Gordon Mockles

Don't do it - it's not worth it! It's only a poorly run football club! Hey! We've got to amuse ourselves on boring lunch breaks when you can't ber bothered to go out and aren't working through (for a change!)

Folks, opinions vary so let's not descend into another slanging match with each other. Adrian has his opinion. That's fine. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Cape Saint - You came out with some interesting points and thanks for taking the time to read my lenghty synopsis (or conjecture, however you see it!) The responses suggested one thing to me, despite my strong dislike of Lowe, he can't win either way. My badly worded question about him being in the background/foreground (confusingly worded, I concur) was meant to infer - he is controlling the club in the background, whilst at the forefront of the club - being the leader - THE CHAIRMAN. Whilst I accept, Rupert is in a tricky position coming back to a club where he is widely disliked, he is thick skinned enough to return (for whatever reason), he should be thick skinned and brave enough to face the brunt. He may even win some respect. He certainly won't gain respect with the culmination of his track record and current conduct. In fairness, that ill feeling is possibly now beyond repair. Having a chairman willing to take charge of a club yet totally refusing to acknowledge the fans is unacceptable in my books (and the occasional wheeling out of Mike Wilde to spout meaningless pish, whilst stood in front of his large home, is pointless and pathetic to say the least!) [MY ANSWERS to Capel Saints are in red] That is a sensible way of looking at it but do you truly believe that?! I don't. I don't think money comes into the equation. It's relative but cheapness doesn't transend directly into finance. I'd hoped Lowe had learnt this from his Premiership/lack of ambition days and not building on relative success post FA cup. It seems arrogance and stubborness can cloud common sense, if evident. I think Pearson never stood a chance because of a few reasons: 1.) He was appointed by Chris Mc Menemy/Lawrie/Leon 2.) Any success he may have achieved would NOT reflect on Rupert Lowe (Conjecture I accept, egotistical by Lowe, but not beyond possibility). 3.) He was not a "yes man" and had his own ideas and would possibly not respond well to any (alleged) interferring by Lowe (which I cannot prove but I truly do believe goes on. To what extent, I haven't a clue and don't believe it is as much as some on this forum make out but it's a tucked away secret we may never truly know. 4.) He did not fit this new, revolutionary idea that Rupert had been sold/invisaged in his mind. I don't know how much is attributed to Lowe/Woodward/Hockaday/Poortvliet/Wotte, esq. (and I am not against new techniques, when plausible) but this was so clearly a disaster waiting to happen (i.e. having a small percentage of capable youth team capable of stepping up to 1st team, ignoring all advice and throwing in the boys against men and putting way too much pressure on young minds/shoulders - just look at Mc Goldrick as an example or James, Gillet, etc.!) Why are such bad decisions continually made and why does Lowe never seem to learn? Please – do NOT use the worn out money line (we all realise, we have none!) Unfortunately our problems started right back to when SFC became owned by a plc. Lowe wrongly thought that being a plc, it would actually generate money for the club. Unfortunately it proved the opposite as money coming into the club as an investment can only be done so if it is a loan. Therefore the club can only buy new players out of the income of the club. Eg Sky money, sponsorship, player sales etc. All fine when you are in the Prem but as soon drop out of it, available money for players virtually dries up overnight. Interesting point. I'm not so clued up on the loan issue and PLC status as the business side bores me slightly but it's an issue I was only partly aware of and another point to show how self-serving Askham and co were (i.e. share profit before club achievement/prosperity) but those type of people have nibbled away at our club ever since, and we are still not rid of the parasites. The reverse takeover will always bug me, more in the fact the consortium (Davies/Frost) that could have been should have offered us more, and a group of money hungry a*seholes leeched shares and it made these very greedy, unethical men (who clearly had no scruples) rich overnight but little money made it's way back into the club (but that's another, well worn story *grunt*) This is one area Lowe didn't ever seem to learn. Wilde must also shoulder some of the blame as it was under his stewardship that Burley was given £7m to spend on new players which to be frank, the club could not afford. Wilde in turn was let down by investors who said they were going to give funds to the club, suddenly walk away and disappear. Wilde was also responsible for brining in Hone, Dulieu etc who proved to completely help in mis-managing the club.

LOL – I did apologise. I’m like the energiser bunny, once I start, often hard to stop! (that’s leaving p*ss takes wide open but ho-hum) Unlike militant, rowdy posters (i.e. Guided Missile), this is not meant to be an overtly offensive or provocative. It’s just an opinion and questions that have been bugging me. No agenda. No bandwagon. Just my meandering (rather stretched out) opinion! :butthead:

That concerned me a lot. He was pitch-side during the Sky game (I swear to p*ss off the fans on tele but that’s my cynical nature! LOL), away to Coventry. Did others see it? Quite irritating - how he grinned, with his pass swinging around his neck. He daren’t do that at St Mary’s. There would be riots! LOL It backs up my previous suggestions that he's back to annoy. Doing a good job! One of the few things he succeeds at! LOL

I love a good bit of English Language. It's what enriches our culture and language. "Quisling" is good use of our language, as is the manner in which our current board (Wilde, Lowe, you decide) have, and continue to, prevaricate!

I actually included that in my epilogue just posted. I think we should do a top ten of TSW adjectives and phrases (most of the crap ones emanate from Scooby and Somedunce... "Quisling" "Cabal" (Um Pahars fave) "Insect" "Golden Duo" "Flat cap" "Imbecile(s)" "Failure" Answers on a postcard please...

I'm not going. I half want to go but feel I'll only be disappointed and I have a point to prove. Many will disagree. One fact remains, my tickets are paid for. My absence (3 seats) will merely be a Mike Wilde skull - an empty space!

Was the return of Rupert the final nail in our coffin? Ok – I am trying to be objective and I am asking for serious, considered answers (I realise I am not always the best candidate for this, being an impulsive chap) Last season we survived by the skin of our teeth. Like him or not, Pearson did a good job (when you consider the proverbial ball was rolling out of control, on a crash course, thanks to the huge ineptitude and negligence of George Burley). Nigel salvaged, imho, the almost unsalvageable. Opinions vary. Subsequently, for reasons we can only assume and speculate (but never fully realise), Lowe decided (after a long time in exile) to implement his divisive regain to power (the EGM), co-joined by the equally notoriously quisling & unpopular figure of Michael Wilde (a man who had recently tallied up an equally baffling array of failed appointments, mandates, decisions and broken promises to the ill-fated fans of SFC). My first question is – What was the main motive or Michael Wilde and Rupert Lowe returning to power at St Mary’s? Was it to protect their investment? Was it an egotistical two fingers to the incumbent board of Leon Crouch, Corbett, Mc Menemy and co and yet another power struggle to the detriment of our beloved club? I just don’t know. We’ve had lots of speculating but I sincerely am baffled. You wouldn’t run a business so badly on purpose, would you?! My confusion lies in a few major questions. Pearson made a good impact upon his arrival. He quickly became popular with the fan base and proved to be a well reasoned, straight forward guy. A manager with a hard working, fitness based ethic in training and as a no-nonsense disciplinarian. He was tough, but fair – a decent guy who you had to respect. Ideal (many would agree) for the gritty, arduous Coca-Cola Championship League. Some disagreed but this thread isn’t about Pearson. My second main question - Why did Lowe replace Pearson when he could have gained some sense of appeasement from the fans for retaining his services? Pearson was popular, while Lowe and Wilde were so clearly NOT. Surely retaining the services of Pearson would have built bridges, offering a hand to the fans as a symbol of apology for past mistakes. Any fool could work that out. Fans may moan and criticise (me included), but I think Rupert and Michael would be surprised how forgiving and good natured some people can be. Not all, but some. Sometimes it only takes a small gesture (especially when people do not expect it). Instead, we got a firm two fingers from Wilde and Lowe and have been left in the dark ever since. (Cambsaint summed it up nicely in the thread below) http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3957 Was releasing Pearson down to arrogance by Lowe and Wilde, the fact that Leon Crouch appointed Pearson? Or, was it because Lowe was back to finish what he started before he was ousted and Pearson didn’t fit into that ideal? (many believe an over-riding factor was because Nigel was his own man, not a “yes man” to Rupert. That’s something that will probably never come to the light of day. One thing seems apparent, Rupert doesn’t seem to enjoy seeking advice from anyone outside his ‘circle’, or heeding warnings, as the appointment of Poortvliet was treated with questionable disdain first time around. Ok, what do fans or sadly departed football idols know?! Personally, I like Jan but he seems out of his depth in our league and seems to have his hands tied behind his back. My main concern, which may be ridiculed (I am not trying to score points), is the motives of these unpopular men seizing control and, evidently, destroying our club. Money is an ever problem but decisions still have to be made. We have had nothing but bad decisions from two proven failures and it seems many have had enough, me included. Why are such bad decisions continually made and why does Lowe never seem to learn? Please – do NOT use the worn out money line (we all realise, we have none!) The club still exists, and tough decisions still need to be made. Does everyone believe that the previous board would have renewed all the contracts from the now departed seniors? Don’t be daft. Do people honestly believe that Rupert is the only person tight fisted enough to realise the cost cutting measures like closing the corners or reducing wage bills? Nope! In fact, many of the wage problems emanated from Wilde’s appointments – Jim Hone and Ken Dulieu (Saganowski, Euell, etc.) I can’t help but remember warnings from myself and many others on here (Duncan Holley, Um Pahars, Weston something or other…etc.) as the spectre of Lowe smugly peered over the horizon. The EGM approached. Many warnings seem to have proved astute concerns, Scarily accurate in many cases. Lowe knows how unpopular he is, Mike Wilde can’t be so stupid to realise his basement popularity levels too. Why did Lowe not operate in the background if he was to come back, not take such a forefront role? (i.e. Chairman who never speaks to the fans!) He must realise his mere presence keeps thousands of fans away and why does he treat the fans with such disregard?! As mentioned, Cambsaint brought this up and it’s a doubt that will not leave my head. Because of this lack of engagement from the board to fans, because of the release of Nigel Pearson, because of the parting shots (words) fired at Crouch and colleagues, because of the shifting of ALL the performing seniors, because of the total media blackout and sycophantic Echo rubbish, because of persisting with poor players like Mc Goldrick (while leaving out proven scorers at this level, like Stern John, etc. and subsequently shipping them out to rival clubs), because of almost entirely wasting the loan system by bringing in injured youngsters, not the experienced balance we so desperately crave, because we have a deliberately vague and cloudy transfer policy and (finally) because Lowe appointed a totally risky, unproven Dutch duo who did NOT know our league…because of ALL these reasons (and many more)…I cannot help but think there is some sort of revenge mission going on in response to Lowe being ousted first time around. I do believe he is that petty. I may be wrong. I hope I am. Ok, wildly speculative and sensationalist but would you put it past Lowe? I certainly wouldn’t. I am not here to drive a nail in the coffin or to jump on the bandwagon. We’re all p*ssed off with the management. I just want to see us gain some form and score some goals and win some games. Sadly, I think we need a change to do that. My final question is, WHY? Why such bad decisions?! I believe most fans would have conducted a more sensible approach to transfer policy, the loan system and general football management. Why do the Saints board persist with this avenue of disaster (when results are spelling everything out to the fans?!) WHY – because Rupert is in charge and because he can (and he quite clearly does not give a flying f*ck about the fans and is probably smugly grinning to himself) Lowe and Wilde have had their time and this opening of the season has cemented the fact that most fans knew – they know nothing about football, they are totally out of their depth and both need to go crawl back under their rocks. They are deluded and haven’t the first clue on how to run a football club. Someone please save us, before we drop to the lower leagues and these imbeciles stroll off into the sunset to find some more businesses to tamper with and ruin. [Apologies for the excessively long epilogue – please have a say, I’d love to know what you all thought. Maybe this disaster can unite people and help us regain some strength and power…and maybe get our club back, before it’s too late.] Good luck tonight boys, we’re going to need it!

She's nothing that special! nice bod, she'd get it, but I'd not cook her a meal afterwards! LOL :smt065

Give it time! Rupert's just preparing a script (he was busy writing some out for Jan and preparing the lucky dip for the player burdoned with this weeks inane rallying call so was a bit delayed!) LOL

duplicate

Indeed, they were saying on Radio Hants how the club almost have a closed shop mentality/media blockout, giving very little information out (and that we do hear is intelligence insulting, meaningless b*llocks - much like having Jan and Svensson in the studio last wk) to the fans. No wonder they're so p*ssed off. Pretty sure Lowe doesn't care one iota though, the w*nker! Yep, that's Lowe's forte! Yep. Most were happy with Pearson but such is the petty, personal power struggles by egotistical idiots like Lowe & Wilde, they could not possibly risk Crouch to have any credit if the appointment proved a success. So, the risky Dutch Duo was sprung upon us (yet another example of massive arrogance and a severe lack of football KNOWLEDGE). Proving a success eh? The likes of Somedunce and that other plant, Scooby, will maybe spout nasty, bigoted bile and rhetoric but any proper fan (not a non-football idiot with vested interests) realises Lowe made a mistake coming back (knowing the ill feeling held towards him by most Saints fans), then perpetuated his past incompetence by this, much chastised, appointment. 2 foreign “Yes men” of no experience in the CCC, totally out of the depth and working with whatever Rupert liases and negotiates for Jan to have (allegedly). The finances are probably worse due to Wilde AND Lowe being the men in charge, but they forced this hand and shattered any cohesion that Crouch had developed within the club at the end of last season (despite the smear campaign so juvenilely fabricated by the Lowe camp - even through the meaningless whimpers from Sundunce and co). I think many are finally seeing the light. Let's hope it's not too late as we're in freefall, having shipped out all the experienced/remaining talent (with Lallana and Surman on borrowed time if Rupert's history is anything to go by). I predicted most of this, but never realised the depths of stupidity held by Rupert and Michael. Obscure, strannge and largely deluded men of arrogance and incomptency of the lowest common denominator! Well said Cambsaint!

6. is wrong - it's Tendulkar as the leading scorer.

Absolutely spot on!!!

Sorry sir. Maybe I could grab a seat next to you on the bus and we could all go & watch Saints drill loads past the opposition in the Premiership, in a stadium filled to capacity while our globally envied coaching staff rejoice and our enigmatic, competent, community-orientated, generous, fan pleasing chairman cheers and ploughs in a few million more to help us compete at the highest level (whilst refuting numerous offers for our shining stars). Sadly, we don't live in a parallel universe. We live at St Mary's and, last time I checked, there wasn't that much to sing and rejoice about. Or, did I miss something? Life at St Mary's is tough. The cold realism of our situation doesn't make pleasant reading. Learn to deal with it!

I was but, sadly, he controls our club in the background and so becomes topic of conversation and answerable, even if he hasn't the b*llocks to stand up and take the flack. Coward that he is. In fact, the current tenure is now exactly as UM and many other level headed types (like the sadly departed Fitzhugh Fella) stipulated. A nightmare. Pearson offloaded, our best 2 players (Safri and Davies sold!), A mystery person in the background sanctioning loans of inexperienced and often injured youth of little worth, Strange squad selection (apparently all Jan), Every performing player of any value sold, Corners closed, Total football mantra spun for all (seems to be that of the youth system Hockaday had in place) and many players not ready for the CCC thrust into the gunfire (hence the drubbings!) and the management still persisting with Dave Mc bl*ody Gold*****!

I realise some seniors were injured and all rumours cannot be substantiated but, YET AGAIN NICK, do you believe everything Wilde and Lowe say (not much in their media blackout tenure) while you continue (time and time and time again) to defend the dunce duo?! I mean, this forum has a plethora of people connected to Saints and we do hear truths, amongst the made up rumours. It's just whether you want to believe and use common sense and judgement Nick, or you bury your head in the sand and refuse to believe anything. What is your obsession with posting 24/7 and defending the indefensible?! My tactic, seive through what you hear and try and back it up for yourself, while playing close attention to the club matters in the process. Skacel hasn't played all season and players themselves have been told they were NOT wanted. Try asking some! Oh, re - the Stern thing- YES! That could be just a rumour but it was the sentiment that prompted the leaving seniors in the cold statement. That can't be disputed!

I'd agree UM. Torres clearly hasn't a clue and will argue all day long (as you may) but it's wasted energy. Some blame Crouch for the mess he inherited from Wilde (and ultimately, Lowe). Just put them in the stupid box and turn off the lights! Let them spout all the sh*t they can muster. No proving some wrong... :smt076

Yep, and also the mantra of the gullible f*cks that fall for the Lowe/Wilde spin. They f*cked us up, no-one else. Crouch had a heart but maybe not the experience or knowhow but no way on earth can he be blamed for Wilde's abortion of a tenure. He took the helm for a mere few months. The ball was well and truly rolling into the doldrums. Crouch was flattened by the calamity Wilde and Lowe set in motion. Doesn't take common sense to realise that. Well, some still struggle. LOL

It seems so. We're pennyless, Clueless too! Why not go for the hatrick and throw in hopeless! LOL

I am sorry to say, I agree with you. Decisions like that cannot possibly be for the good of the club as D McG is so clearly sh*te! Stern scores goals...ship out the goal scored. OH! Stern earns money...forget the goal thing, that's not relevant. Lowe and his false economy drive again. Let's not play Skacel for the measly sum of a few grand appearance fee a game. When you consider how many fans have given up and p*ssed off cos of this policy, it pales into significance. If the rumours are true, it's no wonder Barclays are losing patience with Lowe's admin. plan!

Was a bit lame and, as UP states, he was quite non commital so it didn't really go into any depth or get into any interesting issues. Did Jan actually say the dreaded "Lowe" name? seemed to purposely avoid it when the "chairman" name was mentioned! I felt Jan was stuttery and nervous when the questions threatened anything more than "feel good" answers so not much interest to me. The squad selecting questions were expected although didn't quite think the squad are Premiership standard, as Jan suggested (think that was said) but you're not going to motivate players by saying they're NOT up to standard (as some clearly are not - well, NONE to Premiership standard!) I think Jan is a nice bloke and one of those guys who will be positive regardless but that doesn't always mean you'll get an objective opinion! Still, nice bloke. Just dunno how good a manager he is. Still, got until Xmas before I give a more balanced opinion.

You've just got to laugh at his bare faced cheek - more front that Harrods. Lowe's as bad! Together, they're more responsible for our demise than anyone but do they have the balls to admit it?! DO THEY F*CK! Sling mud and blame Crouch for his tiny tenure sandwiched between their more lengthy, incompetent reigns. You just can't argue that point, yet people on here do. Laughable! In truth, you've got to laugh at us and our predicament. If you don't, you'd just break down and cry. I love our club deeply (despite my often angry rants, it's merely steam - frustration vented) but I have to take a step back in current circumstances and distance myself. It's too painful to watch at times. Still, I still watch most games (Just missed Waford and made the right decision it seemed).

Exactly! There's loads of dirt you could throw at Mike (I've a few things) but what does it achieve? the internet is not a place for that. Things could ruin his marriage for a start. The guy is a class "A" t*sser who is more interested in having a laugh and enjoying the fame of being on a football club board. Until we've a totally new group of leaders, we're going to tread water, or sink. Sad but true. Let's not b*tch about scandals or personal issues though. I mentioned stuff aobut Jim Hone previously which I'd not normally put on the WWW but that's only cos we had good SFC patrons being threatened by Hone, esq. (amongst death threats) and people on here were defending Hone! WTF?! The ugly side of football. It's bad enough at St Mary's as it stands, without dragging up irrelevant, petty sh*t!

By the way, I like the guys (especially Michael after his dedicated, epitome of professionalism attitude) but expect a bit more from Jan in his responses. Bit harsh giving Jan a c o c k ney rhyming slang contest. We're not in Skateland and he hasn't got a clue, bless him!!