Poortvillet's Verdict

[alpine_saint]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10453

Am I the only one worried about some of his comments ?

Firstly, it looks like we will be stuck with limited striker substitution options if we always have to have an extra defender on the bench to account for Killer. Considering he only plays one-up-front, this sounds suicidal to me.

Secondly, he seems to have no grasp on the Andrew Davies situation

Finally, is it wise to make these odd comments about Dyer and BWP in public ?

[bungle]

Alpine in pointless negative post non-shock.

[saintkiptanui]

Please leave.

[alpine_saint]

Alpine in pointless negative post non-shock.

Dont have to read it.......

[bungle]

I presume this thread is about cake?

[Glasgow_Saint]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10453

Am I the only one worried about some of his comments ?

Firstly, it looks like we will be stuck with limited striker substitution options if we always have to have an extra defender on the bench to account for Killer. Considering he only plays one-up-front, this sounds suicidal to me.

Secondly, he seems to have no grasp on the Andrew Davies situation

Finally, is it wise to make these odd comments about Dyer and BWP in public ?

Poortvillet OUT!!!

[saintrich]

People only having a dig because it's Alpine that posted the thread..

FWIW I agree... we need a striker on the bench and having an extra defender on the bench for Killer is a waste, if thats the case why sell Davies and not try harder to flog Skacel/Euell.

It's slightly worrying that Poortvliet doesn't even know if a player is talking to another club.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

People only having a dig because it's Alpine that posted the thread..

FWIW I agree... we need a striker on the bench and having an extra defender on the bench for Killer is a waste, if thats the case why sell Davies and not try harder to flog Skacel/Euell.

It's slightly worrying that Poortvliet doesn't even know if a player is talking to another club.

A agree with him too.

The reason Poortvliet knows nothing about Davies is because he has no control and he is selecting the players he is told too.

[harvey]

People only having a dig because it's Alpine that posted the thread..

FWIW I agree... we need a striker on the bench and having an extra defender on the bench for Killer is a waste, if thats the case why sell Davies and not try harder to flog Skacel/Euell.

It's slightly worrying that Poortvliet doesn't even know if a player is talking to another club.

Like I said on another thread, the club is tinpot.

[Glasgow_Saint]

A agree with him too.

The reason Poortvliet knows nothing about Davies is because he has no control and he is selecting the players he is told too.

Source?

[alpine_saint]

A agree with him too.

The reason Poortvliet knows nothing about Davies is because he has no control he is selecting the players he is told too.

I was also quite concerned that he doesnt seem to have gone out of his way to find out about Davies, despite him being injured.

I suspect Davies is another player ring-fenced for sale, so he's been told he doesnt need to look at him, and the club have simply kept this one quieter knowing he would generate more interest than the likes of Skacel.

[saintwarwick]

A agree with him too.

The reason Poortvliet knows nothing about Davies is because he has no control and he is selecting the players he is told too.

What an idiotic statement.

[alpine_saint]

What an idiotic statement.

No its not. If he has been told he cannot select certain players, he has been told which he can by default.

[saintkiptanui]

What an idiotic statement.I 2nd that.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

What an idiotic statement.

It`s an opinion and probably not just mine.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

No its not. If he has been told he cannot select certain players, he has been told which he can by default.


Same old story here if they don`t agree, it must be wrong.

[Totton Red]

What an idiotic statement.

Inside information? don't think so!

[alpine_saint]

Same old story here if they don`t agree, it must be wrong.

Yep, pity they arent so confident about our "BS" that they actually address the three points I made..

[Glasgow_Saint]

Yep, pity they arent so confident about our "BS" that they actually address the three points I made..

someone say 3 points? yipeeee

[Bourno]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10453

Am I the only one worried about some of his comments ?

Firstly, it looks like we will be stuck with limited striker substitution options if we always have to have an extra defender on the bench to account for Killer. Considering he only plays one-up-front, this sounds suicidal to me.

Secondly, he seems to have no grasp on the Andrew Davies situation

Finally, is it wise to make these odd comments about Dyer and BWP in public ?

I agree, it does show a lack of savvy. I fear that this man is in over his head. An inexperienced manager at this level, with inexperienced players is a recipe for relegation (I sincerely hope that I am wrong). Our bench today looked far to lightweight and it now appears that the manager knew this but was powerless to do anything about it.

[harvey]

I agree, it does show a lack of savvy. I fear that this man is in over his head. An inexperienced manager at this level, with inexperienced players is a recipe for relegation (I sincerely hope that I am wrong). Our bench today looked far to lightweight and it now appears that the manager knew this but was powerless to do anything about it.

I fear that Mr Poortvillet has been bought in as some sort of whipping boy, (In no way am I saying that he has been bought in to deflect attention from Messers R. Lowe & M Wilde) 8-[

[saint lard]

He is working within a remit given to him by Lowe,and within that remit will probably be,Lowe "sorry Jan we are in the shi7e financially i will let you know your'e squad that you can choose from 24 hrs prior to the next game" His reply "Yesh mister lowe"

I truly believe JP is as much in the dark to who is staying and who is going as we are ref takeovers.all IMO.;)

[Billy Shite]

Why is anyone surprised that JP knows nothing about which players are moving. Remember... we are moving away from 'Gaffer' culture. This means a move away from the 'English' way of the manager knowing what is going on with his playing staff, towards a continental approach whereby the Head Coach is given a pool of players and these are ususally chosen for him. some would say this is a good way so the clubs finances are in order first and foremost, some would say it's a means for the President (Lowe and Wilde) to have more input into football matters.

[saintstr1]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10453

Am I the only one worried about some of his comments ?

Firstly, it looks like we will be stuck with limited striker substitution options if we always have to have an extra defender on the bench to account for Killer. Considering he only plays one-up-front, this sounds suicidal to me.

Secondly, he seems to have no grasp on the Andrew Davies situation

Finally, is it wise to make these odd comments about Dyer and BWP in public ?

Very good post , exactly echoing my thoughts upon reading the same Portvliet comments, He comes across as not having his finger completely on the pulse at at sfc.

[Minty]

I don't understand why this is a surprise to some people. It's been obvious since Poortvliet's arrival that we'd be employing a more continental structure so Jan has less say about the players that a traditional English Manager. Personally I'm nto so keen on that aspect of it, but lets not pretend it's a surprise. Jan's only fault IMO is that he is perhaps a bt too honest about what he knows or otherwise... other managers would've given a more political answer, but Jan seems to be completely honest. His role is to concentrate on coaching the first team, so other aspects are not within his remit.

Only other comment I'd make is that the 'one up front' comment is misleading and the way it is played very much sees the wide front men join up with the striker when the ball is ciming in from the opposite flank or through the middle... bearing in mind the chances that Holmes, Gillett, McGoldrick, Lallana and Schneiderlin had today, not to mention Holmes' goal on Tuesday, I'd have thought that the movement and desire for others to get into the box to support the front man was obvious (mainly first half I admit, but still, it's there for all to see). Of course it needs developing further, but to suggest we 'only' have one upfront is misleading.

[St_Tel49]

I don't understand why this is a surprise to some people. It's been obvious since Poortvliet's arrival that we'd be employing a more continental structure so Jan has less say about the players that a traditional English Manager. Personally I'm nto so keen on that aspect of it, but lets not pretend it's a surprise. Jan's only fault IMO is that he is perhaps a bt too honest about what he knows or otherwise... other managers would've given a more political answer, but Jan seems to be completely honest. His role is to concentrate on coaching the first team, so other aspects are not within his remit.

Only other comment I'd make is that the 'one up front' comment is misleading and the way it is played very much sees the wide front men join up with the striker when the ball is ciming in from the opposite flank or through the middle... bearing in mind the chances that Holmes, Gillett, McGoldrick, Lallana and Schneiderlin had today, not to mention Holmes' goal on Tuesday, I'd have thought that the movement and desire for others to get into the box to support the front man was obvious (mainly first half I admit, but still, it's there for all to see). Of course it needs developing further, but to suggest we 'only' have one upfront is misleading.
I agree.

[crouchi]

Me too

[J Bizzle]

We do need another forward. i would suggest Matt Tubbs from salisbury, yes he is unproven but fook me get him inside the penalty box and he will finish for you. showed his ability against forrest and in both games ran them ragged. would be cheap and i think well worth a punt. can play out wide aswell if needed.

[socal saint]

i think alpines actually got a point.

reading portvliets post match comments made me scared ****less. I will be so ****ed off if they sneak andrew davies out the back door, he is EXACTLY the sort of player we need on the pitch at the moment.

2-1 sounds like it could become a common score for us this season, if we can't keep control of our few strong players. I wasn't a big fan of rasiak, but for the manager to make those comments about a lack of strikers 2 BLOODY DAYS AFTER HE GOES ON LOAN is retarded. simple as that.

I'm already fed up of getting up at 7 in the morning hung over to listen to saints lose, and the season is only a week old!

i'm off for a pint.

[saintwarwick]

No its not. If he has been told he cannot select certain players, he has been told which he can by default.

Please tell me which certain players he has been told he cannot select.

[saintwarwick]

Same old story here if they don`t agree, it must be wrong.

Same old story here, if you don't like my reply I must be right.

[alpine_saint]

Please tell me which certain players he has been told he cannot select.

It's so obvious, I am not even going to bother.

Your tactic has been worn threadbare - you contribute less and less to the discussion on here every day.

[EFM]

People only having a dig because it's Alpine that posted the thread..

FWIW I agree... we need a striker on the bench and having an extra defender on the bench for Killer is a waste, if thats the case why sell Davies and not try harder to flog Skacel/Euell.

It's slightly worrying that Poortvliet doesn't even know if a player is talking to another club.

Like you said, when things went a bit tits up you looked at the subs and thought "who the hell can he bring on to get us back in it"? I don't think AlpineSaint's points were anything but realistic and true.

Same goes for JP not knowing about the potential transfer of one of our best players. I don't see how his is "negative" thinking just genuinely worrying?

[saintwarwick]

It's so obvious, I am not even going to bother.

Your tactic has been worn threadbare - you contribute less and less to the discussion on here every day.

If it's so obvious please post a link, if you are so sure you won't have a problem doing so.

[Windmill Arm 2]

What an idiotic statement.

Because you disagree right? Laughable.

[lordswoodsaints]

im afraid that finances comes first and the football second,it not nice but we have to take our medicine,you all knew it was coming so why the surprise?

[alpine_saint]

im afraid that finances comes first and the football second,it not nice but we have to take our medicine,you all knew it was coming so why the surprise?

A lingering painful death as opposed to a blaze of glory, right ?

Well, when my time comes, I'd want it to be quick, for my sake and my loved ones........

[lordswoodsaints]

A lingering painful death as opposed to a blaze of glory, right ?

Well, when my time comes, I'd want it to be quick, for my sake and my loved ones........

'DO NOT RESUSCITATE' tattooed on your forehead would do the trick then.
on another thread somebody was talking about advertising in the closed corners, perhaps we could just put 'do not resuscitate' in large letters instead.

chin up only another 9 months to go.

[Fowllyd]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10453

Am I the only one worried about some of his comments ?

Firstly, it looks like we will be stuck with limited striker substitution options if we always have to have an extra defender on the bench to account for Killer. Considering he only plays one-up-front, this sounds suicidal to me.

Secondly, he seems to have no grasp on the Andrew Davies situation

Finally, is it wise to make these odd comments about Dyer and BWP in public ?

There's no suggestion in the first comment that this will always be the case; it's just that Killer had played his first proper competitive game in years at Cardiff, and they wanted to be sure that there was adequate cover for him.

Other than that, Poortvliet's being open and honest - I'm not sure I feel totally happy about the Dyer and BWP comments either though. As to Davies, he might have done better to simply say 'no comment', but then that would have been interpreted in any manner of ways. And the system of Poortvliet having little, if any, say in which players are at the club is rather what I'd have expected - and quite possibly pretty much the way in which he himself is used to working. I wouldn't say that this equates to having somebody else actually picking the team, as some have implied.

[lordswoodsaints]

i dont think it is a case os somebody else picking the team,it is a case of 'these are the players who are staying and these are the players who are possibly for sale'
again dictated by our financial needs rather than the footballing needs.

[miserableoldgit]

The thing that concerned me yesterday was that JP did not seem very animated on the touchline. During the pre-season friendlies he was. Reading his rather downbeat comments, coupled with the "Surman to Reading" rumours this morning may go some way to explaining his body language yesterday.

[Long Shot]

Although I share the concerns mentioned in the opening thread I will at least applaud JP's honesty - it is refreshing to hear a manager, sorry head coach, tell things as they are. But Svensson's knee is even more important now Davies looks like he is going and just what is wrong with Dyer and BWP.

We are tetering on the edge of a precipice no doubt about it.

[Andy_Porter]

We had Wotton and Lancashire on the bench, just one would have been enough.

[alpine_saint]

The thing that concerned me yesterday was that JP did not seem very animated on the touchline. During the pre-season friendlies he was. Reading his rather downbeat comments, coupled with the "Surman to Reading" rumours this morning may go some way to explaining his body language yesterday.

This is extremely worrying. If it is connected, then this would suggest that JP has to give up on even more players than was initialy agreed by Lowe.

If (and I repeat for my detractors, if) this is the case, JP probably needs to be looking for a new position.

The last thing this club needs is to drag itself through ANOTHER season with a disinterested and demotivated manager, and he aint likely to get the Dutch job over Van Basten, is he ?

[Le Goddard]

A agree with him too.

The reason Poortvliet knows nothing about Davies is because he has no control and he is selecting the players he is told too.

100% complete ********

[ALWAYS_SFC]

100% complete ********

It`s my opinion based on what is happening so unless you have
something to offer by way of a different view let`s hear it.

Or do you not have an opinion?

[ponto1963]

A agree with him too.

The reason Poortvliet knows nothing about Davies is because he has no control and he is selecting the players he is told too.
Agree, We have to remember JP is a HEAD COACH not a Manager.

[miserableoldgit]

Agree, We have to remember JP is a HEAD COACH not a Manager.
Semantics!

[John B]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10453

Am I the only one worried about some of his comments ?

Firstly, it looks like we will be stuck with limited striker substitution options if we always have to have an extra defender on the bench to account for Killer. Considering he only plays one-up-front, this sounds suicidal to me.

Secondly, he seems to have no grasp on the Andrew Davies situation

Finally, is it wise to make these odd comments about Dyer and BWP in public ?

JP has clarified the Andrew Davies Situation on the OS

[Redondo Saint]

This is extremely worrying. If it is connected, then this would suggest that JP has to give up on even more players than was initialy agreed by Lowe.

If (and I repeat for my detractors, if) this is the case, JP probably needs to be looking for a new position.

The last thing this club needs is to drag itself through ANOTHER season with a disinterested and demotivated manager, and he aint likely to get the Dutch job over Van Basten, is he ?


Sometime you make some good, interesting points. Most times you simply make negative, mischevious 'headlines'.

Are you a fan or a critic of SFC?

Fans can see both good and bad, you appear to only see bad - yet have no solution.

[bungle]

This is extremely worrying. If it is connected, then this would suggest that JP has to give up on even more players than was initialy agreed by Lowe.

If (and I repeat for my detractors, if) this is the case, JP probably needs to be looking for a new position.

The last thing this club needs is to drag itself through ANOTHER season with a disinterested and demotivated manager, and he aint likely to get the Dutch job over Van Basten, is he ?

What a load of completely fabricated made-up twaddle.

Perhaps we should all just make stuff up and then pretend we are right.

[miserableoldgit]

JP has clarified the Andrew Davies Situation on the OS
Having read the OS bit, I`m not sure that he has actually clarified it. Still confusing.

[Windmill Arm 2]

What a load of completely fabricated made-up twaddle.

Perhaps we should all just make stuff up and then pretend we are right.

You contribute nothing to this forum....fact

[ottery st mary]

JP has clarified the Andrew Davies Situation on the OS

I wonder what is really going on with all this transfer stuff. Before anyone has a pop, I do understand we have no money but at least bring JP in on the loop re his squad. It is quiote clear he did not know the score and has now been embarrassed into this form of clarification. I hope someone has told him about the other players being offered around by their agents. Although I am not a great lover of agents I don't believe for one minute that Davies agent needed much encouragement. I know what I would do if it was made obvious that I was not wanted regardless of my own wishes to get back from injury.

Let us hope Surman is a false rumour that JP can be in a position to deny if he is made aware of the true situation.

[John B]

I wonder what is really going on with all this transfer stuff. Before anyone has a pop, I do understand we have no money but at least bring JP in on the loop re his squad. It is quiote clear he did not know the score and has now been embarrassed into this form of clarification. I hope someone has told him about the other players being offered around by their agents. Although I am not a great lover of agents I don't believe for one minute that Davies agent needed much encouragement. I know what I would do if it was made obvious that I was not wanted regardless of my own wishes to get back from injury.

Let us hope Surman is a false rumour that JP can be in a position to deny if he is made aware of the true situation.

I cannot believe that JP did not know Stoke were interested in Davies everybody in Southampton did but he will not know the exact situation every minute of the day..

I think he was being honest by saying he did not know exactly where the negoations were English is only his second language and he must struggle at times to get of his thoughts correctly in English.

I also take more notice of things Posted on the OS than conspiracy theories and rumours posted on this site

[alpine_saint]

JP has clarified the Andrew Davies Situation on the OS

You mean he has been told what to say by the board because of the uproar yesterdays comments caused.

[ottery st mary]

I cannot believe that JP did not know Stoke were interested in Davies everybody in Southampton did but he will not know the exact situation every minute of the day..

I think he was being honest by saying he did not know exactly where the negoations were English is only his second language and he must struggle at times to get of his thoughts correctly in English.

I also take more notice of things Posted on the OS than conspiracy theories and rumours posted on this site

You really are missing out on life if you do not go with some of the rumours on here. Anyway lets get back to the football as we might need some more players on Saturday. I hope JP can count.

[saintwarwick]

You contribute nothing to this forum....fact

This coming from windbag. Laughable.

[saintwarwick]

You mean he has been told what to say by the board because of the uproar yesterdays comments caused.

Or maybe he has told it as it is.

[Legod Second Coming]

I thought what he said was spot on, but then I went to the game with an open mind and open eyes, which seems to be becoming a rarity on here...

Maybe if all those people who are with-holding funds from Lowe would just like to club together and buy Ronaldinho for us we'd be fine...

[ottery st mary]

I thought what he said was spot on, but then I went to the game with an open mind and open eyes, which seems to be becoming a rarity on here...

Maybe if all those people who are with-holding funds from Lowe would just like to club together and buy Ronaldinho for us we'd be fine...

We had a whip round in the pub during bingo and an agent has got him for us in a double deal with an ex Saint called Ali Dia and both will be arriving on Friday after the takeover and we has been told both will fit our yuf policy.

[saintwarwick]

We had a whip round in the pub during bingo and an agent has got him for us in a double deal with an ex Saint called Ali Dia and both will be arriving on Friday after the takeover and we has been told both will fit our yuf policy.

Are you ITK ;)

[ottery st mary]

Are you ITK ;)

Not me, but the old dear that runs the bingo is definitely is. She used to go out with Alf Ramsey and has retained a grasp of everthing Saints.
She also told me she knows a bloke called George WEAH and passed on some of his info to Graham Souness when he popped in for a game of Bingo.
She also said she would like to get into some of our Yuf and show them some real formations.

[StubbSaint]

What an idiotic statement.
theres only one idiot on here and thats you

[saintwarwick]

theres only one idiot on here and thats you

Thanks, can you pay your fiver so we can have a reasoned debate?

[Stu Man Do]

JP has clarified the Andrew Davies Situation on the OS


Did it sound to anyone else that, that article was complete BS? From the interview yesterday over Davies JP clearly knew nothing of the transfer in fact saying he knew "nothing" about it 2 seperate occassions! Just fecks me off that the club feel the need to lie over it and accredit quotes to him.

As others have said the bench options were terrible, Thomson to my mind isn't really ready yet and I think Gillet looked like he needed subbing after 70 mins so why no Wotton?! Without being ready to slit my wrists over it as we did play very well for 70% of the game, his lack of subs and seemingly no plan B is a bit disconcerting.

[saintkiptanui]

I hope poor old jan doesn't read any of this sh*t, I'm delighted with how things are going and would be mighty p*ssed off if fan or local media pressure meant he changed his tactics, thus meaning a return to last season awful football.

You lot are weirdo's.

[saintstr1]

Whilst watching Man U v Newcastle this afternoon on Telly the commentator said that Kevin Keegan has very little input as to which players the club sign ,Dennis Wise has the remit for identifying and signing players. KK's Job is to work with the players he is given and mould them into Newcastle United.

[kipstryker]

Whilst watching Man U v Newcastle this afternoon on Telly the commentator said that Kevin Keegan has very little input as to which players the club sign ,Dennis Wise has the remit for identifying and signing players. KK's Job is to work with the players he is given and mould them into Newcastle United.

In his interview with Sir David Frost on sky recently Ferguson said that the most important person at the club is the manager (as you would expect a manager to say!) and he must have control over player issues. He has been quite successful I gather.

[Legod Second Coming]

In his interview with Sir David Frost on sky recently Ferguson said that the most important person at the club is the manager (as you would expect a manager to say!) and he must have control over player issues. He has been quite successful I gather.

Would it not be a little odd for a manager to say that actually the most important person at the club is the first-team coach?? Or the bus-driver?? Just a thought... ;)

(Although I have to say that I agree 100% with him (and you) - but ask a fish-monger to recommend dinner and he's hardly likely to suggest bangers and mash is he... :) )

[Nolan]

Did it sound to anyone else that, that article was complete BS? From the interview yesterday over Davies JP clearly knew nothing of the transfer in fact saying he knew "nothing" about it 2 seperate occassions! Just fecks me off that the club feel the need to lie over it and accredit quotes to him.

....

Call me cynical, but if you compare Poortvliets language in that OS article to his pre-season Daily Echo interviews... his grasp of the English language has improved no end over the last couple of weeks.

[Jonnyboy]

Is it just me or does the "Clarification" not realy clarify things at all...

[Whitey Grandad]

Is it just me or does the "Clarification" not realy clarify things at all...

It's not just you. What I find strange is that anyone found the need to say anything at all. It indicates to me that JP knew nothing about what was going on.

[Windmill Arm 2]

Thanks, can you pay your fiver so we can have a reasoned debate?

Very reasoned...well done

[Oxford Saint]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10453

Am I the only one worried about some of his comments ?

Firstly, it looks like we will be stuck with limited striker substitution options if we always have to have an extra defender on the bench to account for Killer. Considering he only plays one-up-front, this sounds suicidal to me.

Secondly, he seems to have no grasp on the Andrew Davies situation

Finally, is it wise to make these odd comments about Dyer and BWP in public ?

No you are not. But you are the first to post any negative comments.

As soon as Killer proves his fitness I'm sure things will change.

Maybe he actually does know about Andrew Davies (which he almost certainly does) but can't actually comment. not just for club politics but also player.

Maybe he should maybe he shouldn't comment about BWP & ND there may be cultural differences (which as someone living overseas you may also be sensitive to?).

From a personal perspective I saw the best football at St Mary's for several years at yesterdays game.

HOW'S ABOUT GETTING YOUR A*SE DOWN TO A GAME BEFORE WHINING RELENTLESSLY ON ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG AND SEE HOW MUCH IS RIGHT?

I'm not saying every thing is rosy, but the death march is very premature!

For me the glass is 3/4 full.

[KMondo]

The comments about Andrew Davies seem to have vanished from the 'Poortvliet's verdict' page. Maybe we all dreamt it?

[Torrent Of Abuse]

My God. There's such a whiff of conspiracy and paranoia, it's like dinner round David Icke's place. The next thing I'll hear is that our first team is being abducted by aliens, one by one, beamed up from the centre circle.

Alpine, you are right in a sense that our club is getting cut back to the bone and that the "manager" is not being given the chance to manage - but that's what we have all come to expect. Lowe himself warned many years ago that clubs who go into the red are effectively managed by the banks. Forget the board, you might as well ask Barclays who will be playing next weekend. Welcome to F**kedville, Population: Us.

The only way we'll get out of this hole is to find someone to buy us - and to be frank, as the economy is currently as f**ked as the Georgian army, there is little chance of us getting bought out by anyone other than LifeLongDreamer. So it's plan B - at least balance the books.

You hate it. I hate it. We all hate it. But there is little alternative. If you want to go out with a bang, try having a candlelit dinner with dynamite. I'd rather we stay out of administration instead.

And on another point, can we all stop the ridiculous over-analysing of things? First we had dissections of Crouch's statements to the fans, then an analysis of whether Nigel Pearson shouts too much from the touchline. Now Poortvliet shouts too little, or uses different words than he did a few months ago etc. etc. Can't we all just watch the sport? If I wanted my sport analysed to death, I'd have picked cricket.

[saintwarwick]

Very reasoned...well done

Please elaborate, thanks.

[Whitey Grandad]

From the Times today:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article4553387.ece

It just confirms what we knew already IMO.

[Legod Second Coming]

From the Times today:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article4553387.ece

It just confirms what we knew already IMO.

Yep, that journalists do not report on games as they occur, simply as befits their story...

It's a sad state of affairs when even the Times resort to tabloid journalism... and a sadder reflection on the buying public...

[Scummer]

From the Times today:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article4553387.ece

It just confirms what we knew already IMO.

Says we played 4-4-2, and also in the Sheff Utd report says they were missing Kevin Beattie. Poor journalism.

[itchen]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10453

Am I the only one worried about some of his comments ?

Firstly, it looks like we will be stuck with limited striker substitution options if we always have to have an extra defender on the bench to account for Killer. Considering he only plays one-up-front, this sounds suicidal to me.

Secondly, he seems to have no grasp on the Andrew Davies situation

Finally, is it wise to make these odd comments about Dyer and BWP in public ?

1. I struggled to find the word "always" in his statement about Killer. It's kind of standard to have a substitute if you have doubts about a player's fitness. If the manager believes that it is better to risk a not-fully-fit player than to start with one who is not so good, that's his prerogative. He sees the players training all week, we don't.

2. I agree. But it doesn't change the fact that we need to sell players and some of those players will the ones that we, as fans, want to keep. It's a shame but just carping on about it isn't going to change the financial reality.

3. He's absolutely right. I like this telling it how it is style. It's in complete contrast to the "everything is OK, trust me" approach of George Burley and very refreshing and may cause our more senior players (those who are left) to think about their approach. It would be different if he were publicly criticising one of the kids in their first couple of games.

[Fowllyd]

Yep, that journalists do not report on games as they occur, simply as befits their story...

It's a sad state of affairs when even the Times resort to tabloid journalism... and a sadder reflection on the buying public...

Report in today's Guardian here - pretty balanced I'd say. Certainly reflects the comments from most on here who were at the game on Saturday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/18/championship.southampton

[itchen]

Report in today's Guardian here - pretty balanced I'd say. Certainly reflects the comments from most on here who were at the game on Saturday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/18/championship.southampton

I like the way Phillips describes football supporters as "fickle". Of course, we're the ones who go and support other clubs at the waving of a fistfull of fivers. The players stay loyal.

[ottery st mary]

So the comment from one of our players didn't give himself or another Saints player the clue to stand on his toes come what may when he loiters in the box.(mark him that is)

[Fowllyd]

I like the way Phillips describes football supporters as "fickle". Of course, we're the ones who go and support other clubs at the waving of a fistfull of fivers. The players stay loyal.

Yes, it was a bit rich, that.

[Whitey Grandad]

So the comment from one of our players didn't give himself or another Saints player the clue to stand on his toes come what may when he loiters in the box.(mark him that is)

That is the fullback's job.