The Second Coming
‘THE Second Coming was a low-key affair when it was finally announced by Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe.
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| ‘Too much Holy Spirit last night, methinks’ |
As the Guardian reports, Glenn Hoddle is to make an unexpected return to the club he left around three years ago.
Whereas he was cheered on his return into White Hart Lane as some Messianic figure, Hoddles return to the south coast is made under a deep and dark cloud.
The paper is right when it says how Saints fans are still smarting from Hoddles initial departure, when he swiftly left the club and then returned to woo Dean Richards to follow him to London.
They were singing anti-Hoddle songs at the teams last match, and the Guardian believes therell be more of the same when the Saints take on Arsenal tonight in what could be Gordon Strachans last match in charge.
Not that Hoddles the only one making a comeback, as the Telegraph leads with news that Paul Grayson is to take over kicking duties from Jonny Wilkinson in the upcoming Six Nations rugby union contest.
Given the dominant position Wilkinson holds in the side – at least as far as some tabloid sections of the press are concerned – many may be surprised to learn that someone other than Wilkinson can actually kick a rugby ball.
The Times adds the news that Grayson was in Englands successful World Cup party and has played on many occasions for his country.
The full team to face Italy in the Six Nations opener is printed on the back of the Independent, and for ruby fans, the main news is that Jason Robinson has been moved into the teams midfield, so heralding a new era of fast-flowing rugby.
Meanwhile, one former England footballer has also been on the move. The Indy says that Paul Merson, the former Arsenal player who now plies his trade at Walsall, has left the Midlands to seek specialist treatment abroad for an addiction to gambling.
We wish him well in his quest to conquer his addictive personality. And remind him that things are never as bad as they seem. Unless you are a Southampton supporter, that is…’
Posted: 10th, February 2004 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
