Newcastle are up next as we aim for another three points, so with thanks to TNMW from Talk of the Tyne.
1) When did you start following your club and what would you say are your best and worst memories in that time?
I’ve supported Newcastle my whole life with my first game being in the 70’s sometime. I have many ‘best’ memories including Kevin Keegan playing here and managing, cup finals, promotions and many wins including the Manure 5-0. Too many memories to mention.
Worst memories generally involve sackings or the odd relegation that I’ve been through with the relegation under Jim Smith at the end of the 80’s a particular bad time. The time surrounding Keegan’s resignation in 2008 and the aftermath for at least a year was the most disillusioned I’ve ever felt in football with our club being a laughing stock.
2) Who was your first football hero, and do you have any players that you believe will be the legends of the future?
My first ‘hero’ was probably Malcolm McDonald but the one that stands out the most for me was Liverpool’s Kenny Dalglish. You have to remember that back then, our club was rarely on TV and unless you watched them in the flesh you would rely on a few seconds worth on the local news but the likes of the scousers were in your face constantly, although in truth, the bloke was a genius on the pitch.
3) If you could resurrect one ex-player from the past, who would it be and why?
I could mention any one of about 50 players and they would do a job for us now and the temptation is to go with Alan Shearer as he would pretty much complete our line up at present. He’s ten times the player that our present number 9 is.
I’m also tempted to opt for Peter Beardsley as well because not only was he a wizard on the ball, he also made ordinary players look better by his ability to find them with his range of pass.
Could also choose Gazza, Jackie Milburn, David Ginola, Malcolm McDonald, Gary Speed, Les Ferdinand, Kevin Keegan, Chris Waddle, Terry Mcdermott, Bobby Moncur or many more but I’m opting for Shearer because not only was he the complete forward, he was a great team player, a massive captain or influence to us as a team and pretty much epitimised us overall for 10 years.
I think it took us a good couple of years to get over the fact that he retired.
4) Which was the best game you ever experienced, and if one goal stands out from your history, which is it?
Phew!! Tough questions which are impossible to answer with just the one choice, particularly in regards to games but the one goal that stands out amongst thousands that I’ve witnessed in the flesh is the 85th minute thunderbolt winner by David Kelly against Portsmouth in 1992ish, which saved us from being relegated to the third tier of football for the first time in our history and guaranteed bankruptcy.
An absolutely massive goal.
Best games include the Manure 5-0, Spurs 7-1, Everton 6-2, Manure 4-3, 3-0, Arsenal 4-4 (best half), Barcelona 3-2, any Sunderland derby win, especially the 5-1, the Keegan promotion season including the 5-0 Man City win, the Carlisle 5-1, the Derby 4-0.
5) What are you expecting from the season (now we’ve reached the halfway point) and have their been any highlights so far?
I’m expecting us to slowly climb the table now that our injuries have cleared and our potential to show itself as I reckon we have the 4th or 5th best side in the league on our day. We’ve just not been able to do that much this season. I reckon we’ll finish anywhere from 8th down to 16th. Highlights have to be the Chelsea game as it was a great game to witness, capped off with a last minute winner.
6) Are you happy with your clubs business in the transfer window (and have those players adapted well for you on the pitch)?
Unhappy with the Summer business as it cost us a few points due to the injuries being unable to be covered but very happy with the winter window. The players have adapted well with the likes of Gouffran a surprise hit from his first minute here.
7) Who is going to be your main dangerman when we play?
It depends who plays but pick 1 from about 6 players. Cisse, Cabaye, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Jonas, Gouffran.
8) What are your weaknesses, any clues for the game will be appreciated 🙂
We’re a lot stronger than recently because nearly all our injuries are back plus Tiote is back from the ACN. If we perform then we’ll win, simple as that.
9) Have you been surprised with how Saints have performed so far?
Not really because ‘new’ clubs always seem to do well in their first season but without investing, always slip in the second, not forgetting that there is a few decent players there including a couple that I rate. Lallana and Ricky Lambert.
10) Do you have any thoughts on Nigel Adkins, his departure, and his replacement Mauricio Pochettino?
I haven’t any real personal thoughts, just that I thought Adkins was doing a decent job and to be replaced by someone that I’ve never heard of is a bit crap like. Can only imagine what the fans feel but it wont be pretty. The club seemed stable and on the right track to securing premier league football in readiness for the increased TV money.
11) Has anyone stood out from our recent buys?
Not being cheeky but I’m unfamiliar with any of your new signings, if any were made, so answering the question. NO.
12) If you could take one of our players, who would it be and why?
Probably Lallana because he is the type of player that we like up here. The dangerous kind. I’m not sure if the potential that he has can be fulfilled at Southampton because of the difficulty of club’s being allowed to grow now due to the gap between the sky clubs and the rest, so it’s obvious he’ll move on in the next year or so. He could be a beast if surrounded by better players.
13) Who do you see as our main threat in the game?
Ricky Lambert. Big, strong and direct. A defender’s worst nightmare.
14) Do you believe Saints will avoid relegation this season?
It’s touch and go.
I believe that if Adkins had still been in charge that you would have had enough to get to 40 points. Now I’m not so sure as I don’t know if the players are playing for the new manager. A win at our place though would be enough to provide the impetus to go on a run to safety.
15) Finally, a prediction for the game please?
If we perform anywhere near to our potential then we’ll win but we’ve had an unlucky season, so could easily draw. I think we’ll be too strong though and if we get an early goal, we wont sit back as we’re on a mission to prove a lot of people wrong. The game back at your place will be nowt like this one. We have a team again. I’m going for a 3-1 NUFC win.
Vital Saints on:
Vital Saints on:
Join Vital Saints
Share this article
Related Articles
