Echo dispute reaches Express

[saint1977]

Quite possible that Cortese knew Murray would react in the way he did. A shrewd cookie is our Mr Cortese.

 

A lot more shrewd than Murray. Murray is just a local hack at a poor paper owned by a faceless US corporation and I really don't care about what the Echo and it's fifth rate staff think. It has no stake or interests in local people or local issues. Cortese saved our club and whilst as fans we reserve our right to praise or criticise, he has my total support as a paying fan on this one. Moreover, as a businessman Murray isn't fit to tie his laces and ought to mind his Ps & Qs. The Echo has stayed quiet when far worse has happened at SFC so they are hardly guardians for the fans.

 

In fact, don't get on their garish website and give the Echo any more oxygen.

[sadoldgit]

Sort of sums this forum up I'm afraid.

I am no fan of Murrays and have clashed with him on a number of occasions but this has got really silly now. Some old-timers rely on the Echo for Saints' coverage and the club and the Echo have a responsibility to sort this out.

I hear Murray is keen to attempt a reconciliation but NC will not meet.

 

Sad news. I don't think the Echo were wrong to print the story but irrespective of that, it is time to grow up and make up.

[captainchris]

Don't agree, they asked the Echo not to print something until 24 hours later, they disagreed, so that's their problem. I hope the Echo go bust, they're such a ****ty little paper, with ideas way above their station (and circulation).

 

The club are acting like idiots and you're bitter for some reason towards the Echo. It's a very minor matter the club are making a big deal over. Cortese could have had the paper in for a meeting and lay the law down. The ridiculous over the top reaction of the club on this occasion does not bare it any credibility - what ever you think of the Echo!

[captainchris]

What do you know about the dispute?

What do you know that NC has done wrong, or lacked maturity?

 

I know the reports of NC's actions sound like an over-reaction.

 

I know that Murray took a whole page to air his view.

I know that Murray said that he missed Lowe.

I know that Murray made further digs comparing Lowe favorably to NC

I know that the Echo published an article linking NC with a move to Italy

I know that the Echo published an article mocking NC, saying they had approached a random journalist in a random town in Italy who didn't know NC, provoking the headline "Nicola who" - clearing insinuating he was a nobody and no one in Italy would want him.

I know the Echo then published article saying Inter Milan wanted him.

I know NC has not commented on the Echo's moans

 

NC may have huge ego and maybe out of order, but I will not judge him on the opinions of Murray (who does not like football by the way).

 

The echo need saints a lot more than the other way around and think they will soon realise that. Unfortunately for them, and possibly for the livelihoods of their employees I think Murray will not be up to sorting this out.

 

IF the Echo need Saints more than the other way round that in turn means there is a significant demand from Saints fans for the Saints news in the Echo. Which in turn means the club are doing a disservice to the fans by enforcing this ban. Which way do you want it?????????

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Do you not feel that the continuous reports undermining NC & SFC (as per my earlier post / the whole charity debate is the the one that really p*ssed me off) by the DE have made it very hard to repair this broken relationship ?

 

Don't believe NC is an angel but this 'spat' seems to have gone way past a disagreement over an article about Staplewood. I agree that NC 'may' have been a bit petty with his initial response (and i say 'may' as there are still no real facts about what really happened in the public domain) but since this episode, the behaviour of the DE has been disgraceful - real 'gutter press' stuff.

 

How do you really think NC / SFC should proceed with this matter ?

 

You say Murray has been seeking an audience but all the public see is more **** stirring in the public domain. Not the way i would go about trying to 'be friends'

 

Yes the Echo (Murray) have not conducted themselves well at all. Can't argue otherwise.

Cortese has won this contest so I still think it is up to him to call the truce.

[Redondo Saint]

I care about Southampton FC a lot. That means I want the best possible for and from the club.

I'm delighted ML arrived with NC, and I'm pleased about whats happening on the pitch.

What I'm not happy about is people running my club falling out with the media. Whoever is to blame this is a mistake.

ANY public organisation that falls out with significant areas of the media has failed.

The Labour party will give the Sun full access to all it's MPs and events despite the ****** written about them in that rag, as will the Tory party to the Mirror. If you're wise you use the media and try to manipulate it, if you're dumb you ban it. A vast majority of SFC 'customers' live within the Echo area, and a vast majority of people get their information about SFC from the Echo.

 

I don't think you make your point very well by using politicians as an analogy!!!

We all know they have zero trust and integrity just like Murray.

[shurlock]

Do you not feel that the continuous reports undermining NC & SFC (as per my earlier post / the whole charity debate is the the one that really p*ssed me off) by the DE have made it very hard to repair this broken relationship ?

 

Don't believe NC is an angel but this 'spat' seems to have gone way past a disagreement over an article about Staplewood. I agree that NC 'may' have been a bit petty with his initial response (and i say 'may' as there are still no real facts about what really happened in the public domain) but since this episode, the behaviour of the DE has been disgraceful - real 'gutter press' stuff.

 

How do you really think NC / SFC should proceed with this matter ?

 

You say Murray has been seeking an audience but all the public see is more **** stirring in the public domain. Not the way i would go about trying to 'be friends'

 

Most sensible post on the thread - whatever the rights and wrongs of the Staplewood incident, the Echo has escalated matters with some real dogsh*t stories, making reconciliation very difficult.

 

It didn't need to go down this route but it chose to play hardball. Its only reaping what it has sown. Live by the sword, die by the sword. At least have the guts to put up with the consquences.

[Chez]

I just feel this was done to death on the last thread.

 

Let's use an analogy. Say you were going to propose to the missus, you'd bought a ring, and arranged to propose tomorrow. However, one of your associates finds out. You ask him if he wouldn't mind keeping schtum for 24 hours, until you've asked her, before letting anyone else know. Insteadn he posts it on Facebook.

 

Even if your missus didn't read it, are you saying you'd be fine with your associate. I know I wouldn't be. In fact, I'd remove him from my Facebook, much the way Southampton have removed the Echo from their stadium.

 

but your analogy fails to mention that another colleague has already told the world a week before?

[greg_hill]

And then have everyone whinging that they were reporting on old news?

 

Why haven't Radio Solent been banned? They broke the news before the Echo did, and they also broke the "Cortese to Milan" nonsense as well...

 

Essentially, Cortese knows that he wouldn't stand a chance against the BBC, but with the amount of goodwill he is being afforded right now (and rightly so), he believed he'd be able to get the Echo right where he wanted them. I suspect he underestimated the stubbornness of Ian Murray in that respect.

 

Rather ironically, despite the indignant outrage from some on here, I've been reliably informed that the Echo website recorded its second-highest ever number of monthly hits in January.

 

But presumably they were only given the news on the basis that it was confidential for at least 24 hours. So ethics comes into play. Cortese to Milan wasn't nonsense was it? An approach was made.

[trousers]

As a few others have pointed out, there's a difference between being asked not to publish somthing that's already in the public domain but politely declining (that's a newspaper's perogative) versus being asked to hold fire, AGREEING TO DO SO, but then changing their minds.

 

This dispute has the hallmarks of the latter scenario rather than the former, in which case I believe Cortese had every right to give the paper a taste of their own medicine BUT if it was the former (I.e. A straight forward decline to comply with 'orders') then I believe Cortese has over reacted.

 

A subtle but significant different that seems to have passed most people by.

 

Oh, and it's good to see the return of so many plants after the drought of the last 12 months... ;-)

Edited 3 February, 2010 by trousers

[Fitzhugh Fella]

As a few others have pointed out, there's a difference between being asked not to publish somthing that's already in the public domain but politely declining (that's a newspaper's perogative) versus being asked to hold fire, AGREEING TO DO SO, but then changing their minds.

 

This dispute has the hallmarks of the latter scenario rather than the former, in which case I believe Cortese had every right to give the paper a taste of their own medicine BUT if it was the former (I.e. A straight forward decline to comply with 'orders') then I believe Cortese has over reacted.

 

A subtle but significant different thst seems to have passed most people by.

 

Oh, and it's good to see the return of so many plants after the drought of the last 12 months... ;-)

 

this is, by far, a too reasoned post.

Please ban this man

[trousers]

this is, by far, a too reasoned post.

Please ban this man

 

Blimey, first time I've been accused of being sensible...this is going to shoot my clown like reputation to pieces!

[spain saint]

IF the Echo need Saints more than the other way round that in turn means there is a significant demand from Saints fans for the Saints news in the Echo. Which in turn means the club are doing a disservice to the fans by enforcing this ban. Which way do you want it?????????

 

 

Please, let's finally understand the point that "The Echo needs the club far more than the club needs the Echo". I really don't care who is to blame, I have seen plenty of rubbish from Murray and silence the other way.

At the end of the day the Echo is a local rag and it's sales are miniscule in this day and age with the internet. I live in Spain and I can name a dozen places I would look before going to the Echo website.

This is such a non-story and as i said earlier, nobody gives a **** 10 miles outside the echo circulation boundary.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

The club are acting like idiots and you're bitter for some reason towards the Echo. It's a very minor matter the club are making a big deal over. Cortese could have had the paper in for a meeting and lay the law down. The ridiculous over the top reaction of the club on this occasion does not bare it any credibility - what ever you think of the Echo!

 

I'm bitter towards the Echo due to this incident, so there's your some reason.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

but your analogy fails to mention that another colleague has already told the world a week before?

 

Sorry, I didn't realise that the plans had been published by another media outlet. Can you point me towards the outlet that did this?

[John B]

Blimey, first time I've been accused of being sensible...this is going to shoot my clown like reputation to pieces!

 

Well I thought it was a good point you were making and now for the first time I can see why the Echo could have been banned

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Well I thought it was a good point you were making and now for the first time I can see why the Echo could have been banned

 

Trousers could be nominated mediator to sort this mess out...

[John B]

Trousers could be nominated mediator to sort this mess out...

 

But how big a mess is it really I wonder not living in southampton I dont really know its affect

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

But how big a mess is it really I wonder not living in southampton I dont really know its affect

 

I, like you, don't know as out of the area now as well. I really don't see it as a big problem, but we'll see if it blows up.

[Block 5]

Oh, and it's good to see the return of so many plants after the drought of the last 12 months... ;-)

 

Well said.

[Wes Tender]

What do you know about the dispute?

What do you know that NC has done wrong, or lacked maturity?

 

I know the reports of NC's actions sound like an over-reaction.

 

I know that Murray took a whole page to air his view.

I know that Murray said that he missed Lowe.

I know that Murray made further digs comparing Lowe favorably to NC

I know that the Echo published an article linking NC with a move to Italy

I know that the Echo published an article mocking NC, saying they had approached a random journalist in a random town in Italy who didn't know NC, provoking the headline "Nicola who" - clearing insinuating he was a nobody and no one in Italy would want him.

I know the Echo then published article saying Inter Milan wanted him.

I know NC has not commented on the Echo's moans.

 

NC may have huge ego and maybe out of order, but I will not judge him on the opinions of Murray (who does not like football by the way).

 

The echo need saints a lot more than the other way around and think they will soon realise that. Unfortunately for them, and possibly for the livelihoods of their employees I think Murray will not be up to sorting this out.

 

I'm with you all the way here. Although there has been conjecture over the original fall-out, I personally will not be making any judgements on this unless we have heard Cortese's side of it. Murray has badly tarnished his side of it all anyway by the the petty childishness of what the Echo has printed since, the list you have provided.

 

I'm sure that others have done as I have done and brought this to the attention of the chief Executive of the Group, Murray's boss. There have been calls on here for Saints fans to boycott the paper. By indulging in this petty sniping at the Chief Executive of the local football club, a large proportion of whose fans contribute to their readership figures, they are doing their best to commit commercial suicide.

 

For somebody allegedly wanting to rebuild bridges with Cortese, Murray is hardly giving the public impression that is his aim. It smacks of him believing that the power of the press will have Cortese grovelling on his knees begging for forgiveness. He is going to be sadly disillusioned, as the club don't need the paper more than the paper needs the club. In these days of mass communication, they need to realise that through the wonders of the internet, people have several routes to access news and that his tawdry little rag is increasingly becoming an irrelevance. Murray might think that he is a modern day Citizen Kane, but he is hardly one rung higher that many of the bloggers on the internet.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

The club are acting like idiots and you're bitter for some reason towards the Echo. It's a very minor matter the club are making a big deal over. Cortese could have had the paper in for a meeting and lay the law down. The ridiculous over the top reaction of the club on this occasion does not bare it any credibility - what ever you think of the Echo!

 

These guys rescued the club from oblivion. Staplewood was Lowe and Woodward's pride and joy, and the new guys come in and quickly find it isn't up to scratch. The new guys wanted to take the opportunity to do a bit of public presentation of how they want to move the club on.

 

The Echo deliberately stole their thunder having been asked not to do so. I'm not surprised Cortese was displeased.

 

However last night's Echo (3rd Feb) was full of articles which had a distinct a*rse licking feeling about them. I think someone at the Echo is belatedly trying to rebuild bridges.

[Wes Tender]

Yes the Echo (Murray) have not conducted themselves well at all. Can't argue otherwise.

Cortese has won this contest so I still think it is up to him to call the truce.

 

As an historian, surely you realise that it is usually the loser in the war that sues for peace and has to accept the terms imposed on him by the victor. Why should Cortese make the move and then risk having Murray snidely claim that he forced Cortese to negotiate a settlement?

[St Landrew]

As an historian, surely you realise that it is usually the loser in the war that sues for peace and has to accept the terms imposed on him by the victor. Why should Cortese make the move and then risk having Murray snidely claim that he forced Cortese to negotiate a settlement?

 

It's the olive branch scenario.

[Ciaran]

Sorry, I didn't realise that the plans had been published by another media outlet. Can you point me towards the outlet that did this?

 

Radio Solent did it the same time while Sky Sports did it the day before. Weirdly, Eurosport(!) were the very first place to do it.

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07122009/63/saints-hope-training-ground-ahead.html

[Block 5]

Radio Solent did it the same time while Sky Sports did it the day before. Weirdly, Eurosport(!) were the very first place to do it.

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07122009/63/saints-hope-training-ground-ahead.html

 

Joined November 2008.

 

17 posts.

 

ALL of them in Echo related threads.

 

I don't suppose you work for the echo Ciaran?

 

Do you need watering?

[John B]

Joined November 2008.

 

17 posts.

 

ALL of them in Echo related threads.

 

I don't suppose you work for the echo Ciaran?

 

Do you need watering?

 

So what if the Echo is putting information on here do you want them banned from the forum too.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Radio Solent did it the same time while Sky Sports did it the day before. Weirdly, Eurosport(!) were the very first place to do it.

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07122009/63/saints-hope-training-ground-ahead.html

 

Did they give out full details like the Echo though? I doubt it. Plus, the majority of fans don't get their Saints news from Sky and Eurosport, the get it from the Echo, or the official site. This is the point. Cortese is not that bothered about the uber fans on here finding out, because we always find out before anyway. It's the fans who don't come on here 30 times a day that they want to impress, and attract back.

[Danny]

As an ACTUAL Echo staff member (no, I'm not being dragged into this debate) I just want to say there is a lot of supposition on this thread being touted as FACT, which I doubt very much is helping clear the situation.

[NickG]

Yes I can understand why you might not have agreed to that last bit.

 

All I will say is while NC seems to be a steady hand on the tiller and, on the surface, to be doing a good job, I think we should all save our "adulation" until he actually delivers a little more. I am not having a go at you now because I can understand why many see ML and NC's involvement as a massive plus (and it has to be considering the alternative was Pinnacle) but that does not mean we should treat their evey act as being the right step.

 

Cortese has made his point Nick, Murray is wounded, probably fatally, so now is a very good time to play the magnaminious humble winner scenario.

 

I support NC in this over Murray because Murray really is a prize prat, but I can't say I want the Echo to be destroyed. And that could happen and it would be caused by a man who this time last year had never picked up the Echo in his life.

 

Food for thought.

 

I can't say I have warmed to Cortesse but he is clearly in the position he is for a reason.

I agree about saving the adulation (but as I pointed out in our discussions about enjoying it while it lasts - it seldom does last and usually ends in tears!).

 

I appreciate what Weston says, and although I don't dispute it, it is too hearsay for me to form an opinion on.

 

I cannot understand the banning, and struggle to imagine a scenario where I would feel it was justified. However I know little about it.

 

The tone of Murray, deliberately mocking NC and bringing up Lowe makes me think 2 things though;

1) He has in behaving in a petty, vindictive way and clearly can't stand NC- so was he behaving this way to NC leading up to the ban?

2) Whilst NC remains silent he continues to drive NC away - why would NC even want to meet him after those articles?

 

My support would always lean towards the club over the echo - one I care about, the other I have a passing interest and have previously been a customer for more years than I care to remember

[NickG]

Radio Solent did it the same time while Sky Sports did it the day before. Weirdly, Eurosport(!) were the very first place to do it.

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07122009/63/saints-hope-training-ground-ahead.html

 

Not seen Eurosport at St Marys since;)

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

As an ACTUAL Echo staff member (no, I'm not being dragged into this debate) I just want to say there is a lot of supposition on this thread being touted as FACT, which I doubt very much is helping clear the situation.

 

Now obviously, you cannot say a lot on this issue, and I respect that, but is this causing a lot of issues for yourself at the moment? Have you heard whether or not the paper is going to have a change of stance?

Edited 4 February, 2010 by Son of Bob
users name exposed

[Weston Saint]

DPS I suggest you remove that name as you are breaking board rules.

[Scummer]

DPS I suggest you remove that name as you are breaking board rules.

 

It's not a secret.

[Weston Saint]

It's not a secret.

It breaks the rules.

[Gingeletiss]

Blimey, first time I've been accused of being sensible...this is going to shoot my clown like reputation to pieces!

 

Can we asume that you will now attend matches in a tall red and white hat, big red shoes, and carrying a bell????

[Danny]

DPS I suggest you remove that name as you are breaking board rules.

 

No, it's fine. I'm not overly thrilled with being known as a reporter on here, but it's not really that much of an issue.

 

I'm not going to comment on the paper, but personally the main problem it has caused me is the number of abusive emails/comments I've received and had to deal with.

 

As I'm sure you'll understand, I really don't want to get into this any further. I have been reading the thread will continue to do so (as a Saints fan - that's why I've used this site and previous versions of for the best part of a decade - an not as a work related exercise).

Edited 4 February, 2010 by Danny
Added disclaimer.

[Weston Saint]

No, it's fine. I'm not overly thrilled with being known as a reporter on here, but it's not really that much of an issue.

 

I'm not going to comment on the paper, but personally the main problem it has caused me is the number of abusive emails/comments I've received and had to deal with.

OK if you are comfortable with it, no problem.

[NickG]

IF the Echo need Saints more than the other way round that in turn means there is a significant demand from Saints fans for the Saints news in the Echo. Which in turn means the club are doing a disservice to the fans by enforcing this ban. Which way do you want it?????????

 

you are confusing the needs of saints fans with the needs of saints.

[NickG]

I have heard from those that know Murray that;

 

1) he is not interested in football

2) although their sales go up after victories (hugely) he just doesn't get football fans and their strength of feeling

3) he does not see how badly he is coming across to fans and is unlikely to back down to a few stroppy saints fans (Lowe??!!)

[Daren W]

The club are acting like idiots and you're bitter for some reason towards the Echo. It's a very minor matter the club are making a big deal over. Cortese could have had the paper in for a meeting and lay the law down. The ridiculous over the top reaction of the club on this occasion does not bare it any credibility - what ever you think of the Echo!

 

If the club are overreacting then what is the paper's reaction? Is that not also slightly childish too? Your post seems very one sided.

 

It's a shame as the Echo plays a pivotal role in the community as a whole. I feel it should have kept schtum about the Staplewood development. They say there was no agreement, the club says there was... The truth probably is lost in translation, the club probably did ask them to hold fire, the paper probably did think as the story was already in the public domain it was fair game... The Echo were right to publish but wrong to not think of the club when doing it. For the sake of a day the paper lost the basic respect of the club and it's all spun out of control.

 

The fact that the club has put it's point of view across quite vigorously shows it's niggling them, they're trying too hard to appear to be not trying too hard...

 

By dragging it out,the club aren't exactly covering themselves in glory either.

 

Both parties need to grow up...

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

It breaks the rules.

 

Whoops, sorry mods and danny, genuinely didn't realise!

[Secret Site Agent]

Sure it wasn't John Suchet - looks the more likely culprit to me. He was very annoyed with SFC I seem to recall?

 

No, I think you'll find the Echo said John Suchet was very annoyed with SFC. And as for that, just because they weren't allowed into the stadium to promote his chgarity. But all the other media was there to promote it, and with a wider circulation.

 

I got to be honest, but in my mind based on what I have seen on both sides it seems it was:

 

ECHO REPORTER, (to NC): Hey, what is this we hear on the grape vine about Markus investing in Stablewood training ground?

 

NC: Yes, it is true. We will be having a press conference tomorrow to discuss our plans. Could you please hold on from publishing until tomorrow, then you will have the full details plus a picture.

 

ECHO REPORTER: Can't we have that as an exclusive?

 

NC: I would much rather everyone had all the information of our plans. I don't really want to go into too much detail now.

 

ECHO REPORTER: OK. (Hangs up the phone)

ECHO ED: Well, is it true?

REPORTER: Yep, but he wants us to site on it for 24 hours until the press conference.

ED: Nah, we don't want to be scooped on this. We'll run this now.

 

All of course from my furtile mind and of my own opinion. Name and events have been changed to protect the innocent. Dramatisation, may not have happened.

[Block 5]

So what if the Echo is putting information on here do you want them banned from the forum too.

 

Certainly not.

However I would like to know if someone is a plant.

Danny is a respected poster on this forum and he is upfront about things (he is a fan) but there are clearly other posters with an agenda.

[John B]

Certainly not.

However I would like to know if someone is a plant.

Danny is a respected poster on this forum and he is upfront about things (he is a fan) but there are clearly other posters with an agenda.

 

I just want to know the facts so if the Echo want to tell me more that is OK

 

However we dont really know much do we except the information the Echo printed was known the day before,

[Gingeletiss]

I just want to know the facts so if the Echo want to tell me more that is OK

 

However we dont really know much do we except the information the Echo printed was known the day before,

 

 

The trouble with you and your 'facts' John, is that you only believe one side, and that's the one against the club......still, no shocker there!!!!

 

I have a bottle on ice, for the day you post something in support of the Saints, I wonder how old it will get???.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

As an historian, surely you realise that it is usually the loser in the war that sues for peace and has to accept the terms imposed on him by the victor. Why should Cortese make the move and then risk having Murray snidely claim that he forced Cortese to negotiate a settlement?

 

I am a great believer in magnanimity

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I can't say I have warmed to Cortesse but he is clearly in the position he is for a reason.

I agree about saving the adulation (but as I pointed out in our discussions about enjoying it while it lasts - it seldom does last and usually ends in tears!).

 

 

I think one of the reasons you and I "fall out" when discussing NC/ML is that while I agree they did "save" the club by buying us (and I am grateful) I am pretty sure "saving" the club was not their driving motive.

 

They did it for pure business reasons, I would imagine, but a by product was that we got rescued from oblivion. 2 wins = everyone's happy for now. (I am definately happier now than I was 12 months ago )

 

You are right "we should enjoy it while it lasts" and being in a position to plunder clubs like Palace feels good after all the crap and heartache over recent years.

 

But (and I always have a but with Saints - I can't help it) while I am very grateful for Marcus's euros I am not going to fool myself that he and Nocola are in it for the love. Hopefully their investment will meet our expectations and they might indeed even grow to love the club but one eye should always be kept on the left hand while we watch the right.

 

The development at Staplewood for me was a most encouraging sign as it signifies long-term planning.

 

As for Murray I think he should be encouraged to resign - he's been here a long time now and the Echo need to build some bridges. Having said that I would never want them to be in a position whereby the club tell them what to print.

[John B]

The trouble with you and your 'facts' John, is that you only believe one side, and that's the one against the club......still, no shocker there!!!!

 

I have a bottle on ice, for the day you post something in support of the Saints, I wonder how old it will get???.

 

I think it is totally niave to believe that everything that comes out of an organisation like the Echo or SFC does not contain some PR and Spin.

 

I agree that like you I do not know why the Echo was banned but would like to.

 

I dont think banning any paper by SFC is good idea in anyway.

 

 

I just have an open mind thats all

 

I must admit I did not know that being a Saints supporter was like being in a political party where you had to be on message all the time.

 

 

I have said many times that the ML takeover was the best thing to have happened to SFC for sometime but getting back to the Premiership is going to be hard work and possibly take some time because other clubs are trying to do the same thing as well.

 

But we are doing OK on the field for a change and hope with the new players that we start playing well and start beating teams who are our promotion rivals

[John B]

I think one of the reasons you and I "fall out" when discussing NC/ML is that while I agree they did "save" the club by buying us (and I am grateful) I am pretty sure "saving" the club was not their driving motive.

 

They did it for pure business reasons, I would imagine, but a by product was that we got rescued from oblivion. 2 wins = everyone's happy for now. (I am definately happier now than I was 12 months ago )

 

You are right "we should enjoy it while it lasts" and being in a position to plunder clubs like Palace feels good after all the crap and heartache over recent years.

 

But (and I always have a but with Saints - I can't help it) while I am very grateful for Marcus's euros I am not going to fool myself that he and Nocola are in it for the love. Hopefully their investment will meet our expectations and they might indeed even grow to love the club but one eye should always be kept on the left hand while we watch the right.

 

The development at Staplewood for me was a most encouraging sign as it signifies long-term planning.

 

As for Murray I think he should be encouraged to resign - he's been here a long time now and the Echo need to build some bridges. Having said that I would never want them to be in a position whereby the club tell them what to print.

 

I think you have summed up my feelings too.

 

 

Except with regard to the Echo where I dont think the press should be forced to agree to whatever a third party wants if it is not in its best interests.

 

I still dont know why they are banned and why it cannot be sorted out or how important the situation really is