Fitzhugh Fella

Excuse the blatant name drop but am just back from SMS after a ninety minute meeting with Ralph Krueger. David Bull and Gary Chalk were also there as was Terry Paine. I wasn't going to post anything thinking it would attract the usual sly digs etc but I asked his permission to mention it on this forum and he was more than happy for me to post something. I have got to say I was very impressed with him, his enthusiasm and determination to succeed shone through right from the start. No state secrets were revealed but I am fairly sure the stripes will be back as soon as possible (he did say sometimes the club is locked into contracts they have to honour so things take time). Apparently everywhere he has gone the fans have implored him to bring back the stripes. He said, for him, the new season starts on Monday and he can't wait. It is very obvious he is desperate to engage the community once more. Apparently before he was appointed chairman he attended games incognito, mixing with fans on the concourses and even drinking in the local pubs post match. He has a real hunger to learn and turn the Saints around off the pitch, it was obvious that he felt the club under the old regime did not "respect" the fans enough. I really can see why KL appointed him, half an hour in his company was very motivating. We showed him our books and he seemed to take genuine interest in them and said the club had failed to fully capitalise on our history or "soul" as he put it, in the past. He cuts an impressive figure but also showed a nice humility and keenness to get to the heart of what makes the city click. I feel the club is in excellent hands and from what I witnessed today I would say the KL and he are here for the long term. Just one final bit of gossip - from some of the things he said I think any signings are more likely to be British than foreign, the club are very aware how their profile has risen following the success of our England internationals. That doesn't mean to say foreigners won't be signed but the domestic market will be carefully scrutinised first. After Rupert Lowe and Nicola Cortese it was so nice to meet a man without any ego and arrogance to him whatsoever. St Marys, backstage is a lot happier place than it was last time I visited, that is for sure.

Well, I am just back from SMS following a meeting with Ralph Krueger and he was giving off so much positive energy about next season I am confident the manager will be staying.

Think of the away grounds you had never been to Steve

John Flood's blazer badge from the 50s

Saints B v Portsmouth next season? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27289819

or even Eastleigh v Portsmouth if a new plan goes ahead http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27289819

A mention also to Simon Williams who edits the programme - does a brilliant job.

He also played when Sunderland beat MK Dons in the League Cup. The League fined Sunderland but told them not to publicise things. Its always the cover up that does the damage.

Gallagher's chance v Arsenal was much tougher than it looked as it came across him at speed and his timing had to be inch perfect. Think we should cut him some slack considering the year he has had. Mick Channon missed plenty more in his first few seasons.

Was only on the bench for Doncaster yesterday

Indeed but he still coughed up half a million pounds of his own money to keep us afloat until Liebherr came in and bought us for a very reasonable £14m. I contend that even though we were in administration and were -10, we were in a good position to start the climb whoever it was who took us over. I think Marcus was a natural brake to Cortese's excesses but once he passed away the power went to Cortese's head. He very quickly, in my opinion, assumed the role of a dictator who must not be crossed. If he really was the messiah, as people are saying on here, why did Katarina come back to take over and remove him? From what I am seeing the club is now being run sensibly and building bridges with the community that were badly damaged by a man who couldn't give a flying f*** who he trampled on.

So he wasn't up to the job in March? But he is now, on the back on some of the players pulling their socks up when they realised they were suddenly out of contract and in the spotlight. So has McInnes blundered again? Tune in next season for another episode in the P*mpey version of the Office.

Not vindictive (I assume you know me?), just speak as I find. I had dealings with him and imo the man was an unpleasant bully who used the fact he had access to a lot of money (not his) to intimidate all those who dared to stand up to him. Maybe you need to have a pint with Francis Benali or MLT, they will not tell you much different.

There's still the World Cup for him to shine, assuming he goes

Unless you are a bigot yourself?

Another wise post, agree 100%

This, cant see Cortese doing the same

Alpine that is a very naiive post. You liked him because he splashed the cash (not his) which whisked us up the leagues. Yea we all enjoyed the ride as fans but I for one knew it would end in tears and in tears it ended. He alienated great swathes of the business community, a large percentage of the ex-players and was a nasty little bully who took out legal injunctions to get his way (and lost them all or settled the night before incurring massive costs). Good Riddance to him. He was an odious little creep.

Don't tell Trousers it is his paper of choice

Snidey you call me? OK my name is Duncan Holley what's yours? No I thought not. It is thee who is snidey.

I'd rather take the new regime with less ambition than the previous psychopath with his.

Aren't we not meant to care about the FA Cup any more?

I can only remember one bad game and that was Cardiff two weeks ago. For his age he pretty remarkable. Bale is probably the only other player who looked better at his age and that was not in the Prem.

Lecturing at Solent University and at the game yesterday HTH

Two reasons, streaming in pubs and prices