SW11_Saint

In a word - YES it is potentially going to hurt the club. Let's stop fannying around with failed managers and start planning for the future. I for one have no wish to see us sit around mid-table in the 3rd Division, or lower, with an incompetent manager. Called me old fashioned, but I'd rather Pinnacle appointed the right man now and then lets all just GET ON WITH IT!

I think people believe Wotte walked through the doors in January for the first time - forgetting that he was complicit in the first half of the season. I agree with you though, he was an improvement on JP, but then I would have been too! I don't see any point in stability for stability's sake... that's fine if you have the right man in the job (and why I wanted to see Nigel Pearson continue, despite him only just saving us from relegation). I just do not see Wotte as that man - and he carries too much "Lowe baggage" in my book to win the majority of fans over (and us all pulling in the same direction is going to be crucial). Have to say, your apparent writing off of this season is disappointing - before we even know who our new owners is, and who our manager will be!! There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that we can't aim for a play-off place, despite our negative points start. I hope most of us have left the negative "make do and mend" Lowe years behind - time to look forward and show a bit of ambition, not write ourselves off already!! COYS!

I think Pinnacle already have someone in mind, and it wouldn't surprise me if they hadn't already lined them up. Even if they haven't they'd have a shed-load of applicants and could appoint someone ASAP. Time for Wotte to go - unless he gets offered running the academy or something. It would be a dismal mistake to appoint him and "see how he goes" - we already know he's out of his depth, as JP was - and wouldn't reflect too well on the Pinnacle team. Time for a clean break and a new era.

No, the name won't change - ridiculous wind up attempt. And nothing wrong with red & white stripes and the current badge in my opinion.

You mean Matt Groening? Doh!

I'm with you there - can't understand why there's such condemnation of those who were allegedly ITK, and for some of the other bidders. Who cares?!?! Let's just get on with it now... COYS!!

Let's forget all this statue/stand business and just turn up to the matches - that will be enough for him I am sure!

I doubt it. I remember the old anecdote that Matt used to joke with the players (in our prem days) that he could take us down to League 1 and still not get booed by the fans. Well, Mr. Lowe has seen to the first bit of that scenario, but I do think there is some truth in what Matt joked - he would be given significant leeway, much more than anyone else, and let's hope we don't have to put it to the test (I don't think we will). He IS going to have a significant role (TL has said as much) so get used to it. I suspect it will be something like DoF. Per above, it won't impact what he achieved as a player, and remember, we might not have a club but for Matt and Pinnacle, which just adds to his legend. Your analogy with Channon/Lawrie doesn't really work for me, as Matt isn't going anywhere, in fact he's coming home. I know what you are saying though - that you're worried that continued bad performance will diminish his lustre, but we have to take that 'gamble' and I for one am delighted he'll play a part in our future (success). Not sure of the age demographic of this site, but everyone old enough will have followed his whole career (assuming they've always been Saints fans!). I certainly remember his free-scoring reserve days, then that magical night a skinny kid took apart Ron Atkinson's Man Utd (and got Ron the sack!). I think all of our other great servants recognised that Matty is just "special" - he is a one off, a unique maverick, and sadly we won't see his like again, but who cares? We still have the real thing! COYR!!!

By the sounds of what TL was saying he will be - and good luck to him. I suspect he'll be in a DoF role, and say what you want Matt does know the game, and does have significant contacts within it, which can only be a good thing. Issue is whether he and TL could manage some of the bigger ego's - Ince, Strachan etc. (imo we have zero hope of attracting WGS anyway). Regardless, I'm delighted to have him playing a part and will support whatever decisions they make. That said, I will be disappointed if they leave Wotte in situ - he is not the man for the job in my view, and played a large part in last seasons disastrous 'experiement'.

I think purist Matt has more sense than that...! Well, I hope he does!

I think the best way of doing that is turning up in our droves for every game - there's no reason why we can't be the best supported team in this division (yes, even with Leeds in it - whose fans must be getting somewhat disillusioned). In short, we need to repay the faith Matt has shown, and the hope he's given us, by ensuring they get a return on their investment through the turnstiles.

And that is absolutely fine with me - in fact, by far the most sensible way to move forward. My expectations are suitably managed - in fact, I don't think you need to spend £Ms to get out of League 1, just appoint the right manager, and going about things in a sensible, organised way. We'll get there.

No thanks. Call me old fashioned, but I'd much rather we had a multi-millionaire behind us, rather than us fans having to fork out again...

Thank you Mr. Glass Half Empty! Would you prefer that no one came in and we just went to the wall? Jeez... The facts are - * We have survived - our club is still alive * We (subject to the next 19 days) have a new owner * We have had a very informal communication from Tony Lynam giving us what information he can currently (and I actually liked it as it was so UN-Wilde like!), notably - * The new owner has a worth of "several hundred million" * MLT is going to be heavily involved * Due Diligence is done, just a case of finalising legal work, paying creditors (amounts already agreed). That is good enough for me, and certainly reason enough to feel cautiously optimistic!!

Believe the smart money is on Tabor. Would be great if it was him. Wonder if Gavyn Davies was one of the others? Frankly, I really don't mind who it is, as long as he has the cash and a committment to Saints!

Bin Laden has ties to Arsenal - well he's a fan anyway. Was a regular at Highbury when he lived in London (strange but true!!!).

Who knows, if the Michael Tabor rumours are true (and frankly, I don't mind if they're not - since we know whoever the Pinnacle money man is has wealth of 'hundreds of millions'), perhaps his son Ashley, a big player in the Radio business, might revive it...? Not though, if it was a loss maker... http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article6269455.ece

You obviously haven't seen Red and White Army's post - he's moaning already. You couldn't make it up, you really couldn't...

Never thought I'd say this about a Skate post, but I quite enjoyed this! Anyway, we hopefully now have our own multi-millionaire (okay, not a billionairre) owner, and a club legend at the helm, and that will do for me - we'll see you in a couple of seasons as we pass you again, on our way to our righful place in the elite.

Thanks so much for taking the time to post Tony - it has given me a massive boost, and I am sure all other forum users. Naturally we are delighted that our club has been saved, but to know that there is long term financial backing is the icing on the cake - we can once again start to move onwards and upwards and ultimately take our rightful place in the top division. Thank you to you, and your colleagues, for making this happen (subject to a successful next 20 days naturally!). It is also fantastic to have Matt involved - he is the one person who can really unite this club, which has been tearing itself apart for several years. Please do not have any doubt whatsoever our fan base is ready to support the new board, and I am confident you will have people renewing or taking up season tickets in great numbers so that we can back the club and get out of League 1 at the earliest possible opportunity. Enjoy a beer or two during the cup final, I know I will now!!! COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to post Tony - it has given me a massive boost, and I am sure all other forum users. Naturally we are delighted that our club has been saved, but to know that there is long term financial backing is the icing on the cake - we can once again start to move onwards and upwards and ultimately take our rightful place in the top division. Thank you to you, and your colleagues, for making this happen (subject to a successful next 20 days naturally!). It is also fantastic to have Matt involved - he is the one person who can really unite this club, which has been tearing itself apart for several years. Please do not have any doub whatsoever our fan base is ready to support the new board, and I am confident you will have people renewing or taking up season tickets in great numbers so that we can back the club and get out of League 1 at the earliest possible opportunity. Enjoy a beer or two during the cup final, I know I will now!!! COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!!

I'd keep Kelvin and Chris Perry (who's already signed up I believe). I think BWP would be worth keeping, but only if he takes greatly reduced terms. Euell - possibly, dificult one, will depend on the new manager and if he can motivate/get the best from him. I'd also keep Wotton which might be controversial, but we'll need battlers in League 1. Rasiak/John etc. will surely move on now permanently which is the right thing for them and us. As said on another thread I think Lee Trundle would be worth a gamble - proven scorer in this division, even though he's about 33. How about Gary Monk too - done well at Swansea and again experienced in this league. Might be some fallout if Martinez moves to Wigan. Would obviously also like a few younger imports, but we'll have to rely on our new manager for that.

...and always a 'social visit' from HM Police Force on the way up (and back normally!).

Presumably in the paper copy? Can't see it online. Great news though!

I don't know - I'd keep Kelvin and Chris Perry, their experience will be critical next year. Would like to see some new blood at the club though. What about a 'gamble' on Lee Trundle, out of favour at Bristol City? Also might be some pickings at Swansea if Martinez goes to Wigan - I'd reckon Gary Monk could do a job for us (again) in League 1. These are two older fella's clearly, but a good manager with decent experience should be able to pick up a few younger players too to gel with our better kids.