washsaint Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Very interesting the direction the club appears to be going (off the pitch) since NC left. Very encouraging that the club appears to be trying to mend fences with folks that NC upset. Sensible for the club to offer reduced hospitality fees to fill the ground, better communications with the fans, scrapping the parking charges for visits to the club shop, more recognition of past players, etc. I hope KL is in it for the long term and that this is not mere lip service (a la Saints gone Wilde) but the signs are encouraging. perhaps next season ticket prices may go down a little/be frozen and we will see the ground fuller. Encouraging and hopefully all these small improvements will continue. Still very exciting times to be a Saints fan.....only really Man City and Arsenal who play as attractive football as us and this is a great time to follow Saints after the roller coaster of the last 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 The crunch will be Manager / player retention in the summer. Whilst all of the above are positive steps, if we lose our drive and focus at a football level then fans won't care so much about the aforementioned. As supporters we care most about what happens on the pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Cue people taking the p*ss about the scrapping of the parking charges. Personally I can't see how little things like this can be anything but a positive and it all generates good PR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Lion Tamer Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Obviously the biggest issue is transfer policy this summer. But aside from that I'm keen to know if we will get stripes back next season, and wonder if there is anything that can be done to ensure the idea is in the directors' heads before the decision is made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Obviously the biggest issue is transfer policy this summer. But aside from that I'm keen to know if we will get stripes back next season, and wonder if there is anything that can be done to ensure the idea is in the directors' heads before the decision is made I expect they already have next years kit done already. It will be the year after I reckon when it will get changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeBee Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Obviously the biggest issue is transfer policy this summer. But aside from that I'm keen to know if we will get stripes back next season, and wonder if there is anything that can be done to ensure the idea is in the directors' heads before the decision is made Personally, I have gone past stripes. Think the red is here to stay. Stripes look old-fashioned to my eye now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattio Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 I wonder if the Crump twins will return now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 That was funny for a good few months. SLightly less amusing when you realise it has been used about five times in the last week alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 i can park for free at SMS all day now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 We haven't lost....there's one significant change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minty Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 That picture is the forum equivalent of using the Wayne's World phrase 'Not!' still... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattio Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 That picture is the forum equivalent of using the Wayne's World phrase 'Not!' still... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 I expect they already have next years kit done already. It will be the year after I reckon when it will get changed. Heard it was going to be Black & Red Stripes in honour of NC love of a certain Italian club.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Cue people taking the p*ss about the scrapping of the parking charges. Personally I can't see how little things like this can be anything but a positive and it all generates good PR. Personally I dont really think the parking charge was a huge issue but its hard not to agree that there is a much more positive vibe around the place then there was. Not sure NC was the 'monster' he was made out to be but he was certainly ruthless in his quest for efficiency and ambitious towards his 'goals' I judge ny club on their ability to win football matches first and foremost. Of course the other pr stuff has an effect but realistically its a sports club so with our recent successes I was perfectly happy to accept certain areas of PR slipping. Hopefully KL will be able to continue the success that NC provided us but only time will tell, certainly if she manages to progress and adds a much happier corperate image then everyone is a winner and she will have achieved more than even NC managed in his limited time here. All in all I will wait and see, something still doesnt seem quite right to me but thats personal opinion more then knowing anything. Summer will tell us a lot about whether we have 'progressed or regressed' in NC's abscence and frankly Benali walking around and an hours free parking isnt going to convince me we have moved forward without similar levels of investment as before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Kucho Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 The crunch will be Manager / player retention in the summer. Whilst all of the above are positive steps, if we lose our drive and focus at a football level then fans won't care so much about the aforementioned. As supporters we care most about what happens on the pitch. I think MP is the key to player retention, get him to extend his contract and I can see some players turning down moves to bigger clubs. Plus that he gives the youth a chance, meaning the acadamy players will stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Personally, I have gone past stripes. Think the red is here to stay. Stripes look old-fashioned to my eye now. Me too, quite like our recent kits, where as I liked very few of the stripey kits but can understand the clamour for their return Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 The simply truth is that our immediate future depends on whether our manager stays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minty Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 The simply truth is that our immediate future depends on whether our manager stays. Agreed. He is the most important person currently at the club. Without getting too happy-clappy about it, perhaps we need to make sure he knows just how much we rate him and want him to stay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Agreed. He is the most important person currently at the club. Without getting too happy-clappy about it, perhaps we need to make sure he knows just how much we rate him and want him to stay? To be fair, it won't matter what we say. If the family want to start selling our best players off and reduce financial support (there's no evidence of that yet though tbf) then he'll be off, no matter how much or how loud we sing his name! This summer will be quite interesting for us. It would be nice to have everything put to bed post match after Utd...but I won't hold my breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 The simply truth is that our immediate future depends on whether our manager stays. I'd be doing everything in my power to get him to commit to us with a long term contract if I was the owner of the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 I bumped into somebody at Fulham who works at the club and I hadn't seen for ages. He claimed the day after NC left some office staff bought in party whistles and were blowing them in celebration. Don't know if it's true, but he's not the type to make things up. I'm 50/50 on that one, but he also told me that the happiest people around are Mr & Mrs Les Read, particularly Mrs Read who hated him. Now I don't even know if Read is married, but I do know that this guy knows Read, that's 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_ed Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 To be honest, all that sort of stuff makes absolutely no difference to me provided results and progress continues on the pitch. I'm also not convinced that it would be KL driving these changes (i.e. inviting back Franny Benali), more likely to be her appointed PR team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint86 Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Obviously the biggest issue is transfer policy this summer. But aside from that I'm keen to know if we will get stripes back next season, and wonder if there is anything that can be done to ensure the idea is in the directors' heads before the decision is made I personally prefer the new kit (minus the gold)... The era of hapless southampton has gone, we are now the red and white wasp like team, hassling the opponent at every turn and buzzing with energy, enthusiasm, hard work and attack attack attack. We are not sunderland or stoke... and stripes was not our original kit. Therefore, new dawn, new kit. Lets rumble! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greedyfly Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Personally I dont really think the parking charge was a huge issue but its hard not to agree that there is a much more positive vibe around the place then there was. Not sure NC was the 'monster' he was made out to be but he was certainly ruthless in his quest for efficiency and ambitious towards his 'goals' I judge ny club on their ability to win football matches first and foremost. Of course the other pr stuff has an effect but realistically its a sports club so with our recent successes I was perfectly happy to accept certain areas of PR slipping. Hopefully KL will be able to continue the success that NC provided us but only time will tell, certainly if she manages to progress and adds a much happier corperate image then everyone is a winner and she will have achieved more than even NC managed in his limited time here. All in all I will wait and see, something still doesnt seem quite right to me but thats personal opinion more then knowing anything. Summer will tell us a lot about whether we have 'progressed or regressed' in NC's abscence and frankly Benali walking around and an hours free parking isnt going to convince me we have moved forward without similar levels of investment as before. Nail. Head. All this is absolutely spot on. It mirrors my thoughts exactly and I too have this underlying feeling that, although it's not being done in malice, that something under the surface is not quite right. As in I just feel that tight purse strings and mediocrity beckons for the foreseeable future. I hope I am wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 first and most importantly. Get MP to sign a new bloody contract Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 As for who did or didn't like Cortese, it's probably not appropriate to publically name then, especially when it is always 2nd hand info. He was a difficult man to work for and like, but that doesn't detract from his success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 I personally prefer the new kit (minus the gold)... The era of hapless southampton has gone, we are now the red and white wasp like team, hassling the opponent at every turn and buzzing with energy, enthusiasm, hard work and attack attack attack. We are not sunderland or stoke... and stripes was not our original kit. Therefore, new dawn, new kit. Lets rumble! We are Southampton and we should play in Red and White stripes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowllyd Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 I've seen a number of suggestions on here that Cortese caused problems on the corporate side of things, most notably with hospitality/boxes etc. and with sponsorship agreements. Certainly, I'd have hoped to have something bigger and more lucrative than a local recruitment agency as the main shirt sponsor; I'd certainly expect better next season. The extent (if any) to which this was down to Cortese is hard to say right now, but if we end up with a serious sponsorship deal and plenty of full corporate boxes next season it will certainly be pretty telling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delboy Dave Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Where has there been any suggestion that KL won't fund transfers akin to what we have been used too in recent times? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 I wonder if the Crump twins will return now? Should Imagine Kirk Sutherland has more pressing issues on the set of Corrie to worry about!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Jeff Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Very interesting the direction the club appears to be going (off the pitch) since NC left. Very encouraging that the club appears to be trying to mend fences with folks that NC upset. Sensible for the club to offer reduced hospitality fees to fill the ground, better communications with the fans, scrapping the parking charges for visits to the club shop, more recognition of past players, etc. I hope KL is in it for the long term and that this is not mere lip service (a la Saints gone Wilde) but the signs are encouraging. perhaps next season ticket prices may go down a little/be frozen and we will see the ground fuller. Encouraging and hopefully all these small improvements will continue. Still very exciting times to be a Saints fan.....only really Man City and Arsenal who play as attractive football as us and this is a great time to follow Saints after the roller coaster of the last 10 years. Season ticket prices WILL NOT go down. They weren't unreasonable this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpb Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 We are Southampton and we should play in Red and White stripes Change happens John B - even your old school no longer has brown and gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 It was " a bit difficult " to like the Cortese personality (MLT certainly didn't), but some Prem. chairmen have praised and been amazed at some of his decisions - especially those that have worked. He dragged the club, kicking and screaming into the 21st century ...and if there are no more changes in the near future, we'll still be a very good club with good admin.systems ...(aside from the odd ticket fiasco and parking charges.) I think the new CEO will (hopefully) allow history to come back into the club with the re-emergence of old "fan favourites / hero-figures " - even if they do have to pay for their own seats. Many fans respect our history - and the people involved in it - even if it's not all glory. Other changes may be minor......red and white stripes again? ....well ...maybe. if KL retains ownership in the long term, she may even become " a fan " . Maybe the sport needs a few more female owners (Delia's still at Norwich) .... instead of those super rich oil oligarchs. The new CEO will hopefully not feel the need to " change everything" again, and the club may return to that " family feeling " we once had, and have a stable management team off the pitch ....and a trophy-winning one on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Well I hope the new costomer friendly approach is cascaded down to this forum So much negativity on here more so since NC left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoneuelllfanclub Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 The summer is when KL's intentions will be really known for sure. Players say Poch is world class and clearly love playing for him. If he pens a new contract then you can bet your bottom dollar nearly all the top players will stay put (I think Shaw is nailed on for a summer move to chelsea either way) . If Poch doesnt sign a new contract then I would be concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 When they start handing out cups for free parking at SMS and better PR I'll accept that Cortese leaving was a good thing for the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 No life season tickets given out yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 When they start handing out cups for free parking at SMS and better PR I'll accept that Cortese leaving was a good thing for the club. A little facetious but the underlying point is a good one- when we have proven that we will keep our manager and best players we can make a reasoned decision on the impact of Cortese leaving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 They have obviously just focused on a few quick wins in terms of supporter PR. Let's see how hard they try to keep MP, the players he wants and what the transfer strategy in the summer looks like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 They have obviously just focused on a few quick wins in terms of supporter PR. Let's see how hard they try to keep MP, the players he wants and what the transfer strategy in the summer looks like. Absolutely, only the team matters, free parking and good PR mean squat to me. In fact I hate PR, smarmy knobs with tinpot degrees pandering to low intellects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Season ticket prices WILL NOT go down. They weren't unreasonable this year. They aren't cheap though are they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Can't understand all the fuss about stripes. Every time I see Stoke and Sunderland i think how 'old hat' they look. We didn't even have stripes when we won the Cup, or when we began or in some of LMc years, what's the fuss. More important we get MP on a new contract, carpark fees and stripes have got nothing to do with it, or having Benali getting a freeby. Get real Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Where has there been any suggestion that KL won't fund transfers akin to what we have been used too in recent times? Where has there been suggestion that she will ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graffito Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Pochettino. Everything could unravel if he goes. From a business perspective there are compelling reasons to sell in the summer. Even if this should happen the club would surely be a more valuable asset with Pochettino and the better players in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrasri Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 I'm keen to know if we will get stripes back next season, I F****ing hope NOT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamesaint Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Where has there been suggestion that she will ? How can she do that?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr X Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Where has there been any suggestion that KL won't fund transfers akin to what we have been used too in recent times? no official word but the fact we have our main defender out, a trouble making striker gone, and still no a adequate back up for boruc and nothing coming in the transfer window suggests either the money isn't there i.e. we ****ed 30m up the wall on Gaston and osvaldo and KL doesn't want to gamble anymore or KL is planing to sell the club at the end of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamesaint Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 no official word but the fact we have our main defender out, a trouble making striker gone, and still no a adequate back up for boruc and nothing coming in the transfer window suggests either the money isn't there i.e. we ****ed 30m up the wall on Gaston and osvaldo and KL doesn't want to gamble anymore or KL is planing to sell the club at the end of the season ... or maybe that we don't want to join the likes of Palace and Fulham in a last minute January panic to pay over the odds on more players like Jon Forte and Vegard Forren - both of whom were bought in January transfer windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 Pochettino. Everything could unravel if he goes. From a business perspective there are compelling reasons to sell in the summer. Even if this should happen the club would surely be a more valuable asset with Pochettino and the better players in place. Haven't you just contradicted yourself? If that were true the compellling time to sell would be now - manager and players in place, PL status all but totally assured. And she isnt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 3 February, 2014 Share Posted 3 February, 2014 ... or maybe that we don't want to join the likes of Palace and Fulham in a last minute January panic to pay over the odds on more players like Jon Forte and Vegard Forren - both of whom were bought in January transfer windows. Add to that the fact that Cortese's pet Daily Mail journo Neil Ashton said on Five Live when he left saying that the rat faced dwarf had no plans to make any signing in January anyway. Our transfer window dealings have been no different following the change of leadership. People need to calm down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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