Pardew and Coaching Staff Sacked.

[Blackheathan]

Sorry to bore you I'm sure your 2k+ posts are absorbing, but this stinks to me.

Edited 30 August, 2010 by Blackheathan

[Badger]

Am worried that it might take a few weeks, not worried about Dean Wilkins being in charge. Living as I do here in Brighton (Hove actually) I can tell you that Wilkins is highly respected by Albion fans.

 

Oh good, that sounds like a rimming endorsement from other fans then.

 

Actually, I remember he did a reasonable job there and many were disappointed when he left.

[CanadaSaint]

so on the one hand you is saying that NC want to bring lads up through the ranks over time but yet also that NC wants promotion this season as a certainty. He ain't stupid you know.

 

They're not mutually exclusive. We can develop the academy to deliver a stream of quality youngsters who can knock on the door of the first team in years to come, AND we can continue to strengthen the current first team so that we get promoted this year - and ideally next year as well. Sustainable success, in Cortese's eyes (and probably Lowe's, come to that), will involve a mixture of buy/loan and develop from within, and I think he's dead right.

 

The absolute key is this:

 

It appears Bill, that all the appointments in the development structure have come through Reed. It could wll be that Ron is on to something here and that Reed is coming up with compatible recommendations so that the foundation structure is topped off seamlessly with appointments that can work together.

 

Harry killed Rupert's plan because he didn't have much regard for the "kids", and Pardew may have threatened Cortese's plan because he didn't embrace the concept wholeheartedly, either (hence the supposed problems at Stapelwood). And that's over and above the results problems.

 

IMO the next coach/manager will be either a "new breed" Brit who fully embraces the academy concept, or a European accustomed to working in that kind of structure.

 

I think - and hope - that, in six months' time, we'll look back on this as a very good day. I hope that AP ends up feeling the same way because I suspect he hasn't enjoyed the last six months.

[eelpie]

One good thing in this mess is that Wilkins will be overseeing the team for the immediate future. This is the best continuity we could have in the circumstances

I like the football that has been developing and he has been part of the progress being made. My gripe with AP was that he could have been more animated and forceful with the players when they were playing timidly. But they were well on the way to becoming a very good squad playing some exciting football to watch (if not all the time). I'm hoping Wilkins will continue that development.

 

Whatever our feelings (and I would love to hear 'There's only one Allen Pardew' on Tuesday) we must wholeheartedly get behind Dean Wilkins during the next important matches.

 

A welcoming song for him?. Dean Wilkin's red and white army!!!'...

 

It's a bit like 'The king is dead - long live the king'

[buctootim]

Wilkins did a good job at Brighton. I think they finished 7th in his only full season.

 

He did well, especially considering they had zero cash

[gogo_saint]

I don't know if this has any relevance to the sacking of pardew but thought I would share it now he's gone. I met the bald man from the football league show last saturday night, and we talked football briefly. He was very complementary about our team and said we ought to get promoted with the players we have (I told him our bench was a bit light) He also said we were a club who were very well respected by the press and neutrals but recently this is beginning to change, citing the banning of other photographers from SMS. Called NC a "megalomaniac". Said Pardew was not allowed to talk to the press, apparently AP wanted to, who knows what about, said AP would apologise to reporters and say he wasn't allowed to speak to them (i guess only throught the official routes...?) He said this stance would make the press less likely to write about us favourably and when the going gets tough they will be more likely to turn on us (make us the new dirty leeds? i dont want that!) Then said NC is trigger happy and that if AP didn't perfrom would get the chop in a hurry. ( i didn't think he meant that quickly tho!)

 

We then spoke about cardiff and bellamy but that aint too relevant here.

 

So the new manager better be **** hot from the off and the shy retiring type with the media....!

[eelpie]

I

So the new manager better be **** hot from the off and the shy retiring type with the media....!

 

And win by at least 5 goals each week

[kchkwong]

GUTTED. If our season is ruined everyone will call NC out.

[gogo_saint]

And win by at least 5 goals each week

 

yeah! 4 isn't enough!

[saintsmike25]

From what I've GATHERED when Pardew was in charge training sessions often only lasted 2 hours, thus meaning we underperformed due to a lack of 'togetherness' compared to other teams. Cortese turned a blind eye until people expressed their concerns about the training and promptly sacked Pardew for his unprofessional approach. The display at Leyton Orient was the one that caused Cortese the most frustration. Now I have a source for most of this however I will not say who/why/what/where for obvious reasons.

[Glasgow_Saint]

From what I've GATHERED when Pardew was in charge training sessions often only lasted 2 hours, thus meaning we underperformed due to a lack of 'togetherness' compared to other teams. Cortese turned a blind eye until people expressed their concerns about the training and promptly sacked Pardew for his unprofessional approach. The display at Leyton Orient was the one that caused Cortese the most frustration. Now I have a source for most of this however I will not say who/why/what/where for obvious reasons.

 

Can you tell me your source please

 

xx

[Wes Tender]

Sorry to bore you I'm sure your 2k+ posts are absorbing, but this stinks to me.

 

GUTTED. If our season is ruined everyone will call NC out.

 

And still we have the idiots piling in without any concrete knowledge of the circumstances.

 

With luck, once the dust had settled and depending on who is brought in, people will begin to realise that they have been far too fraught and look at the broader picture to regain some perspective

Edited 31 August, 2010 by Wes Tender
Can't really be bothered

[hughieslastminutegoal]

With Trousers on this, sort of excited who the new man will be.

 

The timing of AP sacking is questionable but, it was on the cards and has been for a while. I was not convinced that this side would get promoted as AP how somehow got a side together that is too inconsistent proven by some very up and down results last year.

 

I like AP but lets move on, this is football, these things happen. perhaps hold off NC before all the facts are there.

 

Glad to see you are excited with trousers on. Now if it was with trousers off, I'd say it was too much information.

 

As someone said earlier, wait till players can't leave because of the window closure, then get rid. A logical tactic, but a moral one? With a chairman like that, many would think twice about coming. With the palava about the press and photographers, I'd think it would be a club I'd avoid joining, unless I had an eye for the severance payment. Oh, that brings us back to Sven....

[hughieslastminutegoal]

There was really no surprise apart from the timing and the disclosure of disquiet amongst junior coaches (who are they?). The requirements for this season were very clear, and even AP expressed it in terms of "now excuses". Instead I've heard a series of excuses after every game we haven't won, and that includes what must reasonably be termed as a very disappointing preseason. Did this look like the management team which was to take us into the PL? And that is what NC is planning. So is it therefore any real surprise?

 

What would be a great surprise is if NC hasn't already made plans going back some time. Somebody, or some options, are already available and the details will be ironed out over the next few days. Where I will be very surprised is if we will see an inexperiences manager. Whatever their qualities, Paul Tisdale and Eddie Howe will not be in any frame. Neither will Kevin Blackwell or Ian Dowie. Whoever is coming will have the credentials to produce the goods from here to the PL.

 

Wasn't Pardew picked precisely because he filled the Cortese's bill of someone wheo could you exactly that? Ooh, so Cortese failed on his first appointment, and with subsequent assistant coaches? Not looking so heroic now, pehaps?

[dune]

From what I've GATHERED when Pardew was in charge training sessions often only lasted 2 hours, thus meaning we underperformed due to a lack of 'togetherness' compared to other teams. Cortese turned a blind eye until people expressed their concerns about the training and promptly sacked Pardew for his unprofessional approach. The display at Leyton Orient was the one that caused Cortese the most frustration. Now I have a source for most of this however I will not say who/why/what/where for obvious reasons.

 

If this is true it may be becuase of where Pardew lived. In future any Saints manager should be employed on the basis that he lives in the area.

[Winnersaint]

A lot of people on Charlton websites allude to Pardew being an arrogant egotistical individual. Speaking to a mate who's a big Reading fan they also remember AP as a manager full of his own self importance who hightailed it off to a WHU without a backward glance. What he did for Saints underwhelmed me in terms of our play and style and tbh he never really seemed to buy into the Cortese/Markus vision in terms of passion. Just my opinion of course.

[alpine_saint]

From what I've GATHERED when Pardew was in charge training sessions often only lasted 2 hours, thus meaning we underperformed due to a lack of 'togetherness' compared to other teams. Cortese turned a blind eye until people expressed their concerns about the training and promptly sacked Pardew for his unprofessional approach. The display at Leyton Orient was the one that caused Cortese the most frustration. Now I have a source for most of this however I will not say who/why/what/where for obvious reasons.

 

I can imagine without much contemplation that NC was mightily p*ssed by the Orient performance and result. The game was billed as the big farewell to his friend and mentor, and some of the family were there. Pardew's Bolton comments were a flip of the middle finger, and there are these increasingly loud voices mentioning issues at Staplewood.

 

I reckon NC minded for various reasons at the beginning of the summer to give AP a second chance, or enough rope to hang himself, possibly against the counsel of Markus. What happened in pre-season and over the first 3 weeks of the season clinched APs fate.

 

I dont know just how arrogant AP is, but I wont forget that incredibly rude post-match interview he gave at SMS during the early spring period.

[Daren W]

And still we have the idiots piling in without any concrete knowledge of the circumstances.

 

With luck, once the dust had settled and depending on who is brought in, people will begin to realise that they have been far too fraught and look at the broader picture to regain some perspective

 

Again Wes, less of the insults. Not everyone who thinks this decision has de-railled our season is an idiot.

 

You talk about being jumping to conclusions but what are you doing? Jumping to a conclusion, that Cortese will save the day and the next manager will be wonderful. I'm only operating on facts and the facts are that we are lumbered with someone who wouldn't even be our 20th choice manager were he not already at the club. If the decision to axe our manager days before the transfer window closes and 3 games into the season, isn't de-railling the promotion bid, I don't know what is. I'm not saying it's in tatters and hopelessly ruined but certainly de-railled and once again the club is made to look foolish in the eyes of the media and the public...

 

No one will hope Cortese pulls off a managerial coup more than me, if I get one more email about O'Neil being seen at the Jury's Inn I will heave, but until then the situation is dire....

[alpine_saint]

Again Wes, less of the insults. Not everyone who thinks this decision has de-railled our season is an idiot.

 

You talk about being jumping to conclusions but what are you doing? Jumping to a conclusion, that Cortese will save the day and the next manager will be wonderful. I'm only operating on facts and the facts are that we are lumbered with someone who wouldn't even be our 20th choice manager were he not already at the club. If the decision to axe our manager days before the transfer window closes and 3 games into the season, isn't de-railling the promotion bid, I don't know what is. I'm not saying it's in tatters and hopelessly ruined but certainly de-railled and once again the club is made to look foolish in the eyes of the media and the public...

 

No one will hope Cortese pulls off a managerial coup more than me, if I get one more email about O'Neil being seen at the Jury's Inn I will heave, but until then the situation is dire....

 

On what basis are you saying it is de-railled ? That we got a good win last Saturday ?

 

The camapign never got going. A crap pre-season and poor transfer activity saw to that. We will never know now if Saturdays result was papering over cracks.

 

With a new manager, the campaign can get going and still be playing less catch-up than last season.

[shane d]

As a victim of circumstance I think Cortese is going to do do just what he wants for a year if it doesn't work out he's off to the next job. So bye bye Pardew. Zola can f*ck off as can most of the other suggestions on here. We're a joke.

 

We're a joke lol, your a joke mate. You and me know nothing that has happened, so don't go around giving it were a joke when you know nothing!

[Daren W]

On what basis are you saying it is de-railled ? That we got a good win last Saturday ?

 

The camapign never got going. A crap pre-season and poor transfer activity saw to that. We will never know now if Saturdays result was papering over cracks.

 

With a new manager, the campaign can get going and still be playing less catch-up than last season.

 

All of which is leaping to conclusions. The new manager has to be better than the previous one, end of, otherwise we're going backwards. We cannot defend Cortese's decision on the basis that he may get someone better in and the season may get better.

 

It may get worse, has anyone thought of that?

 

What if the Leyton Orient game was a blip? What if, as title favourites, teams come to St Marys to shut up shop and play for a point? Has anyone thought that as title contenders home games are going to be tough?

 

At this moment in time our season has been de-railled. Maybe not permanently but certainly de-railled. We have no manager. We are being ridiculed by the press and the managerial community certainly don't hold us in any high esteem. Why are people in such denial over this?

[Kingsbridge Saint]

24 hours on and no new manager. Every day that passes disspates the goodwill I feel towards NC. Every day that passes without definitive action makes the sacking look worse. Of course, Martin O Neill might be revealed tomorrow - or someone of that ilk - and everything will be fine. It looks more and more like the Luggy scenario every day. Some craphead pipes up they don't like the managers style and the chairman fires the bullet. Needs to be some good news soon.

[Saint Without a Halo]

We are all shocked at the dismissal of AP and in the absence of anything else see this only as being detrimental to our aims of getting promoted this year and then into the premiership in 5. As NC has the same aims us us shouldn't we at least wait until we see what his alternative plans actually are, before making a judgement?

I personally thought AP was doing a reasonable job and indeed also feel he has been shabbily dealt with, however all football managers accept this risk when taking on the job and like all others he will inevitably be well compensated with his contract paid out! The question therefore is, will this episode mean we are MORE or LESS likely to achieve our aims as a club?

I am surprised if anyone on the outside can answer that question until such time as NC reveals what his alternative plans are and even when he does it will be speculation that will need to be proven by events on the pitch either way!

If this sorry episode means we achieve our aims quicker then I for one as a Saint supporter first am all behind it!

 

Surely it makes a change that our owners seem to have less patience in achieving our aims than most fans currently do, and they have the guts and financial clout (their money) to do something about it! this in itself is praisworthy given most boards are lilly livered on such issues. However the jury will remain out for some time to see if this was the right decison!

[Weston Saint]

The problem with comments on forums and in the media is that very few know the full picture.

 

The late Marcus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese had a business plan. Everyone who was employed were expected to buy into that plan 100%. That meant all aspects not just ones they liked.

 

Part of that was to stop internal politics. Work as a team each with his/her part to play in realising that plan within the timescales.

 

A number of issues have clearly occurred. The timing of the departures was not great but perhaps there is no good time. Something happened to tip the balance. No one knows what other than the Liehberr family and Nicola Cortese. Coming after a 4-0 win it must have been a final straw.

 

The media report some of the Staplewood staff resigned because they could not get on with the group now departed. Pardew was an old fashioned Manager. Is it possible he could not embrace modern technology? Was he side stepping those who were bought in to advance that modern approach?

 

What went on in training? Did it focus on the right issues. Other than Lamberts free kicks a lot of out set plays last season and the start of this were poor, not all but too high a percentage for a progressive team. Did we teach movement? The only person who really passed and ran into new space was Connolly and Waigo. Connolly had injury issues but Waigo was used sparingly.

 

What happened to the "Southampton way". Flowing football was restricted by the narrowness of our play. Part due to lack of pace but this was not addressed in the close season. When a player with reported pace and skill was signed (Guly) Pardew, as he did with Waigo, left him on the bench until it was too late to make an impact. OK we won 4-0 and were 2-0 up at half time but when Lallana went off injured surely that was the time to introduce him. Pardew is clearly his own man and like any Manager he has to have FULL authority on tactics, team and substitutes. No doubt about that but a pattern looked like developing again. Was that the final staw?

 

If any employee of the club is not buying into the plan 100% Cortese and the Liehberr family will want them out. That is how they conduct business. That is why they are successful in the business world. That is what they want to bring to Southampton FC.

 

Will they succeed? For the sake of all us fans let's hope so.

[Give it to Ron]

The problem with comments on forums and in the media is that very few know the full picture.

 

The late Marcus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese had a business plan. Everyone who was employed were expected to buy into that plan 100%. That meant all aspects not just ones they liked.

 

Part of that was to stop internal politics. Work as a team each with his/her part to play in realising that plan within the timescales.

 

A number of issues have clearly occurred. The timing of the departures was not great but perhaps there is no good time. Something happened to tip the balance. No one knows what other than the Liehberr family and Nicola Cortese. Coming after a 4-0 win it must have been a final straw.

 

The media report some of the Staplewood staff resigned because they could not get on with the group now departed. Pardew was an old fashioned Manager. Is it possible he could not embrace modern technology? Was he side stepping those who were bought in to advance that modern approach?

 

What went on in training? Did it focus on the right issues. Other than Lamberts free kicks a lot of out set plays last season and the start of this were poor, not all but too high a percentage for a progressive team. Did we teach movement? The only person who really passed and ran into new space was Connolly and Waigo. Connolly had injury issues but Waigo was used sparingly.

 

What happened to the "Southampton way". Flowing football was restricted by the narrowness of our play. Part due to lack of pace but this was not addressed in the close season. When a player with reported pace and skill was signed (Guly) Pardew, as he did with Waigo, left him on the bench until it was too late to make an impact. OK we won 4-0 and were 2-0 up at half time but when Lallana went off injured surely that was the time to introduce him. Pardew is clearly his own man and like any Manager he has to have FULL authority on tactics, team and substitutes. No doubt about that but a pattern looked like developing again. Was that the final staw?

 

If any employee of the club is not buying into the plan 100% Cortese and the Liehberr family will want them out. That is how they conduct business. That is why they are successful in the business world. That is what they want to bring to Southampton FC.

 

Will they succeed? For the sake of all us fans let's hope so.

 

I posted this elsewhere but your post rings very true....a mates nipper is at the academy - ALL wingers have been told to keep cutting inside and not go outside. All the teams have to play the same way as I said earlier I like that bit but to keep playing narrow at home against teams shutting up shop will never work.

Perhaps that was what some of the new staff didn't like but I was also told that Liebherr put great faith in our academy long term and wanted ust to produce our own and to keep buying was unsustainable financially.

No-one with any sense can doubt that and it was one of the things I applauded loveable old rosey cheeks for...its just that you cant build the whole team with them!

[alpine_saint]

The problem with comments on forums and in the media is that very few know the full picture.

 

The late Marcus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese had a business plan. Everyone who was employed were expected to buy into that plan 100%. That meant all aspects not just ones they liked.

 

Part of that was to stop internal politics. Work as a team each with his/her part to play in realising that plan within the timescales.

 

A number of issues have clearly occurred. The timing of the departures was not great but perhaps there is no good time. Something happened to tip the balance. No one knows what other than the Liehberr family and Nicola Cortese. Coming after a 4-0 win it must have been a final straw.

 

The media report some of the Staplewood staff resigned because they could not get on with the group now departed. Pardew was an old fashioned Manager. Is it possible he could not embrace modern technology? Was he side stepping those who were bought in to advance that modern approach?

 

What went on in training? Did it focus on the right issues. Other than Lamberts free kicks a lot of out set plays last season and the start of this were poor, not all but too high a percentage for a progressive team. Did we teach movement? The only person who really passed and ran into new space was Connolly and Waigo. Connolly had injury issues but Waigo was used sparingly.

 

What happened to the "Southampton way". Flowing football was restricted by the narrowness of our play. Part due to lack of pace but this was not addressed in the close season. When a player with reported pace and skill was signed (Guly) Pardew, as he did with Waigo, left him on the bench until it was too late to make an impact. OK we won 4-0 and were 2-0 up at half time but when Lallana went off injured surely that was the time to introduce him. Pardew is clearly his own man and like any Manager he has to have FULL authority on tactics, team and substitutes. No doubt about that but a pattern looked like developing again. Was that the final staw?

 

If any employee of the club is not buying into the plan 100% Cortese and the Liehberr family will want them out. That is how they conduct business. That is why they are successful in the business world. That is what they want to bring to Southampton FC.

 

Will they succeed? For the sake of all us fans let's hope so.

 

Excellent post, R. I tried to draw the parallels between Goolie and Papa last week and got called all the names under the sun, as well as being put on people's ignore lists.

 

It simply seems to me AP was pulling in another direction to NC and the Liebherrs.

 

I wonder if AP was taking promotion that seriously too - he was making noises about the cups again.

[Saint_clark]

On what basis are you saying it is de-railled ? That we got a good win last Saturday ?

 

The camapign never got going. A crap pre-season and poor transfer activity saw to that. We will never know now if Saturdays result was papering over cracks.

 

With a new manager, the campaign can get going and still be playing less catch-up than last season.

 

Unbelievable.

All summer you've been assuming the worst, and yet now (when we have no idea who is even gonna be in charge of the team) you think we will be fine.

[alpine_saint]

Unbelievable.

All summer you've been assuming the worst, and yet now (when we have no idea who is even gonna be in charge of the team) you think we will be fine.

 

Why is it unbelievable ?

 

Maybe a manager with reasonable tactical understanding can get that little bit more out of the existing players, reducing the need for more players, and perhaps get them fitter quicker too.

[Saint_clark]

Why is it unbelievable ?

 

Maybe a manager with reasonable tactical understanding can get that little bit more out of the existing players, reducing the need for more players, and perhaps get them fitter quicker too.

 

MAYBE we will get someone who is completely clueless, doesn't know how to use the players and doesn't think fitness is important.

As I said, you assumed the worst all summer long, and yet now everything is going to be fine. Why?

[alpine_saint]

MAYBE we will get someone who is completely clueless, doesn't know how to use the players and doesn't think fitness is important.

As I said, you assumed the worst all summer long, and yet now everything is going to be fine. Why?

 

Cant answer that, my friend. Sorry.

 

Maybe I am more of an optimist than I am made out to be.

[gogo_saint]

a mates nipper is at the academy - ALL wingers have been told to keep cutting inside and not go outside.

 

 

this, if true is very worrying. for this tactic to work you need full backs to bomb on at every opportunity and we dont have the dani alves types here do we. And variety is so important to skin a full back, its very easy to defend against when you now what your opponent is going to do. we should be getting to the byline and whipping it in more so as we have the best centre forward in the league. Hope wilkins and the new man knows this.

[jasoneuelllfanclub]

The problem with comments on forums and in the media is that very few know the full picture.

 

The late Marcus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese had a business plan. Everyone who was employed were expected to buy into that plan 100%. That meant all aspects not just ones they liked.

 

Part of that was to stop internal politics. Work as a team each with his/her part to play in realising that plan within the timescales.

 

A number of issues have clearly occurred. The timing of the departures was not great but perhaps there is no good time. Something happened to tip the balance. No one knows what other than the Liehberr family and Nicola Cortese. Coming after a 4-0 win it must have been a final straw.

 

The media report some of the Staplewood staff resigned because they could not get on with the group now departed. Pardew was an old fashioned Manager. Is it possible he could not embrace modern technology? Was he side stepping those who were bought in to advance that modern approach?

 

What went on in training? Did it focus on the right issues. Other than Lamberts free kicks a lot of out set plays last season and the start of this were poor, not all but too high a percentage for a progressive team. Did we teach movement? The only person who really passed and ran into new space was Connolly and Waigo. Connolly had injury issues but Waigo was used sparingly.

 

What happened to the "Southampton way". Flowing football was restricted by the narrowness of our play. Part due to lack of pace but this was not addressed in the close season. When a player with reported pace and skill was signed (Guly) Pardew, as he did with Waigo, left him on the bench until it was too late to make an impact. OK we won 4-0 and were 2-0 up at half time but when Lallana went off injured surely that was the time to introduce him. Pardew is clearly his own man and like any Manager he has to have FULL authority on tactics, team and substitutes. No doubt about that but a pattern looked like developing again. Was that the final staw?

 

If any employee of the club is not buying into the plan 100% Cortese and the Liehberr family will want them out. That is how they conduct business. That is why they are successful in the business world. That is what they want to bring to Southampton FC.

 

Will they succeed? For the sake of all us fans let's hope so.

 

I did notice from the Britsol rovers match gallery that AP gave Guly a "good luck" hand shake as he entered the field. In my mind if AP had any issues with this signing or lacked man mangement he wouldn't have done that. To me AP is his own man and wouldn't be forced into doing something he didnt want to do. However he does seem to down on players as much as he bigs them up. For example his comment that the club love rickie lambert yet his current form is effecting how the team is playing. Now if that was my boss and he said that in public I would feel very disheartened. AP definately a old fashioned manager and certainly has an air of arrogance about him.

[Foxstone]

The problem with comments on forums and in the media is that very few know the full picture.

 

The late Marcus Liebherr and Nicola Cortese had a business plan. Everyone who was employed were expected to buy into that plan 100%. That meant all aspects not just ones they liked.

 

Part of that was to stop internal politics. Work as a team each with his/her part to play in realising that plan within the timescales.

 

A number of issues have clearly occurred. The timing of the departures was not great but perhaps there is no good time. Something happened to tip the balance. No one knows what other than the Liehberr family and Nicola Cortese. Coming after a 4-0 win it must have been a final straw.

 

The media report some of the Staplewood staff resigned because they could not get on with the group now departed. Pardew was an old fashioned Manager. Is it possible he could not embrace modern technology? Was he side stepping those who were bought in to advance that modern approach?

 

What went on in training? Did it focus on the right issues. Other than Lamberts free kicks a lot of out set plays last season and the start of this were poor, not all but too high a percentage for a progressive team. Did we teach movement? The only person who really passed and ran into new space was Connolly and Waigo. Connolly had injury issues but Waigo was used sparingly.

 

What happened to the "Southampton way". Flowing football was restricted by the narrowness of our play. Part due to lack of pace but this was not addressed in the close season. When a player with reported pace and skill was signed (Guly) Pardew, as he did with Waigo, left him on the bench until it was too late to make an impact. OK we won 4-0 and were 2-0 up at half time but when Lallana went off injured surely that was the time to introduce him. Pardew is clearly his own man and like any Manager he has to have FULL authority on tactics, team and substitutes. No doubt about that but a pattern looked like developing again. Was that the final staw?

 

If any employee of the club is not buying into the plan 100% Cortese and the Liehberr family will want them out. That is how they conduct business. That is why they are successful in the business world. That is what they want to bring to Southampton FC.

 

Will they succeed? For the sake of all us fans let's hope so.

 

I buy this !

 

Suggestions of dis-harmony in the coaching set-up seem to be gathering apace, and while it is far to speculative to assume that AP was on the verge of effectively "losing the dressing room" there are clearly some suggestions of player unrest that might have forced NC's hand.

 

Whatever, the more I think about this the better this action by NC appears to be.

 

Anyone think Mowbray would be a good choice for us - His style of football would seem to fit with NC's vision of "promotion in style".

[SaintRobbie]

Rule One of football success is consistent management... well at least Cortesse has acknowledged he's screwed that up.

 

Rule Two is only ever replace your manager if you have a better one lined up.

 

....lets see if NC can manage to pull this out of the bag, otherwise the fans and The Sun will lynch him.

 

Personally, I think this is a massive error of judgement.

[itchen_dan]

http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/fb_news.php?storyid=9062&title=alan_pardew_-_the_southampton_year

 

Reading that article makes me feel less worried about Pardew leaving that what I felt yesterday morning when I heard the news. His record and our performances were good against the good teams but very poor against the weaker sides. Maybe Pardew was unable to get the players motivated? The article also shows our "ok" unbeaten run compared to the other teams. Only 9 games unbeaten compared to Norwich who went unbeaten for 16 games. That's impressive and thats what we should've done.

 

Pardew really should've done better IMO with the quality and money he had available.

[Whitey Grandad]

I agree with a lot of what you say, Wes, but to complain about Guly not getting longer looks a bit weak when the team has won 4-0.

[Charlie Wayman]

We are clearly modelling ourselves on Chelsea and Man C. Just look at the sins that Hughes and Mourinho committed, like winning titles, not conceding goals and winning 1-0 most weeks. It wasn't that they were not playing winning football but their teams lack of style in winning was 'what done for them'.

 

Although we know this to be a results driven business, clearly results are not all that matters. Entertainment is equally important; many on here have failed to spot that on average we are not playing to anywhere near capacity gates at SMS - as Norwich did last year for example - and this would be a BIG worry for Cortese and his henchmen. The manager's job is not only to win football matches but fill stadiums as well; for sure we will not fill SMS with hoof-ball from Davies, slowing the game down every time we are in possesion and aimless square passing. It will be this as much as results that will have hastened the end of Alan Pardew.

 

It's a shame he's gone because in my view he would have got us promoted this year for sure but clearly if we have to earn a penny before wes pend a penny tne it is obvious he wasn't doing that well enough and hence the lack of transfer activity.

 

Best wishes Aln and better luck next time 'though Randy Lerner may not be particularly tolerant either. Maybe better for you in the long term to get a proper job

[Wes Tender]

I agree with a lot of what you say, Wes, but to complain about Guly not getting longer looks a bit weak when the team has won 4-0.

 

Not me, Whitey.

[Wes Tender]

Again Wes, less of the insults. Not everyone who thinks this decision has de-railled our season is an idiot.

 

You talk about being jumping to conclusions but what are you doing? Jumping to a conclusion, that Cortese will save the day and the next manager will be wonderful. I'm only operating on facts and the facts are that we are lumbered with someone who wouldn't even be our 20th choice manager were he not already at the club. If the decision to axe our manager days before the transfer window closes and 3 games into the season, isn't de-railling the promotion bid, I don't know what is. I'm not saying it's in tatters and hopelessly ruined but certainly de-railled and once again the club is made to look foolish in the eyes of the media and the public...

 

No one will hope Cortese pulls off a managerial coup more than me, if I get one more email about O'Neil being seen at the Jury's Inn I will heave, but until then the situation is dire....

In my opinion, anybody who makes accusations about a situation without knowing the facts, is an idiot. What would you call them? Astute? Perspicacious? Intelligent?

 

And where did I jump to any conclusions?

 

With luck, once the dust had settled and depending on who is brought in, people will begin to realise that they have been far too fraught and look at the broader picture to regain some perspective

 

I could hardly have been more cautious in qualifying my statement. Naturally people will make comparisons between Pardew's performance and that of his successor, but then again, who's to say that Pardew would have got us promoted? Or that if there were deteriorating relationships between AP and the players, or that AP and Cortese did not see eye to eye on the plan, that it wasn't best to part ways anyway. But I will not formulate an opinion based on speculation and hearsay as some have done.

 

And we will just have to differ on our opinion as to whether our season has been derailed or not. Personally I think that "derailed" is a bit shrill after 3 games and without knowing who will come in to take over as manager. Last season was derailed by our points deduction and yet we very nearly made it to the play-offs, so it is much to early yet for the wrist-slashing.

[JackFrost]

In my opinion, anybody who makes accusations about a situation without knowing the facts, is an idiot. What would you call them? Astute? Perspicacious? Intelligent?

 

And where did I jump to any conclusions?

 

 

 

I could hardly have been more cautious in qualifying my statement. Naturally people will make comparisons between Pardew's performance and that of his successor, but then again, who's to say that Pardew would have got us promoted? Or that if there were deteriorating relationships between AP and the players, or that AP and Cortese did not see eye to eye on the plan, that it wasn't best to part ways anyway. But I will not formulate an opinion based on speculation and hearsay as some have done.

 

And we will just have to differ on our opinion as to whether our season has been derailed or not. Personally I think that "derailed" is a bit shrill after 3 games and without knowing who will come in to take over as manager. Last season was derailed by our points deduction and yet we very nearly made it to the play-offs, so it is much to early yet for the wrist-slashing.

 

The latest rumours about Paul Hart becoming our manager don't inspire me with confidence.

 

Still we'll see. . . .

[Window Cleaner]

Wow, big news then, having spent the entire time between yesterday 8 am and just now out of contact with the real world, a few meters underground, I guess I'm the last fan to know.Thought the coaches might be in for trouble because too many players aren't progressing but AP?? well it's a bit of a surprise.

[RonManager]

Wow, big news then, having spent the entire time between yesterday 8 am and just now out of contact with the real world, a few meters underground, I guess I'm the last fan to know.Thought the coaches might be in for trouble because too many players aren't progressing but AP?? well it's a bit of a surprise.

 

Yeah I got in at just after midnight, having been out to Camarthen and back on a steam loco all Sunday and Monday, with folk who aren't interested in the beautiful game. I thought I'd have a quick look at the OS before crashing and ended up staying up till 2.

[SaintRichmond]

Pardew AND coaching Staff sacked

 

THAT tells it all

 

Cortese HAS someone lined up, otherwise it is normally just the Manager who initially goes, followed by others when a new appointment is made

 

I don't think Cortese's new man will go down well with Saints fans though, IMHO

[NickG]

heard Pardew had applied for Villa job - and others recently

[Wes Tender]

The latest rumours about Paul Hart becoming our manager don't inspire me with confidence.

 

Still we'll see. . . .

 

Who's putting those rumours about? Paul Hart?

[thesaint sfc]

I'm completely gobsmacked and nearly fell off the toilet when I read it yesterday! I'm behind Cortese though - seems completely unjustified after all the comments about how AP and Cortese were working well together and shared the same beliefs - I've questioned their relationship for some time though. I believe Cortese has what's best for the club in his heart and it's a dog eat dog business and unfortunately Pardew has come off worst.

 

I wish him all the best and thanks for everything he's done!

 

I don't for one second believe Cortese would do this without having someone pretty special lined up - and with us not knowing how much money we actually have to spend we could all be pleasantly surprised! I can't understand the timing though. Surely the players we have signed have been signed by Pardew, and we have only signed them because we trust Pardew in the managers role - now they've sacked him just as the seasons beginning. Very confusing. Shows how ruthless Cortese is though!

[Wes Tender]

So there's now a poll on the subject which will not change anything as it's a fait accomplis.

 

Perhaps there ought to be another poll when the new manager is appointed so that people can say whether they prefer the new man, whoever it is.

 

But as nobody yet knows why Pardew was sacked, the whole poll is flawed as nobody can make the judgement as to whether the sacking was right or wrong.

 

Now, if the poll had asked whether they were happy about it or not, then that would have been an entirely different matter.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

So there's now a poll on the subject which will not change anything as it's a fait accomplis.

 

Perhaps there ought to be another poll when the new manager is appointed so that people can say whether they prefer the new man, whoever it is.

 

But as nobody yet knows why Pardew was sacked, the whole poll is flawed as nobody can make the judgement as to whether the sacking was right or wrong.

 

Now, if the poll had asked whether they were happy about it or not, then that would have been an entirely different matter.

 

Will we ever know the "Real" truth or just be given what the club wants us to believe.

It would be refreshing to have both sides of story with no NDA`s...

[Wes Tender]

Will we ever know the "Real" truth or just be given what the club wants us to believe.

It would be refreshing to have both sides of story with no NDA`s...

 

Precisely. So nobody can make a judgement as to whether the sacking was right or wrong, rendering the poll flawed. The correct answer to the poll as it stands unless anybody is privy to inside information is "Don't know". Presumably nearly a half of us know the ins and outs of it and perhaps they should share this information with us all.

[trousers]

Precisely. So nobody can make a judgement as to whether the sacking was right or wrong, rendering the poll flawed.

 

Correct