Alain Perrin

Chant of the day : "All we are saying, is give Puel a chance" One season is not enough to judge a manager on and we are Southampton; we don't buy success, we earn it. Plus it **** off some of the annoying depressive trolls on here, so what's not to like?

Ultimately the club (Uncle Les et. al.) will make the decision that they believe is best. On one hand I think we should give Puel a chance and whilst the quality hasn't been there on the pitch I think he has managed a difficult season well (lots of games, compressed schedule and unfortunate injuries). However our points total isn't great (although I'd point to the Christmas period as being a critical factor - we had a really poor run coupled with the worst schedule of all clubs). I do think there's a danger that managers aren't given enough time to deliver. Whilst you can bring in a Conte to manage a bunch of world class players - if you're in the next pack down like Saints, you have more of a building job to do. And that takes more than one season in my opinion. Only the club can know what the player relationships are like (all I see is some on-pitch bickering which could be a bad sign) and if they think there are issues there I think he'll go. Time will tell.

TBF it should be quite easy to work out... Non-English rules out Shakespere, Howe, Allerdicci, Dyche, Hughes & Moyes (because I doubt you'd make that distinction), Pulis, Clement, Agnew, Pardew Common sense rules out: MoPo, Koeman, Conte, Guardiola, Mourinho Possibles: Bilic, Silva, Klopp , Oh... is it Silva; could it be? Otherwise we're into the Championship and the Sheffield Wednesday guy. Anyone else is too left field.

Unlikely the truth will ever out. As they've ruled out takeover, I'd bet on one of three: - corporate disagreement / results based - inappropriate behaviour (Award ceremony shenanigans) - illness or family issues

Whilst it is true that Champions League is a carrot we can't offer, they're a much bigger club than Saints. They have a significant fan base and generate a lot of commercial income (£60m vs. our £10m) - as a consequence they can offer big salaries but still manage their wages to turnover down (52% vs our 70%). I think it'll be interesting if them being homed in Wembley next year will hit their performances though as teams will undoubtedly raise their game. Fundamentally we are a small club with a smaller local and smaller global fan base than the 'big boys'. I think a good measure of sizeis to look at the number of pages / posts on a match post as an example - sites like Kumb.com and various Spurs ones, regularly a multiple (obviously there are other reasons and support is split across multiple sites but it is an indication) Only prolonged success will change that and even then we are limited by geography a bit.

It was a **** performance today but not a reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Puel is damned because he is not (nor will he ever be) a charismatic media performer.... but if you look at what he's achieved on the pitch I think he is worth at least another season. We've had a long hard season, the first period of which was spent a) getting used to a new manager and b) without a second goal scorer (and I personally don't think Austin is all that), the second period was without VVD. If people want to get rid of a manager after less than twelve months (and the team isn't in a relegation battle) they need their heads looking at.

Of course he is... but the kneejerk reactions to managers is laughable. Were you posting the same after the cup final? Managers need time to affect most of the factors that you mention above. Making a judgement on Puel (or any manner) after less than two seasons is pointless. The one caveat to that is if you're in a relegation spiral - or there are other irreconcilable factors - but if you're doing well (even if it is not as well as some of the unrealistic expectations on here) then there's no reason to change in my opinion.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39541762 Claudio Bravo hasn't saved a shot on target since January 2nd. Whilst I'd play Long instead of JRod, I doubt Claudio's duck will continue unless Gabbi is fit! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, Austin has a great goal record but I don't think he is mobile enough for a Puel team. Shane is a great player who worries defences but he's goal shy. Gallagher is promising but unproven. My point is that if Gabbiadini is injured we've no one who gives confidence they can get goals - therefore I think we need another striker. Greedy? Maybe

Puel needs to be backed with a decent striker this summer (I have doubts that Austin fits the style to be honest and JRod will be off). In terms of placing this year, I think it is harder this year than ever. As so many 'big clubs' missed out on Europe this year they've had a real advantage last year they have less distractions etc. I think this explains the bigger than normal gap to the top bunch. Definitely Puel in for me. Now if he could only sort out his interview style. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Way to go. I was going to respond to the original post by saying in a crowd of 82,000 there's bound to be one dickhead the but not to let that put you off football. However, having read your post, it looks like there are at least two. Someone had their day spoilt and that's your response, seriously? Neither you, nor I can know what happened but try to have some empathy. For example, I love to stand up at football but I am always conscious that the people behind me might have dodgy knees, a bad back or some reason why it's not as easy for them. If everyone is standing I am not saying you need to be a martyr - but if it's just you in a crowd of sitters, you're the problem. Unfortunately that clash is inevitable in random seating. Anyway to the Original poster, I am sorry that spoilt your enjoyment of a cracking game. Hopefully you'll realise that one incident shouldn't put you off.

It only makes sense to those with an anti-Reed agenda. Bottom line is the club screwed up on the CB situation but to suggest that Fonte wanted to stay does not add up for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, nor did I say that. I'm no more happy than I was when Koeman had a similar run of form, or when I was wearing a Fez to Dellhurst Park of the back of series of poor results. Or countless other times when we've had sticky patches. I just don't think a knee jerk "sack 'em all" approach is the right one - especially how it is then followed inevitably by the same fans itching to pull the trigger bemoaning how we have no stability. I've seen enough of Puel to think there is something there - and that, but for someone who knows where the goal is, we'd be in a much better position. Regardless, unless there are fundamental problems behind the scenes or you're being cut adrift and need a new man to shake it up, sacking a manager after 2/3rds of a season is lunacy. This isn't a computer game. Results and building a team takes time. I think a proportion of our fan base have got so used to success they forget that sometimes you have to consolidate your position before moving on again. I happen to think we're at that point.

Personally I don't put a lot of stock in the rants of the masses. Too many with knee jerk reactions who have no clear picture of what they want. Puel / Reed out is the footballing equivalent of Brexit. Largely argued for on instinct rather than intelligence and resulting in an exit with no clue of what we want to replace it with. Regardless, if we're destined to change both (and I am not convinced of the need), let's change one at a time. Otherwise who picks the next manager, Kat, Ralph, some Chinese real estate developer? The only thing I really have against CP is his god awful interviews. And, realistically, that has zero bearing to how he works on pitch side. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If the turnstile enforcement is like St Marys, the only thing they see is a green light for a full ticket and an orange light for a concession. They have no way of knowing if it is assigned to an oldie or a child. Obviously no guarantees in life but I doubt very much if you'll experience any problems

Trust you to see the bright side.

Two reasons to be cheerful: 1) I opted to watch rather than go 2) At least it frees up space in the calendar. I'm a bit frustrated at Jermaine Jenas on BT and Danny Mills on BBC criticising the number of changes Saints made. I don't think it 's possible for Saints to field a stronger team; especially with an eye on Tuesday away at Swansea, an emotional Wednesday and with a couple of significant injuries in the bank. However, it does prove that our midfield shield is very much dependent on one of Davis or Romeu.

True. However, I am sure you'll agree it was ridiculous that he didn't rotate Virgil given the important league cup tie next week. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://econsultancy.com/blog/68696-digital-transformation-in-the-premier-league-southampton-fc-s-fan-first-strategy/?utm_medium=feeds&utm_source=blog Perhaps Saintsweb should follow suit? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Europa league exit = party time for Heisenberg, Alpine et. al. The same fans calling for heads after a few crappy performances will be the same fans bemoaning why we had 9 managers in 4 years (or whatever the number was). Q.E.D. they're never happy. I've seen enough good performances this year to put this down to two factors - the lack of a cutting edge and a lack of confidence. Yes, Puel needs to sort it out - but that's the mark of a manager. Calling for his head is counterproductive. That said in a Brexit means Brexit kind of way, that's the way people work these days - let's leave! where too? who know? ... And before you know it you've got Brendan Rodgers.....

That's the clap for you...

Recent form LLLLLLSaints Off days and mistakes happen but we seem to lack a killer instinct. It doesn't make us ****.... but it is frustrating.

It's a well known fact that Arsenal have a contract with Saint's for Puel to be Arsene's replacement at the end of the year (organised by the same brokers who sorted the original Schneiderlin deal).

Kudos to this site as the whole thing is database driven so the website can bait fans in and sell move advertising. By changing the URL to have different story, buying, selling and player parameters you can make the improbable become reality. This would top Kevin Keegan.... apparently we're close to signing Ronaldo! http://soccer-rumours.com/?story=2&buying=3&selling=2&player=1 Cheeky bid to annoy an old friend? http://soccer-rumours.com/?story=2&buying=3&selling=8&player=1 Look out for the advert in the Liverpool Echo.... http://soccer-rumours.com/?story=6&buying=3&selling=17&player=5 Hours of fun.....