Professor

Hadn't heard this before but would not be surprised. We could be stuck with Skacel, and I know some people will say thats fine and he can be put in the team, but in reality his place has been filled by Holmes and Surman, which makes Rudi an expensive squad player.

The "great" Cardiff result at home to Ajax was a 0 - 0 draw!

What exactly does having three managers in a season tell you? That Sturrock should have been forced to stay on against his own stated wishes? That Wigley should not have been sacked? That Redknapp should not have been appointed? Colchester had the same manager (Geraint Williams) for the whole of last season, and the season before but it didn't stop them finishing bottom. Proves nothing.

The Times today (4th Aug 2008) predicts that Saints will be in 20th position at the end of the season. This just goes to show how little real attention the London journalists give to the detail of changes at this and at other clubs. Easier just to predict that the relegated teams will be at the top, despite the evidence of recent years. I've filed the page, and look forward to writing to them next April!

I was there also, having by then been a Saints' suppporter for 14 years. Lawrie took over when the team was doing well but when we needed to shore up the defence he bought Peter Osgood, and down we went. But it was the manager and the players who took us down, although they redeemed themselves when they won the cup 2 years later. In the same way, it was the players drawing too many games in 2004/05 that caused relegation, not the chairman. The constant blaming of the chairman in the last four years has been totally ridiculous, but because Sturrock left, Wigley failed and was sacked, and Redknapp couldn't improve things enough, there was no one except the chairman for the more neandrathal faction to blame. Football fans expect simple solutions, and some don't understand that the world is not that simple. We see the same names on here opposing anything that Lowe is connected with, and for them, the anti-Lowe stuff has become an obsession. John B is quite right that what is needed is for people to bury the past and get on with supporting the club. This means not just supporting the 11 players representing the club in any one week, but supporting the whole club. Wholehearted support for the club from the fans is the bit we can do to help the team perform to their maximum potential.

You are obviouly under the impression that Radio Solent's forum is a unique occasion for the fans to meet club officials. It isn't. Neither should we expect Lowe to cancel a pre-arranged businesss trip when his attendance is not necessary for the other directors to explain what the club is doing. As I said in my post, RL was chatting to fans in a very friendly fashion at the Winchester friendly, but the point you seem to have missed is that no one is going to attend an event just to be insulted by some mindless obsessives. So, NO. Its not at all difficult to encourage the chairman to meet the fans and to encourage genuine challenge, but only if people show that they can behave properly. Lowe must be sick and tired of the ignorance shown by a small group of fans.

Since Killer's return was unexpected and unforeseeable, we do have too many CBs, but Thomas could be seen as cover for FB. Of the CBs on the books, I'd say WT is the most vulnerable to being shipped out but I wouldn't bank on it.

Problem is Wes, that as long as people imply dishonesty without evidence (prior arranged busness trip was 'convenient') and insult his colleagues ('cronies') why should RL submit himself in any arena where is likely to face mindless insults? If fans want to establish communications with the chairman, there needs to a guarantee that debate will be polite and questions will be sensible. Asking a controlling shareholder what price they will accept for their shares simply displays ignorance of business. It also makes an assumption that RL wants to end his 13 year relationship with SFC, when there is no evidence to support such an assumption. It would be good for fans to be able to talk to RL, and we saw him doing just that at the pre-season friendly at Winchester, but anti-Lowe obsessives continue to make it difficult.

Bit of a surprise as the club statement was that he was anxious to get home to his wife and family, but maybe he needed some time to do his packing - and say goodbye to friends in Oceana..... Wonder if Mrs Viafara knows where he is......

Viafara has gone, although presumably SFC may get a fee if he signs for another club in Sth America. Skacel move seems to have failed, possibly on his pay demand. Rasiak and John - both actively in the squad although maybe neither is first choice, assumption is one would be allowed to leave if an offer is received. Saganowski - has been little speculation about Saga leaving, and after being in Euro 2008 he should be good enough to be first choice in any CCC side, but seems not first choice for Saints, so would the club let him go? Safri - another failed transfer candidate, any chance a move will be resurrected? Euell - Another older player not first choice in the team, but is he worth anything to anyone else? What are the prospects of these players leaving over the next 3 weeks?