Fitzhugh Fella

Ralph’s tactical genius can be summed up in 3 words. “Salisu’s long throw”!

Gutless, clueless, no ambition or leadership. Not sure Ralph knows how to solve these deficiencies.

I’ve met Benjy who is the new journalist and was very impressed with his determination to write some insightful punchy articles. Like Carl he has moved into the town so he means business. I note he got an exclusive with MLT after last week’s events so he’s already put down a marker. His problem is the Echo is poorly regarded these days but he knows that and is under no illusions that he has a tough gig. Getting your feet under the table at SMS is no easy task either as they have had an easy time with journalists since Covid and Carl left. We need good investigative journalists to hold Ralph and Co to account.

Just goes to show you should never meet your heroes. I am so relieved I have never met Turkish for instance.

That’s what I thought. The irony of being criticised from a Saints fan stood with the Leeds fans sums the poster up to be honest.

Yep spot on. Saints were 8/1 to beat City ridiculous odds for two teams in the same half of the same division, but the financial gulf is now massive and destroying decent competitive football in this country. Grubby Arab/Oligarch money will be the death of the game. Should have let them all breakaway to a Super League.

Don’t blame them though. The ref was the one that let them get away with it.

Armstrong has played how much football this season. Fuck me you’ve been playing women’s soccer far too long

Very disappointed. Was starting to “believe” in Ralph but this team selection is an insult most of all to those who are going to the game.

Good point. Why Semmens said that I don’t know. We may be a feeder club but we shouldn’t be publicising it.

When you look at Levy at Spurs then Semmens is a different league. He certainly installs confidence

Spot on

Never a good idea to reveal an intended leaving date. Players switch off. Gordon Strachan is a good example when he announced he was leaving at the end of a season but he then only lasted a few more weeks.

Broja is now a double edged sword. If he continues to impress no way will we be able to compete for him so he will either stay with Chelski or go to the nouveau riche clubs like Villa or West Ham. If he bombs from here on in then we suffer as a team and will we want him? One of the drawbacks of loan deals is you can get stung. Toby Alderwerield was a previous example.

I’ve just read the Barnado report in full (it’s available via a link on the Club’s website). I’m glad I made no comment either way before I read it as I learned a lot. I’ve also spoken this morning to some of the victims and they have no wish whatsoever to see the statue come down. I also think the present Board’s statement after the report came out last year to be spot on and they have responded in an exemplary fashion. I think the article in the Athletic was written and published in haste and without much thought to the consequences. No doubt many employees and board members of SFC, back then, were guilty at the very least of neglect and one or two, even now, are refusing to take any blame. However for one man, no longer with us or able to defend himself, to bear the brunt of this tragedy is simply not right. At the end of the day though my sympathies lie with those who were abused and I just hope that eventually they can get some sort of closure.

A good friend is his next door neighbour in Aldershot. My mate has been telling me how good he is for over a year now.

Like you I am encouraged by Ankerson's involvement. Brentford have got to be the best run club over the last decade. However Serb owners have left me cold ever since Milan Mandaric arrived at Portsmouth but it does seem this guy does actually have access to decent finance. I think in this day and age the altruistic, decent and minted football club owner (a la Marcus Liebherr) does not exist and we have to swallow the inevitable warts that come with being privately owned, if we want to compete and I would rather be owned by this guy than the Saudi bone saw boys for instance. And, as has been pointed out, Semmens and co have done a good job steadying the ship since Les set off on his path of destruction and I don't think they (or Katarina) would sell us to any old tyre kicker with empty pockets. So its a cautious welcome from me (Turkish please take note so you don't later make yet another fictitious claim about me never liking the owners), but as a Saints fan of long standing I reserve the right to insert the word "cautious" before the word welcome. At least there is now hope after a grim 3 or 4 seasons.

To be honest this forum only exists for Turkish and his ego these days.

One thing is for sure whoever the new owner is you will still be the biggest cock on this forum 😀

A man of principle

Tbf just mentioning it just lessens the chance of it happening in the minds of the superstitious, or, those who like touching wood when talking about Saints. But to be fair how many times have we all seen Saints lose games we should have won on paper?

Strange thing to say after they've won

z is American s is Queen's English

But a lot (Puel, Koeman and Pellegrino) weren’t bothered. Foreign managers never anticipate staying that long. In a way we are also a stepping stone club for managers too.

When he goes we will struggle to find another manager (especially if he is foreign) who pays as much attention to the academy. This is Ralph’s big strength imo as he actually takes an interest in the whole club set up. But his day to day, match to match, weaknesses outweigh this attribute which is why, sooner or later, the axe must fall. Maybe there is room for him upstairs (if he is interested) because he has something to offer away from the actual football on the day.