Micky

Once again - I concur. But for fear of being branded a Lowe Luvvie again (not that it actually bothers me!), we should remember that the measures taken this season by the board were those designed by Lowe in order to stabilise the club. Now, it is a lot easier to stabilise any business with a large injection of cash / capital, than it is by trying to cut the clothe to fit the budget. I don't particularly like Lowes methods, but neither do I know enough about the internal affairs of the club to know if any other options are available to him. It strikes me that nobody takes on the job of running any business, let alone a football club, in order to deliberately drive it down the pan. Your point about regeneration in general is noted. I left Southampton some 4 years ago, so I am unaware of it's current economic / social standing. But it is generally accepted that, for some reason, a successful football team often bodes well for a successful and vibrant City.

I agree entirely with what you say. But the problem remains that we need somebody (with investment) to come in and take the club forward. We on this board are all biased - we all believe that our club is the 'beesknees' and totally investible. The problem is though - when you look at the bigger picture, so are probably 50 - 60 other clubs in this league. Lots of clubs now have great facilities, good grounds (check out the likes of Darlington), and they are very investible. We have a decent set up, but we are not alone in that. As for Lowes shareholding - I accept, he could be put out on his ear tomorrow, but it appears unlikely now. And, if that were to happen, as you rightly say it would still leave us with a dubious bunch still holding the cards - we need a completely new deck in my opinion. I, like many, want change - but let's be honest, we apparently have been seeking investment for some years now - and (rumours apart) we appear to be absolutely no further forward. In fact - as most here would agree - we are moving backwards apace..!!

And herein really lies the problem with threads such as this. Has Faz answered any of the questions posed - no. Therefore how do we (you) know whether he is pro/anti Lowe - we don't. He has merely made an observation (a correct one as well) about some of the 'logic' that you subscribe to. You immediately take offence and label him with one of your childish tags. It's little wonder that few here take you, or your viewpoint, seriously.

Do I want Lowe to stay - yes I do. But only until somebody better qualified knocks on his door and offers fair price for his holding. As JFP has highlighted, it is all very well wanting him gone but there are not a queue of suitable candidates waiting outside of his office to take over the job. Perhaps we just want him & MW to walk away and leave errr nobody in office. Is Lowe best for the club - yes. At this current moment in time he is - because once again nobody has declared public interest in thier intention to take control. Somebody is better than nobody. Do I like Rupert Lowe. Couldn't say - never met him. Although I would like to meet him and try to get his take on the many 'issues' that have seen us slide to where we are now. Some here do tend to forget that there are always 2 sides to every story, and we rarely get those 'straight from the horses mouth'. So in essence, contrary to most on here I have responded 'yes', 'yes' and 'unsure'. Does that make me a Lowe Luvvie - I'll leave that to the rest of the board to decide and hang me as they see fit. The bottom line is though - whilst I would lose him and his team tomorrow, I do not see too many 'Knights in Shining Armour' storming to get into SMS these days.

"And welcome to SMS for this crucial 6 pointer as Southampton take on Yeovil Town..." Not said this season - but could only be a season away...!

Ditto - unfortunately it appears to be yet another thread to merely bait those who were (are) pro Lowe, Burley and anti Pearson though. It's everything that we don't really need right now - we are in the mire and still we 'in-fight'. A b s o l u t e l y f u c k i n g r i d i c u l o u s . . . !

Agree to a certain extent - but our Roman is not getting his egotistical wishes (European Cup) and as somebody else has said - could tire of his 'Football Toy'. He has put one hell of a 'personal loan' into the club in chasing his dream and it is yet to be realised - if he pulls the plug (and he is entitled to have the full loan repaid) I think the club will sink..!!!

Crazy crazy world of football...!!! One minute you are the messiah the next your out on your ear...!!! This sort of decission does not bode well for football and only goes to show just how much debt team are in, which in turn they need to offset by challenging for European trophies. Absolutely barmy...

In that case I shall remain eternally optimistic that all is now well at SFC again...!

Apologies - please show me anything to do with SFC that should give me cause for positivity.... anything..????

About 2 months ago - we have been pants all season and I see little evidence that things are going to change - we are already down...!!! I sincerely hope that I am give a chance to rue this post - but, right now, I doubt it.

Listen mate - after the pure cack that we have been most of this season even he could do a job for us...!!!

Ahhh so my idea of just giving him a good kick in the nuts is probably a non-starter then...!

What, you mean those 'wholly credible' sources...??? Lucky we don't just post rubbish that we hear from 'wholly incredible bad sources' - ain't it...!

The biggest game in our history will be when we win the Champions League. You, I and many others may not be around to see it - but others hopefully will. Watford at Vicaridge Road - errr just another game.

Sorry, what is this 'win' thing...????

Smokes fags and drinks gallons of beer then...???

Controversial to say the least..!!! Buy don't you just know that '...everybody has a soft spot for Bournemouth FC...' or words to that effect. It would seem not.

TDD is right - you're just looking for yet another cheap shot a Lowe...! (Call me a Lowe Luvvie all you like - couldn't give a toss tbh). Fairly obviously most fans on here have realised that the Dutch experiment has now failed miserably and are pretty hacked off with Total Football. Don't really want to judge anybody after 3 games, but after last nights fiasco - let's just say that it aint a great start. Which one do I want - I care not - I fear the end result would of (will) be the same no matter which one is here. See you all in League 1.

Thanks Tim - l like the card thing - just sent him one telling him he's on the Team Sheet for next week, so he had better get well soon. For those wanting to send cards I used the http://www.e-cards.com/ link and it was pretty simple to do from there, just send the card to patient@phs.org making sure you get Rons name is on the card somewhere, and they will do the rest - neat.

Thank you Once Bitterne & WE Saint..! After feeling pretty damned depressed for most of last night (not quite wrist slitting or bridge jumping time - but pretty close), I have to say that reading your posts has cheered me up no end this afternoon. It's good to see that amongst all of the shambles and chaos that is currently SFC, there are fans that are willing to pick up the peices and keep supporting. I too, have resigned myself to L1, but as you have pointed out - it's happened to clubs bigger and better than us - guess it's just time to deal with it. Many thanks.

Not so very long ago that would have been an hilarious statement, sadly though, today, I think you might be correct...

I think that all of those calling for a change of manager are probably weeing the wrong way and in danger of getting wet legs. I really can't see Lowe admitting that he has got two 'revolutionary' appointments wrong in a single season. We are going down - it is not the players fault - they were not and are not good enough, with the management that was charged to inspire them. The problem is not actually relegation - it's the fact that we will all have accepted it and believe (as we did at the start of this season) that there will then be new hope. We will believe that the manager and players will get us promoted back to the CCC. Alas, I fear with Lowe and this management - we may well leave league 1 next season - but it will be by the back door.

I think we are probably in real danger of becoming the laughing stock of the CCC - a bit like Derby did in the Prem last year. We are that bad.

Exactly - and just because he was a damn good player does not follow that he will be a good coach (deal with it). Not only that, he only has the players that are in front of him and if they are not very good - then no amount of coaching is going to make them great.