colehillsaint

Right. Well thats all well and good but consider this; why not just argue that we should keep faith with Nigel this season because it's just the right thing to do. I don't mean just in a sentimental way. I mean that if we look at where this club will be in five years time it will be better if we keep to good principles, and make the right long term decisions on a consistent basis. If we ditch Nigel; We will most likely get another manager who is probably less committed for a start. We will be viewed by the world, (why should we care, I know!), as another cheap provincial yo-yo outfit that ditches two seasons of building at the onset of trouble. Clubs that change managers regularly are a joke. Who do you respect? Everton? Or Liverpool and Aston Villa? Liverpool built the greatest club in the land thoughout my childhood based on firm principles; pass and move; develop talent both on and off the pitch, and give it a proper chance, then supplement with only the very best when necessary. What are they now after ditching Roy Hodgson for Kenny Dalglish! They are too proud to settle for a few seasons mid table, to build a proper dynasty because they are Liverpool. Joke. Can we bring in the very best for our level to replace our popular, enthusiastic and driven young manager? But if we stick with Nigel; We will on the balance of probability go down. I think that is the case anyway. It will be better use of our I assume limited resources both in terms of manager salary and player turnover. But if he starts to turn it around, every neutral in the country will be wishing us luck by February. When he fails, if he does, we will be taking down a manager that is determined to, and you would assume knows how to, get us back up. If he leaves, or we are seen as giving him every possible chance, other managerial talent will come for an interview at Southampton; a well run proper provincial football club that is run on strong values, for the long term benefit of its fans. You can say that modern football is results driven and quick success is essential, but ultimately we the supporting public of Southampton are the arbiter of that. If we are prepared to stick with him, you would think that this should be good enough. Maybe NC is an ego maniacal idiot. I don't know for one, but when yesterday is viewed through the clear filter of history in a few years time some important and less important things happened. We dropped two points. We deserved three points and from my seat 91% of the team looked to be improving week on week. The northam sang out the name of our young manager, to the general approval of the rest of the ground, and I thought he must be taking real heart from that and wanting to fight harder than ever.

FF, the change in our whole demeanor as a team, accepting that we have gone up to a different level, has still been downright odd really. I thought NA was very good tactically last season. If you want a case for him staying, I don't think some of us are really convinced that a likely replacement will have a significantly better chance of keeping us up. Also, NA has a track record of learning to adapt at a new level before, albeit over a relegation. On the point of other examples, Dave Jones team was so dire to watch, I for one didn't mourn us moving on. As for Steve Wigley, he was dreadful, and I resented Lowe's arrogance expressed by his appointment. Thinking of NA on the other hand makes me think of some of the best times I've had as a saints fan. It is only sport after all. What's the point if as fans we can't show a bit of loyalty in this particular set of circumstances.

Nigel is a top bloke. I would be proud of the club if we stuck with him, even if it meant relegation this time around. I don't think it will happen though.

I've sat in the Chapel since we moved to SMS and the majority are good natured people who are thoughtful about their football. It doesn't generate the passion of the Northam, but all the cr4p spoken about it is just that. My Mrs was sat there and she said "storm in a tea cup".

No mentions for; Mad Men My Name is Earl

You've written that like one of those conspiracy theory books; You put forward a rumour and then use it as fact to support the next hypothesis. Clever if your joking. Otherwise.....

Sounds brilliant that. I want to do something like it and will read responses avidly.

I am happy with optimism but in point of fact four of the back five that started yesterday played together all last season, and the consensus is that the fifth is not the weak link, so possibly it's the personnel and not the time to gel that is the problem.

Yep. Yoyo is a sh1t thing that happens, not a strategy.

You've gone too far with prairie. Experts agree that you can afford a lawn but once into paddock terratory you are going to get punished.

I've been worried since the first half against Wigan. I thought that KD and DF looked panic stricken. So, what are you going to do? You can play Gazza and Shaw but the time to introduce kids is when they can slot into a functioning unit; not when you are shipping goals. Best to hope that our back five can learn to cope quickly surely, (unless some wonderful out of contract player comes from nowhere). What about changing manager? Well we don't know exactly how culpable NA is do we? Did he have lots of other targets in the summer that we couldn't land? It is interesting that his background is goalie and that is an area where we have been left deficient. If we change managers now they still can't actually sign anyone until the window. If we are adrift by December any of the realistic names touted on other threads are going to struggle to talk serious experienced talent into joining up. Thus, the decision on Nigel should be made on how the squad as a whole are reacting to him. If he has their confidence and respect, we should stick with him to the bitter end, even if that means the drop and another crack at it. What would actually make me worry would be if NC started showing serious signs of going the wrong way. It is a fine line between success and failure and I don't know yet if he is a hard-man genius or a bloke who has got a bit lucky so far and now believes is own hype!

Really pleased for him.

I was going to ask actually; for the sake of the ill informed, what happened with Franny's house?

It is a bit unfair to compare Matt and NC's positions isn't it? NC runs the club so a campaign of attrition behind a curtain of dignified silence is a simple tactic really is it not? Meanwhile Matt has very limited options to express his frustration or enmity. He should still try and keep his own council if he can though.

Spudgun, thank you for the support and encouragement. Could all posters making exactly the same point for the hundreth time or onwards be made to give it a posting title in big orange capitals. Examples would be HODDLE, PANIC or CATCHMENT AREA. For most posters this would help them navigate the forum without the needless hassle of telling an eccentric to f-off. I on the other hand could utilise it to quickly track down my favourite type of post. As a long time lurker on here I enjoy many posts. I like the informed football knowledge, the club history from some of the old timers, the world view from the american and middle east contingent. I like the fashion advice. I like all of it. But what I really yurn for is your typical english odd ball hanging on to a preposterous position, like a limpit on Brighton pier in a 100 year storm, upholding the proud tradition of Basil Fawlty, Captain Manwaring, Rigsby, Prince Phillip, come what may, b0llocks to the facts or overwelming public opinion, or complete and utter forum apathy even. My system will allow rapid tracking of these valuable contributions.

Mods, I was thinking of adding to this thread but I'm not sure if the suggestions are serious, and I don't want to get an infraction. I'm not really an infraction type person. The rules are my mistress type of thing. Is posting on this thread infractible?

On first reading of Phil's post I missed the irony and took his comment as a strong recommendation. I got through it by repeating the phrase "goddam those crazy b4stards" in an American accent. The kids told me to shut up. Why would you cast Rihanna and make her ware a boiler suit for the whole film?

Fair play. Good post.

Your not alone!

Thanks. It is nice to know that my gift to the city of Southampton amounts to more than a receptacle for dog sh1t. ;-)

I have a lot of faith in the continuing progress of Adam Lallana. He seems like a clever footballer to me.

Fact; I conceived, designed and built the piles and wall that now support the said boardwalk...........not that anyone on here will give a sh1t............unlike the dogs that now apparently enjoy sh1ting all over it.

If you still want one PM me an address. The kids just clutter their rooms with them until the Mrs throws them out. Not pristine but Ok. Will post it when I'm in the office.

It's not sentiment. Our squad is not so vast or talented, or our coffers so empty, that we need to move out Rickie Lambert. Someone with a lot more nous than me can decide how much and when exactly he will play.

I think that apart from looking like he will do OK in the prem with some decent support, trading our talisman with Blackburn at the first opportunity would make us look utterly pathetic and a laughing stock.