tiger

You are correct, he fell out with Burley due to some of Burley's bizarre medical opinions.

This would make sense and I think it is true but we are likely to get confirmation until he moves to the Emirates in 2 or 3 years. I would like to know whether the fee has been agreed but I expect it has and we will just get our money back. The Walcott deal being renegotiated has got something to do with all this I would also speculate. Like it or not we are now a feeder club to the big boys.

I think you will find that is roughly what happened. I think, in fact I know, GH wanted to stay but with the cut backs etc etc thought it wiser to look around. He is remaining in football and the media but not locally. He has been a good servant for the club both before joining them and afterwards and cares deeply about our fortunes. Good Luck to him.

Not sure your info is 100%.

not quite his last day is Saturday

only one point away from a play off place FFS COYR ... get behind the lads, we'll walk this League Sorry its the weather!

Thanks for that - the only thing I will add is that Merrington on Solent thought Holmes to be our most ineffectual player

I think they are drowning their sorrows - the weather today is reminiscent of the 2003 final.

The pity of today is that a point would have boosted the youngster's confidence which is bound to be brittle. A point is nothing over 46 games but it is important that they play without fear and last minute goals have a habit of undermining the character of the side. Svensson and Wotton's experience will be vital. Listening on Solent it did sound like were a little light weight upfront and perhaps tried to play too much good football rather than go for goal. The balance has got to be right especially away from home where you are more likely to go a goal down. I was pleased with what I heard but it is important we get a good win early on or else it could go down hill quickly.

According to Solent Saints being forced to defend too deep and Svensson holding things together. Schneiderlin coming off which is a surprise to Merrington.

But we are being lead by 2 blokes who have failed us in the past?

Just watched Brum v Sheff Utd and I must admit I can't see this total football with a bunch of youngsters really working, I really can't. The concept is attractive but it is pie in the sky and we will need a plan B within weeks.

Saints will either nick a slender win (only the 2nd time in 20 seasons we win our first game) or we will be walloped.

What an honest appraisal - a fan admitting he got it wrong - well done Chapel End Charlie. We all get things wrong, especially with Saints because it is easy to let our hearts rule our heads but it takes a big man to admit it. Fair play to you - I shall read your posts this season with interest because I know you are a poster who's views are without spin. More power to your elbow.

What ignorance! He had 13-14 games to sort out the mess Burley took 2 years to get us into.

SoG, he was hardly given the task to set the world alight was he? His job was to stop the rot and keep us up. He did it. Can't understand why people refer to his tenure as disastrous. I was a little anti his appointment as it smacked of LM nepotism but at the end of the day he was successful. Yet people feel happy slagging him.

I quite agree and I do think NickH is lacking objectivity in his unqualified support for the new regime - that is not a bad thing but it is unfair to castigate Pearson at the same time!

Sorry Rod, was going to let this thread die but 2 genuine questions coming up having read what you just wrote. Did you really expect to see Pearson putting out a side to play good football at any stage considering the mess we were in when he was appointed. Do you think the position we found ourselves going into that Sheff Utd match was all or mainly due to Pearson?

Am I missing some irony here? How can you describe Pearson as a disaster? Twas not pretty I agree but needs must and he rescued us from a very dodgy position which originated from some very shaky foundations left by Burley. I will resist making personal insults as you have done in your previous post which kinda ruined your point of view, if I am frank. never mind!

I accept Strachan tailed off once he decided he was not getting the support but Burley's sides were never as fit as Strachans...ever. As for Ferguson ok slighly unfair but someone else earlier brought his and Clough's name up when comparing them to Burley.

Some old scabs are older than others Saint Donkey. There is plenty of references to the football played under Burley last season elsewhere on this forum today so I believe this thread is comparaively relevant. You obviously do not. That is your perogative. Incidentally I thought at the time Nicholl had reached his sell by date. Performances in the last few months of his final season were dire inc that dreadful 2-6 defeat at Derby. That puts me in the same camp as Guy Askham - God forbid!

Can't help dropping by eh Colin?

I take your point re losing the 3 best players but even so he was being paid the same amount and if Rupert is to believed he had a promising crop of young players coming through which he chose to ignore. He was still obliged to give it his best shot which clearly he did not. As for your other point about whether the manager should shoulder an unfair percentage of the blame - it is debatable. At the end of the day if he picks or buys players that do not do the business then it is his responsibility. It maybe his motivation that is lacking, his man management or simply his ability. I have never seen a United side under Ferguson that did not look motivated or fit but I did see one or two under his predecessor. I never saw a Saints side under Strachan that didn't look fit but there were plenty under Burley. Of course a manager cannot control what goes on once a player has crossed the white line but he does have the power to ensure he doesn't cross that white line again.

OK now we having a sensible debate (if we ignore your opening sentence). The answer to your question re us being below par - I think the reason we had a poor season was very much down to Burley. Losing the play-offs to Derby was the turning point for Burley because he realised (quite correctly) his best chance had gone and he lost interest which was unprofessional and very nearly cost us our place in the CCC. It was obvious to quite a few that we were on the rocky slope and I seem to remember even the then current board (Hone) had concerns but were strapped about doing anything because the amount of money it would have cost us to have got rid of what was fast becoming a lame duck manager. Also, Lowe's comments when he returned about Burley not being managed properly shows that even he recognised the Burley situation needed better "managing". I am not looking to score points - more trying to make Saints fans face up to reality when things are starting to go wrong. Support is great and I sing as loud as any when it is needed or deserved but blind loyalty can be harmful. I honestly believe too many gave Burley too much "blind loyalty" last season and it nearly cost us. I was at the AGM last year and could not believe the ovation GB got. I bet one or two of those clapping have since been very critical.

Not at all - thanks for giving a rational response.