Raven on the wing

Is there anyone out there who does not accept we had to cut costs ? No I thought not . But only a fool would think that meant we had to appoint Jan "Pinochio" Portelet as our "puppet" manager and insist on playing so many kids when good experienced pros are always available in the lower leagues on relatively low wages. Any kids who do well this year will not be playing next year with Lowe at the helm - end of.

Hugely talented and he was certainly a crowd pleaser. I seem to remember the Everton fans giving him generous applause pre match when he played for us in the FA Cup semi @ Highbury 83/84 season. Unfortunately it was not one of his or ours best games. Stevie Williams played with an injury and we lost 1-0 aet.

Rather than the home fans (or lack of ) being the problem, how about looking at the way the lumbering oaf that is Adebola was able to stroll through our "defence" like a Buffalo swatting off flies ! Ditto every other CCC team that has decided total football will not win them enough games and instead play with a big man at centre half and centre forward.

With the promised brave new world of total football, how encouraging it is to hear 14 games in to the season from the club captain that "the players definitely havenot given up on promotion". The chairman clearly did when he loaned out our top three strikers !

I think option D at the moment unless the managers departure coincided with a fresh start with new chairman etc. Imagine how many would be at the next home game if Dowie (eg someone who is very much his own man ) were appointed.

With nearly a third of the season gone is it time we had a poll on our new manager perhaps along the lines of ;- Options A/ Doing a good job should be given more time to prove himself. B/ Might do a better job , and should be given a totally free rein by you know who. C/ Cheap option and has proved clueless. Should be replaced asap. D/ Not in favour but replacing him now would not help the club.

I was amused to see Mc G using the term end of his "Goal drought" on the OS. Wonder if he saw his nick name on here ?

I believe if Leon Crouch had been the chairman loaning out SJ we would not have liked it but it would not have been the issue it is now. Lord Lowe is the problem and only those who havenot followed Saints closely over the last 10 years could be in any doubt as to why. He has to distance himself from the club via a proxy of his own shareholding but he has too much arrogance to admit he is wrong and act in the clubs best interests.

Having just seen the goals from yesterday he was beaten at his near post for the thid goal although the 2nd reared up at him. He has had a much better season but I am far from convinced. I would like a big lump in goal who commands his area but we are now beggars it appears and not choosers !

Even if you paid their wages, there is no likelihood that Rupert would pick SJ/RAZIAK/SAGA as he considers McG to be our top striker !

The pay offs of the "gruesome twosome" need to be considered in the light of Claus having to pay for the pitch being relaid from his own testimonial funds because the club couldnot afford it. Not a hint of double standards there then ! And of course, as another poster stated - its not too late for them to return the payments to the club coffers

If Pearsons sacking was just down to money it must then just be a huge coincidence that Lord Lowe wanted the current dynamic duo before George Burley was appointed !!

Well I agree entirely with this thread and am looking forward to seeing Elvis Presley riding Shergar around St Marys in front of a full house on Tuesday !

Is the time now right to put two fingers up to Rupert Lowe and all those who engineered his return to power at St Marys, and leave them to their own devices. How appropriate it would be that Rupert should end up losing his investment by the club going in to administration. I would settle for the consequences of that, if it means seeing the back of that arrogant pr*t who knows so much more about the game than people who have lived and breathed the game for a lifetime. His actions this week in loaning out the third of our recognised strikers in order to cement the place of Mc Goaldrought beggars belief. Why not organise a peaceful protest by transferring our support to Eastleigh FC on a highly visible basis ?

Surely "choppers Harris" from Chelsea could still do a job for us !

We are all going on a European tour, a european tour !! We are the Milton - boot boys !

Knock Knock !! Who's there ? Owen. Owen who ? Owen the Saints etc etc.

For saving me more heart ache and £24 as I was debating going to yesterdays game, until I read the Echo article from "The voice of Soton supporters" telling me it was my duty to go. Is anyone honestly suprised that with a cheap option coach playing kids we are constantly out muscled in this physical league. The visionary that is Lord Lowe is a cancer eating away at the club, and our support will not return in force until his legacy has been eradicated from the fabric of St Marys. Ruperts claim to being responsible for the new stadium, now appears to be more of a millstone with difficulty making the repayments and no atmosphere in a half empty stadium. He will no doubt be comforted by yesterdays increased level of support just when the (financial) pressure on his methods was starting to mount.

If you went to a restaurant regularly week in week out, then they suddenly removed your favourite table, started serving a cheap alternative dish at the same price and brought back a previous owner who you hated how often would you go there in future !!

The echo article graphically illustrates that our decline in attendances is not related to the credit crunch as it is disproportionate to others who have remained in the championship. It also ignores the alternative we had of recruiting experienced players from lower divisions ( on low wages like "the kids" ).

Presumably Rupert can release some people from the ticket sales team as we now only sell a few on top of the season tickets ?

I would be interested to know McG 's goals to shots ratio, (not including pens). It has got to be very poor indeed and a clear indication that he lacks the necessary composure/technique to be a genuine striker at this level. This is not news as he has consistently failed on loan at a lower level. I am baffled that every other option seems to be taken rather than replacing him.

He is now putting in the performances that justify what are believed to be high wages and a high fee. I admit to being a critic of his up to now, but that doesnot mean to say you are blind to reality - he has played very well this season. If an offer of £500k came in (in January) would we be wise to sell him based on his performances overall since he has been here ?

This swap appears to be a case of - lets get Dyer off the wage bill for 3 months & who have you got spare in return who is on low wages ?

One thing is certain, if our so called total football isnot working now, it certainly wont when the pitches cut up and theres a gale of wind / heavy rain "oop north" in mid winter ! Try passing out of defence then and see how many we goals we give away.