Shroppie

Gary Neville. "Apart from scoring, Southampton brilliant"

His recent record was much worse than his replacement at Espanyol, with the same players. I can see his style of playing was an attraction. Just hope he has the flexibility to deal with the different way teams play in the Prem.

More likely we've just sacked the next great world manager.

No.

Although I'm trying to be positive, this is pretty well my take on it too. After his first season or two at Espanyol he faded and became unpopular. The downturn wasn't simply players leaving. After he went results picked up. I gave a gut feeling he's been appointed to get the team playing in one particular way - always play from the back, short passing game, press the opposition hard. NA did that, but used other strengths when needed. The long ball to Ricky is a potent weapon.

I'm prepared to back him all the way, but I don't accept that the downturn was simply due to losing players. This season Espanyol got 9 points from 13 games under him. After he left they picked up 10 from the next 6. In stark contrast to NA, also sounds as if he doesn't cope well or bounce back when things aren't going do well.

My first concern is that he is so clear on set tactics - press hard and keep a high line, play from the back. Nigel has show in recent games that each opposition needs its own tactics and that, with such a relented player as Ricky, the long ball is an option. We need a manager who can understand the opposition and adapt.

No worries. Pleased to have someone sharing my take on things really.

Agreed. Even the title is lifted from a post I made elsewhere.

Nice idea, and one I'm pleased to support. Then, as Nigel would have said, draw a blue line and move on. I support Saints, whoever manages.

I do think there could be something in this. The only area where Nigel has struggled is attracting players in the transfer market. But would much rather have seen us bring in a Director of Football with the high profile and let Nigel get on with what he's done so well.

No chance. Sky will revel in any protest, so just get behind the team.

And your evidence for this?

Very well put.

Thanks for everything Nigel. Can't start to say how I'll miss your intelligence, positivity, sense of humour, friendly interaction with fans, man management, down-to-earth common sense, ability to learn fast, understanding of players, reading of the game, whole general attitude and matchless post-match interviews. Our loss will be someone's massive gain.

Particularly the shirt.

Agreed. Sadly, the king is dead. Long live the king.

From the Mirror article: "His eventual removal from the club was perhaps overdue. The year 2012 was miserable as the club won just seven games out of a possible 35, drawing 11 and losing 17. No longer was it about youth or positivity but more so experience and for some, mediocrity." Doesn't inspire confidence. Seems to have had one good season but then faded lacking experience and the ability to adapt - the latter being one of NA's great strengths.

I hope I'm wrong, but I find it hard to think the positivity, calm analysis and intelligent approach seen under Nigel can easily be replaced, but we'll have to see. Just hope that something even better is being brought in, but finding it hard to believe that yet.

I think you could well be right. In a bizarre way the good result against Chelsea could have sealed it. It looks like Cortese was set on this and was waiting for the moment, but after Chelsea the prospect of a win against Everton and nearing mid-table would have made it difficult, so he jumped before things got even better for NA.

This reminds me all too much of when the hugely popular Nigel Pearson kept us up and was promptly replaced with the exciting Dutch prospects.

We've lost a brilliant charismatic, intelligent manager who understands the English game for someone sacked with his team bottom of the league with 9 points from 13 games. Lunacy. Nigel: you don't deserve this. Thanks for everything. Saints legend.

Can agree with this and only hope that it proves a similar step forward as Pardew to Adkins. We must back the new man. But massive thanks to NA. Still think he could have taken us places.

I'm gutted, but pro-NA and anti Pochettino chants won't bring him back. But if we now go back down, i know who I'm blaming.

But with negligible management experience, and none in England.