Fitzhugh Fella

understatement of the year, Jan. Another little slug who has overseen the worst of our excesses without once accepting any blame. In fact he is probably as much to blame as Wilde and Lowe.

Mark - you said you did not say anything spiteful in your post but I found this remark to be a little below the belt - you said in reply to my post - "I agree that this post is about ego, politics and self-justification, but I'm not sure it's about Lowe"! OK nothing serious but in my opinion it marks you out as a tad pompous and arrogant. Traits that you have never tried to suppress in the way you answer anyone who dares to criticise your ruddy cheeked hero. IMO I would rather have LM "advising" a manager of Southampton FC on football matters than a farmer from the Cotswolds who has admitted to knowing nothing about football until he swindled a lot of people (allegedly) and managed to use an old people's retirement home to takeover a football club while simultaneously lining his pockets (allegedly). But there again Mark you never have been able to explain that little story have you.

You seem to take everything I say about Lowe so personally, Mark? Just because my view does not tally with yours there is no need to be spiteful with your replies. You really are no better than some of the people on this forum you deem not worthy.

I am basing my evidence on things Ron was told ie McGoldrick was informed by Lowe last summer he would be our nos 1 choice for centre-forward, the quote Skacel came out with that Lowe had told him he wouldn't be picked and an interview Mark Dennis conducted with Wotte and JP in which the pair admitted Lowe had an influence in team selection. Not cast iron but nonetheless a worry. I am also told by many he rarely goes to SMS but does spend 2 days a week at Staplewood. Like I said Frank - if we are to put up with him as PLC (and accept he has talents in that direction) I wish he would leave the selection of players down to the man who eventually carries the can ie the head coach.

I think the last vulture got shot a long time ago, mind you Fulthorpe's dog is still on the hunt.

Sorry Andy?

A worrying note from a respected poster.

5 men who should hang their heads tonight and hopefully not sleep well

FFS he must have been there tonight? No?

I am getting the impression that Lowe is still picking the team ie not letting the likes of Euell start because it does not fit in with the pre-season boast of going with the youngsters. Has Wotte got a free hand? Is Lowe's pledge to McGoldrick that "he is our centre-forward this season" coming back to haunt him? So many questions but here is a fact - one win in 16 home games - and even against 10 men we still can't muster a point. I could live (just about) with Lowe running this club as long as he kept his nose out of football matters but I cannot stand him dictating who should be eligible for selection and who shouldn't be. As usual with Lowe it is all down to ego, politics and self-justification.

Although I would not question either Lallana or Surman's loyalty I think one reason neither man went in January was because their recent form has been subdued, to say the least and any potential buyers opted against making bids. Not to say it won't happen in the summer, especially if they rekindle some of the early season panache.

Just driven down M3, down the Avenue and into London Rd - no probs, little traffic on the roads and what snow there was on the pavements etc is melting fast. There is the occasional flurry of snow and sleet but then the sun comes out - don't think there will be too many problems unless you are using small country roads after 11pm.

Christ 5 miles north and it is an absolute blizzard - can't see 5 yards in front of my face here in Otterbourne.

blizzard conditions in Otterbourne right now, be surprised if the game gets the go ahead

The march reminded me of when we all went to York in 1971 for a Cup-tie - there were about 3 train loads and everyone (thousands) walked together through the town to the stadium. I felt a bit sorry for the inhabitants of York that day because their town sort of got closed down for an hour. Um Pahars is right about numbers. I was right at the back and when I left the Bargate the whole of Hanover buildings was chocka (road and pavement) and some were already in Hoglands Park. The video taken outside the King Alfred didn't capture all those who nipped in for a pint too. StanFairOak was one!

Thats the trouble with living in what is now virtually a 3rd World country

Voice of reason

well done! Next march maybe a good idea to have it half an hour later so when everyone gets to the ground there can be a protest and then everyone go in.

tbh if you weren't there you don't know what you are talking about!

I agree there is a lack of a big credible alternative. I think perhaps in hindsight however it would have been better to have given the Crouch/Pearson option a few months, if only because they were on a bit of a roll after excaping relegation. Lowe made his mind to come back in Feb/March (and got MW onside) but then ran too fast with the ball. If he waited until say Nov/Dec and the Crouch/NP show was faltering he would have been in a better position to claim the moral high ground and Crouch would have been a busted flush. This failing probably encapsulates Lowe's biggest flaw - he is too entranched and is not flexible in deed once he has made his mind up. Nice to have a sensible debate with you, btw - I do "understand" the points you make but of course everything is polarised with Rupert Lowe and I am as guilty as anyone for that, I accept.

Good post - the protesters have the moral highground, great march, significant numbers and a wide spread of attendees. Plus no anti songs during the match. So the anti Lowe voice is varied, genuine and non political. His defenders on here have been exposed as nothing more than bitter and twisted. Lowe will never see sense but Wilde is a different kettle of fish. He is not held back by a pompous ego- he knows the writing is on the wall. I reckon we continue to support the club in the stadium but more marches beforehand and afterwards. The media coverage has been massive this weekend and that will encourage more to join next time. I sense the tide is turning - however one thing we must be cautious of is that beware of who might come in - the anything but Lowe sentiment was our undoing last time.

Bern - you are making a fool of yourself. Crouch's business uses the same branch of Barclays as the club, in Reading. Because Crouch's business is quite significant I have it on good authority (not from Crouch) that the bank would have been more than happy with his continued stewardship. Thats not saying he was a brilliant Chairman because he wasn't but..... As they say, money talks!

OK Manji - I am going to (politely) atttempt to give you the reason for this "hysterical scapegoatism" because I understand the point you are making and to a degree it is true that Wotte has unfairly been tarnished before he has had a chance. Is Wotte a good manager? I don't know - how could I? I have heard things about his character which sound worrying but accept he could be the victim of political spin so let's give him the benefit of the doubt. I think the reason people make remarks like "same meat different gravy" when they learnt of his appointment was because it was a Lowe appointment. Unfortunately whether or not you agree with the overriding sentiments a majority on here feel to Lowe the simple fact is his reputation is so shot to tatters that anything he does (like appoint Wotte) will not be trusted and will be derided. This was my whole point when he called the EGM alongside Wilde. I can understand why he wanted to come back, and I can't knock the bloke in thinking he could do a better job and I can't blame the man for wanting to prove a point but he should have realised in the fickle word of football whenever a fanbase turn their backs there is usually never ever a 2nd happy homecoming. He should have left well alone imo. I have tried to answer your valid question with a little courtesy, I am not trying to wind you up, merely trying to empathise with your opinion.

Can't have been much of a discussion. I think someone at te club have realsised that Holmes is very injury prone as mentioned by several on here when he signed.

He would have looked better if he ditched the scarf and borrowed one of Bally's cloth caps imo