Scoobysaint

The only loser this afternoon was the "game" of football. So glad I am not a Hammers fan. We are getting spoilt each week with players that actually pass to one another. West Ham and Big Sam are simply dreadful to watch, fouls and set plays and nothing else.

Fantastic news for SFC. It shows the intent of the club as I am not sure all these players would be signing new contracts if they weren't convinced by the ambition of the club and NC. We are certainly going places.

Really can't see any result other than a Saints win, possibly by a number of goals. This is not arrogance, merely a statement based on how well we have been playing. The only issue will be cutting out Fat Sams set play system. Don't give them any free kicks then they won't create too many chances. So long as somebody tracks Nolans run when looking for mistakes we'll be fine. Far too much quality, style and panache all over the pitch for the hoofball Hammers. Saints 4 - 1 West Ham Lambert 2 Jrod 1 Ramirez 1

Really can't understand the ambition of getting in Phil Neville. An old overpaid player who would add nothing to the squad.

Judging by the recent signings of Ramirez and Forren I think we will spend a few quid on foreign talent and not on players from relegated teams. If we are striving for a higher league position we need to get better players in and there are not many in the teams below that I would rather have in Saints. Also we've got some youth players that may make the step up as Shaw and JWP have this season. I think Hooiveld is gonna struggle next season once Foreen is up to speed as he lacks the distribution necessary, merely a long diagonal hoof. The CM pairing of Cork and Spiderman would be hard to improve on. I am hopeful that NC and MP and the transfer crew have set their sights a little higher than many on this forum.

A number of the Reading fans don't feel that Nigel will be there for too long as they don't feel its the job he wants, merely the one he has. They think he would have preferred Leeds and is still totally gutted about what happened at Saints. Also doesn't help having an ethos of pass, pass, pass with a squad that can't.

A few liverpool reactions... Reply #370 on: Today at 05:22:50 PM »Best team won. Southampton haven't put a performance like that in for more than 10-15 years. Seriously where the **** did a performance like that come from? OK we were pathetic and there are questions to be asked about many of our players but if I was a Saints fan today I'd be delighted to have witnessed that. Today at 05:24:05 PM »southampton were excellent going forward. put our supposedly more talented and certainly more expensive players to shame with their fluency and desire. in the first half there were three in the box for every attack. neat, tight passing, but mixing it up with the short game and the direct game. a joy to watch, really, were it not for the opposition...

About 11.15-45ish I think, judging by Luke Shaw tweet half hour ago. Luke Shaw ‏@Luke_shaw3 En route st Mary's ! Big game #COYRExpand Collapse Reply RetweetedRetweet Delete FavoritedFavorite More Email Tweet Embed Tweet

We'll be well safe by then after wins against Liverpool, Reading, West Ham and West Brom. We will start converting our chances and make our possession count. Just a question of who we are going to totally hammer by 4 or 5! I've got no worries about relegation whatsoever. Over the course of the season there are at least three teams worse than us..... Villa, Reading, QPR.

But this is what I find so irritating about MLT and his NC issue. Why tweet? Why be so public? Why does he need a clear the air meeting? He doesn't have a role at the club and if he kept his mouth shut and fingers still there wouldn't be an issue! Sorry if this sounds harsh on a SFC legend but it time to grow up and move on.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, he said: "Nigel and I, we always had a very good relationship, to the last second. It was very tough, not just for him but for me. "To me, there's one time, which is right, especially if you are 100% convinced it is the right thing. Ultimately for the team it was the right thing, it was perfect timing "It sounds harsh but it was for the benefit of the progress we want to achieve over the next couple of months and years. It's not only for today but for tomorrow." Cortese has attracted criticism in the wake of the sacking, with Saints icon Matt Le Tissier accusing him of having an ego problem. According to Cortese, though, everything he does is for the benefit of Southampton. He added: "Maybe I need to sacrifice my popularity to get the right decision. If that's the case, I'm happy. "I am a perfectionist. Some people say that's not good, but it helps the football club to keep attention to detail and not stand still." On Le Tissier, a one-club man afforded hero status by the Saints fans, he said: "I don't even know him, he's never met me. Anyone in the past who is associated with the club is stirring negativity towards me should probably ask if it's beneficial for the club. I would not allow myself to judge someone I have never met." On the future of the club, but as a whole and with Le Tissier, Cortese asked everyone to get behind his vision. He said: "I'd like in the future, for the supporters to buy more into what we do as a club. Not players, managers or chairmen, the club. "I am not excluding anyone. Anyone who has Southampton at heart has a place." .

I give up! ;-)

Nothing new really.... Tancredi Palmeri ‏@tancredipalmeri Coutinho price fixed at 13m €,Inter trying to get it from Southampton as Liverpool never raised their 8m € bid.But player prefers Liverpool Expand Collapse Reply

touche!

Tancredi Palmeri ‏@tancredipalmeri Coutinho officially on sale, according to tomorrow Gazzetta edition. Inter wanted to sell Alvarez, but no bid made them turn to Coutinho Expand Collapse Reply

Morgan MOM for me. Generally very positive performance particularly the quick shutting down. Only downside is that Jos showed that he has incredibly poor distribution. Not up to the Prem.

I have unfollowed MLT on twitter as I got bored of his contant digs and sniping. Yes he was a truly fantastic player, yes he kept us up for years, yes he was loyal. But that is gone now, history. This is a new era for SFC and yet it seems to me that MLT still wants to be the centre of attention. Shame.

Thanks for posting that... finally some sense being shown. Sums up my feelings on the matter perfectly.

I totally agree with you but many this is what so many posters seem to get upset about.

In a business sense, Cortese can't be faulted. Pro -Sacked Pardew, got in Adkins - Cat 1 academy - New training facilities -Won't be held to ransom by players (eg. Punch) -Won't pay over the odds for players -Two promotions - Wembley final Cons - Acts a businessman and makes decisions ruled by the head, not the heart. - Upset fans when sacking Pardew -Upset fans when sacking NA -Doesn't tell the fans or the press what players we are trying to sign. Love him or hate him, he's done alright so far. And for the record, I didnt want NA to go but this is business and an investment, not merely football.

Surely this thread is a wind up. Didn't this very forum raise funds for a flag to honour Mr Liebherr and what he did to save the club. They have provided us with some great football, great memories and ultimately a club to still support. Now you want to boo them. Please get a grip.

Because they saved Southampton Football Club. Your village must be missing an idiot tonight!

Alex Goring Crook ‏@alex_crook Davis spoke about negativity from the stands: "We experienced that at Chelsea and it made an impact. Fans need to put club first." saintsfc Alex Goring Crook ‏@alex_crook Davis also urged fans to 'trust' Nicola Cortese: "The club have not made bad decisions so far. They know what they are doing." #saintsfc Alex Goring Crook ‏@alex_crook Davis "There has been no negativity in the dressing room or on the training pitch. The players will be very professional. We are committed."

Could be a very long time. Time to move on Wee Jock McPlop!

Agreed.... its done now. Nige will leave with a positive record, love of the fans, a hefty pay off and the possibility of the Blackpool job. We have got a new era under a new manager. If your glass is half empty we are doomed as he cant speak English and doesn't know the English game. Half full and we've got a good young manager who can attract some top quality players to an ever more successful team. You decide... I've just got a new pint though!