JamiSaint

Give the guy a break: He's turned the club around from a floating disaster - 3 managers in a season, apathetic players, mutinous supporters, useless performances, poisonous culture - in just over a year. Read that again - just over a year! He's given the club a defined vision and culture, uniting the players behind a way of playing which attracts top talent like Ramsdale - many new players talk about how they were attracted by the style of play He's proved to be pragmatic when needed - turning us around last season after the poor start, and at the end when it mattered most He's given us two of the most atmospheric and positive games we've experienced in recent times in the West Brom and Leeds matches We're playing in the most competitive league in the world, against much better resourced teams who game PSR, more tactically astute, experienced players. Yes we've looked naïve and yes we've thrown away four goals (80% of the ones conceded) by overplaying, and it's frustrating to watch But my god doesn't he deserve a chance to make it good! I have faith

Totally agree. Absolutely ridiculous from DCC. I would have substituted him immediately and put him with the U18s for a month.

I find it hard to understand how two such competent - and in Ankersen's case, world class leadership expert - people have made such disastrous key strategic decisions: 1) Not parting company with Ralph after the summer 2) Not investing in a striker in the summer 3) Making a 20 year old goalkeeper with no top flight experience our number one (he may well be destined for great things) 4) Selling Oriel Romeu 5) Appointing Nathan Jones Am sure they are working around the clock/trying really hard to make the right decisions, and SR have invested a huge amount to their credit, but I just find it baffling how they've essentially got every one of the major strategic calls wrong.

Whatever you think of the situation, calling him Wankerson and labelling them c*unts is out of order. You might disagree with their decision making, but no need to stoop to that level.

They've made the wrong big strategic decisions: 1) Keeping Ralph on after last season 2) Prioritising expenditure on inexperienced youth 3) Replacing Ralph with Jones I'd also suggest not going all guns blazing for Ings was a big mistake, when it sounds like he was interested in returning, but can't know that for sure. Ankersen is a world class leadership expert. I've read all his books, watched his TED Talks, he's a seriously impressive guy. I still maintain we are fortunate to have him involved in our club. But I think he needs to act sharp - Jones was obviously an outstanding manager in a very different context, but it was too big a risk to take given the situation we've found ourselves in at the bottom of the league. He's lost the fanbase, and maybe the players, and I think that could have been predicted - he's a spiky, proud man who has no nuance to his communication. That might work in the Championship with Luton, but doesn't cut it in the Premier League. I think it's quite simple - if he stays, we go down. If he goes, we maybe have a 30-40% chance of staying up if the right manager is found. But speed is the critical thing - it has to be now. Essentially, Ankersen has taken too big a series of risks - prioritising the future over the present. In some ways it's consoling - outstanding leaders with great track records can make mistakes. The trouble is, I think these were all rather predictable mistakes.

Are there any streams for the game? Thanks!

Great shout @Hamilton Saint. I really, really liked the guy. Probably the manager I could identify with most since Nigel. And the longest serving in my Saints supporting lifetime (since 1995) if my maths are right. Let’s face it, he could have chosen a much bigger club given his success with Leipzig (2nd in the Bundesliga in his first season!!). I loved the fact that he relished a project, a smaller club with whom he could really build something, rather than pining after somewhere bigger. And that sense of loyalty pervaded everything he did – you could really feel his commitment to the club. That’s quite rare, right? Especially in an industry which is so financially-oriented – he felt a values-driven guy, and that’s why, for a while, he felt such a good fit. The sadness is that he lost his way – he moved away from his principles, probably because of the paucity of talent at his disposal and a lack of backing in the transfer market. A defensive spine of McCarthy, Stephens and Bednarek makes you wonder how we stayed in the league, let alone take us to the occasional heights (post pandemic, culminating in being top of the league). That, for me, is his greatest achievement, keeping us up. I echo those supporters who feel that, if he’d joined us now, he might have been able to do something magical. But after a load of false starts he looked and felt jaded, his beloved 4-2-2-2 and pressing game becoming not fit for purpose. And that’s when I felt he had to go – there’s no clear vision, no direction, players and supporters confused as to what he’s trying to achieve. Which is very sad – I think we’ve broken a very talented manager. We were at our best when he was at his bravest, such as post the Leicester defeat. I hope that he goes on to one final job and brings them glory. He will always be welcome at St Mary’s, and I hope he knows that he leaves with a lot of goodwill from many Saints fans. Thanks Ralph.

Was he the ref who didn't give the handball against spurs at St Mary's a couple of years ago when the player had his hands way out? Seem to remember him giving Spurs a dodgy penalty or two too

We've done OK and looked the better side for decent chunks. Let's not panic and have faith in Ralph. We're missing something like 9 players which any team would struggle with, let alone our lean squad

Why didn't motd show the romeu shot? Given that there were only three shots on target, and it was a neat bit of play...More interesting than a mouse

Both Crainey and Folly were Strachan signings

Higginbotham and Prutton?

Probably posted before, but great video with Nigel talking about Morgan et al: http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/9401234/adkins-backs-southampton

I would LOVE Adkins to come back if MoPo goes...He was essential to our success, and in building a team and set of fans that were (pretty) united. He's exactly the kind of manager who fits my vision of the sort of club I think Saints should be. Doubt it will happen though.

Definitely yes.

Hoddle? Basham is playing for Oxford City FC.

I don't know if anyone has seen - it's 25 minutes but it gives a better sense of Nigel than his post match interviews. I really pray to God we keep him - I'd be gutted if he were sacked, he's been such a breath of fresh air these past two years and I love his positivity and vision about how football should be played.

A good read, but for me the single biggest reason for our rise has been Nigel, and the article doesn't really big this up enough.

I've been really pleased too. I'd always put it off as it's c.£35/yr, which is strange when you think that's the price of a match ticket! Definitely worth it, I'm pleased my friend encouraged me to sign up.

Why don't we have a vote? I'd imagine most of the silent observers don't have a problem with Cortese's dinner get togethers. On a side note, many posters on this forum are why I worry about Southampton when the going gets a bit tougher. Your cynicism and depressing whines helped, along with the financial mess, drown our club into a cesspit of negativity from which we've only just recovered in the past 18 months. God help us when we lose a few games. You're the reason I gave up my season ticket - I was happy watching the lower quality of football, but not hearing the constant criticism of the club and the players. Take a hint from Adkins - relentless positivity can get you an amazingly long way.

Thanks guys

Is this a windup?

Yup, it was a clear goalscoring opportunity and he should have been sent off, but otherwise I thought the referee was outstanding all match and shows football league refs can be good!

Thanks all for taking the time to let us know - really interesting reads.

I used to be a season-tickets holder, but don't come to games anymore because of our fans - many of whom are a bunch of negative, critical, on occasion aggressive, expletive-ridden muppets. Why should I spend £75 and five hours travelling to put up with that? I hate the atmosphere at SMS. It's depressing. No wonder we have one of the worst home records in the country. Fans need to sharpen up, create the kind of positive atmosphere we had during much of the Strachan era, and remember that we're not a big club with an automatic right to win every match. Pardew's rebuilding will take time. Judge him in a year - or even two. Support him wholeheartedly until then, even through the losses that will no doubt come. Then, maybe then, I'll come back (and I reckon many more will).