Ankersen and Semmens (Merged)

[Convict Colony]

Let semmens pick the next manager, ankersens stats have stunk the place out.

[Daft Kerplunk]

1 minute ago, Saint86 said:

Semmens clearly has little time for jones and wanted him gone. His comments were about as scathing as he could be at the fans forum. The issue is Rasmus. 

But Semmens chose this company because it kept him in the job, and he will have benefitted from them being the chosen group. Whatever happens, the leadership has been taking us closer to relegation for years, and it looks like we’ve ridden our luck out. 

[saintant]

8 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Let semmens pick the next manager, ankersens stats have stunk the place out.

The tragic thing is we have nobody capable of selecting a good manager - Ankersen had a go and failed miserably on every count. Semmens real knowledge about the game of football could be written in large capitals on the back of a postage stamp. The rest are just numpties as well. We're stuffed I'm afraid if we expect this group of charlatans to make sensible decisions.

[Forester]

I could not see the Sports Republic crew today, and I sit close to the directors area.  Did anyone else?  Semmens to be fair was there in front row to face the music.  

[Dark Munster]

2 hours ago, Forester said:

I could not see the Sports Republic crew today, and I sit close to the directors area.  Did anyone else?  Semmens to be fair was there in front row to face the music.  

I think Ankersen was too busy to go to the match, he was at Staplewood looking at things the rest of us plebs don't see behind the scenes.

 

[Southner]

1 hour ago, Dark Munster said:

I think Ankersen was too busy to go to the match, he was at Staplewood looking at things the rest of us plebs don't see behind the scenes.

 

Swamped with reference points was Rasmus. 

[Miltonaggro]

Ankersen’s next book revealed. The rating is from someone called Nat Dog…

[coalman]

11 hours ago, Forester said:

I could not see the Sports Republic crew today, and I sit close to the directors area.  Did anyone else?  Semmens to be fair was there in front row to face the music.  

Maybe we're being turned into the feeder club for Goztepe?

[Master Bates]

SHIT ON HIS FACE,

SHIT ON HIS FACE,

I WANT TO SHIT ON ANKERSENS FACE

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

SHIT ON HIS FACE,

SHIT ON HIS FACE,

I WANT TO SHIT ON ANKERSENS FACE

There's a long queue I'm afraid.

[Archers Road Stand]

Two of the main reasons our relegation is all but confirmed. 

They should resign at the end of the season. 

[sydenhamssocks]

3 different managers have been unable to get anything decent out of our squad. That includes 15 new signings since last summer. If we’re relegated, The owners and directors (pick your favourites!) have to take responsibility. Apart from a couple of players, Their recruitment has been awful and the decision to appoint Jones has to be one of the worst in premier league history.  Ultimately they’ve taken the fans support and money for granted, while posing as high end football statisticians with the secret of how to win football matches. Clowns! 
 

[Turkish]

https://graceblue.com/2020/06/18/inspirational-leaders-martin-semmens-chief-executive-southampton-football-club-leadership-through-these-extraordinary-times/
 

“Similarly, when Martin moved to Southampton, he was very much an outsider to the business of football. For many this inexperience would have made them nervous, but Martin believes it worked to his advantage. He thinks that not having followed the typical path into football lent him an upper hand because he didn’t have to behave in a certain way, in fear of not living up to expectations. Instead he was able to approach the business of running a football club with a fresh perspective, free from the constraints of assumed, entrenched ways of doing things.”
 

he certainly has a fresh perspective. Of all the teams the club has the women’s team which generates the least revenue is the most important to him, the process is more important than league position and us customers should just be grateful for what we’ve got. 
 

inspirational leadership 

[saintant]

Another Sunday wasted for Semmens having to travel to London when he could have been at home with his family.

[bpsaint]

Both these cunts had better be made to tender their resignations in the summer. Part of Sports Republic they may be but we know Solak is the money man.

Selles and everyone else on the back room staff need to go too, the whole fucking lot, and start again afresh. 

[stevy777_x]

53 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Both these cunts had better be made to tender their resignations in the summer. Part of Sports Republic they may be but we know Solak is the money man.

Selles and everyone else on the back room staff need to go too, the whole fucking lot, and start again afresh. 

Calm down

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Another Sunday wasted for Semmens having to travel to London when he could have been at home with his family.

Got to feel for him. Chauffeur driven, no doubt a full corporate meal and wine, but of hob nobbing with his peers at West Ham when he could have been home with his missus and kids ignoring him. 

[bpsaint]

33 minutes ago, stevy777_x said:

Calm down

Go fuck yourself. Sick of this shit.

[Miltonaggro]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

https://graceblue.com/2020/06/18/inspirational-leaders-martin-semmens-chief-executive-southampton-football-club-leadership-through-these-extraordinary-times/
 

“Similarly, when Martin moved to Southampton, he was very much an outsider to the business of football. For many this inexperience would have made them nervous, but Martin believes it worked to his advantage. He thinks that not having followed the typical path into football lent him an upper hand because he didn’t have to behave in a certain way, in fear of not living up to expectations. Instead he was able to approach the business of running a football club with a fresh perspective, free from the constraints of assumed, entrenched ways of doing things.”
 

he certainly has a fresh perspective. Of all the teams the club has the women’s team which generates the least revenue is the most important to him, the process is more important than league position and us customers should just be grateful for what we’ve got. 
 

inspirational leadership 

If you replace Martin with ‘Rolf Harris’ the statement still works as an inspiration. Also same conclusion. 

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, bpsaint said:

Go fuck yourself. Sick of this shit.

No need to start talking to people like that mate!

[SotonianWill]

Im starting to believe the SR wanted us relegated to rebuild better conspiracy theory as it’s the only thing I have left. My sanity is leaving me. 

[Master Bates]

Dan Rice hands in resignation to join Newcastle

[Master Bates]

Everton hijack Rice move to Newcastle.

[Mr Nimbus]

For me the blame solely lies at their door.

Poor decision after poor decision. I cannot argue with the investment. However the recruitment of players has been completely woeful (Lavia aside)

Semmens sold the club to these charlatans and he should be removed from his post imo

 

[HarvSFC]

Remember these two goons at the fans forum backing Jones when every single fan knew he needed to go, only we needed to throw a match against 10 man Wolves at home to actually get them into action.

7 hours ago, Master Bates said:

Dan Rice hands in resignation to join Newcastle

How many is that now since SR took over?

Alex Clapham, who SR hired for the coaching team, headed to Brazil after just four months. Now at Genoa in Italy.

Joe Shields, another SR appointment.  Lasted just three months after a now appalling transfer window. Fortunately, he's now Chelsea's problem, but he still soon shot off out of here.

Matt Crocker, seems to be highly thought of after his first spell and up until this season helping to keep us in the league with limited resources. Didn't last a year under SR before handing in his resignation.

Now, Rice, who has been head hunted by Ashworth and the mega millions of Newcastle, so must have something about him.

A lot of resignations in one season behind the scenes, even Hasenhuttl was a different character to who we had seen previously working under this board, but he also had a massive payoff to clasp onto.

 

[SaintNewForest]

1 minute ago, HarvSFC said:

Remember these two goons at the fans forum backing Jones when every single fan knew he needed to go, only we needed to throw a match against 10 man Wolves at home to actually get them into action.

How many is that now since SR took over?

Alex Clapham, who SR hired for the coaching team, headed to Brazil after just four months. Now at Genoa in Italy.

Joe Shields, another SR appointment.  Lasted just three months after a now appalling transfer window. Fortunately, he's now Chelsea's problem, but he still soon shot off out of here.

Matt Crocker, seems to be highly thought of after his first spell and up until this season helping to keep us in the league with limited resources. Didn't last a year under SR before handing in his resignation.

Now, Rice, who has been head hunted by Ashworth and the mega millions of Newcastle, so must have something about him.

A lot of resignations in one season behind the scenes, even Hasenhuttl was a different character to who we had seen previously working under this board, but he also had a massive payoff to clasp onto.

 

We've also lost others since SR took over.

Danny Butterfield left.

The U18s manager (Mikey Harris?) left.

Vincent Bartram (academy goalkeeper coach) left after 12 years.

Im sure there are others as well whose names and roles have escaped me. All points to complete clusterfuck behind the scenes, and people are leaving left right and centre. 

[ally_uk]

I was optimistic when Sports Republic took us over. Fair pay to Dragan for backing us with money.

However Semmens and Rasmus 🤣🤣

Go back to the start of the season how can one possibly fack things up so royally. It's not even funny like the chuckle brothers are in charge or something. 

Poor decision after the other one monumental clown show....

Rasmus needs to take accountability he is clueless 

 

[saint1977]

3 hours ago, SaintNewForest said:

We've also lost others since SR took over.

Danny Butterfield left.

The U18s manager (Mikey Harris?) left.

Vincent Bartram (academy goalkeeper coach) left after 12 years.

Im sure there are others as well whose names and roles have escaped me. All points to complete clusterfuck behind the scenes, and people are leaving left right and centre. 

Yep, there’s been an excuse behind each departure and some are genuine reasons, and in the case of Shields the results of his work in the summer were very mixed. But that level of turnover is always a hallmark of an organisation in massive trouble with rotten leadership culture. 

Can see this club falling through into league one and far worse in quick succession unless they get a suitable structure in place. It can’t all be placed on Jason Wilcox’s shoulders. The communication has been as negative as that on the pitch and out of keeping with the club’s background, heritage and size. 

Given how Semmens, Steele and SR have treated fans eg block 1 closure, £99 Kingsland seats, there’s a lot of reason to believe that the club’s staff don’t fare much better and morale seems very low all round.

[Badger]

26 minutes ago, saint1977 said:

 

Can see this club falling through into league one and far worse in quick succession unless they get a suitable structure in place. It can’t all be placed on Jason Wilcox’s shoulders. The communication has been as negative as that on the pitch and out of keeping with the club’s background, heritage and size. 

 

Time will tell, but have to wonder how well connected he will prove to be. If our next manager is brought in having only previously coached Man City youth sides, then t will be a great concern. But perhaps no surprise.

[Raging Bull]

Did we ever find out who the other interested parties were that were looking to buy us aside from SR? 

[bpsaint]

12 minutes ago, Raging Bull said:

Did we ever find out who the other interested parties were that were looking to buy us aside from SR? 

Something we’ll always be left asking unfortunately. One would presume Semmens went for SR as it was the only party that promised to keep him in his cushty little position instead of bringing in a new CEO.

[Badger]

On 03/04/2023 at 21:09, bpsaint said:

Something we’ll always be left asking unfortunately. One would presume Semmens went for SR as it was the only party that promised to keep him in his cushty little position instead of bringing in a new CEO.

I'm not convinced that Semmens would be the decision maker in this. Gao was the one selling the club and the critical thing to him would be the ££, not the remaining board. Semmens may well of course filtered the applicants but it seems unlikely that Gao or his agents weren't closely scrutinising the bids and interest. 

[bpsaint]

32 minutes ago, Badger said:

I'm not convinced that Semmens would be the decision maker in this. Gao was the one selling the club and the critical thing to him would be the ££, not the remaining board. Semmens may well of course filtered the applicants but it seems unlikely that Gao or his agents weren't closely scrutinising the bids and interest. 

If you’ve got 3 interested parties all willing to pay the same amount, but two of those parties are slightly richer but admit they want to bin you off, and the other want to keep you on in a 6 figure salary role which one would you put forward as the best option?

Semmens has already admitted he was the lead man behind the decision in an interview.

[Morse]

The problems began before SR trundled up. It was Semmens who started the policy of 'buy-to-sell'; the idea that buying promosing youth, proving their ability in the premiership and then selling on for a profit. Simple if it works. 

However, it ignores the need to buy players to build a team. It also ignores the need for young players to have experienced players to learn from. I've lost count of the number of highly experienced players, leaders, who have been available on free transfers that we've ignored. Yes their wages would be high, but the alternative is now plain to see. 

Now this buy to sell policy has got even worse now the SR clowns have bowled up. They are clearly way out of their depth with no obvious plan other than doubling down on their policy.

A total root and branch reset is needed, but unless Dragan Solak gets involved, and their is no sign of that, we're screwed. Think of the bunch (who's name I forget) but who sniffed around us before buying Coventry City to see where we're heading under SR.

[Mr X]

11 minutes ago, Morse said:

The problems began before SR trundled up. It was Semmens who started the policy of 'buy-to-sell'; the idea that buying promosing youth, proving their ability in the premiership and then selling on for a profit. Simple if it works. 

However, it ignores the need to buy players to build a team. It also ignores the need for young players to have experienced players to learn from. I've lost count of the number of highly experienced players, leaders, who have been available on free transfers that we've ignored. Yes their wages would be high, but the alternative is now plain to see. 

Now this buy to sell policy has got even worse now the SR clowns have bowled up. They are clearly way out of their depth with no obvious plan other than doubling down on their policy.

A total root and branch reset is needed, but unless Dragan Solak gets involved, and their is no sign of that, we're screwed. Think of the bunch (who's name I forget) but who sniffed around us before buying Coventry City to see where we're heading under SR.

Weren't we told that was the reason behind signing Theo? wasn't he supposed to be the great motivational changing room speaker?..... thats worked out well 

[CB Fry]

21 minutes ago, Morse said:

It was Semmens who started the policy of 'buy-to-sell

I think that started way before Semmens rocked up.

Mane, Van Dyke, Hojberg, Gunn, etc etc etc - good or bad we have always signed younger players with an expectation to sell onward.

Sports Republic are the ones that took on an nice idea (that was demonstrated quite well with Livramento) and turned into the fundamental strategy of the whole club and lets make this the main thing we do and spunk all the money on it. Too clever by half.

I can remember this time last year there were plenty of folk here who were enthusiastic about building a team of Livramentos but that was always pie in the sky for the reasons you say.

You never win anything with kids.

Edited 5 April, 2023 by CB Fry

[Turkish]

17 minutes ago, Morse said:

The problems began before SR trundled up. It was Semmens who started the policy of 'buy-to-sell'; the idea that buying promosing youth, proving their ability in the premiership and then selling on for a profit. Simple if it works. 

However, it ignores the need to buy players to build a team. It also ignores the need for young players to have experienced players to learn from. I've lost count of the number of highly experienced players, leaders, who have been available on free transfers that we've ignored. Yes their wages would be high, but the alternative is now plain to see. 

Now this buy to sell policy has got even worse now the SR clowns have bowled up. They are clearly way out of their depth with no obvious plan other than doubling down on their policy.

A total root and branch reset is needed, but unless Dragan Solak gets involved, and their is no sign of that, we're screwed. Think of the bunch (who's name I forget) but who sniffed around us before buying Coventry City to see where we're heading under SR.

We had sell to buy policy long before Semmens rocked up. Even back in Lowe’s day we operated this model. On our way back up we spent a large amount, relatively and first couple of season back like all clubs do. It was when Kruger and co came in that we went back to sell to buy, remember the summer of 2014 when we had loads of sales and Kruger said every penny spent would be reinvested on incoming transfers, then he changed his words and said that it would have to cover wages and fees as well. 
 

we’ve been the only club to run this model over an extended period of time were net spend champions of Europe! it’s ironic that the first year we actually have a large net spend we have one of our worst seasons ever 

 

and I completely agree with you about younger players to learn from, we seem to think we can build a team full of kids and let them all swim easily in the premier league, it never works. Most of These players have never played a top flight match before it was insanity to think they were suddenly going to all be brilliant. 

Edited 5 April, 2023 by Turkish

[AlexLaw76]

19 minutes ago, Morse said:

The problems began before SR trundled up. It was Semmens who started the policy of 'buy-to-sell'; the idea that buying promosing youth, proving their ability in the premiership and then selling on for a profit. Simple if it works. 

However, it ignores the need to buy players to build a team. It also ignores the need for young players to have experienced players to learn from. I've lost count of the number of highly experienced players, leaders, who have been available on free transfers that we've ignored. Yes their wages would be high, but the alternative is now plain to see. 

Now this buy to sell policy has got even worse now the SR clowns have bowled up. They are clearly way out of their depth with no obvious plan other than doubling down on their policy.

A total root and branch reset is needed, but unless Dragan Solak gets involved, and their is no sign of that, we're screwed. Think of the bunch (who's name I forget) but who sniffed around us before buying Coventry City to see where we're heading under SR.

We let Romeu leave - when Lavia was injured pretty badly - and the forum nutters cheered it on

[influx]

On 02/04/2023 at 19:10, bpsaint said:

Go fuck yourself. Sick of this shit.

you're 'ard 

[Master Bates]

Takeover news

http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-pushing-agents-summer-signings-rasmus-ankersen-big-plans/

[Mr Saints]

10 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

Takeover news

http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-pushing-agents-summer-signings-rasmus-ankersen-big-plans/

Hopefully they're willing to take Mara, Diallo, Perraud and any other ex-Ligue 1 donkeys on our books.

[Chez]

13 hours ago, bpsaint said:

If you’ve got 3 interested parties all willing to pay the same amount, but two of those parties are slightly richer but admit they want to bin you off, and the other want to keep you on in a 6 figure salary role which one would you put forward as the best option?

Semmens has already admitted he was the lead man behind the decision in an interview.

They've made it sound like he was the `decision maker', but he wasn't. Not a chance in hell a serious buyer that offered more money had to go through an interview process conducted by Semmens to decide if he was the winning bidder. There will have been a vetting process to see who was genuine and who wasn't. After that, the largest (and probably only) bid will have won the day. It wasn't a fucking job interview for Dragon and any discussions will probably have no doubt constituted a job interview for Semmens. Semmens retained his role because SR wanted someone that could help the transition from old to new.

[pimpin4rizeal]

6 hours ago, Turkish said:

We had sell to buy policy long before Semmens rocked up. Even back in Lowe’s day we operated this model. On our way back up we spent a large amount, relatively and first couple of season back like all clubs do. It was when Kruger and co came in that we went back to sell to buy, remember the summer of 2014 when we had loads of sales and Kruger said every penny spent would be reinvested on incoming transfers, then he changed his words and said that it would have to cover wages and fees as well. 
 

we’ve been the only club to run this model over an extended period of time were net spend champions of Europe! it’s ironic that the first year we actually have a large net spend we have one of our worst seasons ever 

 

and I completely agree with you about younger players to learn from, we seem to think we can build a team full of kids and let them all swim easily in the premier league, it never works. Most of These players have never played a top flight match before it was insanity to think they were suddenly going to all be brilliant. 

I think one of the biggest problems and this isn’t just under sports republic is there seems to be a huge disconnect between the signings we make and the use of them.

look at elounoussi we must have probably signed over 6-7 attacking winger types after him maybe more (can’t be bothered to count right now) he was seen as not good enough and farmed out to Celtic, yet here we are we just have a new record 22m signing in sulemana. And still moi is there in front of him   So on this it just looks like ankersson and the now new manager selles are not on the same page 

it really shouldn’t be too difficult to highlight the weaknesses in our side and upgrade on them ( it’s not a high bar is it ?)but we are failing miserably similar case with adams, 

really everyone needs to get on the same page with our transfer strategy .. if the manager isn’t on board with the new striker or winger being better then moi or adams there is zero point in making the signings.. too much of this is leading to where we are now 

[bpsaint]

I’m almost starting to think Rasmus wants us to go down, whilst making it look like SR are trying to keep us up, just so he can play the hero next season masterminding promotion and do a load of TED talks about how brilliant he is.

[Daft Kerplunk]

21 hours ago, Chez said:

They've made it sound like he was the `decision maker', but he wasn't. Not a chance in hell a serious buyer that offered more money had to go through an interview process conducted by Semmens to decide if he was the winning bidder. There will have been a vetting process to see who was genuine and who wasn't. After that, the largest (and probably only) bid will have won the day. It wasn't a fucking job interview for Dragon and any discussions will probably have no doubt constituted a job interview for Semmens. Semmens retained his role because SR wanted someone that could help the transition from old to new.

There is logic here but Martin Semmens has had the ear of Katrina (still has a stake) for years. He managed to work his way through Gareth Rogers, Ralph Kruger to get to the top job. He was the person who found and led the sale of Kat’s first sale to Gao, then was a key person in the most recent takeover. He needs to go now, and SR may make this decision but Semmens has been the key player behind the scenes, and more recently, in front, for a good number of years. I know people at the club who would back this up, as making it up would be weird. 

[Archers Road Stand]

Once again these two cunts are getting a free pass at the stadium. 

[Convict Colony]

54 minutes ago, Archers Road Stand said:

Once again these two cunts are getting a free pass at the stadium. 

unfortunately that horse has bolted and to be honest no one is more stressed and fucked than ankersen, he's put his and his investors money into us and spent big, picked the worlds fittest man as a football manager and will now be relegated.

He must be dreading every phone called currently.

[Weston Super Saint]

20 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

 

He must be dreading every phone called currently.

I've always dreaded every phone that has its own name.

[Badger]

25 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

He must be dreading every phone called currently.

Yes, the fear of someone cancelling a Ted Talk, or declining to publish his latest motivational book must keep him and his ego awake at night. 

[verlaine1979]

On 05/04/2023 at 04:27, Chez said:

They've made it sound like he was the `decision maker', but he wasn't. Not a chance in hell a serious buyer that offered more money had to go through an interview process conducted by Semmens to decide if he was the winning bidder. There will have been a vetting process to see who was genuine and who wasn't. After that, the largest (and probably only) bid will have won the day. It wasn't a fucking job interview for Dragon and any discussions will probably have no doubt constituted a job interview for Semmens. Semmens retained his role because SR wanted someone that could help the transition from old to new.

This 100% - the idea that Semmens somehow acted as gatekeeper is ludicrous. You want to buy a football club, you talk to the person that owns it. And if you're a Chinese national who rather desperately needs to sell an asset worth hundreds of millions, you don't let one of your distant employees make a decision like that for you.

All of Semmens' comments about SR being the best fit after the sale are just spin. He was a marketer by trade before he got involved with saints, so he can't help marketing himself.