Fitzhugh Fella

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.

If Lowe and Wotte ever deliver Premier League football to us they can stay forever as far as I am concerned but there is more chance of SoG buying a season ticket next season.

Is Frank baking again?

Excellent post

Bern, its posts like this that make people think you really are a "sad old git". If you had been in my front room last night at 9.40 you would have seen how "gutted" I was at our victory. If you had been at SMS sitting next to me for the Preston and Cardiff games you would have seen how "gutted" I was at our victories. Instead of sniping on here why don't you actually get off your arse just once and actually come and physically "support" the team with your presence and stop deriding fans that still make the effort. I don't like Lowe and I am unconvinced over Wotte but from now on in, until the end of the season when I believe there should be a wash-up, I will support the team 100% both vocally and financially by attending matches and cheering them on. I do this because I still love my club. Do you?

Precisely

The next two are even more massive, I reckon, 4 points might even get my hopes up.

Probably the best game of football I have seen this season - and a deserved win. Impressed with Size, Gillett (if only he could pass) and Euell and that right-back who always does his best. We have half a chance of staying up but if only Lowe had sanctioned the use of Saga, Skacel and Jason instead of insisting JP pick the young 'uns then we would not be where we are today. Support was fantastic today as well. A win on Tuesday is not beyond us.

Thanks for that - an interesting read, the 2 clubs certainly have had a lot in common over recent years including a dislike for Hoddle and the fans being blamed for their club's demise.

They didn't - it was me who wanted to know and I assumed they would be able to answer my question, but like I said, they couldn't. Your earlier point about the CEO would have known, is a valid one.

I don't disagree - there is a lot of common sense here.

At the time that thought crossed my mind too, but there again we never looked likely to go up in our first year in the CCC so I guess the question was never posed.

Sometimes, in life, Nick, you have to take one step back so you can take two steps forward. I think your views, although always politely expressed are sometimes one-dimensional. Not sure, without knowing you whether that is just your personality or you deliberately take that route to wind people up. UP makes a valid point imo.

Thanks Ron - believe it or not neither Leon or LM could answer this

Does anyone know the answer to this. If a club get relegated from the Prem they get a 2-year parachute payment but if they then go straight back up (re-promotion ) - do they forfeit that 2nd year payment?

A sensible and rational response. Basically all 3 in or all 3 out. I could live with that until we found an alternative strategy but I think the Boardroom would self-combust within 30 seconds.

No Mark - the anonymous comments were not aimed at you. Mary certainly did not ask me to post those comments but neither did she say don't repeat them. They came about as we left the restaurant and came because she said she felt nervous at the prospect of standing up at the AGM and speaking out against Rupert Lowe. I asked why. And that is when she made the comments which did include the 3 words quoted ie "physically" "intimidated" and "threatened". No more was said at that instance but a few weeks later I spoke to her on the phone and asked her to elaborate which she did. But she also then asked me not to divulge the elaboration if you like. But I will say this if it helps. RL did not actually physically threaten MC. However his behaviour on at least one occassion SHE FOUND threatening and left her FEELING physically intimidated. (I think the words in capitals important). Should I have used the info? Well my "agenda" as you know, is to persuade fans that RL is not really fit to be the PLC Chairman of Southampton FC. I felt that story which had come from the horse's mouth (if Mary doesn't mind me using that expression) had a relevance to that agenda and would help it. To misquote Bern's expression - "let the fiddle playing begin". Can I also please add, Mark - I know some on here are very anti Mary for reasons I just do not understand. Out of all the people involved in the running of Southampton FC over the last 10 years (and I have probably met most) I have found her to be the most open, the most honest, the most approachable and the most committed. She is the only one I would not have a problem with if she held some sort of position in the Boardroom (not that she aspires that way anymore). St Richard accused her of living off her father's shares, but what is she meant to do - give them away? To my knowledge she has not taken one penny out of the club and she has no desire to have any influence other than being a fan. True she wants to see the back of Rupert and supports (I think) Leon but that is as far as it goes. And finally if Leon ever becomes Chair again and starts to foul up there will be no bigger critic than me (indiscretions and all). I only want this club to do well and to flourish once more.