Radio Solent: Lowe gave team-talk

[Roman]

I can see it now, Lowe standing before the team striking a Churchillian pose, cigar firmly clamped in his jaw...

 

"We shall fight them on the training grounds and the pitches, in the reserve league and the academy league and even in the Championship. With growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our club, whatever the cost may be, so that

if Southampton Football Club lasted for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."

 

In which case, can someone please tell Rupert a game lasts ninety mins?

[Long Shot]

nothing really surprises me anymore where saints are concerned but saying that the team played well last night and the result was ok so rightly or wrongly he must have inspired them in some way ............if true of course.

 

 

 

Tbh if Saints had won 10-0 last night I still don't like the principle of the Chair of the PLC involving himself in football related matters, especially in the dressing room just before a match. If true of course but knowing Lowe I believe he is more than capable.

[Norm]

Absolutely.

 

In the run up to the game the manager must have full and total control of his dressing room.

 

The players need to be focussed and not distracted. It is a key prt of the preparation.

 

Here is what one current manager said about the run up to the match when defending some of his players not signing autographs whilst out on the pitch in the warm up.

 

"I take your point and I am sure players will sign autographs on their way out of the ground but once the warm-up finishes I am big on them getting back to the dressing room so I can have my time with them.

 

I want that window of opportunity to get them ready for the game."

 

Any idea who said that???

 

 

Brian Clough?

 

ps, thanks Um.

[um pahars]

Brian Clough?

 

I did say current!!!!!

 

ps, thanks Um.

 

?????

[NickG]

Don't know whether its me missing something on this thread but who is saying that Lowe gave the team talk? I am not saying he didn't but all I heard was the DMG interview which wasn't about a team talk?

 

If he did I think that does undermine the manager and is both worrying and bizarre.

 

If it was as DMG recounted - an open meeting at the training ground to discuss the club then popping in to changing room for a few positive words, then I think there is nothing wrong in either of these -in fact they are positive.

 

Without going over what people think of Jimmy Case as a pundit, if he (having played for Liverpool, Brighton, us and others -and been away at hundreds of games where he probably has been aware of what is going on to a certain extent with the other team) thinks that is fairly common then who are posters on here who have never been in that situation to say "it just wouldn't happen" elsewhere, or other managers wouldn't allow it.

 

Remember they are in the changing room together for quite a while, and would already been briefed in training by JP (or RL!).

 

If it got in the way, of course it was wrong.

 

Its no different to the CEO walking around the shopfloor and being visable -doesn't mean he knows how to operate the machinery.

 

Don't mean to be stubborn but feel maybe I am missing the point?

Edited 29 October, 2008 by NickG

[NickG]

Southampton striker David McGoldrick revealed that chairman Rupert Lowe addressed the team in their dressing room before the 1-1 draw with Coventry.

 

McGoldrick, 20, told BBC Radio Solent: "It was good for the players to meet him, I don't think many had met him.

"He [Lowe] has come back and it is a young squad. He clarified the position the club is in.

 

"They cannot afford the money at the minute, so the top wage earners had to come out."

 

Bit of a strange thing to say if the rumours on here -director of football, signing players, training, team selection/talks are true?

[slickmick]

Southampton striker David McGoldrick revealed that chairman Rupert Lowe addressed the team in their dressing room before the 1-1 draw with Coventry.

 

McGoldrick, 20, told BBC Radio Solent: "It was good for the players to meet him, I don't think many had met him.

"He [Lowe] has come back and it is a young squad. He clarified the position the club is in.

 

"They cannot afford the money at the minute, so the top wage earners had to come out."

 

Bit of a strange thing to say if the rumours on here -director of football, signing players, training, team selection/talks are true?

 

 

Strange way of motivating the team before a game.

[NickG]

jst notice thread title says the team talk -which is bound to, quite rightly aggravate people and cause concern, but then first post is much more innocous with "pep talk". -which I am sure most would see nothing wrong.

[Long Shot]

BBC South TV said "Lowe addressed the players before the game".

 

If he wanted to "talk" to the players he could have done it at a relatively quieter Staplewood, pre-match is pre-match and I wouldn't mind betting it was the equivalent of the sort of thing a manager would say prior to sending a team out to play. I have no proof I accept but I know Lowe and his ego and not many Chairmen get their own training kit made up with their initials on it. The man has an ego as big as Big Macs and that is saying something. No wonder the two don't get on. Mind you I would still prefer Big Mac because as sure as eggs is eggs he knows his football.... ego or not.

[NickG]

what do you make of Jimmy Case's comment that it is common place for chairmen to do this?

[um pahars]

what do you make of Jimmy Case's comment that it is common place for chairmen to do this?

 

I don't remember Jim Hone or Ken Dulieu doing it.

[NickG]

not saying I would have wanted it, but seeing the reaction its getting on here I am guessing it is common but we didn't realise it so who knows

[Stanley Saint]

I don't think it's something that you want your chairman doing every week, but I've heard of it happening. I can see how in these circumstances it was worth doing. The crowd are just starting to turn because of the Stern John situation (although I thought the atmosphere on Tuesday was pretty good, considering) and, seeing as it is obviously Lowe who made that decision, he obviously felt that the players deserved some 'from the horse's mouth' explanation.

 

I've got no axe to grind on the Lowe front, but I get a bit fed up on here when he can't win (damned if he does, damned if he doesn't). Spawn of Beelzebub he may be, but if we're as skint as it seems, he's got very little option but to pick and back a manager who wants to develop our home-grown players rather than sign 10 seasoned pros.

 

Finally, I've been to a fair few matches this season and I have enjoyed most of them greatly. We're not a good team, yet, but the football we are trying to play is excellent. I like to watch quick passing to feet, cross-field diagonal balls, imaginative runs into space and overlapping full-backs. I like to see attacks which don't always end in a cross from a winger, generally caught by their keeper. I don't think I've seen Saints even attempt to play like this for a long, long time and I'm enjoying it. If we can cut out some of the comedy defending, we'll start to look a decent team.

[Ponty]

I don't remember Jim Hone or Ken Dulieu doing it.

A couple of top quality chairmen you're holding up there as examples of the right way to do things.

 

This is being made far bigger a deal than it actually is.

[Graffito]

Lowe should stay out of the dressing room before someone puts him in the medical room.

[Ponty]

Brilliant.

[Roman]

Brilliant.

 

Bad hair day?

[benjii]

jst notice thread title says the team talk -which is bound to, quite rightly aggravate people and cause concern, but then first post is much more innocous with "pep talk". -which I am sure most would see nothing wrong.

 

I'm cheeky like that.

 

 

I was just reporting what Solent said, which to me sounded as though he was in the dressing room talking to the players just before kick-off. That to me is when the team talk happens, and therefore it was a team-talk.

 

If it was no more than an introduction and a brief explanation as to why all the best players are leaving then it seems like slightly odd timing.

[sadoldgit]

So long as he kept it to "give it your best shot lads" and avoided any references to Klingons, I don't see what the fuss is all about.

[ottery st mary]

More than just a team talk as he carried in his own blackboard, board rubber and supply of chalk.(This was because of the cut backs and therefore we could not afford the modern day overhead projector screens and all that) The players new it was serious when Lowey made Wotton sit in the corner for talking and threw the blackboard rubber at Skacel for showing no interest/not paying attention. Thomson and James both received Detentions.

But the saving grace was that JP also learnt something about tactics or so Lowey told him to tell the press.

This ploy by Lowey was nothing new for most of the team as most have only just left school.

Apparently Mighty Mac..No.Goals is teachers pet and was seen to hand Lowey an apple.

 

Mighty Mac start scoring more goals..thats your project for the rest of November and December before we sign Rooney..

 

 

Just in case nickh and john B I am not joking..

[saintwarwick]

what do you make of Jimmy Case's comment that it is common place for chairmen to do this?

 

I don't remember Jim Hone or Ken Dulieu doing it.

 

Jimmy Case was referring to other clubs.

[Scudamore]

I was just reporting what Solent said, which to me sounded as though he was in the dressing room talking to the players just before kick-off. That to me is when the team talk happens, and therefore it was a team-talk.

 

No. That is not a team-talk. A team-talk would generally involve driving home the points made in the training sessions running up to a game. Reminding the players of what is expected of them...that sort of thing...

[FloridaMarlin]

I do know that the club are really trying to stamp out leaks of info and so there is a real fear that anyone a bit loose in their words may get caught out and be fired.

 

Hardly surprising, given the circumstances.

 

Generally, organisations only try to impose a strict control on information if they feel that info will cause embarrassment or be detrimental to them if it gets into the public domain.

 

Lowe has always tried to control the information output from the club and influence the media, even in the better days.

 

Any guesses as to how long it will be before Jimmy Case's press accreditation is 'reviewed'?

[um pahars]

A couple of top quality chairmen you're holding up there as examples of the right way to do things.

 

And if they had been interfering in areas they shouldn't have, then that would have made their tenure even worse than it actually was.

 

Perhaps when Lowe criticised the old regime for not supporting the manager and failing to manage him he ahd this type of "managing" in mind.

[um pahars]

A couple of top quality chairmen you're holding up there as examples of the right way to do things.

 

And if they had been interfering in areas they shouldn't have, then that would have made their tenure even worse than it actually was.

 

Perhaps when Lowe criticised the old regime for not supporting the manager and failing to manage him he ahd this type of "managing" in mind.

[Saint Bones]

So long as he kept it to "give it your best shot lads" and avoided any references to Klingons, I don't see what the fuss is all about.

 

:smt044

[Saint Bones]

So long as he kept it to "give it your best shot lads" and avoided any references to Klingons, I don't see what the fuss is all about.

 

:smt044

[up and away]

Originally Posted by Ponty

A couple of top quality chairmen you're holding up there as examples of the right way to do things.

And if they had been interfering in areas they shouldn't have, then that would have made their tenure even worse than it actually was.

 

Perhaps when Lowe criticised the old regime for not supporting the manager and failing to manage him he ahd this type of "managing" in mind.

 

You have to ask yourself why would Lowe now address the players, regarding the financial situation at the club? What would fit if we were to get some financial news on the club very soon and the reason for the departures. But I can see you have all your time consumed with the no smoke without fire routine, so I shall leave you to it.

[up and away]

Originally Posted by Ponty

A couple of top quality chairmen you're holding up there as examples of the right way to do things.

And if they had been interfering in areas they shouldn't have, then that would have made their tenure even worse than it actually was.

 

Perhaps when Lowe criticised the old regime for not supporting the manager and failing to manage him he ahd this type of "managing" in mind.

 

You have to ask yourself why would Lowe now address the players, regarding the financial situation at the club? What would fit if we were to get some financial news on the club very soon and the reason for the departures. But I can see you have all your time consumed with the no smoke without fire routine, so I shall leave you to it.

[SaintRichmond]

Southampton striker David McGoldrick revealed that chairman Rupert Lowe addressed the team in their dressing room before the 1-1 draw with Coventry.

 

McGoldrick, 20, told BBC Radio Solent: "It was good for the players to meet him, I don't think many had met him.

"He [Lowe] has come back and it is a young squad. He clarified the position the club is in.

 

"They cannot afford the money at the minute, so the top wage earners had to come out."

 

Bit of a strange thing to say if the rumours on here -director of football, signing players, training, team selection/talks are true?

 

 

 

Does anyone know of another instance where a Chairman has "gone to the trouble" of explaining the financial position of the Club to the players ........ as part of a pre Match Team Talk ............

 

...... Now, appearing before his few remaining CUSTOMERS, and explaining the position to THEM may have ..... just may have been more beneficial

[SaintRichmond]

Southampton striker David McGoldrick revealed that chairman Rupert Lowe addressed the team in their dressing room before the 1-1 draw with Coventry.

 

McGoldrick, 20, told BBC Radio Solent: "It was good for the players to meet him, I don't think many had met him.

"He [Lowe] has come back and it is a young squad. He clarified the position the club is in.

 

"They cannot afford the money at the minute, so the top wage earners had to come out."

 

Bit of a strange thing to say if the rumours on here -director of football, signing players, training, team selection/talks are true?

 

 

 

Does anyone know of another instance where a Chairman has "gone to the trouble" of explaining the financial position of the Club to the players ........ as part of a pre Match Team Talk ............

 

...... Now, appearing before his few remaining CUSTOMERS, and explaining the position to THEM may have ..... just may have been more beneficial

[Weston Saint]

Does anyone know of another instance where a Chairman has "gone to the trouble" of explaining the financial position of the Club to the players ........ as part of a pre Match Team Talk ............

 

...... Now, appearing before his few remaining CUSTOMERS, and explaining the position to THEM may have ..... just may have been more beneficial

 

Just to clear things up, my information is that Lowe met the players the day before at the training ground. The "pop" into the dressing room was not where that discussion took place. I think some of what DdMcG said was misinterpretated or he misinterpretated the question.

[NickG]

Does anyone know of another instance where a Chairman has "gone to the trouble" of explaining the financial position of the Club to the players ........ as part of a pre Match Team Talk ............

 

...... Now, appearing before his few remaining CUSTOMERS, and explaining the position to THEM may have ..... just may have been more beneficial

 

 

please this isn't difficult!

 

He went to the training ground during the day and had a Q&A session to explain the financial situation. This was to put them in the picture particularly following Stern John's departure. This was a separate session -not at the ground before the game. DMG said it was appreciated and gave the players a chance to meet RL as many hadn't.

Jimmy Case said he thought it was a good thing, and although one who often criticises RL said many chairman would not have taken the time to do so and that it would have been good for the players.

 

Later, completely separately, RL went into the changing room sometime before the game and wished the team luck and said some positive comments.

Again DMG said it was a good thing. After the interview when Jimmy Case was questioned about this, by the presenter who seemed a bit surprised, Jimmy Case said it was quite common for chairman to pop into a changing room like this before a game.

 

No-one who is there is putting a unusual or negative slant on this. It is not said anywhere that RL was there for the team talk or involved, nor distracted the players by talking about finances just before a game (infact he had tried to reassure them earlier.)

[SaintRichmond]

please this isn't difficult!

 

He went to the training ground during the day and had a Q&A session to explain the financial situation. This was to put them in the picture particularly following Stern John's departure. This was a separate session -not at the ground before the game. DMG said it was appreciated and gave the players a chance to meet RL as many hadn't.

Jimmy Case said he thought it was a good thing, and although one who often criticises RL said many chairman would not have taken the time to do so and that it would have been good for the players.

 

Later, completely separately, RL went into the changing room sometime before the game and wished the team luck and said some positive comments.

Again DMG said it was a good thing. After the interview when Jimmy Case was questioned about this, by the presenter who seemed a bit surprised, Jimmy Case said it was quite common for chairman to pop into a changing room like this before a game.

 

No-one who is there is putting a unusual or negative slant on this. It is not said anywhere that RL was there for the team talk or involved, nor distracted the players by talking about finances just before a game (infact he had tried to reassure them earlier.)

 

 

Any idea what the "positive " comments were ???? I mean, "the UK is in recession", or "Abama will be the next US President" ......THOSE are positive comments

 

My bet ???? ......... "JUst to let you all know, McGoldrick will be our nominated striker for the rest of the season" .......

 

"Methinks thou doth protest too much" NickG .....as I said, I find it extraordinary that a Chairman goes to the trouble of trying to reassure the Players regarding the Clubs Finances

 

WHEN is Lowe going to reassure us CUSTOMERS then NickG ??

[NickG]

you need to get out more!

 

I give up. There is no way you still genuinely have a problem with this and are mischief making.

[Cabrone]

I'm expecting JP to get sacked and Rupert Lowe to take over as manager (cited as 'cost cutting') some time this season.

 

Training sessions with hockey sticks?

 

Gawd help us.

[lordswoodsaints]

please this isn't difficult!

 

He went to the training ground during the day and had a Q&A session to explain the financial situation. This was to put them in the picture particularly following Stern John's departure. This was a separate session -not at the ground before the game. DMG said it was appreciated and gave the players a chance to meet RL as many hadn't.

Jimmy Case said he thought it was a good thing, and although one who often criticises RL said many chairman would not have taken the time to do so and that it would have been good for the players.

 

Later, completely separately, RL went into the changing room sometime before the game and wished the team luck and said some positive comments.

Again DMG said it was a good thing. After the interview when Jimmy Case was questioned about this, by the presenter who seemed a bit surprised, Jimmy Case said it was quite common for chairman to pop into a changing room like this before a game.

 

No-one who is there is putting a unusual or negative slant on this. It is not said anywhere that RL was there for the team talk or involved, nor distracted the players by talking about finances just before a game (infact he had tried to reassure them earlier.)

 

id agree that this is the way it happened and was the right thing to do, as like us the players are just as worried about their jobs as the rest of us at the moment so a few reassuring/calming words would go a long way to lift the spirits of the players imo.

the rest is just a load of mischief making by the press and certain users on here.

[St Paul]

What I find hard to fathom out is: whether at the Training ground or before the game, why was it nessacery to spell out the finacial situation to the players. Either they are extremely simple (surely it's common knowledge, we're in the ****e) or the finances are significantly worse then is being told.

 

And why have they not met Lowe before? He's been at most games, what has he been doing, ignoring them?

 

Why wait until the end of Oct to formally meet the players?

[Alain Perrin]

DMG said it was appreciated and gave the players a chance to meet RL as many hadn't.

 

How is this possible? Many of the odd ball obsessives on here (you know who you are) will happily claim that he is taking training, deciding tactics. Really, if he wanted to be that hands on do you not think he'd be up close and personal with the players?

 

The fact is that there are many on here would criticise Lowe if he performed CPR on a dying child at St Mary's. "There are qualified people who could do that", "He wasn't wearing a high visibility jacket", "A friend told me he slipped in the tongue" or other such ****e.

 

(Look at your recent history - if more than 50% of your posts mention Lowe you need to get out more).

 

Get a life and start supporting the team rather than worrying about the boardroom.

[NickG]

What I find hard to fathom out is: whether at the Training ground or before the game, why was it nessacery to spell out the finacial situation to the players. Either they are extremely simple (surely it's common knowledge, we're in the ****e) or the finances are significantly worse then is being told.

 

And why have they not met Lowe before? He's been at most games, what has he been doing, ignoring them?

 

Why wait until the end of Oct to formally meet the players?

 

1) it is clear from all of our posts on here we do not have a clue about the detail of our financial plight. Who needs to go etc, whether they get paid etc. Can't see why that is hard to fathom.

2) Lowe sits in the directors box and has a three course dinner before the game - players tend to be elsewhere! I know its hard but maybe the good sources on here were little bit wrong and he hasn't had much to do with the players?