Fitzhugh Fella

Just driven down M3, down the Avenue and into London Rd - no probs, little traffic on the roads and what snow there was on the pavements etc is melting fast. There is the occasional flurry of snow and sleet but then the sun comes out - don't think there will be too many problems unless you are using small country roads after 11pm.

Christ 5 miles north and it is an absolute blizzard - can't see 5 yards in front of my face here in Otterbourne.

blizzard conditions in Otterbourne right now, be surprised if the game gets the go ahead

The march reminded me of when we all went to York in 1971 for a Cup-tie - there were about 3 train loads and everyone (thousands) walked together through the town to the stadium. I felt a bit sorry for the inhabitants of York that day because their town sort of got closed down for an hour. Um Pahars is right about numbers. I was right at the back and when I left the Bargate the whole of Hanover buildings was chocka (road and pavement) and some were already in Hoglands Park. The video taken outside the King Alfred didn't capture all those who nipped in for a pint too. StanFairOak was one!

Thats the trouble with living in what is now virtually a 3rd World country

Voice of reason

well done! Next march maybe a good idea to have it half an hour later so when everyone gets to the ground there can be a protest and then everyone go in.

tbh if you weren't there you don't know what you are talking about!

I agree there is a lack of a big credible alternative. I think perhaps in hindsight however it would have been better to have given the Crouch/Pearson option a few months, if only because they were on a bit of a roll after excaping relegation. Lowe made his mind to come back in Feb/March (and got MW onside) but then ran too fast with the ball. If he waited until say Nov/Dec and the Crouch/NP show was faltering he would have been in a better position to claim the moral high ground and Crouch would have been a busted flush. This failing probably encapsulates Lowe's biggest flaw - he is too entranched and is not flexible in deed once he has made his mind up. Nice to have a sensible debate with you, btw - I do "understand" the points you make but of course everything is polarised with Rupert Lowe and I am as guilty as anyone for that, I accept.

Good post - the protesters have the moral highground, great march, significant numbers and a wide spread of attendees. Plus no anti songs during the match. So the anti Lowe voice is varied, genuine and non political. His defenders on here have been exposed as nothing more than bitter and twisted. Lowe will never see sense but Wilde is a different kettle of fish. He is not held back by a pompous ego- he knows the writing is on the wall. I reckon we continue to support the club in the stadium but more marches beforehand and afterwards. The media coverage has been massive this weekend and that will encourage more to join next time. I sense the tide is turning - however one thing we must be cautious of is that beware of who might come in - the anything but Lowe sentiment was our undoing last time.

Bern - you are making a fool of yourself. Crouch's business uses the same branch of Barclays as the club, in Reading. Because Crouch's business is quite significant I have it on good authority (not from Crouch) that the bank would have been more than happy with his continued stewardship. Thats not saying he was a brilliant Chairman because he wasn't but..... As they say, money talks!

OK Manji - I am going to (politely) atttempt to give you the reason for this "hysterical scapegoatism" because I understand the point you are making and to a degree it is true that Wotte has unfairly been tarnished before he has had a chance. Is Wotte a good manager? I don't know - how could I? I have heard things about his character which sound worrying but accept he could be the victim of political spin so let's give him the benefit of the doubt. I think the reason people make remarks like "same meat different gravy" when they learnt of his appointment was because it was a Lowe appointment. Unfortunately whether or not you agree with the overriding sentiments a majority on here feel to Lowe the simple fact is his reputation is so shot to tatters that anything he does (like appoint Wotte) will not be trusted and will be derided. This was my whole point when he called the EGM alongside Wilde. I can understand why he wanted to come back, and I can't knock the bloke in thinking he could do a better job and I can't blame the man for wanting to prove a point but he should have realised in the fickle word of football whenever a fanbase turn their backs there is usually never ever a 2nd happy homecoming. He should have left well alone imo. I have tried to answer your valid question with a little courtesy, I am not trying to wind you up, merely trying to empathise with your opinion.

Can't have been much of a discussion. I think someone at te club have realsised that Holmes is very injury prone as mentioned by several on here when he signed.

He would have looked better if he ditched the scarf and borrowed one of Bally's cloth caps imo

the march and the numbers that turned up far exceeded my expectations. The police had to close all roads in and around St Marys and I wonder when there was such a large scale protest in the streets of Southampton. Great humour, lots of kids and a protest brilliantly made and organised. (Thanks for my Rupert badge btw only 250 printed so it will be valuable soon.) I think the demo helped frustrations because during the game the support was superb. Today I was proud to be a Saints fan - reading this thread has been great (except Manji).

Can I also add the support in the stadium was awesome. No anti Lowe songs just 100% SUPPORT. The Swansea fans were up for it too. IMO Southampton fans behaved impeccably today - a peaceful protest, well organised and well attended and yet superb suppport throughout the match. What a shame Lowe and Wilde were probably not there to see it. Had they been they might have learnt a bit about what it actually means to be a fan of the Saints.

Just back and I have to say today exceeded my expectations. The march was about 800 yards long and without a doubt there was over one thousand there. The police had to stop all traffic around St Marys while the procession made their way to the stadium and it was nice to see the pubs empty and the punters join in. The police presence was well over the top with all their filming etc because there was not a hint of nastiness or trouble and the helicopter overhead was ridiculous. This is the first time there has ever been a pre-match protest of such a scale and the fact so many made an effort made me proud. Everyone agreed it was a worthwhile exercise despite the fact the two main protaginists were absent. Good to see St Lee there as well, plus Mary Corbett who joined in all the way from the Bargate. Mark my words today a message was sent.

I have completely changed lots of family arrangements in order to free up the time to participate in the march today. I march not to rid the club of Lowe or Wilde or even to install Crouch. I march to show I care about my club. I march because it gives me a chance to demonstrate just how badly this club has been run since it became a PLC. I want to show the citizens of Southampton that there are people who still have pride in their football team. I march for all the fans who can't make it because they are dispersed all over the world. I march for all those fans no longer with us who have supported the team loyally ever since 1885. I march out of respect to the great servants of our club - people like Ted Bates, Alan Ball, Peter Osgood, Bobby Stokes, Derek Reeves, John McGrath, Charlie Wayman, Steve Mills, Austin Hayes and many many more. Come and join in what will be a dignified, peaceful statement. I gather Mary Corbett will be there. I am sure her father would have been proud and totally agreed with the stand we are making. Rgds Duncan

This too I can broadly accept Frank. Like you say had Rupert approached things differently rather than try and hoodwink us with the Dutch total football dream even I would have shut up or at least given it a chance. We all would have, I suspect because we all accept the financial situation. Trouble is I am so suspicious of him I just can't believe him and when the rumours started about his involvement in playing matters such as team selection I immediately grow concerned. And then you see his behaviour at the AGM (ie that letter reading) and you realise you just can't get behind him - or I can't anyway. He is his own worse enemy which is a shame.

Bern I give you my word the next good thing I hear about Lowe, I will post.

Bernard - I don't know whether I am more flattered or piqued by you equating my influence alongside Lowe's. I don't post to be helpful or otherwise. I post what I am told and believe. Just because the club is desperate for unity does not mean I should hold back from posting what is I believe to be truthful. Would you rather the truth be pushed under the carpet in the name of unity? If you do then the validity of anything you say is severly undermined. By the way are you going to Watford? I am and we could meet for a pint if you like?

Tell me about it. I was watching one of those old "Big Matches" from the 70s this afternoon, swaying terraces, muddy pitches and no shirt sponsorship. Those days are long gone and like those drunken nights up the Top Rank they will never come back. What we have now is a pathetic quisling, a bad example of what a public school education can produce and.. well I don't know about Leon to be honest, I am starting to blow hot and cold to be frank, but in the absence of a decent alternative................................

Tbh - I wouldn't say I was a great fan of Crouch - some of his PR when he took over was toe-curling and I can understand how he gets up some peoples noses but when you read things like this I realise more people would unite behind him than the other two. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4083906.Local_business_community_would_back_Leon__reckons_Dossie/