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Poortvliet happy - even if he can't add to Saints' squad
6:30am Thursday 28th August 2008
Comments (60)
By Adrian Kajumba »
JAN Poortvliet has spoken of his delight about the strength in depth he now possesses in his Saints squad.
The Dutchman revealed last week that he felt his side was one central defender and one striker short of having the required back-up and competition that he wanted.
And he moved quickly to fill those gaps by capturing defender Jack Cork and striker Tomas Pekhart on loan until January 2009 from Premier League duo Chelsea and Spurs respectively.
With the transfer deadline looming on Monday, Poortvliet said that - if he can - he hopes to sign a player who can bring more versatility to his squad.
However he admitted that, with the club's continuing need to trim the wage bill, his hopes of adding to his squad may be restricted.
So, if he can't, he says he is more than happy to continue with what he has.
"I am totally happy, because we have everything we need and even more than that," Poortvliet said.
Full story in today's Daily Echo
Your Say YourEcho
Steve Goddard, says...
7:46am Thu 28 Aug 08
There is no point of dwelling in the past- yesterday is history.
A few years ago Alan Hansen said that famous quote"you can't win nothing with kids".
We can and we will go on to win things with the quality of football we are getting on the pitch,and a manager who is open and honest with the club's fans.
We need everyone to come back to St Mary's and fill the ground and to to do what everyone calling themselves a Saints Fan should do and back our team.
It would be be nice to see 25000+ on saturday but not likely with 2 games this week at home and being on Sky.
COYR
A few years ago Alan Hansen said that famous quote"you can't win nothing with kids".
We can and we will go on to win things with the quality of football we are getting on the pitch,and a manager who is open and honest with the club's fans.
We need everyone to come back to St Mary's and fill the ground and to to do what everyone calling themselves a Saints Fan should do and back our team.
It would be be nice to see 25000+ on saturday but not likely with 2 games this week at home and being on Sky.
COYR
eddie, says...
7:58am Thu 28 Aug 08
I was just looking at the profiles on the OS. These guys are all 21 and under, it is absolutley amazing what they are achieving, what can you say about JP, he had the skills there and he has moulded them into an efficient troop. COYR
Yorkie, Pocklington says...
8:04am Thu 28 Aug 08
I hate to pour water on your fireworks, but a leopard never changes his spots.
Come the day we need to invest to go to the next level, or top up the coffers of SLH we can expect to be selling our best players.
Rupert will blame wage demands, he will quote "he didn't want to stay", but we all know Lowe and Wilde have returned to strip what assets are left - namely the talented youngsters!
Get behind the team sure, but be under no illusions - when it's required in January or the next window - the team will be broken up!
What will you do then - all you Lowe luvvies?
Come the day we need to invest to go to the next level, or top up the coffers of SLH we can expect to be selling our best players.
Rupert will blame wage demands, he will quote "he didn't want to stay", but we all know Lowe and Wilde have returned to strip what assets are left - namely the talented youngsters!
Get behind the team sure, but be under no illusions - when it's required in January or the next window - the team will be broken up!
What will you do then - all you Lowe luvvies?
ossiesaint, at the bar says...
8:18am Thu 28 Aug 08
Lets forget RL + MW both of these do not deserve to be at our club. Lets not get too carried away with JP and his Boys Brigade but give them credit for the small steps they are making in returning Southampton FC back to where they belong. Things in space of a few days have suddenley become refreshing. COYR
eddie, says...
8:18am Thu 28 Aug 08
Yorkie wrote:Yes and if the world runs out of water we all die, get over it and enjoy what we have at the moment.
I hate to pour water on your fireworks, but a leopard never changes his spots. Come the day we need to invest to go to the next level, or top up the coffers of SLH we can expect to be selling our best players. Rupert will blame wage demands, he will quote "he didn't want to stay", but we all know Lowe and Wilde have returned to strip what assets are left - namely the talented youngsters! Get behind the team sure, but be under no illusions - when it's required in January or the next window - the team will be broken up! What will you do then - all you Lowe luvvies?
the totton scrutineer, TOTTON says...
8:25am Thu 28 Aug 08
Yorkie wrote:I'm not a Lowe luvvy but I do believe in giving credit where it is due.We are more hopeful about the future now than ever before so let's cross our bridges when we get to them.Support SFC including Lowe and co and let's see what happens.I believe we are on the verge of some thing exciting and if an odd player goes Jan has the skills to keep it going.WELL DONE JAN AND THE BOYS SUPPORT THE SAINTS WIN OR LOSE!!!
I hate to pour water on your fireworks, but a leopard never changes his spots. Come the day we need to invest to go to the next level, or top up the coffers of SLH we can expect to be selling our best players. Rupert will blame wage demands, he will quote "he didn't want to stay", but we all know Lowe and Wilde have returned to strip what assets are left - namely the talented youngsters! Get behind the team sure, but be under no illusions - when it's required in January or the next window - the team will be broken up! What will you do then - all you Lowe luvvies?
Jez, London says...
8:35am Thu 28 Aug 08
Yorkie wrote:Stuff like this really does annoy me. What do you want????
I hate to pour water on your fireworks, but a leopard never changes his spots. Come the day we need to invest to go to the next level, or top up the coffers of SLH we can expect to be selling our best players. Rupert will blame wage demands, he will quote "he didn't want to stay", but we all know Lowe and Wilde have returned to strip what assets are left - namely the talented youngsters! Get behind the team sure, but be under no illusions - when it's required in January or the next window - the team will be broken up! What will you do then - all you Lowe luvvies?
The club is in desperate financial trouble and only 1 bloke wants to run it (and has enough backing to do so). He's gone out on a limb and made a hugely controversial decision to ditch all the old guard, slash the wage bill, appoint an unknown manager and play the youth team in the most physical league in domestic football.
And astonishingly, it looks like it might even work! or if not work, at least provide more entertainment than we've had at SMS for years. And yet all some people can do is moan. I don't get it..
This is the start of a new dawn at SMS. Get behind the team!
Football Fan, Winchester says...
8:35am Thu 28 Aug 08
Yorkie wrote:Last night you said:
I hate to pour water on your fireworks, but a leopard never changes his spots. Come the day we need to invest to go to the next level, or top up the coffers of SLH we can expect to be selling our best players. Rupert will blame wage demands, he will quote \"he didn\'t want to stay\", but we all know Lowe and Wilde have returned to strip what assets are left - namely the talented youngsters! Get behind the team sure, but be under no illusions - when it\'s required in January or the next window - the team will be broken up! What will you do then - all you Lowe luvvies?
"I'm an anti-Lowe man ... but the team does it's talking on the pitch ... Still bouycotting SMS - as I will not contribute to Lowe's salary... It's a marathon not a sprint. Even young legs run out of steam eventually.... goes against the grain of being a fan - but I am not supporting the current board by spending my hard earned dosh at SMS .... Well done lads - a team to be proud of at last.... Bodes well for the future".
You haven't thought this one through Yorkie. The attendance will have no effect whatsoever on Lowe's salary. What it will do is largely determine the success of the team. Think about it. Every 1,000 fewer fans = £500,000 or so loss of income over the season = £500,000 less to spend on players = more players must be sold and/or good players not brought in. The banks now by and large determine how much money is available to be spent on the team.
By all means have a go at Lowe - but don't delude yourself that the stayaways are hurting him - they are hurting the team. For me, that's no way for a fan to behave but that's for you to decide. Just don't kid yourself that what you are doing is in any way whatsoever helping the club in the short or long term. Get down to St Mary's, support the team and demonstrate your feelings about Lowe in another way - half time demonstrations, petitions, buy a share and go to AGMs or whatever. That is a perfectly responsible approach for a Southampton fan to adopt in this situation. Cutting off the financial lifeblood of the team is giving support to our opponents in each and every game in effect if not in intent, your actions makes you a fan for the opposition in every game.
I sympathise with where you are coming from but its time to change your tactics mate. And you will see the best football you have seen from a Saints team in years.
MrPositive, Chandlers Ford says...
8:37am Thu 28 Aug 08
Like the above posts, I am not a Lowe Luvvy, but I do love Saints. I would sugest that Yorkie is one of those "my glass is half empty" merchants, but I take the "half full" view. Our coaching team and the players are doing a good job and making steady progress. They have the potential to achieve something special for the club. There might be changes at board level before January, this is outside of our control, so let's just enjoy the moment and show our appreciation for what the team are achieveing. Thanks Jan and the lads, I and many thousands more like me appreciate what you are doing. Saints Forever.
Steve, Hedge End says...
8:46am Thu 28 Aug 08
Totally agree with Steve Goddard. I have a great mistrust, dislike for Lowe and what he has done to our great club. I was a long time season ticket holder but gave it up because of this and his attitude towards the fans and his constant remarks in the press that made us a laughing stock. But I have been to all the games so far and have been massively impressed with the new set up and the performances of the team. So much so that I am going to renew my season ticket. As I see it as long as we dont get rid of any of the players who are playing at the moment apart from the likes of the couple of high earning dead wood players who are not included in the squad at the moment, we have a great chance of a bright future. But most importantly that the fans start coming back and support this young team and that Lowe maintains his Lowe profile for this to happen!! If he starts spouting off again in the media this could put off the many fans who are on the verge of getting back up to St Marys!
SteveYOT, Harefield says...
9:08am Thu 28 Aug 08
We renewed our tickets two days before we got trounced 5-0 at Hull and just before RL&MW announced their return. Just as well as I was one of those who said I'd never go whilst Lowe was in charge. Well, everybody can now say to me "told you so" and I'm happy to have been made to look a fool. It's great to have the youmg lads playing free flowing football not seen since the Nicholl (and to a lesser degree, Ball) days. Come on you Saints fans, read the posts, every 1000 fans can be an extra £500k or every 100 an extra £50k. Stand up an be counted, come put and say I am going to be one of those returning to SMS. Raise the roof for the Blackpool game, be part of it again.
Desperate, Southampton says...
9:08am Thu 28 Aug 08
Football Fan wrote:Good Post.
Yorkie wrote: I hate to pour water on your fireworks, but a leopard never changes his spots. Come the day we need to invest to go to the next level, or top up the coffers of SLH we can expect to be selling our best players. Rupert will blame wage demands, he will quote \"he didn\'t want to stay\", but we all know Lowe and Wilde have returned to strip what assets are left - namely the talented youngsters! Get behind the team sure, but be under no illusions - when it\'s required in January or the next window - the team will be broken up! What will you do then - all you Lowe luvvies?Last night you said: "I'm an anti-Lowe man ... but the team does it's talking on the pitch ... Still bouycotting SMS - as I will not contribute to Lowe's salary... It's a marathon not a sprint. Even young legs run out of steam eventually.... goes against the grain of being a fan - but I am not supporting the current board by spending my hard earned dosh at SMS .... Well done lads - a team to be proud of at last.... Bodes well for the future". You haven't thought this one through Yorkie. The attendance will have no effect whatsoever on Lowe's salary. What it will do is largely determine the success of the team. Think about it. Every 1,000 fewer fans = £500,000 or so loss of income over the season = £500,000 less to spend on players = more players must be sold and/or good players not brought in. The banks now by and large determine how much money is available to be spent on the team. By all means have a go at Lowe - but don't delude yourself that the stayaways are hurting him - they are hurting the team. For me, that's no way for a fan to behave but that's for you to decide. Just don't kid yourself that what you are doing is in any way whatsoever helping the club in the short or long term. Get down to St Mary's, support the team and demonstrate your feelings about Lowe in another way - half time demonstrations, petitions, buy a share and go to AGMs or whatever. That is a perfectly responsible approach for a Southampton fan to adopt in this situation. Cutting off the financial lifeblood of the team is giving support to our opponents in each and every game in effect if not in intent, your actions makes you a fan for the opposition in every game. I sympathise with where you are coming from but its time to change your tactics mate. And you will see the best football you have seen from a Saints team in years.
I cannot stand Lowe, but I was a season ticket holder long before he came in, and I will be long after he is gone.
The team are playing entertaining football and if you compare our position to last season we are a lot better off.
By staying away people are only hurting the club. NOT LOWE. Lowe is here and as much as I dont like it I have had to accept it. The longer people stay away, the harder it will be to eventually swallow pride.
Come back stayaways, we need you.
COYR
Barnacle Bill, wishing he was still on his holidays says...
9:12am Thu 28 Aug 08
I am not sure that I can say that I hate Rupert Lowe or indeed his mate Guy Askham for I dont know them. What I can say is that I am very angry with them both for what they have done to our great club over the last ten years and it will take a lot for me to be able to forgive them. However no one stops me supporting the team that I love and certainly not these two so my season ticket was renewed in March despite the risk that we could have been watching division one football. Having said that that what has happened at St Marys has been astonishing and it is all down to Jan. This guy is one hell of a coach and he has got our great team of young lads playing really good football. I have been really impressed watching them and they have been a joy. Great passing, good possession, good team spirit, great goals, and real commitment. Am I the only one who is reminded of Le Tiss when I look at Schneiderlin? He has a great touch is comfortable with the ball and his body shape and gait are so similar to Matts. This is a good team playing good football and that is what every Saints fan wants. So if you are still not going to St Marys to spite Rupert Lowe then you are making a big mistake as you are missing out on watching a team of great young players developing before your eyes. Forget about hating Lowe start to support Jan and his talented team of lads. Youll love every minute. I cant wait until Saturdays game what about you. Not still sulking I hope.
Lowe & Wilde OUT, says...
9:15am Thu 28 Aug 08
"Strenght in depth" ?
Looks like the smallest squad i can EVER remember.
As for the 'lets rollover and except Lowe'
nah the cloud of SMS and Southampton City will never be lifted until the RELEGATOR goes and his JUDAS sidekick scouse mike.
Loyal fan and like the majority will never surrender.
Two failed chairmen in charge of SFC is a disaster waiting to happen.
Looks like the smallest squad i can EVER remember.
As for the 'lets rollover and except Lowe'
nah the cloud of SMS and Southampton City will never be lifted until the RELEGATOR goes and his JUDAS sidekick scouse mike.
Loyal fan and like the majority will never surrender.
Two failed chairmen in charge of SFC is a disaster waiting to happen.
Graham, Herts says...
9:20am Thu 28 Aug 08
Desperate wrote:It's not an easy decision but I would agree with all these postings.
Football Fan wrote:Good Post. I cannot stand Lowe, but I was a season ticket holder long before he came in, and I will be long after he is gone. The team are playing entertaining football and if you compare our position to last season we are a lot better off. By staying away people are only hurting the club. NOT LOWE. Lowe is here and as much as I dont like it I have had to accept it. The longer people stay away, the harder it will be to eventually swallow pride. Come back stayaways, we need you. COYRYorkie wrote: I hate to pour water on your fireworks, but a leopard never changes his spots. Come the day we need to invest to go to the next level, or top up the coffers of SLH we can expect to be selling our best players. Rupert will blame wage demands, he will quote \"he didn\'t want to stay\", but we all know Lowe and Wilde have returned to strip what assets are left - namely the talented youngsters! Get behind the team sure, but be under no illusions - when it\'s required in January or the next window - the team will be broken up! What will you do then - all you Lowe luvvies?Last night you said: "I'm an anti-Lowe man ... but the team does it's talking on the pitch ... Still bouycotting SMS - as I will not contribute to Lowe's salary... It's a marathon not a sprint. Even young legs run out of steam eventually.... goes against the grain of being a fan - but I am not supporting the current board by spending my hard earned dosh at SMS .... Well done lads - a team to be proud of at last.... Bodes well for the future". You haven't thought this one through Yorkie. The attendance will have no effect whatsoever on Lowe's salary. What it will do is largely determine the success of the team. Think about it. Every 1,000 fewer fans = £500,000 or so loss of income over the season = £500,000 less to spend on players = more players must be sold and/or good players not brought in. The banks now by and large determine how much money is available to be spent on the team. By all means have a go at Lowe - but don't delude yourself that the stayaways are hurting him - they are hurting the team. For me, that's no way for a fan to behave but that's for you to decide. Just don't kid yourself that what you are doing is in any way whatsoever helping the club in the short or long term. Get down to St Mary's, support the team and demonstrate your feelings about Lowe in another way - half time demonstrations, petitions, buy a share and go to AGMs or whatever. That is a perfectly responsible approach for a Southampton fan to adopt in this situation. Cutting off the financial lifeblood of the team is giving support to our opponents in each and every game in effect if not in intent, your actions makes you a fan for the opposition in every game. I sympathise with where you are coming from but its time to change your tactics mate. And you will see the best football you have seen from a Saints team in years.
It's time to put the Team first. Woopert is an irrelevance in the history of SFC. He will be forgotten when the history of the Club is written in 2025.
7 times Premiership Champions
Cup Winners x 5
European Champions x 2
Hammered Pompey 12-0 on 3 occasions
Then I woke up.
Survival will satisfy me in the short term and maybe promotion in a year or two.
Mind you, when you look at the CRAZY figures being quoted for players today it makes you wonder whether it is now IMPOSSIBLE to get promotion and stay up
Any views?
Berkshire Saint, Berkshire says...
9:21am Thu 28 Aug 08
Well said Bill, the current side are playing great football and those staying away are only ruining our chances of keeping the side together. If we are only getting 15,000 people in each week we are bound to continue making huge losses. OK, we probably won't win the league and we will lose games, but when the side plays football and they run their socks off you can't ask for more. I'd rather see us work hard and play good stuff and get beaten fair and square than watch the drivel of the past couple of seasons where the ball was hoofed at every oppurtunity. At the end of the day football is entertainment, and at least we are getting it on the pitch rather than the off pitch circus. So get down to St Mary's and support the boys. COYR
Rob, Soton says...
9:24am Thu 28 Aug 08
Unlike most people that post on here, I will support the club through any weather, regardless of who is running things. This is because I love being at football matches & I love Saints.
The clear difference in what I have seen this season so far than last few is that that our current squad are playing for the club & not to further their own careers at the earliest possibility, this is what Saints have been missing.
With this in mind I know that when we concede goals & lose games, it will hurt our players and they will learn from it & try harder. I believe with this mentality of football we could find ourselves in a good position at the end of the season and with our young energetic squad we will out play the majority of the teams in our league in the last 1/4 of most games.
I'm looking forward to Saturday & hopefully 3 points, get behind the team on the day thats all the matters now.
Southampton Till I Die....
The clear difference in what I have seen this season so far than last few is that that our current squad are playing for the club & not to further their own careers at the earliest possibility, this is what Saints have been missing.
With this in mind I know that when we concede goals & lose games, it will hurt our players and they will learn from it & try harder. I believe with this mentality of football we could find ourselves in a good position at the end of the season and with our young energetic squad we will out play the majority of the teams in our league in the last 1/4 of most games.
I'm looking forward to Saturday & hopefully 3 points, get behind the team on the day thats all the matters now.
Southampton Till I Die....
steveYOT, Harefield says...
9:25am Thu 28 Aug 08
The reason the squad looks small (and 27 isn't that small) is because for once we aren't carrying a whole load of dead wood (1 or 2 exceptions). A big part of the Lowe, Wilde, Crouch legacy was a carnival procession of managers each of who made the squad bigger and bigger, the previous guys choices either left to rot or sold on for peanunts. Now we have a fresh young squad, all fighting and hungry to play...looks like a bigger and better squad than I can remember for a long while'
The Court Jester Crew, Park road southampton says...
9:32am Thu 28 Aug 08
We are all very pleased with the progress so far. JP seems to be able to do what he was hired for bringing on young players and getting a team of players that actually make passes to each other (not like Liverpool the other night). We sincerley hope that Saints can keep it up Gillett is a revelation this season and Schneiderlin continues to impress. The Court Jester Crew will be there thru thick and thin there is no alternative to the Saints. As every one has noted Lowe is keeping a low profile he must have tried the catering at SMS (where do they get their coffee from) and decided not to make any stupid comments. Be ready for a roller coaster ride COYR
Graham, Herts says...
9:38am Thu 28 Aug 08
The Court Jester Crew wrote:Nothing wrong with a roller coaster - usually the biggest attraction in the fair.
We are all very pleased with the progress so far. JP seems to be able to do what he was hired for bringing on young players and getting a team of players that actually make passes to each other (not like Liverpool the other night). We sincerley hope that Saints can keep it up Gillett is a revelation this season and Schneiderlin continues to impress. The Court Jester Crew will be there thru thick and thin there is no alternative to the Saints. As every one has noted Lowe is keeping a low profile he must have tried the catering at SMS (where do they get their coffee from) and decided not to make any stupid comments. Be ready for a roller coaster ride COYR
I think Saints might become something of an attraction this Season!!
andy, maybush, southampton says...
9:39am Thu 28 Aug 08
i am a season ticket holder and have been through all the difficult times we have had in the last few seasons. mr lowe i think has learned his lesson by keeping a low profile so far!!.Remember he is the plc chairman and is only interested in stabilizing the clubs and his finances.I have seen more football in the two games at sms this season than the whole of last season so i for one believe in the "kids"
Its about time that all true saints fans unite together and give EVERYONE our full backing. COYR!!
Its about time that all true saints fans unite together and give EVERYONE our full backing. COYR!!
bigrich1980, Cyprus says...
10:02am Thu 28 Aug 08
Why dont all you stay away fans go to the game and demand Lowe gives up his salary, as i understand it Wilde doesnt get paid, why should Lowe. I have unfortunately been moved away with work, otherwise i would be down St Mary's quite regularly this season, i dont know why you wont go and support, it is the one thing i miss about the UK here, watching saints play, i cant wait till saturday when they will be on TV.
Sutton Saint, says...
10:06am Thu 28 Aug 08
I have just got back from holiday and it has been so good to see common sense return to these discussion pages. There will always be different views, but the positive comments I have seen gives all true fans hope.... to the point where I immediately went online to buy my ticket for the Blackpool game... despite it being on tv, despite a 160 mile round trip from Sutton... We still will have rough times, but the new optimism I see can get us through.
Keep the faith.... the atmosphere at the ground is far better than your front room... so support the Saints both with your prescence and financial assistance.
Keep the faith.... the atmosphere at the ground is far better than your front room... so support the Saints both with your prescence and financial assistance.
Proper Football Chairman, says...
10:41am Thu 28 Aug 08
Wildew calling himself football chairman is farcical. He has had NO real input to anything thats happened since May. The dutch all down to Lowe. Incoming players again its Lowe whose doing the donkey work. Lowes man is running the club (cowen)
Wilde fails to show again at the recent fans forum.
He never speaks to the media on camera which is poor.
It would appear Wilde just wants the title and do the match notes in the programme !
Look around all the forums et all and everyone knows its Lowes gig and Wilde is just the lapdog.
Lowe even has the front row seat at SMS !
Wilde fails to show again at the recent fans forum.
He never speaks to the media on camera which is poor.
It would appear Wilde just wants the title and do the match notes in the programme !
Look around all the forums et all and everyone knows its Lowes gig and Wilde is just the lapdog.
Lowe even has the front row seat at SMS !
Philip, Romsey says...
10:57am Thu 28 Aug 08
Yorkie of Pocklington: I respect your opinion. I have a concern. It's going to be an awfully long season if you maintain that opinion. For you. And for us guys reading The Echo website when you post the same opinion. After each loss? Whenever? We have just had a win for Lord's sake. I've been to Pocklington in Yorkshire. Lovely place. I spend 10 years at school in Yorkshire. I can't help feeling you are influenced by Michael Palin's "The Testing of Eric Olthwaite". And if you haven't seen it, please do. Because I think you need a good laugh. With best wishes. Sincerely.
Jason, Salisbury says...
11:04am Thu 28 Aug 08
ossiesaint wrote:I understand people disliking Lowe, but I can't understand how somehow people can slag him off constantly for what he's done wrong, but fail to give him even an ounce of credit for his successes.
Lets forget RL + MW both of these do not deserve to be at our club. Lets not get too carried away with JP and his Boys Brigade but give them credit for the small steps they are making in returning Southampton FC back to where they belong. Things in space of a few days have suddenley become refreshing. COYR
Are you telling me he wasn't responsible for signing Strachan (our most successful manager in recent years).
And do we turn a blind eye to the fact he's just employed a guy nobody's ever heard and put his faith in a team of youngsters that otherwise would be out on loan in the lower leagues this season?
Sure, pick him up for his mistakes, but you can't say he doesn't deserve to be at the club and then immediately credit the unknown he employed and the youngsters he's backed for all the progress of recent weeks.
And Yorkie, none of us optimists have our eyes closed or heads in the sand.
We like to see the Saints performing well and getting results in the right way.
Yes, I'm sure there will be player sales, because we don't have any money.
That's a simple fact unless you want the club to disappear completely, it's not a myth created by Lowe. Just ask the bank.
But we've always sold players in recent years, whether Lowe was in charge or not (Bale, Baird etc).
Whatever, I'd prefer what we've got than the same old mercenaries as we've watched for many seasons players who constantly want away or don't have the passion for the shirt.
Playing talented youngsters and accepting we'll lose a few is better than using over-paid, average players and still losing the best ones.
Finishing mid-table playing good football (and on the evidence so far there are worse teams in this league) is also preferable to finishing mid-table playing poor football in my book.
So in both cases, that's progress.
pne-trev, kent says...
11:13am Thu 28 Aug 08
although I'm a Preston fan I'm impressed what you you boys have achieved with a young squad over the past week so I've put my money where my mouth is and backed you to get over 53 points at £200 a point. And it could not make me more happy if you carried on the good work by beating the 'donkey lashers' this weekend. Good luck fellas!
Derry, west hampshire says...
11:15am Thu 28 Aug 08
Anybody who turns up at SMS and is stupid enough to try and demonstrate against Lowe will be laughed out of the stadium.
I have never seen the Saints fans so united and enjoying their young teams football so much.
The team is being encouraged and applauded all the time.
So if demonstration is in your mind, just save your breath, we are just not interested in club politics, just enjoying the football.
I have never seen the Saints fans so united and enjoying their young teams football so much.
The team is being encouraged and applauded all the time.
So if demonstration is in your mind, just save your breath, we are just not interested in club politics, just enjoying the football.
Judas Saintsfan, Central Library says...
11:22am Thu 28 Aug 08
Hey Yorkie, if you are not going to enter St Mary's until Rupert departs can we at least expect to see you outside the ground waving your nose in the air?
I look forward to you doing so for the next thirty or so years.
I look forward to you doing so for the next thirty or so years.
Condor Man, Southampton says...
11:42am Thu 28 Aug 08
Years ago I took part in the Branford Out demo outside The Dell but I still went to the matches. Stop this negativity and put your hand in your pocket and start putting money into the club. Without it will continue to struggle on and off the pitch.
Yorkie, Pocklington says...
11:48am Thu 28 Aug 08
Judas Saintsfan wrote:There is a definitive answer to the question - and that is no!
Hey Yorkie, if you are not going to enter St Mary's until Rupert departs can we at least expect to see you outside the ground waving your nose in the air? I look forward to you doing so for the next thirty or so years.
I will however visit grounds up and down the country to watch this exciting young team, and even if the team get's broken up I will still visit grounds up and down the country to watch what is left!
I remember Rupert's Brown Shirts at SMS trying to silence any anti-Lowe protests. I wouldn't want to protest inside the ground - it serves no purpose. I feel hopeless and feel I cannot do anything - perhaps I should undertake to attract new investment - not a take over but attract money so RL doesn't sell the family silver. However any real investment will want a say in what is done with the money - can you see Rupert allowing that?
My only form of protest is not to go to SMS, as futile as it may seem for the 6-games a season I might attend.
All you better fans than me will be spitting feathers because I'm not a true supporter. Every fan knows you have to go to every game and sing, and spend loads of money on beer, and support the team - don't worry about the board we don't watch them. Leeds fans are still protesting about the prices at Elland Road and one certain Chairman...crowds are down - they could get 40,000 every week if they wanted to but for their policies! Is Mr Lowe a posh Ken Bates? I would suggest he is hated almost as much for what he has done at SFC.
Everyone has a view and opinion, which I repsect. Mine happens to go against all that is sacred to a fan - not watching his team. OK I don't go every week, and I am still a fan. I chose not to go to SMS - my loss. My £180 won't even buy 10 mins for Adam Lallana on the pitch - so I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I'm sure Rupert won't either!
Mermaid man an Barnicle boy, Southampton says...
11:55am Thu 28 Aug 08
Tune into Spongebob square pants... hes yellow and his starfish mate is pink.
Philip, Romsey says...
12:00pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Yorkie; I don't doubt your credentials as a Saints supporter for one second. Good on you.
I hate to see you in a position - where from my humble opinion - supporting Saints has become a burden. That's not the way I thought it was meant to be.
Happy to buy you a pint and chat.
And one other thing. You may be one hundred percent correct in what you predict. But for me - and this is a personal thing - I have to assume - perhaps wrongly - the best.
Good luck to you. And have pint of "Old Peculiar" for me.
I hate to see you in a position - where from my humble opinion - supporting Saints has become a burden. That's not the way I thought it was meant to be.
Happy to buy you a pint and chat.
And one other thing. You may be one hundred percent correct in what you predict. But for me - and this is a personal thing - I have to assume - perhaps wrongly - the best.
Good luck to you. And have pint of "Old Peculiar" for me.
Scott, Southampton says...
12:05pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Went to the Birmingham game and was very impressed with the team spirit and the willingness of the players to work for each other. I would like to think that if the players can continue to play like this for the rest of the season we will be okay. Having said this I was very disappointed to see the stadium so empty, but those who were there saw a really good display of how to play football. We made Birmingham look average at best.
COYR
COYR
Jason, Salisbury says...
12:21pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Derry wrote:Exactly. The only people who seem to want to talk about Lowe at the moment are the people who supposedly hate him.
Anybody who turns up at SMS and is stupid enough to try and demonstrate against Lowe will be laughed out of the stadium.
I have never seen the Saints fans so united and enjoying their young teams football so much.
The team is being encouraged and applauded all the time.
So if demonstration is in your mind, just save your breath, we are just not interested in club politics, just enjoying the football.
If so, why do you all love talking about him so much?
Even the man himself is keeping a low profile at the moment so why are you guy's so obsessed?
About 1 per cent of people posting here are the Lowe Luvvies you've created in your overactive imaginations.
The majority are just people who support the club and like what they are seeing, which is refreshing after seasons of despair.
And practically all of us aren't pretending the whole situation is a bed of roses or expecting a sudden return to the Premier League, but fair play to Saints for taking a very, very brave decision and backing youth like no other team has apart from Arsenal, and we're doing it with English players by and large.
Yorkie, Pocklington says...
12:57pm Thu 28 Aug 08
I wish to make an apology for my outburst earlier.
Most of you are perfectly right saying forget about Lowe, and just enjoy the moment. I did at Derby on Saturday and will in my local on Saturday lunchtime.
As someone may have pointed out earlier - if we could get another 10,000 on the gate week in and week out it would add approximately £5,000,000 to the war chest. This young team may just do that - it's not about winning or losing it's about playing with passion and guts - something Saints lost until the back end of last season when Nigel Pearson saved our bacon.
So I will not mention visiting SMS again, nor the man at the helm - it's only going to be Mr.Positive from now on.
Perhaps they will have to open the Itchen North Corner again to let all the returning customers back - sorry fans!
Jan's the Man Red & White Army!!!
Most of you are perfectly right saying forget about Lowe, and just enjoy the moment. I did at Derby on Saturday and will in my local on Saturday lunchtime.
As someone may have pointed out earlier - if we could get another 10,000 on the gate week in and week out it would add approximately £5,000,000 to the war chest. This young team may just do that - it's not about winning or losing it's about playing with passion and guts - something Saints lost until the back end of last season when Nigel Pearson saved our bacon.
So I will not mention visiting SMS again, nor the man at the helm - it's only going to be Mr.Positive from now on.
Perhaps they will have to open the Itchen North Corner again to let all the returning customers back - sorry fans!
Jan's the Man Red & White Army!!!
Dave, Winchester says...
12:58pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Just find it funny how this post started out as a comment by JP about signing Tomas Pekhart and has once again deteriorated into this anti-Lowe / pro-Lowe garbage! Nobody has even mentioned the new striker we've loaned!
I don't kow so much about boycotting SMS - more like this website! Yawn!
I don't kow so much about boycotting SMS - more like this website! Yawn!
Mmmmm, here, there, everwhere says...
12:59pm Thu 28 Aug 08
by the sounds of things, the player Jan has in mind is this Romain Gasmi, who I believe was also mentioned on 606 yesterday, former Strasbourg team mate of Schneiderlin and apparently a very useful attacking midfielder, on loan with a view to a permanent move apparently and only 21.
Highly rated but surplus to requirements having fallen out with the manager.
Oh he is injured so won't play for a month but sounds along the same lines as Jans other signings and therefore pretty good hopefully.
Highly rated but surplus to requirements having fallen out with the manager.
Oh he is injured so won't play for a month but sounds along the same lines as Jans other signings and therefore pretty good hopefully.
Philip, Romsey says...
1:30pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Yorkie, you don't need to apologize. We are all mates here. Very good of you to do so. You stand tall.
And let's face it. Going to matches from Yorkshire costs a packet. Very good of you to go to any thing. Tell you what though: the bitter is good is that part of the country. I reckon a good Yorkie pub is a good place to watch the world from most Saturdays. And if you get Saints - in my day it was usually Huddlesfield or Leed Utd - that was it. Leeds were the best side I've seen.
Let's hope the show at Saints don't go belly up!
And let's face it. Going to matches from Yorkshire costs a packet. Very good of you to go to any thing. Tell you what though: the bitter is good is that part of the country. I reckon a good Yorkie pub is a good place to watch the world from most Saturdays. And if you get Saints - in my day it was usually Huddlesfield or Leed Utd - that was it. Leeds were the best side I've seen.
Let's hope the show at Saints don't go belly up!
Saint Compo, Winchester says...
1:36pm Thu 28 Aug 08
"I am totally happy, because we have everything we need and even more than that," Poortvliet said.
I like this man and his positive outlook.
It's no surprise to me to discover that Jovial Portent is an anagram of Jan Poortvliet!!!
The future's bright. The future's red & white!
COYR
I like this man and his positive outlook.
It's no surprise to me to discover that Jovial Portent is an anagram of Jan Poortvliet!!!
The future's bright. The future's red & white!
COYR
happyday, inblueworld says...
1:47pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Lowe and Co are in the entertainment business and at last they are providing it with Jan and the kids. This is the most exciting Saints side for years. Those that stay away are missing great football as SMS. Get behind the lads
COYR
COYR
Philip, Romsey says...
7:03am Thu 28 Aug 08
And this is my wish, guys. That we will win matches (hopefully more than we lose). Yes, we will lose matches. Let's not have this civil war between Saints fans after a loss.
Yes, you may not like Rupert. Doesn't matter. You are stuck with him. Let's leave all that hatred out of it. Stick together. Because at the end of the day, we are Saints fans. And supporting the team is what it's about.
I think the Echo could do us a favour and cut out the usual run of abusive and by now repetitive posts.
And any thing silly from a Pompey lad should be deleted. Usually because of an apparent lack of education and good manners. And it's not very helpful on a Saints website.
Let's give Saints our full support.
COYR!