Fitzhugh Fella

Wash your mouth my son

The back page of my newspaper this morning perfectly sums up the state of football in this country with its two stories. Firstly the FA’s secret endorsement of UEFA’s President (Ceferin) despite the shambles in Paris in the Final and the revelation in a US court that Newcastle’s chairman is a “sitting minister of the Saudi government”. The British footballing public have been utterly screwed by the authorities in charge of our game. It’s all about greed and profit nothing more nothing less.

It’s you who is being dramatic with your claim we were close to going out of business. Trust me that was never going to happen. There were people out there who had enough funds to step in if no one else did. They did not have Liebherr’s wealth but they were well connected and supporters of the club.

Yes we wuz robbed by VAR but that’s not really the point. We were worryingly awful. In fact our last two games under a permanent Selles have been disorganised insipid cluster fucks. The players the coaches, the Board and the owners have all let the fans down and a complete reboot is drastically needed. Assuming SR aren’t going anywhere, Dragan should dispense with Ankersen (the main architect of this carnage), appoint a Board who know how football works and aren’t afraid to stand up and be counted. Clear out all the coaches inc Selles in the summer and appoint a Potter type manager (he may even be available). Then work on the squad. Clearing out all the players who don’t look interested or are only here for their wages. That probably means promoting the youth who will at least have a hunger. The fact that players like Bednarek - who slagged us down when leaving for Villa - are given a starting berth shows how low we have sunk. Build a team around the likes of Jack Stephens ie someone who cares and who wouldn’t be out of place in the Championship. He may make the odd mistake but he sweats blood in the cause and that is what we currently lack. Bree is another who knows the Championship. We have signed too many mercenaries mainly from abroad who see us solely as a stepping stone. Adkins inherited some classy players but he augmented it with solid pros like Hammond, Harding, Sharp and Barnard etc. We had leaders on the pitch in Fonte and Davis. Yes the odd glamour buy from abroad maybe but the core of the team should be versed in the domestic principles of football where loyalty and local pride means something. Not easy I know, but the mess we are in needs major surgery and big sea changes in the way the club is run, to stop the rot. Otherwise we will be in free fall this time next year.

The biggest mistake in the summer was not signing a leader on the pitch. Last night we so lacked direction, organisation and most importantly a pair of bollocks. Someone in the mould of Jimmy Case.

Sounds like you are still in the hope camp?

Bizarre thing to say

We got the new stadium no thanks to Rupert as he wanted Stoneham but upset Eastleigh council with his plans to build more than just a stadium. Rupert was bailed out by Southampton CC who allocated him the brown field site at St Mary's.

Never a truer word and it was all avoidable too

Yes but who picked him?

Have sent you an e mail Patrick with a couple of articles inc a recent one written by Carl Anka of the Athletic. My e mails often find their way into spam folders so you might want to check. Good Luck

I’m not against this as a) it looks like the players are happy b) there doesn’t seem to be anyone else and c) not sure the club can stand yet more upheaval. But the fact remains RA preferred first Nathan Jones and then Marsch over Selles which tells me one of two things. Either Ankersen is clueless or Selles is not cut out to be a PL manager. Either way cause for concern remains.

Good point. The mystery deepens

Mate don’t get me wrong. What I am saying is much as I would like to believe Selles could be the answer, it’s far too early (1 match) to get carried away. Had we lost yesterday then the fact Elyounoussi, Bednarek and Walcott played would have brought the heavens down. We shall see. As everyone knows it’s the hope that kills you and I’m trying hard to keep my hope levels under control.

Remember the euphoria after we beat City in the League Cup when many thought perhaps Jones does have something? It’s far too early to be seriously thinking about making Selles permanent. It’s one game vs a side in poor form. I know we won yesterday (through our customary JWP free kick) and it feels good but Selles made some very bizarre selections and subs that had we lost would have triggered this forum to be cussing and ranting. Be honest if you had been told a year ago that in 12 months time the current manager would still be giving Walcott game time what would you have thought? Lose to Leeds and it’s back to square one. I have seen too many false dawns to throw my weight behind the clamour to anoint Ruben just yet and who knows Potter might be available soon.

Yes I am starting to think along those lines. Something has obviously “happened” between both Croats and the club for neither of them to have featured in the two match squads following the alleged Staplewood altercation. It’s a worry because Bednarek and Lyanco are not good enough deputies.

Caleta-Car?

Fans are important but when making big decisions like managerial appointments it has to be left to the “so called” experts. However I admit on this occasion the fans would probably have done a better job.

Jesus I hope not. We really are fucked if that was thecase

Have you forgotten what SR said last week about the players morale being rock bottom at the end of Ralph’s reign? And you want to bring him back? Seriously? I don’t want to be rude but your suggestion is madness and there is a lot of insanity around at present. We do not need more.

He’s the biggest fraud on here Wade.

If they rate Selles why didn’t they give him the job before talking to Marsch?

Wasn’t impressed with our performance at home to Sheff Wed in the League Cup when Selles was in charge. It was the same old crap tbh. Temporary managers never do well. The players know it’s temporary.

Shame Ralph Krueger is not still the Chairman we would have the dream team from N America. The short contract is intriguing as I would like to think should he do well (even if we get relegated) the six months he would have been here would have been a waste and I think the players would do better if they knew there was a liklehood of him staying longer.

Just listened to last nights Solent piece on Marsch with Blackmore. Very interesting hearing the BBC Leeds guy’s thoughts which were a bit worrying. Also at the end Blackmore was very critical of Ankersen and spoke a lot of sense re owners taking day to day footballing decisions. He said he knew within a fortnight Jones wouldn’t last long.