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Lallana, Cork eye England starts

6:00am Tuesday 18th November 2008

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SAINTS stars Adam Lallana and Jack Cork are hoping for England under-21 debuts when Stuart Pearce’s side take on the Czech Republic at Bramall Lane tonight, writes ADAM LEITCH.

Homegrown talent Lallana and on-loan Chelsea man Cork have been regulars in Jan Poortvliet’s Saints side this season and have done enough to attract the attentions of Pearce who is looking to give some fringe players a chance ahead of picking a squad for next summer’s European Championships in Sweden.

Both men were unused squad members for the recent play-off win over Wales but are likely to have some involvement tonight.

Cork, a former England under- 19 captain, said: “It was great to get the call-up, especially for the under-21s.

“After playing for the other England teams, it’s the next step up in my career and I’m really looking forward to getting involved and being a part of it.

“I really enjoyed it last time and hopefully this time I can get a bit of time on the pitch.”

Cork believes his experience at Saints will stand him in good stead for England duties, comparing Poortvliet’s style and system of play to that of an international team.

“I’m fortunate that at Southampton we try to play football and I think that helps,” he said.

“In a way, it’s a similar way to how the game is played at international level and that may be why there are a few of us from Southampton who have been involved.

“Some of the play has been really good at times and we have a young team so that’s what the manager wants to do, use a young team to build for the future.

“Some of the players there at the minute are really talented and will be very good players in the future.

“What the manager wants to do is to try and keep the young lads there for as long as he can and then build it into a really strong team and try to get the club back into the Premiership.

“In the last few years, they’ve had a hard time with financial troubles and stuff like that so if we can get a team playing well on the pitch, then we can try to do that.”


Your Say YourThis is Hampshire

St.Yorkie, Pocklington says...
7:54am Tue 18 Nov 08

Isn't Jack Cork a loanee? Strange how we put a positive spin on this - and yet according to all the fans on this and other forums our defence is sh*t!
Good luck Adam - at least your on our books permanently (until January) be proud to wear the three lions! I daresay next year after a big money move (well big by Saints standards) you will save the club from administration and disappear for a couple of seasons in a reserves side. Chin up look at what Theo has achieved since leaving - a couple ofseasons of obscurity - now he's a superstar.

derek fo holbury, holbury says...
11:32am Tue 18 Nov 08

There you go again my man. One reasoned and sensible post then you revert to form.

What is your real problem?

Jack Cork is a loanee - so what? He is currently on our books, and if as you say EVERYONE (an exageration - but that is what you do) thinks our defence is rubbish,then even more credit to the lad for impressing Stuart Pearce enough to be comsidered for England. Do you have to try and tarnish everything?

Obviously with the superior insight and knowlege only available to Lowe haters, you have already seen the contract that Lallana will be signing. He may well get away, but why blame Lowe. This kind of thing happens every year in all standards of football, and it has to be said that you and your kind are not only trying to make it happen - you will be delighted if it does. One more point to crucify Lowe. Good grief, I think there is even a case for you if the lad decides to stay, and then you can get on the Lowe case again because he turned down vital cash to keep him here.

Be honest now, won't you just simply criticise this man for whatever he does or doesn't do. At least as a fan try and praise the good things that are happening at the club whether or not Lowe has any involvement in them.

I ran a football team for many years and always told my players - if you have nothing good to say -say nothing. If only ..........

St.Yorkie, Pocklington says...
1:17pm Tue 18 Nov 08

Derek
I have a degree in stating the bleedin obvious. Jack Cork will never be a Saints player. If he were a "great" defender he'd be playing Premiership football. When he plays our defence is still suspect - a great defender can communicate and shuffle the defence to get the best from it. Is he a natural leader and getting the best out of the 4 in front of Davies? The results say one thing - but his individual perfromance must be good to get picked. Again I can't really pass comment as I have never knowingly seen him play - but plenty on here see plenty of games and the defence is naieve to say the least.
The Lallanna situation is not one about money - it's about ambition. I see it now, I used to blame Lowe for every great that got sold - but now I see it as one mans opportunity to progress to greater things. The is no future for talented players at SFC - because we have no ambition as a club.
Who is responsible for that?
We will remain a club that produces talented footballers in a production line to sell on to keep the club afloat - some would say as it has always been - but is that acceptable for the prices charged?
So we have a production line - and just like the production line at a car factory the best models go to showrooms and sold - and then there's the reworked models. We will end up a team of reworked models if we accept the current state of the club.

Derek of Holbury, Holbury says...
2:24pm Tue 18 Nov 08

St Yorkie
Even you cannot categorically state that he will never be ours. The chances are against it I agree - so what?

Who is saying he is a great defender and he can shuffle the defence? He is a kid who we have on loan to help out the other kids we have in our team. Up to now he has been one of our most consistent players and he has been selected to represent his country at under 21 level. All facts - live with it.

You say the defence is naieve. No it is not. The defence at this club is perpetually being changed due to injuries and suspensions, and is therefore never the same back four on two successive matches. It is also predominantly made up with KIDS, some playing out of position through necessity. These are facts.

What do you want done about it. Stop people getting injured, have a whip round to buy something decent, ask Chris Nichol to come out of retirement, play there yourself.

Circumstances has meant that we do not have a lot of experienced players to pick from and we cannot get anyone else in. How many ways can I say this before you take it on board. Should I try it in French?

Lets talk about your other pet subject - The FACT (as you understand it) that Lallana is a sold player come January, and the FACT that Lowe simply unloads all our best players. Don't know how long you have supporting this club, but we have always been a selling club. Secret coming up for you - all the other clubs under the top half a dozen in the Premiership are in the same boat. It is called survival, and I have made the point before but we have also been guilty of buying the stars of clubs lower in the league than us. I expect the fans at those clubs were ecstatic when we stole their superstars.

Just a few that Lowe did not sell Martin Chivers, The Wallace Brothers, Andy Townsend, Ron Davies, Shearer - am I getting through yet or do you want to change the subject again.

We won one F.A. cup, got to another final, went into Europe, held high positions in the best League in the world, and all the time we were producing players that were sold on - it happens every bloody year to every bloody club.

It is nothing new and nothing that is ever going to change.

One minute you are advocating going out and buying a player - this means we are taking someone elses favouritte player or a player the club would rather not loose. Then you suggest we keep all our own players.

I am so glad you are not in control of my club

Let me ask you some questions and I will give you a clue - the answer is the same for each question. - What do we need to pay players their wages. What don't we have any of. What could we get more of if our stadium was filled every match. What happens if we keep on not getting the stuff we need to pay players their wages. What do we get if we sell any of our players to a top Premiership club.

Here endeth the lesson lessson.

St.Yorkie, Pocklington says...
3:46pm Tue 18 Nov 08

Climb down from your pulpit Derek - if you read my post more closely I acknowledge we have always been a selling club!
So nothing changes. One thing that has changed dramatically is the quality on show at SMS. The youngsters aren't to blame they've been thrown in at the deep end. The so called professionals on our books over the past 4-years are to blame. WE sat back and accepted that "THEY" were good enough to take the money - but not talk the talk. We've gambled and lost.
Where are the characters in the game that got us all excited in the frst place?
Soon it will be more fun on here debating what should have been than actually watching!
Anyway the answer to all your questions is "MONEY"! Anyone got a crystal ball - perhaps a lottery ticket for Saturday night might get us through the remainder of the season. Don't hold your breath!

Derek of Holbury, Holbury says...
4:36pm Tue 18 Nov 08

Beats me St Yorkie why you feel the need to be derogatory.

Yep you sure did say we had always been a selling club (well sort of) but it was the negative slant you applied that I was commenting on.

Of course the quality has changed - we have been relegated and we have no money. How do you expect us to be packed with superstars in our current situation? However, I believe we have players who will at some stage become such players. Before you quickly reach for your keyboard let me beat you to it and say that yes - we will ultimately sell these players. Fact of life and a vital means of income.

All the players you mention are either retired or at other clubs (see above re selling players)

It may be for you (particularly as you already do not watch them anyway) but it will never take the place of me going to the match to watch the team play and give them my much needed support.

Indeed a lottery ticket may help, but surely you are not suggesting that St Yorkie Terrier has need of such a device.

I won't hold my breath but I will also not give up on my team so easily or so early in the season.

What are you going to do next season if we don't actually take the drop - more of the same? Could be a long season next year

St.Yorkie, Pocklington says...
8:51pm Tue 18 Nov 08

If Lowe is not at the helm I'll visit Division 1 grounds and watch the boys.
Not what you want to hear because I should do that now when the club needs my money.
Support the club, agree with the running and methods adopted.
I'm not a super fan or a real fan because I am no longer letting Southampton FC rule my life. So why so much time on here you ask? The truth is I'm a bit of a Nobby No Mates - no hobbies, no interest outside of work! So is it any wonder after having one of the few pleasures in life taken from me I am so bitter?

derek fo holbury, holbury says...
9:39pm Tue 18 Nov 08

I did say some time ago that you were a sad bugger. Have you thought about becoming a scout leader or perhaps taking up train spotting.

Still cannot get my head around wanting your team to get further relegated (probably to extinction) because a member of the board upsets you so.

What about if I have a word with my mate Lowe and get him to send you a nice card saying sorry

colinwood, Southampton says...
11:47am Wed 19 Nov 08

Jack Cork for the Saints plays out of his usual position.
So for that i think we should be able to congratulate him getting into the under 21s.
Stop been so Bitter!

Derek of Holbury, Holbury says...
2:24pm Wed 19 Nov 08

Colinwood - I think he has been the most comsistent player for us so far this season, and for his age shows great skill and maturity.

Like you I wish we did not have to put some sort of spin on every story that comes up about our players.

Well done to Jack Cork for what he has done so far for us, and congratulations for having that ability recognised by a star like Stuart Pearce and got him an England cap

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