Fitzhugh Fella

Yes true but I think it took KL a fair time to realise the man her father had trusted was spending more money than she wanted. I think in fact it came as something of a shock. Those years NC was in sole charge were probably our most exhilerating but the day ML dies the "writing was on the wall" if you want to use another pun instead of "the day the music died". Take your point though.

It’s interesting how many on here are Puel supporters. I don’t remember much of an uproar when he was - eventually - sacked! As for Nicholl he had plenty of time but his dourness eventually undid him. Channon’s opinion of him as a manager made interesting reading. As for perspective Benji I agree but this is where I see us today. Whether it’s a significant milestone in our history is debatable but I think it probably is, hence my post.

When Marcus Liebherr finally purchased the ashes of Southampton FC in July 2009 there was a collective sigh of relief all around. It had been a close thing with the Matthew Le Tissier-backed Pinnacle consortium nearly turning us into the laughing stock that was, shortly afterwards, the fate instead of our fishy neighbours down the M27. Phew! Although I was as delighted as the next fan the club had a future, I remember getting stick at the time for pointing out that although we had now been “rescued” by a bone fide and wealthy new owner, as fans we now had to accept our destiny would forever be out of our hands, or in other words, the new owner could do whatever he or she wanted without giving the supporters a second thought. Even Rupert Lowe had to consider the shareholders first and foremost, but now we were at the mercy of one man – Mr Marcus Liebherr. Happily for us our new saviour appeared to be a man of integrity who, while undoubtedly chuffed to bits that he had acquired a bargain for around £15m, – a sum that looks a pittance today – he did actually look like he cared about the footballing side of things too. Who can forget him and his camera at Wembley? Aided by Nicola Cortese who seemed to have liberal access to the Liebherr cheque book, it didn’t take long before we were proudly back in the big time. We are Southampton, we come from League One was belted out with gusto on many a Premier League ground. Saints fans had not had it so good since the early 80s, the football was widely praised, the Academy was blossoming and, although Cortese upset many with his ruthlessness and disdain for our tradition, we could all live with it while results were positive and the football flowed. But then Marcus unexpectedly passed away. That truly was the day the music died. At first it looked like, under daughter Katharina, things would continue in the same vein, but no that was, in hindsight, too much to hope for. It didn’t take long for her to realise that the singularly-driven Cortese was just a little bit too free and easy with the Liebherr family fortune and, while that was having the desired effect on the field with Pochettino and his players giving the top 6 a run for their money, her inheritance was taking a serious hit. Not unreasonably she grabbed the reins, seized back control. Cortese left abruptly and acrimoniously, a signal to the ambitious manager and his leading players that the dream of Champions League football with Southampton at least was over. Cue Exodus. One by one they left, departing not a sinking ship exactly but one which had been full steam ahead one minute, only for a new captain to pull on the brakes and alter course for shallower waters. But there was yet hope, Ronald Koeman looked to be an inspired replacement and it was full steam ahead for a while, helped by the fact there were still many players left over from the Marcus/Nicola years who could still do a job ie the likes of Wanyama, Fonte, Rodrigues, Clyne, Schneiderlin and Davis. But the driving ambition had gone along with access to serious cash. Les Reed (once Cortese’s underling but in the vacuum now given more power) and Koeman did not see eye to eye, with the former thinking he should have more involvement in team matters and the proud but haughty Dutchman wanting to do things his way. More players from the glory years left and, somewhere along the way, Katharina decided she too wanted out. Cash rich, trustworthy and honourable owners do not grow on trees as Ms Liebherr was soon to find out and after several false dawns she eventually ended up selling 80% to a Chinese business man, Mr Gao who had a questionable enough background for the deal to pass before relevant authorities before it was finally allowed. No smoke without fire thought the vast majority of worried Sotonians. Ms Liebherr was at pains to point out she would have only sold to people who would take Southampton onwards and upwards, but despite her well-meaning intentions she had little choice. She was well within her rights of course, it was her club to do as she pleased and as I point out in the first paragraph the fans simply had to accept it. In the two years it took to finally sell Southampton, Les Reed, now in virtual sole control of footballing matters, made two poor-looking managerial choices, although the more Mauricio Pellegrino has struggled the higher his predecessor Claude Puel’s reputation has soared. Whatever, the truth remains under two mediocre managers, good players have left to be replaced by inferior ones. Under those circumstances decline has been inevitable. The famed and much-vaunted Academy too seems to have dried up. Talk of Champions League football and five-year plans have melted away with the club content to rely on vacuous slogans like “we march on” to paper over the widening cracks and unfulfilled expectations that had unrealistically been encouraged to rise unchecked. To be frank it was a miracle that the club managed to finish in the top 8, four seasons on the trot. That was some achievement, but even as last season drew to an end the writing had started to appear on the wall in a train of thought that we had peaked. That’s Ok Saints fans are not stupid, we had had several years of punching above our weight, but we would settle for mid-table now with perhaps a serious pot at a Cup while we regrouped. But now, as 2018 gets underway, the club seem unable to stop the decline and as fans we can only watch the likely forthcoming Armageddon with horror, unable to have any direct influence whatsoever. The Chairman’s interview this week has been a car crash in itself, with his continual references to us suddenly being “a small club” who are where we are because our best player demanded – and got - a transfer. I’ve met Mr Krueger, he comes across a nice, decent man, but I’ve got to not mince my words here, he is clueless when it comes to communicating with the fan base. He seriously thinks the fans would be placated over the decline on the pitch with the knowledge our reputation in China is on the up. His corporate gobbledegook baffles, infuriates and insults the fans in equal measures. We are desperate not only for some sure-footed leadership but someone who can at least communicate and let us down gently in our own language. It’s a sign of the times in modern-day football that Southampton fans and for that matter fans in general are now hostages to their own fate, mass protests will cut little ice anymore, non-attendance won’t ruffle any feathers in Peking or Shanghai, the truth is we lost our football club in July 2006 and our control or influence ain’t never coming back. The only consolation I can think of is many other clubs are in similar situations. Unless you are fortunate to have a rich owner, a la the top 6, who really cares about what goes on pitch-side, then most of us will all forever be at the mercy of the quest for profit ahead of glory. See you at Fulham!

The manager

Is h any better than Sam Gallagher do you think? After an understandable slow start Sam has finally clicked at St Andrews, scoring goals and MoM last two games. Pellegrino hardly even looked at him in the summer.

If losing means the end of Pellegrino then I will happily take a defeat on the chin. It will be for the greater good.

Seems Krueger has stuffed his head further into the sand today http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/01/03/southamptonchairman-gives-full-backing-mauricio-pellegrino-despiteperilousproximity/

A Jimmy Case type figure who leads from the front would do me.

Agree - it can't have been easy for him with so little Premier League experience.

Guan’s words should be taken to heart by all Saints fans especially those who still have an element of faith that the club is well run. I hate to say it but the writing has been on the wall since Ms Liebherr decided to sell up.

The most depressing aspect of yesterday was Krueger ‘s interview. When I read it I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. To be honest it was a bit of an insult considering what then followed at SMS.

Gallagher scored again tonight. The Brum fans are full of praise over the last month

I've read (and written) some waffling claptrap in my time but this wins the all-time prize.

I forgot think he could operate anywhere along the front line a bit like Theo!

George Shipley

There once was a winger who left us for Arsenal and then returned 10 years later. His name? Don Roper.

As have the vast majority on here and around the city

As I said above there was an element of sarcasm in my post. You are correct I don’t like Pellegrino and I am not fickle enough to let a good result paper over obvious cracks. It’s a forum mate, not everyone is going to meet with your approval or your insistence on being non critical.

Sorry I genuinely don’t understand. My post was laced with a bit of sarcasm- is it that which upsets you?

Strange post. Pellegrino has a reputation of dropping players who put in a decent shift. That’s a fact so why you want to resort to puerile insults is bewildering to me. Sorry I ventured an opinion. Hope you feel better for throwing s few insults my way. Apologies if I upset you.

Let's not be fickle after a decent result. We were good tonight but doing it at Old Trafford should not obliterate the memory of a woeful performance v Spurs just four days ago. The Palace match will be a vital indicator, trouble is, I fear more team changes will lead to a bad performance, fans then up in arms demanding MP's head and so the merry-go-round goes on and on. Remember when Cortese ditched Adkins after a draw at Chelsea and we were all horrified? I remain steadfastly in the Pellegrino out camp.

Don't bank on it - Pellegrino will drop him v Palace because that's what he does when players have a good game!

I fully expect McCarthy will now be dropped after his clean sheet - it's the Pellegrino way!

Didn’t Targett play well at Spurs? Is he injured today or is this another strange Pellegrino decision?

Yes but we like Osvaldo now because he butted that traitor Fonte. Keep up.