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FOX SPORTS WORLD
Ripples: little Southampton keeps finding a way
by Nick Webster
09-12-02
It was May 1976 and I was 12 years old. Then, as now, I thought I knew all there was to know about the beautiful game. The FA Cup Final was just about to kick-off and as usual a load of friends were over the house to watch the match. A pal of my dad's gave me odds of five to one as long as I bet a pound (a massive amount of money to me) on huge favorites, First Division Manchester United winning the Cup.
Of course I took that bet and then cried my eyes out ninety minutes later as the minnows, 2nd Division Southampton and Bobby Stokes, shocked everyone with a one-nil victory.
That FA Cup win remains the only major honor the Saints have won in their 117-year history (I'm still miffed about the pound though), and unless they have another miracle Cup run, probably the only title they'll ever win.
The Saints though have remained immensely popular and have an incredibly loyal following that has mushroomed since their move to their brand new St. Mary's Stadium, which holds 32,550, more than twice the capacity of their old ground.
And it is at home that the Saints do their best work, gaining the points necessary for survival in the Premier League (they travel about as well as a bad pint). Their old stadium, The Dell, was always good for a minimum of twenty-five to thirty points. And, despite one too many slip-ups in their inaugural season at St. Mary's, they've now turned that into a fortress. This campaign they're absolutely mustard and remain one of two unbeaten sides in the Prem on home soil (the other is Boro ... if you're interested).
After twenty-four consecutive years in the top-flight (only bettered by Man U, Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal) it does seem strange to mention Southampton along with the phrase "survival." Nevertheless, with only three top ten finishes in the last seventeen years, there have been more than a few last day jitters and shouts for the brown trousers.
Money, or lack of it, has always been one of their main stumbling blocks and apart from the audacious signing of one Kevin Keegan back in 1980, big name players have avoided the South Coast's charms like a round of applause.
However as we enter the mid-point of the season, the Saints are marching and currently sit in the rarified air of seventh place. Using Sherlock Holmes-like deduction, and after playing with my fiddle all night, I have deduced whom is responsible for this exalted position, and it falls squarely on two people: Gordon Strachan and James Beattie.
Now, I don't know if there is such a thing as a typical Scottish manager, but if there is, "the wee man" Strachan must surely be a chip off the old block. Wild staring eyes, flaming red hair and a temper that makes the Tasmanian Devil look like he's on valium, you almost think that the creators of The Simpsons had Strachan in mind when they created Groundskeeper Willie.
Listening to him in post-match interviews, you have to wonder if his players understand a word he says (because I don't), but you just know they are infected by his passion for the game. His complete honesty and total refusal to take any crap from his players, opponents, referees or the media, has made him into one of football's brightest and most respected managers. Awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1993 for his services to the game, Strachan will be around for a long time to come.
As I hope will James Beattie, who without a doubt is the streakiest striker in the EPL. When this kid is hot, Ruud and Thierry have a hard time keeping up with his output. His current vein of rich form is 11 goals in 10 games, including a brace against Arsenal. In fact, over the past three seasons his goal scoring feats have developed a "London Bus" syndrome about them. In other words, he won't get one in ages, then they all come along at the same time.
If Beattie can develop consistency, there is no doubt in my mind that he will emulate his hero, ex-Saint, Alan Shearer, because he's strong, fast, two-footed and great in the air. The type of game Southampton play is perfectly suited to him with the emphasis on getting forward often and early, with crosses raining in from all directions, goals will always come.
The future for the club is bright, and after drawing Spurs at home in the third round of the FA Cup (a match-up with plenty of spicy revenge undertones) a good run through the world oldest knock-out competition would be nothing more than they deserve.
Until then get the beers in.
Nick's column, Ripples Across the Pond, runs every Monday.
When not trying to get his pound back, Nick Webster can be reached at nwebster@foxsportsworld.com.
(Ed. This article was originally posted by Saints fan 'NY Saint' on the SaintsForever message board. He adds the following comment: "At least it was upbeat, in a condescending kind of way. It's already won five new fans here... I miraculously can't get the game on my tv so go to friends houses to watch it with a good selection of British beers in hand and a healthy portion of Saints education and lure them into the excitement we have all enjoyed, with the games against Arsenal, West Ham and Fulham. I've got them all singing the Beattie in Wonderland song.")
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