Why we're on a downward curve.

[Crab Lungs]

Well, I thought I better give my opinion and tell you all also what I've heard over the past few months. Some of this is truth, some of this just my opinion. Some of it is me reading between the lines. Irrespective, it's not great reading and I think I'll be proven correct shortly that since Cortese left, we're on a huge downward curve.

 

Here's what I know.

 

- There was a huge upturn in atmosphere when Cortese left. The day-to-day (non-football) staff were initially a lot happier as NC could be a very difficult taskmaster at times.

- RK and KL set about repairing links and friendships with important businesses and former employees/players.

- Contractors and others Cortese had working for him via the club were a lot happier.

 

However, over time, this has changed somewhat and most importantly, the footballing side has been somewhat neglected. It soon became apparent that our objectives and ambitions had shifted and the players/staff were left completely in the dark. They bought into Cortese's long-term strategy/vision and it was him who was the glue who held everything together, despite his obvious shortcomings in other areas of running the club. When Cortese left, so did all the aspirations of pushing on and progressing as a club.

 

In the meantime, we've had;

 

- fan-pandering letters from the new setup

- mixed messages regarding the sale of players - Reed "not for sale" Krueger "will talk to clubs about our players"

- unprofessional snipes at Cortese's handling of the club with reference to the comment about our financial situation and the adidas kit debacle

- continued non-communication in this new "era of transparency"

 

Now, cast your mind back. In the early part of the season when we were riding high, remember all the talk of Champions League? This wasn't just from the players (Boruc, Wanyama, Lallana, Schneiderlin) but from the manager as well. This was Cortese's objective and the playing staff were 100% committed to delivering it; maybe not this season, but with future investment and the retention of the better players and the manager this was seen as potentially achievable. Now, fast-forward a few months later - uncertainty reigns, no-one dared uttered a word about it and the new leadership's policy is sustainability and nothing else. From February to the present day, we've had Schneiderlin, Lallana, Fonte and others all drop huge hints in the press about being happy here but only the proviso we kick on and improve.

 

If just one of those "big" players had the assurances they required to stay and committed so would the rest. Now, the opposite is in action; all it'll take is one or two to leave and it could lead to an exodus. The first and most important person is Pochettino, but I don't think he's too enamoured with the new "mid-table" project and having to face replacing key members of his squad. Surely some of you must have heard the alarm bells ringing the moment the new board started even entertaining players sales and mentioned that we were in a difficult financial situation? If that isn't greasing us up for a potential firesale of 2, 3 maybe 4 of our best players I don't know what is. Sure, no sales have been confirmed yet but I've absolutely no doubt that they will, very soon.

 

We're water-treaders now at best, unfortunately. If people are happy with that then that's their prerogative but I can almost certainly guarantee you that from reading between the lines and hearing what I've heard that we're in for a pretty sh1tty summer. It's genuinely galling to watch this unfold as like many of you, I was finally excited by the fact we were THAT close to having a thoroughly decent, competitive Premier League side that could challenge the big 'uns not off the pitch but most definitely on it. With a couple of solid acquisitions as a statement of intent and retention of our best players, we could have had a real go next year. That's what the players wanted, the manager wanted and that's what Cortese wanted. That dream died to moment he was turfed out of SMS for good.

 

Don't worry though - the pain of tumbling back into mediocrity will surely be offset by a nicely worded club statement.

[angelman]

"fan-pandering letters from the new setup"

 

+

 

"continued non-communication in this new "era of transparency""

 

= oxymoron

[Crab Lungs]

- fan-pandering letters from the new setup

 

&

 

- continued non-communication in this new "era of transparency"

 

= oxymoron

 

Well, you knew what I meant. Come in, grease us up then go silent. Probably the wrong terminology used, so my apologies!

[DuncanRG]

Literally nothing has happened.

[The Kraken]

People still seem shocked that Cortese's dream of a self financed Champions League surge came to nothing. Anyone who bought into this dream must have wondered where the extra money was going to come from. If not then they were just happy to be seduced by empty rhetoric.

[CanadaSaint]

I originally posted this on the Cortese thread but it's better here.

 

With Cortese around, our greatest strength was also our greatest weakness - an autocrat at the top who made his own decisions and communicated as, when and how he saw fit. Whether you were the manager, a player, a backroom staffer or even a supporter, you always got the feeling that he was in control - because he was. At every level. If you bought into his vision, he was a god; if you didn't, you probably wouldn't last long. That vision was at the heart of his power and he used it very effectively - often brutally.

 

The personalities now running the show are almost polar opposites of Cortese, so it's no surprise that we didn't just lose his weaknesses when he left - we lost his strengths as well. We have a much friendlier face but we're often talking with multiple voices - or none at all.

 

The "void" creating the current problems is the lack of that vision and the absence of the constant references to it. It's a leadership void.

 

That IMO is why Pochettino and the players are looking elsewhere, and why the fans are growing restless with the current control group.

 

It shouldn't just be us dissecting Cortese's words. Katharina and Ralph need to dissect them as well. And then make the necessary changes in their approach, starting with a new vision that stresses more than just self-sustainability.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

So we have these 3 sentences:

 

- fan-pandering letters from the new setup

- mixed messages regarding the sale of players - Reed "not for sale" Krueger "will talk to clubs about our players"

- unprofessional snipes at Cortese's handling of the club with reference to the comment about our financial situation and the adidas kit debacle

 

And then:

 

- continued non-communication in this new "era of transparency"

 

Eh?

[Unbelievable Jeff]

Well, I thought I better give my opinion and tell you all also what I've heard over the past few months. Some of this is truth, some of this just my opinion. Some of it is me reading between the lines. Irrespective, it's not great reading and I think I'll be proven correct shortly that since Cortese left, we're on a huge downward curve.

 

Here's what I know.

 

- There was a huge upturn in atmosphere when Cortese left. The day-to-day (non-football) staff were initially a lot happier as NC could be a very difficult taskmaster at times.

- RK and KL set about repairing links and friendships with important businesses and former employees/players.

- Contractors and others Cortese had working for him via the club were a lot happier.

 

However, over time, this has changed somewhat and most importantly, the footballing side has been somewhat neglected. It soon became apparent that our objectives and ambitions had shifted and the players/staff were left completely in the dark. They bought into Cortese's long-term strategy/vision and it was him who was the glue who held everything together, despite his obvious shortcomings in other areas of running the club. When Cortese left, so did all the aspirations of pushing on and progressing as a club.

 

In the meantime, we've had;

 

- fan-pandering letters from the new setup

- mixed messages regarding the sale of players - Reed "not for sale" Krueger "will talk to clubs about our players"

- unprofessional snipes at Cortese's handling of the club with reference to the comment about our financial situation and the adidas kit debacle

- continued non-communication in this new "era of transparency"

 

Now, cast your mind back. In the early part of the season when we were riding high, remember all the talk of Champions League? This wasn't just from the players (Boruc, Wanyama, Lallana, Schneiderlin) but from the manager as well. This was Cortese's objective and the playing staff were 100% committed to delivering it; maybe not this season, but with future investment and the retention of the better players and the manager this was seen as potentially achievable. Now, fast-forward a few months later - uncertainty reigns, no-one dared uttered a word about it and the new leadership's policy is sustainability and nothing else. From February to the present day, we've had Schneiderlin, Lallana, Fonte and others all drop huge hints in the press about being happy here but only the proviso we kick on and improve.

 

If just one of those "big" players had the assurances they required to stay and committed so would the rest. Now, the opposite is in action; all it'll take is one or two to leave and it could lead to an exodus. The first and most important person is Pochettino, but I don't think he's too enamoured with the new "mid-table" project and having to face replacing key members of his squad. Surely some of you must have heard the alarm bells ringing the moment the new board started even entertaining players sales and mentioned that we were in a difficult financial situation? If that isn't greasing us up for a potential firesale of 2, 3 maybe 4 of our best players I don't know what is. Sure, no sales have been confirmed yet but I've absolutely no doubt that they will, very soon.

 

We're water-treaders now at best, unfortunately. If people are happy with that then that's their prerogative but I can almost certainly guarantee you that from reading between the lines and hearing what I've heard that we're in for a pretty sh1tty summer. It's genuinely galling to watch this unfold as like many of you, I was finally excited by the fact we were THAT close to having a thoroughly decent, competitive Premier League side that could challenge the big 'uns not off the pitch but most definitely on it. With a couple of solid acquisitions as a statement of intent and retention of our best players, we could have had a real go next year. That's what the players wanted, the manager wanted and that's what Cortese wanted. That dream died to moment he was turfed out of SMS for good.

 

Don't worry though - the pain of tumbling back into mediocrity will surely be offset by a nicely worded club statement.

 

I have the perfect thread for you:

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?50340-Hysterical-reaction-to-no-news

[Crab Lungs]

So we have these 3 sentences:

 

- fan-pandering letters from the new setup

- mixed messages regarding the sale of players - Reed "not for sale" Krueger "will talk to clubs about our players"

- unprofessional snipes at Cortese's handling of the club with reference to the comment about our financial situation and the adidas kit debacle

 

And then:

 

- continued non-communication in this new "era of transparency"

 

Eh?

 

I should probably re-write that... What I meant was that a lot of the big issues have been dodged and the players are left completely in the dark in the direction we're headed.

[OldNick]

Crabby, the way some employees rang the ex-players as soon as it seemed NC was gone was strange. To rush into something so unimportant at that stage showed the focus was gone.

Iam still astounded that Krugers comment that he was surprised how little a manager does during a game compared to ice-hockey as they make substiutions all the time, was glossed over on here. If Clive Woodward had said something similar there would have been 20 pages on it by now.

 

It is so Wilde bunch the way they are greasing up the gullible waiting to ram home while the attention is elsewhere

[Lallana's Left Peg]

My issues aren't to do with selling players, as if Shaw and Lallana knew Man Utd and Liverpool wanted them I don't think Cortese's presence could stop them. My issue is the uncertainty around Pochettino (I think Cortese would handle the situation much better) and of massive concern are the reports from Adam Blackmore that the players don't know what is going on - that should be setting massive alarm bells going off. It suggests to me that there isn't a plan. So we're about to sell two of our best players and there isn't a plan. Is no-one else concerned about this!?!

[OldNick]

People still seem shocked that Cortese's dream of a self financed Champions League surge came to nothing. Anyone who bought into this dream must have wondered where the extra money was going to come from. If not then they were just happy to be seduced by empty rhetoric.

i for one was not at all in the CL boat but I felt that NC's rule of iron was getting results. Ok so some were upset that their free tickets and old boys club had been disbanded, the results on the pitch were superb, for me as a fan is more important

[Nolan]

Has the locale of Southampton recently run out of Anti depression drugs recently or something?

 

Ralph Krueger has been at the Helm of Southampton football club a whole 68 days, (thats not even 10 weeks for those not very good at maths).

 

Literally nothing has happened, so people really need to chill.

[Leicestersaint]

Load of nonsense.

[The Kraken]

i for one was not at all in the CL boat but I felt that NC's rule of iron was getting results. Ok so some were upset that their free tickets and old boys club had been disbanded, the results on the pitch were superb, for me as a fan is more important

I'm not sure how those two opinions can be presented as being mutually exclusive.

[stevegrant]

Ok so some were upset that their free tickets and old boys club had been disbanded

When did this happen?

[OldNick]

When did this happen?

when ML first took over at the club, the decision was made that everyone had to pay. Free tickets were no more, i know as i used to get some at times

[stevegrant]

when ML first took over at the club, the decision was made that everyone had to pay. Free tickets were no more, i know as i used to get some at times

No, I meant when did anybody kick off about not receiving free tickets? I've seen people (you, mostly) constantly refer to it over the last few years, and yet I've seen pretty much zero evidence that anybody complained that they weren't given complimentary tickets by the club.

[OldNick]

No, I meant when did anybody kick off about not receiving free tickets? I've seen people (you, mostly) constantly refer to it over the last few years, and yet I've seen pretty much zero evidence that anybody complained that they weren't given complimentary tickets by the club.

I dont think they made too much noise about it as that would be churlish. Some peoples noses were most definitely put out of joint about it.

[shurlock]

People still seem shocked that Cortese's dream of a self financed Champions League surge came to nothing. Anyone who bought into this dream must have wondered where the extra money was going to come from. If not then they were just happy to be seduced by empty rhetoric.

 

There was and still is scope to improve on a sustainable budget without splurging millions. Hopefully the new board will build on the good work that's been done to date.

 

In the meantime, keep rolling out your own brand of empty rhethoric. Its just as inane and clueless.

Edited 21 May, 2014 by shurlock

[saint_ed]

Has the locale of Southampton recently run out of Anti depression drugs recently or something?

 

Ralph Krueger has been at the Helm of Southampton football club a whole 68 days, (thats not even 10 weeks for those not very good at maths).

 

Literally nothing has happened, so people really need to chill.

 

 

That's the problem in some peoples mind though, some things SHOULD have happened. A clear structure and strategy needs to have filtered though the club which clearly hasn't happened given the snippets we are getting from people whom should be well enough placed to gauge such an effect.

 

Lets not forget, Ralph had been in and around the club for some time 'overseeing' so really should have devised a new strategy.

 

We need to be intelligent enough to read between the lines, and right now the noises direct from the mouths of the playing squad are not exactly encouraging ones!

[The Kraken]

There was and still is scope to improve on a budget without splurging millions. Let's just hope that the new board builds on the good work done to date.

 

Of course there is. Where did I say otherwise?

[stevegrant]

I dont think they made too much noise about it as that would be churlish. Some peoples noses were most definitely put out of joint about it.

You say "definitely" and yet don't provide any evidence of it, Nick.

 

The two highest-profile former players who fell out with Cortese are Le Tiss and Benali. Le Tiss paid his own way whenever he had the opportunity, while Benali was banned from the stadium so didn't have that chance.

[Sour Mash]

Well, I thought I better give my opinion and tell you all also what I've heard over the past few months. Some of this is truth, some of this just my opinion. Some of it is me reading between the lines. Irrespective, it's not great reading and I think I'll be proven correct shortly that since Cortese left, we're on a huge downward curve.

 

Here's what I know.

 

- There was a huge upturn in atmosphere when Cortese left. The day-to-day (non-football) staff were initially a lot happier as NC could be a very difficult taskmaster at times.

- RK and KL set about repairing links and friendships with important businesses and former employees/players.

- Contractors and others Cortese had working for him via the club were a lot happier.

 

However, over time, this has changed somewhat and most importantly, the footballing side has been somewhat neglected. It soon became apparent that our objectives and ambitions had shifted and the players/staff were left completely in the dark. They bought into Cortese's long-term strategy/vision and it was him who was the glue who held everything together, despite his obvious shortcomings in other areas of running the club. When Cortese left, so did all the aspirations of pushing on and progressing as a club.

 

In the meantime, we've had;

 

- fan-pandering letters from the new setup

- mixed messages regarding the sale of players - Reed "not for sale" Krueger "will talk to clubs about our players"

- unprofessional snipes at Cortese's handling of the club with reference to the comment about our financial situation and the adidas kit debacle

- continued non-communication in this new "era of transparency"

 

Now, cast your mind back. In the early part of the season when we were riding high, remember all the talk of Champions League? This wasn't just from the players (Boruc, Wanyama, Lallana, Schneiderlin) but from the manager as well. This was Cortese's objective and the playing staff were 100% committed to delivering it; maybe not this season, but with future investment and the retention of the better players and the manager this was seen as potentially achievable. Now, fast-forward a few months later - uncertainty reigns, no-one dared uttered a word about it and the new leadership's policy is sustainability and nothing else. From February to the present day, we've had Schneiderlin, Lallana, Fonte and others all drop huge hints in the press about being happy here but only the proviso we kick on and improve.

 

If just one of those "big" players had the assurances they required to stay and committed so would the rest. Now, the opposite is in action; all it'll take is one or two to leave and it could lead to an exodus. The first and most important person is Pochettino, but I don't think he's too enamoured with the new "mid-table" project and having to face replacing key members of his squad. Surely some of you must have heard the alarm bells ringing the moment the new board started even entertaining players sales and mentioned that we were in a difficult financial situation? If that isn't greasing us up for a potential firesale of 2, 3 maybe 4 of our best players I don't know what is. Sure, no sales have been confirmed yet but I've absolutely no doubt that they will, very soon.

 

We're water-treaders now at best, unfortunately. If people are happy with that then that's their prerogative but I can almost certainly guarantee you that from reading between the lines and hearing what I've heard that we're in for a pretty sh1tty summer. It's genuinely galling to watch this unfold as like many of you, I was finally excited by the fact we were THAT close to having a thoroughly decent, competitive Premier League side that could challenge the big 'uns not off the pitch but most definitely on it. With a couple of solid acquisitions as a statement of intent and retention of our best players, we could have had a real go next year. That's what the players wanted, the manager wanted and that's what Cortese wanted. That dream died to moment he was turfed out of SMS for good.

 

Don't worry though - the pain of tumbling back into mediocrity will surely be offset by a nicely worded club statement.

So a new thread, and one long, long post and you don't actually tell us anything new as to why we're on a "downward curve".

[shurlock]

Of course there is. Where did I say otherwise?

 

Glad you think so -and hopefully you recognise that there are far more people that fall into this camp than there are CL fantasists, though it doesn't always appear so from your comments.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

My issues aren't to do with selling players' date=' as if Shaw and Lallana knew Man Utd and Liverpool wanted them I don't think Cortese's presence could stop them. My issue is the uncertainty around Pochettino (I think Cortese would handle the situation much better) and of massive concern are the reports from Adam Blackmore that the players don't know what is going on - that should be setting massive alarm bells going off. It suggests to me that there isn't a plan. So we're about to sell two of our best players and there isn't a plan. Is no-one else concerned about this!?![/quote']

 

The reason there isn't a plan is due to the Pochettino situation. How can you make any sort of plan when the decision of one man is so vital to what the players are going to do. There may well be plans in place for if he says yes or no, but so far he hasn't said either so we are left in limbo.

[The Kraken]

Glad you think so -and hopefully you recognise that there are far more people that fall into this camp than there are CL fantasists, though it doesn't always appear so from your comments.

I'm not sure how you can gauge anything in terms of numbers from my comments. Other than it is "people". I don't know how many (and couldn't care less, to be honest), but yes, the likelihood is that there are far more realists than Champions League daydream believers.

[hypochondriac]

I love how polarised everything is. Either it's Cortese's way or we are going to hell in a handcart and everything will implode. Yes we may be reigning in our ambition a bit which is disappointing for the fans (although may well be making us more financially stable) and we will probably miss some of Nicola's ruthlessness and single mindedness but his way is not the only way to run a successful football club.

 

I have no idea about this current lot and it may be that they don't do a great job, but it's possible that they can still bring us success whilst being more financially prudent and being a bit more fan friendly into the bargain. I still expect Adam and Luke to be sold and I will watch with interest to see how we go about replacing them and retaining our other players. Despite coming across as a bit buffoonish and lacking in football knowledge, I very much doubt that someone with the pedigree of Ralph would join as chairman only to see a mass exodus of players at the first opportunity. What would be the point?

[hypochondriac]

Being negative really has fck all to do with depression. You can be the most positive person in the world and still suffer from it.

 

TBF I doubt he was being serious.

[Heisenberg]

Does the OP have a history or reputation of attention seeking or is he a genuine in the know poster?

[alpine_saint]

Anyone who doesnt really deep down understand that 5 years of generally-speaking stunning progess (before the whining starts, yes I reacted badly to p*ss-poor results and decisions, so what?) has come to a grinding halt really is insane or is clutching at straws.

 

The only player we sold of any significance in that time was AOC; but we squeezed Arsenal's balls until the blood ran on that one. It was a magnificent play by NC.

 

There is no way the new lot are going to even come close to his resolve to build and protect the team, if they really have any to start with anyway.

[ToreSF]

Seems like a lot of fans are sticking their heads in the sand at the moment.

This is status atm: The new regime has so far failed to persuade Pochettino to sign a new contract, and they will most likely sell our two most talented players. This means two steps back, and none forward since their arrival.

[The Kraken]

I love how polarised everything is. Either it's Cortese's way or we are going to hell in a handcart and everything will implode. Yes we may be reigning in our ambition a bit which is disappointing for the fans (although may well be making us more financially stable) and we will probably miss some of Nicola's ruthlessness and single mindedness but his way is not the only way to run a successful football club.

 

I have no idea about this current lot and it may be that they don't do a great job, but it's possible that they can still bring us success whilst being more financially prudent and being a bit more fan friendly into the bargain. I still expect Adam and Luke to be sold and I will watch with interest to see how we go about replacing them and retaining our other players. Despite coming across as a bit buffoonish and lacking in football knowledge, I very much doubt that someone with the pedigree of Ralph would join as chairman only to see a mass exodus of players at the first opportunity. What would be the point?

That's kind of where I'm at. Not fantastically optimistic about progressing much further but it's definitely possible, it all depends just how much money will be made available to replace what I see as some inevitable departures. But even if the side has the arse ripped out of it, there really should still be enough to stabilise and sustain a top 10 side this season. Which I'd have seen as a decent result anyway if we lost no players.

[alpine_saint]

Seems like a lot of fans are sticking their heads in the sand at the moment.

This is status atm: The new regime has so far failed to persuade Pochettino to sign a new contract, and they will most likely sell our two most talented players. This means two steps back, and none forward since their arrival.

 

No, no, there is no news. That MUST be good news !!! The fact MoPo wont extend is mere trivia..

[Crab Lungs]

Does the OP have a history or reputation of attention seeking or is he a genuine in the know poster?

 

I've been right on some things, wrong on a few others (like Schmeichel the other day). That said, there's plenty of people who PM me on here who would probably say I do have get some info from 2-3 people in or close to the club.

[Crab Lungs]

I originally posted this on the Cortese thread but it's better here.

 

With Cortese around, our greatest strength was also our greatest weakness - an autocrat at the top who made his own decisions and communicated as, when and how he saw fit. Whether you were the manager, a player, a backroom staffer or even a supporter, you always got the feeling that he was in control - because he was. At every level. If you bought into his vision, he was a god; if you didn't, you probably wouldn't last long. That vision was at the heart of his power and he used it very effectively - often brutally.

 

The personalities now running the show are almost polar opposites of Cortese, so it's no surprise that we didn't just lose his weaknesses when he left - we lost his strengths as well. We have a much friendlier face but we're often talking with multiple voices - or none at all.

 

The "void" creating the current problems is the lack of that vision and the absence of the constant references to it. It's a leadership void.

 

That IMO is why Pochettino and the players are looking elsewhere, and why the fans are growing restless with the current control group.

 

It shouldn't just be us dissecting Cortese's words. Katharina and Ralph need to dissect them as well. And then make the necessary changes in their approach, starting with a new vision that stresses more than just self-sustainability.

 

I did see that post and thought "I could not have put that better myself".

 

Couldn't agree more with you.

[SaintRichmond]

People still seem shocked that Cortese's dream of a self financed Champions League surge came to nothing. Anyone who bought into this dream must have wondered where the extra money was going to come from. If not then they were just happy to be seduced by empty rhetoric.

 

What exactly do you think Markus's Dream was ??? Win the Hampshire Cup every two years ???

 

HE wanted to get us to the very Top, AND he had the money to do it.

 

Tragically, he passed away, and so did his Dreams ...... THEY died after HIS Five Year Project was over. Cortese realised this after his talks with Katharina, and THAT is why he left. He didn't like the watered down New "Project"

 

Katharina is nothing like her Father, and has nothing like his Visions and Dreams. We will fall back into a "lower half" Prem team, IF we are lucky

 

The only hope that Southampton has is that, with Ralph Krueger, we have the best chance yet to get the Southampton Vikings back

[alpine_saint]

What exactly do you think Markus's Dream was ??? Win the Hampshire Cup every two years ???

 

HE wanted to get us to the very Top, AND he had the money to do it.

 

Tragically, he passed away, and so did his Dreams ...... THEY died after HIS Five Year Project was over. Cortese realised this after his talks with Katharina, and THAT is why he left. He didn't like the watered down New "Project"

 

Katharina is nothing like her Father, and has nothing like his Visions and Dreams. We will fall back into a "lower half" Prem team, IF we are lucky

 

The only hope that Southampton has is that, with Ralph Krueger, we have the best chance yet to get the Southampton Vikings back

 

da-da-da-DA

da-da-da-DA

da-da-da-DA

da-da-da-DA

 

(sorry for my organ impersonation..)

[Heisenberg]

I've been right on some things, wrong on a few others (like Schmeichel the other day). That said, there's plenty of people who PM me on here who would probably say I do have get some info from 2-3 people in or close to the club.

 

Then I will read your post(s) with confidence, sadly what you post is not music to my ears or what I want to believe. Was really hoping you were simply scaremongering without any genuine substance.

Just now I’m looking for an insider poster with only good news

[The Kraken]

What exactly do you think Markus's Dream was ??? Win the Hampshire Cup every two years ???

 

HE wanted to get us to the very Top, AND he had the money to do it.

 

Tragically, he passed away, and so did his Dreams ...... THEY died after HIS Five Year Project was over. Cortese realised this after his talks with Katharina, and THAT is why he left. He didn't like the watered down New "Project"

 

Katharina is nothing like her Father, and has nothing like his Visions and Dreams. We will fall back into a "lower half" Prem team, IF we are lucky

 

The only hope that Southampton has is that, with Ralph Krueger, we have the best chance yet to get the Southampton Vikings back

A post full of blatant assumptions and factually incorrect information.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

Katharina is nothing like her Father, and has nothing like his Visions and Dreams. We will fall back into a "lower half" Prem team, IF we are lucky

 

What a ridiculous thing to say.

[hypochondriac]

Crabs is generally reliable. Just hope he is wrong this time!

[Dig Dig]

I don't understand why people claim it's impossible to keep players. These guys have 3-4 years leaft on contracts.

 

If you want them to stay and are geniuenly not interested selling this season, just reject bids. If the player decides to throw a wobbly, hand a transfer request in or strike, it will only reflect poorly in them and not the club.

 

I can't see any of the players doing that though, Morgan at least has said he wouldn't.

[alpine_saint]

I don't understand why people claim it's impossible to keep players. These guys have 3-4 years leaft on contracts.

 

If you want them to stay and are geniuenly not interested selling this season, just reject bids. If the player decides to throw a wobbly, hand a transfer request in or strike, it will only reflect poorly in them and not the club.

 

I can't see any of the players doing that though, Morgan at least has said he wouldn't.

 

This.

 

I guess KL has pulled the financial plug on the project (as is her right to do so) and we need to sell again.

 

Dont understand why she just can t find a buyer.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

I don't understand why people claim it's impossible to keep players. These guys have 3-4 years leaft on contracts.

 

If you want them to stay and are geniuenly not interested selling this season, just reject bids. If the player decides to throw a wobbly, hand a transfer request in or strike, it will only reflect poorly in them and not the club.

 

I can't see any of the players doing that though, Morgan at least has said he wouldn't.

 

Agreed, don't think they will.

 

Let's just wait and see.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I think Crab Lungs makes some valid points and I understand his concerns but for me the journey was always going to end in tears, it was inevitable. We got where we did by spending a reasonable to large amount of cash, far more than any previous regime had shelled out and we made progress beyond our expectations but......... the bubble had to burst. The writing was on the wall last summer with reports of a division of views on the budget between KL and NC.

 

Unless we persuade KL to splash big (unlikely) or find a multi billionaire who wants to take up the challenge of securing CL football, we have scaled our version of Everest and are now looking for lesser, less-arduous-to-climb mountains.

[Alain Perrin]

There's a lot to be said for the OP's opinion, in fact all that is required is a "Saints Go Wilde" t-shirt and we have an uncanny link to past history.

 

That said, it matters not whether NC or RK is at the helm - it was KL's chequebook behind the scenes so the outcome is likely to be the same.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

This.

 

I guess KL has pulled the financial plug on the project (as is her right to do so) and we need to sell again.

 

Dont understand why she just can t find a buyer.

 

What is making you think that? Where have you heard we have accepted any offers?

[alpine_saint]

What is making you think that? Where have you heard we have accepted any offers?

 

Just keep clutching 'em, dude........

[CB Fry]

That's kind of where I'm at. Not fantastically optimistic about progressing much further but it's definitely possible, it all depends just how much money will be made available to replace what I see as some inevitable departures. But even if the side has the arse ripped out of it, there really should still be enough to stabilise and sustain a top 10 side this season. Which I'd have seen as a decent result anyway if we lost no players.

 

This is about right to me.

 

I fail to see how not pursuing the CL pipe dream is then whipped up into us hurtling to oblivion.

 

We could quite easily sustain a nice mid table Premier league club, bringing young players through, and why not get to the Europa League final like Boro and Fulham did, but actually win the thing like they didn't.

 

I know that seems beneath the nutcases like Richmond and Alpine but it would effing well do me.