InvictaSaint Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 As a season-ticket holder who did not go today, I have found it interesting to read others' comments on the game. The words/sentiments which keep coming up again and again, from those who were at the game primarily (but not exclusively), are: - no fight - no passion - no game plan / players not sure what is expected of them - poor team selection - players overly tired as too young and played too often - JP blaming everybody but himself - poor substitutions - occasional pretty football in the wrong (least effective) areas Ignore the fact that this was against Man United - these phrases mirror what I and others have been seeing all season. As somebody far wiser than me has already posted, I could appreciate a slow and gradual improvement over the season given our financial predicament and apparent need to rely on youth. However, that improvement has clearly not happened. I know we are fiscally screwed, I know this only too well. But are we all simply going to sit back and let this club of ours die in such a painful fashion? How much longer can/will we tolerate being told that this is the only way to do things and that everything is OK? To my mind, somebody with influence - or those wishing to become influential either through numbers or status - must now let RL know that we are heading inexorably for disaster; League 1 and probable administration. We need a manager with a canny eye for a cheap , experienced bargain player and a knack for getting the best out of young British players; we need a man with experience of this league and how to stay in it. To claim this is not possible is to go down the route of the biggest false economy in SFC history, for continuing with this mad experiment will lead to our demise, make no mistake. I don't blame the players - they will always have my support - but the owners and managers of this fine football club should now be taking a long, hard objective look at our situation and asking themselves what needs to be done to arrest our slide. How long can we afford to wait and sit idly by?
70's Mike Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 totally agree. Did Southend or Gillingham roll over. cheap players are out there but if you make your chief criteria for signing someone the ability to pass it square then we are doomed
70's Mike Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 We were playing manchester united. Southend were playing Chelsea
InvictaSaint Posted 4 January, 2009 Author Posted 4 January, 2009 We were playing manchester united. Did you bother to read the post? If you had, you would have noticed that I said ignore it was against Man United - the comments those who were at the game are coming back with (niether you nor I were there, Adrian) are a microcosm of almost every other game this season - a season which has left us second from bottom of the CCC. This thread is not about the United game - but where we go from here given everything else which is now clearly falling apart.
Dalek2003 Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 Where is the PASSION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????? I heard Billy Davies on FIVE live today. He has got it and you can see how he translates that to the players. At the moment we have a STERILE manager and we play STERILE football ! There has been NO PASSION in the side since WGS leeft and that is what we need !!!!
Saint_Jonny Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 I saw most of the players out there today put in a good shift tbh, plenty of fight from perry, skacel, DMG and some good interplay when morgan came on... but ffs, we played manu today, get over it...bunch of mugs.
beatlesaint Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 You are absolutely right Invicta, spot on. The middle third of the pitch is all the pretty pretty stuff The defensive third of the pitch is like a scene from Dads Army with only Corporal Jones shouting "Dont Panic ! " missing The attacking third lacks penetration.......in fact there is more chance penetrating a nuns fanny than there is us scoring goals regularly.
rocknrollman no2 Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 I saw most of the players out there today put in a good shift tbh, plenty of fight from perry, skacel, DMG and some good interplay when morgan came on... but ffs, we played manu today, get over it...bunch of mugs. No doubt you can post the same thing after our next one,two,three,four games etc. The thing is i bet the result will be the same as well. I do agree with your last comment though.We must be mugs if we continue to pay to watch this shower of ****e.
Thedelldays Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 We were playing manchester united. does that mean we are unable to not pass in a straight line..?
um pahars Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 As a season-ticket holder who did not go today, I have found it interesting to read others' comments on the game. The words/sentiments which keep coming up again and again, from those who were at the game primarily (but not exclusively), are: - no fight - no passion - no game plan / players not sure what is expected of them - poor team selection - players overly tired as too young and played too often - JP blaming everybody but himself - poor substitutions - occasional pretty football in the wrong (least effective) areas Ignore the fact that this was against Man United - these phrases mirror what I and others have been seeing all season. As somebody far wiser than me has already posted, I could appreciate a slow and gradual improvement over the season given our financial predicament and apparent need to rely on youth. However, that improvement has clearly not happened. I know we are fiscally screwed, I know this only too well. But are we all simply going to sit back and let this club of ours die in such a painful fashion? How much longer can/will we tolerate being told that this is the only way to do things and that everything is OK? To my mind, somebody with influence - or those wishing to become influential either through numbers or status - must now let RL know that we are heading inexorably for disaster; League 1 and probable administration. We need a manager with a canny eye for a cheap , experienced bargain player and a knack for getting the best out of young British players; we need a man with experience of this league and how to stay in it. To claim this is not possible is to go down the route of the biggest false economy in SFC history, for continuing with this mad experiment will lead to our demise, make no mistake. I don't blame the players - they will always have my support - but the owners and managers of this fine football club should now be taking a long, hard objective look at our situation and asking themselves what needs to be done to arrest our slide. How long can we afford to wait and sit idly by? Agree 100%. Mirrors my sentiments entirely. For those in any position of power and influence to sit back and let this slide continue is close to negligence. Something needs to be done to snap us out of this downward spiral.
Paul Chuckle Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 just read on an a other football site and someone has said we are the worst side they have seen this season and that Gillingham were better today. says it all really.
TheSaint75 Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 regardless of playing MUFC we played the same toothless but vaguely pretty footy, same ol same ol
Snowballs2 Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 We were playing manchester united. Yes and yesterday Forrest were beating Man City...your point is ???
SaintRobbie Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 At the moment we have a STERILE manager and we play STERILE football ! !!!! Spot on assessment. Did anyone see JP on the touchline in the 2nd half? I kept glancing over and he was glued to his seat. ENCOURAGEMENT!?
SaintRobbie Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 just read on an a other football site and someone has said we are the worst side they have seen this season and that Gillingham were better today. says it all really. Paul, I'll be totally honest mate. I went to watch Swindon a couple of months ago. They were better than Saints then and are currently struggling at the bottom of League 1. That was when I concluded that our team was heading straight for League 2 - not 1 - under Lowe/JP.
Mole Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 Where is the PASSION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????? I heard Billy Davies on FIVE live today. He has got it and you can see how he translates that to the players. At the moment we have a STERILE manager and we play STERILE football ! There has been NO PASSION in the side since WGS leeft and that is what we need !!!! IMO the decline started during the Strachan era, albeit at the end. I'd pinpoint the start of the rot at the time Chris Marsden left. He wasn't skillful, but he was inspirational and IMO he was more of a factor to our sucess than Strachan himself.
lordswoodsaints Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 it is difficult to compete with the best team in the world and their ref.but saying that we dont compete with the teams in the bottom of our league.
SaintRobbie Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 it is difficult to compete with the best team in the world and their ref.but saying that we dont compete with the teams in the bottom of our league. ..and wont with most League 1 teams.
charliemiller Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 totally agree. Did Southend or Gillingham roll over. cheap players are out there but if you make your chief criteria for signing someone the ability to pass it square then we are doomed Need to get back to the old criteria of you only sign a player if he is better than what we already have ...... A few recently that doesnt apply to Ryan smith Pullis Any others
Colinjb Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 Coventry and Southend have taken the fight to Man Utd in recent years. As such our performance is inexcusable today. We where utter ****e. The kids are not good enough as they are, and are being ruined by being exposed to these duties at their ages.
Mole Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 ..and [saints] wont [compete] with most League 1 teams. I'd agree with that conclusion.
Englesaint Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 ..and wont with most League 1 teams. Did you see Gillingham fight versus Villa (I managed to see second half in the pub before the game) - totally different kettle of fish, both in terms of standard/pace of football and desire/agression. Grieves me to say it but they looked miles better than us.
dubai_phil Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 I go back to my feelings at the start of the season. In general I think the "experiment" is a good idea... BUT To allow the kids to develop the team needs BALANCE. We are in desperate need of leadership on the pitch and in the club, of experience and wise old heads who can change to a plan B when plan A does not work. Good footballing brains, experienced, canny players about to start their trade as a coach, to help the kids, we are crying out for them (and no, I don't class Euell & BWP in that category) A Teddy Sheringham type up front for DMG to feed off, a Dennis Wise type in midfield and a well, apart from Perry & James in spells today, a defence. A savvy wise old head manager with the up and coming total football head coach, and as CM says above, a simple transfer policy - we ONLY buy players who are better than what we have, we NEVER buy squad fillers - the youngsters can do that Let's hope that Chelsea feel they owe us morally after Cork turned us down and send us Terry or someone on loan..... We are in the "time for a serious hand on the tiller to adjust course" phase of the great experiment
John Smith Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 Trouble is, we won;t have to tolerate this much longer. Whilst bringing through youngsters and selling them off, we were creaming off the top. The likes of Theo and Bale were tempted here in the first place because we had promising youth teams and a way into the first team. Now, our youth team are the first team and are not supported through their early career by wise pro's. Take McG today, would the likes of Jimmy Case have let him paddle around up front whilst the rest of the team fight to get the ball back? Has the saying, defend from the front, left the corridors of SFC? I'm not slating D McG, just think he wouldn't be 'allowed' to get away with little activity if we had some pro's in the team. But as we will see, the better players are going to go, and like Crewe are finding, the cream starts to disappear and your left with the ordinary. Sure, they may be decent footballers, but every team needs someone that does something different. Be that a tank of a centre forward, a dribbling master,a player that can play a pass that slices through defences like a hot knife through butter, or a 'defensive wall', we will have none of these, just a few old players and some decent youngsters that may one day do something good. We are mediocre and we're not even consistent, so where next? Down, I'm afraid, and then down again, because we will never be able to get better than we currently have and the next lot will only get younger and more ordinary, but then, that'll be the level we are at, be that CCC or Rymans league. Toleration is not the word, acceptance that Luton Town will be passing us on their way up again is what we're in for. So, a new word must be found.
Legod Third Coming Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 I go back to my feelings at the start of the season. In general I think the "experiment" is a good idea... BUT To allow the kids to develop the team needs BALANCE. We are in desperate need of leadership on the pitch and in the club, of experience and wise old heads who can change to a plan B when plan A does not work. Good footballing brains, experienced, canny players about to start their trade as a coach, to help the kids, we are crying out for them (and no, I don't class Euell & BWP in that category) A Teddy Sheringham type up front for DMG to feed off, a Dennis Wise type in midfield and a well, apart from Perry & James in spells today, a defence. A savvy wise old head manager with the up and coming total football head coach, and as CM says above, a simple transfer policy - we ONLY buy players who are better than what we have, we NEVER buy squad fillers - the youngsters can do that Let's hope that Chelsea feel they owe us morally after Cork turned us down and send us Terry or someone on loan..... We are in the "time for a serious hand on the tiller to adjust course" phase of the great experiment I agree with this. Why couldn't we have looked at someone like Harte or Speed as player coaches? Ok, they're not fast but they don't need to be. They sit and watch and cajole and bollock and motivate and lead by example.
stuey Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 I saw most of the players out there today put in a good shift tbh, plenty of fight from perry, skacel, DMG and some good interplay when morgan came on... but ffs, we played manu today, get over it...bunch of mugs. You saw DMG put in a good shift today?????????????????????? What game were you watching???????????????? MUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
um pahars Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 I go back to my feelings at the start of the season. In general I think the "experiment" is a good idea... BUT To allow the kids to develop the team needs BALANCE. We are in desperate need of leadership on the pitch and in the club, of experience and wise old heads who can change to a plan B when plan A does not work. Good footballing brains, experienced, canny players about to start their trade as a coach, to help the kids, we are crying out for them (and no, I don't class Euell & BWP in that category) A Teddy Sheringham type up front for DMG to feed off, a Dennis Wise type in midfield and a well, apart from Perry & James in spells today, a defence. A savvy wise old head manager with the up and coming total football head coach, and as CM says above, a simple transfer policy - we ONLY buy players who are better than what we have, we NEVER buy squad fillers - the youngsters can do that Let's hope that Chelsea feel they owe us morally after Cork turned us down and send us Terry or someone on loan..... We are in the "time for a serious hand on the tiller to adjust course" phase of the great experiment With all due respect Phil, I struggle to understand how you can say the experiment is a good idea, and then go on and tear it to pieces and come up with a totally different startegy. You're bit after the BUT is spot on, but that's a million miles away from the Revolutionary Caoching Set Up that has been established.
stuey Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 Seriously, the management of SFC wrote off our own chances of winning this game (not bothering to register Saga in time as it was a lost cause) and just took it as a nice big fat payday. Yet an hour before kickoff they should have been kicking themselves, as we could have had another big fat payday at home to Spurs!!
dubai_phil Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 With all due respect Phil, I struggle to understand how you can say the experiment is a good idea, and then go on and tear it to pieces and come up with a totally different startegy. You're bit after the BUT is spot on, but that's a million miles away from the Revolutionary Caoching Set Up that has been established. Sorry, I was referring to my post back at the begiining of this whole mess which was generally supportive of the concept but worried about the balance. The bit about the experiment - I explain The Concept of creating an environment where you bring your own players through I agree with - BUT any team MUST have a backbone of experience on the pitch AND off it. So if I look back I guess I and maybe others naively thought that we would keep one striker.... Wotton would be the "midfield brains" Svennson & Perry would form the backbone with Davis behind them Obviously it hasn't worked and our eggs were in the wrong basket in regards to who we were relying on in that area LTG's comment is in line with my feelings on the type of players, Skacel is trying his best now but then we bring in another young LB... and have how many left sided midfielders in the squad now?
um pahars Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 Sorry, I was referring to my post back at the begiining of this whole mess which was generally supportive of the concept but worried about the balance. The bit about the experiment - I explain The Concept of creating an environment where you bring your own players through I agree with - BUT any team MUST have a backbone of experience on the pitch AND off it. So if I look back I guess I and maybe others naively thought that we would keep one striker.... Wotton would be the "midfield brains" Svennson & Perry would form the backbone with Davis behind them Obviously it hasn't worked and our eggs were in the wrong basket in regards to who we were relying on in that area LTG's comment is in line with my feelings on the type of players, Skacel is trying his best now but then we bring in another young LB... and have how many left sided midfielders in the squad now? And sorry if my post came across a bit harsh, it's just it's sooooo depressing watching this Club slide into oblivion and those in charge refusing to do anything mainly, IMHO, due to their own intransigence and arrogance.
dubai_phil Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 And sorry if my post came across a bit harsh, it's just it's sooooo depressing watching this Club slide into oblivion and those in charge refusing to do anything mainly, IMHO, due to their own intransigence and arrogance. Think that sums it all up as to how we feel :smt012
charliemiller Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 Sorry, I was referring to my post back at the begiining of this whole mess which was generally supportive of the concept but worried about the balance. The bit about the experiment - I explain The Concept of creating an environment where you bring your own players through I agree with - BUT any team MUST have a backbone of experience on the pitch AND off it. So if I look back I guess I and maybe others naively thought that we would keep one striker.... Wotton would be the "midfield brains" Svennson & Perry would form the backbone with Davis behind them Obviously it hasn't worked and our eggs were in the wrong basket in regards to who we were relying on in that area LTG's comment is in line with my feelings on the type of players, Skacel is trying his best now but then we bring in another young LB... and have how many left sided midfielders in the squad now? very sad to watch today , but nice to see sms full , go to bed
Leslie Charteris Posted 4 January, 2009 Posted 4 January, 2009 It's not all doom and gloom. I think we have just the right coach for the Blue Square Premier league and some players that will excel there, too. This must be what his lordship has had in mind all along - playing there we can get on a sound financial footing, nothing else matters. Low wage costs and 12,000 mugs still coming through the turnstiles every week - you'd never forget the loyal fanbase, would you your lordship. Can you imagine how impressed the opposition will be walking onto the St. Mary's turf. They will just roll over the way we did today. The phoenix will rise from the ashes and SFC will carve its way through the leagues to compete again at the highest level and we can all worship the greatness of his lordship. "I've done it!" his lordship will ejaculate and with a satisfied grin he will change his soiled underwear and wave to the happy throng gathered in SMS. WAKE UP RUPERT - THIS IS NOT A DREAM, IT'S A NIGHTMARE! I do not want to see Saints playing in league one or worse. Your plan may have some sense if you are a bean counter but it makes no sense to a FOOTBALL fan. You seem hellbent on doing what's right for the shareholders. Please, just for once, do what is right for the club, the team, the supporters. Think of SFC, not SLH. But then, I suppose we should just trust in you, Rupert. You always know what's best!
Roger Posted 5 January, 2009 Posted 5 January, 2009 To be honest I thought today was one of the saddest days in the history of sfc. I saw a full house going for the wrong reasons to see man utd. I used to see people going to watch saints play and the great players we had. We used to go to the united games at home in the knowledge that there was a good chance that we would win. Now some of our pathetic supporters are happy for us to lose 3-0 when it could have been 10 if not for utd not being in cruise control and also the fact our keeper saved us. The offside was marginal, the sending off was fair and a horror tackle the penalty could have gone either way and also they could have had another one afterwards and we could have had another sent off. How many corners did we have? How many shots on goal did we have? We are going nowhere and my team that used to compete with man utd and were a genuine force are now a farce under lowe. Rupert leave now you have caused this.
egreog Posted 5 January, 2009 Posted 5 January, 2009 Frankly, the whole situation is dire beyond imagination..........I do not see that the bank will continue to support this scenario for much longer.........its not a popular move for a bank to force administration and in the case of a football club it does affect the whole community and thus is very sensitive, but when the situation becomes hopeless they will do so, and Saints are probably about 3 defeats away from that. Come end of January, unless a metamorphosis occurs and many points are won, I feel that day will come and the bitter bullet will be bitten............there seems no way of changing it on or off the field!!
Torbay Saint Posted 5 January, 2009 Posted 5 January, 2009 I feel i need to state this post as the folowing saddened me today. A Saints fan was sat with his son (who was obviously a Man U fan) and was pointing out all the childs favourite Man U players. As a third generation saints fan what is currently happening to the Club is awful. When I was young and taken by my Dad I can remember going into the Junior Saints office and being known and welcomed. Saints was a really well run family club that cared about its fan base. I'm sure it was the same for my Dad when he was first taken by my Grandad. What Mr. Lowe has done since 2003 and many would argue before - is rtear the 'family' character out of OUR club. His has ruined the legacy and reputation on OUR football team and in doing so has made the City of Southampton a laughing stock. He and his supporters might own the Club on paper he will never truely be able to declare the Club theirs. The Club is owned by the thousands of fans who have continued to support the Saints through thick and thin. It is time Mr. Lowe realised this. Stop playing with the legacy of this Football Club - it would be nice for me to take my child in the future to watch a decent game of football and a well run, family football club and let them fall in love with the club as generations have done before. Let us please get back to what we do best - and if that is not what Lowe can do - he must go.
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