dubai_phil

Oh I'm good.... Just managed to blag my way through a BA call centre and use the strike to rebook my freebie cannot change under any circumstances ticket. So now feel very chirpy and ready to fly with Emirates (Bad News Nickh - that means I should make it) Meanwhile, was the whole BA strike thing just a conspiracy between nikch & FF to try and STOP me getting back? Notice how the Strike dates were only anounced AFTER I had said when I would be coming back... Hmmm Wouldn't have made a difference, The Away Team just have so much more class, passion and motivation in every single position on the pitch

Yes totally agree. But let us look at this as "Businessmen" (ie from NC's background) You run a business. You have targets and results to achieve each year (and each quarter). You plan for each quarter in advance and review performance and make changes to the plan to make it work better. So every manager reviews every employee. It is normal. "Are they achieving their desired output?" "Are they still with the programme" Any manager worth his salt will ask "Will this employee get us where we need to be against our targets?" "Is any remedial action needed, hand on the tiller, training, coaching, self improvement?" What is the RISK if I replace this person and get someone new who is better? - how long to get trained and up to speed? the costs? will they really be any better? At the end of that review a professional businessman (ie not the average Club Chairman) decides to minise risk. Perhaps this is all NC has done with the review. He simply asked himself, then AP what they could do BETTER. And we read it as AP isn't doing it and will get fired

So interestingly we are seeing a possible trend here. AP is well trained and experienced in media relations in the UK. His responses are carefully thought out - "Guarded". We also have NC, he never actually says "He is unhappy with AP" only that he is (like us fans) unhappy at a sequence of results - which AP says the same in his post match interviews - same page, same statements. What then happens is a mix of possible selective editing and interpretation and bingo we made up an AP & NC at each other's throats scenario. Selective editing? One thing we are seeing is that NC uses twice as many words as I do in his comments :-) Solent interview was 46 minutes long, his OS statement was slightly longer than War & Peace. The average Echo web site clip is about what 200 words? Again maybe this is where The Storm starts to feed on itself.

OK so we have a date and we have a source and we have a comment. League results haven't been satisfactory. At which point I call in Alps & Glasgow as evidence - were THEY happy with results at that time? IIRC many of us blamed these draws for our subsequent failure to make the playoffs At that time we had Exeter Away 1-1 Stockport H 2-0 Brentford A 1-1 Millwall A 1-1 So the fans weren't happy, AP post match interviews he wasn't happy and NC wasn't happy. So did the "Rumours" start with selective editing of quotes by the Echo? at this time. NC seems to give AP support in the Solent Interview. He doesn't over sell it but do we read too much into what is looking like his style of STFU & getting on with it? Evidence so far shows the Echo may have started this with selective editing of comments OR equally NC may well have meant it. Any other attributable quotes around? (Oh btw Paris, wasn't after opinions just seeing if we could look into some of the details for a change, sorry I spoiled your morning)

Date? I thought that there was something alluded to earlier than that hence the questions in the Solent Interview

lol at this comment And the answer... Well, actually I believe you will find that for the past 7 years, many football fans and Journalists have been commenting on your situation and your finances. Many articles and threads questioned the spending on players the methodolgy and sources of your finances. Unfortunately, you Few had your heads so far up Storrieteller's ar&e that you never even noticed and this forum and the regular infestations of Few trespassing onto here to "Give it Large" and tell us we were deluded. Enjoy your final curtain call tomorrow. The descent into Hell awaits, that is the price you always pay for doing deals with The Devil.

Time for us to play Detective We have threads commenting on NC's statement and the Echo, but what we have not done is to try and work out how this all came about. Removing opinions, can we trace the hitsory of the comments that got us to this debacle? What was the story behind the non-story? Is it possible to see how statements and events COULD have been mis-interpreted or Over Analysed? Are there any lessons that NC should learn, and better still, are there any factual errors with which to beat up the Echo and others? IIRC Adam Blackmore was to blame for starting the mess by quoting a source close to ML. Now this is strange as all season ML has be conspicuous by 1) his absence from the media and 2) the lack of quotes from sources. We can speculate who it could have been and why, but then much of the rest of the storm breaks. NC is on media record as being UNHAPPY on 13th March. In an interview lasting 46 minutes on Solent he explains that, answers OUR questions and at no time says AP is a God OR that AP is awful. It is a simple and clear we are not happy being a long way from the playoffs type interview mirroring the views of all of us AND those AP expresses in his interviews. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/8565161.stm So where is this NC not backing AP non-story? Do we over interpret the fact that he did not get "A Vote of Confidence" (lol at what that always means in the media) Does the build up to the storm start earlier than that? Did we (and the media) analyse Adam's poor interview with AP the wrong way? Could it be that behind the scenes Adam has a history of trying to leak non-stories? Is he a closet Skate? Better historians and Googlers than me may be able to dig up some actual quotes and interviews and comments that could discover if there is a trend. This was a media storm we have opinions (which should stay on the other threads) but can you guys find any more FACTS or links as to how this blew up?

Good post from Canada Saint. In summary, I'm supportive of what NC is doing, how he is doing it and what he said in his statement and how he said it. But also aware of the rumours and the concerns. Maybe one day the ego issue will raise it's head and we may discover another secret Rupert clone has been in charge but that is not today and maybe not ever. Meanwhile, again well done to the Yeovil site for saying it as it really is, spot on and the link truly is worthy of a bump and should be reprinted verbatim by some of the Mail's main competitors! http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/ASP/features/blog.asp?BlogId=254

I am sorry Nick. I was replying to an eloquent poster. I forgot you may read this. I will revert to words of one syllable just for you from this post forth sorry onwards

What a good post by Giordano. Something we should all bear in mind and keep an eye on and perhaps save for a rainy day, just in case. As for other comments, he may be a nasty egotistical type, but the good thing is, at the moment he is our nasty egotistical type, and as long as the club keeps moving forwards (in a moral and legal manner) then that is all I and I would expect most of us would ask for. As I said before, in simple terms for the pundits around the club at least he was equal in sharing his minor dig at "All the old Politics". Those days are now gone, by all means critique the club & the leadership team, but PLEASE try and limit those comments to factual issues UNLESS it is to reveal something (with sources) that we REALLY should know. MLT LM et al comment away but you guys should be better than us rabble on here and shouldn't dig your own holes and comment on idle speculation... UNLESS you KNOW it is FACT of course

Now you're just showing off and telling everyone that you don't have much work to do today and had time to go back through the 4,972 threads on the same subject

Dear Echo/Solent Twitter Site I am unhappy that Southampton failed to reach the playoffs. Please will you run a full story on the local news. (Oh and please say hello to everyone else who knows me) Signed Dubai_Phil and no doubt NC, AP, RLSGM, KD, JF, AL, LB, DC, DH, hell, even Paul Wotton. And if I may take liberties I would also guess we could add the names of what at least 51,000 other Saints fans who made it to Wembley, the many thousands like Alps & EoA who couldn't make it to Wembley. Every sinle ONE of us have questioned AP over the dropped points in midweek away games OR other team members - hell it is Lallana's fault for hitting the woodwork so often - I blame him! I do believe that in fact the ONLY thing that could have been deemed remotely newsworthy would have been if ML had been HAPPY that we had not made the playoffs. You (Echo/Solent) made a hideous professional error of attributing a direct quote to ML without naming the source of that so called attributable quote and then pop up again on Twitter to defend this non-information, stop hiding behind pendantic semantics. Twitter - used by Twits

I wish to claim my ITK badge. In my application I wish to submit post #2 in this thread.... :-)

I was sure that his Business Plan would have included a Media Management Consultant position somewhere... I'm glad he has done that statement though as now he is eligible to beg to be put back onto the C-List Support Celebrity Guest List. In fact I might just offer him the roll of of Lucozade Sport Bottle Drink dispenser on the Bench. (I think FOS1 is pretty much nailed on to repeat his starring role of "Aggressive Bald Headed Bloke" who stalks the area. All I have left is to decide who to give the new role of "Scarf Adjuster" to (Our attempt to show a bit of solidarity for our Italian CEO) As for the travel plans I now look to land (Volcanoes permitting) late evening the day before the game. Not ideal as I'll have to re-plan the Golf & will miss the trip to the Cricket :mad: Also not sure if the Duty Free Champers will have timme to chill properly.

Having caught up with the entire thread some thoughts. NC is right to have a dig at MLT about the damage caused by Pinnacle taking that exclusive period, that was a one month delay when they never had the funds. Imagine that month with ML & AP actually having a pre-season. AND the point is, I was lucky enough to meet MLT when he did an event here (with other local fans) and over a malibu HE knows it is a blot on his copybook, just how he rolls his eyes, grimaces and says "yeah I know" before you can even get in to the subject. As for then having a dig because of their comments, ANYONE who has ever had to be interviewed or asked for a comment from their own work by any type of Journalist will know that they will only "remember" what they view as "Salient Points". So if a Journo asks What do you think about the speculation about AP? ANY answer that you give can be interpreted how the Journo wants. "I think the speculation is just that and it is stupid" will lead to the next question where you would say that "I think AP has done a great job this year". Which can suddenly become "MLT thinks Cortese would be stupid to sack AP" which is totally NOT what you ACTUALLY said So they DO deserve the slap on the wrist, anyone who ever opens their mouth to the Media with whatever intentions can end up looking and sounding like LLS :-)

PMSL That kicked a lot of people outside the club right where it will hurt them. Very clear, very specific and very encouraging, knocks back the rumours at almost every turn. Time for some grovelling, especially from Solent's Adam. Think it would be a good time to man up and humiliate the source who stitched you up.

Why thanks OSM. Unfortunately :mad: FF's pals have cost me 650 quid AND resulted in the loss of one of the 10 free biz class return tickets we had won from BA. As I have to mix business with pleasure (who wouldn't) I had to make appointments around my trip back (on top of walloping TSW members at golf). So I have to know when I am coming and when I am going (always helps I find in all walks of life) Anyway I just had to re-plan and book on Emirates in cattle class. The good news is of course that the big day is drawing near. Perhaps we are nearing the time when there could be some friction starting to develop between the managers in a Rafa Fergie style. Shame you'll miss the Cross Bar challenge for the fans (that we haven't arranged) and the After Party (that we haven't arranged) and will miss the delights of the group booking in the Hotel (which we haven't arranged)/ And of course, as everyone will know, having such a global celebrity at the event (myself) is great news for the fans (yes I will bring all my photos Nick) it would be interesting to know how we are getting on with the RSVP's from the C-List Celebrities who had asked if they could come along. Certainly it looks like Jamie Oliver will have to cancel his new TV show improving the Catering in Stadia as we haven't had his new Pie Menu through in time for the suppliers. My mates at Muse are having trouble with the council for the half time show permits. John Terry has had to cancel his personal relationship counselling meeting with myself and Tiger due to worries about his foot (I had heard it was more like 5 inches) And the FIA have rather rudely refused to delay the Turkish Grand Prix by a couple of days so we are unable to get Jenson & Lewis down to meet the TSW petrolheads. I hope Nick is getting on better with his Celebs. I think Terry the Builder is still OK to pop up the M27 and make his spot for the motivational speech - Poopey, my part in their Downfall, and I hear he is trying to get LLS to come down to fill in for Peter Kay in the Stand-Up Comedy slot. (Peter is unfortunately travelling to Texas or something that evening) We'd put you on the mailing list for a Complimetary DVD of the event but as we are still waiting for the second one from Last Year we'd need confirmation that you don't intend to change your address in the next 5 years (along with your credit card details and security code) Good luck with the lobbying, glad you spotted teh REAL reason behind the AP rumours, yes I can confirm that neither nickh or myself wish to make any comment on the rumours that we have been offered any position as joint Team managers at SFC and refer all queires on this subject to our Media Management Team at BoythiswillhissAlpineoff.com

Oops were was Bairdy huge gap at RB?

Baird getting done for pace - there's a surprise! 1am zzzzzzzzzzzzzz time COYB&W

Yep thx just seen it. The stream has John Helm commentating you guys?

Stream dropped out who scored for Fulham?

Jeez do Fulham have both Paul Wotton and Carlton Palmer in midfield? Passing is awful

Absolutely with you on that. We can't see it here as it is on a channel only available in pubs & we have a dinner party tonight :mad: But I'll be running upstairs to check. Stuff the cheats down the road, THIS is the Footballing fairy tale of the decade and let's hope they can keep it up for another 90 minutes

PMSL Many moons ago myself and others commented on the media concerns on Football's finances and oversight (GM Pilchards and others). Loads of Journos covered the topic. Many on here joined in the debates. We as fans noticed that things were wrong and at least discussed it. And yet it takes this mess before ANY of the skates wake up - of course BECAUSE THEY WERE GIVING EVERYONE ELSE THE FINGER AND SAYING WHY CHANGE WE ARE ALRIGHT! Which is why we don't give a damn about them and hope they continue to suffer. It is only when something has happened to THEM to upset THEIR little applecart that they cry something must be done. Where were you when Journos tried to get this looked into? Where were you when the GOVERNMENT asked the PL to look into this stuff You were watching half the England Team each week in your own made up washed out dream world BELIEVING them to be "Your Team". No wonder the Aussies call Brits Whingeing Poms

No of course not, I assumed you were the standard issue nerdy bloke, with greasy hair, glasses and a Jacket with Leather patches on with nothing better to do apart from spend time earing pocket money as an invigilator :finga: