Victor

But, be fair, he did appoint Sir Clive Woodward who during his long tenure at the club saw us adopt revolutionary practices that rocketed us to the forefront of European football.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - and probably have to say it again with 'manager for next season' threads appearing at regular intervals. Gary Speed - player/manager. Had coaching experience at Bolton. Has said this season will probably be his last before going in to coaching/management. Has been touted as Wales manager. Could play and score a few from midfield alongside Gillett who he should appoint captain - who better for Gillett to learn from? Can take - and score - the penalties. We'll probably be too far down the queue, however.

A lot of the so-called young players were not that young. Simon Gillett is 23 - an old man compared to Bale or Walcott. It wasn't so much their age as that so many inexperienced players were thrown in together rather than introduced within a settled side. I don't blame any of them, and was particularly pleased by the progress of Gillett and James.

I'm not too fussed SISU didn't get involved with Saints. Coventry finished with 8 more points than Saints: I am certain that under Pearson we would have finished with at least 8 more points than we did using the squad at his disposal and the money that was available. My view is that Coventry under-performed this season. Ranson is a businessman who makes his money from deals in football - insurance of players, brokering transfers etc.. He was used by consortiums, or thought he could make some money, in attempting to buy Man City, Aston Villa, Saints and finally Coventry. If we get a buyer who cares about SAINTS ahead of making money or raising their personal profile I will be pleased SISU lost interest in Saints, for whatever reason.

Jess the Cat B. Mills ------ Bill ----- Ben -----CoCo A.Pugh ---- B.Pugh -------- B.McGrew ---- C.Dibble Grub --- B. Rubble sub. O. Dia Head Coach: Jan Beek Eeers Assistant: Mark Nodde We will walk this league!

I think you'll find most towns and cities other than London are populated by local people - and even the number of second-homers in London represent a minority.

Not sure that's fair - wasn't Wright brought in to cover Kelvin's injury? He did well and therefore kept his place.

A pity he didn't also pick up on the seemingly different approach applied to Stockport. Their 10 point deduction applies this season because they were not relegated by their failings on the pitch. The deduction has not caused them to be relegated either, so they start next season on par, 10 points above us. Where is their punishment for exactly the same 'crime'? I also thought from the beginning analogy that he was going to make mention of the referee's performance against Burnley. A reasonable article, but far from complete.

Did you donate money to pay Fry's fees or to help the CLUB stay solvent? Did you check what your money would be used for before 'donating' it? Do you have any right to chose how the money is spent once you have given it, anyway? Do you have any right to criticise what other people would like their donations to be spent on?

I reckon it's the bloke on the right disguising himself with a strap around his double chin and golf balls in his cheeks. Or was that Rupert in disguise?

Surely the conservative deputy leader of the council of a largish city would be educated enough to know it should be "You're" getting close. Or is this just another diversionary tactic? Does anyone know if he actually lives in/near Southampton? Mind you, a man of his station (can't say 'background' as I don't know it) probably has several homes.

Would have thought both sides would have preferred to wait and see what league Reading will be in next season. Coppell doesn't seem too sure if he himself will be at Reading next season.

This thread's a load of ******** anyway - it's 3rd bottom we are playing for.

No it's not odd. I can see why you are a 'simple' moderator. FH's point is that the ref made a total **** up and will use the pitch invasion to smoke screen his totally inept and inadequate handling of the situation. I was directly opposite the incident in the Kingsland. The facts are that: there was still time at least time for a free kick to be taken and we were pressurising Burnley at the time. Wotton was clearly in need of urgent attention. the ref blew to end the game pretty well immediately, but I believe this was not appreciated by everyone because there was clearly at least a minute to go and because he made no clear indication of what the situation was. He had in any case lost control of the game well before this. The pitch invasion from our section did not occur until it was realised that the game had in fact finished. I appreciate there may have been a different situation at the Northam end. The ref's first responsibility was to get treatment for Wotton, but it seemed his only concern

Surely, would not 'due dilligence' reveal that the said Rupert Lowe once was the incompetent chairman of a failed company that acted as a front for a football club (flagrantly in violation of the clearly set out rules of the league within which it operated)? If so, he would therefore be judged not to be a 'fit and proper person' and his bid would be excluded.

But my point is that we are being punished for doing it and FAILING. Why should the league not investigate the clubs that have done it and SUCCEEDED? Those clubs have committed the same offence but have reaped huge rewards with promotion to the Premiership i.e. they have done exactly the thing that the rule is intended to discourage, but have got away with it and profited by it. Surely, theirs is the greater sin.

The 10 point penalty IS unfair and should be contested. As I understand it, the penalty is there to discourage clubs from ‘buying’ promotion with money they do not really have thereby gaining advantage over clubs that are more circumspect. But surely, our only offence is failure – and administration and relegation are punishment enough. Businesses invest in order to expand; that is the nature of the beast. Many fail, but others succeed and are rewarded. If our investment in players had led to promotion to the Premiership the rewards would have been colossal but we would still have committed the offence for which we are now being punished. Therefore, if the league is to be consistent and fair, they should send in their forensic accountants to look at the books of the clubs that have GAINED promotion to see if THEY used money they could not really afford - and dock them 10 points if they decide that they have. Apologies for wasting your time if this argument has already been made.

We can already "potentially" lose the stadium. But we won't.

Irrelevant? I don't think you've understood what the league have said (I appreciate it is difficult as they make things up on the hoof etc.) but it could be the difference between starting next season on 0 points and -10 points. Pretty important in my view. Plus it will show there is still huge support for the club. Pretty important in my view. Plus it could mean we actually have money to fulfill our final fixture and do not incur further penalty. Pretty important in my view.

Little Red Riding Hood Protection Unit?

I thought strippers got jobs almost exclusively in front of men. (except the Chippendales)

It's all Lawrie's fault - if he hadn't taken us to such great heights we wouldn't have had so far to fall. Shame on you, Lawrie!

We've just had a new manager thread - so I will repeat my suggestion: Gary Speed. Only trouble is he will certainly be able to get a better position elsewhere and Saints mean nothing to him that would persuade him otherwise.

Exactly - plus a few other things such as expecting Woodward and Redknapp to be best mates etc. etc. etc. - but absolutely NOTHING to do with stay-away fans. The stadium was pretty nearly full long after things started on their way to the current situation. I reckon the fans have been amazingly patient and loyal considering the continuingly worsening saga and laughing stock that has been SFC over the last few years.