VectisSaint

Poor coaches. Just like Burley (but not as bad in that respect). What do you expect when you employ inexperienced semi-amateur coaches from a league that has no need for great physical fitness.

We also lost a loan player that we had agreed to keep (Pearce), hence his replacement by Saeijs. Also lost some other loans that frankly were a waste of space (Robertson & the guy from Spuds), thought we were getting Dyer back (questionable whether good or bad) but saw him shipped straight out again to another of our rivals. In addition we seem to have also kept Wotton even though he had reportedly gone to Brighton. Its all been a bit bizarre to be honest, but apart from Saga's welcome return not much has really changed.

Close but no cigar. It was "W Connection", the W stands for Williams the name of two brothers who founded the club. Evidently he previously played for the gloriously named Joe Public FC

Tha Latvian Michael Owen. How prophetic was that, both sadly always injured. Never forgive Rory Fallon for that tackle at Swindon pre-season. Thug.

Would love to see a breakdown of points per game (1) with Snodin and (2) without Snodin. I would be reasonably sure that "Burley's" record is boosted by the presence of one of the best assistant managers around. Burley is and was crap and we would already be in Division 3 if he had remained until the end of the season. Overweight, unfit players, says it all, Burley as a manager was useless, but not the worst, I still say that honour goes to the current incumbent (nice bloke though :yawinkle:). BTW it took Lawrie 4 seasons to get back to Div 1, not 3. And one of the reasons he got some of the highest calibre players was because he was one of the highest calibre managers at the time and he enthused these great players to join Saints, thats a vital part of being a good manager, having the personalit to attract good players.

Actually the thread title is most hated/or worst manager. So most hated is clearly subjective, about emotions etc., but worst can be a bit more objective, so the thread did not get hijacked.

Most hated, difficult to decide between Arry, Burley or Branfoot. Branfoot was certainly hated by most Saints fans, he really had no redeeming features, with the one exception that even he did not get us relegated. I loathe Burley, he really is a major factor in where we are right now, and even if statistics might show he has a high points ratio, most of this was gained when he had the support of Snodin as assistant. But my winner is Arry. The lovable ****ney is the most annoying **** I can think of. Worst - differnt list, though Branfoot and Burley would be candidates. I don't think Arry could be considered worst, he clearly does have some management skills as he has ably demonstrated at every other club he has been at, strange that. Don't think Wigley really counts, was he really a manager? I think my vote would go to Jan Poortvliet. The most clueless manager I have ever seen at SFC (nice guy though). He is cetainly well on his way to becoming the first manager in over 50 years to take us down to the 3rd level. I certainly don't hate Hoddle for his time at Saints. While he was with us he was actually very good and was instrumental in turning us into a good team, WGS carried on the good work, but Hoddle laid the foundations. It was unforgiveable how he left, but his abaility and what he did for us in the short term should not be forgotten. How much of that was down to John Gorman we will probably never know, but it is very clear that all of Hoddle's success has come when Gorman has been his right-hand man. His spell at Wolves without Gorman indicated to me that they come as a pair.

Quiz Ball, bloody hell had forgotten that. Never did like Gordon Jackson There really are some saddos out there, who would post all the results of Quiz Ball on the web? FFS get a life (but thanks anyway, found it quite interesting, I'll get my duffle coat now).

Can't say I've heard of many of the others (Wilshere and a few others but not many). Seems like a list plucked out of the air of "players no-one has heard of so might be OK". Clearly whoever compiled the list has never seen McG play, or they would not mention his all round ability.

Blimey Ottery, had to look Steve Neville up. He was very much in my era when I attended every home and many away games (74-78) but really don't remember any of his 6 appearances. Still he was later manager of Clyst Rovers down in your neck of the woods.

I think this statement is open to debate. Even when WGS was here our midfield was woeful in terms of goalscoring, we relied on Beattie and Ohmygod. We have not had good goalscoring midfield for a number of seasons now. But to answer your question, loaning out 3 experienced strikers and relying on boys to play as a lone striker was a total disaster. It takes a lot of experience and not a small amount of strength to play as a lone striker.

Probably because he was released by Everton.

One slight difference, they are 5th in the League and still in with a decent shout of getting into Europe. For a team that does not have a Plan B they aren't doing badly, and with a number of key players unavailable as well.

We've really only been playing 4 home-growns for much of the season, James, Lallana, McG and Surman. Thats why Lowe's comments about playing young home-grown players has really been so laughable. The problem has been when we have not played enough experienced players, especially when Perry was mysteriously dropped. Things are looking a little better now, just hope that Rudi is not on his way after his recent comments.

Not neccessarily true. Clubs who take a player on loan can also pay incentives (win bonuses for instance). He probably thought I don't get any win bonuses at Saints so lets try Watford instead (OK, so he got it wrong this week). Also I would guess that Watford is closer to home that Southampton, so less travelling and no staying in hotels all week.

Allegedly

I think we got Seijs because Pearce was recalled, not because Cork went. Pearce's loan had been extended to end January because Killer is still not fit. When he was recalled suddenly JP had a problem. Cork's departure has meant that Wotton is back in the squad and with Spiderman fit again Cork has been adequately replaced (really not clear what happened with Wotton, thought he had gone to Brighton, but looking at their site there is no mention).

True, along with Mick and Dave Peach, these are true legends as far as I'm concerned (Tiss is too young to be a legend for me). Pass on my best wishes Tim, hope Ron gets over this swiftly. Hopefully the win today will cheer him up, like it has me.

Think its Mister Bates in this case

Everton seem to think he left them to join us (out of contract) http://www.evertonfc.com/match/transfers.html The Forest Green Rovers bloke is a right back by the way.

I reckon Saints might just sneak this. Seems an attacking side, why don't we play an attacking side when we are at home. Hopefully the ref might be on our side as well, with a name like T Bates we can hope.

LOL, all Dutch people speak English, usually far better than English people. You want to try living there and learning their language, no chance. The only exception I have ever found is Jan Poortvliet, he only speaks twaddle, usually after the match.

Mick Channon? Has lots of contacts with middle eastern business men who have horses. Pure speculation, but who knows.

Wotton back in the squad (and probably the team from the order given), thought he had gone.

They'll be signing Brett Ormerod next.