Badger

Just googled him. No beard. No chance. But on the subject of Ole's , the BBC Gossip Colum featured this: Are we a 'major club' in comparison ?

He was linked previously, reports saying Rasmus liked him but he hadn't long been at Middlesbrough and wouldn't consider a move. Looking at him he seems ideally suited to Rasmus: Young manager✔️ Beard✔️ Fashionable name from playing days✔️ Achieved nothing of note in his managerial career ✔️ Looks a trendy fucker on the touchline ✔️ bound to crop up if we are looking for a manager again as he seems to fit on the Rasmus Spectrum.

Or David Platt. Bound to manage England one day.

You’re overlooking a few things: he doesn’t have to live in Middlesbrough, he’s a Geordie, and his family are up there. Think it might be harder to prise him away from there than people might think.

Okay you're joking about failing, but it does seem he manages to fall out with the hierarchy at clubs after a year or so. Add Mainz and Dortmund to the list where he's left under a cloud.

Talking to older relatives years ago I can understand the feelings they and you had for him. But I have a less favourable view of him. Might have been quite a prospect though of him and Channon paying together for Saints. But of course we had Big Ron.

Another vote for Eric Martin. Interesting that you mention good with his feet and claiming crosses. I think he combined those skills, often raising feet when coming for the cross or through ball. Often his feet - with studs showing - were at the oncoming forwards face height. A bygone age. Think he'd be top Eric as well if we had a poll. Some might add Martin Chivers, but he was before my time following Saints by a couple of years, and fucking off to Spurs he is barred from this anyway. (Recall him saying on the pitch at St Mary's that Spurs were his first team now, so he can go in the 'cunt Martins' list for me).

Schumacher, yes we like a Stoke reject. Given the option of those two I'd rather stick with Martin (and the inevitable relegation).

Or flogging a dead horse.

An irrefutable stat perhaps, but it doesn’t show how it might have been 25 in 5 games without him. I’m sure some nerd has a “metric” for the ‘unexpected fuck up factor’ , or the ‘he’ll be disappointed with that’ / or X(beaten low to the bottom left/easily at his near post) phenomenon.

Corberan or Eustace it is then. Or Carrick who was meant to be on the Rasmus Spectrum before. No idea if Eustace has a beard, or skinny jeans. Or vaping credentials of any of them.

I thought in that interview he stated the reason he withdrew was down to detecting there was a division in the boardroom ( presumably Semmens/Old Guard v Ankersen).

The bit in bold tends to suggest he isn’t learning or adapting. Some of the selections you highlight have been forced by injury, Smallbone for instance. Agree that the crap defence and squad may not be solely down to him, but he did bring in Wood and Manning (although latter had a reasonable game yesterday). However his goals against have been pretty shocking wherever he’s been.

Don't expect real milk, bound to be some soya substitute.

So obvious that a bit more caution was required wasn’t it ?

Any mega yachts in Southampton at the moment? Or investor earlobes spotted ?

Expect the skates will part company with John Moussaka soon. He had a promotion last season so perhaps he’s on the Rasmusometer for our next manager. You know it makes sense

Who makes up the Board, isn't it Rasmus, Kraft,the Dyson bloke whose name escapes me, and one of Katherina Liebherr's representative ? Would have thought Dragan as the owner has the casting vote on this.

That would seem a bit too imaginative for SR

Thanks for sharing that insight (and personal history of how you joined the righteous side of Hampshire football). In truth I expect many have harboured similar feelings of not being fussed about the result if it would bring a close to a manager’s time with us (Jones that’s certainly the case with many - just look on here -wanting him out, and Branfoot years ago I should think).

Does Xavi speak English, or will we need a translator to tell us why he didn’t want to be a shelf stacker or PE teacher in Catalonia ?

Some good names there no doubt. But why would any be interested in a relegation shit show ? Many would be good options if even lower mid table and looking to push on, but suitability to the scrap ahead is a different matter.

Perhaps it could be rebranded and marketed as Saints Legends XI V Russell Martin's Bellends XI.

Only one man. In the words of a Madness song “ There’s a man I know, at least I used to years ago..” “Proper football club…, f’sure”

Martin ? Wonder if he's still got his flat in Winchester