trousers

Good to see you on here Mr Pardew ;-)

Hot air balloon perhaps....? Radio controlled helicopter?

I'd imagine the original one was already printed and now scrapped. Another collectors item for anyone who can get a copy then. Quick, someone check the skips at SMS.... ;-)

Without wishing this to decend into a Pardew 'pros vs cons' slanging match (Bob Hope anyone?), having never been a football manager, or close to someone who is, I am genuinely interested in how easy it is for a football manager to adapt his management style to fit a playing style which isn't necessarily natural to him. I know I'm simplifying things here, and am possibly showing my naivity (just for once) but I see two basic styles of management: those who build on solid defences and are, generally speaking, more conservative and less gung-ho on the attacking side (i.e. the type of manager who is happier to win 1-0 than 4-3) versus those managers whose philosophy is to go all out and attack and not worry as much about the defensive side of things, within reason (i.e. the manager who is quite happy to win 4-3 week in week out). To illustrate my point, I would put Pardew in the more cautious category and, say, Keegan in the more gung-ho category. My interpretation of what Cortese would like is a style that is closer to the latter than the former (?) If people agree with me (which is obviously a long shot!), how easy do people think it will be for Pardew to adapt to meet Cortese's requirements? One thing is clear, for Cortese it's not just about winning, it's also about how we win. In light of recent events, some very astute observations there Mr Trousers.... ;-)

I'm coming around to the Zola idea. Not because I necessarily highly rate his managerial credientials higher than Pardew's (in isolation) but because I think he would actually fit the football club management model that Cortese is building. It's arguably better to have a 'lesser developed' manager who fits the structure than a supposedly 'better' manager who's style doesn't fit the new structure. Of course, whether the "Cortese/Liebherr Model" is actually right for English leagues or not is another debate altogether....but better to have a manager that fits the bill whilst the model is being persued.

Is it Dusty Bin? It's either that or a two week scuba diving holiday in the Maldives.

Nice conspiracy theory to go with it.... ;-)

"Foreseeable future" could be anything from hours, days to months or years. I wouldn't read too much into Wilkins' words as his "foreseeable future" seems to be in the 'minutes' category given he didn't see this coming it would seem

No, I still have faith in what he, and posthumously Markus, are trying to achieve, albeit tinged with a modicom of waryness. As several have already astutely pointed out, this decisive move (whether people like it or not) IS a sign that "the Liebherr/Cortese plan" is still very much active. If it wasn't then things would have just chugged along until a buyer was found (IMHO)

Cortese ruthlessly sacking Wotte last year?

Re: "I really cannot believe how dumb Pardew has been" or perhaps Pardew has been clever by wanting out and engineering his own downfall to his financial advantage? (i.e. he'll get a pay off by getting the sack rather than by walking of his own accord) Perhaps....

I'm sure the players are professional enough to cope with the change...

I'm keeping one eye on the SFC car park CCTV as we speak..... ;-)

Why did we have to wait until post #406 for a well thought out, non-hysterical post?

O'Neil Keegan Hoddle Capello Strachan Mourinho Ferguson (Alex) ;-)

Erm, no. How would we know he was there? Was he sitting in the director's box with a big red and white hat with the words: "look at me, I'm the new Saints boss" emblazened on it? I'm surprised you were the only one to spot such an overt appearance.... ;-)

These types of decisions are usually days/weeks in the making so the "timing" on the back of a decent victory are largely coincidental.

A few Premier League fringe player loanees?

Mr Pardew wanted to manage us when the ruthless Mr Cortese unceremoniously got rid of Wotte last July..... ;-)

I disagree. Markus's influence is very much still there. Markus bought his good friend Cortese a watch before he died as a gift in advance for securing promotion this season. I can't see Cortese doing anything that purposely jeopardises Markus's faith in him.

Latest score: Facts 1 Jumping to conclusions 62

I would be apprehensive too if I felt Cortese had lined up someone who wasn't considered "better" than Pardew. My gut feel is not one of apprehension though.

Would be happy with that but my gut feel would be an Italian connection so that Cortese (and posthumously Mr Liebherr) get the team playing "The Southampton way" (as previously advertised they would be doing)

Maybe the timing was largely out of Cortese's control? (sorting out contracts etc) Don't know but am prepared to give benefit of doubt until facts are known (I know, I know.... I'm in the wrong place for such pragmatism....)

Without disclosing my opinion on this morning's events (which could be one way or t'other) am I the only one a little excited about what might happen next?