 | News
Comment | Now Spygate Has Calmed Down Where Do Tonda Eckert And Southampton Stand
at 12:12:03
A few points at random:
1) Southampton FC have played this very badly - something I put down to the CEO, who seems to have been in charge of the response to the EFL process. I'm afraid he has to go, as he appears to have been totally out of his depth;
2) The biggest "victims" in the whole sorry saga appear to have been the players and the supporters of Southampton. As a result, it is clear that the punishment is completely disproportionate to the offence and has effectively punished the innocent;
3) I think that the EFL need to be investigated for a number of issues:
a) their seeming close association with Middlesborough. It would be perfectly reasonable to investigate any correspondence, official or unofficial, between Middlesborough, the EFL and the so called "independent" panel on the grounds that fraud may have been perpetrated;
b) their role in allowing Southampton to sell tickets for the play off final. As I understand it, Southampton and Hull were in effect acting as agents on behalf of the EFL. As such giving Southampton the green light to go ahead and sell tickets for an event that was in significant doubt is also, in my opinion, worthy of investigation for fraud;
c) Due to points a & b above, I would suspect that those who were mis-sold tickets to the final and incurring travel costs, which they cannot reclaim, could well have a case for instituting a class action law suit against the EFL for mis-selling;
3) Personally, I'm in the keep Tonda camp. I don't care what other supporters think of Saints and I can't believe that other clubs don't commit similar misdemeanours and I don't want to be anyone's "second" team. I really value the hard edge that he has brought to Saints and our success since he came is not down to spying but excellent motivation of players and coaching. |
| News
Comment | Southampton FC Chairman Stepping Down
at 13:17:59
I get what Solak brings to the party - money. I get what Ankersen brings to the party - alleged football experience. I have no idea what Kraft brings to the party - does anyone know? |
| News
Comment | Saints Get Pricing Badly Wrong As Set For Lowest FA Cup Attendance in 15 Years
at 11:29:03
Nick, on another thread, you said recently "Phil Parsons is doing an Ok job from a business perspective, but he doesn't have the nous from a footballing one." Do you believe that pricing for the Swansea game is an example of a ok business decision or do you have other examples?
I would actually argue that part of Saints problem is that many of the business decisions since well before SR took over have been woeful and that businessmen such as Kraft, Solak & Parsons (and before them Gao and Semmens) have actually been pretty poor at running an effective business - not least through completely ignoring their "customer base". |
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Comment | Southampton Need To Unite The Supporters With Next Manager Appointment
at 11:31:59
Nick - overall a reasonable article but I disagree with your comments about SR.
Of course they have had a lot of flak - they have mismanaged Saints during their tenure (along with Valenciennes to be honest). They may have thrown some money at the club but as anyone who understands business knows - execution and implementation are critical and in this they have abjectly failed. They do need to show strong leadership - again, something they have failed to do so far.
StMichael referenced a plan recently and you say that Sport Republic's vision is long term - could you explain what that vision and plan is? Again, anyone with an understanding of business is that it's a balance of long term and short term and that (short term) tactics are a means of executing (long term) strategy.
The owners/board are only there as caretakers for the duration and need to balance skills of running a football club with business management skills. They have had the best part of three years after all - not a short amount of time! Measuring over this time scale, it's very difficult to cut them any slack and I have little optimism for the future of Saints under their ownership.
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| News
Comment | Would Southampton Fans Welcome Back Adam Lallana To St Mary's
at 14:18:58
It's simple - so let's be pragmatic! If he can contribute then yes, if not then no! It's worth saying that he has experience of our last "first season back" so should understand the challenges. I'm no expert but I am happy to leave it in the hands of those that are.
I would probably take back JWP - but I would want him to step up as a leader more than previously. |
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Comment | Southampton V Leeds United The Wembley Play Off Final Verdict
at 10:31:19
Congrats to everyone from SR through RM, the players to the fans! I didn't dream that we would bounce straight back up and, although I am still not 100% convinced by RM, I feel that he deserves his shot at the Premier League, especially as he has developed some alternative tactics. I have also been impressed by how certain players have stepped up in the last couple of weeks - again, this has bought them a chance next season.
Hopefully we get the recruitment right in the summer. This will involve Saints being brutal about the non-achievers and those who don't want to be at the club as well as buying wisely, rather than just following a dogmatic mantra.
It seems that Saints actually seem to thrive on adversity. Anyway, now is the time to celebrate and relax! |
| News
Comment | Southampton At Brighton The Verdict
at 11:01:59
Although the gut next to Nick was right it's worth bearing in mind that he literally could not have done worse - we are comfortably bottom!
What a horrible season it has been. The worst thing for me is how the enjoyment and fun has been sucked out of watching Saints - there has been so little pleasure ever since Gao took over and this has been made even worse by SR.
Unfortunately, although I want to look forward, I see nothing in SR's tenure (other than spunking the cash, which is not sustainable) that suggests our forward momentum will be any better than our historical momentum. |
| News
Comment | Southampton At Nottingham Forest The Verdict
at 13:57:31
Abrowne - some good suggestions.
However, would players like Aribo and Stephens be willing to be second string? Also, there is no spine - we need some leadership and experience. |
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Comment | Southampton At Manchester United The Verdict
at 12:12:22
Peter - there is an obvious choice: Jose Fonte.
Surprised no one has mentioned the online racist abuse of KWP. I've seen a lot of whinging from United "fans" today - they are genuinely pathetic. |
| News
Comment | Southampton Take A Big Leap Of Faith With Ruben Selles
at 12:32:17
Chesh - you make good points. However, Dyche is a ship which has sailed and Potter is a ship which is still in port!
I suspect Potter may be sacked at the end of the season, in which case a Potter/Selles combo may actually be something of a dream team for a club like Saints.
For right now, I think Selles is the logical option and a short term contract is exactly the right move. It is important that everyone gets behind him for the rest of the season. |
| News
Comment | Southampton Take A Big Leap Of Faith With Ruben Selles
at 11:56:41
I think this is a sensible decision. He has good credentials as an assistant, by all accounts he is a good coach and seems to have a good rapport with the players. There appears to be no better option at the moment. However, I would bring in someone like Lawrie to act as a short term mentor for him and to act as a sounding board.
Relegation is clearly still a possibility but personally I see light at the end of the tunnel. |
| News
Comment | Southampton At Everton The Verdict
at 12:26:24
All I want to see is the players try - this was absent up t the Palace cup game but the last week has turned things around. I was very pessimistic before that game. Ten days later, I am not optimistic but I feel we have a FIGHTING chance! Time to give the manager and the team our full backing until the end of the season and then let's see where we are. |
| News
Comment | Watt View - Time To Assess The Options
at 17:10:19
Colburn - you have expressed it better than me! I also admire Nick's passion and support for the team we all love. We are all on the same side and I think it reflects badly on the management of the club that it has sown division amongst the supporters (who are here before, during and after) the management.
I think we are all worried about the future direction of the club and I can't help but compare our "progress" with that of a comparable club - Brighton. |
| News
Comment | Watt View - Time To Assess The Options
at 16:17:40
ElSanto - I'm afraid I have to disagree with you.
As examples, Nick's consistent defence of Gao and attacking of Yoshida are testament to the lack of balance, as well as his continued disdain for Saints' fans. Others are equally guilty and every one is entitled to their own opinions. I agree with some of his opinions but to say they are balanced is just not correct.
It's not a question of seeing what I want to see. I agree with some of his opinions but to say they are balanced is just not correct. If you were to look at my education and professional career you would see that I have the required intellect to see multiple facets of an argument. Perhaps you shouldn't jump to conclusions without knowing the full facts! |
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