Badger

Over the last few seasons: In reverse order 3) Allowing Koeman to leave 2)Appointing and retaining Pellegrino as long as we did 1)Successive transfer windows and policy. And the outright winner is Les Reed. Historically the appointment of Branfoot was a monumental cock up, but it pales into insignificance compared to any of the above.

Looking at other teams fixtures is almost irrelevant as it's seeing where we pick up the points from that is the problem. There are teams there for catching, but just can't see us changing our own fortunes so dramatically with a gutless defence that was shown today during our collapse (ignoring all the other failings this season).

I've yet to speak to a supporter of any club who disagrees with you, that's before you factor in Spurs playing SF and possibly a final in their own temporary backyard.

This brought back memories: From Dave Jones who I think was the accountant

Either that or the ads go from the **** Dale - Surf Rider theme, to the Benny Hill theme tune on the adverts.

He only normally needs the last five minutes.

Sad reflection of how the club stands in the eyes of many people. Nice one Les.

Wonder how that has come about.

There are a few more deserving candidates ahead of him on that list.

Sounds plausible, although I think Pelligrini featured in the talks somewhere along the line.. and also turned us down/not proceeded with. Certainly seems Les has lost his magnetism, or ability to conclude a deal.

Depends which league we are in. Even if it's the Championship though it would mean one who seldom scores, another who is often injured half a season, and then there's Carillo.. not sure he'd be a stand out player at that level from what we've seen so far.

I remember someone posting on here after the Hull match last season that Maguire didn't look anything special, and how much better Stephen was, especially bringing the ball out of defence. I expect Reed was similarly deluded.

We were linked with Maddison before he left Coventry. No doubt Les thought he would block Harrison Reed's development though.

Agree with the gist of your argument but there are a few contradictions in this: I think we bought a few duds under Mitchell as well didn't we ? Mayuka might pre-date him, but Forren springs to mind. I don't think you can include Schneiderlin in the list of 'journeymen' who were here as a stepping stone having been with Saints for a number of seasons coming through the divisions over a 6-7 year spell. Yoshida has also been here 6 seasons. I don't mind the 2-3 gems even if short term, and this is workable. When it falls down is when the majority of the team are all clearly transitory signings and not near the standard. As for the Academy - seems to have dried up. Carillo - yes well, difficult to defend that signing, buffoonery at it's finest. Remember Sir John Hall as Chairman of Newcastle wanted to create a team that was predominantly Geordie, and couldn't.

Aren't we holding Romeu back in case he picks up another booking ahead of an amnesty that will cancel some of those existing ? Perhaps a false economy given our position.

I remember that name as coach, ans also Derek Snelling, although no idea that either were ever rumoured to be involved in any scandal. Dave Haller had quite a career after Southampton, and retired from Cardiff Swimming Club a couple of years ago. Interesting reminiscing on this thread, lead me to do a bit of a google search and found the following links that might be of interest: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11248598.Swimming_club_celebrates_50_years/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Southampton_Swimming_Club

Probably someone with "mental health issues..."

Not at all sadoldgit, I'm just pleased someone else had the same recollection and that it wasn't just something trapped in my imagination.

It's only for the name isn't it?

It seems his reputation is intact outside of Saints (& Charlton), gets the credit for his part in our rise (quite rightly), but his failings in the transfer windows and recruitment of two poor managers is overlooked. Could this be a Burley Mk II, receiving compensation .. ?

I think nta786 has given you a decent answer. My initial thought on the Leicester match would have been the Tuesday or Wednesday of that week. As for CL matches, both Brighton & Bournemouth have home fixtures on those nights even if the CL matches are being played. Alternatively the week after the SF. Swansea - we're probably running out of weeks, possibly between Bournemouth and Everton, although not much to choose between those options to be honest.

By many, who saw him as a plodding midfielder and master of the sideways pass. His "failing" was probably seen as due to the fact he wasn't Brian Robson who was portrayed as the ultimate 'box to box' type player in the late 70's/early 80's. This BBC article references the issue. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43644865 I think in later years his range of passing became more appreciated.

If not intentionlly, then by default perhaps.

Can't help thinking that the media, and the PL, by rearranging of our matches are doing their best to bugger our fixture list and chances of survival (as well as the FA Cup SF with the Leicester game).

Would have been a better option than the clown that's for sure.