Tag Archives: Selhurst Park

Nathaniel on the inClyne…

Posted on by georgeweahscousin
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While the Saints squad prepared for their friendly with Étoile Carouge in Geneva last night, the true power of social media exploded as highly rated English right back Nathaniel Clyne revealed through his twitter account that rumours of his proposed move to the club were true.

The furore started around 16:30 yesterday when Sky Sports were reporting that Clyne had agreed a deal, this was then followed by a tweet from the account of Clyne’s Crystal Palace teammate Wilfred Zaha:-

As local media outlets tried to diffuse the situation by claiming the deal had not yet been completed, Clyne himself pretty much confirmed the move was on through his twitter account:-

He then updated his twitter profile accordingly:-

Usually, I don’t believe anything transfer wise until it is on the club’s official site, but it would seem that that particular announcement is only a matter of time. It shows the true power of social media these days, and although the clubs themselves may want to put a block on things like this, it is fantastic for the fans to be able to interact with the players this way.

Now to the serious stuff. What a fantastic signing. I think this represents a far bigger coup than perhaps it will be given credit for. Clyne is extremely highly regarded as a star of the future, and reportedly had six offers on the table (one believed to be from Manchester United). For him to choose Saints is both fantastically encouraging for us and one in the eye for the belief that footballers would always choose greed over games.

In short we have signed a young, English, highly talented player who already has 123 league games under his belt at 21. An England U21 international who is tipped to make the move to the full squad in the future. And it is likely we have got him at a snip of his value, as he was out of contract (the fee as he is under 24 is yet to be reported, and may be decided by tribunal).

I caught up with James Daly, editor of Palace fanzine Five Year Plan to get the lowdown on what we can expect from the right back.

“Finally it happened. No, not Palace cheerleaders The Crystals getting the worldwide fame they deserve for their cover of Carly Rae Jepson’s ear-killer Call Me Maybe (if you have no idea what I’m on about GOOGLE THEM NOW!) but Nathaniel Clyne has finally left Palace. Eagles fans have known for about a year that the talented right-back would be off this summer after he turned down the 5,986 contract offers Palace have put in front of him. It was widely accepted he would move to a Premier League club with a deal done with Manchester United reportedly finalised around Christmas. This was after Alex Ferguson saw Clyne boss the park during Palace’s famous 2-1 League Cup win at Old Trafford in November.

But due to a number of things, namely Clyne changing agent a couple of months ago, and Ferguson refusing to confirm him first-team football he chose Southampton. This isn’t the first time Clyne has turned down a move to the big time subs bench; in 2010 Palace’s administrator Brendan Guilfoyle was desperate to offload Clyne to Wolves and cash in on the young star but he turned down Mick McCarthy’s offer because the old cad couldn’t guarantee Nate football week in week out.

It’s an indication that the young lad’s head is screwed on properly and he just wants to play football and become the best he can. No doubt that United would have been able to offer him multiples of whatever Southampton did. (Which I’m sure is multiples of whatever Palace’s best offer to Clyne was). 

And he will become great, there is no doubt about it. Nathaniel Clyne will play for England one day. And I don’t mean on Fifa12, I mean actually. He is supremely talented, arguably the best player Palace’s academy have ever produced, and that is saying something because we have produced some pretty darn good players. But Nate has it all; strength, pace, superb ball skills, positioning acumen and the right attitude. He has all it takes to be one of the best right-backs ever.

But he’ll need time and support at Saints. He didn’t exactly burst onto the scene at Palace, he was slowly bedded into the back four by Neil Warnock but before long he was a reliable full-back who liked to maraud forward to support attacks but never forgot his defensive responsibilities. I can’t remember him ever being captain of Palace on any occasions – perhaps down to his quietness on the pitch – but he certainly has always played with a maturity that belies his young age.

Clyne at Selhurst. Pic courtesy of Sebastian Daly.

Above all he seems like a level-headed young lad; keen to improve, loves his football and is a proud South Londoner (check out his rather bizarre set of tattoos that include Big Ben, Stockwell tube station sign and other London landmarks. It looks like a postcard). But he knows his roots and is a determined young man.

And if the fee really is £1.5m (rising depending on add-ons I’m sure) then Southampton have got themselves an absolute bargain. You won’t find many Palace fans angry at Clyne for leaving, it was generally accepted, after 120+ games for the Eagles, that he had earned his transfer, but his legacy to the academy lads coming through now – that sticking around for a few years and establishing yourself in the Palace team can lead to big things – will live on.”

Check out James on Twitter:- @jamesrmdaly or @FYPfanzine

England’s future?

For some time people have suggested that Saints have needed a young right back to take over from Richardson and Butterfield, in Clyne I think we have that and a whole lot more.

Welcome to St. Mary’s Nathaniel Clyne.

Chris

Championship Preview Part 1…

Posted on by georgeweahscousin
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Where better to get an all round overview of the thoughts of Championship fans on the coming season than the fantastic club specific blogs. I caught up with a contributor/tweeter from each of the twenty four Championship clubs and got their thoughts on the coming season…

Barnsley:-

Name:- Wilky

Club:- Barnsley FC

Twitter:- @onthepontyend

Website:- On The Ponty End

What can we expect from your club this season? Expect to see a far more resilient and united team at Oakwell this time out. What we may lack in stand-out names on our team sheet, we will more than make up for in our approach and ethic. Many have Barnsley FC as relegation certainties, I disagree. We feel the time may be arriving when our Academy and shrewd acquisition may just begin to bare fruit.

Who is your most important player? It’s a very fresh (expected first eleven) this season, but I would highlight Jacob Butterfield who has featured last season, but would expect to make it in to automatic selection this season. He has excellent skills and vision, which would make him our natural playmaker to link our attacking force together.

Your predicted finishing position? Mid table.

Who might win the Championship? Big Sam will sort it at West Ham United. 

Who definitely won’t? Peterborough United.

Most anticipated fixture? It would probably be Leeds United. Last term we took 4 points off our local rivals and love to destroy their so called mighty status. No Leeds fan would admit they were the weaker team last season and have attributed both results as a poor day at the office on their part. Let’s see!

Most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club? Champions League Final, to see if Barcelona really have re-written the football blueprint. Will Manchester United or any club overcome them soon? It’s an interesting situation.

If you could take one player from someone else’s club (Championship only), who would it be? Kevin Nolan will be different class in the Npower Championship. His willingness to compete and his goals mark him a class apart.

You find yourself stuck in Elland Road. How do you escape unnoticed? Wait until they score first, knowing that their demise will inevitably follow later in the game versus The Super Reds. Pride always comes before a fall and in this instance, there’s always so much smug self satisfaction going on, they would fail to see anything else happening … You only sing when you’re winning!

Birmingham City:-

Name:- Kevin Ball

Club:- Birmingham City

Twitter:- @joysandsorrows

Website:- Joys and Sorrows

What can we expect from your club this season? Err, good question. Things are very odd at the moment, not even sure if we have a full squad! I hope some entertaining football though under Chris Hughton.

Who is your most important player? Any who are left? ;-) Difficult to say, but I will be really pleased if we can keep Scott Dann. He is an amazing defender.

Your predicted finishing position? I’ll be happy to be in the play off mix as a minimum.

Who might win the Championship? Got to between Leeds, Forest, West Ham, Leicester and I hope us! (Well you never know!)

Who definitely won’t? Peterborough. Sorry Posh.

Most anticipated fixture? Probably v West Ham as there is no love lost between our present board and our previous board. Also the way we knocked them out of the Carling Cup last season.

Most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club? Leicester v Forest I would have thought.

If you could take one player from someone else’s club (Championship only) who would it be? This is tough, because I didn’t pay any attention to the Championship last year mainly because I didn’t think we would be in it this year! :-(

You find yourself stuck in The Ricoh Arena. How do you escape unnoticed? I would ask could they tell me where the other two Cathedrals were!

Blackpool:-

Name:- John Godwin

Club:- Blackpool Football Club

Twitter:- @goders

What can we expect from your club this season? Attacking, entertaining football with some heavy defeats and shock wins mixed in.

Who is your most important player? DJ Campbell, but depends if we keep him or not! If he goes I see Barry Ferguson leading the team with Matt Phillips adding lots of pace and flair.

Your predicted finishing position? 7th.

Who might win the Championship? West Ham.

Who definitely won’t? Barnsley.

Most anticipated fixture? Blackpool v Saints (at St Mary’s).

Most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club? Southampton v Pompey.

If you could take one player from someone else’s club (Championship only), who would it be? West Ham – Kevin Nolan.

You find yourself stuck in Deepdale. How do you escape unnoticed? Dress in tracksuit and cap whist eating a Wigan kebab (meat pie).

The only way is up for Campbell and Blackpool?

Brighton & Hove Albion:-

Name:- Darren McKay

Club:- Brighton

Twitter:- @NorthStandChat

Website:- North Stand Chat

What can we expect from your club this season? More of the same. Gus Poyet is very definite in his views on how the game should be played: pass, pass and pass again. We have some exciting new players offering lots of attacking promise whilst we’ve yet to strengthen at the back. Maybe we’ll win every game 6-5.

Who is your most important player? That’s a tough one given our new blood. Craig Mackail-Smith is the big money big (and long) name but I have a sneaky feeling that Will Hoskins will turn out to be key for us this year. At the back we’ll be looking for Gordon Greer to lead by example, and that includes not picking up needless sending offs.

Your predicted finishing position? Hopes of ‘doing a Norwich’ are perhaps a tad optimistic, but I think we’ll have enough to ensure we remain free of relegation concerns. Mid-table mediocrity? Yes please!

Who might win the Championship? It’s an obvious answer, but West Ham or Leicester should be there or thereabouts with the squads they have.

Who definitely won’t? Crystal Palace. Woeful.

Most anticipated fixture? Crystal Palace at home. For the first time in a generation, we get to compete with our rivals on an even footing.

Most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club? I really can’t think of one. I’m not sure there’s another Championship game I’d pay the entrance price to see. But, given the source of these questions, I’ll say that sampling a derby between those other 2 South Coast Championship clubs probably holds the most appeal.

If you could take one player from someone else’s club (Championship only), who would it be? Glenn Murray. It sounds like he needs a big hug already.

You find yourself stuck in Selhurst Park. How do you escape unnoticed? I’d pretend to be Glenn Murray – nobody will be noticing him in a few weeks time.

Bristol City:-

Name:- Chris Cooper

Club:- Bristol City

Website:- OTIB

What can we expect from your club this season? Hard to say with all the uncertainty still surrounding Nicky Maynard. He really is vital to any potential success we may have. After a turbulent (to say the least) season last time around, I’d expect us to improve upon that with a far more settled side. Mid-table finish after a short flirt with the play offs, maybe sneaking in should Mr Maynard stay the duration.

Who is your most important player? Maynard without doubt. Can produce something from absolutely nothing, something very few players in the Championship can do. If he leaves, then Albert Adomah who had a storming debut season on the right wing, and is on the verge of full honours for Ghana.

Your predicted finishing position? 11th.

Who might win the Championship? Hard to look past West Ham and Leicester at this stage.

Who definitely won’t? Barnsley are perennial top of the bottom 6 material.

Most anticipated fixture? With Swansea gone, our games with Cardiff should be reignited. West Ham at Upton Park will sure to be a popular one as well.

Most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club? Couple of fantastic derby games this year. West Ham Vs Millwall being the obvious one. The two South coast clubs (Pompey and Saints) on even standings should be interesting as well.

If you could take one player from someone else’s club (Championship only), who would it be? As our defence resembles the red sea in biblical times, Matt Mills would plug the hole I’m sure.

You find yourself stuck in the Memorial Stadium. How do you escape unnoticed? I hide myself in the large tent behind one goal (the away end) and wait untill the end of the season until its wheeled away to be used at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. I mean what sort of tinpot club has a temporary tent?

Nicky Maynard - The Key to Bristol City's Season?

Burnley:- 

Name:- Tony Scholes

Club:- Burnley

Twitter:- @clarets_mad

Website:- Clarets Mad 

What can we expect from your club this season? That’s a good question and right now it almost feels as if we are about to step into the unknown. Since the squad reported back for pre-season training no less than three of them have left with a further two, Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears, expected to leave for Bolton at any time. To replace them we’ve signed two young defenders on loan from Manchester City and as yet, nothing else. There is time yet but it does feel as though we’ve wasted an opportunity by not getting the squad together early enough.

Who is your most important player? Hopefully all of them will be important but the stand out players are Chris McCann and Jay Rodriguez who have both come through the youth system at Burnley. McCann is fit again after almost two years out of the game and at his best is as good a central midfield player as you will find in the Championship. He’s been so badly missed and it will be like having a new signing. Rodriguez, despite the name, is a real case of local boy makes good. He’s just enjoyed his first season in the first team and has become a crucial member of the side. He ended the season as leading goalscorer and not many players in the entire Championship scored more goals than he did. HIs 15 didn’t include a penalty and he could well step up towards 20 goals this coming season. He made an England debut last season at under-21 level and has an exciting future in front of him.

Your predicted finishing position? I would love to say first, but so would any supporter of any club. I’ll be realistic and I think if we could make a good start then we have a decent chance of making the play offs. In 2009 we finished 5th so I’ll go for that again.

Who might win the Championship? Not many eyes are looking too far beyond Leicester at the moment. Only today they have signed Manchester City’s Michael Johnson on loan and they are certainly putting a strong squad together. You know there’s money around once Sven Goran Eriksson shows his face, but for how long? Could it be another club where it all ends in tears? For now though they have to be favourites.

Who definitely won’t? I suspect there are a few who fall into that category. I think Peterborough will struggle and I don’t think there will be too many complaints if they do given they’ve got both Barry Fry and Darren Ferguson there.

Most anticipated fixture? Right now it’s Watford because it’s our first game. We’re stuck with hardly any local games this season with Blackpool as the only other North West club in the Championship. Personally I’m looking forward to going to Brighton and not having to suffer the Withdean but maybe Leeds will be the big games for us.

Most anticipate fixture that doesn’t involve your club? If that’s in the Championship then I’ve no real answer. Nothing stands out above anything else. Outside the Championship, and outside England, I’ll have the Barcelona v Real Madrid games marked in my diary.

If you could take one player from someone else’s club who would it be? It would have to be a goalscorer. They are the players who win the games for you. I’d have liked to have re-signed David Nugent so I’d go for someone like him or potentially Reading’s Shane Long.

You find yourself stuck in Ewood Park. How do you escape unnoticed? That’s easy. I’d just walk out. They’d be too busy tucking into their Venky’s chicken.

Part Two featuring Cardiff, Coventry, Palace, Derby, Doncaster and Hull coming soon…

Chris