Micky

Interesting - but if that is the case, why (allegedly) were our fans singing at Wotte "you don't know what your doing"...??

UW I agree with you - the fans are the life blood of SFC (and all other clubs for that matter). 'Blame' is perhaps not the correct term to be using here, 'responsibility' is probably more apt. Don't get me wrong, I am not for one moment suggesting that the fans are solely responsible for our current plight, but neither do I think that we can just absolve ourselves of all responsibility. You only have to look at this forum to see that we are far from united as a fanbase. We have the plastics that have basically deserted the club and see fit only to attend the 'glamour' matches such as Sheffield and Manchester United respectively. You can argue all you want about quality, but the fact remains that had those fans stuck by us during the poor times, we may have been able to afford a better playing squad. We may not have had to offload our established strikers to other clubs. We then have those fans that are now refusing to attend SMS in the hope that this will drive the board from their positions and see a takeover achieved. Then there are the die hard fans that continue to support the team irrespective of who is in charge, but are probably seen by the 'stay away fans' as doing more harm than good, but who probably think the same of those fans. Meanwhile, we currently have fans demonstrating (as is their right) during matchdays - does this have a positive effect upon the players - I know not, but I would hazard a guess that it does not, although it will probably demonstrate the depth of feeling for the club. Coupled to all of this we have had fans fighting between themselves, we had the infamous 'spat' involving fans and Kelvin Davis last season, and just a few days ago we had fans getting involved with players whilst in Southampton city centre. All of these things can only have a negative effect upon both the club and the players. So I am not saying that the fans are totally resonsible - far from it. But we are obvioulsy not a united fanbase, and as a consequence the team are not getting our best support - therefore should we not shoulder our fair share of responsibility?

Nobody, nobody, nobody has even intimated that the fans are solely to blame - nobody. However, when things like this (our club) go wrong it is very easy to point the finger and blame one individual. Tell you what - let's blame Lowe - easy target - big as a barn door - so easy to hit. Can't be my fault - I'm only a fan, nothing to do with me at all. Typical blame culture I'm afraid. Tell you what - the fans will all want to be part of it when we are winning again - everybody will want a slice of SFC, remember where you were in '74 and more recently in '03, remember when MLT scored the final goal at the Dell, etc. Yet now it's all gone belly up, you want to distance yourself from any culpability whatsoever. No one person is solely to blame for our current plight, the blame must be shared collectively, and as far as I am concerned that includes the fans.

Would appear to be fully fit now though - and raring to go against us... Dooh...!!! http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/4124739.Davies_set_to_line_up_against_Saints/

To be fair - he did say one of the many causes - he did not say that it was the primary cause. I have to say that I would agree to a certain extent, when fans are not united behind the management and team it's bound to have a detrimental effect on the support, and therefore, the team during matchdays.

Agreed it is. However, in line with consumer demand, will the forums yearly subscription be reduced to reflect the decline in interest due to relegation. Or will they take their lead from the club for season ticket prices and (allegedly) try to raise the price...???

Actually, if truth be known, I only caught the last 15 minutes...!!! The comment was sort of 'tongue in cheek' due to certain expectations and comments made by other here...!!!

Yes, but are you any good though....???

Watched it - was absolutely disgusted that he failed to use the oportunity to publically call for Lowe and Wilde to leave St Marys. He had the entire BBC's population watching, literally millions, and still he never spoke out about the board - whatever next..!!!

My thoughts too - awful design and presentation. I take it they couldn't find a picture of John Sydenham too...!!!

In that case - we'll go with his plan then..! When do we execute it..?

UP - I agree that 'he' is out there, I agree that there are probably hundreds of suitable candidates to do the job. The problem remains, you cannot go looking for somebody to fill the post whilst Lowe still reigns. It is not a straight forward 'situation vacant' scenario, 'Please apply here'. If Lowe goes - I agree that there will probably no end of suitably qualified candidates to sit at his desk - it's the getting 'Lowe to Go' that is problematical. Mind you though - if it does happen, I would still actually prefer somebody who did have fair bit of 'wonga' in his back pocket...!!

Get in quick, before Arsene Wenger see's him...!

Again - I wouldn't disagree with you - but the fact remains that no matter how simple a process we might see it to be - there are obvious problems because it just hasn't happened, and doesn't look likely to. For your scenario to occur it appears that the rest of the board need to ouste Lowe themselves - not looking likely. I understand what you are saying, but it appears to me that a CEO bringing nothing (but business acumen) to the table is hard to find, or reluctant to make themselves known. A CEO bringing acumen and a large 'wedge of wonga' to invest is nigh on impossible...!

I don't think that his media role would allow him to run a one man crusade in order to try to bring about the downfall of a manager. Whatever next - '...he managed to get so and so out of Southampton, lets see if Matt will put out some negative press about .....' I understand what you are saying - in that you probably would like him to be a little more vocal towards our cause - but we have to understand that given the job he is in, he has to be professional and show a good degree of impartiality towards all teams. Mind you, if anybody is still thinking that he lacks passion for us, a quick reminder for you... enjoy..! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUt5CQPyWzs

Probably for exactly the same reasons that Andy Gray declined the offer of becoming Evertons Manager some years ago. Sky offer secure job post (for life!) excellent working conditions, excellent remuneration, time to fit in other commitments (and golf!) and less stress. For me, every penny that Le Tiss recieved from our club - he earned. He remained loyal to us when better offers were on the table, he owes us nothing. I'm absolutely sure that he is as passionate about the club as any supporter, he did his bit on the pitch for us in many a dodgy season. Why some on here call for him to give up his job in order to come and bail us out, yet again, is beyond me.

Really - I must have been an internet 'late starter'.

Ohhhh, aaahhhhh, yeah - I guess you right. But I think that he was a bit stretched for points towards the end of the plan, and I think there was some replication in there, so I reckon we could probably edit it, just a little - throw the MLT point in - and hey presto we'll call it a 1 point plan...!

Before you all go and sign MLT as our next manager - would it not be prudent to let St Robbie know so that he can include it in his 10 point survival plan...???

Wouldn't disagree with any of that UP - and I did agree to the point somewhere else on the thread that ridding ourselfs of Lowe would still leave the rest of the motley crew in place. I accept that nobody is going to sling their hats in for managers jobs whilst there are still incumbants in office, but when it comes to the running of clubs, people wishing to inject cash will make their intentions known. As for the Poortvliet situation, well we just didn't give any potential candidates time to make their aspirations known - Poortvliet was out and five minutes later Woote was in - just another day at SMS! Bad luck or bad judgement...? Careful what you wish for though, some on here are intimating that they believe that both of the named gentlemen cdajfu...!

Nothing wrong with expressing a broader opinion - perhaps shows that you can see the bigger picture and your views are not channelled into a single, non negotiable set of ideals. A skill used by some here, otherwise known as debating.

Steady now, you are in danger of transforming this into a 'Lowe In' thread, which would see you labelled all manner of things. And, besides - it would go against the majority of opinion published herein - which wouldn't do at all.

Ahhhh right solidarity within the fanbase - should be easy enough - I'm just off to find Lech Wałęsa...!!!

Ponty, there was no internet when Branfoot was at the club...!

My pleasure. Have been supporting the team for over 40 years now, so have seen the good and the bad - what most fail to appreciate is that we have no devine right to always be a top flight club. It appears some cyber warriors on here are happy to continually mock and hurl personal insults, brave people behind a keyboard. Do I support Rupert Lowe, probably yes - at the moment. But only because as I have said before, there appears to be nobody wishing to take over the reigns (with or without investment). Many on here have indicated that it should not be difficult to find somebody with the skillset to make a decent CEO, and I agree - the problem remains that nobody seems to be forthcoming. My opinion may differ from that of the majority - but it is, just that - my opinion, and it is out there for everybody to see. Many thanks for your kind acknowledgement.