St Landrew

Well considering 99% of ManUre fans are of the armchair variety, we probably will.

Just a reminder. People shouldn't think this is a forgone conclusion. David Armstrong may have been the best LM in most people's living memory [yes, I happen to agree, and I spent my childhood weekends watching John Sydenham flying down the wing], but there is a B team slot to accommodate. So if you think there is a player who's the best, but are not voting because there is no point - well, there is.

But this is Rupert's idea. And Rupert never pulls the plug on his ideas unless his backing disappears. Well his backing is Michael Wilde, this time, and so that means one thing - to the sweet or bitter end. Btw, I have also been a fan of JP's approach. I just think he has been too shackled by the finances. Given better players in key areas, he would have this squad in a very much better league position. But the financial situation is only going to get worse, unless major investment appears.

Oh come on, your joking..! I take it you need something with Windows 98 as that's all the drivers you can find..? Let me post you a copy of Windows 98 SE or Windows ME [which will, no doubt, be fine] and let you get around your problem in the long run. As it happens, I may have the necessary hardware too [an ancient PC, not a laptop], if you can be patient with a bloke who is into his 5th day with the flu. If you can then I'll start the wheels grinding, so to speak. PM me back.

So do I. Even my non-footballing-supporting brother's jaw hit the floor. Mine shattered completely and had to be rebuilt using the latest technology, and I was visited in hospital by KK. Lawrie signing KK wasn't the best thing he ever did, but as a message of intent, it was head and shoulders over anything else any subsequent Saints manager ever did - including Strachan's achievements in the Prem. Because it meant that Saints went from a small club to a big club overnight. Sadly, that has all been reversed.

Can I just say that if we ever sign Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink then he'd be our biggest name signing ever. Thought I'd get that one in. What's the scenario now..? Something to do with a coat..?

Yes, must have a word with Mr Grant and Co. Why didn't he and his fellow Saints Webbers fall to their knees at the first syllable of a question from the interviewer, put their hands together and plead for someone to buy out SFC. Would've made good telly, if nothing else.

Keep going, this sounds good..! Oh, you're talking about Saints again :smt012

No, I am not saying the players couldn't revert back. There's no reverting required. The fact that they play a european style of football is neither here nor there. The whole SFC setup is geared to a european way, and the money has run out. There simply isn't the money to make a change in manager, and let the manager do what is necessary, i.e. get some players he wants, into the club. Besides, with RL and Co in charge, who is going to order the necessary change..? Are you expecting an announcement from Rupert in the next few days saying something like... I was wrong, we were wrong. We have set the club on a route to success, and now we are going to buy some decent players, and loan a few, to get us out of our predicament. When we are safe, we shall start a new policy of investment, as we have a found a major backer..! Come on, what is more likely to happen..? As for being relegated; yes, sadly I think we will be.

I'm sorry that the truth hurts so much. Frankly, I've started to not care, as the club I grew up supporting is almost not there anymore. Which is probably why I'm starting to see things with a less subjective bias. At this point I see no Knight In Shining Armour galloping towards us.

Well indeed, this is it. Why doesn't somebody buy Southampton Football Club...?

I'd go along with that. Does anyone have any [reliable] figures for the wage bill..?

Yes, I know. But there's the second half of the season to drive the point home.

Not a bad idea, but it has one flaw. It's a damn sight easier to get people to save their money than part with it, especially when the ones already staying away are doing so because it isn't worth the cash to go.

Sorry, but don't say stupid things like that. It cuts no ice at all. No zero gets that lucky. They may well require a change in system for next season, or even buy in some strength during January, but they haven't achieved what they have on luck.

Now that seems very sensible to me too, and it has been tried before, under Nigel Pearson. However, his blend of players almost totally eliminated the home-grown youngsters at Saints, preferring the established players. I agree, this could be a reasonable way out of the situation, but it isn't going to happen. Now please read this seriously because I don't want a to and fro debate on this. 1] The WHOLE setup at Saints is geared to the European way of football, i.e. the Georges Prost style. He started us down this track, and everything that has been decided by any RL led Board, recent past, or present has been further geared to that effect. For example, Clive Woodward..! 2] This is now so set in place, that there is nothing else to do. There is no other money to do anything else. Do you see what I'm saying..? We can no longer afford to tinker, or make a managerial change. This club is set on a one way drive, and to divert it means we have to change the driver, that is the Board. Which means a wholesale change of policy; a takeover. And if that doesn't happen, we are either f****d or this experiment succeeds. I suppose we'd better hope it does.

What up today MB, are you waiting for me to ban you..? F**king stalker.

Wasn't just for you. Some people don't know that Plasma TVs, for a similar size, consume over twice as much electricity as other TVs. If I was going to give you a lecture, I'd tell you how they did it.

I'll ban myself then. I noticed his copy and pasted hypothermia too. Just forgot to mention it in all the Climate Change interest. :smt012 EDIT: While I'm at it, I've decided to be a bit of a rascal and ban MB too. Blame it on the flu I'm currently experiencing.

Yes, please listen to your wife's advice. I'm sure she is a sane, forgiving and extremely likeable person who has your best interests at heart, and as such has ours too.

If only it was true. [-o

As for losing the dressing room, I would love to see JP do what Phil Brown did with his Hull team the other day. Now that's bloody well inspired: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/7800708.stm But they lost 5-1 to Man City, after losing 4-1 at home to Sunderland. Hull City are a team that are punching so far over their weight, they're in another category. Yet, PB was motivated to make them sit in front of their fans, while he gave them the hairdryer treatment. Sometimes, this stuff is what is required.

As I suggested in an earlier thread: TIME TO GO - RUPERT LOWE. Dead easy to synchronise and hence become rather loud. It'll spread through the whole stadium. Even the away fans would join in.

I hope you read my answer, because you certainly haven't moderated your stance in the slightest. Given the circumstances, what would you suggest then..?

Well Jewell reckons he couldn't take them any further. I have seen people suggesting we move for him. Can you imagine his reaction to being approached..? It if wasn't so bloody tragic it would be laughable.