Red

Yep - about the size of it. A lot paid and not enough return in terms of increased revenue and profit (via increased subscription). Also BT has other pressing issues - Ofcom on it's back, separation from Open Reach, Pension fund, Italy scandal etc. etc., all whilst the top man is p*****g away money on fancy projects (BT is not a broadcaster - it only got in to BT sports to increase it's broadband customer base and it has not worked). The EE purchase has been a spectacular success in comparison, so the message from the board / shareholders is clear - stick to what you know best. Still a long way before the next deal, so who knows as things change quickly. As for the foreign TV deals - you may well be right - not really an area I know too much about. I guess they price the rights according to what the market can support (in Ireland's case, not much), as this does not affect live attendances or domestic deals - every £ is icing on top.

I work for BT and trust me they will not bid next time around - look up where the head of BT Sports (lady) that negotiated that deal is now. Sky subs have dropped by nearly 50% ahead of the new season. Not sure there is that much foreign money for live TV rights (could be wrong, but they show live PL games on a Saturday in Ireland and the Irish TV stations are broke so can't be paying too much). In any case this gravy train will not continue for ever, and maybe we are prudent to keep our powder dry and not spend big right now - by all means sell that gutless, disloyal, spoilt, dummy spitting baby for as much as we can, and invest wisely if we can. The only thing that might keep the golden goose going is the likes of Amazon, Google etc. - who may pay for live updates to increase advertising hits. However they are really really tough negotiators and not sure they would pay anywhere near the same. Interesting times ahead and football, EPL in particular, is the last place I would ever invest in to make money.

Agree, but not the only party to blame. VVD turned whilst we spend best part of 6 months nurturing him back to fitness is some gratitude - not! Could have easily suggested he would give us one more year for faith shown and asked to move season after. For me at min £70M, sell (even to Pool) - only if they make a proper and serious bid and let us get a replacement first - otherwise just suck it up.

No way should we be selling for £60M. Don't want him to go, but if he wants out fine, pay the going rate. VVD has been touted as the best CB in the PL for the last year or so. Don't think Walker was talked about in the same wane at RB? And if Lukaku is worth £115M (75+15 add on + 10 for WR + WR first year wages 15M), than arguably VVD is worth more at the other end of the pitch keeping the goals out (and much younger). So £75M would seem a good deal all round. If we sell on the cheap then it speaks volumes about our true "Southampton Way" ambitions!

Absolutely BM - thing is (and I know as am in the industry) they are miles better at getting deals agreed than traditional companies and they want to provide instant snap shots rather than the full games, so not sure the income will go up, but it will certainly not go down. Google is the one to watch.

Ironic I would say!

+ 1

You really are a true bell end - couple of times now you have tried to goad me, but I have a life. Read more carefully, and if you don't like it - surprise surprise, it's a FORUM, where people express their views (not just yours). Now then dearie, take a chill pill and get your afternoon rest.

Good luck with that one! We will spend less than we get on transfers out on new players, maybe close but not more, despite TV, match day, sponsorship and other off field income IMHO. Owners prerogative I accept, but let's not kid ourselves that we will spend big to improve the squad. Already within the new manager announcement, the club (Les) states that with minor adjustment the squad is good enough to grow - really? I truly welcome Pellegrino, but think he is already on a miracle mission - we will sell our best players yet again (poor guy is already lined up as scapegoat for VVD sell off - "Southampton will make a decision on VVD future after consultation with new manager etc. etc." ). Will then be expected to produce fab football with kids and lesser/average replacements. How on earth the new guy can succeed is beyond me, and if he does, he will be off to a bigger club. cutoutthebs#

That't it then - always knew it would happen. I have gone senile and am living in my own happy little world, but strangely it's not that happy - guess it's penance, prior to the journey to hell! Remember talking to Emlyn Hughes a few years ago (truly fantastic guy) and he was on a £100 a week (yes £100) during his hey days at Liverpool, and had to work after his footy career ended to support his family. It's just sickening what this industry has turned in to (certainly not just a game any more).

Err, have I missed something? Have the club announced him as the new manager or even that he is on the short list? Previous appointments have shown that 1) rarely is the final appointment the so called bookies favorite, or 2) fans (on here or otherwise) had any influence on the choice whatsoever. We have done well on our recent appointments (yes even Puel), so let's just see how this one pans out before we get all "Captain Mainwaring"

No far from it - it's my view, that's what forums like this are for, "expressing one's views". If you don't like it, don't read it! For what's it worth, I believe in honesty and treating people (particularly your wife) with respect - if you want out of a relationship, do it with dignity. As I have said before, it's the sad old relics on here that stop new comment and growth - the admins have a lot to be responsible for here, but it's their site and if they are happy for it to be a select site for a few depraved posters, so be it. Really not sure if this site is worth it anymore?

2nd that - and in more ways than simply looks it seems.

Me neither, but remember we finished closer to the regulated teams in points terms than top 6. The form of our last few games has been shocking (for whatever reason), and failing to address this or being complacent in anyway whatsoever is where our gradual demise begins - maybe not next season or the one after, but like Sunderland and others that's where it starts. We need the club to be honest and treat the fans with respect - we are no longer on the "Southampton Way" journey to being top 4, Champions League or ultimately aiming to win the EPL. What we are is a club trying to run as a business and live within our means and hopely remain top half of the EPL. All of this is fine with me, as long as we have a plan to achieve this and are honest about it. With the income we have we should easily achieve this, even with selling the best players each season - let's reinvest what we make. The club are telling us we are now in a financial situation where we do not need to sell anyone - well then if we do sell, don't replace on the cheap - use all of the gains for a near like for like replacement. It seems (and yes I don't really know for sure) that Kat is not as flush as we thought or die hard passionate about owing Saints for her father's sake. This not only applies to playing staff - for example, have we adequately replaced our scouts, recruitment team, coaches, youth development teams etc. etc.

Appreciate your opinion and agree with some of it, but not sure it's all Puel's fault - believe me I attended 6 home games at an average of £500 per game (live in Ireland, so flights, tickets, hotel at times etc.) and did not see a single victory!! Mates banned me in case I was cursed! So I know the frustration. The problem IMHO is the board and Les in particular - they chose Puel when there were a lot of really good managers ready to come to Saints (including Manuel Pellegrini who would have been ideal for us and attracted good players), but we not only went for the cheap option (best record of developing youngsters etc.) but then completely shafted him by selling the best players (yet again) and not replacing with even average (how many apart from Gabbi, who was Jan anyway are regular starters - i.e. better than we have already, even after the crown jewels have gone?). Let's face it - the "Southampton Way" and Champions League ambition went with Nicky and why he left as Kate did not share that vision. No problem with that, and I certainly wouldn't want us to built up a lot of unmanageable debt to get there, but a bit of shrewd investment might have seen us progress and more importantly seen a few star players stay. Board (maybe just KL) now seem to just want to sell anyone (and not even at the highest price) they can and replace (or not) on the cheap - does make me wonder if she has a financial issue and not as wealthy as we think? Her right I suppose, but please please no more BS about planning for Champions League etc. etc. Just say it like it is, "I am not really into football or Saints, Daddy gave most of his dosh away, and I mis-invested what he left me, so I need to sell something to keep in the lifestyle daddy provided. Junior will get over it, and if not who cares, as long as I have my Gucci handbag" We could have any manager and without backing or ambition, do you really believe we would do much better?? Imagine Mourinho under the same constraints - would he do any better - other than telling Les to do one!

Good luck and good bye to anyone that does not want to be here as far as I am concerned - we made you and gave you the chance but if you want out off you go - not many have prospered development wise, but sure the bank balance will have been more than a soothing pillow. What gets me is why can't we 1) get the best (obscene) price possible and 2) buy a decent replacement, instead of making do on the cheap?? If we are the equivalent if a cheap whore, than let's not make stupid comments about aiming to be the next Miss World - better to just say, "I might not be classy, but you'll have one hell of a one night (1 or 2 season) with me, and then marry your posh wife and dream about me every night!!

Like most things on here! (note most - not all) BTW Monk is going to Palace

The only pity in my books is that we won't get a fee for him. Still we will save the threepence a week on wages :-) Mind you (meant or not) cracking goal against Arsenal - without that I might struggle to remember he ever played for us.

See what you did there - very good! We have the quality (if we don't lose the key players and add 2 to 3 better than we have now - i.e. starters), it's the style and tactics that let's us down so badly.

I know it's a bit out there, but how about Long being a wing back (ala Moses at Chelsea)?? Think Long (apart from the pen miss - which did hit the bar), he was immense today, very physical, strong in the challenges, and some great crosses.

This - as I said on another thread, I am missing our attacking style of play - even if we lost it was nearly always an exciting game to watch - now I'd rather watch paint dry, and when you pay nearly £500 a game (live abroad) it's hard to justify. I have been to less than half the games this year compared to other years, and our home form has been woeful. What on earth is the point of playing one up front at home to Hull?? Rather we went for it and lost.

For me the real issue is our strategy - what I mean by that is what are we trying to achieve as a club from an owner's point of view? Ever since the sad death of ML and the subsequent departure of NC, we have become the Ebenezer Scrooge. Sell high, buy cheap - both players and managers. We have been extremely lucky so far but it will catch up with us sooner or later. Both Poch and Ron left mainly because they felt they had taken us as far as they could (Ron even said he was surprised how far we got with the resources he had). Not asking for Kat to invest more, just plow all the money we get from sales back into the club - better still just don't sell! Or failing that, move on and sell - to someone respectable and willing to invest and improve the club.