YOU GET the impression that at Saints right now something has got to give if things are to get any better.

After relegation, the sale of the best players and a relegation struggle in the Championship beckoning, you could almost be forgiven for thinking things could hardly be worse.

Indeed, there is little doubt that is one of the lowest points in the club's history.

But it's hard to shake that feeling that things will still get worse before they get better.

The big questions now are 'how much worse?' and 'how will they get better'?

The opinion of the Saints fans is perfectly clear.

There have been plenty of people unhappy at Rupert Lowe's chairmanship for a long time.

However, he has been fortunate in having a club where the fans are a proud bunch and fiercely loyal to their team and club.

To rile these people enough for them to turn on you with such venom as was witnessed on Saturday is a mark of what little regard Lowe is now held in.

This was not the protests of a vocal minority, this was the majority.

Only a handful of weeks ago, when asked about protests against him, Lowe told the press that he wasn't worried because it was only that minority at the Northam End.

Well, he should be worried now.

However, in among all the trials and tribulations I feel it necessary to say a word in Lowe's defence.

That is not to stand up for him, but just to say it's not all his fault.

Yes, he is the chairman and so he carries the can.

Yes, the manner in which he conducts himself has alienated him from the majority of people connected with the club.

Yes, he has overseen the current demise of a once great force.

But he hasn't done it alone.

He has a board of directors and, contrary to what some people will tell you, they ARE given a say on every major issue.

Let's not forget former chairman Guy Askham is still involved - the man who invited Lowe into the club.

Brian Hunt, Ian Gordon, Mike Richards, Keith Wiseman, Michael Withers and Andrew Cowen are all directors as well.

While Lowe's manner makes him an obvious target, what will his removal do?

Can things change under the present board ... or do they all need to go? Is that the only way things will get better?

Will Lowe end up being the fall guy for the board to protect themselves?

Or are the board actually strong and are THEY, in fact, the correct people to carry the club forward and right all the wrongs?

These are all vital questions that need to be answered because, while Lowe has been in charge, there have been plenty of others taking money out of the club in salaries that seem to have done very little to stop him.

Perhaps after their stance on Glenn Hoddle coming back, that is unfair - on the half that voted against Lowe anyway. But how many others just want an easy life?

If Saturday marked a watershed moment off the field as Lowe's demise became more inevitable, it also marked a watershed on it.

George Burley admitted after the defeat to Ipswich that his side are out of the play-off running and are now instead having to make sure they don't get relegated.

That's how far Saints have fallen.

It's hard not to feel sorry for Burley. He admits now, in the same way that Paul Sturrock and Harry Redknapp did, that the job is much harder then he ever realised. They can't all be wrong.

He must wonder what on earth, with his excellent record and potential suitors, he has done by coming to St Mary's.

He needs money to spend, that much is clear.

Because Saints were once again dreadful on Saturday, slipping to a sixth league loss in seven games.

Again, there was no lack of effort. Look at the teamsheet and you feel there should be no lack of skill.

But they still can't shake that losing habit.

You can say all you will for sports psychology, but it's your character that comes to the fore when you're out on that pitch.

And Saints are sadly lacking there too.

Ipswich are a routine team with an average centre forward that bullied them.

Alan Lee scored early and late on and in truth - yet again - Saints never looked like getting anything.

Surely this shambles cannot carry on for much longer.