Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Kevin Davies, James Beattie- All familiar names with Southampton FC fans who have seen these names play in the famous red and white for the Saints as well as going onto to play for their international sides (all England bar Bale).
After yesterdays 4-0 demolition of Dagenham and Redbridge, the St Mary's faithful might just have another name to add to that list in the not to distant future- Step foward Alex Chamberlain.
At just 17 years of age, the winger who has progressed up through the ranks at Southampton has started this season in blistering form terrorising defences up and down the wings in League One. His latest display against a Daggers side again highlighted just how good the youngster, who was born in Portsmouth, will be.
With two goals and an assist in the game, he was certainly a clear winner of the man of the match award. His first goal maybe was a bit lucky as his cross floated over the visitors keeper, however the second was pure genius. Out on the wing and seeing the keeper was slightly off his line, Chamberlain tried an audacious lob that beat the keeper and practically ended the game.
The young midfielder then showed real pace and strength to force his way down the flank to tee up an easy chance for Lee Barnard who easily dispatched the golden opportunity that Chamberlain presented him with.
With Saints up to 6th in the league now and holding such a prize asset that they will be reluctant to depart with for many years to come, you can safely say that the future at least at one of the South Coast clubs is looking very bright.
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Saturday, 30 October 2010
JOKE OF THE TOON
'Laughable' is the only way you can describe the news this week that Newcastle Football Club issued a statement that they are 100% behind their current manager Chris Hughton.
I find it pathetic that a club who has just won promotion back to the Premier League and are currently sitting 9th having won away at the likes of Everton, West Ham and home to Villa, as well as a stunning victory away at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup even have to let us know that the boss is 'safe'.
Hughton took the reigns at St James Park when quite frankly no one else (bar Alan Shearer) would have. He oversaw a magnificent season last year which saw the Toon stroll their way back into the top flight after the disappointment of the season before.
Hughton has also shown his recruitment 'gold' by bringing in the likes of Ben Arfa, Tiote and Gosling (All very good players).
A quick warning to the Newcastle Hierachy that after just maybe winning the fans back on side, sacking the gaffer now would probably lose all your fans trust in you, think wisely Mr Ashley.
There was also another ridiculous sacking this week in League One at Notts County who sacked Craig Short after just 16 games in charge and laying 16th in the table, just four points off the play-offs. How can a manager build a team his way in just that short a period.
Football chairman need to begin to realise that success wont happen overnight and need more trust in the men they put in charge to get it right.
I only hope that the latest sacking will be the last for a while, but lets be honest, by the time I next blog there will probably have been another managerial casualty.
I find it pathetic that a club who has just won promotion back to the Premier League and are currently sitting 9th having won away at the likes of Everton, West Ham and home to Villa, as well as a stunning victory away at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup even have to let us know that the boss is 'safe'.
Hughton took the reigns at St James Park when quite frankly no one else (bar Alan Shearer) would have. He oversaw a magnificent season last year which saw the Toon stroll their way back into the top flight after the disappointment of the season before.
Hughton has also shown his recruitment 'gold' by bringing in the likes of Ben Arfa, Tiote and Gosling (All very good players).
A quick warning to the Newcastle Hierachy that after just maybe winning the fans back on side, sacking the gaffer now would probably lose all your fans trust in you, think wisely Mr Ashley.
There was also another ridiculous sacking this week in League One at Notts County who sacked Craig Short after just 16 games in charge and laying 16th in the table, just four points off the play-offs. How can a manager build a team his way in just that short a period.
Football chairman need to begin to realise that success wont happen overnight and need more trust in the men they put in charge to get it right.
I only hope that the latest sacking will be the last for a while, but lets be honest, by the time I next blog there will probably have been another managerial casualty.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Better late than never- I suppose
So lets start with an apology, My recent updates have been just not happening.
Lots of work at university started to take control, I promise you will you not have to wait this long again for the next post.
Anyway lets get back to sport and what a week it's been! To start the week we had sensational news that Wayne Rooney wanted out of Manchester (well United anyway). Last Tuesday 'United' gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the rumours saying he was 'shocked' at the news.
Wind forward a day and the biggest revelation arose as rivals City threw their name into the hat to buy the striker- disaster for United fans surely!!!
Or maybe not, as by the close of play on Friday, Rooney had signed a new five year deal at the club, just four days after saying he wanted to leave- the reasons unknown for the change of heart, but I bet the £250,000 a week wages certainly played a factor.
In other sports news this week, England recieved a major boost ahead of the Ashes next month down under.
News that bowler Jimmy Anderson will make the showpiece will please all England fans that will be cheering the three lions on down under, and the millions here at home that will stay up all night to watch the action.
This week see's the return of the Carling Cup to our screens, I find myself disappointed when sitting down to watch these matches as teams undermine the competition by fielding weakened sides.
The tournament I understand will not be priorty for any Premier League team at the start of the season but why not? With a European place up for grabs it's the perfect opportunity for teams to play in elite competition across Europe.
So come on managers left in the competition, field a strong team this week and lets see some decent action.... Its the least your supporters deserve!!!!!
Lots of work at university started to take control, I promise you will you not have to wait this long again for the next post.
Anyway lets get back to sport and what a week it's been! To start the week we had sensational news that Wayne Rooney wanted out of Manchester (well United anyway). Last Tuesday 'United' gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the rumours saying he was 'shocked' at the news.
Wind forward a day and the biggest revelation arose as rivals City threw their name into the hat to buy the striker- disaster for United fans surely!!!
Or maybe not, as by the close of play on Friday, Rooney had signed a new five year deal at the club, just four days after saying he wanted to leave- the reasons unknown for the change of heart, but I bet the £250,000 a week wages certainly played a factor.
In other sports news this week, England recieved a major boost ahead of the Ashes next month down under.
News that bowler Jimmy Anderson will make the showpiece will please all England fans that will be cheering the three lions on down under, and the millions here at home that will stay up all night to watch the action.
This week see's the return of the Carling Cup to our screens, I find myself disappointed when sitting down to watch these matches as teams undermine the competition by fielding weakened sides.
The tournament I understand will not be priorty for any Premier League team at the start of the season but why not? With a European place up for grabs it's the perfect opportunity for teams to play in elite competition across Europe.
So come on managers left in the competition, field a strong team this week and lets see some decent action.... Its the least your supporters deserve!!!!!
Monday, 13 September 2010
FA CUP- Following the Gate!!!!!!
So it was that time of year again on Saturday as my local side Margate FC started their FA Cup campaign in the 1st qualifying round with a trip to tricky Hellenic Premier Division side Binfield FC.
Binfield, a small village side near Reading, went into the match unbeaten this season and hoping of springing a suprise that the FA Cup has come to know and love. Being unable to make the match due to work it was a tense afternoon as I lived off text updates from a friend at the match.
The first text simply saying '0-0 ht', thoughts immedietly taking me back to previous cup campaigns following the 'Gate' where defeats against lower league opposition such as Banstead and Potters Bar FC.
A much more dominant second half seemed apparent as three messages appeared in my inbox to say that we had a 3-0 lead and looked like progression to the 2nd qualifying round was secure.
Fair play to Binfield and I wish them all the luck for the remainder of the season. Back to Margate thouh and after their first league victory last week and now a win in a potential banana skin tie in the FA Cup things are looking up for the 'Gate'.
The draw for the 2nd qualifying round takes place later today and I am hoping that this post will hopefully encourage people to follow not necessarily Margate but the FA Cup from the early stages as it does offer excitement and magic, even at the early stage.
I will be following the 'Gate' in all their FA Cup action this season and you can follow their progress on this blog.
Binfield, a small village side near Reading, went into the match unbeaten this season and hoping of springing a suprise that the FA Cup has come to know and love. Being unable to make the match due to work it was a tense afternoon as I lived off text updates from a friend at the match.
The first text simply saying '0-0 ht', thoughts immedietly taking me back to previous cup campaigns following the 'Gate' where defeats against lower league opposition such as Banstead and Potters Bar FC.
A much more dominant second half seemed apparent as three messages appeared in my inbox to say that we had a 3-0 lead and looked like progression to the 2nd qualifying round was secure.
Fair play to Binfield and I wish them all the luck for the remainder of the season. Back to Margate thouh and after their first league victory last week and now a win in a potential banana skin tie in the FA Cup things are looking up for the 'Gate'.
The draw for the 2nd qualifying round takes place later today and I am hoping that this post will hopefully encourage people to follow not necessarily Margate but the FA Cup from the early stages as it does offer excitement and magic, even at the early stage.
I will be following the 'Gate' in all their FA Cup action this season and you can follow their progress on this blog.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
SAINTS MARCHING THROUGH HELL
Sheer disbelief can be the only way of describing my feelings when I heard on Monday that Southampton had sacked manger Alan Pardew.
A lot of teams can be galvanized with a new man at the helm, there is no doubting this, just take yourself along to White Hart Lane and watch Tottenham in the Champions League this season under Harry Redknapp for proof, although it can back-fire, in which I think will be the case at Southampton.
In Pardew, Southampton had a man that had managed in the top level with West Ham, and certainly had an excellent season last year with the Saints narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
The start of this season can only be described as hell for the Saints. They lost their opener to Plymouth 1-0 at St Marys, which was then followed by the tragic news that owner Markus Liebherr had died aged just 62.
Defeat against Bolton in the Carling Cup followed as well as a fall out with national newspapers regarding photography at St Marys with 'The Sun' newspaper now refusing to print Southampton's name, calling them a 'South Coast Team'. Despite all this things appeared to be on the up for the club after the 4-0 win over Bristol Rovers before the disgraceful decision to dismiss Pardew.
The decision is certainly a strange one, made even more so by the Chief Executive saying it was not 'results based' (well thats a relief after a 4-0 win, no one would be safe), It only makes me feel that the Saints must have someone lined up to take over, if thats the case it HAS to be a top name to help the loyal Saints fans recover from this devastating blow.
I as much as any Southampton supporter would love to see the club bounce back from this early season ordeal which they have endured and win promotion to the Championship, however in the back of mind I have a feeling the club will struggle now to make a real impact on the division until some stability is brought back to the South Coast, starting with naming a new manager.
I would like to know who you think will get the job at St Marys and how you think the dismissal of Pardew will affect the club this season.
A lot of teams can be galvanized with a new man at the helm, there is no doubting this, just take yourself along to White Hart Lane and watch Tottenham in the Champions League this season under Harry Redknapp for proof, although it can back-fire, in which I think will be the case at Southampton.
In Pardew, Southampton had a man that had managed in the top level with West Ham, and certainly had an excellent season last year with the Saints narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
The start of this season can only be described as hell for the Saints. They lost their opener to Plymouth 1-0 at St Marys, which was then followed by the tragic news that owner Markus Liebherr had died aged just 62.
Defeat against Bolton in the Carling Cup followed as well as a fall out with national newspapers regarding photography at St Marys with 'The Sun' newspaper now refusing to print Southampton's name, calling them a 'South Coast Team'. Despite all this things appeared to be on the up for the club after the 4-0 win over Bristol Rovers before the disgraceful decision to dismiss Pardew.
The decision is certainly a strange one, made even more so by the Chief Executive saying it was not 'results based' (well thats a relief after a 4-0 win, no one would be safe), It only makes me feel that the Saints must have someone lined up to take over, if thats the case it HAS to be a top name to help the loyal Saints fans recover from this devastating blow.
I as much as any Southampton supporter would love to see the club bounce back from this early season ordeal which they have endured and win promotion to the Championship, however in the back of mind I have a feeling the club will struggle now to make a real impact on the division until some stability is brought back to the South Coast, starting with naming a new manager.
I would like to know who you think will get the job at St Marys and how you think the dismissal of Pardew will affect the club this season.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Did someone mention the Premier League had lost it's six appeal? (And a Southampton Mystery)
So two round's of games into to the Premier League season and we have seen three games this weekend finish with a score line of 6-0.
With a close title race expected, the challenging teams have started the season on fire in front of goal. With Chelsea travelling to Wigan (who lost 4-0 on the opening day to Blackpool), sure we expected a Chelsea win, but by six goals?
Another result that was widely expected this weekend was for the Gunners to beat a Blackpool side who were still on cloud nine after thrashing Wigan 4-0 on the opening day. Having a man sent off at the Emirates Staduim will never help prevent a loss, but yet again the wonderful skills from Theo Walcott inspired the second 6-0 result of the weekend.
The third six goal margin though was the most surprising of them all, as Newcastle's first game at St James Park back in the big time came against the team that sent them down 445 days ago, Aston Villa.
A toon win of this size was only being dreamt of by the most delerious Toon fans about, however the scoreline was fair as they ripped through the villa defence like a knife through butter. Hat-trick hero Andy Carroll would certainly of done his England chances no harm in front of the on-watching England assistant Franco Baldini.
So for all the doubters out there who think the Premier League is becoming 'boring', I hope this weekends results help you cast away any of these negative thoughts you maybe having.
Just a foot note to this story, I recently noticed that 'The Sun' newspaper no longer refers to League One side Southampton by their name, however they now call them a 'South Coast Team'. Can anybody share any light on this as I would love to know why.
With a close title race expected, the challenging teams have started the season on fire in front of goal. With Chelsea travelling to Wigan (who lost 4-0 on the opening day to Blackpool), sure we expected a Chelsea win, but by six goals?
Another result that was widely expected this weekend was for the Gunners to beat a Blackpool side who were still on cloud nine after thrashing Wigan 4-0 on the opening day. Having a man sent off at the Emirates Staduim will never help prevent a loss, but yet again the wonderful skills from Theo Walcott inspired the second 6-0 result of the weekend.
The third six goal margin though was the most surprising of them all, as Newcastle's first game at St James Park back in the big time came against the team that sent them down 445 days ago, Aston Villa.
A toon win of this size was only being dreamt of by the most delerious Toon fans about, however the scoreline was fair as they ripped through the villa defence like a knife through butter. Hat-trick hero Andy Carroll would certainly of done his England chances no harm in front of the on-watching England assistant Franco Baldini.
So for all the doubters out there who think the Premier League is becoming 'boring', I hope this weekends results help you cast away any of these negative thoughts you maybe having.
Just a foot note to this story, I recently noticed that 'The Sun' newspaper no longer refers to League One side Southampton by their name, however they now call them a 'South Coast Team'. Can anybody share any light on this as I would love to know why.
Friday, 6 August 2010
Final Countdown!!!!
Excitement, anger, success, these are just some of the emotions football fans up and down the country will be experiencing over the next nine months as the domestic football season returns on Friday evening when Norwich host Watford in the pening domestic fixture for the 2010-2011 season.
In this blog I am going to give my predictions on teams that I believe will succeed in the upcoming season aswell as struggle. I will be following my predictions and blogging regualy to keep everyone updated on their progress.
In each division from the Premier league to Blue square premier I will name a team I believe will win the division and one that I believe will be relegated.
PREMIER DIVISION
WINNER: MANCHESTER UNITED
RELEGATED: BOLTON
CHAMPIONSHIP
WINNER: READING
RELEGATED: WATFORD
LEAGUE ONE:
WINNER: SOUTHAMPTON
RELEGATED: TRANMERE
LEAGUE TWO
WINNER: BRADFORD
RELEGATED: MACCLESFIELD
BLUE SQUARE PREMIER
WINNER: CRAWLEY TOWN
RELEGATED: BATH CITY
I am hoping to blog every two weeks giving updates on where my predicted teams are currently performing in their respective divisions.
I would also like to know what you think of my predictions, feel free to comment below aswell as giving your predictions on this seasons outcome.
In this blog I am going to give my predictions on teams that I believe will succeed in the upcoming season aswell as struggle. I will be following my predictions and blogging regualy to keep everyone updated on their progress.
In each division from the Premier league to Blue square premier I will name a team I believe will win the division and one that I believe will be relegated.
PREMIER DIVISION
WINNER: MANCHESTER UNITED
RELEGATED: BOLTON
CHAMPIONSHIP
WINNER: READING
RELEGATED: WATFORD
LEAGUE ONE:
WINNER: SOUTHAMPTON
RELEGATED: TRANMERE
LEAGUE TWO
WINNER: BRADFORD
RELEGATED: MACCLESFIELD
BLUE SQUARE PREMIER
WINNER: CRAWLEY TOWN
RELEGATED: BATH CITY
I am hoping to blog every two weeks giving updates on where my predicted teams are currently performing in their respective divisions.
I would also like to know what you think of my predictions, feel free to comment below aswell as giving your predictions on this seasons outcome.
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