um pahars

Can anyone shed any light on this because the rumour mill is churning out that he may have been elbowed out??? The story goes that Hockaday is on gardening leave as a result of a decision by Lowe's "football advisor". Which brings me on to my next point about whether or not we have another Dutch bloke behind the scenes (and I'm not on about Gorre or Wotte)???? Did someone else on here mention that we have another Dutch fella working at the Club, if so who, why and when? A little birdy is telling me that we do indeed have a Dutch football advisor who reports directly to Lowe. What's the score with this fella, anyone confirm his name (Tim Van Der Witte or something???). This guy is normally on the money (but he has also got some stuff spectacularly wrong), so not 100% on this, but any contributions would be welcome.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if some use it in an attempt to divert attention from the more pressing problems we face, namely the incompetence of Jan and Lowe. The support this season has been pretty good (considering the numbers) and there has been minimal booing or slating of the players. If anything I think the crowd has been more supportive than in previous seasons as they appreciate that many of these lads are giving it their all. Sadly, that support has not transferred into winning games, which is why I struggle to understand how people think some booing on Saturday has such an impact on the result, when there are a myriad of other more valid and influential reasons for our failings at home this season. The fans are a sympton of our failings, they are certainly not the cause.

The Trust is a perfect vehicle for fans to rally behind. One member/one vote, a rock solid constitution, Supporters Direct advice and support, etc etc etc. It is very much up to what supporters and the membership want out of it. If people think Nick is out of touch (and I think he is and have told him this personally) then it is fairly simple to do something about it as after all he has to represent his members view. It's not Nick's Trust, it's the members trust and if you want to change things then you have to roll up your sleeves and do something about it. However, that would mean getting involved which is sadly something people down here can't be ar55ed to do until things either come to a head or are too late. It could be a very powerful tool if used correctly.

But if you're 20% away from winning a home match it's a pointless exercise. I'm sure singing pro Saints songs makes us feel good, but I also think having a good moan is cathartic at times as well. And conversely you could argue that if protesting has a 0.01% chance of bringing about change, then why not go for it. We desperately need a change and some short term gain may be a very small price to pay for it. Problem is that that atmosphere exists as a result of poor performances, pss poor management and leadership. The negative atmosphere is already in place and the backlash from the fans is a result of it. The poor performances came way before the outbursts yesterday.

Do you honestly think that singing some protest songs affects the players that much???? Do you not think that there are a number of other things that affect our ability to win alot more than the odd song being sung e.g. tactics, motivation, quality of signings etc etc etc? Up until now we have won 1 in 14 at home and I think that the reasons for this involves the board, the management team and the players a hell of a lot more than us fans. I would totally agree that since Lowe returned we have slipped further in the mire, which is why I find it worrying that people would want to maintain the status quo. Are you advocating we stick with Jan?

Do you not think that replacing Jan would help the Club?

Nothing at all will happen. Leeds got off scot free when their fans invaded the pitch against Ipswich a couple of years back and held the game up for 30 mins. With all due respect we have only won once in 13 games when the atmosphere was positive, so I think the idea that performance is closely correlated to protest songs is somewhat wide of the mark. There are a myriad of more valid reasons for our poor performances and I think you're deluding yourself if you think we will win games if we get behind the lads (or conversely that we will lose them because of some Sack The Board chants). Time to get in the real world.

I've got a bet with someone on here that he'll make 20 appearances this season (of course I'm the one saying he won't;)). Problem is I can't remember who it was with and what it was for. Who's going to own up to it?????

IMHO, simply maintaing the status quo is not an option. The idea that Lowe would waltz back in and improve things has been shown up to be wishful thinking. Quite clearly he has made things much worse. And as bad as the interim regimes may have been, when compared to the end of Lowe's last tenure and these six months they're beginning to look not that bad (which is saying something BTW). Of course there will be a risk in removing the manager and the CEO, but IMHO we have to bite the bullet, because going with the flow will undoubtedly kill this Club. I think that the vast majority of people would want Jan to be relieved of his duties, yet I'm sure none of us have a manager lined up. So what's the difference between that and wanting the CEO to step down without having a replacement for Lowe lined up? When replacing the manager we know we will be able to replace him, whether it comes off or not is of course another matter and it would be the same with Lowe as I'm sure we could pick up a CEO from somewhere (as an interim I wouldn't be averse to Cowen taking over the reins until we find someone long term). As for his role as PLC Chairman, then once again as an interim why not pick from the existing shareholders whilst we undertake a concerted effort to get someone else in (e.g. Richards)? There are alternative managers out there, of that I have no doubt, and I'm sure the same can said about CEO's. It's just whether we have the nous and desire to go and hunt them down. A PLC Chairman might be a harder task, but I'd like to think there is someone out there who could step up to the plate to take over in the long term. I would also like to see Lowe shift his shares at the current market price to rid us once and for all of his divisive influence. I'm sure someone would take his shares off him at that price.

Absolutely. Football is a meritocracy and we have no divine right to be in the top flight, it has to be earnt. All we are asking for is to run competently, managed to the best of our potential and to be treated with respect. Even if we never got promoted for quite a few years, as long as the above were being delivered, then I would be only too happy to live with that.

TBF, it's just one poster expressing his opinion. Very often fans of other teams are sympathetic to the supporters of other clubs who have been landed with terrible owners/chairman/boards.

Your posts never fail to amuse me.:rolleyes: Whole hearted support, nailing your colours to the mast, bitter and twisted, seems like you've entered the fiction aisle again. The simple fact is that I judge people by their deeds and actions (although I will always be only too happy to accept mitigating circumstances). I don't blindly offer my support to someone, nor do I blindly hate someone just for being them (although I might break a habit of a lifetime just for you;)). I have consistently judged Lowe by his actions over the years and do not find it all contradictory to have praised someone when they have done well and to have criticised them when they have failed. I struggle to understand how you can think that is not a sensible and rational approach to life, and in fact Lowe himself suggested that in this results driven business we should judge him by his actions. Times change, people change, circumstances change and even most of the best leaders will eventually reach their sell by date. The earlier part of Lowe's tenure contained many bright spots and I have never shyed away from praising him, just as I criticised many of his poor decisions and strategies during his latter and new tenures. As a temporary custodian of this Club he should always be judged by how successful the Club is under his stewardship. The latter stages of the last tenure were disastrous for this Club on and off the pitch, something that he has sadly replicated again during this tenure. HTH

Something I said a while back in that he knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing. Any fool can slash costs, a true entrepenur/leader will look to generate income and engender a spirit of togetherness.

This is a results driven business. Lowe instigated this Revolutionary Coaching Set Up. Lowe has set the tone and the environment of the Club. Lowe has employed Jan Poortvliet. All of the above has resulted in appalling results, which has then resulted in appalling gates. ERGO the reduced revenue is directly attributable to Lowe. You cannot delegate responsibility. This is a results driven business.

I supported Jan Poortvliet, stuck up for him at times and have been to every game possible, giving my vocal support as loudly as I could. I always wanted to be proved wrong, said I would only be too happy to eat humble pie and was always as opitimistic as I possibly could be (e.g. have a look at my pre match predictions!). But optimism has be tinged with realism and it gives me no pleasure to sit by and watch this Club disentegrate as one man undertakes an absurd experiment in a massive gamble with our Club, aided by those who blindly follow it. I have rarely abused people (the odd noddy such as SOG who deserved it excepted), but instead have been forceful in my view that those welcoming Lowe back and those championing this "Revolutionary Coaching Set Up" are actaully doing this Club harm. It's not called hindsight, instead foresight that Lowe's decision to employ Poortvliet was driven by all the wrong motives. And in expressing this opinion I have come in for alot of stick and abuse over the last few months (and your posts above are another example), so please spare me the sanctimonious replies. If I've been more curt recently, then just as was demonstrated at the match yesterday, I think I, along with many thers have reached the end of their tether with regards the shoddy way this Club has been run recently. Only this morning I was suggesting we shouldn't adopt a, Told you so attitude, but instead be united going forward, so with the exception of SOG baiting, maybe we should all be looking forward.

Yeah Ok, thanks for that critique. For biased, read opinion. Still impressed with Lowe? Still don't think it's jan's fault?

He never had it to lose. Leave the poor fella in peace, let him have the last word and then let him get back to reading The Square:smt044:smt044

Any chance of repeating that in English, not Medway chav speak:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I can see quite a few comparisons between: a) Bush Jr and Rupert Lowe, and b) Bush's supporters and Lowe's supporters.

If Mark Nicholas or Daivd Gower were commentating for SKY and wandered into the Hampshire Suite or the Robin Smith Suite for a chat with friends would you eject them?

Pearson was sacked so that he could install his Dutch duo. Just been on the blower to someone about other things and he mentioned that Lowe told him he had two foreign managers lined up not long after Pearson was first appointed, something which stacks up with what a number of other sources have told me. However, this revelation suggests the decision was made even earlier than I first thought. I think some of the SOS lot on here who had contact with Wilde & COwen were also aware that replacements were being lined up for Pearson well before the EGM was called and well before the season had ended. Purely a footballing decision by Lowe, and as saintstr1 has said on another thread, it was driven by his ego, his thirst for revenge and his desire to be seen as a trendsetter. One decision that clearly demonstrates why Lowe is not fit for purpose.

The chances of us turning it around were affected much, much, much more by the ridiculous tactical decisions undertaken by the manager, appointed by a CEO who is out of touch, rather than by the chanting of Lowe Out. Our shambles of a team (who on paper aren't that bad) is the reason we lost yesterday, not because the fans turned on Lowe. We have lost 50% of our home games (and drawn 43%), and we need to look elsewhere for the reasons rather than noddily blame the fans (again).

Well, with 1 win in 13 it's hardly helped either. We lose whether we sing or whether we chant Lowe Out, it appears to make no difference. What could make a difference is the message given to Lowe's cabal that his and Jan's presence is not welcome. The camels back has been broken, something now needs to give.

I think you're spot on. It didn't work with Wigley when he was offered a lower position after being sacked and as much as I think jan has something to offer, I just don't think it will work. Nice guy, probably a good coach, but promoted way over his ability. His inexperience and naivety is costing us points.

Pride comes before a fall!!!!!!!!!! Now whether that fall is the team, the Club, Jan or Lowe is up for grabs.