CanadaSaint

Included on the list of people who didn't "seem to quite grasp it" was Fernandes himself, along with a number of the players around him at that time. When he cut inside, which was common, the exercise for teammates became one of getting out of his way - in the mistaken assumption that he knew where he was going. Yes, he had some good games but all too often he destroyed our width and the supply line to Beattie. I think Anders was doing much the same thing on the other side at that time. Fernandes didn't become know as "crop circle" for nothing. The fact that he disappeared from view soon after leaving us can probably be attributed to him suffering the fate that many predicted for someone who does ever-decreasing circles. Put me down as someone else who thinks that you can only make lefty-on-right and righty-on-left work if you have very, very talented players - including overlappers.

Well, one of last year's 'problems' has been addressed. We're certainly not prioritizing the cups. Was that performance the players' collective statement on the Pardew dismissal? Cortese's next move had better be a good one.

I had hoped that we would kick some a** to show that the players are on board with the management change. What we seem to have is the complete opposite.

And it's not like there's heavy traffic tonight.

This is like watching paint tie.

I don't think he'd do that, knowing how Cortese is with any form of dissent, unless he's A) reasonably sure it's true, and B) concerned about how things stand.

They're not mutually exclusive. We can develop the academy to deliver a stream of quality youngsters who can knock on the door of the first team in years to come, AND we can continue to strengthen the current first team so that we get promoted this year - and ideally next year as well. Sustainable success, in Cortese's eyes (and probably Lowe's, come to that), will involve a mixture of buy/loan and develop from within, and I think he's dead right. The absolute key is this: Harry killed Rupert's plan because he didn't have much regard for the "kids", and Pardew may have threatened Cortese's plan because he didn't embrace the concept wholeheartedly, either (hence the supposed problems at Stapelwood). And that's over and above the results problems. IMO the next coach/manager will be either a "new breed" Brit who fully embraces the academy concept, or a European accustomed to working in that kind of structure. I think - and hope - that, in six months' time, we'll look back on this as a very good day. I hope that AP ends up feeling the same way because I suspect he hasn't enjoyed the last six months.

I hear you, Hypo, but it's not going to happen, is it? Sometimes a dignified silence is the best bet.

Duncan, please rise above it. There's nothing to be gained here.

Ron, normally you hire your own reports, which suggests that the new manager would report to Reed. I'd be surprised if that's how Cortese sees this, but what do you think?

I suspect that you and Dave are correct on several counts. The alleged problems with the Stapelwood staff are such a big deal because it's easier - and far cheaper - to teach a "Southampton style" as part of a longer term project (a la Arsenal) than it would be to buy it. And Cortese seems very committed to developing a Southampton style but in a cost-effective and sustainable way. However, that needs commitment throughout the organization, and I think AP was more an "old style" manager - as most experienced British managers are. So, I'd be surprised if if our next manager is British - unless it's one of the "new breed". I'd also be surprised if Coppell isn't in this picture somewhere because Cortese obviously has a high regard for him. Whether that translates into a formal role such as DoF remains to be seen. I think we're about to find out just how shrewd Cortese is. (Or isn't! )

In fairness, it wasn't my suggestion - it's somewhere back in these 16 pages. However, it's not implausible - especially if S-Clarke is right about the similarities with Papa Waigo. And I'm with you on the rest of your comments.

I'm not sure it's the staff so much as the principle. It's almost like we might have been in a less extreme version of the Harry/Rupert days, with Cortese wanting to see us committed to the development system, and AP preferring to splash the cash for seasoned players. If so, it's another old style versus new style issue, which probably increases the likelihood of a foreign manager/coach.

Badger, I'm also not sure he was "compelled" but my suggestion is that this is how he'd like it to be seen. There was a suggestion (how informed I'm not sure) that it was Cortese, not Pardew, that wanted Guly signed, and Cortese wasn't happy that he didn't start on Saturday.

True, but the part that grabbed my attention was the one that referenced Markus and his family. While Cortese doesn't give a damn about the Echo and the red tops, I think he might be (indirectly) maintaining a link with some of the others. The angles in the Guardian and the Telegraph seem to make it clear that he had no choice, which is how I'm sure Cortese would like to play this. Who knows with Cortese?

Yes, that is interesting. The cynic in me says that it's a Cortese-leaning piece that could be the result of some information fed from a high-level source.

This is hard to do, given his ego and how he operates, but we have to think like Cortese. How would he like the next headline to read? "Cortese replaces Pardew with (eliminate 98% of the names mentioned on here)"

It's funny, I watched him interviewed on the telly a couple of weeks ago and thought he could be perfect for us. And he's got key members of his national squad moving over the hill at the same time. Might be looking for an opportunity.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Sounds promising.

Fair comment on the skirmishing. What I'd be very interested in hearing are some assessments of Aaron Martin, because if he "comes good" it could transform our season - and beyond, and also enable Fonte to really shine.

Okay, then, but you still need to spend some time on the naughty step.

Actually, derry lives in Totton and he has high-level coaching badges, but why let facts mess up your ‘case’? Again (in light of the following post), why let facts mess up your ‘case’? Deppo, your last post shows how much you’re struggling to display a little maturity, so I can understand why you're missing my original point.

Yes, the pattern is that you and your ilk misrepresent things to suit your own case, and then - because you don't seem able to make a counter argument - resort to sneers and insults. In order to deliver a cheap little ex-pat jibe, you deliberately exclude from your list a number of people who attend games, understand football very well, have good connections, and are able to post considered views without resorting to nastiness. Funnily enough, geographic location has nothing to do with the ability - or the right - to form an opinion on these things. I couldn't count the times I've watched games at The Dell and SMS and been astounded at the diversity (and sometimes the sheer stupidity) of some of the comments I've heard from people who are supposedly watching the same game. It's even evident on here - check out the current views on Puncheon, for example. As I said earlier, some people on this forum really need to grow up.

I think you just proved my point and destroyed your own. What I accused you of doing was posting sneering comments and personal insults (calling people "loons") without offering a counter argument to the concerns and reservations. In your response you didn't offer any counter argument to their concerns but you DID manage to sneer again - with the "laughable response" comment. Furthermore, your entire point was that the "whingers" (your term, of course) don't come back here with praise after a good result. That, too, is incorrect. A number of the people who have expressed concerns about set-up or tactics HAVE posted on here - Alpine, derry, Weston and Fitzhugh, I think - saying it was a great result. And who gets to say what constitutes a "genuine Saints fan"? Blind allegiance is every bit as unproductive as constant negativity.

I think you and a few other people on here need to grow up. This is a discussion forum FFS, and some people have reservations which they have articulated with supporting arguments. That doesn't stop us from being really pleased with yesterday's win, and it doesn't mean we're right or wrong. It sure as hell doesn't mean that we want Saints to fail or Pardew to be fired - far from it. All it means is that we have concerns and reservations based on personal opinions. This kind of infantile sniping says a lot more about the snipers - especially when all they have to offer are not rational arguments in response to the concerns but sneering and juvenile insults involving terms such as "loons" and "mongs".