Dinner with Nicola Cortese

[Trader]

Interesting about the overtraining. I stumbled across this article yesterday:

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9239342.stm

 

It's interesting reading as I think a good number of us on here (myself included) were enthusiastic about Pardew ensuring that players did a lot of fitness work pre-season; especially as it seemed to work so well under WGS.

 

Forgot to add: my thanks also for the report, Spudgun.

 

I wonder what Adkins opinion of this "periodisation" is.

 

I've no doubt he's aware of it - it seems to be in his area of expertise.

[Spudders]

Answers added

 

Spudgun, this was a DINNER PARTY.

 

Appalling report, you should be ashamed of yourself.

 

Have you NEVER even accidentally seen an episode of Come Dine With Me, The Restaurant or MasterChef? Yes, last night wasn't the same, there were no gifts and we didn't sneakily go through Nicola's belongings whilst he wasn't looking

 

How many courses were served? I'd say 3, but I am not Sophistamacated enough to know if you'd class coffee as a course? If so, then 4

 

What were they? Starter was some sort of soup with 3 little bread things, each with a different topping. Main was a massive peice of beef which was the most tender portion of beef I have ever had, on a bed of spinach (I think!! It was green anyway!), gravy, roast potatos and some sort of sauce. Dessert was 3 sepeate desserts, ice cream in a little gingersnap basket thing, a little cheese cake type thingy and another jelly type thing (it wasn't jelly but I don't really know how to describe it!), then coffees. There was also plenty of wine for those who wanted it but I stuck with the juice

 

How did you rate each course and the quality of the food overal? Out of 10 I'd say Starter 6, Main 10, dessert, 8. Overall 9 Would have been 10 had we been given a concourse burger as well

 

Did you have to use Salt & Pepper on the table or were the dishes "Perfectly seasoned" Food was fine as it was, I didn't even think of asking if they had any tomato sauce!

 

How attentive was the service? Did they know the orgins and details of the Ingredients used? Service was good, empty plates were removed quickly, but it didn't feel like when you stay at a posh hotel and some Indian guy watches you like a hawk! I was at a hotel in Dublin last week and as I put the last peice of food from my main course into my mouth, my plate was taken from me before I even started chewing it! I couldn't even say anything as I litreally still had my fork in my month! But anyway I digress, back to SFC - Not sure about their knowledge of food origin & ingredients, however I like to beleive that their knowledge is second to none at all levels at St Mary's. In fact I may test this with some questioning of one of the burger servers on Saturday at the Brentford game.

 

What was the choice of Wines? Did they offer a choice of Beer? Was Magners Available? Red or White wine was available, no beer option. They weren't serving Blue Nun or Liebfraumilch which is why I didn't bother.

 

Was it American Style Filter Coffee or has NC's influence extended to the provision of Espresso, Latte etc? It was normal filter coffee

 

All critically important, after all we once had the finest cuisine in the world at our stadium, and these reports are vital in monitoring our resurrection back to our rightful place in the Champions Leagues of both Football and Catering. I'd say we'll be right back up there once this food is offered on match day in the concourse. I can see the starters flying out in the Northam

 

And also critically important in understanding how far the Swiss/Italian influence has spread. The Cheese Board Contents could have told us so much. Although we were in the board room, I saw no board to put the cheese on which was dissapointing.

 

Hopefully with these additional facts now added to the thread, we now have a more complete picture of the future of SFC. :lol:

[Neil]

Many thanks Spudgun.

 

All good stuff, glad that the ST instalment plan should be returning, hopefully for next season in the Championship.

 

The stuff about the redevelopment around SMS is the most intriguing, would be good to hear more on this as and when the plans move forward - perhaps we need to hear from the Council for their view.

[Soggy Bottom]

Thanks Spudgun nice to here

[dubai_phil]

Answers added

 

 

 

Hopefully with these additional facts now added to the thread, we now have a more complete picture of the future of SFC. :lol:

 

OK, not quite up to the critical reporting standards of John & Greg but good enough, thankyou

 

The Coffee & Cheese issue is still a worrying gap, and leaves room for the conspiracy theories to continue.

 

Did they omit Cheese on purpose? were they economising to raise funds to bring in two Owens from Manure in January?

 

NC not making European Coffee Machines mandatory throughout the club at every level, is this part of the aspiration stakes? Will ST holders have to aspire to become Uber ST Holders to qualify for real coffee?

 

Great times with only these (albeit important) issues to worry about.

 

Cheers SG

 

[Spudders]

Many thanks Spudgun.

 

 

The stuff about the redevelopment around SMS is the most intriguing, would be good to hear more on this as and when the plans move forward - perhaps we need to hear from the Council for their view.

 

At least as these sessions are now going to be held on a monthy basis, we'll hopefully hear more details from other attendees at some point in the future, when the club are in a better position and as everything naturally progresses.

 

It'd be great to know all the details now, but realistically until we actually do move up the leagues nothing is going to happen and even if there were already details drawn up, they'd most likely change by the time we do get there. You only have to look at the new plans for the training ground and facilities to see how they have changed since the original plans were submitted.

[Liquidshokk]

I really hope I get invited to one of these... Quite jealous

 

Was it just Cortese in the meeting from the Club?

[Spudders]

Was him & his PA taking some notes

[tttdcs]

A few more bits.

 

Alex Chamberlin has good people around him.

 

The season ticket instalment plan will come back once we have the electronic type card system in place. The removal of the scheme was because there were over 400 people who set up the direct debit and cancelled it as soon as they received their tickets.

 

One of the season ticket holders there said he thought that it would be good if on our last home game of the season the players shirts had Markus’s name written on them. That suggestion was well received by Nicola and the rest of us (sure there would be a lot more shirt sales generated as well if a limited shirt was also sold in the club shop).

 

The club are looking to extend the range of merchandise they sell to include some better quality more subtle clothing.

 

As Ladysaint says, the Sun apologised for their bit stating the club was for sale, the item slipped through their checking process and was written as a result of an over eager young reporter who had a quiet weekend of league one reporting due to the postponement of games because of the weather.

 

With regards to the people with their own agendas creating rumours, Nicola quite rightly would not name names, but he did talk about his wish on arrival at the club to cut out all the political goings on and to get rid of the hangers on. He’s clearly not interested in ‘perks’ and wants to do things in the right and professional way.

 

I asked him about Lee Barnard and I said I’m not asking what happened (obviously I knew he wouldn’t tell us that anyway) but he said Lee’s hand is healing nicely. He also said that Lee is one of the quietest players in the squad and was the last player who he would have expected to get into any bother. Lee was absolutely gutted about what happened, couldn’t have been more apologetic and this really was a case of him being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

Nicola isn’t worried about Pardew poaching any of our players should he get Newcastle job.

 

Someone mentioned the additional charge for people buying tickets on the day, Nicola said that they had to discourage people from turning up on the day, mainly due to the fact that everyone that does just turn up does it at the last minute. Last season they had occasions where several hundred people turned up literally just before kick-off and then people started to get aggressive when they weren’t served instantly.

 

Regarding the funds we have, it’s clear there is money there, but it’s certainly not clear how much. As has been said all along, we must be run in a financially sensible manner. My opinion on this after hearing what Nicola had to say in person and in his press report (and this really is my own gut feeling) is that providing we do things the ‘right’ way and are not throwing money away, there will always be money there so long as Nicola is with us. He’s stated in his BBC interview that although Markus’s family are 100% committed, should they ever decide they wish to pull out, he has other people who would come in and replace them which is reassuring.

 

A comment Nicola made which I thought was spot on, is that he’s noticed that as a fan-base we really aren’t good at being optimistic. It was pointed out to him that this was due to the constant problems we’ve had in recent years, but he says we need to get used to the fact that we are on the up now, accept it and enjoy our rise.

 

I think that’s spot on, we are so used to problems at the club that we are constantly waiting/looking for the next one. If there isn’t anything to moan about, as a fan-base we seem to then just create problems that aren’t there. Sure, there will be a few people at various levels (be it office staff, players, etc) that won’t have liked the sudden change in direction of the tide at Southampton football club, but personally I am now 100% convinced we really are in safe hands.

 

Whilst Markus will never be forgotten for what he’s done for our club, Nicola is absolutely key to us. The fact that Nicola stated in his interview yesterday that ‘should’ the Liebherr family ever decide they want out, there is already a plan B for funding in place, speaks absolute volumes to me. If any of you doubted Nicola’s commitment to the club, then hopefully that answers that question.

 

It is in some ways a shame that we all sing the praise of Markus, but not of Nicola, but I have a sneaky feeling that at some point in a few years time, we as a fan-base will be singing Nicola’s name as well.

 

Another TOP post ! I like reading your comments they certainly cheer me up ! :-)

[saint1977]

Good stuff, thanks to Spudgun and Ladysaint. I think people now need to chill out and enjoy the strong position that the club is in. The only slight worry I've got is over strengthening in January - I think we are at least one striker, pacy wide player and another CM short. If Puncheon goes to Millwall as I think he might, that would free up some wages. Ryan Harley from Exeter, Chaplow on a perm deal and someone like Le Fondre or Madine from Carlisle (don't mess with him and Barnard if they were in the same line up!) would definately take us top 2 and be good players in the NPC as well.

[Liquidshokk]

Good stuff, thanks to Spudgun and Ladysaint. I think people now need to chill out and enjoy the strong position that the club is in. The only slight worry I've got is over strengthening in January - I think we are at least one striker, pacy wide player and another CM short. If Puncheon goes to Millwall as I think he might, that would free up some wages. Ryan Harley from Exeter, Chaplow on a perm deal and someone like Le Fondre or Madine from Carlisle (don't mess with him and Barnard if they were in the same line up!) would definately take us top 2 and be good players in the NPC as well.

 

Yep, I can see it going very quiet on here for a while now that the moaners have nothing to moan about and there's no rumours to flap over. Bliss.

[Turkish]

Yep, I can see it going very quiet on here for a while now that the moaners have nothing to moan about and there's no rumours to flap over. Bliss.

 

have you got a football friend yet?

[Liquidshokk]

have you got a football friend yet?

 

Nope, still holding out hope that you may back down and let me in.

 

Failing that I might just learn to enjoy the "me time" ;-)

[thesaint sfc]

I need a football friend too. Trouble is I live in Brighton and there's not that many saints down here. + they think I'm going to bum them. The joys of stereotype.

[aintforever]

A comment Nicola made which I thought was spot on, is that he's noticed that as a fan-base we really aren't good at being optimistic.

 

Bit of an understatement, we are a right bunch of miserable ****s.

 

Another trait is being woefully unambitious, on the whole Southampton people are like a bunch of small minded, unhappy hobbits. When Cortese talks of getting into Europe and extending St Mary's the average Saints fan thinks he's off his nut. We forget what a two-bob outfit Chelsea were before their money turned up.

[hypochondriac]

I need a football friend too. Trouble is I live in Brighton and there's not that many saints down here. + they think I'm going to bum them. The joys of stereotype.

 

My mate Jack lives there and has a season ticket. He is BLINK on here. Football friend found

[Liquidshokk]

I need a football friend too. Trouble is I live in Brighton and there's not that many saints down here. + they think I'm going to bum them. The joys of stereotype.

 

Have you not seen my desperate plea for a football friend in the muppet show?? (previously resided in The Lounge till something took it as a joke )

 

I'd be interested in having a beer with ya sometime in the concourse if you hang around after the game.

 

just as long as youre not indenial about your reasons for living in Brighton and that it wont affect my ability to walk back over the bridge after the game...

[Liquidshokk]

My mate Jack lives there and has a season ticket. He is BLINK on here. Football friend found

 

Damn, too slow. I'd be rubbish in an auction.

[trousers]

A comment Nicola made which I thought was spot on, is that he’s noticed that as a fan-base we really aren’t good at being optimistic.

 

He's noticed by reading comments on here or via another source....?

[Liquidshokk]

He's noticed by reading comments on here or via another source....?

 

I did wonder how he would gauge that without reading forums such as this. Not like he speaks to the masses.... Letters from fans maybe?!

[Macey_J2]

I'd like to echo spud and lady saints comments, it was a good evening and nicola was very reassuring (which you'd expect anyway) Spudgun, were you the guy i was chatting to in the carpark after, next to your car?

 

In regards to the beer, Nicola mentioned that the carlsberg lease is up in the summer and they'll be tendering for new suppliers. He also mentioned that the after match entertainment in the itchen concourse is a test run to show the club can host fans after and before games. He understands that the concourses themselves and the catering side need renovating to attract us in earlier and to stay later and i got the impression that would happen in the next few seasons. Part of this is to get us to spend more money in the ground, which ultimately helps the club. He said per home game the club recieve £1.30 odd per supporter in the way of snacks and drinks, and they want to improve that.

 

When asked about the stadium, yes, he said they had conducted a study that showed we could potentially attract 40k+ fans to premiership games, and obviously this requires enlarging the stadium. However, he said the surrounding roads and those in and out of the city could not cope with that amount of traffic, and would have to be improved to enable it all to happen. He's talked (informally or formally he didnt say) to a council chief or who ever the powers that be are, and he was getting good vibes from their side to enable us to safely and quickly get 40k people in and out of the stadium without bringing the city to even more of a stand still on a matchday.

 

He said no more than 1300 people took out the installment plan for season tickets, and as has been said, over a quarter of those people didnt pay but kept coming!, evading capture by sitting in other seats. Id like to add a good old "shame on you" to those involved. This would be solved by the electronic tickets, because these people could be instantly denied access.

 

An interesting point that Nicola made was about what we'd refer to as dead wood. As we are aware, last season we off loaded 13 or so players, but he said we still have a couple of players that they have found very hard to shift! This frustrated him for a number of reasons, one of which is because it hindered the progress of the young and talented players. Nicola said they have offered certain players on loan, with the condition that our club would pay 100% of the players wages during that time and other clubs have refused!

 

He also said he would consider making a quarterly statement to keep us up to speed and stop the fear mongerers from getting twitchy.

 

I felt fortunate to be randomly selected and food was very nice too!

[hypochondriac]

Spudgun looks a bit like a spud. It's why I think the forum name is quite appropriate. No offence

[lotois-saint]

But it would be easier for Pulis to do two jobs he can handle - preparing the veg and cleaning the pans.

 

Not big jobs then?

[Minsk]

Spudgun, LadySaint and Macey - Thanks for the reports. They make excellent reading and have given me a great feeling about our future.

[Spudders]

Spudgun, were you the guy i was chatting to in the carpark after, next to your car?

Yep that was indeed me, good to now be able to put another face to a user name

 

Spudgun looks a bit like a spud. It's why I think the forum name is quite appropriate. No offence

Have you been secretly spying on me!

[richardc]

Did you notice if there were any pictures of trains hanging on the walls

[hypochondriac]

Yep that was indeed me, good to now be able to put another face to a user name

 

 

Have you been secretly spying on me!

 

I met you about 3 years ago now. Cracking bloke you are though .

[The Quiff]

Thanks for all the info from you guys n gals that went.Fantastic posts and info.I really appreciate it!

[torsaint]

Really excellent contributions though they have wrecked all my conspiracy theories. Will have to go away and invent a few more.

[ottery st mary]

Spudgun, LadySaint and Macey - Thanks for the reports. They make excellent reading and have given me a great feeling about our future.

 

 

Likewise...Top peeps..many thanks to you all..

 

Now WIFM

 

AND

 

WIFN

 

Come on you Saints 4-0 up on Saturday......or else.

 

 

AND for our Nigel

Edited 9 December, 2010 by ottery st mary
forgot Nigel

[ladysaint]

Did you notice if there were any pictures of trains hanging on the walls

 

No but a nice Andy Warhol take off of Markus and Nicola with the Cup

[suewhistle]

Thanks to all those who reported: very interesting.. particularly in the light of discussions here at the beginning of the season about instalment plans (400 cheats!) and more recently regarding Saints' potential crowds. Both are issues which are resolvable. Good to see a sensible attitude to The Sun snippet.

 

For the benefit of Dubai-Phil: I'll take on board the cheese issue myself as I live on the Italian/Swiss border. Driving across for Christmas this year so no weight restrictions...

[Deano6]

Thanks to all those who reported: very interesting.. particularly in the light of discussions here at the beginning of the season about instalment plans (400 cheats!) and more recently regarding Saints' potential crowds. Both are issues which are resolvable. Good to see a sensible attitude to The Sun snippet.

 

For the benefit of Dubai-Phil: I'll take on board the cheese issue myself as I live on the Italian/Swiss border. Driving across for Christmas this year so no weight restrictions...

 

That's lucky for you!

[derry]

Excellent coverage from our three lucky posters. This confirms some of the things about Nicola Cortese that have come from someone who worked for him and is still at the club. A demanding boss who treats those who respond to his requirements well. It sounds as though he has a good grip on the requirements to make this a great club. He has my support. A statue as company for the great Ted Bates would be a good gesture especially if the fans could contribute something towards it.

[Clifford Nelson]

Excellent coverage from our three lucky posters. This confirms some of the things about Nicola Cortese that have come from someone who worked for him and is still at the club. A demanding boss who treats those who respond to his requirements well. It sounds as though he has a good grip on the requirements to make this a great club. He has my support. A statue as company for the great Ted Bates would be a good gesture especially if the fans could contribute something towards it.

 

Give him a few years to realise his vision, Dave, and then he and Markus will have gone into our history in such an undelible way that they will be forever remembered. The two of them on a plinth on the other side of the entrance from Ted's? Too many people promise the world only to walk away a year or two later. I don't think that is NC's style, and if well be there, nibbliing at the title in a few years time, why not.

[derry]

Give him a few years to realise his vision, Dave, and then he and Markus will have gone into our history in such an undelible way that they will be forever remembered. The two of them on a plinth on the other side of the entrance from Ted's? Too many people promise the world only to walk away a year or two later. I don't think that is NC's style, and if well be there, nibbliing at the title in a few years time, why not.

 

Why not indeed. Happy Christmas Bert.

[Andoverian]

[ A statue as company for the great Ted Bates would be a good gesture especially if the fans could contribute something towards it.

[eurosaint]

Really excellent contributions though they have wrecked all my conspiracy theories. Will have to go away and invent a few more.

 

Is that why you learnt to speak Russian ??

[Andoverian]

[ A statue as company for the great Ted Bates would be a good gesture especially if the fans could contribute something towards it.

 

Sorry not very good with the computer but surely this post is suppose to be a joke !!

[Clifford Nelson]

Why not indeed. Happy Christmas Bert.

And the very same to you, Dave!

[derry]

 

Sorry not very good with the computer but surely this post is suppose to be a joke !!

 

Why would that be? Ted built the club, Markus Liebherr saved it, is still keeping it going as his family legacy and his plan is very much alive including the training ground development. He died long before his dream was fulfilled but for me he has contributed immeasureably to the club's existence and future. A statue would be appropriate.

[Saint_lambden]

 

the vision isn’t just about 5 years. there is no point in getting back to the premiership if we are just going to struggle when we are there. Once we are there we will compete to win the title, that’s the point of being there.

 

.

 

wow

[hypochondriac]

wow

 

I think the point is that that is the whole point of the premiership. Of course every team is competing for the title, just that some are less good at competing than others.

[buctootim]

I think the point is that that is the whole point of the premiership. Of course every team is competing for the title, just that some are less good at competing than others.

 

No they're not. Only four or five teams think they have a realitic chance of winning it, and maybe another four or five think they could possibly get lucky if all the circumstances went their way for a whole season. The other 9 or 10 clubs have no illusions and are just happy to survive. Thats why the premiership as a competetion is going down the tubes.

Edited 9 December, 2010 by buctootim

[Charlie Wayman]

A couple of other things I remember asked about having some sort of tribute to Markus at the stadium a plaque or something similar and think they are thinking along these lines anyway. He will reconsider half season tickets, suggested that maybe he offer two half season tickets i.e. first half and second half of the season and also will look at st holders being prioritised for purchasing their own seats for cup games before going on general sale.

 

As spud gun said he came across as very sincere and you do get the impression that he will see the job through and achieve the goals set, we all need to support him in anyway we can.

 

He also added that the Sun did call him and apologised for their misinterpretation which apparently stemmed from negotations with sponsors for next season and offered a printed apology in the paper which NC declined.

 

 

 

The most obvious lasting memorial would be to name the Itchen stand after him "The Marcus Liebherr Stand" with a nice pic of him sketched out in white seats on the red seat background.

 

He did more for this Club in one year than anybody has ever done - he saved Saints from extinction.

[doddisalegend]

No they're not. Only four or five teams think they have a realitic chance of winning it, and maybe another four or five think they could possibly get lucky if all the circumstances went their way for a whole season. The other 9 or 10 clubs have no illusions and are just happy to survive. Thats why the premiership as a competetion is going down the tubes.

 

Quite the effects of relegation can be devestating to a club now (unless your'e like west brom who seem to be happy being relgated and taking the parachutes getting promoted again the nrelegated and so on) back in the good old days of leather balls and long shorts being relegated was upsetting but hardly terminal, now being relegated from the prem can smash your club to pieces (just look at saints). That being the case clubs and fans are happy to finish fourth from bottom every year as long as they stay in the PL.

[CanadaSaint]

Thanks for the updates to those who provided them.

 

It seems even more clear from his comments that Cortese either monitors this forum very closely, or has someone do it for him.

 

That's quite reassuring, but some posters might need to ponder on it before they start pounding keys.

[hypochondriac]

No they're not. Only four or five teams think they have a realitic chance of winning it, and maybe another four or five think they could possibly get lucky if all the circumstances went their way for a whole season. The other 9 or 10 clubs have no illusions and are just happy to survive. Thats why the premiership as a competetion is going down the tubes.

 

I realise that but the point of the competition is to win it.

[Golden Balls]

All very positive. Love the sound of looking to win the title when we get back to the PL. That would take a lot of building/money.

 

Really just confirms that we are in safe hands and the next generation of being a Saints fan will be a hell of a lot more fun than the last 10 years or so.

 

Would love to go to one of these dinners

[dubai_phil]

A few more bits.

 

A comment Nicola made which I thought was spot on, is that he’s noticed that as a fan-base we really aren’t good at being optimistic. It was pointed out to him that this was due to the constant problems we’ve had in recent years, but he says we need to get used to the fact that we are on the up now, accept it and enjoy our rise.

 

 

One final thought on this snippet.

 

Think someone should have pointed out that actually NC has finally noticed the fundamental central point of the British Psyche, not just us Saints fans.

 

The Whingeing Poms syndrome as the LOSERS down under used to call us. It does often come as a shock to Johnny Foreigners.

 

Turning the club around is feasible, making us challenge for honours in the PL will take a helluva lot of work, but changing us into Optimists?

 

Jeez, if he does that we'll lose him PDQ as he goes off to the UN to solve World Hunger, turn Al Qaeda into a Capitalist Hedge Fund and turn Portsmouth into the European Capital of Culture in 2014.

 

OK maybe he can do all of that except the last one