SaintRobbie

That made me smile!

I think we've done this to death... Wotte's death. The result is that around 15% said keep him as I recall, the rest of us said get rid of the useless Dutch creep.

We need to sell soon in order to have a fighting chance for our new manager to rebuild the side over the summer months. Big clear out needed and we need to secure some of our better men and buy some men in. Needs a good manager.

I feel for your sentiment but frankly I would have expected Crouch to have taken a salary. He's a fan and didnt as he was trying to do it for the love of the club - which is commendable. I still dont think Lowe's salary matters, it is peanuts, as I have posted earlier the real damage Lowe has done is through mismanagement, losing us millions in treasure through x2 relegations on his watch as a direct result of decisions HE made. That is the real cost of Mr Rupert Lowe... as well as pride.

Good point. Perhaps we need more honesty and openness from the club in future... something we have forgotten about since Lowe and the plc arrived if we're all being honest. Didnt used to be like this. We used to all sign up to supporting this club and trusted the leadership until 15 years ago. Whoever takes over starts with a clean sheet, but the damage done by the previous regime will make many of us question the integrity of those looking to run the club. That is a result of the previous regime. Let's hope the new one can overcome that and be more open.... having MLT on side will help that.

Well we have to accept that whoever they are we are likely to be in League 1 for 2 seasons at least - provided a new manager can be appointed quickly and can attract some new players. Otherwise the damage done to the team by Lowe this past year WILL see us go into League 2. I have no doubts about that given the quality, motivation and managerial leadership on offer currently. We will need to be patient with our new owners for 2 seasons in League 1 at least IMHO. But always remember why... Lowe's crass UNNECESSARY decision making from last summer.

You're right. I'd suggest Crouch has one or two more good points than Lowe but you're essentially correct. Bottom line on the key area of mismanagement (refusal to sell the club over the last 3-4 years), has to see the blame shared equally by Lowe, Wilde and Crouch. I have still not seen a good enough explanation from Crouch why SISU was unacceptable although I know why it wasnt for Wilde or Lowe... greed, arrogance and power.

Agreed.

I think he's really refering to the administration 10 point debacle; hinting that we lost our name in the appeals. Got a point there.

HAte to say it but MM was always the better chairman of the 2... Lowe was no where near him in skill, business sense or the right managerial appointments IN GENERAL... even when he was relegated he was able to bounce back immediately and you know what? He even admitted his mistakes to the Leicester fans.

Scally, if I am being honest I don't really regard those who live in denial them as fans of SFC but simply fans of individuals, I can't understand anyone who tries to defend the undefendable. Other agendas methinks... its a shame though as they will be the first people to criticise the new owners and say how much better things would have been under Lowe had he had his chance. Any guess what... we'll just laugh at them. Still.... onwards and upwards.

Not true. The very fact we are about to be taken over by stinking rich people wanting to take us on rather reverses your whole arguement there old friend! Premiership infrastructure, youth set up, fan base, passion, no competition in Southampton from other sports (eg Rugby Union team), family atmosphere, rarely trouble, huge names associated with us, history, the reasons for buying this club are more than many many others. They have always been there, lacking the will to sell was due to selfish individuals now either emasculated or removed forever. We're on the up again SOG. May take a couple of rebuilding seasons in League 1 due to the massive damage inflicted by Lowe this past season, but we'll return.

No it isnt. A plc is only up for sale if the principle shareholders wish to sell their shares. They didnt and would'nt. And we collectively failed as fans by not putting them under pressure to do so when it was obvious that the people in charge of this plc were... well frankly morons. I agree that if someone had made an amazingly silly offer way above the value of the club then anyONE is for sale, but I'm afraid when personal ambition, pride, arrogance and power enters the equation even that can overcome pure greed. No a plc is not always for sale. Shares are.

Agree 100%. You are absolutely right with all of that IMHO.

No. Come on Echo x2 important items we would like to know: Kim and Wotte's wages. How much did they cost us financially as well as in players and pride? The reason I want to know Wotte's wages as it will demonstrate exactly who had the lead in this total crap footy debacle. I am guessing Mr Wotte was not on £60K when JP was. Afterall, the idea was Wotte's all along lest we forget his contribution throughout the entire season.

In principle yes. You're right. Nicer not to have such rumours floating for a legend who frankly without his association the Club may well be about to fold for good.

But again, that is the perception. Still has to be driven there and back, still incurs a cost. I'm sorry but people need to gain a sense of perspective on this expense nonesense. Having these people come and be associated incurs a minimal cost of travel expenses and occassionally an appearance fee. It's the same for any charity event.

Now there is something we do agree on.

Its not in the bigger scheme of things. Its peanuts hypo, trust me its peanuts.

Lawrie Mac gave us promotions, wonderful players and an FA Cup. I am happy to give his son and his mates a ticket.

Not really in the spirit if true. But what I would say however is the fact that Lawrie IS coming and associated with this and IS appealling right now will have a far bigger impact on attendences than him not being involved. He is still regarded by 99% of fans as a legend. So expenses well spent could be argued here. Interestingly, no one is noting what all of the other legends will get in expenses ... including MLT for example. Spend to save springs to mind.

Ironically I don't think its a rediculous wage, if anything it is quite small. Its the fact that he hasnt cost us £100K but £millions due to his ineptitude last summer backed by a club policy of playing only youth, whilst STILL paying seasoned pros that effectively tied JP's hands together that makes me cross. Lowe hasn't cost us £100K. He has cost us £millions and cost us our pride.

But, Lowe could never have imposed his 'Youth Dutch sweety mice filled head by Wotte total ****** football' strategy had he kept on NP. NP never had a chance when Wilde foolishly reappointed Lowe.

What is a fact is the person who sits as the Chairman and thus is charged with making strategic decisions on the future of the club. That comes with responsibility. So it's spot on to criticise those who held that seat and screwed it up. What we need to continue to establish - whilst looking forward with our new owners - is exactly who and how they screwed it up so the same mistakes are not made by our new owners. We have alot of lessons to learn from Lowe's incompetence, Wildes foolishness, Crouch's lack of prudence and the fact that many 'fans leaders' rolled over and accepted it throughout the years by failing to maintain an independent perspective. That admittedly starts with unity for the new owners and a super opportunity to move forward UNITED. But, ignoring lessons from history should never be allowed to happen again. This messageboard, whilst providing many other uses, certainly is the most successful medium for keeping lessons alive. And it will.

Sorry my sides are aching laughing so hard at that prospect coming off!