Fitzhugh Fella

Trousers, you have surpassed yourself. You have certainly exposed the re-writing of history by the club and how some on here have fallen for it.

Ron, by all means "big" up Wotte (although turning a blind eye to his influence in running with the Dutch football initiative is a tad disingenious) but why do it by comparing his stats with those of Pearson. A) That's just opening up old wounds and B) stats lie because they do not take into consideration all the external factors like the fact Pearson was parachuted in without any knowledge of the club's playing staff while Wotte had a hand in chosing a lot of the squad he inherited. At the end of the day Wotte will be judged on whether he keeps us up or not. If he does then he deserves as much praise as Pearson got and he should be given the chance next season - something Pearson was denied because someone had a vision which turned out to be rather flawed.

Ron - you set yourself up to be the great peacemaker and the voice of reason (with all your sources) and yet you then start an absolutely ridiculous thread that compares two uncomparable entities. If I did not know you better, from this post, I would have you down as a closet Lowe queen. Sorry, but this thread is trouble making, stupid and a waste of time. You can do better than this.

Nah Steve, Lowe pays him - end off!

a bit of a provocative thread imo

Normally I would agree with you 100% Steve, but there are occasions when the manager should not involve himself in club politics especially when he appears to be taking sides in a Board v Supporters issue. He does not need to walk on thin ice at this particular moment.

I am surprised at how many who have said they would have taken a point before the game to be frank. We needed 3 - any less is a disappointment in my book.

Good to see an honest appraisal, rather than the usual bull. He has gone up a notch because of that for me.

But it was Woodward according to the article who proposed Wotte?

I don't think I have ever read before a comment by L Mac that could even vaguely be construed to be pro Lowe. Interested if you could find one, Andy. Hence my raised eyebrow today.

Thanks for digging that out John. I have now just read the final interview in today's Echo and Wotte is quite critical of the stay away fans saying they have forfeited their rights to criticise. He also says we sold sold Best and Blackstock too cheaply and we would have been better keeping them rather than sign others. He is very outspoken in his support for the present Board saying they have given him 100% support. I don't know if it is online but it's worth a read and in L. Mac's column, also in today's paper, the ex-manager has words of praise for Wotte. Did not think I would see that.

The Echo last night published part of an interview with Wotte who revealed that back in 2005 when Redknapp left he was actually offered a contract by Saints and as a result quit his job as Director of Football at Feyenoord. It says "when news of the probable appointment got out there was something of a backlash from the supporters and the board bowed to fans' calls and opted for a manager with British experience in the shape of george Burley". Wotte says "I got an offer but they gave an offer to Burley as well..... the situation was grim and I think there were a lot of camps - some wanted me some wanted Burley. Suddenly I had a phone call to tell me they just appointed Burley. I knew there was another candidate but for me in Holland if you offer someone a contract you do it only when you know you want this person and you don't offer two people a contract. I was a little surprised but then when Rupert told me his motivation I told him OK this is the way it works in England. Rupert stayed in touch and said he might be coming back last April and are you willing to join us after all but I need you in a more responsible job for the future as academy director". The interview provoked a few questions for me. Does anyone remember fans protesting? I can remember there were rumours that SCW had head hunted a Dutch duo but cannot remember the fans being in uproar or any sort of backlash? Also I guess one camp (Lowe, Cowe, Richards and Sir Clive) wanted to appoint Wotte and the others (Gordon, Wiseman and Hunt?) wanted Burley. If this is the case this was the 2nd time Lowe's first choice of manager had been vetoed by his fellow board members or did Rupert suddenly get cold feet and plump for Burley? Finally I wonder why if Wotte had been Rupert's man in 2005 why he preferred to give JP the role this time around and offer Wotte the lesser job. Was it because in case of failure JP would be a lot more expendable? The interview has been featured over the last two evenings in the Echo and is quite interesting as well as getting to the heart of Wotte's philosophy on the game itself. There is a final piece today.

Spot on!

You are taking words out of my mouth, Steve.

If Lowe and Wotte ever deliver Premier League football to us they can stay forever as far as I am concerned but there is more chance of SoG buying a season ticket next season.

Is Frank baking again?

Excellent post

Bern, its posts like this that make people think you really are a "sad old git". If you had been in my front room last night at 9.40 you would have seen how "gutted" I was at our victory. If you had been at SMS sitting next to me for the Preston and Cardiff games you would have seen how "gutted" I was at our victories. Instead of sniping on here why don't you actually get off your arse just once and actually come and physically "support" the team with your presence and stop deriding fans that still make the effort. I don't like Lowe and I am unconvinced over Wotte but from now on in, until the end of the season when I believe there should be a wash-up, I will support the team 100% both vocally and financially by attending matches and cheering them on. I do this because I still love my club. Do you?

Precisely

The next two are even more massive, I reckon, 4 points might even get my hopes up.

Probably the best game of football I have seen this season - and a deserved win. Impressed with Size, Gillett (if only he could pass) and Euell and that right-back who always does his best. We have half a chance of staying up but if only Lowe had sanctioned the use of Saga, Skacel and Jason instead of insisting JP pick the young 'uns then we would not be where we are today. Support was fantastic today as well. A win on Tuesday is not beyond us.

Thanks for that - an interesting read, the 2 clubs certainly have had a lot in common over recent years including a dislike for Hoddle and the fans being blamed for their club's demise.

They didn't - it was me who wanted to know and I assumed they would be able to answer my question, but like I said, they couldn't. Your earlier point about the CEO would have known, is a valid one.

I don't disagree - there is a lot of common sense here.

At the time that thought crossed my mind too, but there again we never looked likely to go up in our first year in the CCC so I guess the question was never posed.