I wrote a big rant to Football 365 a few years ago complaining about Wigley, Lowe and how we needed a traditional english style manager to revive our fortunes.
It was published as the lead letter one day, I read it now and weep at how horrible things turned out and how wrong I may have been, and an interesting snapshot of November 2004.
Here it is:
" I guess the alarm bells begun ringing when Paul Sturrock 'left by mutual consent.' Rupert Lowe has made 'odd' choices before. Appointint coaches as managers for example, but 'no,' we thought, he will have learned his lesson. It is well known that a strong charismatic personality is required to bring out the best in a squad of overpaid - self obsessed prima donnas and that 'yes man' coaches cannot cut the mustard. Surely the Stuart Gray debacle will not repeat.
'Steve Wigley appointed as Head Coach.' A head coach. Not only had Lowe not learned... he obviously believes its the way forward. So we must surely need someone with charisma and personality to inspire the squad above or alongside Wigley, Which leaves Lowe (upper class self publicising businessman) and since his appointment a few weeks ago Christian Damiano. (a man who helped inspire Houllier's Liverpool last year.. god help us.)
Don't get me wrong, I don't blame Wigley for the mess we're in. He saw a chance to further his career, how could he predict he was out of his depth. The blame must lay with the one man who transformed the way our club is run into this shambles, Rupert Lowe. Even under Branfoot in the early 90's we had a 'manager' and a sense of some leadership. As things are it appears the players don't know who to respect, who to look too for inspiration, as such it seems they are like headless chickens, clueless and rudderless.
No number of 'turning points' will convince me now. 2-2 against Arsenal. The biggest miracle ever as far as i'm concerned now. 2-2 against West Brom, another Joke, the defence was dire. 5-2 against Watford. The final straw. We had no chance against a team who had not won in their previous 6 home games..... in a lower division.
Wigley, you tried, but the results speak volumes, please go while you still have a modicum of dignity left.
Rupert Lowe, you are the ultimate scumbag chairman. A soulless businessman who cares only about his own profile and pockets, who would rather gain some pennies from the misery of his businesses shareholders then use some resources to keep them happy and possible improve matters. Our highest profile signing in the summer was Peter Crouch, on form so far... a cheap cop out signing when we desperately needed a talented left winger. Beasley, who was quoted as wanting to play for Saints.. the only english team wanting to go for him, an American international (they are good team now the yanks, you must be fair.) and young. He was unwilling to stretch even slightly beyond his 'budget.' A budget so tight it makes Norwich look thrifty. For a chairman who is so keen to point out how fluent we are it seems bewildering he will not invest in real potential talent. A Cahill or an Andy Reid or just someone, please god someone. But no. We get Peter Crouch a man with a good foot, but who is so horribly lightweight. Our other signings are defensive. No disrespect to Jelle van Damme, but what a solution to the midfield problem.
Lets look at another angle. Why does Lowe appoint 'head coaches'? Here is my main opinion on this. Its because he goes for the cheaper option. Even 'managers' he's appointed. Strachan, sacked from Coventry and wanting to revive his career. Hoddle, sacked from England, and wanting to revive his career. Both needing a boost and obviously, cheap! Sturrock was from the lower leagues, he wouldn't have cost as much as any other 'proven' managers. Cheap. Others in the premiership wouldn't have touched them (even possibly Sturrock despite his Plymouth success.) Thank god he struck lucky with Strach. Now its finally backfiring. Coaches do not always make good managers. Both Lowe, and us the fans, are finding out the hard way.
Rupert Lowe must either accept a true manager is needed or he should go. And if he cannot figure this out for himself by now then I shall look forward to seeing Southampton play a few miles up the road from my residence in Coventry, in the glitz and glamour of the Coca Cola championship. I look towards Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford and fear for our future."
