jasonb

As I just replied, he seemed pretty punchy and forthright in the Solent phone-in yesterday. However, he probably has to play a fairly straight bat in order to continue good working relations? I am sure they will go over what is fair game prior to the interview. One thing is for certain, the supporters need some straight talking and none of this guff for which Ralph, unfortunately, has become synonymous

I think Adam Blackmore will potentially get more out of him. He was asking the same questions that Alpine has raised here on the Solent phone-in yesterday (listen again anyone who missed it here: https://audioboo.fm/boos/2202892-listen-to-last-night-s-27th-may-saintsfc-phone-in-following-mauricio-pochettino-s-departure ) Well worth a listen with contributions from MLT (briefly) and Merrington as well as the aforementioned Blackmore. Apologies if posted elsewhere.

I think his performance here and later with Adam from Solent needs to be really top notch. No more pandering and pontificating. Time for decisive actions and concise answers Ralph. In other words... clear leadership with vision and purpose. You've tried your best to soften us up but that time has now passed.

Its Ralph

Meh! Just like anybody that leaves Saints... they mean nothing to me anymore. I wish them no ill health but I'm not interested in them. Support the eleven that cross the white line chaps. Hey! At least we'll have the stripes back YAY! Fun whilst it lasted blah blah blah.

The bloody irony is that looking at social media and unofficial forums, bloody spurs don't want him! Just out luck!

This guy wants to come back to the Prem apparently. Would probably want a war chest but looks good in the red and white bar scarf.

Think they are back from Portugal now. Training at St George's park this week ahead of the friendlies planned.

This is actually a very salient point. For all those saying nothing has happened... Erm.. Well actually yes stuff has happened and on the face of it not all of it is positive.

Hmm Express and Metro... hardly bastions of the truth. I think its the usual stance of wait until the official site, Beeb etc. A few rogue bandits now breaking rank and reporting/tweeting the deal to Spurs is stalling/faltering/was never happening in the first place. Basically nothing has still happened (sic). Beer o'clock for me chaps!

Amazing isn't it? Everyone is a Max Clifford because of twitter... oh wait...

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/477768/Pochettino-snubs-Spurs-Tottenham-rejected-as-Southampton-boss-prepares-to-sign-a-new-deal The rumours of the rumours are gathering momentum...

Alex Goring Crook @alex_crook Been told no announcement on Pochettino is expected to be made by #saintsfc today Ah well that's my weekend ruined! Edit: on re-reading my rant it was a little immature. Apologies those who read it and felt irritated.

Well I'm not going to take any chances... I'm getting a few extra bottles of hipster real ale in tonight just in case there is an official confirmation. LIVING THE DREAM! Edit: oh and imagine the opposite of the House of Cards scenario some of us having been playing out on this forum. One by one they all commit! I'll absolutely love United and Liverpool fans saying they were never interested and our players weren't good enough anyway. HAHAHAHH* * okay getting carried away... Shaw did say he'd have no probs sticking around a while longer though...

Keep it on topic Crab Lungs there's a good chap. 100% Lallana transfer news in here not unsubstantiated claims regarding the ability of the current senior officials. I am sure there are one or two threads already discussing this particular topic.

Good job Lallana wasn't added to the banner a few months ago then.

Maybe, maybe

This keeps getting trotted out unchallenged. Who are you talking about? Who is trying to destabilise the club and to what end? Other teams, agents? Are you suggesting Cortese and his so-called PR team are behind this?

Obviously? Its not so obvious to me what you two are talking about? Please enlighten us with your opinions and not just allude to them.. not a wind-up, I am genuinely interested. Alluding to things that may happen but not actually explaining them doesn't create such a good forum for debate. Come on guys - this place has been great the last week or two.

That was the feeling I got after reading the article. Perhaps wishful thinking on my part?

Blimey, the vitriol and disregard for Cortese highlighted in this thread is the most shocking thing. Okay so he's no longer with us so is open for ridicule but Christ give the guy some credit. People with short memories seem to forget that it was Cortese that bought Markus' attention to us as a viable investment. It was Cortese who implemented the foundations which we are still reaping the benefits today. He wasn't perfect, the spat with Le Tissier was disgusting and by all accounts Cortese was difficult to deal with. Putting those issues to one side... the guy delivered on his plan and then some. He walked because KL wasn't prepared to fund the project anymore IMO. You will find that many others will leave because of this reason IMO. I wish he was still here and we were still being funded by KL. She sees things differently and I can't say I blame her either. She is not that interested in football and less interested in ****ing away her inheritance on something she has no real interest in. For the life of me I can't se why anyone would invest in football unless you have billions to p*** away. I personally don't disagree with anything in that short article. Sorry to take an opposing view to the majority here but I thought it worth a posting just to try and redress the balance.

...and some people were complaining about nothing happening at Saints... oh to be Swansea or WBA this summer with literally nothing going on* * there might be something going on at those clubs I didn't actually check.

Well I don't know what to think now. Obviously have to wait and see what he says but he is obviously interested in us enough to give an interview... the mind actually boggles at this close season.. already.

And this, I fancy, is where most supporters are; we simply do not know how this board will react to these advances for our best players. Over the last few years many would expect Cortese to drive a ridiculously hard bargain so that any deal were heavily weighted in Saints' favour. We will find out in due course if this current board do indeed have the strength and resolve to hold these bigger teams to ransom. I visit RAWK (Liverpool forum) and Redcafe (United forum) and I read a lot of misinformation about how much 'supposed' trouble we are in financially. Those forums reference the £27m that is owed in unpaid transfer fees as reasons to believe we are in dire trouble and will accept anything. When this transfer 'black-hole' was revealed after the new regime came in we were told that it was manageable and that we would not have to sell our best players to plug the gap. Reed then gave his war-cry announcing the same policy just before the end of the season. My only hope is that we get what we want for these players. It is a fact that we cannot stop our best players going to the bigger clubs. It is a cartel and one which the big teams have abused over the years. If the Sky money has done anything for the next tier of teams it is allow them to not be bullied into selling their prizes on the cheap. With that said I would also like us to honour, in full, the agreement with Bournemouth should Lallana be sold. I would like to think we are still a fair and honest club with a decent reputation in these matters. For me, the way we are conducting our business regarding all the speculation has been faultless. We are not going out in the press trying to whip up a bidding war. Unlike Liverpool and United who have used media sources to get their bids out there and into the public domain in what I can only think is attempts to unsettle our players.

Good one! he's a likable chap but the insistence by Levy that MP speaks English must be weighing heavy on him.