SaintRobbie

I agree with Steve. Administration is not a good option and certainly does not guarantee success even if it gives us all a satisfactory smirk at the fact that Lowe and Wilde loose a small fortune... a little poetic justice to see the plc finally die. Clean sweep like that may work but there are no guarantees that the new owners will be able to rebuild this club. I have typed this boringly since May; but the only way forward is for a united fans, shareholder, chairman and southampton city council effort to sell the Club before we are forced into administration. United we sell! With administration we are likely to lose further - with this effort we might, just might, get the result we hope for. SOUTHAMPTON FC IS FOR SALE. BUY THE SLEEPING GIANT AND RID US OF LOWE FOR GOOD.

OK - Let's start with something constructive: A very very public announcement from Mike Wilde that the Club is FOR SALE a la Ashley at Newcastle Utd would be a very very good start at the moment. Mike... time's come. Right now ANY takeover would be better, how I wish we'd taken the SISU deal and be sitting mid-table with Chris Coleman now. I really, really thought we'd get a better offer at the time... but no. And I'm afraid things are just slightly desperate now. TAKEOVER AND FAST PLEASE.

Blimey. Never thought I'd read that. Well, I'm very glad that finally most people are now seeing through the weeds and has managed to work out: 1. JP is probably a fraud a la Clifford. Certainly didnt set the Dutch league on fire with Wotte did he? But then again he has sold his soul to Director of Football Rupert Lowe and is doing his £-driven bidding with regards to who is being played. 2. Lowe causes division and lack of optimism from fans, press, shareholders and business investors. 3. You can't win anything with kids. 4. The only hope for Southampton FC is a takeover and removal of ALL key shareholders. This cloggy-Lowe kid experiment was destined for failure from its very inception. I too - like Alpine - would still love to be proven wrong, but can't see it happening. Saints WILL relegate and WILL remain in League 1 for several years under Lowe and Wilde. WE MUST ALL DO WHATEVER WE CAN - FANS, SHAREHOLDERS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MIKE WILDE to SELL THIS CLUB. Only a takeover will now bring back the optimism and punchdrunk fans. That and a respected British manager with zeal and energy for success. Saints have a huge fan base. Good infrastructure. Good assets. Good location. Lots of potential. LOTS. It's a saleable commodity - no doubts about it... NOW LETS BANG HEADS TOGETHER AND GET THIS CLUB SOLD.

Scooby - the fact that you seem indicate that whatever reason these fans do not go is linked to Lowe(and you're talking ******** about class reasons) has to tell even you something. I think Soccermon is right - there is also weariness. Weariness at the constrant beating fans have had over time with poor results, failure of the boardroom, failure on the pitch, no manager wanting to stay for years. SAINTS FANS ARE PUNCHDRUNK WITH FAILURE ... failure associated that started with the establishment of the plc and introduction of Lowe (and now Wilde) being at the club, whether its entirely their fault or not. Whether the odd success or not can be sighted by people in the last 12 years is irrelevant as there has been constrant falling down the league... the league tables never lie. So, given that evidence alone it's hardly a suprise fans are voting with their feet. What amazes me is that we have not yet seen Branfoot-style tactics from lesser minded fans... but I suppose that'll happen eventually if Lowe and Wilde refuse to sell to the next takeover offer.

Agreed. Though I said I wouldnt go to protest against and certainly not support Lowe's Southampton Leisure Holdings plc Youth FC team... I have been going, and attending away matches... can't resist it.... But, I am afraid after the last game I thought... I can spend £26 on better things than this failing Cloggy youth crap... so I suspect I wont be going for a while not just because of Lowe/Wilde but now because of cost and value for money. God we need a takeover soon.

Well said Phil in all aspects, from this forum to punch drunk fans nausious with with Lowe's plc failure and continuing daft ideas for success. I would add once more - I know I go on about it but... - WE ALL NEED TO UNITE NOW TO SELL THIS CLUB. Mike Wilde holds that card. Mike needs to act. Go on Mike - do an Ashley at Newcastle and tell the world you want to sell.

Definitely swap positions and circumstances with Leicester. We will leagues anyway in May 09 so why not go with a situation of a club building on what they have and going up rather than continuing to slide. Saints will relegate if this total(ly bull) football kids experiment is allowed to continue. Saints will sell the better young players to keep the plc afloat (stated by Wilde himself 2 weeks ago). Saints WILL NOT therefore go up to the CCC immediately from League 1....indeed could conceivably continue to fall to League 2. So... yes give me Leicester's cirmcumstances right now if we (Lowe/Wilde) are not allowing a takeover asp.

OK - have typed this afew times but here we go. I suggest we take a leaf out of Newcastle Utd's book here. May be they have not been as coordinated as I am about to suggest but the actions of the fans and Ashley and his shareholders/Boardroom are worth examining. Firstly - working under the assumption that Ashley as principal shareholder is also a fan - like Mike Wilde tells us he is too - as well as being a businessman, I suggest the following: 1. Form a united team of a fans rep , respected shareholders (not Lowe who has no confidence from either the business community or fans), Southampton City Council, legends (MLT) under Mike Wilde's leadership. 2. As Ashley has, Mike Wilde to announce VERY PUBLICALLY that SFC is for sale and that the Club is ready to move upwards with new leadership and investment. Backed by fans, MLT et al mentioned above he uses Sky, BBC and anyone else in media willing to advertise the Club as one with great youth, infrastructure, huge fanbase, exciting prospects for commercial development in the centre of Southampton and close to moorings for big yachts etc etc. 3. Sales team mentioned above - put together a slick presentation with professional assistance and OPENLY present to potential investors... targetting Russia, USA and Middle East as necessary. This can be done and can have an effect and has to be better than sitting on our arses and watching the club continue to die under Lowe's plc, we are going down and never will promote by selling our best players - youth players - as Mike Wilde has stated WILL happen to keep the plc afloat. I think we need to hear that statement from Wilde soon that the club is 'For Sale'. What's more we all need to then get behind the effort to sell it. Lowe must not be involved as there is little or no confidence in his ability by the press, shareholders, business investors and the vast majority of fans. Mike Wilde can lead this one and should - in the same way Ashley has realised his time is up and for the good of a Club he loves (no denying Ashley also has the chance to make some cash on this deal too!) There are many who would buy this Club out there. We just need to start attracting them by stating in a unified manner that we're for sale. There is NO WAY this club will go forward again without a takeover now. So lets all just admit it from Wilde to the Northam youth and get behind a takeover sales pitch. What is there to lose on this?

Then its time for Plan C... ENCOURAGE WILDE AND LOWE TO SELL BY FAIR MEANS OR FOWL AND GET A TAKEOVER. SOUTHAMPTON FC IS FOR SALE. (AND WORTH BUYING). WILDE/LOWE/CORBETT/CROUCH .... OUT!

... when you can get 2 pints in at the Itchen Stand Bar at half time.

We have to oust Wilde and Lowe fast and encourage a takeover. I have been right about everything so far since May - I predicted all of this Lowe comeback and his Cloggy experiment with kids failing... now that the overwhelming tone on the threads on this forum also seem to back that line - its time for the fans to put Lowe and Wilde under pressure to sell. WE MUST ENCOURAGE A TAKEOVER. We need to seriously take a leaf out of the passionate fans in Newcastle and stop acting like a bunch of punch drunk fans used to a continuing demise and slide of a once European playing football club under Lowe's plc influence. We have to act soon. We ARE going down with these kids and JP. The table does not lie. Now lets do something to get Lowe and Wilde out for good. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. SELL MIKE.

Go McGoldrick with your pace and powerful shots! (not) Mr Lowe - please can John play tonight? and Skacel so that Surman can go into midfield. (No point asking JP'uppet' afterall).... WE NEED MEN

Theres no chance this team will win. Not going. 1-2 Ipswich easy win.

I stood opposite him as he went in. I put my head in my hands and knew he was going off. After all of the recent 2 footed challenges and red cards of late in the Leagues there was no way he was staying on. Poor challenge that demonstrated the lack of experience of our youth side of relegation bound nippas. Total(ly crap) Football. Sorry but I thought it was a red card given the current apetite amongst refs and the FA and what's more it demonstrates lack of professionalism and inexperience.

We need a manager who can bring in some old loan players. Bring in a Shearer - who wants to manage and get rid of this crap FAILING Lowe as DoF and JP as the doomed sidekick who has to play youngsters as Lowe wont let him play men. Lowe Out. Wilde Out. WE NEED TO SELL THIS CLUB. It's time to make life very uncomfortable this week at SMS for the Board and shareholders. We need a takeover FAST and someone like Shearer in. ... no Hoddle please... but right now I'd prefer anyone as long as we go back to playing men and have a real manager NOT a coach poodle to Lowe's bidding. And as for Wilde - Mike I know you're reading this - lots of respect for you in many ways for what you tried to do, but time to sell up and get out before the fans turn on you my friend. I think enough is enough now. We are likely to lose the remaining 2 games this week. Fan patience is thinning if the talk in the terraces at Loftus Road is anything to go by. SELL THE CLUB - lets get a team together - MLT, Lawrie Mac, respected shareholders (not Lowe) and decent articulate fans who can sell this Club as well as some reps from Southampton City Council and MPs who can sell the opportunities investing and buying this club can give them in Southampton - there are many people out there who want to buy football clubs - lets go get 'em!

Worst performance of the season for me. Get the kids out and bring in John, Skacel, Perry and anyone else over the age of 22 please. We have 2 kids who can play - Lallana and Scheinderlin (who JP keep stupidly replacing on 70 mins!) Please get some men in this team. Or we will not just be going down - but going down with the lowest point score in CCC history IMHO. Lowe Out, Wilde Out and JP Out. Experiment has failed as predicted. No sell this fekking club Wilde.

I agree with this. Let's do this - let's celebrate this club exactly like this with a team of fans, stars, respected shareholders and Southampton MPs and council members and let's use this sort of thing to sell Southampton and SFC to a big investor. We have a city and club to be proud of. Lets sell it and gain some glory. You can't win anything with kids.

Strange one this. I thik our style of passing footy could work against QPR... But I also think our kids dont have the full mental package. We are going down, see you all there tomorrow but my heart says we can win 1-2... head says a clear loss 3-0. We will lose.

Yes. He does not (and NEVER has attracted investment in his plc. EVER. Even his shareholders hate him in post - the share price is at an ALL TIME LOW(e). He is acting as a Director of Football and has bought for profit not team requirements. His 'manager's' results are: LLWL...L We are going down on this form and WILL continue to. But very importantly ... Mike Wilde tells it as it is when he said a couple of days ago that Saints are now a 'Feeder Club' and WILL need to seel youngsters to stay financially fuid. Now... that says what I have been typing since last May... This experiement in youth cannot work anyway. We will sell as the players mature. Therefore what is the alternative? We all get together - fans, previous stars, previous greats like Lawrie Mac, Shareholders like Mary Corbett, Southampton City Council and MPs and respected fans like Steve Grant and you know what we do? WE SELL THIS ****ING CLUB. We need a takeover to survive. Lets go and get it before Lowe kills this Club for the rest of our lifetimes. I want to cheer this team in the Premiership where it should be. Come on... stop this nonsense. MIKE WILDE - Let's unite and sell.

Trousers your avatar is class! Havent laughed so hard in ages!

First time I have seen Burley truly under pressure today on his SSN interview. I think he's cracking... could see and very early exit of his Scotland managerial position methinks... especially if players are now hinting they will not play for him. Oh dear.

The only way we'll see an increase in the gates will be through OPTIMISM. That will come from one of 2 possibilities: 1. JP performs a miracle and we start winning regularly (unlikely in my opinion). We are currently 5th from bottom and likely to continue to fall in my opinion. 2. TAKEOVER and the removal of the likes of Lowe and hopefully the plc system that - in Wilde's own words - have made us into a 'Feeder Club' who will have to sell our young players anyway to continue to survive. We have to do everything we can to encourage a takeover of this club. We must think about how to attract investment. Personally I would suggest we form a Presentation Team made up of fans, former stars (e.g. MLT), Southampton City local government officials and Wilde who we invest some cash into and send around the world to every potential Football investing millionaire and SELL THIS CLUB. We are going to go down again (eventually) under this system. We simply have to promote the club for a takeover as soon as possibly. Mike - I know you're a decent bloke and reading this. Let's get a team together and sell this Club!

Burley?

I think he'll be sacked by Christmas unless Lowe and Wilde have League 1 in their plans for next year to give the kids a chance to mature.

Post Match Reaction. I will be going to support the team as much as I can. No more protests against Lowe. THESE NIPPAS ARE GOING TO NEED AS MUCH SUPPORT AS THEY CAN GET TO STAY IN THIS LEAGUE. Fans: Low turnout partly down to TV, partly down to the majority of - fickle - fans refusing to pay £25 odd to watch what has been billed as a bunch of kids playing Dutch Football badly. So most stay away and make a judgement on the box... and I am sure will be staying away for the next few months as a result. The Northam started to leave early. Some booed at the end... but I sense it was directed against the situation rather than the youngsters. Manager: JP was spot on for me - given the tools he has been given to use. Made the right decisions and reinforced with John and Wotton to provide some badly needed mature spine... but it failed. His youth side lacked the holistic professional approach to a tough game of football and had no way recovered from the initial Birmingham game - in fact the second half performance was worse. JP has ONE system and therefore cannot counter robust 4 4 2 playing CCC teams at the moment. He needs a couple of systems that the nippas can play to - but this will take time. I was beginning to think he was a genious... but I revert back to my initial opinion. Needs alot more time in a lower league to get this right and is heading for that opportunity next year. Blackpool: Done their homework. A middle of the pack CCC team who played us for kippers. Their gameplan was a straight forward robust 4 4 2 defending deep in the first half to absord Saints pressure and potentially hoof up the ball to a powerful striker to run it in on the counter attack. Meantime they closed down and niggled Gillett with x2 big midfielders who took him out of the game and as he crumbled I expected the poor lad - who had killed Derby singlehandedly by all accounts - to start to cry. A lesson. BIG lesson that we all have been warning the team and this experiment about... the CCC is full of big robust players who are professional MEN who will play out a whole game. Blackpool did what EVERY CCC team will now do to this team and broke up the passing game, assisted by a referee, took out the momentum from our passing game. Spoiling. That is what this league is about. You can get out of it one way - bullying or being Premiership quality. You cannot with these kids I'm afraid. We are in a relegation battle not a playoff battle. CCC teams will watch the video of this game and do this to the nippas week in and week out. Well done to Blackpool. Professional game. A sound lesson. Southampton Leisure Holdings FC: Some superb nippas who we risk losing to Arsenal and others in due course. Appalling mental robustness. No striking ability (John needs to start IMHO). Lots and lots of potential - but no spine for a whole game. Crumbled when bullied. Going down. Overall? We need to build a team upon (not around) these nippas. That requires investment. That requires a takeover for cash to reinforce and manager with a holistic approach, determination and guts. Someone who loves Southampton and will ATTRACT DECENT ROBUST PLAYERS (MEN) to the club. I predict JP is put in as 1st team coach or sacked by the impatient Boardroom by Jan 09 and Shearer and Fulthorpe's consortium rebuild the team for a push against relegation in the latter half of the season. If not we're going down. Takeover please... meantime I am giving what I can to minimise the damage and cheer thes nippas on. See you all at QPR.