SW11_Saint

All of the above I suspect. Actually, these resemble some of our recent AGM's and/or board meetings... PS that second South Korea pic puts me in mind of a Madness album cover, but can't remember which one...

You took the words, and the haslet, out of my mouth...!

I'll resist the temptation for further comparison...

If we scrape through this year, then gates next year depend on what is being offered - a bit of ambition and the ability to move forward. I can't see that happening under Lowe, certainly not where he continues to jump into ill thought out "strategies" that have us moving backwards. His future will ultimately be decided by the shareholders - and his tenure is effectively reliant on the less than stable Wilde. I can see change happening, but let's get this season over with the deal with the problem. PS shouldn't you be getting back to more pressing issues, like 'pork haslet'??

Shareholders, season-ticket holders, fans/customers, rather than "powerless individuals". Most Chairman/CEO's would take their duty of care for these stakeholders seriously, but you're probably right about Lowe, given what we've experienced from him, he probably does hold us in total disdain. More fool him. Quack Quack!

Post of the week Um, in my humble opinion. Reading through this thread it still amazes me that some see Wotte's recent success as some form of vindication of Lowe's "strategy" - when it is patently the complete opposite. There is no point me re-listing the reasons for this as you've done that perfectly clearly. I will however say well done to Wotte - he has implemented some simple, yet effective changes (changes most of us having been crying out for all season!), but in fairness to him has clearly got the players onside and has instilled some confidence and passion in them. I wasn't happy with his appointment as I saw it as potentially "more of the same" (and we shouldn't totally ignore the fact that he was heavily involved in the earlier 2/3's of our season!), but since his original PR gaffe, he has for the most part said and done the right things. In truth I wasn't awfully happy about Pearson's appointment at the time either, but after an initial bout of whinging (about a days worth) decided to buckle down and just support him and his efforts. I will do the same with Wotte, as all other true fans will. If he pulls it off more power to him, he will deserve all the credit due to him (as did NP who achieved the same last year). If Wotte's efforts ultimately end up being fruitless, I won't blame him personally - he will have given it a fair crack from a desperate starting point (ignoring for a moment his role as JP's #2). Whatever the ultimate result this year, our board still need to come under very serious scrutiny for their role in this disaster of a season. The ridiculous gamble on the new coaching setup, when we already had a more than reasonable team in situ, had us plummeting towards League 1. They are very fortunate that JP finally did the honourable thing, that they were unable to offload Saga for the rest of the season, and that Wotte has, thus far, done the right things. This may get them out of jail this season (we hope!) but they won't just be judged on the final weeks of the season alone...

And wouldn't it be nice to be "doing well" - lest we all forget, we are still, despite 3 terrific wins, in the relegation places and facing the toughest relegation fight in our history. The work Wotte does in no way impacts the fans feelings about Lowe. It is his flawed 'strategy' that has got us into the godawful mess. Now Wotte has done what most fans have been crying out for (building on what Pearson started last year) - playing a sensible formation, mixing an experience spine with some younger players, and giving the players some belief. Fair play to Wotte (for now) but let's not see this as some sort of boardroom masterplan - Plan A died on it's arse and Lowe/Wilde etc. are accountable for that. Re. Lowe becoming invisible - on that we can agree, preferably permanently!

Only Le Tissier, Channon, Paine and Bates would qualify as "Sains legends" imo. Too many iconts to mention but Steele, Osgood, Stokes, Davies, Williams, Ball, Keegan, Moran, Armstrong, Shilton, Golac, McMenemy would be among them. Oh, and of course Ali Dia!

Okay, I will press no further, but hopefully you now see the point - Lowe "resorting" to the 'Kids for a Quid' thing is no better, or no worse, than Leon doing it. Some balance prevails. And for the record again, I think it's a good idea regardless. Re. the march - yes, I think the fresh air would probably do you some good

I'm not trying to undermine anything, just point out that your continual serenading of Lowe for appointing the 'next in command' (when his original choice finally does the honourable thing and quits) as some act of strategic genius is, with respect, bow-locks. As for Lowe 'appointing JP, letting him fail, then coercing Wotte into the role, which is what Lowe wanted in the first place' (?!) - let's not go there eh, you've been down that hypothetical hypothesis before and it doesn't do you any favours... Okay, you've lost me again - not sure where I've mentioned McMenemy anwhere, why is he being brought up? And where does nepotism come into it? Was Pearson Leon's nephew or something?!?

PS Still waiting for a sensible answer on this...

Lordy, what is this obsession you have with "succession planning"?! - surely the art of good management is even better evidenced by making the right appointment in the first place? You still seem to see Lowe turning to back room boy Wotte after JP's awful stint as some work of unparrallelled genius. If Lowe saw such promise in him, why not just appoint him in the first place?... then we might be in a better position than we are.

Not sure it's open mindedness Trousers, more blind faith, given his track record of "learning (from) painful lessons"!!!

No one will shoot it down for it being an opinion. They might not agree with your opion mind... I don't as it goes - from what I heard of Wotte after his original outburst he did a lot of back-tracking, and tried to pour oil on troubled waters, which was the right thing to do. His original words were clumsy, and he recognised that which is to his credit. I don't think for a minute the players have developed a 'siege mentality' due to his comments about our own fans. I think he's simply just got them better organised, has a better blend of youth and experience, has clearly done a better job of motivating them and the results are breeding confidence. Well done him, and them - I am happy with what's happening now (which most of us have cried out for all season - hence the frustration, culminating in the demo's), and long may it continue. Let's not turn the recent run of good results into a stick to beat our own fans with!

Oh God, it's Groundhog Day... Please - if we do survive this season, let's not try and re-enact this season again by shipping anyone with experience/of value out and relying on kids again (or lesser replacements). Let's try and build something FFS and raise our ambition above "4th bottom" of the CCC! Hopefully someone else will be in charge with a little more insight, ambition and acumen...

That's all very well 19 - we now know what you think of the type of people these "Kids for a quid" type deals attract (erm, kids I believe) - but let's get back to the point JustMike and others were asking you to address (per your comment to me below). So come on, let's hear it - what do you really think of Lowe 'going down' this route now, which you seem to have seen as some form of 'gate fiddling' manoeuvre under Crouch? (Incidentally, I think it's a sound enough idea).

Absolutely Sandwich - bang on!!

Or perhaps the decision shouldn't have been his since we had to endure 2/3 of a season watching us fail time after time (despite sometimes being "pretty"). Let's hope we've left enough time to continue the Great Escape. Well done to the lads - and to Wotte - just shows what playing a sensible formation for this league, and a mixture of experienced pro's and promising youngsters can do. Why didn't we think of this sooner...?!

Thanks for the correct quote Um, thought it was something along those lines. It does indeed seem that dear old Rupes has finally seen the light, Europe-wise, and now sees the benefit of a bigger market and the potential for 'cheaper' labour. Can't remember him coming out with a similar "I make no apologies for giving Dutch coaches with, at best, mixed track records a start to their English league careers". Perhaps he was just thinking it to himself in that press conference? As you say, does beg the question why was Pearson seen in such a different light to Wigley, given the checklist you mention? I too share the suspicion that this may well have been a petulant move to "get one over" Leon Crouch and again stamp his authority on the club (well done Rupes - nothing like cutting ones nose off to spite ones face (and everyone elses!)). Of course even though Wotte let slip the timing the other night, there was the convenient "cost-cutting" smokescreen to push through the BOGOF deal for the Dutchies. Shame one of them went off too soon and had to be returned...

Thanks for the correct quote Um, thought it was something along those lines. It does indeed seem that dear old Rupes has finally seen the light, Europe-wise, and now sees the benefit of a bigger market and the potential for 'cheaper' labour. Can't remember him coming out with a similar "I make no apologies for giving Dutch coaches with, at best, mixed track records a start to their English league careers". Perhaps he was just thinking it to himself in that press conference? As you say, does beg the question why was Pearson seen in such a different light to Wigley, given the checklist you mention? I too share the suspicion that this may well have been a petulant move to "get one over" Leon Crouch and again stamp his authority on the club (well done Rupes - nothing like cutting ones nose off to spite ones face (and everyone elses!)). Of course even though Wotte let slip the timing the other night, there was the convenient "cost-cutting" smokescreen to push through the BOGOF deal for the Dutchies. Shame one of them went off too soon and had to be returned...

and they didn't even show it on The Championship... (not that that surprises me).

and they didn't even show it on The Championship... (not that that surprises me).

Comparing Leicester to a CCC team is like comparing us to Man Utd.?!?? Please... GET REAL! Ahh... but there's such an important distinction isn't there between "nearly" and "did"...? (let's not underplay it, eh?)

Comparing Leicester to a CCC team is like comparing us to Man Utd.?!?? Please... GET REAL! Ahh... but there's such an important distinction isn't there between "nearly" and "did"...? (let's not underplay it, eh?)

Well said!!!