VectisSaint

Initially a bit underwhelming, but on reflection this is probably an excellent appointment, and just what we need. I was interested to see this bit on the Wiki about this time as Reading manager: "and his régime to increase the fitness of the squad. Pardew also coined his motto "Tenacity, Spirit and Flair" to give his side a psychological edge" Sounds similar ideas to WGS to me, which would be good, our fitness levels since WGS left have generally been poor (with possible exception of time Snodin was here) and truly appalling under Burley, and when you don't have the best players in the world, the fitness aspect can be the difference between failure and success (all footballers are fit, its that extra bit that keeps the mental state going until the last second of the game that is critical). Important aspect for me will be who he brings in as his assistant and othe rback room staff. Would like to see Killer retained, but AP probably needs a good assistant. Pity Snodin is now so revered at Leeds.

Which tune?

Not much change there then, we didn't see much of him when we had a crap manager either

The author should do some research. The suggestion is that Poortvliet was in charge for the 2008 season when we "just avoided relegation". Apart form rehashing some of what occurred the article itself says very little of substance. Oldfield should stick to Tubular Bells

Cos Davis was not playing?

Think thats quite likey, most other teams would not be seen dead in such an awful shirt.

Why does everyone assume we should beat Cheltenham. They gained more points in Division 3 last season than we have so far this. I know they were relegated, but guys you need to get used to the fact that this is our level now. Didn't we draw with them last season as well (2-2 maybe)? Would look it up on the OS, but buggered if I can find the Archive any more.

Have to say initial impression is absolutely feckin awful, worst kit I can remember for us. Looks rather cheap and tacky, and the blue is horrid. Maybe it will look better in the flesh.

Did hope that once the takeover was complete some of the bitter little people might give it a rest, but seems not. The boycotters were never numerous enough to do any real damage to the Club, as the moaners made very clear before we went into Admin, now they are being blamed despite their apparent lack of numbers. The boycotters were not the problem, the problem was Lowe and Wilde and ths hit decisions they made that created a footballing desert last season. FFS GM get over yourself. Just because you attended every game, what do you want a fecking medal.

I still believe SCW could have brought a lot to Saints, but he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was never going to work with Arry or Bertie who were too set in their ways to look at new things. The only serious mistake he made was getting involved with Mr Gosforth Town, who was basically a chump.

The answer to your question is a resounding NO Agree with most of your assessment except the bit above, Burley was better than what (and I don't mean Wotte), a hole in the head? Burley was one of the worst choices ever made, yet most fans, me included welcomed his arrival. was made to look OK by the arrival of a top class Assistant Manager, Glyn Snodin. Thanks God Scotland came calling, we would probably be in Division 4 now, thanks to Burley's lack of preparation and the fattest, laziest, least fit squad of players ever assembled on a football pitch. Of course Burley is not the only one who looks better when he has a good team behind him, Hoddle is the same.

The same, but ultimately that was the reason that the takover was possible. While we were an operating plc with divided shareholdings with Lowe at the helm, it was very very difficult for us to be taken over. Once Lowe was evicted by the Administrator and the shareholders taken out of the equation a takeover became possible. It cost me about £25 but in the end I'm not too upset about that, having a club back and without Lowe and Wilde is the only thing that matters.

But also forget about the fact that when it mattered, after 46 games, not 45 he saved us, and that following the appalling mess that Burley, then D& G got us into. NP is not the Messiah, but is certainly one of the bst young managers around and would be a good choice (though there are some others out there, Cotterill for instance).

Jimmy has a yacht if that helps

I would be perfectly happy with getting NP back, though I don't think he is the greatest thing since sliced bread that some others do. But what he did bring was discipline, fitness and motivation. In addition he has a proven record working with youngsters at the very top level (England u16, u18 & u21) and working alongside some very good managers (and Bryan Robson). He has huge respect amongst British managers in this country and has a very good contact list. His blending of youth and experience at Leicseter showed that his talents are not just on paper. I wonder if Lee Hoos would come back as well. The only one from the Wilde bunch who had any talent and who has worked with Oldknow before. We could do a lot worse. On top of all that it would be really fun for 19Canteen to have to eat his words if NP were to be successful as most people with football brains realise he would be.

Can't give it up 19C can you? Still having a go at NP even though he won the 3rd Division last season. Presumably he did that with no tactics or tactical nous, and no understanding of how to play youngsters and how to get good loans in. And then to tout Craig Levein (note spelling). What has Levein done that makes him a tactical genius? Absloutely nothing (and by the way he is British). Going back to someone intelligent, the OP, its not prejudice, its horses for courses. Getting inexperienced Dutch managers in was a disaster, as was Wigley, if you can find the right manager with the right sort of experience it doesn't matter what nationality he is, although an understanding of the English game at the right level is a huge advantage because of the way we play, thats why Martinez was a success at Swansea. Pearson would still be one of the best options if he was available, as unlike 19C's opinion, NP is actually a very well respected manager with good tactical nous, knowledge of the lower leagues and good at working with young players, unfortunately for 19C he speaks with a northern accent and 19C cannot cope with people that don't have a Cotswold plum in their mouth.

I guess there is a first time for everything, but rehabilitating injured players is not something we have done well for a long time. Pahars, Svensson, Claus, Tinman, Oaks (to an extent) etc etc

Maybe, builds slowly, and much of his success is put down to Steve Perryman by those who know about Exeter. Nice guy, might have been right at some other time, but not what we need now. I would also seriously question the judgement of any manager who leaves a club to join another one 10 points below them at the start of the season, haveing just taken his club to 2 promotions on the trot.

LOL at 19C moaning about people not respecting names of board members. Pot kettle and black spring instantly to mind, even though I do agree with the sentiment. I was annoyed yesterday that people still couldn't get it right about the spelling of Liebherr's first name.

Agreed completely. It is a bit rich to go blaming the Administrator for doing their job. If there is blame to be apportioned then it sits squarely with those that took us into Administration (and I don't mean Barclays) not with begbies Taylor. GM's original post is as usual written to look convincing but is as often the case based on speculation and little factual evidence. We have been taken over by a seemingly very cleaver and switched on billionaire, we are no longer restricted by a stupid plc set up by an even more stupid failed businessman, we have got rid of a useless manager, and some other consortium is a bit ****ed off. Like most I really don't give a monkeys about the fees of the Administrator, and accept the fact that the pay off to the creditors was agreed by (the vast majority at least) of those creditors. Is it just possible that we can all just be pleased that we actually still exist and have a bright future, because if it wasn't for the Administrator we would have been wound up some time ago.

WGS is foreign...

Could we have both? KK'e enthusiasm coupled with WGS ability to get players in good condition and knowledge of defence could be a great combination (KK as DoF, WGS as Manager)

I'm not sorry he's gone, but having just been given a new 1 year rolling contract what would have given him the impression he was about to be sacked. the question is, who gave him that contract, presumably it was the Football Club board, Jones and the Eastenders related guy with Fry's permission. Bit shoddy, but he really was not the right guy. But we need someone in sharpish, critica part of the season, all else hangs on pre-season

19C above presumably does not count as a saints fan. There are still bitter people about who don't seem to be able to agree about even this. If not for Crouch we would not now exist, I'm sure of that. However, I have to say that when he first came on the scene I was no great fan, too much shooting from the lip, but there is a difference between some fair criticism and some of the franky insulting things that some say. Quite where anyone gets the idea that anyone wasted 40m I have no idea Thanks Leon for your assistance in ensuring the Club survived, and we look forward to seeing you continue to support the Saints through your low key sponsorship and so on. And many thanks for your help in getting rid of Lowe, even if it did backfire initially due to the inadequacies of the Quisling Wilde.

Cotterill for me, as I have said many many times before. Like Tisdale, but he is not what we need right now (wrong type of manager) and can't see why he would leave Exeter for us anyway. Would be happy with KK or Shearer, just don't think it will happen. Would also be happy with Dowie or Coppell. Still rather shocked that MW has gone, seemed like he was staying, also not on the OS yet.