captain sensible

I'd say that is pretty spot on...although given how these CEO's work, they would have lined up a shortlist of replacements. I think the main gripe with the board has been the poor signings of late, which really has wasted a large proportion of the player sales money. Nothing of any note coming out of the Academy...meaning Gao will have to spend/invest/gamble money, and it is no longer a self sufficient operation. Les will be very hard to replace...he can bargain hard on the player sales side, and has a lot of financial acumen...I could see him being replaced by two or three cogs for the machine. Les won't be out of work for long I imagine?

Reed delivered well for his paymasters over the course of time...Hughes is irrelevant...The whole Southampton Way mantra/ethos will now be under scrutiny and liable to change. Owners were probably expecting a myriad of Talent coming through the Academy when it looks like the Academy is completely devoid of anything likely to come through? Academy performance and Managerial selection his downfall...will likely replace Emenalo at Chelsea.

Moyes was a Rupert Lowe target back in the day does anyone recall?

If I "reed" that correctly...Koeman coming out on top on all counts...I suspect the problem Koeman had was with Les Reed...they just didn't get on? Why otherwise would he have gone to Everton? Hughes appointment looking at his track record, was a case of what was available at the given time? MoPe was well out of his depth. Yesterdays hiding does not bode well for the rest of the season. There will likely be no signings again in January.

If I "reed" that correctly...Koeman coming out on top on all counts...I suspect the problem Koeman had was with Les Reed...they just didn't get on? Why otherwise would he have gone to Everton? Hughes appointment looking at his track record, was a case of what was available at the given time? MoPe was well out of his depth. Yesterdays hiding does not bode well for the rest of the season. There will likely be no signings again in January.

Have to say...schoolboy skill...known as the Maradona...because DM invented it! has been around since the 70's and is still in use in all levels of football! Effective trick and difficult to stop...but nothing new or spectacular!

Basically...a cockney wide boy!

Fitz...Great Post...but here's my two bobs worth! If you recall, there was a massive playground punch up between Messrs Lowe, Wilde, Crouch, Trant etc and when they had punched the living daylights out of each other, along came Markus Liebherr, claimed the prize, and walked away with it. Markus Liebherr never ever was a closet Saints supporter, he was a business man and saw a big profit with the ultimate boy toy...a Premeirship Football Club with probably the best and most loyal supporters money could buy! KL, the Gao family see SFC as nothing but a cash cow. The Southampton Way...Cortese, Reed et all just want to turn the Club into some sort of global Chelsea brand. They have no affinity with people who were born and bred in Hampshire, the Club that was/is a staple part of the community for most of our lives. For me, it is disappointing that in Hampshire, there is not one Saints supporting businessman that has the wealth, to keep our money in the Club and in the community. As I said, I don't believe we are a global brand, or like an American Football or Ice Hockey team, and that is what they are trying to turn the club into...with our support.

Exactly why the so called Southampton way doesn't work...whilst the odd mercenary or two is par for the course...there needs to be a local spine to the team. Paine...Channon...Benali type of thing! Whilst it works for the Chelsea's and Arsenal's etc..it doesn't work for us.

Critical point there...Ralph forgot to mention that and take credit for it!

but so did Ron Davies?

On the other hand Leitch hardly comes across as Jeremy Paxman...need to put a proper journalist in front of him!

Daily Mail have been running a campaign for years about concussion...although that has more to do with heading the ball. Occupational hazard...no need for 'elf & safety!

Ralph is a well seasoned flak dodger...probably enjoyed a malt after the interview!

What he is saying regards transfers is that they are basically only mining for potential nuggets...they think they have adequate cover in every position to stay in the Prem and that no expensive knee jerk signings are necessary.TBH....I think we'll beat Palace tonight reasonably comfortably. After the Spuds hiding we ground out a draw with Utd away...which I think says were better than we look at the moment. SKD will "kick some ass" in the dressing room tonight!