Fitzhugh Fella

Pretty much spot on and is why I think we have now peaked under a glass ceiling. The Premiership is increasingly being devalued for the far eastern market. The rich are getting richer and football in this country has lost its way. It has been great being a Saints fan this season, bucking the trend with home grown players playing decent football but ultimately we are nothing more than a feeder club to dodgy oligarchs and dubious oil wealth conglomorates. How depressing is that?

Fair play for the effort you have made and your dedication. But there is nothing wrong with people having a moan on a forum, that's what it is all about. I learn more from negative posts than the happy clappy rose tinted ones which actually tell me nothing. Safe journey home.

Don't worry it would have wound up all the inbreds, that's all that counts!

I love irony

Just glad Ottery is not our manager he would never drop any of his boyz

I think it f=====g hilarious. Those of you being churlish or sniffy need to get a life.

Another sobering thought is how hard it is to hold onto our best players. In the old days the likes of Paine, Channon, Davies were held onto but now as soon as a player shines in the academy the jungle drums start beating at Stamford Bridge or Highbury. This summer it really will be interesting to see if we can hold onto Shaw.

But 8th is as good as it is probably going to get - which is my point about the glass ceiling. Yes we might surpass that and hit 6th with good luck, but the days (early 1980s) when we could seriously compete with the really big guns have gone forever. People are quoting Everton and they have a point, but in my book Everton have always been a top 6 or thereabouts club.

The days of a club like Southampton finishing second are, sadly, gone. 8th is very good. Maybe 6th at a squeeze but top four it just won't happen without investment over and above what has already been delivered. A sad fact of life that while foreign governments and dodgy oligarchs continue to own our football clubs the playing fields have never been so unlevel.

It's not an option - he's has burnt his bridge so to speak.

Just back from the Silverlake, what a pity Po+pey couldn't keep their half of the dream. Such was the crush when Eastleigh got their second a wall came down reminiscent of Leyton Orient 1978

I think our budget will depend on how good a World Cup Osvaldo has.

I agree but not sure some of our younger "stars" would settle for that.

It seems the manager has not been told yet what sort of summer budget he can expect. I find that a little odd myself. And have we as the article hints at - "hit our glass ceiling"? To push on from this excellent season is going to take a hefty outlay, so have we peaked? So many questions and an interesting summer awaits. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/11158610.Poch__I_don_t_know_a_budget_for_next_season/?ref=var_0

That is perfect, this guy Mick whatever his name is is the ultimate hound dog

But Turkish lives in Yorkshire?

I wouldn't have missed that epic home defeat by Cardiff for anything, so pleased we went points chasing!

you obviously don't get a matchday programme Manji - there is an article in there every game by Duncan Holley club historian. Good article in today's actually on the Saint who never was. Reminds me of the fan who never was!

Since my earlier post I have had a quick pint in town with someone (well-connected locally) who has given me a little bit of hope. Can't obviously say too much because I need to protect this guy's professionalism but let's just say the family of one of MP's trusted lieutenants seem to be putting down firm roots. Having posted at a 70/30 chances of him going I am now revising odds to 40/60 which is good news. Perhaps MP is just playing the field. Sorry I can't be more specific and this is not "a look at me" type post, but just shows the more you listen the more you find out.

Cork must be there or thereabouts on distance travelled?

This will not be a popular view but with each passing day the more sure I am he is leaving. I would understand his reticence to extend his deal if our future was still unresolved but the season is over, give or take one place in the table. He needs to start building BEFORE the season ends with new player recruitment etc and so the distraction of having him reluctant to extend his contract when the fans, the board and the players want him to, is something that concerns me.

From a journalist who is local to Southampton and is well-respected http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/10753611/Mauricio-Pochettinos-contract-situation-at-Southampton-keeps-Tottenham-on-alert.html

Interesting to see Katarina Liebherr in that 2009 photo

A variety of reasons. Reading between lines, the fact he is in no rush and listening to people who are better placed than me to give an opinion. Like I said hope I am wrong but my gut feel is not good