Saint Fan CaM

Believe it when I see it - too many false Dawns...personally I was hoping for a frisky Freda on Friday, but she turned out to be the fat lady that sang. OK - too silly.

So still no deal done then...must be waiting for Friday I guess.

Thank goodness you're not manager, because with that summary I am sure you've never seen the lad play. He puts in equally good crosses to James, although he never gets a whole match - usually sub appearances when we're 3-0 down and chasing a game. I have studied his technique and IMO he has got the mark of a very good player, with perhaps a little more work at tracking back and putting a boot in.

NO!

Agree it would, but it ain't gonna happen in a million years. Pie in the sky, pigs will fly stuff.

Wake up pal...this is the football world we live in now, created by the professional footballers themselves due to stupidly high wages in the top two leagues and of course Sky money. The lower leagues are so poor generally that they can only afford 'thugs' (as you put it). If we play kids to try a tip-tappy game in L1 we will be found out very quickly just like we did in the CCC. In fact, probably quicker. It is essential that we match the squad for L1 life to attempt to get out of it or we will continue to plummet - mark my words.

Well I think it's certainly true that we need to rid of Wotte. Playing tap-tap pretty footie in L1 will lead us into oblivion. We need to get a gaffer that sets his team up to play 4-4-2 for most games - let's them get used to the system and tactics - uses the wings to play wide and get lots of deep crosses into the box - employs 1 or 2 big experienced target men who can bully defenders without giving away stupid fouls. Easy - but Wotte will not be that man.

Well thats an easy decision made then eh? He can f*ck right off if that's true - we need some men in the team for L1 ready for a fight. Give the RM job to James and recruit a decent RB.

I think there are two essentials to recognise before talking about particular players. 1. There are a good number of players in this seasons team that have been playing in the wrong position and/or been made to play stupid tactics (e.g. Smith). A new manager who understands how to play a winger as a winger to get balls to the byline for decent crosses for instance will make a huge difference IMO. 2. A new regime that includes a new manager will NEED to clear out and start afresh to ensure tactics more suited to L1 are learnt quickly. This is the biggest issue facing the managerial, coaching and playing staff as we need a strong and successful start to the campaign. If we're struggling in the lower reaches after 6-7 games I will be extremely concerned - it could mean re-evaluation of the manager etc etc and you know where that leads. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes in L1 as Lowe did in the Prem and CCC.

IMO Woggy leaving the club was symbolic of Lowe's ability to see the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Woggy was part of the spirit in the club and when you start to disassemble that, the rest will evaporate. I really believe that Woggy would have brought something to the changing room mentality - he was probably one of the first people the players would see turning up for a home game and he almost certainly was close to the players. I also truly believe that players would be more inclined to put more effort in on the pitch knowing they're effectively playing to put food on their friends dinner plate (etc.). It's simple - bring Woggy back!

Verbal - that's a great summary - agree with all you've said there.

I find it hard believe that there are fans who are still harping on about Lowe (and that's from someone who detests what the man has done to the club). He is history, but unfortunately his legacy is a business that is about to fold completely. The forum is like a morgue lately - in a way very apt given the lack of takeover. I would have thought a deal would be upon us by now and this surely is the only thing of concern to us.

Nothing new here really, but yes, going into the bank holiday weekend with no firm offer looks very bleak indeed.

Not going to be the type of player we need in L1. Bye.

Wotton took an elbow in the face for his trouble - an act that should have seen the offending player sent off and banned - I also think it was premeditated and a grudge attack from an earlier incident in the game. The referree should be banned from ever officiating a match ever again IMO. I am incensed at the incompetence of the man and I truly hope the club put in a formal complaint themselves (this is the only course of action that will stand-up - they will not listen to fans). In fact Wotton should prosecute the offending player AND the referree for his injuries. Lets face it that would be classed as GBH if it had happened on the street. The refs poor decision making at that point in the game... (a) potentially lost us the game as there was still time to take a free-kick, (b) signalled the pitch invasion, © caused a player to be potentially in great danger, (d) let the offending Burnley player off the hook (which might have an effect on their subsequent league position). :mad:

Yes, that's how I see it too. Which means surely that if its THAT simple there must be some doubt over the process resolving itself anywhen soon. I don't think £4-6m in the scheme of things should be a massive hurdle IF the money is there. Something else is holding things up - not sure what - but to let it go to the wire like this does not sound too good.

Exactly - I didn't see many of these players walk around with a bucket talking to the fans and trying to raise money. I suppose that would be a bit like begging to be paid, but there must have been something they could have contributed to - like serving lunches in the corporates.

Fair play to the bloke. Great player once, but looked crocked when he played latterly. I don't think he'll be in any incoming regimes plans and I think he knows that, hence the comment about going home - he's made himself available. Good luck Killer.

I'd heard they're a bit behind the times over there, but this week-old news takes the biscuit. But thanks anyway. No really...I needed to read that again.

All of a sudden, our longer term injuries find a way back just as the season closes. Nothing like good timing to ensure you finish the season 'fit' and ready for a contract elsewhere eh? OL I might have a little sympathy for, but the other two I'm not so sure. I wonder what they did all week while it was going to rat-sh1t in the real world and they collected their wages? :mad: http://www.clubcall.com/southampton/triple-injury-boost-wotte-897209.html

What a strange place to be....not wanting to spend my life browsing between here and the OS, yet too intrigued and excited about the prospect of a buyer taking the club forward. The latter seems almost too good to be true given previous years of speculation (not to mention the awful performances on the pitch). I am starting to bore of it all now though - no news, still no sign of ambition, sword of Damacles still hanging over the club and not even any decent rumours. Please Mr. Fry - we need something to cheer us up and soon!

Frankly I am not too sure why anyone can get too heated over what is afterall a pretty 'out there' rumour. I would not be surprised to see Surman still in the squad come August TBH - with the biggest proviso being IF the club is still in existence then, because I am not too optomistic right now.

I would simply not support that man in anything he did ever again. I do not support proven failures and Lowe has taken every opportunity to show his customers what a real failure he really is. He has ruined this club and thats putting it in its most simplest of terms. OK, so its unlikely, but if he turns up like a bad penny again I will not be hanging around.

If we're talking articulate, passionate about football and ex-Saints related, what about Graham Le Saux? Did he ever do his badges etc?

Mmm, its clear we're getting pretty close to the wire and there is a big cat'n'mouse game going on with the club and whoever is lined up as potential buyer(s). The Guernsey property developers would not have had their names released if they were in the running to buy the club (NDA's?), but it would serve a purpose to release their names IF you wanted to show intent to get on with the job in a dispassionate manner to sell assets. A wake-up call to say "its the 11th hour, let's get a move on". We're nearing the end...its frankly a very scary time, because we cannot be certain that any of the potential investors will actually make an offer. From where we are now I would say there is only a 50-50 chance at best that this will happen before meltdown. The only positive at this point in time is that Fry has not said Sundays game is off unless more money can be found to pay the players etc.