Fitzhugh Fella

Nick I will admit Murray comes across as being pompous (and actually he is in real life). I have never met NC so like I said earlier I withdraw that reciprocated remark and apologise. He's probably a very nice bloke but I still think his banning the Echo does "no one no good".

You know who I am I dont know who you are. If you are big enough to throw unpleasant insults at least have the courage to let me know who you are.

The latter of course. But it would be nice to do it with just a little more panache. Remember that feeling after we spanked Spurs in the Cup at SMS. That was a real chest out performance.

Well like I said in the Prem, staying there was our goal. I did think under WGS we played some of our most dreary of football, but it got results. Maybe in the old days having MLT on the pitch meant whatever the drudgery there was always going to be a moment of pure class. Lambert's goal yesterday was worth paying £20 for but like I say, and in line with Weston Saint's views - sometimes the armchair and Jeff Stelling is the more tempting.

Let's widen the debate. Do you go to SMS hoping to see good football or to see Saints win? Obviously the ideal answer is both but if you had to choose I guess you would say the latter. In the Prem I would agree, but down in the 3rd tier I would like to see just a little more class - especially as we have spent more than others this season. Grinding out results against the likes of Wycombe, do leave me a little underwhelmed. Am I meant to apologise for that?

Indeed.

Bern, I am a lot happier, trust me. I am merely pointing out that, despite this impressive winning streak we are not actually playing THAT well. With Leeds on the horizon and with play off expectations rising with each win that worries me (and others such as Ron) a little. Surely pointing this out on a fan's forum is not heresy? Some on here seem to think evidently it is.

The debate involved the level of performance yesterday which a fan who was there pointed out was not really that impressive. Someone who wasn't there, somewhat strangely, disagreed. That is what that's got to do with it. Yes we won 3-0 not playing well, we are merely pointing out that it would have been nicer (and more reassuring) to have won 3-0 and played well. I really can't see what's wrong with that.

Wasn't having a go - it's just sometimes the scoreline can give the wrong impression. Although our results have been fantastic I am not I am afraid overly impressed with the performances. We were not very good at Northampton, poor at home to Wycombe and awful in the 1st half yesterday. Tranmere were poor. I would be more inclined to enthuse over this "great" run if the performances were better. Leeds will be a massive test. If we win I will start to believe.

All I know is that we could not have done "In That Number" without all the old Echos to give us the descriptions of all the matches. Thank God this is the first time in 121 years that it has happened. I see there is a big spread on the new plans on the official website with a long interview with Cortese but the Echo ban is not mentioned. For the record I am 100% behind the way it seems this club is being run but I do fear a mistake has been made on this particular issue.

I agree. Whilst there is no doubt the standards of the English press have lowered considerably over the last 30 years there is still a place for good journalism with integrity. Certainly the Guardian still has an element of that but not sure if there are many others. The Echo is a rag these days - they have financial problems I believe which means they have no option but to go down market and make cutbacks. Still think however unless NC comes out with a good reason a ban to be unwarranted. His continued silence unfortunately implies he has acted with too much haste. But we are not allowed to be critical it seems because it offends.

Then NC should at least explain that to be the case. I don't know why you are getting your knickers in a twist. And where am I slagging off NC? Merely expressing an opinion that to ban the local newspaper is, without a full explanation a rash act that could be regarded sinisterly. Christ Almighty, Cortese and Liebherr are given godlike status on here at times. No one is that perfect.

Andy were you there yesterday?

BeatleSaint - perhaps I shouldn't have used the word "pompous" but NickG had already earlier used the word to describe the editor of the Echo so I was merely reciprocating the insult. I accept I have no idea whether NC is pompous, therefore I withdraw it with apologies to Mr Cortese. I accept there must be another side to this story but if NC is not saying what else can we base our opinions on? Like you point out as far as I know NC has not put a foot wrong (apart maybe from the appointment of AO) since arriving. Obviously a capable and intelligent man. However I don't know whether in the country which he originates from, press freedom is taken so seriously as it is in this country. Whenever I have seen other autocrats at football clubs banning local newspapers in the past I have always thought it wrong. I am talking about the likes of Ken Bates, Robert Maxwell, Mandaric and a few other undesirables and I wouldn't want our club to give the impression that we are being run along similar lines. Unless the Echo has done something pretty awful, that we do not know about, then I still think the club's actions rash and ott. Regards to you.

Thanks!

Well you have contributed quite a few yourself Minty How how are old chap? Believe it or not there is a sizeable (elderly) contingent of Sotonians who still rely on the Echo for their information surrounding the Saints. My Dad is one of them. A lot of those people can't get to games themselves. My family grew up with the Echo and, although it is nothing like the paper it was, many senior residents of the City still have an affinity with the paper and it's coverage of SFC. I am no uber fan of the Echo and I AM a big fan of Mr Libherr's ownership but, on this occasion, I think Cortese is very wrong (I accept I only have the Echo's side of things but it seems NC appears unwilling to give his side). Freedom of any press is essential. NC might not like what or when the Echo printed what they did, and indeed they may have broken a pledge, but banning them is not the way forward. It sets a principle that I am uncomfortable with and had Lowe done it I would have been the first to complain. This may seem to be a small issue at present but the principle is pretty fundamental.

Cortese has had more than 48 hours to give his side of events but hasn't. So that is now my fault because I dared to criticise?

Sorry you have lost me. I have just got back from the match. The only view I have is I think it wrong for the club to "ban" the Echo because it did not "conform" to their way of thinking. NC is acting like a spoilt prima donna. Sorry I realise to criticise Saints on this forum is not acceptable to some. I am totally puzzled why you should be puzzled.

Agree 100%

I think Nick G needs to get out a bit more.

I find it strange that people come on here and say "I don't care". Why not say nothing Nick? You do come across as the sort of subservient person that will have nothing said against your club....whatever. I have given this a lot of thought today, I am no supporter of the Echo and I don't like Murray one little bit. However I think Cortese to be completely out of order on this issue. To deny the Echo the right to report on Saints (even though their reportage is crap) is undemocratic, and an insult to all those who can't get to matches and rely on the local newspaper. Cortese is being the pompous ass. But NickG you can keep on wiping his arse.

I had to laugh at the Echo statement that said "the ban won't effect our coverage". Does that mean then that the guy who does the write-ups of the games doesn't actually go to the matches? That would explain a few things. This isn't about Staplewood. It's a power struggle between 2 egos. I heard the relationship was not too good a couple of months ago when we were discussing with the club what book to bring out next year.

Can you just say this again - it's like music to my ears!

It is very interesting seeing all these plans. I am not one to get too excited by Saintly matters either off or on the pitch but I am really pleased to hear of the club's plans. For me this shows Liebherr and Cortese are taking things very seriously and are in it for the long term which is excellent news. It is very easy to be left behind which is why looking at what clubs like Stoke are doing is an indication of how much we have to keep abreast. There is no doubt we have a Premiership stadium but Staplewood, although regarded as a Prem facility 5 or 6 years ago has already slipped behind because of our recent financial difficulties. Having a good training environment is very persuasive argument when signing players. This news is as important as a big signing for me - lets hope the New Forest council don't start playing jobsworth games.

I've suddenly thought. This thread would make a cracking book and the beauty is.... it is already written. Now for a title. "Sheikh Rattle and Roll" "The cheque's in the post" "We bought the Cup but it destroyed us" "Storrie time" "Harry's game" "Portsmouth FC's role in the middle-east conflict" "Gun-running made simple for footballers" "how to buy and sell a footie club in 3 weeks" "how to keep your staff on their toes by not paying them"