Gordon Mockles

Only at Saints eh?! Luckily, for all that ill fortune (mainly perpetuated by self serving, highly questionable businessmen plaguing the club - Askham, Lowe, Wilde, Hone, Dulieu, Richards, Wiseman & even Crouch to a certain extent), lady luck smiled on us when it mattered & Markus Liebherr saved us from certain death (when you look at the alternatives). We were well ovedue some luck & it finally came through with, IMHO, arguably the best owner & chairman in the British Fooball League. Professional, astute, successful, intelligent & ambitious. If any of our past Chairman had one of these virtues, it would have been a bonus! As for the past managers, the fans were right (predicting abject failure), The self appointed, repeatedly failing Chairman...wildly WRONG! (again)

Hey! You used that line last night! Some more invention please Sheikh Phillip!

I feel sorry for him. A naive coach totally exploited by Lowe (also, I believe, deceived by Wotte too who I've met a few times & he's still around) & stitched up by Lowe's snidey hidden clauses. Divisive snake! Still, well out of his depth in the CCC as everyone but Lowe & Wilde knew. Still, facts speak loudest although the blinded arrogant probably still live in denial (& exile) & think he was unlucky & would have done well in a parallel world! Wish him well & hope he recoils some of the money. Just be more realistic in future appointments & read the small print on the contracts handed to you by smugly smiling wanna be aristocrats!

or broke into the manager's office & cracked one off!! Lol

Pulis, why? ;0) I started succinct & regressed into a massive digressional relapse!!

Sorry for digressing old rubbish previously. Still a few sore points I'd like resolved. No rush, but one day. Back on topic...apologies! ;0)

So got carried away by my final meandering views, forgot the question! Lol Phil, I'm sure a man in your distinguished position has solid English knowledge which hasn't been diluted by constant Arabic. I'd ask about Saints use of 4-5-1 & what other options wound suit a striker of Lamberts ilk alongside a foil such as Connolly &, if we were to bring in 1 or 2 key players in Jan, would they be brought in under a proviso of giving us more pace/depth/versatility to alternate different tactical systems? Ouch!

Errr, I think your Hoddle delusions are borderline obsession but I suppose you entertain. I don't want old news regurgitated, I just want the murky months that nearly killed us examined at an appropriate juncture as c*nts like Lowe seem obsessional control freaks that systematically destroy businsses for personal gain without a care for anyone but themselves. They then scurry away in the shadows (a la Askham, Wilde, esq.) & appear decidely mute which some may find odd considering their gasping need for media attention some 6 months earlier! Funny that! Don't like doing interviews with egg on the cheeks eh boys?!

Good shout! Pulis...why? Whilst I am fully back in love with my club, attending more games than ever (even away, balancing my parental duties for my toddler), I love uncovering more and more facts kept hidden from us by the previous megalomaniac chairman & cohorts, clearly with a demented view on football & running blindfolded toward the proverbial cliff edge. I just want all the skeletons out the closet & those responsible rightly mocked & chastised...or just made to be seen as the people they really are & held responsible for the secret decisions they felt fans weren't worthy enough to know. Still, football & our success comes first but it would be nice to have a debrief & more details about the period a bunch of power hungry, clueless, egotistical muppets motorcycled into Southampton & nearly destroyed Southampton football club (while collecting salaries & previously large dividends) It would make an interesting book which we could read whilst on the train, sticking fingers up to ruddy faced business failures in Canary Wharf whilst laughing about our subsequent success in such a short time thanks to a small group of Swiss business men with no experience in football but far more brains, less arrogance, decent respect for fans, commitment & a strong desire to win...AMBITION! A word banned from SFC for well over a decade!! Sorry, couldn't resist having a soap box pop!! When in Rome... ;0)

I must say, it was nice to actually read through a thread with some nice sentiments & polite conversation (& random geographical facts re: levels) without politics & descending into petty arguments by the usual baiters. The thread was about Oldham tickets so perhaps the title put off those computer desk wind up merchants that pretend to watch the games, but still. Nice to read a bit of nostalgia from some of the good old boys! Warmed my heart a bit although maybe I'm getting a bit sentimental in my old age. The club start winning away, defending set pieces, hit the positive points tally, receive tremendous support, bang in a dozen goals (many from open play) in our last 4 games, string together a run of results that have us top of the Soccer am League One table & now we're having threads that actually cheer you up after reading (rather than frustrate with barbed comments & bizarre, fickle opinion)...whatever happened to raise the happiness level on this forum & quash some of the inane apathy?! Wonders will never cease! This Swiss gang & Pardew assemble really are very good aren't they! ;0) Oh, off topic slightly so apologies. I can't make Oldham but have my tickets for Orient. 2500 Saints fans & a day out in the big smoke...can't wait!! [i know it's not rocket science but paying attention & respecting the hordes of your loyal paying customers, diligent actions & researched decisions combined with a balanced & wise manager & coaching team (with experience of the appropriate level) buying a few key players alongside wise free transfers & keeping hold of the emerging stars we've developed (without selling them at the first sniff of an offer)... Well, it's what we've been praying & wishing for for years! It just seemed common sense deluded anyone who stepped inside the SFC boardroom in recent years!] ;0)

Exactly what I thought. Month trial (loan) & maybe an option to extend or even with a view to buy come Jan. Pardew is certainly strengthening the right areas (other than right back). A good move. Waigo seems more suited to playing as a forward rather than a winger judging from whet I've seen so far.

Maybe the team that wins the toss don't want the sun in their eyes hence chosing to shoot towards Chapel 2nd half! I prefer it that way (as I sit in the Chapel!)

Hope not or he'd want to top himself!

For once my controversial friend, you and I are in total agreement. Need I say more, probably not but when in Rome... I like the Swiss. Particularly Cortese. He's the epitome of professionalism and something I try (but probably fail) to emulate in my career. He is intelligent, astute, reasoned, calm, collected, patient and respectful. Liebherr and Cortese have done their homework. They have stated their intentions and Cortese has been nothing but discrete, well mannered and diplomatic ( with no undue media attention or egotistical diatribe - unlike the juvenile actions of their critically flawed predecessors). I am concerned about our lack of wins but I remain patient, believing we are at the cusp of turning the proverbial corner. Come Saturday I do expect 3 points. If by Late October we are still not managing to pick up wins then, quite rightly (imho), I will voice my concern. However, people (fans) need to keep a perspective. Nothing has changed. The Swiss have stated their intentions, much has changed within the club and will continue (for the better) and we will continue to evolve and move forwards. We are still on course, just minus a few more points than many may have expected but that is the beauty of football. The unpredictability!! I doubt many thought Wigan would beat Chelsea or Notts County (with Sol Cambell making his debut) would lose to lowly Morecambe but that's what makes football exciting. It's a long season and I truly believe if we can shake off this mental fatigue and string a few wins together, we could really go on a run. Time will tell but try and cheer and sing second half and it may make the difference. I was guilty, amongst many more, of hollering at the players second hal against Bristol but had a think. Surely, "OOOOO", "AHHHHH" and "COME ONNNN!!!!" (in frustration) and screaming at players is going to make them more nervous. We need to get past the cynicism and justified mindset and just sing and cheer our boys on. Then maybe the results will come and we're give our lads the mental edge they need! COYS!

I don't think the populous are against him or overly hard on Lloyd. Right back just isn't his position for the reasons I, & many more, have stated. He's slow, very slow turning & defensively tracking wingers (which is kind of critical as a full back) & more suited to midfield. I think he has some good attributes, deft touches, he played well central with Hammond & I like his one party trick of crossing a ball through his opponents legs but full backs need to be defensive as well as coming from defence & firing balls forward. FWIW, Lloyd won some decent headers against Bristol but our very nature of letting in late goals, losing leads & sloppy marking of players is perpetuated by inadequate players in certain positions. Sadly, Lloyd James at Right Back is one of those chinks in our armour (ironically, it was one of my favoured Saints players, Harding, that got run ragged during Bristol).

Don't let the facts that it's his first full start in the English League, he was up against a strong and determined Bristol side, he's been here 5mins and is still adapting to the squad and he's spent his entire career in Italy get in the way of your harsh criticism. He's probably received numerous instructions too (maybe not all clear to him), with the language barrier also a stumbling block. I'm sure things will improve. Most beside me thought he looked a bit raw but a good prospect. I don't understand your ridiculously short patience and over-reaction. He made a few mistakes but who wouldn't when you consider his background. Such apathy and relentless criticism from Saints fans. No wonder the team have no confidence if you're the barometer of fan feeling. Fair enough if he doesn't deliver after half a season or so but give him time. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised! We are all bitterly disappointed by the loss when we played well for long periods but it's all about results! Blaming a new starter is not conducive to sparking up confidence, despite your comments only being on an over reactionary fan forum! ;o) Whilst Waigo got pushed off the ball a few times and caught offside (as many strikers do, get over it! Look at BWP), he hooked a few crosses right onto the attackers head (unlike any other players crosses) from no run up, he jumps high and could be another aerial threat and I believe he's an eye for goal and has a football brain. When he learns to watch the line, his pace will always get chances off the last man and he will get goals and assists. His pace offers wide play and many more options which we don't currently have. Pardew believes this and so do many more astute fans. He followed up Lambert's goal (he was fast to react - that deserves credit) to make sure it was in and worked suitably well considering. I expect more from him but to expect miracles from a player from ENTIRELY different leagues is both short sighted and unfair.

I'd agree with much of that although I didn't spot all Morgan's praised passes but that could be down to my attention span or just not picking out the individual although he was anonymous (imho) last half hr. Wotton replacing him mus have been an insult though. Play for that draw. In fairness, at that point, I think it was a desperation sub. We were being murdered down our left flank & Mills made no difference to Bristol running riot. Great game up until we stopped playing & stood static, as has happened on too many occasions. Something in the roots of our club wrong. Losing mentality? Managers being changed won't solve it but I'd be bloody keen to know why we can't shake off this perpetual St Mary's headache of not seeing games out & succombing to pressure. It's almost inevitable when we reach that certain point in the game.... 3 points Saturday & a string of better results a must. No more excuses! This Bristol game must be used as a learning bench mark. No more repeats. We are who we are. Perform!

Same old Saints, always last kick of the game! Decent game but we can't cope with pressure. They hammered our left side second half. Good subs in fairness to a good Bristol side but 3-2 last kick of the game!! Poor! Downside was, me & several fans around us knew this would happen. It's as though the players did too. They need to get their heads right or fragile nerves or match fitness/mental fatigue or whatever it was. Wotton on 4 the anonymous Schneiderlin suggested Pardew gave up on playing for the win. Seemed the squad did too. Great shame!! Not taking anything away from Bristol. They finished strongly, wanting the win. We didn't. We were at home. That's not good enough IMHO. Gillingham Saturday. We need an emphatic win & drastic change. Especially against wingers running at us. We never cope. No more excuses. Action!

Wes, you're absolutely right. I'm often in agreement with most of your posts and, once again, I am here. Whilst I agree football fans are fickle and too many Saints fans are overly cynical and "knee jerk" in their reactions (like the imbeciles calling for change, getting on Pardew's back, labelling Waigo injury prone, etc.), way too many fans of this forum afford the team too much patience, retorting the players are young and need time to gel and learn. Football is about performances but, more importantly, results. Last season should have taught us that. The league is unforgiving and doesn't afford teams much time to experiment, more so with wildly flawed plans as per Cortese's misguided and arrogant predecessor. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not calling for undue criticism of the club but I'm highlighting the first team squad and ironing out the main weakness. After all, we now have the luxury and power to correct a glaringly obvious chink in our armour . We are in League One. 2 divisions below the Premier League. Whilst I didn't expect us to drop from the CCC (and I hoped we'd win many more games than we did), when Lowe returned and totally upset the wonky apple cart (removing Pearson followed by nothing but a constant of p*ss poor decisions, all but destroying our club), it was clear things weren't right at St Mary's and we would get relegated. However, I did hope we'd be winning a few more games in this lower league. After all, combine that with being the richest club in the league, decent new players brought in, having a new coaching set-up run by a decent manager and seemingly prudent and decent chairmen...results should now start coming. I am not impatient. I believe we are at the cusp of improvement and Pardew has had much to do in little time. The pre-season being the critical factor. I just didn't realise the player's would have such a relegation hangover, lack of winning mentality and we'd become peppered with morale guarding excuses from Pardew (many of which I agree with). Something mentally needs to be put right, which I am hoping for this week with our 2 crucial home games. We've got to win our home games. We've always drawn too many games. Part of the reason for our relegations (as well as the lack of ideas in the final third) We now have a squad which is blessed with depth, all bar a few minor improvements which I am hopeful we can make in January (if we can loan out or offload the poor quality acquisitions Lowe & his Dutch muppets tarnished us with - Forecast, Pullis, Molyneaux, etc.) I agree with Wes that our weaknesses are very clear and apparent and seeming to be exposed as per the Swindon game (a strong example which springs to mind although maybe unfair on individuals as the entire team needing substituting that day). In other games, pacey forwards have caused problems down the left flank, attacking Saints (and right on occasions but we look much weaker down the right defensive position). No pace at Right Back. Murty reads it well but is slow, as it Thomas and James. Also the commonly questioned need for speed on the wings. Mills offers us pace (I like the look of him a lot) and Waigo too, unless he's played as a forward. One other pacey addition (winger/forward or utility attacking player that can cross and take corners would be good, to offer competition to Waigo, Mills, esq.) As correctly questioned, does James have time to learn this role? In essence, NO! He's had ample time playing at RB. It's not his position as performances have illustrated although Lloyd's done well in midfield and he can cross a decent ball and does have attributes to be a decent footballer. Just not a right back. Whilst it may sound harsh, he's a professional and should be open to criticism. This is football. We shouldn't be making do when he's given away too many attacks or even given away goals. James is painfully slow on the turn and accelerating to catch his marker. His main weakness imho and one which is most dangerous to the squad. I hope he proves me wrong tonight. Pardew should identify this weakness and act accordingly. Maybe, he's not afforded the finances to approach this problem and loan in a dedicated RB until the sh*t Lowe and Wilde sanctioned can be disposed of. Maybe we will sensibly review the situation in January. However, while we continue to play and misplace passes, as soon as the opposition pick up that misplaced pass and come at us, the right back position leaves us vulnerable and exposed (which has been continually evident in most games in which James has played there). This is not a negative post or harsh criticism at the club as I am happy with the new structure, from top to bottom. I just agree with Wes that we have a glaringly obvious and major weakness (unless Murty is nearer fitness than we realise) at RB and we DO have the power to address that problem. The question being, why not plug the leak, seal and sort it now and drives forwards, rather than allowing dampness to set in?!

Late fitness test for Waigo suggests his injury isn't quite as bad as the doom merchants like Glasgow Saint & Alpine thought!! Heaven help us!! Does that mean Pardew's not a complete numpty for signing injured players or is our season still flying off into the sunset as a result of that ankle knock?! :smt018

Treat em as most supporters groups, a waste of time! They're just people who mean well, all be it a bit hopeless & desperate for any form of spotlight associated with a football club. Not meaning to sound harsh but when they purport to be the voice of the fans (without much fan confering other than in their minds), Then you hear them speak during the Pinnacle fiasco or, recently, at the fans forum...well, it's just embarrassing & certainly doesn't voice the opinions of the fans!!

WTF?! Even that's more mellow dramatic than usual. You're certainly a "the world's gonna end!" sort of person rather than enjoying this gift of life, that's for sure! Most ridiculous post! Pardew has signed very astutely thus far. Murty was playing well & improving his fitness before injury &, as implied by AP at the fans forum, AP & the club were shrewd enough to sign Murty on a special contract relating to fitness & injury against performances. Waigo picks up a knock on the ankle & it's more over-reaction & doom & gloom. What the hell is wrong with people?! It may be just...wait... ....a KNOCK! (a minor injury that is quickly overcome). Hopefully, nothing more serious. However, despite Pardew & Cortese being human & having faults like anyone else, I'm fairly sure their powers aren't strong enough to include seeing into the future & creating force fields around players/sportsmen to prevent kicks & injuries! Damn this new regime!! ;0)

Great Idea! How about (if we've time, now maybe doubtful) commisioning a local cake maker to make a big St Mary's cake. Presented (if he's not partying in Switzerland) to the club, maybe via Nicola to pass on. I'm sure he'd be more than touched. I'd chip in for that if we can make it a reality. Anyone interested to get the ball rolling?

ZZZZZZZZZZZz Old news. MOVE ON!! Even if you're told some 'apparent' home truths, the real truth won't ever some out so you're wasting your time and energy. Huge smacks of suspicious & surreptitious wrong doings and certainly more than meets the eye but I'm sure the truth won't ever see the light of day.

I like your style and equally loathe those inept t*ssers! How to hold back a and ruin a potentially thriving town, in 15 easy years! They probably oversaw this opportunity. They're probably too busy town planning self-sewn problems. Working out ingenious methods on how to slow down traffic with additional traffic lights on round abouts (????) or conducting the next brain storm of ideas to rival Spinaker Tower like firing subwoofers from the Civic Centre Tower or building a blockade of flats to gain more council tax yet blockade visitors from interlinking the water front/maritime history with the central shopping areas. You couldn't hire a more inept council so don't hold your breath! I hate to admit it, since I'm ranting, but look at Gunwaharf. A good job well done. Put our council in charge and it'd probably be as exciting as our Ocean Village (i.e. All the cosmopolitan/thriving bars and restaurants shut down, flats built prevent further planning - bar the Millenium Hotel which hasn't happened - and amenities strewn around randomly and inconveniently far! LOL)