Le Tiss on TalkSport this morning.

[Saint Garrett]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/sports-breakfast/130211/le-tissier-southampton-cortese-bale-and-being-one-club-man-191412?

[Saint Charlie]

Can't listen now, what did he say re Cortese?

[Saint Charlie]

Talking of one club men, there was a Spurs fan on 606 last night who said he hoped Bale would follow Gerrard and Carragher and be a one club man at Spurs.

 

The presenter Alan Green didnt correct him...

[Thedelldays]

Nothing not said before

 

Ignores the history of the club

Is not a nice person

Won't say why but it will come out when he does leave saints

[Saint Charlie]

Nothing not said before

 

Ignores the history of the club

Is not a nice person

Won't say why but it will come out when he does leave saints

 

So nothing new. Seems like loads of people dislike NC but nobody ever substantiates why. Strange that. In fact, I dont think I have ever heard a story about anything Cortese has ever done that is that 'nasty' which made me think we would be better off without him (we wouldn't).

[Winchester Red]

Matt's trying to adopt the skate way of doing things.

 

Say anything enough times then it becomes true

 

Sorry Matt, you've been great for Saints but you're sounding like a broken record now

[saints-cris]

This whole episode is getting a bit boring now.

[oldsarum]

I heard end of interview on way into work and thought Matt handled things well generally, wouldn't be drawn on Cortese, and wanted to talk about the team and the great performance

[Saint_Ash]

So we have one of our greatest results in recent history and matt still wants airtime to slag the Southampton chairman off to the listening public. It's sad really, there is a place in history for our legends but we're moving forward now, there's exciting times ahead and all this petty ****** isn't doing the club any favours.

[Saint_Ash]

Actually probably the dinosaur presenters who wanted to cause sh1t this time.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

This whole episode is getting a bit boring now.

 

This.

 

I think I find myself on the opposing side to many other fans on this issue.

 

Yes he was a great player for us, arguably the best.

 

And I get what people say about the history of the club etc. But what I don't get is what people hope to achieve by looking back?

 

Undoubtedly, people like MLT and Lawrie Mac played a huge part in the clubs history, but it is just that.

 

Do people not want us to have new heroes and legends? Do people that go with their kids not want new people for their kids to look up to and idolise, instead of just hearing their folks harping on about people that left the club before they were born.

 

No, it shouldn't have to come to a choice between the past and future, and I don't think it really is.

 

But, like it or loathe it, it is beyond dispute who is more important in the present and future of this club. If all we want to do is look back, we'll end up sounding like Liverpool fans - constantly bleating on about how good they were before they were born - at least in their case that actually won quite a lot.

 

Personally, I want to see Saints achieve, and challenge for honours, and crowing on about the past constantly isn't going to help that one bit.

 

Sorry Matt, I love you, but please, please, please, just let it go.

[Viking Warrior]

I thought it was a good interview . I thought he sounded very professional on that interview . He is 100% behind the saints . And tried to bat away the question posed . If it had been an echo reporter . They would have spun it so much that they would have had Matt declaring war on the club . A very sensible interview Matt

[St. Jason]

This.

 

I think I find myself on the opposing side to many other fans on this issue.

 

Yes he was a great player for us, arguably the best.

 

And I get what people say about the history of the club etc. But what I don't get is what people hope to achieve by looking back?

 

Undoubtedly, people like MLT and Lawrie Mac played a huge part in the clubs history, but it is just that.

 

Do people not want us to have new heroes and legends? Do people that go with their kids not want new people for their kids to look up to and idolise, instead of just hearing their folks harping on about people that left the club before they were born.

 

No, it shouldn't have to come to a choice between the past and future, and I don't think it really is.

 

But, like it or loathe it, it is beyond dispute who is more important in the present and future of this club. If all we want to do is look back, we'll end up sounding like Liverpool fans - constantly bleating on about how good they were before they were born - at least in their case that actually won quite a lot.

 

Personally, I want to see Saints achieve, and challenge for honours, and crowing on about the past constantly isn't going to help that one bit.

 

Sorry Matt, I love you, but please, please, please, just let it go.

 

I really think this topic is a case in point, actually listen to the interview before commenting!!

 

I just did exactly that, listened to it. Le Tiss spoke excellently, glowing review of Saints, the team, the performances under Tino. When pushed on Cortesse he simply said we dont get on BUT im not hereto talk about that, things will come out in their own time as to why we dont get on BUT im no different to any fan, when the teams doing well thats all we care about!

 

Matt is a pundit, this is how he earns a living, his opinion is sought after. He's no different to any other pundit, i dont see anything in that interview that puts Matt in a bad light, or Cortesse for that matter, move on!

 

A club without history is Wigan!

 

They are doing brilliantly but you cannot just invent a supporter base, this is one of the reasons they struggle to get crowds. Saints have the history, 76, Keegan, Channon, Ball, Shearer, Le Tiss etc etc, this creates a fan base, my dad goes, takes me, i take my kids, they take their kids, history is just as important as the present & the future, need to respect it all, its hard to have one without the other!

 

AIMHO!!!!

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I really think this topic is a case in point, actually listen to the interview before commenting!!

 

I just did exactly that, listened to it. Le Tiss spoke excellently, glowing review of Saints, the team, the performances under Tino. When pushed on Cortesse he simply said we dont get on BUT im not hereto talk about that, things will come out in their own time as to why we dont get on BUT im no different to any fan, when the teams doing well thats all we care about!

 

Matt is a pundit, this is how he earns a living, his opinion is sought after. He's no different to any other pundit, i dont see anything in that interview that puts Matt in a bad light, or Cortesse for that matter, move on!

 

A club without history is Wigan!

 

They are doing brilliantly but you cannot just invent a supporter base, this is one of the reasons they struggle to get crowds. Saints have the history, 76, Keegan, Channon, Ball, Shearer, Le Tiss etc etc, this creates a fan base, my dad goes, takes me, i take my kids, they take their kids, history is just as important as the present & the future, need to respect it all, its hard to have one without the other!

 

AIMHO!!!!

 

I think this is fair, and I respect what you are saying.

 

The above is just my opinion, and how I see things. Personally, I would rather as a club we focused on the future, not the past.

 

Seems he gave a decent interview and tried not to get too dragged into this again. Fair play to him, I just wish he had done it all along. Hopefully things can settle down from here on in.

[buctootim]

Matt's trying to adopt the skate way of doing things.

 

Say anything enough times then it becomes true

 

Sorry Matt, you've been great for Saints but you're sounding like a broken record now

 

This whole episode is getting a bit boring now.

 

So we have one of our greatest results in recent history and matt still wants airtime to slag the Southampton chairman off to the listening public. It's sad really, there is a place in history for our legends but we're moving forward now, there's exciting times ahead and all this petty ****** isn't doing the club any favours.

 

So dint listen the interview before posting an opinion on it. Q'uelle surprise.

[saint_ed]

I really think this topic is a case in point, actually listen to the interview before commenting!!

 

I just did exactly that, listened to it. Le Tiss spoke excellently, glowing review of Saints, the team, the performances under Tino. When pushed on Cortesse he simply said we dont get on BUT im not hereto talk about that, things will come out in their own time as to why we dont get on BUT im no different to any fan, when the teams doing well thats all we care about!

 

Matt is a pundit, this is how he earns a living, his opinion is sought after. He's no different to any other pundit, i dont see anything in that interview that puts Matt in a bad light, or Cortesse for that matter, move on!

 

A club without history is Wigan!

 

They are doing brilliantly but you cannot just invent a supporter base, this is one of the reasons they struggle to get crowds. Saints have the history, 76, Keegan, Channon, Ball, Shearer, Le Tiss etc etc, this creates a fan base, my dad goes, takes me, i take my kids, they take their kids, history is just as important as the present & the future, need to respect it all, its hard to have one without the other!

 

AIMHO!!!!

 

Nail on the head

[Dr Who?]

I love Matty, I love what NC is doing at the club. That is all.

[Sour Mash]

I really think this topic is a case in point, actually listen to the interview before commenting!!

 

I just did exactly that, listened to it. Le Tiss spoke excellently, glowing review of Saints, the team, the performances under Tino. When pushed on Cortesse he simply said we dont get on BUT im not hereto talk about that, things will come out in their own time as to why we dont get on BUT im no different to any fan, when the teams doing well thats all we care about!

 

Matt is a pundit, this is how he earns a living, his opinion is sought after. He's no different to any other pundit, i dont see anything in that interview that puts Matt in a bad light, or Cortesse for that matter, move on!

 

A club without history is Wigan!

 

They are doing brilliantly but you cannot just invent a supporter base, this is one of the reasons they struggle to get crowds. Saints have the history, 76, Keegan, Channon, Ball, Shearer, Le Tiss etc etc, this creates a fan base, my dad goes, takes me, i take my kids, they take their kids, history is just as important as the present & the future, need to respect it all, its hard to have one without the other!

 

AIMHO!!!!

Spot on post.

[chocco boxo]

Nothing not said before

 

Ignores the history of the club

Is not a nice person

Won't say why but it will come out when he does leave saints

 

Thought Matt did well, but never heard him say 2 of the above in this interview?

[hutch]

Thought Matt did well, but never heard him say 2 of the above in this interview?

Ah, but with SONAR you can pick up things that the normal human ear wouldn't hear.

[Window Cleaner]

Ah, but with SONAR you can pick up things that the normal human ear wouldn't hear.

 

failing that you can always make them up anyway.

[aintforever]

So dint listen the interview before posting an opinion on it. Q'uelle surprise.

 

It's a cult thing.

[VectisSaint]

I think I find myself on the opposing side to many other fans on this issue.

 

Think you are on the same side (if there are sides) as a great many fans. Footballing & club legend, but increasingly proving he is a bit of a plonker.

[pap]

As someone who was critical of MLT after the QA session, this is a step in the right direction in terms of reconciliation. NC was mentioned, but no serious sh!t stirring.

[Tokyo-Saint]

Better from Matt, this is what he should have been like all along - until after the meeting anyway.

[Wes Tender]

I listened to the whole interview.

 

If Matt was a true professional and didn't wish to tarnish his reputation by constantly having these little digs at Cortese, there is a very simple solution. All he had to do when he was asked to give this interview, was to make it clear that he didn't want his relationship with Cortese to be discussed. End of.

 

As it was, he commented that Cortese didn't wish to acknowledge the part played by others in the club's history and that the reason for their spat would come out in due course. Even had he not laid down the guidelines regarding the questions he didn't want discussed, he could have batted them away with a simple response that he didn't wish to discuss them.

 

So in view of the above, he must face the ever increasing ire of sections of the fan base, who hold him in the highest regard for what he did for us as a player, but is tarnishing that reputation because he's behaving like an idiot over this vendetta with Cortese.

[Thedelldays]

Thought Matt did well, but never heard him say 2 of the above in this interview?

 

You are right but he did say it will all come out in good time

 

What he did say was that his row has nothing to do with what happens on te field

[Sour Mash]

I listened to the whole interview.

 

If Matt was a true professional and didn't wish to tarnish his reputation by constantly having these little digs at Cortese, there is a very simple solution. All he had to do when he was asked to give this interview, was to make it clear that he didn't want his relationship with Cortese to be discussed. End of.

 

As it was, he commented that Cortese didn't wish to acknowledge the part played by others in the club's history and that the reason for their spat would come out in due course. Even had he not laid down the guidelines regarding the questions he didn't want discussed, he could have batted them away with a simple response that he didn't wish to discuss them.

 

So in view of the above, he must face the ever increasing ire of sections of the fan base, who hold him in the highest regard for what he did for us as a player, but is tarnishing that reputation because he's behaving like an idiot over this vendetta with Cortese.

Why? He just gave an honest answer to a question he was asked. He was very positive about Saints as a whole wasn't he?

[hypochondriac]

I'm sure he doesn't give a toss about the ire of those type of 'fans'.

[Wes Tender]

Why? He just gave an honest answer to a question he was asked. He was very positive about Saints as a whole wasn't he?

 

You obviously didn't read what I said. It would have been simple to have told the reporter that he was perfectly happy to answer questions about how the club was playing, but that he wouldn't answer questions about his relationship with Cortese. I'm sure that you would be delighted that reporters continue to throw him this particular bone and that he continues to gnaw on it.

 

But it is getting tiresome and he ought to grow up.

[surrey1saint]

So we have one of our greatest results in recent history and matt still wants airtime to slag the Southampton chairman off to the listening public. It's sad really, there is a place in history for our legends but we're moving forward now, there's exciting times ahead and all this petty ****** isn't doing the club any favours.

 

Yep,+1

[Sour Mash]

You obviously didn't read what I said. It would have been simple to have told the reporter that he was perfectly happy to answer questions about how the club was playing, but that he wouldn't answer questions about his relationship with Cortese. I'm sure that you would be delighted that reporters continue to throw him this particular bone and that he continues to gnaw on it.

 

But it is getting tiresome and he ought to grow up.

I did read what you said, that's why I asked, "why should he?". Was the interview all about Cortese? Was Le Tissier positive about Saints? If it was up to me, the issue wouldn't be discussed, but I certainly see no reason for "he must face the ever increasing ire of sections of the fan base" for just answering a question honestly.

[Frank's cousin]

Probably the best and most balanced interview he has given and clearly, I think he has learned a thing or two about not being hood winked by media questions designed to provoke or tease things out. One thing that was interesting was he stated that their falling out had nothing to do with the footballing issues... which kind of confirms its about those off the pitch matters that he has alluded to in the past.

 

The frustration I feel is that when you hear Matt talk like he did then, you just so wish that there was a way this could be sorted and he be welcomed back to fold - and that we dont ever need to hear what will 'come out one day' etc, which will be mud slinging about issues that are between them and no one else really.

 

Its easy and lazy to label fans as either pro or against, but there is a huge amount of truth in what Matt said, that for most when things have gone so well on the pitch these last few years, no one wants the distraction of off the field mud slinging - In some respects, I guess there is a feeling that the on the field progress is a direct result of the ruthless drive and determination and would we have gotten this far so quickly without that style of leadership, even if it is not to everyones taste?

 

I guess I look back on when we had fan friendly, 'nice' well intentioned, yet ultimately naive board members in charge - a bad situation made worse by a lack of real focus and strong leadership that was TOO focussed on ensuring fan acceptance. I know that in an ideal world we would have the happy medium, but we do not live in an ideal world, and so the only way we can really judge how the club is being run is by how it performs on the pitch and the pace of progress we make. Cortese is looking to bake the mother of all red and white cakes and is not afraid to break as many eggs as necessary in the process, its a with him or against him approach, that makes some feel uncomfortable, but its working.

Edited 11 February, 2013 by Frank's cousin

[Wes Tender]

I did read what you said, that's why I asked, "why should he?". Was the interview all about Cortese? Was Le Tissier positive about Saints? If it was up to me, the issue wouldn't be discussed, but I certainly see no reason for "he must face the ever increasing ire of sections of the fan base" for just answering a question honestly.

 

You provide the ammunition for my response in your own reply, by saying that if it were up to you the issue wouldn't be discussed. Several other posters have offered the same opinion, that they feel that MLT has said more than enough on his relationship with Cortese.

 

If MLT himself tired of gnawing on this same old bone, then I have given the easy solution for him not to have to go over and over the same old ground. The fact that hasn't precluded the issue in his interviews suggests that he is content to give it yet another airing, to the increasing annoyance of those who idolised him as a player.

 

It is naive to suggest that just because he was asked the question that he had some sort of obligation to answer it. It is also petty to infer that the issue fades into insignificance just because it was only a small part of the interview and he spoke well of the club otherwise. The journos will be delighted that they had to pad it out with his platitudes about the team and the manager, in order to have him dish more bile on Cortese.

[Sour Mash]

You provide the ammunition for my response in your own reply, by saying that if it were up to you the issue wouldn't be discussed. Several other posters have offered the same opinion, that they feel that MLT has said more than enough on his relationship with Cortese.

 

If MLT himself tired of gnawing on this same old bone, then I have given the easy solution for him not to have to go over and over the same old ground. The fact that hasn't precluded the issue in his interviews suggests that he is content to give it yet another airing, to the increasing annoyance of those who idolised him as a player.

 

It is naive to suggest that just because he was asked the question that he had some sort of obligation to answer it. It is also petty to infer that the issue fades into insignificance just because it was only a small part of the interview and he spoke well of the club otherwise. The journos will be delighted that they had to pad it out with his platitudes about the team and the manager, in order to have him dish more bile on Cortese.

So Le Tiss does an interview on Saints, genuinely positive in most regards, talks well of recent performances, why should he have to pick and choose which questions he answers? How has he "dished more bile on Cortese"? This interview hasn't made any difference to anything, so why should it be an issue if he answered the question or not?

[Noodles34]

So what are the options in respect of this fall out?

 

If we look at the evidence and the facts, surely we will see some of the picture, if not all;

 

Matt was in the Pinnacle Group that wanted to buy the club out of administration:

 

This group failed because?

Did they have the money? There was that infamous story about that North London geezer that was heading the finance but lived with his mum and dad (almost as funny as the first statue - Cue picture please - just for the laughs).

Despite the story, were they still going ahead, I mean if it wasn't for the Swiss (who had to wait for the exclusitivity period to finish I recall, and they were not happy about that), would Pinnacle have proceeded and Matt would have been chairman?

If so, is he still peeved about that? So he always had a chip on his shoulder because he missed out?

Or did this Micky Fialka story derive from the Swiss to destabilise Pinnacle?

 

But we know (at least that what Matt said the other day) that Matt was introduced to NC etc. on the first game at Millwall. I remember Matt was covering it for Sky (got a SO as he walked round the pitch), so he was there anyway, not like he was invited. Can't blame NC for not remembering, all the new stuff and that and he gets introduced to someone he has never even heard of.

WE do know that the swiss were keen to emphasisie that the club didn't need any freeloaders ie ex players rolling up for free tix, did Matt get upset about that?

 

However, there is one bit of evidence that seems to stink the most and that is Benali's issues with the lease agreement and the infamous carpet. We know MLT and Franny are best buddies, and we know thta in leasing agreements all over the world that there are always problems. We know that NC is a finnicky bastard and know what he wants, so he isnt worried about telling Franny whats wrong with his house, Franny understandably doesn't like it and they fall out and Franny loses his job and I recall office space for his company (that i believe went bust anyway, Luca Homes). Clearly MLT is annoyed about this, because i think Matty is a decent bloke and doesn't appreciate people like NC who are decisive and ruthless (which is not neccessarily a bad thing).

 

So my conclusion is that this is based on the Benali issue and Matt has got involved, it has then escalated and really Franny should have said to Matt at the start, stay out of it, this is my issue.

 

So what will come out of it in a year or two is that will will find out that NC is a nasty person because he doesnt like a certain kind of carpet and doesn't honour the T&C's of a domestic lease.

 

Case closed.

[Wes Tender]

So Le Tiss does an interview on Saints, genuinely positive in most regards, talks well of recent performances, why should he have to pick and choose which questions he answers? How has he "dished more bile on Cortese"? This interview hasn't made any difference to anything, so why should it be an issue if he answered the question or not?

 

So you defend your position by saying that provided that he speaks well of the team and is generally positive in most regards, he can prattle on about this vendetta with Cortese ad-nauseum.

 

Right.

 

Is there any point at which you decide that enough is enough, that the longer he persists in dragging up the dirt, the more people will tire of it and tell him to shut up?

 

Why do you think the journos ask him about this matter if his responses make no difference to anything? That seems rather pointless, doesn't it? Perhaps they ran out of questions about the team and the manager and needed to fill the time they had allocated for the interview with a bit of dross. Or could it be that the story of the fallout between the chairman and one of the club's legends is far better copy than his views on how we are doing in the Premiership?

[Sour Mash]

So you defend your position by saying that provided that he speaks well of the team and is generally positive in most regards, he can prattle on about this vendetta with Cortese ad-nauseum.

 

Right.

 

Is there any point at which you decide that enough is enough, that the longer he persists in dragging up the dirt, the more people will tire of it and tell him to shut up?

 

Why do you think the journos ask him about this matter if his responses make no difference to anything? That seems rather pointless, doesn't it? Perhaps they ran out of questions about the team and the manager and needed to fill the time they had allocated for the interview with a bit of dross. Or could it be that the story of the fallout between the chairman and one of the club's legends is far better copy than his views on how we are doing in the Premiership?

They also ask him about the performance of the team, does that make any difference to the tea's performance? But they ask it anyway. And yes, if the interview was nothing but Le Tiss slagging off the club, the team, the fans etc, I could see your point, but it's one question that he obviously feels strongly about and answered honestly.

[david in sweden]

....it was hard for him to level any sort of criticism at SFC.. or anyone (Cortese).. after Saturday's performance, despite being "goaded " by the interviewers.

 

Somehow, I do resent the fact that " the media " seem to see MLT ...as an SFC " spokesperson ". He's a fan now....like the rest of us ....and even his amusing comments don't make him a good pundit.

 

I loved him on the pitch....off it? .....(not so sure).

[Wes Tender]

They also ask him about the performance of the team, does that make any difference to the tea's performance? But they ask it anyway. And yes, if the interview was nothing but Le Tiss slagging off the club, the team, the fans etc, I could see your point, but it's one question that he obviously feels strongly about and answered honestly.

 

So I ask again; when is enough enough? When does he tell the interviewer that he is tired of discussing his spat with Cortese?

 

As a Saints legend, it is fair play him commenting on matches as his opinion on how he thought we played has some validity and interest to our fans and other football supporters. After the next match, will they ask him for his thoughts on the City match again? No, of course not. So why having given his opinion on Cortese ad-nauseum does he feel the need to go on and on about him?

 

Come on, how many times will you be happy for him carrying this on? You've already admitted that if it were up to you the matter wouldn't be discussed, so presumably you're also getting fed up with it all too.

[Sour Mash]

So I ask again; when is enough enough? When does he tell the interviewer that he is tired of discussing his spat with Cortese?

 

As a Saints legend, it is fair play him commenting on matches as his opinion on how he thought we played has some validity and interest to our fans and other football supporters. After the next match, will they ask him for his thoughts on the City match again? No, of course not. So why having given his opinion on Cortese ad-nauseum does he feel the need to go on and on about him?

 

Come on, how many times will you be happy for him carrying this on? You've already admitted that if it were up to you the matter wouldn't be discussed, so presumably you're also getting fed up with it all too.

As many times as he wants. It's up to him. His opinion. Doesn't affect anything else.