SaintRobbie

Good point.

I am looking forward to the Pulis signing story too to be honest.

I have to say that having read through the untold stories - its at least refreshing to know that many of us have been right all year. The only posters who seem to want the stories to stop are either those who genuinely want to look forward (respect) or those who look complete prats for supporting Lowe all year. I'm rather enjoying both looking forward AND watching some posters (only a few I hasten to note) squirming. Keep the revelations coming Echo.

Link?

Correct. Currently we have Wotte and a stripped team of League 1 minus standard players and minus 10 points. Currently, as a DIRECT result of Lowe's policy THIS past season, we are heading for League 2. .... but takeover is coming and Lowe is gone. Optimism... smells good again

Because you start on a global stage with an international bidder rather than building to to the global stage with a British bidder.

or you could argue that it could be spun the other way - family club etc etc. I would not be keen on having a shed load of Republican US Christian fundamentalists following us mind. No I think the name is fully marketable across the world and across cultures. In future years of football (bearing in mind the way the Premiership is going) names of places of origin will fade, a good knickname will take over IMHO as the league goes even more global. For the Americans especially, 'The Saints' implies all sorts of values and sportsmanship. I think we're on a winner to be honest.

Global branding = future money = success = more chance of staying in the Premiership once we get there. Simples.

It would be safe to say that BWP picked up his game in the last 3 matches. It would be a fair assumption to say he did it to shop window himself.

We wont be disappointed of that I am sure too, we are going to be taken over and are going to be in a position to mount a campaign for a play off place in League 1 next year. But every day we delay, without a manager and team ,we now minimise our chance of that success. We need a clear out and rapid rebuild at SMS with a high profile manager and we need it NOW. IMHO every day Fry delays now means that the value of the Club actually therefore falls. That might suit an investor but it doesnt suit Fry's bosses or us as fans who will be demanding success of our new manager next season. We need a decision and managerial appointment soon and I think it will come.

I am more interested in the bid from abroad at the moment. That really does interest me. If we're to get back to the Premiership international backing now may be the only real way. It also means a major clean sweep. Saints are marketable internationally. That name alone is helpful in that it doesnt even really link us to Southampton. Also the city is almost entirely dependent on international trade - indeed we are the chief port for the entire UK. We are - believe it or not an international city and hub as a result. So what? Going global = £s. It also = total sweep out of the boardroom. It may also mean our best chance of success in the future. It is certainly the one bid with most potential and potentially the most ambitious. On reading what I have thus far I would punt for MLTs bid as a feel good second option and MJs as a survival option. I am relieved to see the 'International' bid is laying low... it may be because it is indeed the most likely to be announced as the winner. This city and football club are global players on the international stage. Time to recognise that IF the international bid is right. If not? I still think we should be looking for one even if MLTs consortium do take over. Its the only way back to the Premiership, particularly if we want to stay there.

I'd go with that. But it depends on the manager we get.

Keano doing a better one.

Good point. Provided they got rid of Lowe then too. But I suppose they had to wait for evidence of mismanagement before swooping... and Lowe provided with bounced cheques.

That is interesting. I wonder if its the super rich billionaire trying to buy an ice hockey team at the moment and headlining in Canada.

Barclays got rid of Lowe. I quite like them.

Caption contest methinks! Personally I want to know how is holding that ball up?! Surely it wasnt THAT exciting?

Absolutely right.

Good luck to everyone tonight! Are people able to pay a couple of quid at the door for Saints Aid or something to come and support?

They are more than a league above us Linford. They are approximately 90 points, a squad of players and a manager above us too and only equal to us in infrastructure. Sorry but, Coventry will be a stage ahead of us for at least 3-4 years IMHO.

I think we'll be surprised. Pleasantly surprised. This takeover deal has not had Crouch, Lowe or Wilde's inept handling skills all over it, but run by a professional in Fry. I suspect the buyers names are still under wraps.

What evidence do you use to back that up with Ponty? Not getting at you, just genuinely interested in your perspective as I can see NO reason for keeping Wotte. Even consistency doesnt wash for me as an argument for a team already losing its players and about to come under new strategic leadership.

That all makes sense. How different life may have been mid table in the CCC with Coleman this season. Oh well. Onwards and upwards.

Smith was shocking. Skacel too good.

We threw the game as soon as we appointed Wotte. No it wasnt a fix.