Adkins exit no surprise to some (From Daily Echo)

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

ghk230473 wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

Selling soul to the devil springs to mind!

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

Selling soul to the devil springs to mind!

And you would be happy to either just avoid relegation or even go down with Nigel? Yes, I think you would, no ambition.
I want Europe, top 10 in league.

Velleity wrote:
At the moment there is simply no way of telling what's going to happen.

As SaintMax has pointed out, every major decision taken by Cortese so far has worked out pretty well.

There's an old business dictum that you should made decisions ruthlessly but carry them out compassionately; Cortese certainly needs to work on the second part of that. His manner of carrying out his decisions leaves a lot to be desired but, so far, the decisions themselves have stood up to scrutiny.

I'm planning to wait and see, support the team with the same voice from the same seat in the Northam and hope this all works out.

milton road wrote:
At the end of the day Cortese brought us to the attention of Markus.

I do not think anything the echo has written above is a surprise it had been over the bloggs we write for ages.
What I do think about the above article is that it shows the rancor the echo has for Cortese. Anything to get at him and if they can turn fans against him they will.

In NA I trust he will be superb wherever he goes.

IN Cortese I trust because he also has achieved a great deal on our behalf. I don't always agree with his methods and am perplexed by this. Yet Everything he has done so far is to the benefit of Saints.
Also remember behind Cortese is a family with 33 billion of assets, you do not get that without being tough business people.
We need to get behind our team and drive them on to safety. Turning on anyone at the moment would be suicide.
No what has happened does not sit well. Yet so far everything Cortese has done has made us a better club. Only time will tell if this does.
In business there is no room for sentiment, that was never shown as being more true than yesterday.

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

steveyot wrote:
A positive article on Forren would be nice please Echo.

As for Saints fans please don't write the guy off for his lack of English, that will come quick enough. Plenty have come into the English game without being fluent and done well, Mancini being the most recent. Better qualified people than you and I rate this man very highly indeed. Could turn out to be a very shrewd move. Thanks for everything Nigel Adkins, welcome to Southampton Mauricio.

Confucious wrote:
The vast majority of fans will be saddened by Nigel's departure - and not least the sudden nature of it. It would have been nice to at least be able to say thanks and goodbye.

But as we all know, it's about results. If the new guy does well, we'll get over it and be won over - and Nicola will be admired for making a difficult and brave decision in the face of widespread disapproval. If he doesn't, we'll be on the new guy's back and blaming Nicola.

But right now we must not make the same mistake the Chelsea fans have made. Their hostility at home is costing their team dear and making their view a self fulfilling prophecy.

We simply must get behind the team and the new man on Monday.

Confucious wrote:
The vast majority of fans will be saddened by Nigel's departure - and not least the sudden nature of it. It would have been nice to at least be able to say thanks and goodbye.

But as we all know, it's about results. If the new guy does well, we'll get over it and be won over - and Nicola will be admired for making a difficult and brave decision in the face of widespread disapproval. If he doesn't, we'll be on the new guy's back and blaming Nicola.

But right now we must not make the same mistake the Chelsea fans have made. Their hostility at home is costing their team dear and making their view a self fulfilling prophecy.

We simply must get behind the team and the new man on Monday.

only1chopper wrote:
From watching from the stands at the dell, to watching the saints at the start of this season, I felt that we were still a family club with family values and a team who had mutual respect for manager and fans alike. Now, we are just a business with a chairman who thinks he knows everything about football, has no respect for our now ex manager and goes and does whatever he wants. Yes, he brought in Nigel and that was a strange decision at the time but I thank him for it. He then tells Nigel to pack his stuff up and go. He says he is looking to the future for Southampton and appoints a guy with little management experience and even less spoken English.
The timing and the replacement are terrible. Only time will tell if this drastic measure bares fruit or goes to pot, either way we as fans are still upset, confused and shocked by what happened yesterday.
But we are Southampton, we love our club and will always want what is best for our beloved club, so make your feelings shown at the start of the game, then lets get behind the saints and cheer them on.
Rant over, wander if Forren will start?

loosehead wrote:
With Nigel Adkins going now he will stay a hero to the fans but picture these same posts if we were relegated would they be praising Adkins or would they be after his blood?
I've read constant attacks on why he played Guly to the point it sounds like the fans never trusted Adkins team choices?
Cortese sees a weak defence he hears his manager say no new goalie but it's blatantly obvious we had to change our defence well now he's bringing in a new man why?
Maybe he ( Cortese) thinks new blood new eyes will see where we're weak?
This guy say's he's been researching Saints for weeks?
was it him who told Cortese to go for Forren?
Looks like he's been advising Cortese all ready doesn't it?

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

Selling soul to the devil springs to mind!

And you would be happy to either just avoid relegation or even go down with Nigel? Yes, I think you would, no ambition.
I want Europe, top 10 in league.

ghk230473 wrote:

Velleity wrote:
At the moment there is simply no way of telling what's going to happen.

As SaintMax has pointed out, every major decision taken by Cortese so far has worked out pretty well.

There's an old business dictum that you should made decisions ruthlessly but carry them out compassionately; Cortese certainly needs to work on the second part of that. His manner of carrying out his decisions leaves a lot to be desired but, so far, the decisions themselves have stood up to scrutiny.

I'm planning to wait and see, support the team with the same voice from the same seat in the Northam and hope this all works out.

As the self proclaimed police of this sit, can you drag my post out from last season..... The one that predicts this.

Confucious wrote:
The vast majority of fans will be saddened by Nigel's departure - and not least the sudden nature of it. It would have been nice to at least be able to say thanks and goodbye.

But as we all know, it's about results. If the new guy does well, we'll get over it and be won over - and Nicola will be admired for making a difficult and brave decision in the face of widespread disapproval. If he doesn't, we'll be on the new guy's back and blaming Nicola.

But right now we must not make the same mistake the Chelsea fans have made. Their hostility at home is costing their team dear and making their view a self fulfilling prophecy.

We simply must get behind the team and the new man on Monday.

Baddesley Bill wrote:

only1chopper wrote:
From watching from the stands at the dell, to watching the saints at the start of this season, I felt that we were still a family club with family values and a team who had mutual respect for manager and fans alike. Now, we are just a business with a chairman who thinks he knows everything about football, has no respect for our now ex manager and goes and does whatever he wants. Yes, he brought in Nigel and that was a strange decision at the time but I thank him for it. He then tells Nigel to pack his stuff up and go. He says he is looking to the future for Southampton and appoints a guy with little management experience and even less spoken English.
The timing and the replacement are terrible. Only time will tell if this drastic measure bares fruit or goes to pot, either way we as fans are still upset, confused and shocked by what happened yesterday.
But we are Southampton, we love our club and will always want what is best for our beloved club, so make your feelings shown at the start of the game, then lets get behind the saints and cheer them on.
Rant over, wander if Forren will start?

Pretty much sums up my feelings. It's up to us fans to try to help Cortese's gamble pay off.COYR

montecristosaint wrote:
Yesterday was a horrible day for Saints fans but come this morning and I understand why this decision was taken. The Premiership is a tough place and if you want to attract top players to a club you have to have a man at the helm who is internationally respected. The new manager built a great team at Espanhol on a limited budget and had a reputation for bringing through academy talent in to the first team He promoted over twenty in his time at Espanhol and made the team a force to be reckoned with. Espanhol, however is not Southampton which has the financial muscle to compete with anybody. Adkins had taken us as far as he was likely to go and given the ambition of the club we needed to recruit someone who would be able to persuade top foreign players to come here. I am pretty sure Cortese was having trouble getting such players in simply because Adkins is an unknown quantity on the continent. This remains an exciting time to be a Saints fan but lets face it most have no idea what european football is all about , and make no mistake that is exactly what Cortese wants. The man is a genius.

Velleity wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

Velleity wrote:
At the moment there is simply no way of telling what's going to happen.

As SaintMax has pointed out, every major decision taken by Cortese so far has worked out pretty well.

There's an old business dictum that you should made decisions ruthlessly but carry them out compassionately; Cortese certainly needs to work on the second part of that. His manner of carrying out his decisions leaves a lot to be desired but, so far, the decisions themselves have stood up to scrutiny.

I'm planning to wait and see, support the team with the same voice from the same seat in the Northam and hope this all works out.

As the self proclaimed police of this sit, can you drag my post out from last season..... The one that predicts this.

Here you go, ghk. You seem to want me to tell you how important and accurate you are..

Every single statement you've ever made about anything ever on this site has been proven correct. Everything you've ever predicted would happen has happened. You've never, not once, been wrong about anything .

Will that shut you up? I guess not. You'll come back with a post about ME rather than about the content of my posts. It is your house style, after all.

Dont forget; make sure it's personal!

skiptonsaint wrote:
Some good posts on here and good debate

I guess the question i am asking myself is do i want success for saints at any price ?

Am i happy that having been to the dell for all those years and the memories and the feeling that although we moved to a better stadium we lost a large part of our soul

Yesterday feels like we lost the last part of it

If we want success at any price i guess we we start training to dive at every opp and really take the gloves off

From now on it looks like under nc it is success first treating people decently second

Wonder when success comes and nc puts up the ticket prices hugely cause he can if we will be pro nc ?

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
Bad move NC. I agree that NA was not the right man to bring the club to the next level, but to replace him with somebody with not much of a track record is silly.

Also doing it in the middle of the transfer window after the team had put together some good form, doesn't make sense. I believe NA would have kept us up, but long term, not the right man. The happy clappers were right, he deserved the chance to keep us up.

NA, a good man, got a bit of a raw deal. Wish him the best luck.

SaintMark wrote:

montecristosaint wrote:
Yesterday was a horrible day for Saints fans but come this morning and I understand why this decision was taken. The Premiership is a tough place and if you want to attract top players to a club you have to have a man at the helm who is internationally respected. The new manager built a great team at Espanhol on a limited budget and had a reputation for bringing through academy talent in to the first team He promoted over twenty in his time at Espanhol and made the team a force to be reckoned with. Espanhol, however is not Southampton which has the financial muscle to compete with anybody. Adkins had taken us as far as he was likely to go and given the ambition of the club we needed to recruit someone who would be able to persuade top foreign players to come here. I am pretty sure Cortese was having trouble getting such players in simply because Adkins is an unknown quantity on the continent. This remains an exciting time to be a Saints fan but lets face it most have no idea what european football is all about , and make no mistake that is exactly what Cortese wants. The man is a genius.

I'm with you!

Bermondsey boy wrote:
So some of you trust the man who has just stabbed in the back our most successful manager in years. Beyond belief. Also I would love to know what intelligence any of you have with regard to players not signing because Nigel wasn't a high profile enough manager. I believe in time we will learn that Nigel was stopped bringing in players, and for some time had not been in charge of that process.
Also, how do you come to the conclusion that he had taken the team as far as it could go. 10 out of 12 undefeated would suggest the opposite is the case.
I am disappointed that one or two on here are already finding excuses to enable them to support the disgraceful actions of the chairman. Fans who really care for this club are aware of the road we are now going down, and take a look at Chelsea if you want a reminder. All the money in the world and Pep Guardiola won't go near them.

lowe hater, cornwall wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
Bad move NC. I agree that NA was not the right man to bring the club to the next level, but to replace him with somebody with not much of a track record is silly.

Also doing it in the middle of the transfer window after the team had put together some good form, doesn't make sense. I believe NA would have kept us up, but long term, not the right man. The happy clappers were right, he deserved the chance to keep us up.

NA, a good man, got a bit of a raw deal. Wish him the best luck.

A bit of a raw deal ! I think it was a lot worse than that, imagine if your boss called you in and said see ya, your up the road regardless of your recent good work ! You would be absolutely gutted !! some fans on here don't care about anything other than success at any cost what a joke I sometimes feel ashamed to be a Saints fan, very sad !

Carinthian Saint wrote:
*TOGETHER AS ONE*

Oh when the SAINTS, go marching in,
Oh when the SAINTS go marching in,
I wanna be in that number,
When the SAINTS go marching in.

RED ARRRRRRRRRRRRMY!!!

magnette wrote:
NC and the Liebherrs have poured millions into a bankrupt club. That allowed the purchase of players from above the team's lowly status, attracted by the money on offer and the investment in facilities. For 2 seasons NC and the Liebherrs purchased a team that were a league better than the league they were in and it was less than a surprise when they were promoted. Now they are in the PL they cannot do that because half the teams are richer and more supported than Saints. So success can only be achieved by great management and temporary over investment. NC has still poured money into the club as a temporary investment but the results have been devastatingly bad because Adkins was unable to manage the team properly. The results speak for themselves: they are 3 points off relegation, their recent mediocre run of form is largely due to playing the lower teams. Their defence is a joke, nearly the worst there is. Everyone is nearly always out of position and they have let in 40 goals. Adkins has had a fortune to spend and that's what he has achieved. It must always be remembered that Cortese has to run the club successfully in the PL or he is out as well, and fans must remember that if he fails the Liebherrs will probably sell. If we want a club in Europe and the top six in the Premier League then we support NC. Next you can go to St Marys and watch Everton, Manchester Utd and City: without NC and the Liebherrs it would be Brentford, Bury and Crawley.

I KNOW WHAT I'D RATHER DO; I AM FOR ONE, SUPPORTING NC AND POCHETTINO

Thornhill Saint wrote:

Bermondsey boy wrote:
So some of you trust the man who has just stabbed in the back our most successful manager in years. Beyond belief. Also I would love to know what intelligence any of you have with regard to players not signing because Nigel wasn't a high profile enough manager. I believe in time we will learn that Nigel was stopped bringing in players, and for some time had not been in charge of that process.
Also, how do you come to the conclusion that he had taken the team as far as it could go. 10 out of 12 undefeated would suggest the opposite is the case.
I am disappointed that one or two on here are already finding excuses to enable them to support the disgraceful actions of the chairman. Fans who really care for this club are aware of the road we are now going down, and take a look at Chelsea if you want a reminder. All the money in the world and Pep Guardiola won't go near them.

I am dissapointed by those dissapointed by those who have a a different opinion.

Reasons for keeping faith with Cortese have been put forward and are as valid as those reasons for kicking him in the Gulys.

In my opinion, as dissapointing as Nigel going is, Cortese is the man with a vision, and he has delivered what he promised ahaead of schedule, and I think he will deliver again.

I wish he was a bit more communicative with the fanbase. When he is (like the BBC article after Marcus died), things don't seem half as bad

Confucious wrote:
The vast majority of fans will be saddened by Nigel's departure - and not least the sudden nature of it. It would have been nice to at least be able to say thanks and goodbye.

But as we all know, it's about results. If the new guy does well, we'll get over it and be won over - and Nicola will be admired for making a difficult and brave decision in the face of widespread disapproval. If he doesn't, we'll be on the new guy's back and blaming Nicola.

But right now we must not make the same mistake the Chelsea fans have made. Their hostility at home is costing their team dear and making their view a self fulfilling prophecy.

We simply must get behind the team and the new man on Monday.

lowe hater, cornwall wrote:

Bring back Branfoot wrote:
Bad move NC. I agree that NA was not the right man to bring the club to the next level, but to replace him with somebody with not much of a track record is silly.

Also doing it in the middle of the transfer window after the team had put together some good form, doesn't make sense. I believe NA would have kept us up, but long term, not the right man. The happy clappers were right, he deserved the chance to keep us up.

NA, a good man, got a bit of a raw deal. Wish him the best luck.

A bit of a raw deal ! I think it was a lot worse than that, imagine if your boss called you in and said see ya, your up the road regardless of your recent good work ! You would be absolutely gutted !! some fans on here don't care about anything other than success at any cost what a joke I sometimes feel ashamed to be a Saints fan, very sad !

SaintMax wrote:

magnette wrote:
NC and the Liebherrs have poured millions into a bankrupt club. That allowed the purchase of players from above the team's lowly status, attracted by the money on offer and the investment in facilities. For 2 seasons NC and the Liebherrs purchased a team that were a league better than the league they were in and it was less than a surprise when they were promoted. Now they are in the PL they cannot do that because half the teams are richer and more supported than Saints. So success can only be achieved by great management and temporary over investment. NC has still poured money into the club as a temporary investment but the results have been devastatingly bad because Adkins was unable to manage the team properly. The results speak for themselves: they are 3 points off relegation, their recent mediocre run of form is largely due to playing the lower teams. Their defence is a joke, nearly the worst there is. Everyone is nearly always out of position and they have let in 40 goals. Adkins has had a fortune to spend and that's what he has achieved. It must always be remembered that Cortese has to run the club successfully in the PL or he is out as well, and fans must remember that if he fails the Liebherrs will probably sell. If we want a club in Europe and the top six in the Premier League then we support NC. Next you can go to St Marys and watch Everton, Manchester Utd and City: without NC and the Liebherrs it would be Brentford, Bury and Crawley.

I KNOW WHAT I'D RATHER DO; I AM FOR ONE, SUPPORTING NC AND POCHETTINO

Good post.

lowe hater, cornwall wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

magnette wrote:
NC and the Liebherrs have poured millions into a bankrupt club. That allowed the purchase of players from above the team's lowly status, attracted by the money on offer and the investment in facilities. For 2 seasons NC and the Liebherrs purchased a team that were a league better than the league they were in and it was less than a surprise when they were promoted. Now they are in the PL they cannot do that because half the teams are richer and more supported than Saints. So success can only be achieved by great management and temporary over investment. NC has still poured money into the club as a temporary investment but the results have been devastatingly bad because Adkins was unable to manage the team properly. The results speak for themselves: they are 3 points off relegation, their recent mediocre run of form is largely due to playing the lower teams. Their defence is a joke, nearly the worst there is. Everyone is nearly always out of position and they have let in 40 goals. Adkins has had a fortune to spend and that's what he has achieved. It must always be remembered that Cortese has to run the club successfully in the PL or he is out as well, and fans must remember that if he fails the Liebherrs will probably sell. If we want a club in Europe and the top six in the Premier League then we support NC. Next you can go to St Marys and watch Everton, Manchester Utd and City: without NC and the Liebherrs it would be Brentford, Bury and Crawley.

I KNOW WHAT I'D RATHER DO; I AM FOR ONE, SUPPORTING NC AND POCHETTINO

Good post.

Markus provided the money not NC! The family continue to fund the club not NC and the money spent pre season on new players was a loan and for me success should be measured by the fact that we stay in this league, top six, Europe your dreaming we can't compete with the big boys and don't need to !

Saintjai wrote:
Well after recovering from the initial shock of loosing NA. Ive had my cold shower built a massive NA Snowman tribute. Then i read all there is to read about MP and am now looking forward to our future with MP as he appears to be the perfect replacement for what seemed to be enevitable!!! Plus the prospect of aquiring some of spains quality talent in the near future. I still know the future is bright the future is SOUTHAMPTON FC!!!! Oh and shall we all give a big special wave to those twenty mile away WWAAVVEE!!! ...................M

P please learn our lingo ASAP That is the only problem i invisage!!!

thecombar wrote:
To be fair anyone who play Guly week in week out deserves to be sacked

lowe hater, cornwall wrote:

Thornhill Saint wrote:

Bermondsey boy wrote:
So some of you trust the man who has just stabbed in the back our most successful manager in years. Beyond belief. Also I would love to know what intelligence any of you have with regard to players not signing because Nigel wasn't a high profile enough manager. I believe in time we will learn that Nigel was stopped bringing in players, and for some time had not been in charge of that process.
Also, how do you come to the conclusion that he had taken the team as far as it could go. 10 out of 12 undefeated would suggest the opposite is the case.
I am disappointed that one or two on here are already finding excuses to enable them to support the disgraceful actions of the chairman. Fans who really care for this club are aware of the road we are now going down, and take a look at Chelsea if you want a reminder. All the money in the world and Pep Guardiola won't go near them.

I am dissapointed by those dissapointed by those who have a a different opinion.

Reasons for keeping faith with Cortese have been put forward and are as valid as those reasons for kicking him in the Gulys.

In my opinion, as dissapointing as Nigel going is, Cortese is the man with a vision, and he has delivered what he promised ahaead of schedule, and I think he will deliver again.

I wish he was a bit more communicative with the fanbase. When he is (like the BBC article after Marcus died), things don't seem half as bad

No Nigel and the team delivered us to the promised land ahead of schedule cortèse may well have a vision sadly employing cappuccino isn't the answer he is as high profile as us two only time will tell if it works, sadly we don't have that much time doing this in January in my opinion was suicidal

St.Yorkie wrote:
Well not 24-hours have passed, but a night sleeping on it hasn't made it any clearer.
I feel a little out of the swing of things, and although watched nearly every game from the comfort of my own home as I am unwilling to pay "Premier prices".
From the comfort of my sofa I saw a work in progress. I didn't agree with all the selections, but I watched with anticipation.
I am going to Wigan thanks to sensible ticket pricing, and I will sing my heart out for the first time this season. But that will be my lot for this season.
Personally I find it very exciting that the club is going to the "next" level - but I won't be on the bus...
Football was a sport for the working classes with values. Sure they always earned more than Joe Bloggs - but they could go for a beer with the fans, and were human enough to turn up with hangovers. The football wasn't as fast or exciting - but it was honest.
Footballers were different back then as were the Managers and Chairmen - things move on. The likes of you and me won't be able to afford to go - I certainly cannot justify £50 a game.
Call me tight, call me a miserable old f****r, I loved the family feel about League 1. WE were in it together, WE all pulled together - and most importantly we all wanted it. No plastic fans waving their wodges of wonga - just people who loved the club, Nigel and his team.
Times move on and money and success are the driving force. Nigel made the fans feel important - he forever referred to us as "Magnificent". I'd like to echo that Nigel you are a great man. Sometimes too honest but you have integrity and I doubt we will see you on TV slagging off Cortese or the club.
WE were all in it together, ALL on the bus, alas you stop has come and the bus has yet to reach its destination.
Life long friends I have made following football from many avenues of life, from many clubs. Forever known as a mickey mouse club, with one good player and joke fans...but they are my club.
The next level - well hopefully there will be a stream somewhere to connect to...if not I may lose interest...

Confucious wrote:
The vast majority of fans will be saddened by Nigel's departure - and not least the sudden nature of it. It would have been nice to at least be able to say thanks and goodbye.

But as we all know, it's about results. If the new guy does well, we'll get over it and be won over - and Nicola will be admired for making a difficult and brave decision in the face of widespread disapproval. If he doesn't, we'll be on the new guy's back and blaming Nicola.

But right now we must not make the same mistake the Chelsea fans have made. Their hostility at home is costing their team dear and making their view a self fulfilling prophecy.

We simply must get behind the team and the new man on Monday.

Dave Brown wrote:
Dear Nigel Adkins.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the success you were responsible for as Saints Manager during the last 3years.
I feel that with the mindset of the grim reaper we have as a chairman you will enjoy a far better career away from this club and on a personal basis I will be following your next appointment with interest.
I look forward to the day you come back and hopefully bury Cortese with a win that relegates the club and allows Cortese his just rewards.

St.Yorkie wrote:
Well not 24-hours have passed, but a night sleeping on it hasn't made it any clearer.
I feel a little out of the swing of things, and although watched nearly every game from the comfort of my own home as I am unwilling to pay "Premier prices".
From the comfort of my sofa I saw a work in progress. I didn't agree with all the selections, but I watched with anticipation.
I am going to Wigan thanks to sensible ticket pricing, and I will sing my heart out for the first time this season. But that will be my lot for this season.
Personally I find it very exciting that the club is going to the "next" level - but I won't be on the bus...
Football was a sport for the working classes with values. Sure they always earned more than Joe Bloggs - but they could go for a beer with the fans, and were human enough to turn up with hangovers. The football wasn't as fast or exciting - but it was honest.
Footballers were different back then as were the Managers and Chairmen - things move on. The likes of you and me won't be able to afford to go - I certainly cannot justify £50 a game.
Call me tight, call me a miserable old f****r, I loved the family feel about League 1. WE were in it together, WE all pulled together - and most importantly we all wanted it. No plastic fans waving their wodges of wonga - just people who loved the club, Nigel and his team.
Times move on and money and success are the driving force. Nigel made the fans feel important - he forever referred to us as "Magnificent". I'd like to echo that Nigel you are a great man. Sometimes too honest but you have integrity and I doubt we will see you on TV slagging off Cortese or the club.
WE were all in it together, ALL on the bus, alas you stop has come and the bus has yet to reach its destination.
Life long friends I have made following football from many avenues of life, from many clubs. Forever known as a mickey mouse club, with one good player and joke fans...but they are my club.
The next level - well hopefully there will be a stream somewhere to connect to...if not I may lose interest...

Velleity wrote:

Dave Brown wrote:
Dear Nigel Adkins.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the success you were responsible for as Saints Manager during the last 3years.
I feel that with the mindset of the grim reaper we have as a chairman you will enjoy a far better career away from this club and on a personal basis I will be following your next appointment with interest.
I look forward to the day you come back and hopefully bury Cortese with a win that relegates the club and allows Cortese his just rewards.

Really? You love what NA did for the club so much that you want to see us relegated?

milton road wrote:
Having watched Saints from the time I could get in for 20p or four shillings and Ted Bates as manager. Much has changed in football, your chairmen were local men as were your directors. Men like gentleman John Corbett who was a director for many a long year.
Sky revolutionized football, ripped its heart out and tradition. Regular saturday football has become something that is intermittent in the prem. Money has become god and with it TV deals. Hence we get foreign players, managers and owners. They all want a slice of the cake.
Family clubs have long since gone unfortunately.Though clubs are more family orientated in the sense it is safer for both genders and all ages to watch the game now.
We want the best club we can, we want to be special. No way did I want NA to leave. He did bring something special to fans and the club.
Yet I am realistic enough to know if Man Utd or Liverpool had come in for him he would probably have gone. I see him eventually ending up at a club like that. What Cortese has missed is NA does have that potential.

"There are teams that wait for you and teams that look for you: Espanyol look for you. I feel very close to their style of football," said Pep Guardiola of MP's side.
That was before he had to sell 10 players last summer because Espanyol were basically bankrupt and he turned down Sampdoria and was linked to Madrid. Jose the perfect one rates him.
He brought 12 youth players through the ranks in 3 seasons, played the youth teams in the age group above to get a bigger challenge. He plays football from the back, pushes up and closes midfield. His training sessions are said to be fun but intense. His teams are aggressive, fast and hold the ball.
That is a little about the man who has come to Saints. As people say they do not know anything about him.
I will say the same as I said when NA came to Saints, don't crucify the man before he has had a chance to show what he can do.

We have just lost a very good manager it sucks.
We may also have gained one time will tell.

skin2000 wrote:

thecombar wrote:
To be fair anyone who play Guly week in week out deserves to be sacked

It will be interesting if Guly plays so much now.

saintlysoul wrote:

skin2000 wrote:

thecombar wrote:
To be fair anyone who play Guly week in week out deserves to be sacked

It will be interesting if Guly plays so much now.

It will be very interesting. Bearing in mind Guly was bought by NC when even Alan Pardew didn't know about it I have a suspicion that Guly's selection has been at the dictate of NC. Time will tell!

SaintRachel wrote:
Yesterday I was too numb/angry/bitter & twisted to post anything, anywhere. But I had a thought overnight that's calmed me down a bit:
What if Nige really DID know all along? When he said at the end of last season that he'd leave 'one day' perhaps the deal had always been to get us to the Premiership and then move on? (He was on a 3 year contract after all, and did 2 1/4 years of it). At the time he was hailed as a 'Get Out Of League 1' specialist. Thought 2: What if the much-publicised meeting after the West Brom loss was Nicola saying that he was now looking and hoped Nige could and would stay in post until the right man for the job could be found? Let's face it, if NA has to go, there's no easy/good way to do it as everyone is in agreement that he'd done an excellent job until then. Nige would want to make sure our great club and the players were not left in the lurch & he wouldn't have stormed out, I'm sure..
The job in hand is not the job he was appointed to do. Of course, it's quite possible that Nige could have been the best man for the job ahead, but it's also possible that MP is the better man for us now, especially if Nicola now has his eyes on Europe. Only time will tell.
Make no mistake, I adore Nigel and think he has been a GREAT Saints manager. He has also been paid well for it, and will have been paid off well too, and he now has the best creds and rep to walk into another great post. The next club to get him will be very lucky indeed.
I see that spaniards are saying the same thing this morning - Saints are lucky to have MP - I hope so.

RedArmy1 wrote:

Carinthian Saint wrote:
*TOGETHER AS ONE*

Oh when the SAINTS, go marching in,
Oh when the SAINTS go marching in,
I wanna be in that number,
When the SAINTS go marching in.

RED ARRRRRRRRRRRRMY!!!

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY

RED ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRMY

RedArmy1 wrote:

RedArmy1 wrote:

Carinthian Saint wrote:
*TOGETHER AS ONE*

Oh when the SAINTS, go marching in,
Oh when the SAINTS go marching in,
I wanna be in that number,
When the SAINTS go marching in.

RED ARRRRRRRRRRRRMY!!!

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY

RED ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRMY

RED FACTION - RED ARMY.
WE'LL NEVER BE DEFEATED.

Think about it ? !!

SOUTHAMPTON'S FAMOUS AWAY SQUAD.

RED ARMY 2013. WIN. COYR

dadofmy3sons wrote:
Everyone keeps saying it ain't Mauricio's fault and he is now our manager, ok.
A few points.
His teams are known for a very physical approach, more fouls and bookings than any other team in La Liga.
He is said to be ruthless, the language barrier will make that even easier. It is far easier to drop someone if you have to get someone else to inform the player.
He is known to disagree with anyone who opposes him, do we not know someone else like that at Saints?
I am a Saints supporter, and I felt that Nigel was doing an adequate job up till now. Cortese doesn't do adequate!
Who are his backroom team? I haven't seen any official announcement of the termination of the 3. If they are gone, who is coming in? More foreigners?
Has Les Reed been kept?
Tried to read the Pardew sacking thing but it keeps failing, I do believe what Velleitty says though, it probably does read very much the same.
Saints appear to be a friendly little club, but every now and then somebody connected with the club does something very nasty!
That is where the title "ugly inside" came from.
We look good from the outside, but inside we can be just as ugly as anyone else.
WE don't want to be a little club ?
I haven't minded so far, a few succeses now and then would be nice.

SaintMax wrote:

dadofmy3sons wrote:
Everyone keeps saying it ain't Mauricio's fault and he is now our manager, ok.
A few points.
His teams are known for a very physical approach, more fouls and bookings than any other team in La Liga.
He is said to be ruthless, the language barrier will make that even easier. It is far easier to drop someone if you have to get someone else to inform the player.
He is known to disagree with anyone who opposes him, do we not know someone else like that at Saints?
I am a Saints supporter, and I felt that Nigel was doing an adequate job up till now. Cortese doesn't do adequate!
Who are his backroom team? I haven't seen any official announcement of the termination of the 3. If they are gone, who is coming in? More foreigners?
Has Les Reed been kept?
Tried to read the Pardew sacking thing but it keeps failing, I do believe what Velleitty says though, it probably does read very much the same.
Saints appear to be a friendly little club, but every now and then somebody connected with the club does something very nasty!
That is where the title "ugly inside" came from.
We look good from the outside, but inside we can be just as ugly as anyone else.
WE don't want to be a little club ?
I haven't minded so far, a few succeses now and then would be nice.

You mention 'foreign' back room staff? Who are the top managers in the EPL at the moment?
Scotsman (not English)
Italian
Spaniard
Portuguese
Scotsman
Frenchman.... Shall I go on?
The only English managed teams are battling, uninspiring WBA, stoke, Norwich, West Ham, QPR...

I for one want to break away from the also rans,

I do agree with the rest of your post though dad, was just that bit that stuck out and made me think..

Velleity wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

Velleity wrote:
At the moment there is simply no way of telling what's going to happen.

As SaintMax has pointed out, every major decision taken by Cortese so far has worked out pretty well.

There's an old business dictum that you should made decisions ruthlessly but carry them out compassionately; Cortese certainly needs to work on the second part of that. His manner of carrying out his decisions leaves a lot to be desired but, so far, the decisions themselves have stood up to scrutiny.

I'm planning to wait and see, support the team with the same voice from the same seat in the Northam and hope this all works out.

As the self proclaimed police of this sit, can you drag my post out from last season..... The one that predicts this.

Here you go, ghk. You seem to want me to tell you how important and accurate you are..

Every single statement you've ever made about anything ever on this site has been proven correct. Everything you've ever predicted would happen has happened. You've never, not once, been wrong about anything .

Will that shut you up? I guess not. You'll come back with a post about ME rather than about the content of my posts. It is your house style, after all.

Dont forget; make sure it's personal!

dadofmy3sons wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

dadofmy3sons wrote:
Everyone keeps saying it ain't Mauricio's fault and he is now our manager, ok.
A few points.
His teams are known for a very physical approach, more fouls and bookings than any other team in La Liga.
He is said to be ruthless, the language barrier will make that even easier. It is far easier to drop someone if you have to get someone else to inform the player.
He is known to disagree with anyone who opposes him, do we not know someone else like that at Saints?
I am a Saints supporter, and I felt that Nigel was doing an adequate job up till now. Cortese doesn't do adequate!
Who are his backroom team? I haven't seen any official announcement of the termination of the 3. If they are gone, who is coming in? More foreigners?
Has Les Reed been kept?
Tried to read the Pardew sacking thing but it keeps failing, I do believe what Velleitty says though, it probably does read very much the same.
Saints appear to be a friendly little club, but every now and then somebody connected with the club does something very nasty!
That is where the title "ugly inside" came from.
We look good from the outside, but inside we can be just as ugly as anyone else.
WE don't want to be a little club ?
I haven't minded so far, a few succeses now and then would be nice.

You mention 'foreign' back room staff? Who are the top managers in the EPL at the moment?
Scotsman (not English)
Italian
Spaniard
Portuguese
Scotsman
Frenchman.... Shall I go on?
The only English managed teams are battling, uninspiring WBA, stoke, Norwich, West Ham, QPR...

I for one want to break away from the also rans,

I do agree with the rest of your post though dad, was just that bit that stuck out and made me think..

I know!
I read it afterwards and thought it might sound racisst, but that was not my intention.
My concern is the communication problem, didn't Mourinho start out as Bobby Robson's translator?

right back in the bar wrote:
I remembered the picture of Cortese on the cover of the programe from the Leeds match - our first in the Championship last season. A great gae when Nige set the tempo for the remainder of that season - we literally tor Leeds apart.
With him looking suitably pomous in that photo (a picture paints a thousand words) I tore it off and used it to wipe my **** this morning.

SaintMax wrote:

dadofmy3sons wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

dadofmy3sons wrote:
Everyone keeps saying it ain't Mauricio's fault and he is now our manager, ok.
A few points.
His teams are known for a very physical approach, more fouls and bookings than any other team in La Liga.
He is said to be ruthless, the language barrier will make that even easier. It is far easier to drop someone if you have to get someone else to inform the player.
He is known to disagree with anyone who opposes him, do we not know someone else like that at Saints?
I am a Saints supporter, and I felt that Nigel was doing an adequate job up till now. Cortese doesn't do adequate!
Who are his backroom team? I haven't seen any official announcement of the termination of the 3. If they are gone, who is coming in? More foreigners?
Has Les Reed been kept?
Tried to read the Pardew sacking thing but it keeps failing, I do believe what Velleitty says though, it probably does read very much the same.
Saints appear to be a friendly little club, but every now and then somebody connected with the club does something very nasty!
That is where the title "ugly inside" came from.
We look good from the outside, but inside we can be just as ugly as anyone else.
WE don't want to be a little club ?
I haven't minded so far, a few succeses now and then would be nice.

You mention 'foreign' back room staff? Who are the top managers in the EPL at the moment?
Scotsman (not English)
Italian
Spaniard
Portuguese
Scotsman
Frenchman.... Shall I go on?
The only English managed teams are battling, uninspiring WBA, stoke, Norwich, West Ham, QPR...

I for one want to break away from the also rans,

I do agree with the rest of your post though dad, was just that bit that stuck out and made me think..

I know!
I read it afterwards and thought it might sound racisst, but that was not my intention.
My concern is the communication problem, didn't Mourinho start out as Bobby Robson's translator?

I agree , but can't understand a word Fergie says, so imagine MANU players at half time when they are 2 down, and they think WTF is he on about!?

And that's been for 20 odd years!!

hoskins wrote:
any one no of a good cheap hitman time to get rid og this idiot cortese for good fuckoff back to italy have 100 € to spend but a bet after this stab in the back of akins but a lot of people would do it for nothing

ghk230473 wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

Selling soul to the devil springs to mind!

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

Selling soul to the devil springs to mind!

saintly doesn't deserve that, he did get it right when we had it wrong.

montecristosaint wrote:
Yesterday was a horrible day for Saints fans but come this morning and I understand why this decision was taken. The Premiership is a tough place and if you want to attract top players to a club you have to have a man at the helm who is internationally respected. The new manager built a great team at Espanhol on a limited budget and had a reputation for bringing through academy talent in to the first team He promoted over twenty in his time at Espanhol and made the team a force to be reckoned with. Espanhol, however is not Southampton which has the financial muscle to compete with anybody. Adkins had taken us as far as he was likely to go and given the ambition of the club we needed to recruit someone who would be able to persuade top foreign players to come here. I am pretty sure Cortese was having trouble getting such players in simply because Adkins is an unknown quantity on the continent. This remains an exciting time to be a Saints fan but lets face it most have no idea what european football is all about , and make no mistake that is exactly what Cortese wants. The man is a genius.

mikeyg2108 wrote:
Just to add my six penny worth I don't think anyone should under estimate Les Reed's involvement in this debacle. I believe he has a heavy influence on player recruitment. He identifies new players and then Cortese tries to buy them. In my opinion Adkins had no say in new players. I just remember how hated Reed was by Charlton fans and they warned us that he would ruin our club too.

I believe that Nigel's brief when he was appointed was to get Saints back into the Premiership. Nigel achieved this 2 years ahead of schedule and this upset Cortese's and Reed's planning as they had always believed that Nigel did not have sufficient knowledge to kep us in the premiership. They decided to give him a chance but have subsequently been planning for his removal since November when MP left Espanyol.

ghk230473 wrote:

mikeyg2108 wrote:
Just to add my six penny worth I don't think anyone should under estimate Les Reed's involvement in this debacle. I believe he has a heavy influence on player recruitment. He identifies new players and then Cortese tries to buy them. In my opinion Adkins had no say in new players. I just remember how hated Reed was by Charlton fans and they warned us that he would ruin our club too.

I believe that Nigel's brief when he was appointed was to get Saints back into the Premiership. Nigel achieved this 2 years ahead of schedule and this upset Cortese's and Reed's planning as they had always believed that Nigel did not have sufficient knowledge to kep us in the premiership. They decided to give him a chance but have subsequently been planning for his removal since November when MP left Espanyol.

So it is clear that the 'manager of southampton doesn't buy players, who has bought Forren?
Can we extend that to picking the team?
History tells us a club that doesn't change managers i.e. Fergie, wenger, moyles remain in the top flight and are successful. Clubs that change managers or have chairman that interfere I.e Lowe go bust!
Oh well, in cortese we trust! And he calls the hard core saint fan the lunatic fringe, he should know because the lunatics have taken over the asylum that is now St Marys

SaintRachel wrote:
Yesterday I was too numb/angry/bitter & twisted to post anything, anywhere. But I had a thought overnight that's calmed me down a bit:
What if Nige really DID know all along? When he said at the end of last season that he'd leave 'one day' perhaps the deal had always been to get us to the Premiership and then move on? (He was on a 3 year contract after all, and did 2 1/4 years of it). At the time he was hailed as a 'Get Out Of League 1' specialist. Thought 2: What if the much-publicised meeting after the West Brom loss was Nicola saying that he was now looking and hoped Nige could and would stay in post until the right man for the job could be found? Let's face it, if NA has to go, there's no easy/good way to do it as everyone is in agreement that he'd done an excellent job until then. Nige would want to make sure our great club and the players were not left in the lurch & he wouldn't have stormed out, I'm sure..
The job in hand is not the job he was appointed to do. Of course, it's quite possible that Nige could have been the best man for the job ahead, but it's also possible that MP is the better man for us now, especially if Nicola now has his eyes on Europe. Only time will tell.
Make no mistake, I adore Nigel and think he has been a GREAT Saints manager. He has also been paid well for it, and will have been paid off well too, and he now has the best creds and rep to walk into another great post. The next club to get him will be very lucky indeed.
I see that spaniards are saying the same thing this morning - Saints are lucky to have MP - I hope so.

magnette wrote:
NC and the Liebherrs have poured millions into a bankrupt club. That allowed the purchase of players from above the team's lowly status, attracted by the money on offer and the investment in facilities. For 2 seasons NC and the Liebherrs purchased a team that were a league better than the league they were in and it was less than a surprise when they were promoted. Now they are in the PL they cannot do that because half the teams are richer and more supported than Saints. So success can only be achieved by great management and temporary over investment. NC has still poured money into the club as a temporary investment but the results have been devastatingly bad because Adkins was unable to manage the team properly. The results speak for themselves: they are 3 points off relegation, their recent mediocre run of form is largely due to playing the lower teams. Their defence is a joke, nearly the worst there is. Everyone is nearly always out of position and they have let in 40 goals. Adkins has had a fortune to spend and that's what he has achieved. It must always be remembered that Cortese has to run the club successfully in the PL or he is out as well, and fans must remember that if he fails the Liebherrs will probably sell. If we want a club in Europe and the top six in the Premier League then we support NC. Next you can go to St Marys and watch Everton, Manchester Utd and City: without NC and the Liebherrs it would be Brentford, Bury and Crawley.

I KNOW WHAT I'D RATHER DO; I AM FOR ONE, SUPPORTING NC AND POCHETTINO

Dave Brown wrote:
Dear Nigel Adkins.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the success you were responsible for as Saints Manager during the last 3years.
I feel that with the mindset of the grim reaper we have as a chairman you will enjoy a far better career away from this club and on a personal basis I will be following your next appointment with interest.
I look forward to the day you come back and hopefully bury Cortese with a win that relegates the club and allows Cortese his just rewards.

Velleity wrote:

Dave Brown wrote:
Dear Nigel Adkins.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the success you were responsible for as Saints Manager during the last 3years.
I feel that with the mindset of the grim reaper we have as a chairman you will enjoy a far better career away from this club and on a personal basis I will be following your next appointment with interest.
I look forward to the day you come back and hopefully bury Cortese with a win that relegates the club and allows Cortese his just rewards.

Really? You love what NA did for the club so much that you want to see us relegated?

SaintJD wrote:
What amazes me in all this is the way Cortese thinks.

It's obviously just so at odds with normal behaviour.

Look at last week. For the first time, the manager he replaced Pardew with is ahead of him in the Premier League and his team goes to Chelsea, a team who embody the risks of ruthless ownership, and wins by sticking by his man.

You'd think wouldn't you that he'd take a day or two to enjoy the moment and feel smug that he's been proven right on Nigel, both bringing him in when the fans and media doubted and sticking by him when the media were again baying for blood.

But no, he sacks him. Bizarre, but an interesting insight into the way these kind of people's minds work differently than ours.

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

Selling soul to the devil springs to mind!

And you would be happy to either just avoid relegation or even go down with Nigel? Yes, I think you would, no ambition.
I want Europe, top 10 in league.

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
I have a question for all those calling for a boycott, a protest, white hankies, NC's head or wishing to boo Pochettino before he has even started. How did you feel when Dave Merrington was sacked after 'successfully' keeping Sainst in the top flight in 1996 a few weeks after being named manager of the month?

I don't remember any great dissent then.

How ever angry any of us may feel, what we don't need now is for supporters to forget that they are supporting THE SAINTS not any individual currently or formerly at the club.

SaintMax wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

Selling soul to the devil springs to mind!

saintly doesn't deserve that, he did get it right when we had it wrong.

Jees Osie, your not getting me mixed up with saintsSoul are you?.. Yes he did get it right that NC and NA were not getting, but he also claimed we had no money, and we spent £4m yesterday on Forren!

Gawd, I can't wait for Monday!

warrens 76 wrote:
The problem we are facing is that true fans want success but not always at any price.

Parents indulge their kids in Mufco and Chelsea fantasy support created because they win all the time and everyone else is 'rubbish'...it existed when we were kids having a kick around and many 'supported' the latest FA cup winners..

Sky and corporate interests have turned football into a corporate game...may as well support coca cola united or lucozade city...it is not sport as we knew it..

However it is what it is...in this cut throat global audience word Nicola Cortese will probably succeed...

So we will eventually become a much bigger club, however we lose our soul in the process...as a real fan I wanted NA for life good and bad results because it made us something 'more' than the 90% support of plastic clubs...

...it was not so long ago (25 years) we had bigger gates than Chelsea for all but a handful of games..

...they have bought success and been merciless in their treatment of people..who wants that it's like blood money.

Nigel Adkins is a rare person in a 5hitty world, I wish he was with us....regrettably the football industry of today cannot afford a conscience.

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

right back in the bar wrote:
I remembered the picture of Cortese on the cover of the programe from the Leeds match - our first in the Championship last season. A great gae when Nige set the tempo for the remainder of that season - we literally tor Leeds apart.
With him looking suitably pomous in that photo (a picture paints a thousand words) I tore it off and used it to wipe my **** this morning.

Disrespectful and of course daft, all the good that has been done by NC has now gone down the drain you think? Has it? What are going to do later if he is proved 100% correct, apologise? Somehow I don't think so, you will just take it for granted and probably give the credit to others, well let us wait and see shall we?

magnette wrote:
NC and the Liebherrs have poured millions into a bankrupt club. That allowed the purchase of players from above the team's lowly status, attracted by the money on offer and the investment in facilities. For 2 seasons NC and the Liebherrs purchased a team that were a league better than the league they were in and it was less than a surprise when they were promoted. Now they are in the PL they cannot do that because half the teams are richer and more supported than Saints. So success can only be achieved by great management and temporary over investment. NC has still poured money into the club as a temporary investment but the results have been devastatingly bad because Adkins was unable to manage the team properly. The results speak for themselves: they are 3 points off relegation, their recent mediocre run of form is largely due to playing the lower teams. Their defence is a joke, nearly the worst there is. Everyone is nearly always out of position and they have let in 40 goals. Adkins has had a fortune to spend and that's what he has achieved. It must always be remembered that Cortese has to run the club successfully in the PL or he is out as well, and fans must remember that if he fails the Liebherrs will probably sell. If we want a club in Europe and the top six in the Premier League then we support NC. Next you can go to St Marys and watch Everton, Manchester Utd and City: without NC and the Liebherrs it would be Brentford, Bury and Crawley.

I KNOW WHAT I'D RATHER DO; I AM FOR ONE, SUPPORTING NC AND POCHETTINO

Baddesley Bill wrote:

only1chopper wrote:
From watching from the stands at the dell, to watching the saints at the start of this season, I felt that we were still a family club with family values and a team who had mutual respect for manager and fans alike. Now, we are just a business with a chairman who thinks he knows everything about football, has no respect for our now ex manager and goes and does whatever he wants. Yes, he brought in Nigel and that was a strange decision at the time but I thank him for it. He then tells Nigel to pack his stuff up and go. He says he is looking to the future for Southampton and appoints a guy with little management experience and even less spoken English.
The timing and the replacement are terrible. Only time will tell if this drastic measure bares fruit or goes to pot, either way we as fans are still upset, confused and shocked by what happened yesterday.
But we are Southampton, we love our club and will always want what is best for our beloved club, so make your feelings shown at the start of the game, then lets get behind the saints and cheer them on.
Rant over, wander if Forren will start?

Pretty much sums up my feelings. It's up to us fans to try to help Cortese's gamble pay off.COYR

milton road wrote:
Having watched Saints from the time I could get in for 20p or four shillings and Ted Bates as manager. Much has changed in football, your chairmen were local men as were your directors. Men like gentleman John Corbett who was a director for many a long year.
Sky revolutionized football, ripped its heart out and tradition. Regular saturday football has become something that is intermittent in the prem. Money has become god and with it TV deals. Hence we get foreign players, managers and owners. They all want a slice of the cake.
Family clubs have long since gone unfortunately.Though clubs are more family orientated in the sense it is safer for both genders and all ages to watch the game now.
We want the best club we can, we want to be special. No way did I want NA to leave. He did bring something special to fans and the club.
Yet I am realistic enough to know if Man Utd or Liverpool had come in for him he would probably have gone. I see him eventually ending up at a club like that. What Cortese has missed is NA does have that potential.

"There are teams that wait for you and teams that look for you: Espanyol look for you. I feel very close to their style of football," said Pep Guardiola of MP's side.
That was before he had to sell 10 players last summer because Espanyol were basically bankrupt and he turned down Sampdoria and was linked to Madrid. Jose the perfect one rates him.
He brought 12 youth players through the ranks in 3 seasons, played the youth teams in the age group above to get a bigger challenge. He plays football from the back, pushes up and closes midfield. His training sessions are said to be fun but intense. His teams are aggressive, fast and hold the ball.
That is a little about the man who has come to Saints. As people say they do not know anything about him.
I will say the same as I said when NA came to Saints, don't crucify the man before he has had a chance to show what he can do.

We have just lost a very good manager it sucks.
We may also have gained one time will tell.

montecristosaint wrote:
Yesterday was a horrible day for Saints fans but come this morning and I understand why this decision was taken. The Premiership is a tough place and if you want to attract top players to a club you have to have a man at the helm who is internationally respected. The new manager built a great team at Espanhol on a limited budget and had a reputation for bringing through academy talent in to the first team He promoted over twenty in his time at Espanhol and made the team a force to be reckoned with. Espanhol, however is not Southampton which has the financial muscle to compete with anybody. Adkins had taken us as far as he was likely to go and given the ambition of the club we needed to recruit someone who would be able to persuade top foreign players to come here. I am pretty sure Cortese was having trouble getting such players in simply because Adkins is an unknown quantity on the continent. This remains an exciting time to be a Saints fan but lets face it most have no idea what european football is all about , and make no mistake that is exactly what Cortese wants. The man is a genius.

saintbobby wrote:

Saintjai wrote:
Well after recovering from the initial shock of loosing NA. Ive had my cold shower built a massive NA Snowman tribute. Then i read all there is to read about MP and am now looking forward to our future with MP as he appears to be the perfect replacement for what seemed to be enevitable!!! Plus the prospect of aquiring some of spains quality talent in the near future. I still know the future is bright the future is SOUTHAMPTON FC!!!! Oh and shall we all give a big special wave to those twenty mile away WWAAVVEE!!! ...................M


P please learn our lingo ASAP That is the only problem i invisage!!!

Jai, I think you make some good points.

However, I was really upset for Nigel Adkins who achieved amazing results. The Premier League was always going to be difficult and Saints helped make it even more difficult by not signing some good defenders in the close season.

Then, Nigel did make some strange selections at times, only to retrieve things by substitutions. For example, why did Rickie sometime sit on the bench? Very strange.

As for the chairman, he will have his own game plan, but it would be such a relief and a most welcome change if he would actually talk to the fans or to someone.

I bet the Echo would love to have a big interview with him. All we know is that he is hugely ambitious - and aren't we all - but we really don't know the guy.

Nicola, may I say, it is much easier to be popular and friendly than appear to be a man of mystery. You are not expected to tell us the innermost secrets but so many would like to hear from you and avoid guessing what you think.

To the new manager, good luck on Monday and for more than one reason we all hope you start with 3 points!!!

CB FRY LIVES wrote:

saintbobby wrote:

Saintjai wrote:
Well after recovering from the initial shock of loosing NA. Ive had my cold shower built a massive NA Snowman tribute. Then i read all there is to read about MP and am now looking forward to our future with MP as he appears to be the perfect replacement for what seemed to be enevitable!!! Plus the prospect of aquiring some of spains quality talent in the near future. I still know the future is bright the future is SOUTHAMPTON FC!!!! Oh and shall we all give a big special wave to those twenty mile away WWAAVVEE!!! ...................M



P please learn our lingo ASAP That is the only problem i invisage!!!

Jai, I think you make some good points.

However, I was really upset for Nigel Adkins who achieved amazing results. The Premier League was always going to be difficult and Saints helped make it even more difficult by not signing some good defenders in the close season.

Then, Nigel did make some strange selections at times, only to retrieve things by substitutions. For example, why did Rickie sometime sit on the bench? Very strange.

As for the chairman, he will have his own game plan, but it would be such a relief and a most welcome change if he would actually talk to the fans or to someone.

I bet the Echo would love to have a big interview with him. All we know is that he is hugely ambitious - and aren't we all - but we really don't know the guy.

Nicola, may I say, it is much easier to be popular and friendly than appear to be a man of mystery. You are not expected to tell us the innermost secrets but so many would like to hear from you and avoid guessing what you think.

To the new manager, good luck on Monday and for more than one reason we all hope you start with 3 points!!!

Cortese will never talk to the fans.that would be infra dig for him.question id does he even speak english and is he human or zombie.banker or whanker.nasty or nice.

right back in the bar wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

right back in the bar wrote:
I remembered the picture of Cortese on the cover of the programe from the Leeds match - our first in the Championship last season. A great gae when Nige set the tempo for the remainder of that season - we literally tor Leeds apart.
With him looking suitably pomous in that photo (a picture paints a thousand words) I tore it off and used it to wipe my **** this morning.

Disrespectful and of course daft, all the good that has been done by NC has now gone down the drain you think? Has it? What are going to do later if he is proved 100% correct, apologise? Somehow I don't think so, you will just take it for granted and probably give the credit to others, well let us wait and see shall we?

Oh dear.... someone who has to respond with the you this and you that on taking exception to a post, directs plenty of questions but then assume to know the answers already. For what its worth it might be an inspired move - it certainly was in appointing Adkins at a time when many of us were indignant at Pardew's sacking. this new guy sounds interesting, could prove more tactically astute and more able to bring on/acquire the players we need to be more successful. The concern I have is that he has to make an immedate impact: there is no time for slip ups - Monday is a must win game. But he hardly speaks any English. For sure my post was disrespectful - or vulgar humour perhaps - but do you think Cortese pays anyone any respect, and do you think he gives a stuff about the supporters of SFC? I'll let you answer.

Jameski wrote:

montecristosaint wrote:
Yesterday was a horrible day for Saints fans but come this morning and I understand why this decision was taken. The Premiership is a tough place and if you want to attract top players to a club you have to have a man at the helm who is internationally respected. The new manager built a great team at Espanhol on a limited budget and had a reputation for bringing through academy talent in to the first team He promoted over twenty in his time at Espanhol and made the team a force to be reckoned with. Espanhol, however is not Southampton which has the financial muscle to compete with anybody. Adkins had taken us as far as he was likely to go and given the ambition of the club we needed to recruit someone who would be able to persuade top foreign players to come here. I am pretty sure Cortese was having trouble getting such players in simply because Adkins is an unknown quantity on the continent. This remains an exciting time to be a Saints fan but lets face it most have no idea what european football is all about , and make no mistake that is exactly what Cortese wants. The man is a genius.

Sad but very true

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

SaintMax wrote:

ghk230473 wrote:

donravies wrote:
In Cortese we trust? Really? Trust is something earned. Realistically, if the new man changes things for the better then all will be forgiven, but to say it's a gamble is an understatement.. Untried in the premiership and lots to prove. Yes support the team... we always do through thick or thin, but as for Cortese - he's proved yet again to be like so many other chairmen - egotistical, power-crazy, and not interested at all in what the fans want. Nigel Adkins had the respect of the overwhelming majority of fans and it seems, the players. The new guy and Cortese will be judged in time. Until then I will not blindly trust the egomaniac.

Spot on

Disagree. NC advised Markus to rescue our club (and that act is as significant as any in our history), NC appointed Alan Pardew, NC advised the very kind Liebherr family to keep Markus's legacy alive, NC employed Nigel..
Very short memories some people.

I'm embarrassed by your posts.

Selling soul to the devil springs to mind!

And you would be happy to either just avoid relegation or even go down with Nigel? Yes, I think you would, no ambition.
I want Europe, top 10 in league.

miltonarcher wrote:
He can't speak English. How will he communicate effectively with players? How can the players communicate with him? It won't work. It's a crazy appointment. Nigel was getting it right, all that good work now down the pan, just like sfc!

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
One thing I have found interesting in all of this is that it is creating some strange bed fellows.

Most people on here post their opinions and wisely avoid the infighting.

Those of us who get somewhat more heated have tended to fall into two groups. First, are those of us (sometimes called 'the happy clappers') who IMO have tried to be balanced in our view of NC and NA (saying that both have generally made the right decisions but both have made some mistakes). I'd say these people - the so-called happy clappers - first and foremost, support the Saints rather than either supporting or attacking NC or NA. However, by supporting the Saints, we always tried to get behind both NC and NA. Those critical of that position – those who call us ‘happy clappers’ - often claimed, maybe with some justification, that we were not critical enough of NC and/or NA.

Today, my guess from what I've read is that most of us 'happy clappers' thank NA and wish him well, don't really agree with NC's decision but will continue to support the Saints and will, thus, give our support to NC and MP.

Putting aside any skates or absolute WUMs, very loosely, the ones who have had the most grief from us 'happy clappers' have done so because of their perceived negativity aimed at either NC or NA; e.g. GHK's name calling of NC is legendary and has been challenged; I think SaintlySoul got grief for being unhappy with NA after the win at Villa.

Yesterday sort of altered things. I can't defend NC for sacking NA. So, I've found some agreement with those backing NA and knocking NC's decision. However, noting how often NC has got things right, I can also see where those who think this is a good thing (often those who - unlike me - were critical of NA) are coming from.

So, today's a new dawn for all of us on here. I'm sure we'll fight some more; I'm sure there will be plenty to disagree about. For now, goodbye and good luck Nigel (and his bus), bienvenido, Mauricio (and his autobús). The rest of this season's going to be a helter skelter of a ride and I for one am happy to be on it with all genuine Saints fans whether I agree with them or not.

COYR!

Croydon Saint wrote:

miltonarcher wrote:
He can't speak English. How will he communicate effectively with players? How can the players communicate with him? It won't work. It's a crazy appointment. Nigel was getting it right, all that good work now down the pan, just like sfc!

miltonarcher and sotonthesaint, I have replied to your mocking comments on Wednesday's 'Saints comeback stuns Chelsea' thread. It does disappoint me that there are so many shortsighted, throwaway comments and such negativity aimed at our Chaiman. In NC I very much trust. We can all nitpick but he has done little wrong since day one. He is running or club intelligently/astute

ly. I find his decisons calculated and well thought through. His ambition is not ruthless but measured. He had a five year plan and thanks to his appointment of the wonderful NA, he accomplished things ahead of schedule. That plan has now been ripped up and he has drawn up his new 5 year strategy. He may initially have included NA in his new plans because I find him a fair bloke who doesn't make rash decisions. However (again it is only my opinion), the wheels were starting to wobble and NA's tactical decisions were becoming more and more strange during the final 8-10 matches in the Championship, He gave NA the opportunity to cut it in the Premiership and very recently things have been improving inspite of those bizarre tactical decisions worsening. I, like everyone, would like to thank Adkins for his efforts, our club's success and for being a thoroughly decent human being. His unparalleled integrity has yet again been highlighted by the fact that none of us have witnessed any Harry Rednapp style sulking and self-centred rants in the media since his departure. However, it remains my opinion that he is/was not Premiership quality and sadly there was only a small window of opportunity to prove otherwise. I don't feel sorry for Managers in this position. They know the industry they are getting in to, they are extremely well compensated financially and usually find another job within 6 months. In NA's case, its all part of his learning curve, he has an unblotted CV in the lower divisions and will find new employment quickly. I sincerely hope he proves me wrong and becomes an established Premiership manager one day. I would further like to say this of NC, that maybe helped to shape my first impressions of him in a positive way. I went to a pre-season game against FC Thon a few years back. I dont care to hang around the players/staff or get autographs and photos but I did want to shake Markus' hand. Bizarrely, NC came over and engaged me in conversation. He was polite, gentle, enthusiastic and generous with his time. He wasn't a charmer nor was he aloof and I felt he had a steely but controlled determination about him - I was impressed. I know my opinions are not important and I dont care if I'm right or wrong but I do care of the opinions of our Chairman and am happy to believe that he is right. I feel we must accept that, after the magnificent and loyal fanbase, he is the most important figure at our club and in him, we must get behind and trust. P.S. Like most people on this forum, I sadly don't have time to read every post or participate as much as I would want but it does erk me when there are so many kneejerk reactions and unpleasant comments (though I guess we all have the right to say whatever we like). There are regulars on here that make some very balanced posts and they know who they are and I especially enjoyed recently the comments regarding NC from Billy the Saint and St1halo

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

right back in the bar wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

right back in the bar wrote:
I remembered the picture of Cortese on the cover of the programe from the Leeds match - our first in the Championship last season. A great gae when Nige set the tempo for the remainder of that season - we literally tor Leeds apart.
With him looking suitably pomous in that photo (a picture paints a thousand words) I tore it off and used it to wipe my **** this morning.

Disrespectful and of course daft, all the good that has been done by NC has now gone down the drain you think? Has it? What are going to do later if he is proved 100% correct, apologise? Somehow I don't think so, you will just take it for granted and probably give the credit to others, well let us wait and see shall we?

Oh dear.... someone who has to respond with the you this and you that on taking exception to a post, directs plenty of questions but then assume to know the answers already. For what its worth it might be an inspired move - it certainly was in appointing Adkins at a time when many of us were indignant at Pardew's sacking. this new guy sounds interesting, could prove more tactically astute and more able to bring on/acquire the players we need to be more successful. The concern I have is that he has to make an immedate impact: there is no time for slip ups - Monday is a must win game. But he hardly speaks any English. For sure my post was disrespectful - or vulgar humour perhaps - but do you think Cortese pays anyone any respect, and do you think he gives a stuff about the supporters of SFC? I'll let you answer.

You didn't really use a programme cover to wipe your derry air did you? Was that after you stopped speaking through it? Have you ever looked suitably pomous? Pompous is what you meant, this missing letter problem is getting a bit tedious.

saintshorse101 wrote:
what makes me laugh over this whole stupid affair is the fact that the press are up in arms over adkins sacking, the sun on page 1 have the headline "it just saint fair". these are the same people who 2 months ago were stocking the flames and calling for adkins to go! never read so much hypocritical rubbish in my life!
then we get Merson on tv saying he wants saints to get relegated because of this, Merson never has liked saints and has run us down at every oppotunity, but to say this on live tv just shows how low he will go. he is no `expert` on football, half of his career was spent broke drunk and high, he then went to poopey, he also stated rickie would stuggle in the prem and only score 5 goals. i only hope that, even though mlt thinks its wrong to sack NA and dosent like NC, he gives merso an earfull for saying that. you may not like the chairman matt but stick up for the team!

mattysd99 wrote:

saintshorse101 wrote:
what makes me laugh over this whole stupid affair is the fact that the press are up in arms over adkins sacking, the sun on page 1 have the headline "it just saint fair". these are the same people who 2 months ago were stocking the flames and calling for adkins to go! never read so much hypocritical rubbish in my life!
then we get Merson on tv saying he wants saints to get relegated because of this, Merson never has liked saints and has run us down at every oppotunity, but to say this on live tv just shows how low he will go. he is no `expert` on football, half of his career was spent broke drunk and high, he then went to poopey, he also stated rickie would stuggle in the prem and only score 5 goals. i only hope that, even though mlt thinks its wrong to sack NA and dosent like NC, he gives merso an earfull for saying that. you may not like the chairman matt but stick up for the team!

Could'nt agree more, nobody really gives too hoots what ''football men'' like merson say, except merson. How this thick drunkard is well payed and on telly every week is beyond me, then again im not a ''football man''

bigfella777 wrote:
It's no suprise to me, he was lost and living off the players.Time to move upwards.

milton road wrote:
Having watched Saints from the time I could get in for 20p or four shillings and Ted Bates as manager. Much has changed in football, your chairmen were local men as were your directors. Men like gentleman John Corbett who was a director for many a long year.
Sky revolutionized football, ripped its heart out and tradition. Regular saturday football has become something that is intermittent in the prem. Money has become god and with it TV deals. Hence we get foreign players, managers and owners. They all want a slice of the cake.
Family clubs have long since gone unfortunately.Though clubs are more family orientated in the sense it is safer for both genders and all ages to watch the game now.
We want the best club we can, we want to be special. No way did I want NA to leave. He did bring something special to fans and the club.
Yet I am realistic enough to know if Man Utd or Liverpool had come in for him he would probably have gone. I see him eventually ending up at a club like that. What Cortese has missed is NA does have that potential.

"There are teams that wait for you and teams that look for you: Espanyol look for you. I feel very close to their style of football," said Pep Guardiola of MP's side.
That was before he had to sell 10 players last summer because Espanyol were basically bankrupt and he turned down Sampdoria and was linked to Madrid. Jose the perfect one rates him.
He brought 12 youth players through the ranks in 3 seasons, played the youth teams in the age group above to get a bigger challenge. He plays football from the back, pushes up and closes midfield. His training sessions are said to be fun but intense. His teams are aggressive, fast and hold the ball.
That is a little about the man who has come to Saints. As people say they do not know anything about him.
I will say the same as I said when NA came to Saints, don't crucify the man before he has had a chance to show what he can do.

We have just lost a very good manager it sucks.
We may also have gained one time will tell.

dea490 wrote:
I am not a fan, I don't attend games, although I do lay out ridiculously large sums of money for season tickets for other family members.

I don't care about Europe, finishing in the top, middle or bottom third of this or any other league.

I just know that this is a shocking way to treat someone who has served you well.

Its dishonourable,and if this is modern football, you can keep it.

right back in the bar wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

right back in the bar wrote:

OSPREYSAINT wrote:

right back in the bar wrote:
I remembered the picture of Cortese on the cover of the programe from the Leeds match - our first in the Championship last season. A great gae when Nige set the tempo for the remainder of that season - we literally tor Leeds apart.
With him looking suitably pomous in that photo (a picture paints a thousand words) I tore it off and used it to wipe my **** this morning.

Disrespectful and of course daft, all the good that has been done by NC has now gone down the drain you think? Has it? What are going to do later if he is proved 100% correct, apologise? Somehow I don't think so, you will just take it for granted and probably give the credit to others, well let us wait and see shall we?

Oh dear.... someone who has to respond with the you this and you that on taking exception to a post, directs plenty of questions but then assume to know the answers already. For what its worth it might be an inspired move - it certainly was in appointing Adkins at a time when many of us were indignant at Pardew's sacking. this new guy sounds interesting, could prove more tactically astute and more able to bring on/acquire the players we need to be more successful. The concern I have is that he has to make an immedate impact: there is no time for slip ups - Monday is a must win game. But he hardly speaks any English. For sure my post was disrespectful - or vulgar humour perhaps - but do you think Cortese pays anyone any respect, and do you think he gives a stuff about the supporters of SFC? I'll let you answer.

You didn't really use a programme cover to wipe your derry air did you? Was that after you stopped speaking through it? Have you ever looked suitably pomous? Pompous is what you meant, this missing letter problem is getting a bit tedious.

nob