SaintRobbie

No I'm not a Crouch luvvie. But I regard him and possibly Mary Corbett as a replacement to Wilde as better SHORT TERM options for the relegation run in than Lowe/Wilde. They'll bring some fans back and a manager we can get behind, instead of one that tells us off for not going to watch his disorganised side lose as we're protesting against the bloke who tells him to say it. We need to fight. Rolling over and accepting our fate is not an option - unless you're Lowe and have a plan to purchase the Club upon administration (?) I applaud the idea of appointing a CEO. I also agree that we need a full clear out in the boardroom. I have never thought that running this Club as a plc works as it engenders boardroom division. So I recommend delisting at the earliest opportunity. I have advocated an aggressive sales campaign to sell this club to one owner for 2 years now. Our boardmembers have never even openly stated that the Club is FOR SALE. Times are tough, but looking and constructively going out into the big bad world and finding a buyer is again better than accepting the inevitiable further decline of the club. As the SISU offer demonstrates it can be done. So thats my position. Crouch is a better SHORT TERM solution IF we want to fight.

Yes - another reason why administration should be avoided. The club from top to bottom should be regarded as a team. I don't think it has ever functioned that way under Lowe's leadership where priorities have been stuck to boardroom rewards but regardless, the staff are just as much of a part of the Club than anyone and deserve our support. Administration has to be the FINAL option. Have we tried to sell this Club yet by the way?

It this relevant? I see where you're coming from, 'Look Crouch isn't a good businessman, but maybe Lowe is because he hasnt laid anyone off' but is it relevant? Crouch owns a large business, Lowe a collection of retirement homes and some shares in Saints that he was gifted. Lowe IS running SFC worse than any other chairman in its history and has made some dire decisions that have sentenced the club to relegation and possibly administration (which will result in ALOT of SFC staff losing their jobs). Crouch spent alot of money on a gamble to get us back to the Premiership, narrowly missed it in the playoffs, sought a buyer to cover the gamble, found one (SISU), rejected it for mysterious reasons along with Wilde and Lowe. But he is not the one putting in crap Dutch coaches and kids as a Club Policy. It goes back to the basic premise. Who do you want in charge - a man who IS failing and is a proven failure...thus certain relegation/admin or a chance (however slim) with Crouch to stay in this league and rebuild? I dont really hate Lowe, but I recognise his incompetence, selfcentredness and ineptitude at Football Chairmanship. I'm sure he's not making redundant his retirement home nurses but due to his actions he will shortly make redundant alot of staff at SMS.

At least he can afford the £2million and maybe more now

I think Plan A sucks - not a starter, faith is lost in Lowe and his professional reputation in running a football club is shot to pieces anyway. But B has some legs although I cant see Lowe leaving, I think he has a plan to buy the club in administration, but certainly some ideas I would support. As for your last line, all I'm trying to do is get people to think about some more options rather than sit and do nothing and let the club die. You can make a daft comment and miss that point if you like, I dont really care, but I think we all want the same outcomes. At least you're thinking about it. Good ideas in Plan B. We're starting to get somewhere. A CEO is a very good option.

To be honest though ... I can't see any other alternatives.

Hoorah!

I pretty much agree with most of that. But as an interim measure... until a buyer could be found, Crouch is a better solution than Lowe. At least he comes with some cash to attempt to keep us up, as well as desire and a new manager. What's the alternative... certain death or a slim hope until we find the CEO and new owner?

Why back failures? I wouldnt if I were Crouch. He's the best alternative currently available IMHO. But I'd hope he'd sell the club as soon as possible having taken over as plc chairman. ...and it wasnt me that suggested her ... was just agreeing with others on this thread and suggesting that as a Footballing Chairman she'd be a good candidate. So I'm afraid I dont understand your point.

Not doing much is he? I'd have him in our side mind, he'd look like a genius compared to McGoaldraught.

Doesnt have to be an English manager to be honest. Its just that the half decent ones who are available are British managers. eg Holloway. ABW Anyone But Wotte.

http://www.exsaints.co.uk/ Seeing these guys come out against Lowe would be the most wonderful piece of work from these players. Come on guys.. we need your help to save this Club. Help us get Lowe OUT.

Good point, lets give him a chance to prove he's useless.

At 17.5p and falling I'd say that was worth investing in... perhaps step 1 is an announcement that Saints IS for sale. That would at least be a start.

I think smaller like the old Euro strip.

Me too. It's about time all the old Saints stars came off the fence and supported Lawrie Mac. Keeping their powder-dry is no longer required. We need Lowe out and Wotte out very quickly to stand any chance of survival.

Been dwelling on this. I think Mary could do Wilde's job as chairman of football. Its powerless and a non-entity but brings her on board as a fan and someone who passionately cares about the Club. Someone who could appeal to the fans to come and support the team. Certainly would be a better option than Lowe. But I think the only - hopefully shortterm - option instead of Lowe (who comes with a badly needed £2million) is Crouch.

Nick - I'm sorry but I can't see Wotte being anything else other than a continuation of the problem... I dont support a manager who blames the fans for poor turnouts and lack of support when he's just acting as a mouthpiece for Lowe. Wotte is part of the original idea - now proven to be flawed. He was one of those convincing Lowe to run with it 2 years ago. What's more his results are so far unimpressive. I think promoting from within is generally always a waste of time. Wotte HAS to go quickly ... problem is you cant sequence it any other way - you cant remove Wotte without removing Lowe.

It strikes me that the vast majority of fans, and now the media, have seen through Lowe's 'vision' and discarded it for the joke it was back in the summer. The Club is going down, the fans are leaving in droves, Lowe and Wilde sit battered and wounded in charge and our coach lacks respect internally and externally having become Lowe's final mouthpiece. We're not down yet, we could still survive in the CCC, but it is unlikely under Wotte/Lowe. I think that's a fair summation of the current situation. Here's a 10 point plan for comment - or at least to guide Crouch and others. Its a suggestion, and the best logic I can come up with to set this club back up again as quickly as possible for success. It is prone to changes as things develop, but right now its a route map to get us on track. It is intended as something to build upon and has many stumbling points, but at least it provides hope, optimism and the chance of survival. Grateful for debate around it... but something HAS to be done quickly. 1. Up the pressure from fans for Lowe and Wotte to go. I am afraid there is nothing to lose by singing and producing banners in games now. Protests need to be increased. 2. The local media (and MP, given the cost of protesting both emotionally and in terms of policing can lend his support too) now follow up todays story calling for Lowe and Wilde to stand down in favour of Crouch/Corbett. 3. Assuming we get Lowe to finally admit defeat (herein lies the tricky bit!)... Crouch is appointed as plc Chairman, Corbett to Club (a limited appointment for Mary, symbolic more than anything). 4. Crouch and Corbett call for fan support and pledge to do all they can to sell this Club at the earliest opportunity for the good of the Club. Crouch to put in his £2m to bring in loan players. Induce hope and optimism. 5. Appoint a British manager with League 1 and CCC experience who may attract loanees and can fight. Increase hope and optimism. 6. Pack out Saint Mary's for the best relegation run in battle for years! Could be fun! 7. Survive? or... relegate but continue to back Crouch and our manager in League 1. 8. Avoid administration if possible - to remove prevent Lowe buying up the club cheaply. 9. Seek a buyer. 10. Promote. Anyone a better idea...? Wotte/Lowe continuing is NOT a viable option.

I didnt notice that at QPR - had my head in my hands for most of that drubbing. I brought a Fulham friend with me - who hates the 'r - and he couldnt believe how poor Saints had become, not just tactics, but generally in quality throughout the team. An objective opinion from a neutral who agreed wholeheartedly with me then that this team was going no where other than League 1....or possibly 2. Kids + Dutch conmen + no confidence in Lowe = Failure.

Bit of both. They definately gain alot from this messageboard - it certainly does have an effect. But the media is generally steered by public opinion rather than shaping it... particularly local media who need to sell papers. They'll sell alot more if they reflect the vast majority of Saints fans views and attack Lowe and Wilde. So its an editorial no-brainer. Adam Leich was right to have been hounded on the web discussion the other day. But, the Echo must reflect what readers want and take up the reigns now to remove Lowe, Wilde, Wotte and the stooges. About time the paper did something constructive towards the pride of Southampton.

Not sure we'd all fit on your skateboard Scud.

No we shouldnt. If we do I worry Lowe has a plan to snap up the sharess/buy the club with the other leaches. I suspect avoiding admin and getting Crouch in for the rest of the season and Lowe out has to be everyone's main effort. I think we can still survive if we get a British manager and as many loanees back as we can as well as the fans back under Crouch's chairmanship until the end of the season. If we take the point deduction now it will be irrelevant. IMHO this team will be lucky to survive in League 1 anyway - but with a new manager may. Therefore, next season will have to be viewed as a mid-table finish prior to rebuilding/selling the club. 10 points deduction is therefore absorbable next season. But, DO NOT expect to bounce back to the CCC after the damage Lowe has done. Lowe has caused more damage this season than any chairman in the clubs history. Concentrate on removing him and on filling the stadium with supporters for Crouch, his manager AND the team and we have an outside chance. Could be a half decent end to the season if we make a fight of it!

True - though I think that was a reaction to CCC tactics against us and general frustration, coupled with a clueless manager who looked defeated (because he knew he was) every time he stepped up to the touchline. I give Wotte 2 more defeats before we see the startled rabbit in the headlights look from him too.

Not really that easy, as all of the problems to do with what you list above actually are directly the result of Lowe's club policy. So remove the problem and the sycophants around him and we have a chance.