View From The Top Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 After seeing Saints in a couple of pre-season games I said on here that whilst we play nice football we were too lightweight and didn't have enough goals in the team and that, combined with an inexperienced manager, we'd go down. The usual Lowe Luvvie suspects slated that view, I wasn't a real fan etc........ As far as I am concerned, their blind acceptance of Lowe and his regime makes them complicit in our demise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjphilsaint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 this is not the club it used to be. No grafters, no hard men ,no raw talent or leadership to get us out of this situation. When in "survival" mode we nearly always were just keeping our heads above the drop zone... we dont have any of these qualities or circumstances,, we are down and showing no signs of improvement. The worst part is that next year we could be going through this all over again!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidthesquid Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 The Forest game did it for me. It's not lack of effort from our lads - they just aren't collectively good enough. That young Forest team (younger than ours) outplayed us. We are not getting bullied out of games, we are either getting played out of them or shooting ourselves in the foot. It's likely Pompey - play one poorly & get turned over, play well and get beaten by 'bad luck' - classic relegation form I'll keep going, though, & I'll go next season. You have to keep the faith.........(Don't you?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 The writing was on the wall after the Watford capitulation and we have pretty much continued down the slippery slope since... And now we are truly awfull.. Going down.. The only chance we have and it`s slim one is to have acomplete change at the team coaching/management level... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judge_B Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 There are almost two different questions here. Do I think we can stay up? Yes, I think we can. If we were to get 3 or 4 wins in the next 6 or 7 games then our position would look much better. Do I think we will stay up? No, right now I don't think we will. I think we're a better team for the addition of Saga, and I think we're a little bit better defensively than we have been at certain points this season, but I agree with others when they say that they can't see where the next win is coming from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsacar saint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Had the club appointed Davies, dowie[ or another British manager, who knows - The Championship- maybe]. However with Lowe continuing with his blinkered dutch experiment, I cannot see us staying up.[ I sincerely hope that I am wrong]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windmill Arm 2 Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We are down, its just a matter of making it official. This club is on its knees, its the worst its ever been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musesaint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We are dead in the water And those ... whoever they are....responsible for loaning out key players for all/much of the season are solely responsible ...what looked like a clever plan to save a few pennies has predictably cost the club far far more At least we'll have the best stadium in League 1 ...even if most of it will be closed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 i reckon we need 20 points from 15 games but i cant see how we will achieve it so down we go. shame really as it looks like the skates might drop down a league as well,it would be nice to meet them again;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We need a miracle. We are going down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Block 5 Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Had a bet with a mate (Saints fan) at the beginning of the season. I bet £50 that we would stay up. He's already planning how to spend the cash! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfcmick Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We are just not good enough , I honestly believe we will finish rock bottom. Wotte is next to useless as the results show. I would start thinking about how SFC can survive in Div1 because this side will struggle to do just that. We need major changes, these will come over time and lets hope this great club can one day return to better times. One thing I do know, i will always remain a loyal supporter and some how get through this embarrassing time, hoping someone will takeover the club and put it's best interests above all else unlike that money grabbing two faced arse wipe Lowe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We are just not good enough , I honestly believe we will finish rock bottom. Wotte is next to useless as the results show. I would start thinking about how SFC can survive in Div1 because this side will struggle to do just that. We need major changes, these will come over time and lets hope this great club can one day return to better times. One thing I do know, i will always remain a loyal supporter and some how get through this embarrassing time, hoping someone will takeover the club and put it's best interests above all else unlike that money grabbing two faced arse wipe Lowe. lowe is already planning for league 1 in the same way as he prepared for the championship,i think you will find we will be relegated well before the end of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I am a bit shocked at the realistic polling on display here. Gone is the blind optimism. 86% think we are doomed. Almost gone are the naive useful idiots that supported Lowe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egreog Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 None of the attributes required for a survival fight appear to be present in this sorry shower.........at least last season the manager was a fighter......and the players somehow baled us out on the last day............this year there appears to be none of the needed grit, determination, graft, will to win, desire, and sheer "roll the sleeves" up and hard work attitude necessary to survive in ANY league of football, which is why, without some severe changes the position next year in Division 3 will be exactly the same.........only that more fans will have drifted away to other pursuits and it will be very hard to get them back...........one way ticket i'm afraid!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I do think we are going down this season. I havge pretty much given up. I have tried to hope but those hopes have been repeatedly dashed to the floor by possibly the worst team I have ever seen in Saints shirts repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot. So I've stopped hoping, just given up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I'm sorry, I just can't vote. My head can't see us having the resilience to carve out the points we need. It's our rivals that are digging deep and finding the will to succeed more than us, sadly. The squad has been weakened too much, and lacks confidence. But I still cling to that glimmer of hope. That is why I can't bring myself to formally condemn them on here -yet. I feel like Macbeth. If 'twere done, it were well it were done quickly (or words to that effect) My biggest worry is that we will fudge going into administration before it is too late to have points deducted this season, not next. Which are contradictory aims. Do we go for administration before we are mathematically relegated? Or do we start planning for promotion from League 1 now? Another poll on this, mods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Had the club appointed Davies, dowie[ or another British manager, who knows - The Championship- maybe]. However with Lowe continuing with his blinkered dutch experiment, I cannot see us staying up.[ I sincerely hope that I am wrong]. Not to mention keeping Pearson on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I know they only drew to day, but you look at the mix of experience with youth at Leicester and realise what a MISTAKE rupert made. I still believe we can get out of it but NOT with the current way of thinking at SMS we need a big old fashioned centre forward who can finish , not a team of circus jugglers The mix of experience and youth. Well we certainly have that, but overall I would not rate our senior players even up to Leicester's standard and there lies the problem. We have been competing with League 1 teams and lower for players, so it should hardly be a surprise we are in this position. Many fans stated that it would be no surprise under Pearson this season to be in this position. We lost a hell of a lot of better players from that squad and only ended up avoiding relegation on the last day of the season by a shed load of luck. Why are you suddenly surprised to find us in this position? it was so clearly on the cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woksaintly Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 If we go into Administration we will be relegated. If Lowe stays we will be relegated. If Wotte stays we will be relegated. So relagation is inevitable and perhaps the only way we can get rid off all the baggage that has caused our decline. In some ways I welcome it. If we stayed up Lowe will feel vindicated at least until season ticket sales for next year are published.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 As per the thread title, my vote is based on what I have seen with my own eyes, and I do not just mean the football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Marco Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 As i said at the start of pre-season when we brought in the dutch guys, things will be very difficult for us in a CCC league that seems to improve every year. If we could get into the new year without being in the drop zone we had a chance to survive. Sadly that did not happen and we are now looking at needing a complete reversal of form. We need to win about 7-8 of our remaining games which is a 50% win ratio to stand a chance. Wotte sounds to me like Ruperts lover the more i hear him speak so that makes me worried but also certain that he is here for the long haul even if we go down. So i can't see us surviving to be honest. We need a miracle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidthesquid Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I am a bit shocked at the realistic polling on display here. Gone is the blind optimism. 86% think we are doomed. Almost gone are the naive useful idiots that supported Lowe. It's worse than you thought - I couldn't be bothered to read the whole question & ticked No..... I actually meant yes we're doomed. Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExSt Peter Saint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I've been resigned to it for some time - makes life easier. I still hope for wins when we're playing, but I know there won't be enough of them even if there is the odd decent performance. Even if we got rid of Wotte now and put a proper manager in place, I doubt they'd be able to pull things round. Spirit of Southampton is totally crushed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 In retrospect I think that Wotte might have been a better bet for 1st team coach and JP below him...but the damage is done. At Christmas I thought we might be able to scrap our way out of it, but the other teams, apart frpm Charlton, seem more able than us to get the points needed. I think that Wotte will do slightly better than JP but I can't see us winning enough matches sadly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delmary Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 In retrospect I think that Wotte might have been a better bet for 1st team coach and JP below him...but the damage is done. At Christmas I thought we might be able to scrap our way out of it, but the other teams, apart frpm Charlton, seem more able than us to get the points needed. I think that Wotte will do slightly better than JP but I can't see us winning enough matches sadly.We're as good as down. Therefore, the club should be planning for Div 1 now. Our scouting network should be fully focused on picking up decent players on the cheap or free from the lower leagues, including non-league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilko Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Pointless exercise, but I voted anyway. We're dead men walking as far as I'm concerned, but there's no reason to get down about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 this is not the club it used to be. No grafters, no hard men ,no raw talent or leadership to get us out of this situation. When in "survival" mode we nearly always were just keeping our heads above the drop zone... we dont have any of these qualities or circumstances,, we are down and showing no signs of improvement. The worst part is that next year we could be going through this all over again!!! You're dead right in what you say. Next season in League 1 i expect we'll be fighting a relegation battle. Forget our history, our facilities and our massive stadium - the players are sh1te and mainly of League 2/non league standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We need to win b2b games and we haven't done that all season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steeleye Saint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Am with Huffton on this; cannot see where the next win is going to come from. have resigned myself to the inevitable, sadly. Me too. Just had a look at the predictor part of BBC football and really couldn't say with any confidence that we'll win any of the remaining games. I'm sure we'll win some, but nowhere near enough, sorry to say. I'm resigned to relegation now, just hope it leads to a change at the top. :smt022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Lowe wouldn't quit when we go down, nor will he accept that his crazy dutch experiment is anything to do with it. It is up to us to drive him out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We need to win b2b games and we haven't done that all season. We have actually. If you remember back this is when Lowe issued this statement. We are fortunate that, as a result of the long term Academy plan, we have been able to mould a team of young, dedicated and technically able players, many of whom had been previously overlooked for first team selection. "Together with some limited, but astute, signings, Jan Poortvliet and his staff have worked to play an attacking brand of Dutch football that makes the most of the technical abilities which the players were taught by Georges Prost and Stewart Henderson as they progressed through the Academy. "The prevailing view amongst the English football establishment was that we would struggle to win any games playing with such a young team. "We have disproved this theory by playing some very entertaining football and whilst at the time of writing we have obtained 16 points from 17 games, we are confident that we will become stronger as the season progresses. "We are proud that our team usually includes a very high percentage of Academy players who are British, some of whom are already being recognised by their national teams. "This gives us a very good foundation upon which to build and benefit from the talents of our entire squad. "We are under no illusion that our progress can be taken for granted and there will, undoubtedly, be some “ups and downs.” "Building the foundation was always going to be the hardest part but we have achieved this. "People are now beginning to sit up and take notice of our achievements under Jan Poortvliet, which has brought praise from many quarters. "Our recent match against Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers is a prime example with their experienced striker Chris Iwelumo stating after the match that Saints were one of the best footballing sides he had come across in the division this season, and consequently one of the most attractive to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjphilsaint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We have actually. If you remember back this is when Lowe issued this statement. We are fortunate that, as a result of the long term Academy plan, we have been able to mould a team of young, dedicated and technically able players, many of whom had been previously overlooked for first team selection. "Together with some limited, but astute, signings, Jan Poortvliet and his staff have worked to play an attacking brand of Dutch football that makes the most of the technical abilities which the players were taught by Georges Prost and Stewart Henderson as they progressed through the Academy. "The prevailing view amongst the English football establishment was that we would struggle to win any games playing with such a young team. "We have disproved this theory by playing some very entertaining football and whilst at the time of writing we have obtained 16 points from 17 games, we are confident that we will become stronger as the season progresses. "We are proud that our team usually includes a very high percentage of Academy players who are British, some of whom are already being recognised by their national teams. "This gives us a very good foundation upon which to build and benefit from the talents of our entire squad. "We are under no illusion that our progress can be taken for granted and there will, undoubtedly, be some “ups and downs.” "Building the foundation was always going to be the hardest part but we have achieved this. "People are now beginning to sit up and take notice of our achievements under Jan Poortvliet, which has brought praise from many quarters. "Our recent match against Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers is a prime example with their experienced striker Chris Iwelumo stating after the match that Saints were one of the best footballing sides he had come across in the division this season, and consequently one of the most attractive to watch. Yes good examples o f straws being tightly cluthched... on yer tractoe faaaaaaaaaaaarmaaar Lowe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 No chance of staying up with Lowe driving a club policy of who can play and Wotte managing to do nothing more than brush his hair. If we get an English manager and Crouch in (briefly) we may survive just, but given the current leadership and the fact that our decent players will desert in droves at the end of the season with the current manager, we're not just heading for League 1 but League 2. I have no doubts having watched a couple of League 1 games this season, we are not good enough for League 1 as it is let alone when we losae players. We need a new manager and new chairman. Now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We have actually. If you remember back this is when Lowe issued this statement. We are fortunate that, as a result of the long term Academy plan, we have been able to mould a team of young, dedicated and technically able players, many of whom had been previously overlooked for first team selection. "Together with some limited, but astute, signings, Jan Poortvliet and his staff have worked to play an attacking brand of Dutch football that makes the most of the technical abilities which the players were taught by Georges Prost and Stewart Henderson as they progressed through the Academy. "The prevailing view amongst the English football establishment was that we would struggle to win any games playing with such a young team. "We have disproved this theory by playing some very entertaining football and whilst at the time of writing we have obtained 16 points from 17 games, we are confident that we will become stronger as the season progresses. "We are proud that our team usually includes a very high percentage of Academy players who are British, some of whom are already being recognised by their national teams. "This gives us a very good foundation upon which to build and benefit from the talents of our entire squad. "We are under no illusion that our progress can be taken for granted and there will, undoubtedly, be some “ups and downs.” "Building the foundation was always going to be the hardest part but we have achieved this. "People are now beginning to sit up and take notice of our achievements under Jan Poortvliet, which has brought praise from many quarters. "Our recent match against Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers is a prime example with their experienced striker Chris Iwelumo stating after the match that Saints were one of the best footballing sides he had come across in the division this season, and consequently one of the most attractive to watch. I laughed before and when he issued this statement. And I laugh again now. Another Lowe'd of crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WealdSaint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Sadly the opportunity has passed. A new manger during January, a less controversial chairman and we might have had a fighting chance. Don't get me wrong, I'll be hoping against hope every remaining match, and I'll be as happy as anybody if we pull the rabbit out of the hat and stay up. But just can't see it. Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I almost think it is necessary to take the club down and to have a total collapse so we can burn the rot and rebuild fresh from the ashes with a new manager and a new board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I almost think it is necessary to take the club down and to have a total collapse so we can burn the rot and rebuild fresh from the ashes with a new manager and a new board. Who would you suggest as manager ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Who would you suggest as manager ? LOL! You stirring b'stard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponty Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I thought we'd go down last year and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought we'd stay up in our relegation year and I was unpleasantly shocked. This year I'm convinced we're for the drop. I can't see how we're going to get the form we'll need to pull off another escape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Man Do Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I dont want the team to make us safe for the board to keep there jobs cause IMO there all toss pots. I want them to get the points for us because collectivly the fans have put more into football than any of the gifted few will ever dream about and its about time they pulled there frigging socks up. See as much as I dont like the board I cant agree with that comment. You dont want the team to win because then the board would keep their jobs? So you're suggesting if we we winning every week and top of the league you'd still have an axe to grind with Rupert Lowe being in charge? Lets face facts the board is an issue ONLY because the team is so awful. Yes yes created by the board but were talking your hypothetical saints to win win win scenario! As for the bigger question ... after Tuesday and sats results were doomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheff Saint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 In retrospect I think that Wotte might have been a better bet for 1st team coach and JP below him...but the damage is done. At Christmas I thought we might be able to scrap our way out of it, but the other teams, apart frpm Charlton, seem more able than us to get the points needed. I think that Wotte will do slightly better than JP but I can't see us winning enough matches sadly. In retrospect it might just have been better to keep NP and leave Wotte and JP in Holland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Landrew Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I dont want the team to make us safe for the board to keep there jobs cause IMO there all toss pots. I want them to get the points for us because collectivly the fans have put more into football than any of the gifted few will ever dream about and its about time they pulled there frigging socks up. See as much as I dont like the board I cant agree with that comment. You dont want the team to win because then the board would keep their jobs? So you're suggesting if we we winning every week and top of the league you'd still have an axe to grind with Rupert Lowe being in charge? Lets face facts the board is an issue ONLY because the team is so awful. Yes yes created by the board but were talking your hypothetical saints to win win win scenario! As for the bigger question ... after Tuesday and sats results were doomed. I think I have to defend this. I don't think Saintjay means what you think he means. It's possible to not like the Board, and yet wish the club well. It's also possible for the club to do well, yet not like the composition of the Board. Usually, these feelings come with a little knowledge of previous history, and I don't think they are entirely without foundation. As for my feelings on the subject, I go from despairing resignation to deep frustration and back. There's nothing one can do, and yet I can see Southampton Football Club making the same mistakes as it has always done. And that is being too cheap. They were being too cheap in the early 80's, when a Championship was begging to be won. They were too cheap to back Lawrie. They were too cheap during the early 90's, when they could have kept a great little squad of players together. They were being cheap [and cunning with it] with the reverse takeover. They were too cheap 5 seasons ago, and got relegated, and they're being too cheap now. And the peculiar thing is that this cheapness is going to cost Saints a lot of money in income. So they'll no doubt continue to play the cheap card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I don't know why but I think we will survive (unless we got into admin). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Landrew Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 I don't know why but I think we will survive (unless we got into admin). Norm, the question was framed as head over heart. Do you really think we'll stay up..? Think of the Premiership relegation. We went down then, when we were in a better position, in that league, than this one. The days are over when this club could seemingly never get relegated, despite everyone saying so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handyman Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 With the shambles at St Marys I'm beginning not to care, but then it looks like I'm not the only one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Norm, the question was framed as head over heart. Do you really think we'll stay up..? Think of the Premiership relegation. We went down then, when we were in a better position, in that league, than this one. The days are over when this club could seemingly never get relegated, despite everyone saying so. Andy, head and heart both vote for us to stay up! I don't know if my thinking is being influenced by the display V Swansea but I just have this feeling that we can turn this around. Call it blind faith or rose tinted specs, it looks grim but there is still a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amesbury Saint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 we are down. I cannot see were we are going to win more than one or two matches. AllI hope is that someone buys the club and sets a realistic plan for next season based on experienced manager / players needed for a L1 side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuRomseySaint Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 We are down, there is no way back other than... a) A miracle. b) A change of board, with a well known English manager to get the team to get the points we need. So, administration is inevitable, a miracle is not going to happen so we need to do all we can to get Lowe and Wilde out asap to get someone in to change things round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Landrew Posted 8 February, 2009 Share Posted 8 February, 2009 Andy, head and heart both vote for us to stay up! I don't know if my thinking is being influenced by the display V Swansea but I just have this feeling that we can turn this around. Call it blind faith or rose tinted specs, it looks grim but there is still a chance. Of course there is, and I won't give up hoping until that chance is gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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