Fitzhugh Fella

2 dropped I am afraid. Blackpool will be relieved.

Cheered me up no end.

It was nothing major - in fact quite minor, but just goes to show how much this forum is scrutinised - unless it is just me

Hey I agree

I would be intrigued to find out more about how the club plan to "evaluate" nominees. Incidentally they still monitor this forum with a fine toothcomb as I have been "admonished" over the last few days for something I posted over the weekend. This whole thing belongs on Wilde's manifesto.

This is a strange one. Poke has gone to Torquay for the rest of the season and then his contract expires so in effect he is no longer a Saints player. And Forecast is a crap keeper, according to Webster, who was then put on gardening leave for expressing an opinion. Let's hope Davis does not pick up an injury between then and now.

Fair point and lets face it the comparison should never have been floated in the first place.

He's a good to average CCC player, no more no less. Certainly not a Prem player. Value about £300,000 I would say.

So, are the statistics still showing Wotte in a positive light? Today's game was absolutely dire and "Wotte the Statistical Mesiah" is perhaps not as good as some would have us believe.

They can't even afford to restock 30 copies of ITN which is sold out!

expert in tax avoidance

Trousers, you have surpassed yourself. You have certainly exposed the re-writing of history by the club and how some on here have fallen for it.

Ron, by all means "big" up Wotte (although turning a blind eye to his influence in running with the Dutch football initiative is a tad disingenious) but why do it by comparing his stats with those of Pearson. A) That's just opening up old wounds and B) stats lie because they do not take into consideration all the external factors like the fact Pearson was parachuted in without any knowledge of the club's playing staff while Wotte had a hand in chosing a lot of the squad he inherited. At the end of the day Wotte will be judged on whether he keeps us up or not. If he does then he deserves as much praise as Pearson got and he should be given the chance next season - something Pearson was denied because someone had a vision which turned out to be rather flawed.

Ron - you set yourself up to be the great peacemaker and the voice of reason (with all your sources) and yet you then start an absolutely ridiculous thread that compares two uncomparable entities. If I did not know you better, from this post, I would have you down as a closet Lowe queen. Sorry, but this thread is trouble making, stupid and a waste of time. You can do better than this.

Nah Steve, Lowe pays him - end off!

a bit of a provocative thread imo

Normally I would agree with you 100% Steve, but there are occasions when the manager should not involve himself in club politics especially when he appears to be taking sides in a Board v Supporters issue. He does not need to walk on thin ice at this particular moment.

I am surprised at how many who have said they would have taken a point before the game to be frank. We needed 3 - any less is a disappointment in my book.

Good to see an honest appraisal, rather than the usual bull. He has gone up a notch because of that for me.

But it was Woodward according to the article who proposed Wotte?

I don't think I have ever read before a comment by L Mac that could even vaguely be construed to be pro Lowe. Interested if you could find one, Andy. Hence my raised eyebrow today.

Thanks for digging that out John. I have now just read the final interview in today's Echo and Wotte is quite critical of the stay away fans saying they have forfeited their rights to criticise. He also says we sold sold Best and Blackstock too cheaply and we would have been better keeping them rather than sign others. He is very outspoken in his support for the present Board saying they have given him 100% support. I don't know if it is online but it's worth a read and in L. Mac's column, also in today's paper, the ex-manager has words of praise for Wotte. Did not think I would see that.

The Echo last night published part of an interview with Wotte who revealed that back in 2005 when Redknapp left he was actually offered a contract by Saints and as a result quit his job as Director of Football at Feyenoord. It says "when news of the probable appointment got out there was something of a backlash from the supporters and the board bowed to fans' calls and opted for a manager with British experience in the shape of george Burley". Wotte says "I got an offer but they gave an offer to Burley as well..... the situation was grim and I think there were a lot of camps - some wanted me some wanted Burley. Suddenly I had a phone call to tell me they just appointed Burley. I knew there was another candidate but for me in Holland if you offer someone a contract you do it only when you know you want this person and you don't offer two people a contract. I was a little surprised but then when Rupert told me his motivation I told him OK this is the way it works in England. Rupert stayed in touch and said he might be coming back last April and are you willing to join us after all but I need you in a more responsible job for the future as academy director". The interview provoked a few questions for me. Does anyone remember fans protesting? I can remember there were rumours that SCW had head hunted a Dutch duo but cannot remember the fans being in uproar or any sort of backlash? Also I guess one camp (Lowe, Cowe, Richards and Sir Clive) wanted to appoint Wotte and the others (Gordon, Wiseman and Hunt?) wanted Burley. If this is the case this was the 2nd time Lowe's first choice of manager had been vetoed by his fellow board members or did Rupert suddenly get cold feet and plump for Burley? Finally I wonder why if Wotte had been Rupert's man in 2005 why he preferred to give JP the role this time around and offer Wotte the lesser job. Was it because in case of failure JP would be a lot more expendable? The interview has been featured over the last two evenings in the Echo and is quite interesting as well as getting to the heart of Wotte's philosophy on the game itself. There is a final piece today.

Spot on!

You are taking words out of my mouth, Steve.