Retiring skipper Claus Lundekvam insists Saints' battle to avoid relegation doesn't come down to quality - but spirit.
Lundekvam, who is set to hang up his boots after a major ankle operation, admitted feeling "sick" that he can no longer play a part on the field in such troubled times for the club.
But looking back over numerous survival battles since he joined the club in 1996, Lundekvam believes that reviving the Dell Spirit' is now crucial if Saints want to avoid slipping into the third tier of English football for the first time in almost 50 years.
He said: "I certainly think quality wise we've got what it takes.
"If you go back to the season we got relegated we had quality as well, though - the squad had some fantastic players.
"I don't think it's down to the quality because we've got good players.
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"You look at the game against Coventry and it was two teams with no confidence whatsoever, and even though we created the best chances it was very scrappy and nervous.
"That will be the case until the end of the season.
"It doesn't matter how we get the results, we just need to get them.
"The most important thing for me when we've managed to survive in the past with a squad a players not even close to being as good as the other squads is the team spirit and togetherness.
"That is going to be a big big part and if we can graft it out together with the manager and everyone involved that is going to be crucial."
Lundekvam believes new boss Nigel Pearson is doing a good job, but now feels it is down to the players to deliver.
Same old rubbish we heard when we got relegated before. We were told then by Claus and others that the spirit in the camp was great. What folly that turned out to be.
Same old rubbish we heard when we got relegated before. We were told then by Claus and others that the spirit in the camp was great. What folly that turned out to be.
Forget about quality? It's been so long since two Saints players have so much as strung a pass together that I'd imagine most of us have long forgotten the meaning of the word. Nice one Claus, close the door on your way out.
Forget about quality? It's been so long since two Saints players have so much as strung a pass together that I'd imagine most of us have long forgotten the meaning of the word. Nice one Claus, close the door on your way out.
Posted by: saint h, southampton on 10:58am Tue 25 Mar 08
We need both Claus. Spirit and Quality will keep us up. you could get 11 saints fans from the stands giving all the spirit they can, but they would get hammered each game because they would not be good enough. We need the players, whoever selected to give 100% in each game and also possess the ability to pass to each other and take the chances when they come along.
COYR
We need both Claus. Spirit and Quality will keep us up. you could get 11 saints fans from the stands giving all the spirit they can, but they would get hammered each game because they would not be good enough. We need the players, whoever selected to give 100% in each game and also possess the ability to pass to each other and take the chances when they come along.
COYR
Posted by: phil, marchwood on 1:00pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Quality is vitally important - as the previous poster explains, we can toil all we like - but without genuine ability, we won't win anything.
The thing is this though, we do actually have some half decent players, its just that the whole set-up is wrong. When I say 'half decent' players I mean players that should be capable of delivering the goods in this league.
As the old saying goes, a chain is only as good as it's weakest link, and in our case we have a few weak links and have done most of this season. This has included real problems in defence, management problems and boardroom issues. Worryingly, we now have problems scoring goals. No goals, no wins.
In times gone by we had Matt Le Tissier - who was world class and capable of providing the magical difference. We were blessed to have had him and he is the perfect demonstration of where 'quality' brings success.
Right here, right now, we have a set up with serious flaws and this has been festering for several weeks (months) now. The lower we slip in the league, the worse the problem gets and the more edgy the whole situation becomes. As evidenced at the weekend, it seems that Nigel Pearson is content to secure a draw. This is not good enough. If you are too afraid to lose you are unlikely to win very much in any sport (or life) situation. With more skillful players on the bench, we wasted yet another opportunity to attempt to try and win a game. OK, with Richard Wright in goal we may stand a better chance of keeping goals out - but scoring them, who other than Stern John is actually going to hit the back of the net? Stern John is more than capable but needs the service which I can't see him getting.
Personally, I think we need to set out teams that show intention to win the game. Play Hammil, play Surman and utilise Bradley Wright Phillips from the bench.
I think it may be too late though as I can't see where the points will come from. Maybe a win against Burnley - but I wouldn't hold out much hope for the Sheffield Utd game (as some poeple do), it will be too late.
Fingers crossed - and good luck to the Saints.
Quality is vitally important - as the previous poster explains, we can toil all we like - but without genuine ability, we won't win anything.
The thing is this though, we do actually have some half decent players, its just that the whole set-up is wrong. When I say 'half decent' players I mean players that should be capable of delivering the goods in this league.
As the old saying goes, a chain is only as good as it's weakest link, and in our case we have a few weak links and have done most of this season. This has included real problems in defence, management problems and boardroom issues. Worryingly, we now have problems scoring goals. No goals, no wins.
In times gone by we had Matt Le Tissier - who was world class and capable of providing the magical difference. We were blessed to have had him and he is the perfect demonstration of where 'quality' brings success.
Right here, right now, we have a set up with serious flaws and this has been festering for several weeks (months) now. The lower we slip in the league, the worse the problem gets and the more edgy the whole situation becomes. As evidenced at the weekend, it seems that Nigel Pearson is content to secure a draw. This is not good enough. If you are too afraid to lose you are unlikely to win very much in any sport (or life) situation. With more skillful players on the bench, we wasted yet another opportunity to attempt to try and win a game. OK, with Richard Wright in goal we may stand a better chance of keeping goals out - but scoring them, who other than Stern John is actually going to hit the back of the net? Stern John is more than capable but needs the service which I can't see him getting.
Personally, I think we need to set out teams that show intention to win the game. Play Hammil, play Surman and utilise Bradley Wright Phillips from the bench.
I think it may be too late though as I can't see where the points will come from. Maybe a win against Burnley - but I wouldn't hold out much hope for the Sheffield Utd game (as some poeple do), it will be too late.
I'm not sure that NP is sending the team out to get draws, as some are claiming. I believe he is trying to set the team up to get clean sheets, and if that means we are showing less ambition going forward then I think it is something we have to accept, in the short term. In simple terms, if we do not concede another goal this season, then we are guaranteed a minimum of 6 points (which would give us 52, seen by some as enough to stay up), with the potential to earn more by snatching a win by only needing to score 1 goal. We have seen throughout the season, that if we get the defence wrong, we are likely to ship a hatful of goals, which we cannot match at the other end. But, if we get the defence right, we have shown, many times, that we can get 1 goal back and grab a point. I'm like most Saints fans and would love to see us win our next 3 on the spin, to confirm us staying up, but the bottom line is, if we don't concede we at least have a chance of winning!
I'm not sure that NP is sending the team out to get draws, as some are claiming. I believe he is trying to set the team up to get clean sheets, and if that means we are showing less ambition going forward then I think it is something we have to accept, in the short term. In simple terms, if we do not concede another goal this season, then we are guaranteed a minimum of 6 points (which would give us 52, seen by some as enough to stay up), with the potential to earn more by snatching a win by only needing to score 1 goal. We have seen throughout the season, that if we get the defence wrong, we are likely to ship a hatful of goals, which we cannot match at the other end. But, if we get the defence right, we have shown, many times, that we can get 1 goal back and grab a point. I'm like most Saints fans and would love to see us win our next 3 on the spin, to confirm us staying up, but the bottom line is, if we don't concede we at least have a chance of winning!
And to prove that he still has "the spirit" Claus will now donate the receipts from his, still to be arranged, testimonial to SFC to repay the wages he hasn't earned whilst out injured and to help fund the purchase of a new centre back. AND PIGS WILL FLY!!!!!!!!
And to prove that he still has "the spirit" Claus will now donate the receipts from his, still to be arranged, testimonial to SFC to repay the wages he hasn't earned whilst out injured and to help fund the purchase of a new centre back. AND PIGS WILL FLY!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Carl, Harefield on 4:01pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Costa Baz[/bold] wrote:
I'm not sure that NP is sending the team out to get draws, as some are claiming. I believe he is trying to set the team up to get clean sheets, and if that means we are showing less ambition going forward then I think it is something we have to accept, in the short term. In simple terms, if we do not concede another goal this season, then we are guaranteed a minimum of 6 points (which would give us 52, seen by some as enough to stay up), with the potential to earn more by snatching a win by only needing to score 1 goal. We have seen throughout the season, that if we get the defence wrong, we are likely to ship a hatful of goals, which we cannot match at the other end. But, if we get the defence right, we have shown, many times, that we can get 1 goal back and grab a point. I'm like most Saints fans and would love to see us win our next 3 on the spin, to confirm us staying up, but the bottom line is, if we don't concede we at least have a chance of winning! [/quote] 52 points!!! i tak it you have looked at the fixture list and seen that all appart from 2 of the last 6 are in the top half of the table!!!! wakey wakey!
Costa Baz wrote:
I'm not sure that NP is sending the team out to get draws, as some are claiming. I believe he is trying to set the team up to get clean sheets, and if that means we are showing less ambition going forward then I think it is something we have to accept, in the short term. In simple terms, if we do not concede another goal this season, then we are guaranteed a minimum of 6 points (which would give us 52, seen by some as enough to stay up), with the potential to earn more by snatching a win by only needing to score 1 goal. We have seen throughout the season, that if we get the defence wrong, we are likely to ship a hatful of goals, which we cannot match at the other end. But, if we get the defence right, we have shown, many times, that we can get 1 goal back and grab a point. I'm like most Saints fans and would love to see us win our next 3 on the spin, to confirm us staying up, but the bottom line is, if we don't concede we at least have a chance of winning!
52 points!!! i tak it you have looked at the fixture list and seen that all appart from 2 of the last 6 are in the top half of the table!!!! wakey wakey!
Posted by: sailor sam, portsmouth on 4:38pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Blah Blah Blah[/bold] wrote:
Same old rubbish we heard when we got relegated before. We were told then by Claus and others that the spirit in the camp was great. What folly that turned out to be.[/quote] Maybe they should get rid of the spirit, and be content with the occasional beer!
Blah Blah Blah wrote:
Same old rubbish we heard when we got relegated before. We were told then by Claus and others that the spirit in the camp was great. What folly that turned out to be.
Maybe they should get rid of the spirit, and be content with the occasional beer!
It's going to be really close. NP needs a centre back and a goalscorer on loan pronto. We are so short of centre backs its looking critical. Powell will get injured again and we can't keep relying on our right midfielder (Viafara) to cover at the back. R.Wright should be kept on for the remainder.
The players need to be shown some vids of us avoiding relegation for all those years we managed it. COYR
It's going to be really close. NP needs a centre back and a goalscorer on loan pronto. We are so short of centre backs its looking critical. Powell will get injured again and we can't keep relying on our right midfielder (Viafara) to cover at the back. R.Wright should be kept on for the remainder.
The players need to be shown some vids of us avoiding relegation for all those years we managed it. COYR
[quote][bold]Carl[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Costa Baz[/bold] wrote: I'm not sure that NP is sending the team out to get draws, as some are claiming. I believe he is trying to set the team up to get clean sheets, and if that means we are showing less ambition going forward then I think it is something we have to accept, in the short term. In simple terms, if we do not concede another goal this season, then we are guaranteed a minimum of 6 points (which would give us 52, seen by some as enough to stay up), with the potential to earn more by snatching a win by only needing to score 1 goal. We have seen throughout the season, that if we get the defence wrong, we are likely to ship a hatful of goals, which we cannot match at the other end. But, if we get the defence right, we have shown, many times, that we can get 1 goal back and grab a point. I'm like most Saints fans and would love to see us win our next 3 on the spin, to confirm us staying up, but the bottom line is, if we don't concede we at least have a chance of winning! [/quote] 52 points!!! i tak it you have looked at the fixture list and seen that all appart from 2 of the last 6 are in the top half of the table!!!! wakey wakey![/quote] And your "wakey wakey" point is?
All I have done is point out the obvious, which is "conceed no more goals for the rest of the season and we are guaranteed 6 points". I have not said that I expect that to happen but have suggested that maybe NP is trying to set the team up to achieve shut outs. You ask if I have looked at the fixture list. The answer is yes I have and I have looked at it a darn sight closer than you have looked at my posting as I UNDERSTOOD IT. All our remaining games are tough and even Sheffield Utd will currently be thinking if they win their last 6, they might sneak the last play off place, so none of the games will be easy.
Carl wrote:
Costa Baz wrote: I'm not sure that NP is sending the team out to get draws, as some are claiming. I believe he is trying to set the team up to get clean sheets, and if that means we are showing less ambition going forward then I think it is something we have to accept, in the short term. In simple terms, if we do not concede another goal this season, then we are guaranteed a minimum of 6 points (which would give us 52, seen by some as enough to stay up), with the potential to earn more by snatching a win by only needing to score 1 goal. We have seen throughout the season, that if we get the defence wrong, we are likely to ship a hatful of goals, which we cannot match at the other end. But, if we get the defence right, we have shown, many times, that we can get 1 goal back and grab a point. I'm like most Saints fans and would love to see us win our next 3 on the spin, to confirm us staying up, but the bottom line is, if we don't concede we at least have a chance of winning!
52 points!!! i tak it you have looked at the fixture list and seen that all appart from 2 of the last 6 are in the top half of the table!!!! wakey wakey!
And your "wakey wakey" point is?
All I have done is point out the obvious, which is "conceed no more goals for the rest of the season and we are guaranteed 6 points". I have not said that I expect that to happen but have suggested that maybe NP is trying to set the team up to achieve shut outs. You ask if I have looked at the fixture list. The answer is yes I have and I have looked at it a darn sight closer than you have looked at my posting as I UNDERSTOOD IT. All our remaining games are tough and even Sheffield Utd will currently be thinking if they win their last 6, they might sneak the last play off place, so none of the games will be easy.
[quote][bold]Costa Baz[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Carl[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Costa Baz[/bold] wrote: I'm not sure that NP is sending the team out to get draws, as some are claiming. I believe he is trying to set the team up to get clean sheets, and if that means we are showing less ambition going forward then I think it is something we have to accept, in the short term. In simple terms, if we do not concede another goal this season, then we are guaranteed a minimum of 6 points (which would give us 52, seen by some as enough to stay up), with the potential to earn more by snatching a win by only needing to score 1 goal. We have seen throughout the season, that if we get the defence wrong, we are likely to ship a hatful of goals, which we cannot match at the other end. But, if we get the defence right, we have shown, many times, that we can get 1 goal back and grab a point. I'm like most Saints fans and would love to see us win our next 3 on the spin, to confirm us staying up, but the bottom line is, if we don't concede we at least have a chance of winning! [/quote] 52 points!!! i tak it you have looked at the fixture list and seen that all appart from 2 of the last 6 are in the top half of the table!!!! wakey wakey![/quote] And your "wakey wakey" point is? All I have done is point out the obvious, which is "conceed no more goals for the rest of the season and we are guaranteed 6 points". I have not said that I expect that to happen but have suggested that maybe NP is trying to set the team up to achieve shut outs. You ask if I have looked at the fixture list. The answer is yes I have and I have looked at it a darn sight closer than you have looked at my posting as I UNDERSTOOD IT. All our remaining games are tough and even Sheffield Utd will currently be thinking if they win their last 6, they might sneak the last play off place, so none of the games will be easy. [/quote] completely agree with you on the not conceeding goals front - probably a good thing as I cant see us scoring a goal at the moment anyway. Both our flanks on saturday were pityful and there is no way S John and co aill get supply if we keep playing like that - I cant recall a time when I saw any of our strikers facing the goal confident the ball would come to them!!
ANYWAY - ALL THE BEST [bold]CLAUS[/bold] AND THANKS FOR BEING A LOYAL, COMMITTED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVANT TO SFC. WHEN'S THE TESTIMONIAL?
Costa Baz wrote:
Carl wrote:
Costa Baz wrote: I'm not sure that NP is sending the team out to get draws, as some are claiming. I believe he is trying to set the team up to get clean sheets, and if that means we are showing less ambition going forward then I think it is something we have to accept, in the short term. In simple terms, if we do not concede another goal this season, then we are guaranteed a minimum of 6 points (which would give us 52, seen by some as enough to stay up), with the potential to earn more by snatching a win by only needing to score 1 goal. We have seen throughout the season, that if we get the defence wrong, we are likely to ship a hatful of goals, which we cannot match at the other end. But, if we get the defence right, we have shown, many times, that we can get 1 goal back and grab a point. I'm like most Saints fans and would love to see us win our next 3 on the spin, to confirm us staying up, but the bottom line is, if we don't concede we at least have a chance of winning!
52 points!!! i tak it you have looked at the fixture list and seen that all appart from 2 of the last 6 are in the top half of the table!!!! wakey wakey!
And your "wakey wakey" point is? All I have done is point out the obvious, which is "conceed no more goals for the rest of the season and we are guaranteed 6 points". I have not said that I expect that to happen but have suggested that maybe NP is trying to set the team up to achieve shut outs. You ask if I have looked at the fixture list. The answer is yes I have and I have looked at it a darn sight closer than you have looked at my posting as I UNDERSTOOD IT. All our remaining games are tough and even Sheffield Utd will currently be thinking if they win their last 6, they might sneak the last play off place, so none of the games will be easy.
completely agree with you on the not conceeding goals front - probably a good thing as I cant see us scoring a goal at the moment anyway. Both our flanks on saturday were pityful and there is no way S John and co aill get supply if we keep playing like that - I cant recall a time when I saw any of our strikers facing the goal confident the ball would come to them!!
ANYWAY - ALL THE BEST CLAUS AND THANKS FOR BEING A LOYAL, COMMITTED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVANT TO SFC. WHEN'S THE TESTIMONIAL?
Posted by: crew 657, soton on 10:03pm Tue 25 Mar 08
stains and spirit dont go. scum havent the bottle for a fight at seasons end. With scum prats like squaddie (tonka tank more like) and sunner you can see that stains are supported by wimps
stains and spirit dont go. scum havent the bottle for a fight at seasons end. With scum prats like squaddie (tonka tank more like) and sunner you can see that stains are supported by wimps
Posted by: saints since '58 on 11:20pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
Forget about quality? It's been so long since two Saints players have so much as strung a pass together that I'd imagine most of us have long forgotten the meaning of the word. Nice one Claus, close the door on your way out.[/quote] hey guy,don't use john sydenham's name.if you have anything negative to say use your own name.this is the time when we all have to get behind our team.i'v seen sydenham,paine,reeve
s o'brien,traynor et al,was at Brisbane rd when we went up,was at villa park when dennis law put us out in the semi's,and at wembley when bobby stokes scored the winner,and was at stamford bridge when we nailed chelsea 6-2.if you don't think that all this negative press doesn't filter down to the players you're very wrong.i'm gutted just like you and many others but if we don't stand behind our club we might as well put on blue shirts.chairmen and directors come and go(depending on the status of their investment)but we are there regardless because we are fans.don't you think that this is the one time that southampton fc supporters should show solidarity....keep the faith.
John wrote:
Forget about quality? It's been so long since two Saints players have so much as strung a pass together that I'd imagine most of us have long forgotten the meaning of the word. Nice one Claus, close the door on your way out.
hey guy,don't use john sydenham's name.if you have anything negative to say use your own name.this is the time when we all have to get behind our team.i'v seen sydenham,paine,reeve
s o'brien,traynor et al,was at Brisbane rd when we went up,was at villa park when dennis law put us out in the semi's,and at wembley when bobby stokes scored the winner,and was at stamford bridge when we nailed chelsea 6-2.if you don't think that all this negative press doesn't filter down to the players you're very wrong.i'm gutted just like you and many others but if we don't stand behind our club we might as well put on blue shirts.chairmen and directors come and go(depending on the status of their investment)but we are there regardless because we are fans.don't you think that this is the one time that southampton fc supporters should show solidarity....keep the faith.
Posted by: john t, basingstoke on 11:45pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]crew 657[/bold] wrote:
stains and spirit dont go. scum havent the bottle for a fight at seasons end. With scum prats like squaddie (tonka tank more like) and sunner you can see that stains are supported by wimps[/quote] you must be really bored to come on a saints website. hope your mum doesnt realise your still up!
crew 657 wrote:
stains and spirit dont go. scum havent the bottle for a fight at seasons end. With scum prats like squaddie (tonka tank more like) and sunner you can see that stains are supported by wimps
you must be really bored to come on a saints website. hope your mum doesnt realise your still up!
hi saints fans ,just logged in.i see we have have some important input from "sailor sam" and "pric spair" sorry i mean "ric flair".i really think that you two "SKATERGIRLS" should get together,i'm sure that if you two fish got together you would catch crabs.Bye the way ,really enjoyed your last game....good to see the fish get squished.
hi saints fans ,just logged in.i see we have have some important input from "sailor sam" and "pric spair" sorry i mean "ric flair".i really think that you two "SKATERGIRLS" should get together,i'm sure that if you two fish got together you would catch crabs.Bye the way ,really enjoyed your last game....good to see the fish get squished.
Posted by: crew 657, soton on 11:59pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]john t[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]crew 657[/bold] wrote:
stains and spirit dont go. scum havent the bottle for a fight at seasons end. With scum prats like squaddie (tonka tank more like) and sunner you can see that stains are supported by wimps[/quote] you must be really bored to come on a saints website. hope your mum doesnt realise your still up! [/quote] basingstoke eh..thought they were all chelsea fans...proves scum have to go far to get support. Suggest you shut it scummer stick to doghnut city
john t wrote:
crew 657 wrote:
stains and spirit dont go. scum havent the bottle for a fight at seasons end. With scum prats like squaddie (tonka tank more like) and sunner you can see that stains are supported by wimps
you must be really bored to come on a saints website. hope your mum doesnt realise your still up!
basingstoke eh..thought they were all chelsea fans...proves scum have to go far to get support. Suggest you shut it scummer stick to doghnut city
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