August 21st 2010
Following the tragic loss of Mr Liebherr, Saints away match to MK Dons aka Franchise FC was postponed. Thus my next Saints game was at home to Leyton Orient.
Orient are a club who I don’t know a lot about. They are a small team based in North East London and have Barry Hearn as their chairman. They aren’t expected to cause many upsets during the season. So it was with optimism I went down to St Marys.
Before the game a minute’s applause was held for Mr Liebherr, a nice gesture from the club and fans alike. However, my own personal opinion is that a minutes silence would have been more appropriate. Call me old fashioned, but I feel some traditions should be held onto. The game started much like the game against Plymouth the week before. Saints on the front foot. A somewhat lucky goal gave us a deserved lead as the goal machine Lambert strode up to take a free kick, which was deflected in by the hapless Orient defender. My 3-0 bet looked good at this stage. Sure enough typical Saints then threw away the lead with a poor goal to concede from a set piece. Lambert was man enough to admit he lost his player. Fair play Rickie. The rest of the half was a case of Saints having a lot of the ball, but little penetration. Lee “Bernard” Barnard came close to getting off the mark on a couple of occasions and hit the woodwork.
Second half started in similar fashion, with Bernie looking our biggest threat. Orient looked to play on the break and it seemed the tag of promotion favourites may be unjustified following our inability to break down a stubborn defence. Bernie hit the woodwork again during the second period. Saints lacked a creative spark, Puncheon who was bought to provide chances to our front men was having a nightmare, no final ball and a lack of hunger seemed to sum up his day. Orient held on for the draw and celebrated like they had gone home with all 3 points.
During the second half following one of my many tirades at our keeper Kelvin Davis, a JLC (Jonnie Come Lately) questioned my opinion. Now I have always been one to state my own views but I found it difficult to comprehend that a JLC had the right to question my views. As someone who has been a season ticket holder for countless years, I feel I am entitled to my opinion and if people don’t agree with it fair enough. But I will not stand for some plastic fan to question me. This is one of my pet hates about the beautiful game!
August 24th 2010
Saints had a tricky League Cup game at home to Premiership Bolton. Before the game I was predicting a defeat and stated that an honourable performance would be the least I would accept. So off to St Marys I went with my brother. Sat in the Kingsland stand, ready to watch my heroes.
Despite Bolton stating they would play a weakened side, they still fielded a team with several internationals and included Saints old boy Kevin Davies. Saints started the brighter and Lallana was involved in all our attacking play. Yet again it was the same old story as we dominated a team two divisions above us, but failed to make our advantage count. Bolton took the lead on the 30 minute mark as Klasnic the Croatian international stabbed home from close range following a Davies knock down. I thought Davies had committed a foul in the box, but it is the referee’s opinion that counts. Even with the slender lead Bolton were still under pressure from Saints with Puncheon, Barnard and Lallana all linking up well.
Second half was even more one sided as Saints kept knocking at the Bolton door without breaching their goal. At the back, Aaron Martin and Jose Fonte kept Bolton’s talented strike force quiet, with Martin having a very impressive second half. The Bolton keeper was forced into a couple of decent saves late, but with no success for the Saints. Special mention to Jason Puncheon, who had his best game in the red and white shirt. He was a threat and even put in the odd tackle!
Saints now have a tricky run of fixtures coming up, but if we play like we did in this game I have no doubt our form will pick up and the points will become a sheer formality.
The transfer deadline is upon us soon and with the premiership spending the big money; it will be an interesting time to see if anymore new faces will join our new Brazilian signing Guly at the home of football, St Marys.
A big thank you to all those that have been able to read this and if you have any comments, good or bad please get in touch.
I would like to mention my close friends and family who have enjoyed my footballing education with me and sometimes even helped me stay calm! So a huge thank you to My dad, My brother Vish, Oldest friends Jamie and Geoff, Brendan, Joe, Dave, Pete, Dan, John and Vik.
All the best
Neel
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Lows, Highs and Lows – A week in the life of a Saints Fan.
It is with great regret and devastation that I have edited my first blog about my beloved Southampton Football club. Hours before I was due to publish this, I received the tragic news that the Saviour of my club, Mr Markus Liebherr, had sadly passed away. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. My thoughts also go out to all the saints fans in the world that along with me had and still have a special place for Markus in our hearts.
RIP MARKUS, a true saint!
August 7th 2010
The day all football fans look forward to, a day when usually all teams start as equals, a day when after 30 seconds your team could potentially be top of the league or bottom!
The day starts with all the anticipation of the thrills of the coming season. Even after nearly twenty years of being a season ticket holder, I was still awake at a ridiculous time considering the hectic working week I’d had. Approaching the stadium I walked through the tunnel from Northam road, past the mural of Charles Miller and I felt like a young child in a sweet shop! Getting into the ground, tearing my match voucher and handing it to the chap in the turnstile and I felt at home. The slow walk up the stairs of the Northam stand, and finally I arrived at row W. A quick glance towards the drones of Green army fans followed by the greeting of all the familiar faces I hadn’t seen since May. Handshakes galore, stories of summer, and a deep breath and the season is upon us.
The game itself started at a quick pace, the left side combination of Harding and Dickson seemed to show some very good early promise. Saints piled forward, skipper Hammond flashed a couple of headers wide, the hard working Barnard chasing everything and new boy Butterfield looking a solid right back. Then for some reason, saints stopped the passing game and went route one. Connolly and Barnard weren’t able to get hold of the ball and Plymouth came back into it. Half time – Saints the better side, but how often have we seen that?
Second half kicks off; poor defending from Harding lets in Summerfield and its 1-0! Saints huffed and puffed after that. Morgan anonymous, Puncheon at his frustrating best. Lallana comes on and seems to lift St Marys. A couple of decent efforts, but at full time, its official we are bottom of the league!
Following the game, Saints were all of a sudden public enemy number 1 following the so called press ban. I think the people who took to criticising the club so soon into the season need to have a long hard look at themselves.
Yes we didn’t play well, but it’s only the first game! Grumblings from certain sections of supporters about Alan Pardews future and the running of the club started. A complete nonsense. Stick to the plan chaps and it’ll be a great season!
August 10th 2010
The league cup starts with a local derby. I’ll be honest I wouldn’t have been too devastated if I’d have missed this one. Yes I try not to miss games, but a game where I expected a comfortable win and response following the Plymouth result would not be one I’d be taking time off work for.
The cherries bought their full allocation which resulted in me having to move from my beloved block 42. My dad, brother and myself all ventured into the Kingsland to enjoy the game.
The match was always going to be about Saints breaking down the Cherries and trying to avoid being done on the counter. A couple of changes from the previous game, Chamberlain got a start as did the mercurial Lallana. The game started at a frantic pace, 0-0 at half time, with a few chances to both teams.
Second half was a lot better with saints taking the lead through a sublime curling finish from that man Lallana. Biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the Goal Machine Rickie Lambert as he made his first appearance of the season following injury. A ball from Lambert into the path of young Chamberlain and Saints ran out 2-0 winners following the youngster’s first senior goal. Chant of the night had to be “2-0 in your cup final”
A decent performance and plenty of optimism going into Saturdays match away to MK Dons.
A big thank you to all those that have been able to read this and if you have any comments, good or bad please get in touch.
All the best
Neel
RIP MARKUS, a true saint!
August 7th 2010
The day all football fans look forward to, a day when usually all teams start as equals, a day when after 30 seconds your team could potentially be top of the league or bottom!
The day starts with all the anticipation of the thrills of the coming season. Even after nearly twenty years of being a season ticket holder, I was still awake at a ridiculous time considering the hectic working week I’d had. Approaching the stadium I walked through the tunnel from Northam road, past the mural of Charles Miller and I felt like a young child in a sweet shop! Getting into the ground, tearing my match voucher and handing it to the chap in the turnstile and I felt at home. The slow walk up the stairs of the Northam stand, and finally I arrived at row W. A quick glance towards the drones of Green army fans followed by the greeting of all the familiar faces I hadn’t seen since May. Handshakes galore, stories of summer, and a deep breath and the season is upon us.
The game itself started at a quick pace, the left side combination of Harding and Dickson seemed to show some very good early promise. Saints piled forward, skipper Hammond flashed a couple of headers wide, the hard working Barnard chasing everything and new boy Butterfield looking a solid right back. Then for some reason, saints stopped the passing game and went route one. Connolly and Barnard weren’t able to get hold of the ball and Plymouth came back into it. Half time – Saints the better side, but how often have we seen that?
Second half kicks off; poor defending from Harding lets in Summerfield and its 1-0! Saints huffed and puffed after that. Morgan anonymous, Puncheon at his frustrating best. Lallana comes on and seems to lift St Marys. A couple of decent efforts, but at full time, its official we are bottom of the league!
Following the game, Saints were all of a sudden public enemy number 1 following the so called press ban. I think the people who took to criticising the club so soon into the season need to have a long hard look at themselves.
Yes we didn’t play well, but it’s only the first game! Grumblings from certain sections of supporters about Alan Pardews future and the running of the club started. A complete nonsense. Stick to the plan chaps and it’ll be a great season!
August 10th 2010
The league cup starts with a local derby. I’ll be honest I wouldn’t have been too devastated if I’d have missed this one. Yes I try not to miss games, but a game where I expected a comfortable win and response following the Plymouth result would not be one I’d be taking time off work for.
The cherries bought their full allocation which resulted in me having to move from my beloved block 42. My dad, brother and myself all ventured into the Kingsland to enjoy the game.
The match was always going to be about Saints breaking down the Cherries and trying to avoid being done on the counter. A couple of changes from the previous game, Chamberlain got a start as did the mercurial Lallana. The game started at a frantic pace, 0-0 at half time, with a few chances to both teams.
Second half was a lot better with saints taking the lead through a sublime curling finish from that man Lallana. Biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the Goal Machine Rickie Lambert as he made his first appearance of the season following injury. A ball from Lambert into the path of young Chamberlain and Saints ran out 2-0 winners following the youngster’s first senior goal. Chant of the night had to be “2-0 in your cup final”
A decent performance and plenty of optimism going into Saturdays match away to MK Dons.
A big thank you to all those that have been able to read this and if you have any comments, good or bad please get in touch.
All the best
Neel
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