Goalie66

I think Steve has raised a good point and that is Pardew built a team that did perform well most of last season and NEARLY overcame the -10. Adkins does not have the luxury of building his team but will still be expected to produce results to get us promotion. This is not a Pardew v Adkins thread because I think both are good managers but I also think the pressure Adkins is under will eventually communicate to the team when results do not go his way. Whatever Pardew and his two of his staff allegedly did and their subsequent sacking HAS had a destabilising effect on the team and results. Pardew built a good side and from his comments knew that we needed to replace Antonio and Waigo as well as another midfielder. We assume that Prado was the midfielder so the only signings short were the pace up front. No manager can legislate for injuries and the loss of form of Lambert, Puncheon, Hammond etc but we do have good players not even getting a game !!. I listened to the game last night and Saturday on the radio and we appear to be way short still on confidence as well as creating chances to dominate as we should with these players. Bournemouth will be a must win so the pressure will only intensify to repeat the run that we had last year.

Sounded as only Snerderlin was the only player up for it. Hammond anonymous again. !!!?

Born 1951 Bitterne Park 51-60 Bitterne Park Infants and Juniors Bitterne 60-69 -Harefield Primary and Tauntons Bitterne 69-70- Southampton Art College 70-74 Sheffield 74-75 Littlehampton 75-80 Bognor Regis 80-83 Byfleet 83 -91 Woking 91-93 Sacramento California 93-Present Woking

Both Le God Third coming and I watched the game on Saturday and we are both not particularly fond of Hammond. Neither of us doubt his enthusiasm but his reading of the game is poor therefore he cannot readily compensate for his shortcomings. He is one paced therefore he cannot accelerate either into space or past players. He ball watches and gets drawn out of position He is one footed He does not tackle or very rarely, therefore he does not break up attacks that often His finishing is poor and his heading ability is weak He rarely links up with wide men to receive return pass behind a defender but positions himself to receive a square pass instead. In my opinion he is not a leader and should not wear the armband

I think those who have seen the games can plainly see that there are some fundamental problems at the club that are manifesting themselves with low morale and confidence. Last night we started brightly and just needed some luck to kick on our confidence. But good teams when playing badly or low on confidence , fight for everything to get that lucky break. After half time MK Dons won every 50/50 then 60/40 ball and WE GAVE UP. There was no leadership on the pitch and our midfield has neither speed ,intelligence guile or graft. We are carrying passengers in Hammond, Puncheon and Lambert at the moment. No team can fire on one cylinder when the opposition needs to fire on two.

An NDA is always between two parties. Without two parties signing it it is invalid. Pardew would I am sure had his contract paid in full on condition of its signature. What erks me is the fact it was three members of staff sacked and not just Pardew. If there was a non football related misdeamenour by Pardew then this would make some sense if HE was fired... but all three. !!!. It would be my assumption that all three were paid off, all on NDA's. As to the real reason why we will never know. I think Adkins appears a decent man but after watching last night he has a lot to do and little time to do it in.

Perhaps we will never know why Pardew and his team were sacked but there can be few who surely would argue that the timing was awful for whatever reasons. Most on this board felt that Pardew was doing OK and needed time to deliver. My fear is that Adkins is under so much pressure to succeed with players he has inherited. At least Pardew bought his team to the table. In businesss you judge people by what they do and Adkins will not get the time to build his team. So if we fail this season do we fire another manager ? This is the insanity that Cortese has created by DEMANDING promotion this year. I hope we do get promotion but even if we do it might hide the weakneesses of Cortese as a motivator and manager of men which might explain the rift with Pardew.

Totally agree. Remember it wasn't just Pardew who was sacked but most of his team as well. I suspect he did have a replacement in mind but like everything else since the sackings it has gone tits up and a major embarrassment

A very good point reinforced by comments from Davies that all Managers can never keep all players happy all the time. In most clubs the only reason for sacking the manager is results. The timing of sacking Pardew was awful so early in the season. Many have posted on here that it should have been done last season, if at all and not three games in. The Photographer ban at St Mary's has not endeared the Press to us and now we are reaping every opportunity for the Media to show bias against Cortese. Whether he is right or wrong in his dealings he appears to be out of his depth and that perception will only magnify unless he sorts out this mess shortly.

My God what crap. He is a jerk. He may be a Swiss banker but he is no Manager and his diplomacy style is akin to Atilla the Hun !!

Whoever is now the owner of the club will have to face the fact that sooner or later Cortese is a disaster and will not deliver on their "dream". Any manager coming in will be under ridiculous pressure and scrutiny and is almost being set up for ultimate failure. Now the reason why Adkins is delaying is in the public domain devalues our club and will certainly detract any real talent wanting to come here.

Good summary but I would add that neither Hammond or Sneirderlin are moving forward to support the attack and we did very few overlaps. The weakness is in our midfield and in particular Hammond who drifts without any clear vision of how to adjust to a game. Today we had far too many players behind the ball and were not pushing up to play in their half , particularly in the second half. That said with any luck we could have won by foour goals. No need to panic yet and I think we will find it easier away from home

Exactly. Just like a soap you are compelling because your situation has been farscical and appears to be never ending. Your club has managed to give so much entertainment, anger, discussion, pity and outrage because of what you DID. In all probability there is more to come...that will heighten again all the aforementioned emotions

Unfortunately while what you say may be true. I and many others were at the League Cup game where a minutes silence for Ted Bates was dishonoured by so called Pompey fans. These low life demonstrated no respect or decency so it is hardly surprising that in this hour of grief for a genuine man ANY distateful reference to Marcus from so called fans of PCFC will be viewed in the same light.

I am afraid that while I think the Sun is a rubbish rag, Cortese's decision is wrong. The media have united against us and in a way I am glad. Cortese does not understand that in this country Freedom of the Press is a cornerstone of our democracy that acts as a counterbalance to arrogant and despotic decisions . Their pressure will either force him to change his mind or possibly force his removal.

Excellent post.However, it is obvious that Cortese is making decisions with either very poor advice or no advice at all. There is no board of directors or non-execs, as far as I am aware, to counterbalance any ideas that Cortese may have. Instead we apear to have an arrogant despot running our club. Examples of this are: 1. Banning the Echo after they reported a public domain story. 2. Withdrawal of a match programme from last season with no explanation 3. Withdrawal of Fans Charter with NO notice 4. Season ticket notification late and no renewal of staged payments 5. Admin charge same as Wembley's (£3) per ticket order online 6. Photo ban of journalists Like all despots I suspect that he will surround himself with "yes men" and gofers. My fear that as his ideas remain unchecked that he will start to believe that football management is well within his grasp and that us fans will put up with anything as we are emotionally comitted to support the club. I am sure he did not like the very public show of support for Pardew at the end of last season and is looking for the slightest excuse to fire him...

Spot on. My fear is that Cortese will not stop there.Pardew next ?

Exposed our benign mid field and lack of pace to run at defenders

This decison has wider implications. Freedom of the Press is a democratic right in this country and as others have pointed out has no commercial benefit to the club and the repercussions are more likely to alienate other clubs as well as the press. I would not be surprised that anyone taking photos or videos in the ground will be ejected and possibly banned.

Being stuck in an outside bench seat toilet and 100 people ****ting on YOU

Why did the OS not reveal the full amounts payable as did Brentford? Some what undermines the credibility of the club if it decides to be economical with the truth and questions the validity of future statements!!.

He did say his money was refunded for his season ticket !!!

Absolutely spot on. Cortese is like many immature business people who I have come accross that is more intent in pleasing his boss than his customers. Ultimately he will alienate everyone and Liebherr as well . Give him two years

It is all a question of attitude by the Club. Clearly Cortese does not undestand how to Market the club and communicate with Customers. It is his fiefdom and he will do things his way. Most can understand price changes if they are explained and everybody is givven time to plan. We are not idiots. I am afraid that Cortese has shown that he REALLY does not understand that maintaining the Family culture of the club is good for business. Good business people listen and communicate effectively and in a timely manner. The surcharges on bookings are price increases and penalise those who go to away games as well as those who are not season ticket holders. I do think we have heard the last of this and I suspect that Mr Cortese may have to eat some humble pie and admit a mistake. If he does then he will go up in my estimation. If not then there may be more listening to matches than attending

Is a supporter a customer? Yes in today's economy the choice is season ticket v buy on the day if you live locally or willing to attend the majority of games. Cortese has calculated that he can make more money from the floating supporter rather than the season ticket holder, hence the surcharges for online bookings and match days. However, what concerns me is the apparent contempt towards "customers" 1. No announcement date for availability of season tickets 2. No warning over installment payments 3. One month to renew or face much higher increase than rate of inflation 4. No communication as to why there was no programme against Southend 5 Unclear as to whether Surcharge is on away tickets The impression is that Cortese is an autocrat and will get his way. As with all autocrats they start to believe that they know everything and are NEVER wrong. The feelgood factor is still good and whilst results on the pitch remain good then Cortese's popularity will remain high. However, afew more mistakes, the sacking of Pardew, for instance, and his star will plummet rapidly.