Fitzhugh Fella

At least you are paying attention!

Your last sentence is interesting although the story goes Puel was given the chance to stay if he changed his tactics. My point really is not to have an influence over big matters like whether the manager stays or not but an input on things that directly effect us as fans.

I was reading in today’s press about how after being attacked in Seville by the local police the Liverpool fans were able to report back to the group that calls itself “the Spirit of Shankly”. http://www.spiritofshankly.com/ It got me thinking that as Saints fans we have – to my knowledge – no such “organisation” to represent our views or protect our rights (such as they are, or ever can be) as supporters. Back in the day we had the old fashioned supporters clubs that started in the 30s that even financed the club buying players and then of course, in the Lowe era, we had all sorts of groups from SISA, London Saints, Cardiff Saints etc etc which provided a voice of sorts but were hardly truly representative and often partly driven by politics (SISA) or parochial ambition. Then we got bought/saved by Marcus Liebherr and while we were relieved to get such a genuine and upstanding benefactor, we also lost any “right” to have any say whatsoever in the way the club was now run. The price you pay and all that. At the time no one was too bothered, we were on the up after all and life was good. The last 6 years have been very happy ones for Saints fans. For the first time since the Liebherr takeover we now find ourselves unsure of our new owner’s motives, we find ourselves increasingly at odds with the Board who have appointed a manager who 85% of this Forum want removed after a dozen games. There is a definite sense that we may have peaked in terms of breaking into the top 6 and, as strange as it may seem after 4 pretty remarkable seasons, a sense that we are at some sort of crossroads. The stadium is full most games so, on the surface, all appears well but there appears to be quite a lot of discontent - whether it be on the concourse, down the pub, or on social media. It’s just not to do with Saints either, a lot of fans seem equally disenchanted with football in general from the corruption/ineptitude of the governing bodies (FIFA and the FA), Sky TV, to the dodgy owners who only invest their often ill-gotten wealth to line their pockets. I am not advocating anything like a “fan on the board” which most of us know would never work and have no personal interest in being involved in setting up anything myself, but was just wondering how others feel? Do we all quietly sit back and accept things as they are, feeling increasingly isolated from the club we grew up worshipping or do we organise ourselves into some sort of collective voice that could at least be heard on matters like bringing back safe standing areas, ticket prices, the club strip etc etc? At present our input as a fan base is negligible. I see darker times ahead as things stand, the club appears to have lost its way as well as losing its benevolent owner and the one thing that remains constant at a football club – the fans – are powerless to have any influence. I am not looking to stir up a hornet’s nest, I have no agenda whatsoever other than a sense of frustration at current affairs and am just genuinely interested to find out if the average fan is happy with the way things are heading at SMS and whether people think anything can be done to make the fans feel more inclusive.

Apologies if you thought that, genuinely wasn’t trying to be sarcastic, that’s the trouble with on line debate. The fact you were at Anfield trumps me as I wasn’t. If you found that performance not something that the manager should have any responsibility for then fine, let’s agree to differ. I really can’t see MP having the nous to improve things but I respect you do and your opinion is perfectly valid. Let’s hope I am wrong and you are right. Cheers

Thanks for explaining why you voted "in". I guess it all depends how much you think a manager can or should influence how the players perform on the pitch. I can't remember a Man U side managed by Ferguson that gave up like we did at Anfield. Sure they had some bad games but no player would have dared to not try. The manager must take responsibility for a lot of what goes on during a game, that's why he is called the manager.

Your argument would have more weight if you had seen any of those 13 games and I don't mean from your armchair. Not saying you're not a fan or whatever it's just when you have actually witnessed some of the shambles, poor attitude etc you knee tends to jerk a little bit quicker.

I wasn't at Anfield on Saturday but I have been deeply worried by the reports that not only were we soundly beaten but we gave up. A defeat I can take but giving up is a disgrace. However inexperienced Pellegrino maybe letting the players give up is an utter no no and finally proved to me he is not fit for purpose. The players too need to be cleansed, the likes of Tadic and Redmond have been going through the motions recently and yet the manager you seem to rate let's them get away with it week in week out.

I am genuinely intrigued why 45 don't want him sacked. Is it because they think we could get worse in to replace him (Black for instance) or is it because they lay more blame higher up (Reed Kreuger etc)? (SoG need not reply to this as I know he would never change anyone anytime and if he was on the Titanic would still be shouting "don't panic - everything will work out" as the ship sunk below the waves).

Puel has gone rightly or wrongly, he is not relevant to the current debate. The fact remains Pellegrino has been a unmitigated disaster and shows no sign of improvement. We need leadership from the owners or Board but I am not holding my breath.

I thought we agreed on Palestine ? Anyway I am amazed Stay has 3 votes or are they just being rebels? Or just pi@@ed

Out from me but can’t help feeling the problem lies further up the food chain.

Maybe it's me but he doesn't really make a lot of sense and it's all a bit vacuous.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/getting-best-out-sam-gallagher-13906312

Oh really? I wish I had your faith as I see absolutely nothing positive in this manager. At least Wigley was a reasonably good coach.

Our new manager? https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/08/graham-potter-ostersund--europa-league-premier-league-clubs

I got to know him quite well and found him a smashing chap with Saints very much a passion for him. It was Lee who uncovered Mike Wilde's presence on the forum which ended up with a few of us having a meeting with Wilde to see if we could persuade the 3 main protaganists (Lowe, Wilde and Crouch) to work together to save the club. That didn't happen but as things turned out it was a blessing in disguise. By all accounts he fought this terrible illness with great bravery which summed him up perfectly. Far too young to be taken, the club has lost a true fan and my condolences to his family.

Bertrand’s body language yesterday was poor plus he looked like he didn’t really care. Think Washsaint to have a point. You are currently the Forum’s no 1 happy clappy.

Well that’s the comparatively easy fixtures over with. Feel for FF a bit and the booing isn’t helping. I blame the manager who is shirking the responsibility of dropping him. Dyche outsmarted MoPo today but that is starting to look relatively easy.

He has a point. For a big man Sam is very agile and quick so it makes sense.

Vassell who has recently started upfront for Birmingham did his ACL yesterday and is out for the season. Feel for the lad but can't see Brum getting rid of Sam now.

Well the three away games in Europe left me distinctly unimpressed. Listen I am not sticking up for MoPe, he’s no better than Puel. Both men should not have been appointed and questions should be asked about Reed’s competence.

I didn’t realise there were so many pro Puel posters on here or is there a lot of revisionism going on?

Our crossing is poor. No one ever looks up first and the worst culprit is Soares. We have had an easy start and yet the manager is looking out of his depth which is a worry.

I am no coach but everything you say makes perfect sense. It may be irrational of me but I have already given up on MoPe - I think he is out of his depth. I also think Reed screwed up by dithering over keeping Puel which reduced our options for managers like Silva. I watched Watford closely yesterday and despite their 4-2 loss was far more impressed by them than anything I've seen from us this season.

Boufal’s moment of splendour apart it was still pretty turgid fayre againt truly poor opposition.