JAN Poortvliet will
give his young guns
their first acid test
by fielding them
against Celtic at St
Mary's tonight.
Saints' new head coach,
pictured, will name a
team with an average
age of just over 23 for the
Claus Lundekvam testimonial
match against
Gordon Strachan's
Scottish champions.
The game will prove a
massive test for the likes
of Lloyd James, who will
start at right back, and David
McGoldrick, who is to be
given the nod in attack.
Poortvliet insists he is not
yet near to being settled on his
starting XI for the
Championship season but,
after impressive pre-season
performances from his youngsters,
he wants to see how they
handle a pressure situation.
He said: "Tonight we will go
with the young guys.
"They will play because, at
the moment, they deserve this
chance and I have to see them
in a big game.
"It's important,
because every game in
the Championship is a
big game and I need to
see their reaction.
"The quality is there
and physically they are
there and I'm looking
forward to seeing a game
against Celtic where I
will look at the formation and
how I want to play, how we're
capable of playing and the
team and that is important."
See today's Daily Echo for the full story
9:31am Friday 18th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Billy 2 Baps, Waiting for my Whistle on 9:42am Fri 18 Jul 08
Be interested in seeing what Jan does, must be the biggest game of his management career to date. If you have not got your ticket get one.
Be interested in seeing what Jan does, must be the biggest game of his management career to date. If you have not got your ticket get one.
Posted by: daren hopkins on 9:47am Fri 18 Jul 08
i will be there in the celtic end ,got me ticket for tonite and tommro (fulham) bring on the celts heres for a good game of football , and a good atmosphere ,oh and plenty of singing !!
i will be there in the celtic end ,got me ticket for tonite and tommro (fulham) bring on the celts heres for a good game of football , and a good atmosphere ,oh and plenty of singing !!
Posted by: Cautiously optomistic on 9:52am Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote]The quality is there and physically they are there and I'm looking forward to seeing a game against Celtic where I will look at the formation and how I want to play, how we're capable of playing and the team and that is important."[/quote] Was all set to praise Jan then saw this last. Has he ever seen a game of football from England that did not involve two premiership teams. He is in for a very rude awakening this season if not. The reason teams that go up struggle so much is that they go up playing an outdated style of football that involves kicking the ball long and then scrapping tooth and nail to get it back. The slick footballing sides in the premiership just sit back and pass through a heavy static defense. Our new style should allow our team to develop in order that they can counter attack in tis manner, but i do not think that our players are phscally ready for the challenge of a promtion push this year, expect the club to loose more than we win (particullarly at the start of the season). However I do hope that the board AND THE FANS have patience and allow the managment to change the footballing phillosophy of the club and we dont end up with another situation similar to the Paul Sturrock saga. This was what cost us the premiership not what came afterwards as the board sent a message to the players of no confidence in their ability and the fans ended up paying the price.
The quality is there and physically they are there and I'm looking forward to seeing a game against Celtic where I will look at the formation and how I want to play, how we're capable of playing and the team and that is important."
Was all set to praise Jan then saw this last. Has he ever seen a game of football from England that did not involve two premiership teams. He is in for a very rude awakening this season if not. The reason teams that go up struggle so much is that they go up playing an outdated style of football that involves kicking the ball long and then scrapping tooth and nail to get it back. The slick footballing sides in the premiership just sit back and pass through a heavy static defense. Our new style should allow our team to develop in order that they can counter attack in tis manner, but i do not think that our players are phscally ready for the challenge of a promtion push this year, expect the club to loose more than we win (particullarly at the start of the season). However I do hope that the board AND THE FANS have patience and allow the managment to change the footballing phillosophy of the club and we dont end up with another situation similar to the Paul Sturrock saga. This was what cost us the premiership not what came afterwards as the board sent a message to the players of no confidence in their ability and the fans ended up paying the price.
Posted by: Marcus, Warminster, Wilts on 9:53am Fri 18 Jul 08
This should be a good game. The first real test for the saints in pre-season. Lets hope we see a performance that can make us optimistic for the start of the season! Good luck to our young talents!
This should be a good game. The first real test for the saints in pre-season. Lets hope we see a performance that can make us optimistic for the start of the season! Good luck to our young talents!
Posted by: Positive Pete on 10:06am Fri 18 Jul 08
Lloyd James at right back? He's a ball playing box to box central midfielder. That's the position that he excelled in for the youth team and reserves. Square pegs in round holes just don't work in football teams, when will managers realise this???????????
So what happens if James has a shocker at right back against Celtic? Could harm his confidence quit a bit.
Lloyd James at right back? He's a ball playing box to box central midfielder. That's the position that he excelled in for the youth team and reserves. Square pegs in round holes just don't work in football teams, when will managers realise this???????????
So what happens if James has a shocker at right back against Celtic? Could harm his confidence quit a bit.
Posted by: Saint stephen, fareham on 10:28am Fri 18 Jul 08
I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN.
BUT
I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet.
I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN.
BUT
I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet.
Posted by: John MacDonald, Southampton on 10:37am Fri 18 Jul 08
Don't think Jan has gone far enough! With no John or Saga it was the ideal opportunity to give Thomson, White and Paterson a run out as strikers. It is only a Testimonial, so I look forward to seeing the three best strikers in our team tomorrow at Eastleigh.
COYR
Don't think Jan has gone far enough! With no John or Saga it was the ideal opportunity to give Thomson, White and Paterson a run out as strikers. It is only a Testimonial, so I look forward to seeing the three best strikers in our team tomorrow at Eastleigh.
COYR
Posted by: Costa Baz on 10:50am Fri 18 Jul 08
A Newcastle fan has told me that they have released Stephen Carr on a free.
Ex Spurs right back, and I believe an international!!
Worth a punt if he hasn't been picked up already.
A Newcastle fan has told me that they have released Stephen Carr on a free.
Ex Spurs right back, and I believe an international!!
Worth a punt if he hasn't been picked up already.
Posted by: allsaintsnocurves, southampton on 10:59am Fri 18 Jul 08
It's interesting to read on the Saints website that Stern John, Saganowski, and Viafara are all being rested as they were on international duty. I think there is more to it and do see these players as well as Skacel being at the club by the start of the season. BWP, McGoldrick and Rasiak will be the main forwards with Paterson the fourth striker.
It's interesting to read on the Saints website that Stern John, Saganowski, and Viafara are all being rested as they were on international duty. I think there is more to it and do see these players as well as Skacel being at the club by the start of the season. BWP, McGoldrick and Rasiak will be the main forwards with Paterson the fourth striker.
Posted by: rational on 11:01am Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Saint stephen[/bold] wrote:
I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN. BUT I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet. [/quote] How about playing the youngsters because they are as good as, or even better that the older players?
I think that is the clear message being given out.
Saint stephen wrote:
I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN. BUT I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet.
How about playing the youngsters because they are as good as, or even better that the older players?
I think that is the clear message being given out.
Posted by: Derry, west hampshire on 11:05am Fri 18 Jul 08
I am hoping this team shows up well, but the glaring deficiency is the useless Kelvin Davis in goal. He is only a shotstopper, linebound, underconfident, no distribution, can't catch, decision making is suspect, a depressing all round package.
This team will need a proper goalkeeper to survive. We should sell as many players as we need, to enable us to get Richard Wright.
I am hoping this team shows up well, but the glaring deficiency is the useless Kelvin Davis in goal. He is only a shotstopper, linebound, underconfident, no distribution, can't catch, decision making is suspect, a depressing all round package.
This team will need a proper goalkeeper to survive. We should sell as many players as we need, to enable us to get Richard Wright.
Posted by: halftime orange, chandler's ford on 11:12am Fri 18 Jul 08
I won't be there tonight, nor at many games this season. Tonight we are being asked to pay twenty quid to honour a loyal Saint. I don't think so. Claus wanted to go to Celtic when GS went there but, injuries stymied any chance of that so he stayed where he was reasonably well off. Loyalty - I don't think so. You believe this will be a test of the youngsters ability to cope. I don't think so. 6-0 down at halftime against Cardiff will see what Poortvliet and his boy scouts are about. We are preparing a team to win League 1 promotion in 2009/10, mark my words. If, of course, the better players remain loyal. And, Claus, £20 buys me a third of a tank of petrol. You live in a £500,000 house. You don't need or deserve my money.
I won't be there tonight, nor at many games this season. Tonight we are being asked to pay twenty quid to honour a loyal Saint. I don't think so. Claus wanted to go to Celtic when GS went there but, injuries stymied any chance of that so he stayed where he was reasonably well off. Loyalty - I don't think so. You believe this will be a test of the youngsters ability to cope. I don't think so. 6-0 down at halftime against Cardiff will see what Poortvliet and his boy scouts are about. We are preparing a team to win League 1 promotion in 2009/10, mark my words. If, of course, the better players remain loyal. And, Claus, £20 buys me a third of a tank of petrol. You live in a £500,000 house. You don't need or deserve my money.
Posted by: Artful Dodger, Millbrook on 11:17am Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Saint stephen[/bold] wrote:
I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN. BUT I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet. [/quote] If you are an example of a typical Saints supporter, then no wonder the club is up the creek without a paddle.
With such utter cr@p like that, I think you are probably a Pompey season ticket holder.
Saint stephen wrote:
I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN. BUT I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet.
If you are an example of a typical Saints supporter, then no wonder the club is up the creek without a paddle.
With such utter cr@p like that, I think you are probably a Pompey season ticket holder.
Posted by: what??, Southampton on 11:24am Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote][bold]halftime orange[/bold] wrote:
I won't be there tonight, nor at many games this season. Tonight we are being asked to pay twenty quid to honour a loyal Saint. I don't think so. Claus wanted to go to Celtic when GS went there but, injuries stymied any chance of that so he stayed where he was reasonably well off. Loyalty - I don't think so. You believe this will be a test of the youngsters ability to cope. I don't think so. 6-0 down at halftime against Cardiff will see what Poortvliet and his boy scouts are about. We are preparing a team to win League 1 promotion in 2009/10, mark my words. If, of course, the better players remain loyal. And, Claus, £20 buys me a third of a tank of petrol. You live in a £500,000 house. You don't need or deserve my money.[/quote] I suggest dont bother coming at all this season, we need real fans that will support the team thru thick and thin (oh and btw, fans who take notice of whats happening in and around the club know that Claus is very unlikely to make any money, in fact will possibly be out of pocket tonight!) You talk about players being loyal.....
halftime orange wrote:
I won't be there tonight, nor at many games this season. Tonight we are being asked to pay twenty quid to honour a loyal Saint. I don't think so. Claus wanted to go to Celtic when GS went there but, injuries stymied any chance of that so he stayed where he was reasonably well off. Loyalty - I don't think so. You believe this will be a test of the youngsters ability to cope. I don't think so. 6-0 down at halftime against Cardiff will see what Poortvliet and his boy scouts are about. We are preparing a team to win League 1 promotion in 2009/10, mark my words. If, of course, the better players remain loyal. And, Claus, £20 buys me a third of a tank of petrol. You live in a £500,000 house. You don't need or deserve my money.
I suggest dont bother coming at all this season, we need real fans that will support the team thru thick and thin (oh and btw, fans who take notice of whats happening in and around the club know that Claus is very unlikely to make any money, in fact will possibly be out of pocket tonight!) You talk about players being loyal.....
Posted by: celtic jimmy, glasgow on 11:24am Fri 18 Jul 08
hail, hail the celts are here, the celtic army is marching on southampton its near the naval city of portsmouth i believe. Shame we aint playing them it would be a difficult game just have to settle for youse. 5-0 the celts hail hail
hail, hail the celts are here, the celtic army is marching on southampton its near the naval city of portsmouth i believe. Shame we aint playing them it would be a difficult game just have to settle for youse. 5-0 the celts hail hail
Posted by: the totton scrutineer, TOTTON on 11:51am Fri 18 Jul 08
GIVE THE GUYS A CHANCE.SOME OF U HAVE WRITTEN THEM OFF ALREADY THIS IS A LONG TERM PROJECT IF IT FAILS THEN LET'S HOPE LOWE AND THE ANONYMOUS "FOOTBALL" CHAIRMAN WILDE DISAPPEAR FOR GOOD
GIVE THE GUYS A CHANCE.SOME OF U HAVE WRITTEN THEM OFF ALREADY THIS IS A LONG TERM PROJECT IF IT FAILS THEN LET'S HOPE LOWE AND THE ANONYMOUS "FOOTBALL" CHAIRMAN WILDE DISAPPEAR FOR GOOD
Posted by: Mark on 11:53am Fri 18 Jul 08
Well give them a chance tonight and whoever plays rubbish can get booted out.
come on u saints
Well give them a chance tonight and whoever plays rubbish can get booted out.
come on u saints
Posted by: Bill Wallace, St Mary's on 11:55am Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote][bold]celtic jimmy[/bold] wrote:
hail, hail the celts are here, the celtic army is marching on southampton its near the naval city of portsmouth i believe. Shame we aint playing them it would be a difficult game just have to settle for youse. 5-0 the celts hail hail[/quote] If the Celts are here then surely they should realise that its not hailing at all. In fact the weather forecast for tonight is actually quite good.
What is a youse anyway?
celtic jimmy wrote:
hail, hail the celts are here, the celtic army is marching on southampton its near the naval city of portsmouth i believe. Shame we aint playing them it would be a difficult game just have to settle for youse. 5-0 the celts hail hail
If the Celts are here then surely they should realise that its not hailing at all. In fact the weather forecast for tonight is actually quite good.
What is a youse anyway?
Posted by: chris bull, marchwood southampton on 12:14pm Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Saint stephen[/bold] wrote:
I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN. BUT I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet. [/quote] u r not a saints fan
how dear u say that u r the clown
u have no faith in the team
Saint stephen wrote:
I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN. BUT I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet.
u r not a saints fan
how dear u say that u r the clown
u have no faith in the team
Posted by: Saint stephen, fareham on 12:26pm Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote][bold]chris bull[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Saint stephen[/bold] wrote: I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN. BUT I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet. [/quote] u r not a saints fan how dear u say that u r the clown u have no faith in the team[/quote] Back to school for you youn man your spelling is poor.
Lowe out and take the Dutch clown with you,
Gordon S will get the big cheer to night, not the Dutch clown.
How long before the chant "YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING" goes up.
chris bull wrote:
Saint stephen wrote: I AM A SAINTS FAN. I AM A SAINTS FAN. BUT I hope we lose 10-0 to night (yes I have got a ticket), we will then stop this stupid must play kids as they are cheap. LOwe out and take that Dutch clown with you. We will be laughed at and the seasons not started yet.
u r not a saints fan how dear u say that u r the clown u have no faith in the team
Back to school for you youn man your spelling is poor.
Lowe out and take the Dutch clown with you,
Gordon S will get the big cheer to night, not the Dutch clown.
How long before the chant "YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING" goes up.
Posted by: sarum saint, salisbury on 12:30pm Fri 18 Jul 08
given that the youngsters second 11 completely outplayed Salisbury in the second half, whereas the older players struggled is an indication of where our strengths might lie. celtic game will be good opportunity to assess how much potential they really have. Ultimately ( esp in defensive roles ) experiance will probably take precidence, however the younger players in midfield and attack should be given a chance if the older ones are not performing.
given that the youngsters second 11 completely outplayed Salisbury in the second half, whereas the older players struggled is an indication of where our strengths might lie. celtic game will be good opportunity to assess how much potential they really have. Ultimately ( esp in defensive roles ) experiance will probably take precidence, however the younger players in midfield and attack should be given a chance if the older ones are not performing.
Posted by: SAINT STEPHEN, FAREHAM on 12:35pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Lowe out and take the Dutch clown with you,
Gordon S will get the big cheer to night, not the Dutch clown.
How long before the chant "YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING" goes up.
Lowe out and take the Dutch clown with you,
Gordon S will get the big cheer to night, not the Dutch clown.
How long before the chant "YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING" goes up.
Posted by: the truijff, yep sho' ting on 12:54pm Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote][bold]SAINT STEPHEN[/bold] wrote:
Lowe out and take the Dutch clown with you, Gordon S will get the big cheer to night, not the Dutch clown. How long before the chant "YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING" goes up.[/quote] If you want to chear the opposition manager then fair enough, do try to give JP a chance though it's not his fault RL decided to bring him in and you never know he just might be the next Cruijff. Probably wont be but you never know
SAINT STEPHEN wrote:
Lowe out and take the Dutch clown with you, Gordon S will get the big cheer to night, not the Dutch clown. How long before the chant "YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING" goes up.
If you want to chear the opposition manager then fair enough, do try to give JP a chance though it's not his fault RL decided to bring him in and you never know he just might be the next Cruijff. Probably wont be but you never know
Posted by: John MacDonald, Southampton on 2:10pm Fri 18 Jul 08
[quote][bold]allsaintsnocurves[/bold] wrote:
It's interesting to read on the Saints website that Stern John, Saganowski, and Viafara are all being rested as they were on international duty. I think there is more to it and do see these players as well as Skacel being at the club by the start of the season. BWP, McGoldrick and Rasiak will be the main forwards with Paterson the fourth striker.[/quote] I agree with what you say. There must be more to it than meets the eye. I actually think that BWP, McG and Paterson give us our best options of movement up front. BWP looks good on the right wing, McG is our poacher and Paterson scares the Sh*t out of defenders with his off the ball running! Rasiak is a proven goalscorer, but I even see him departing soon. Our Dutch lords won't like his lack of effort.
allsaintsnocurves wrote:
It's interesting to read on the Saints website that Stern John, Saganowski, and Viafara are all being rested as they were on international duty. I think there is more to it and do see these players as well as Skacel being at the club by the start of the season. BWP, McGoldrick and Rasiak will be the main forwards with Paterson the fourth striker.
I agree with what you say. There must be more to it than meets the eye. I actually think that BWP, McG and Paterson give us our best options of movement up front. BWP looks good on the right wing, McG is our poacher and Paterson scares the Sh*t out of defenders with his off the ball running! Rasiak is a proven goalscorer, but I even see him departing soon. Our Dutch lords won't like his lack of effort.
Posted by: chris bull, marchwood southampton on 2:34pm Fri 18 Jul 08
calling all the true saints fans
they need us now now
come on u saints we can go up
calling all the true saints fans
they need us now now
come on u saints we can go up
Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 6:11pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Celtic will be a massive test, one I'm sure our lads will rise to. It will be an indication of how we'll play under Poortvliet- if we roll over things won't have changed. If we put up a fight we'll hopefully see what our youngsters are made of.
People will, of course, hark back to the Mansfield match under Redknapp when he basically used it as a justification for not playing youngsters. It's a different regime now and I sincerely hope they do well.
Celtic will be a massive test, one I'm sure our lads will rise to. It will be an indication of how we'll play under Poortvliet- if we roll over things won't have changed. If we put up a fight we'll hopefully see what our youngsters are made of.
People will, of course, hark back to the Mansfield match under Redknapp when he basically used it as a justification for not playing youngsters. It's a different regime now and I sincerely hope they do well.
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