documented that the Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde do not see a future for Nigel Pearson at St Marys but word has it that Jonathan Fulthorpe, fronting the latest proposed £50m takeover, is also of the opinion that Saints need a higher profile name.

Whilst his playing record in keeping us up was no better than Burley’s I did feel that he galvanised an ordinary squad and his loan signings (Pericard apart) were what kept us up.

I get the impression that Pearson is held in high regard within the game and has the potential to become a top manager and he has the backing of the majority of Saints supporters. He should be given a chance.

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Time for a clearout

by stevek in Steve's Blog

I didn’t realise quite how much I would have missed the championship until somewhere around 7pm last night, when obviously I was in a pub in Southampton. What a good day, a real reminder of how much fun it always was.

But now down to the drawing board and next season’s squad. We will lose Dyer and probably Surman (for £4m, altthough I do hope he runs the midfield next season), but who else should leave?

KEEP:
Goal: Davis, Poke. Offer Wright one year deal.
Defence: Vignal, Davies, Ostlund, Thomas, Wright. Offer Perry and Lucketti one-year deals
Midfield: Safri, Licka, Gillett, Viafara (just, after Sunday’s performance), Euell
Attack: Saganowski, John, McGoldrick, Lallana.

RELEASE:
Bialkowski, Powell, Hamill, Idiakez, Wright-Phillips, Pericard

I know nothing of Oliver Lancashire but would expect him and Mills to come through in defence, giving cover. We need another full back. But it’s still an old team - let’s hope Lallana and McGoldrick come through quickly.

So, let’s start with: Davis, Vignal, Davies, Lucketti, Wright, Safri, Surman, Licka, Viafara, Lallana, John (Subs: Wright, Thomas, Gillett, Saganoswki) and take it from there….

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Blame Burley

by Pastor Sharpe in Admin's moans

Breathen,

Well back from prayers can’t really think what they were for. Of course if I were a betting man, I would have. Leicester at home to Sheff Wed almost certainly away win. 31 thousand in and still lost, looks like it’s between us and them, but having studied the league table to eyes gave up even Blackpool aren’t safe? Still all the near contenders to the drop are saying let’s hope WBA beat Southampton so we can stay up, might be worth a bet 0-1 John to score? and please pass the salt for the wounds.

Well looking back over a hugely poor campaign I think I can personally blame George “going nowhere soon” Burley. Why? Martin Cranie that’s why. Son you were good enough and young enough for the Premiership and more than able when called upon against Derby in the play off, yet GB decided to let you leave knowing we were short in this dept, for the Naval Base where you haven’t played. Claus was crocked, Powell was proving to be a liability, now confirmed, and we get Alan Bennett in from Reading who played well enough to let him go and now is playing at Brentford! Davies and Cranie, we’d be in playoffs instead of having the worst goal dif going. George why did you sign Hammill to not play him from the start of every game and why did you not get a left and right back instead of a squad of midfielders, down to you GB.

Well people in my spare time I Referee, wait……………., and also assess Referees’. Would you believe tomorrow night I have to attend a disciplinary hearing at 8.20pm am I going to hold my nerve? the venue is next to a pub, bet they only have Setana or even worse a quiz night! I witnessed when Assessing, a player deliberately trip the Ref up, I felt like telling the Ref there and then but was unable to as I was only Assessing, hope he gets a good fine and suspension. Still there are compensations I am Refereeing Surrey v Sussex Ladies on Tuesday night, I may need consoling post WBA so best not be to harsh with them.

Not going to prayers tonight, my knees need a break.

Pastor Sharpe

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Close to the end

by Pastor Sharpe in Admin's moans

Breathen,

All though we near the end of a traumatic season we can look forward to a summer of Lowe downs and who’s who coming. Not long after recycling my ” Lowe Out” card I’ll be rushing to the printers for another installment, the way things go at this club it makes Hicks and Gillette look like the second best a man can get! Of course it will goodbye and big thanks to Claus and hard luck Chris Makin, and sorry but….. to Hammil and anyone else wearing boots of a non black colour.

I must report on my work at the Naval base down the road, although there has been much queing at the Fratton Municipal Park for the unsold out Cup Final, things have been a bit tense for our lofty neighbours. Myself and helpers from the Friends of St Denys Supporters Club have been running soup kitchens at the Naval base for the needy. A lightning strike by staff at the Kwik Saves’ left the needy without any means of purchasing food or White Lightening Cider. Of course they could have gone to Sainsbury’s and Asda but they were unable to text those words as they were not saved on the moblie, so Blue and White cabs were uncontactable. Poor souls, we coped well and Ali’s Kebabs mobile was doing a roaring trade albeit at 1.30am.

Ok Hairy Kneecap has been down to see us but only because he took a wrong turn to the bookies, but he put his hands in his pocket and……. yes we are still waiting. Apparently he was a bit short, he sold one of his places on Ranksands to his players Henrich Hergerdsmorksboardson, but the chap is still waiting on his contract extension subject to Crapdiff not giving them a beating on May 17th, oh I want it soooooooooooooo much. Sorry.

Still one time possible nominee for the job vacated by the Kneecap, Dennis “oompah Lumpa” Wise as fallen on his size 4’s. Our Nige must have thought like the preverbial after the pint size toy thrower landed the director of manager of football of ball pumper upper job, still his mate ‘arry ‘ill will be pleased at least his hand me down shirts with the big collars will get some airing.

And what of Father George, of to wee bonnie Scotland like a bullet out of a gun, ” I couldnae’ resisit the lure of me country, I’m used to a struggle so tae thinks I’ll be a bit handy for the non qualifaction of all major tournaments for the forseeable future” after playing mighty England’s nemesis Crotia at Hampered Park recently. Still Fabio has it all to come qualifying for the 2010 lets all get mugged world cup in SA.

And finally for a first, one was amused to read one over enthused journo extoiling the great English game when Arsenal met Liverpool in the recent “Runners up by 20 points” Chumpions Farce, ” It was an evening of English never say die commitment end to end football that makes English football the envy of all Scandinavians’” Total English men on display? 4 including 2 subs.

Still of to prayers, now I could be a long time

Pastor Sharpe

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WATERLOO SUNSET: SAINTS EPISTLES

The 10 best Saints clips on You Tube?

Clearout

All Change

A Big Decision

Rain Rain Go Away

Some things never change

Pearson’s future

Time for a clearout

Blame Burley

Close to the end

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