Badger

He gives the impression of playing in goal with heavily bandaged hands... ... whilst also playing in wellington boots Yes saw that ... looked like FFS to me...

Tuchel remains the outstanding candidate from what I've read but he'll have his eyes on something better than us, and with immediate CL prospects I suspect. Unless Gao's can convince him of the "project" , but I'm not holding my breath on that. Why ? Did well at Liverpool when he had Suarez but after was poor.

If what we've read is true then I suspect bridges have been burnt. The last thing we need now is a war of nerves between a CEO & manager, remember the Rupert - 'Arry relationship. Again from whats has been suggested, Koeman - though an improvement on MP no doubt - had some limitations highlighted whilst here such as aloof attitude, and disregard for younger players. Despite the good finishes we experienced some pretty lean runs under RK which some seem to have forgotten.

I read it in the context of being a club manager, in a CEO, or Les Reed role as opposed to first team coach etc.

Await the " Southampton can't afford to live in the same street as Burnley, and our fans should get used to it.. " type quote then. Not to mention something to the effect that " [ insert name of 5'4" unknown Spanish striker signed in January ] will score more goals than Aguero [or similar] this season... "

Why would they look to remove him at Dortmund ? (Currently third in their table having just looked on BBC site).

All of whom have goalkeepers capable of making saves from time to time though. It does give them a bit of an advantage.

Were Gao or Nelly in attendance today?

Puel & his replacement - agree VVD - disagree, I think you're possibly rewriting history a bit with the benefit of hindsight. I think the vast majority were of the view at the time that we shouldn't give in to him this summer, and I wouldn't criticise the club for that now. How we've spent of course is another matter. GK - spot on. He was a liability last season so to offer him a new contract was absurd, not to bring in a capable deputy, or someone better was p!ss poor management.

To have the impact we'd hope for I suspect the decision has to be taken at a higher level than Les Reed, along with the recruitment. If it's left to Reed we'll have a few weeks of dither, dither, and dither again ... (rather like the Lowe-Wigley era when it was obvious to a f^cking idiot that Wigley was not up to the job, but Lowe just allowed him to amble on... what happened next of course was equally calamitous).. and on making the selection it might not be a clean sweep, but fitting another one into the cosy set up to fit in around Black and Dave Watson. Problem being that Ralph sees Les as the 'football person' from whom the club takes it's direction. So unless Gao, a Nelly/Kat combination, or Ralph have some inspiration, or another football adviser giving guidance it looks like Les will be allowed to navigate the good ship for a while longer ( iceberg, what iceberg ?). Perhaps, Gao/Nelly will realise the implications for their investment pretty quick, but let's hope they are more insightful on their choice of replacement than Brum appointing Zola.

I think part of the problem is Brighton looking for a derby/rival to get worked up about. There is a mutual loathing between Brighton & Palace which I understand stems from the 1970's but I suspect that Palace are more concerned with other South London rivalries than BHA. That leaves the poor Seagulls - (amuses me that they have such a borrowed nickname rather than anything historic after they tried to reinvent themselves years ago) - looking for anyone who wants a rivalry. Look to the west and their closest neighbour is preoccupied with us to give a Sh!t about them. Look to the east, and ... how far is Gillingham ? Too far. I did read that in the 1970's BHA & Bournemouth worked up a great deal of friction in the days of John Bond & Ted MacDougall but presume that has petered out. As others have also said, I've no real gripe with BHA , and as with most Saints fans have a soft spot for Boscombe.

Watneys Ales displayed prominently on the old West Stand. Memories...

It used to called sportsmanship. Perhaps we rid ourselves of that quaint concept though with the Brighton match under Adkins.

Don't know if you are serious or just on a wind up, but don't think NC was "forced out", as far as I read it he left of his own accord as he didn't want to be accountable to the owner whose money he was looking to spend. Show me an organisation where such a practice is allowed to exist. Yes it was a great shame the journey came to an end, but we'd have been another Leeds under Ridsdale if NC was allowed to operate entirely unchecked.

That puts him ahead of Courtois,Cech, Heaton & Lloris. I don't think many would agree with that pecking order, so it suggests that somewhere along the line the measurement used is flawed.

I remember him although his playing time with us was before I started following. His name often cropped up when talking Saints history with older members of my family, and if I recall his playing style was considered neat, but lightweight, and he was regarded as someone who shirked a tackle , or 50:50 ball. Yes, remember him in Brighton's cup run.

Lighthouse, of the strikers you mention only Austin is a recognised goalscorer. JR & Long are 1 in 4 strikers, and as it was unlikely they would each feature their goals were always likely to be thinly spread. I don't really regard Boufal, Tadic or Redmond as out and out strikers. Fair point re Sims in the squad waiting his chance. Your comments about Redmond are probably nearer the truth and what most Saints fans thought on his signing.If he was the replacement for Juanmi he's definitely an upgrade, but that's interesting as it meant our 'Juanmi 2016/17 version was a regular starter whereas the original was only just making the bench. We probably have to agree to disagree slightly, whilst not a great fan of Puel at the end of his time with us, I don't think he was dealt the best hand possible by the club (but perhaps didn't get the best out of what was available to him either).

You're probably right in your summary of things at Saints, but I don't think Koeman should exclusively take the blame for Everton's transfer policy. I suspect that the DoF brought in from Leicester was like a kid in a sweetshop spending big and throwing money around.

Didn't buy a striker in the summer, and didn't buy a CB in January. Not sure Redmond was the new Henry as the PR machine peddled. I'd accept the parting of the ways was the right decision if we'd made an upgrade. As it is I think we've made a sideways move but wait to see otherwise.

and the signings last summer ?

Notts Forest cup replay 1977, I remember loads of us milling around until half time, and then 10 minutes from the end to sneak in.

Therein lies my point. If he does this, or is successful, it will deflect his shortcomings or failings at Saints onto others to some degree. Agree that the decision to sack, and the subsequent selection of his replacement are separate decisions.

Thought this might have been about the good old days when the turnstile operators would tell you to squeeze into the turnstile with your Dad, and only charge for the adult.

If they are going to have the PA at full blast pre-match then so be it. Turn it up top volume for Saints Are Coming, but perhaps mute it for My Way.

Could be some embarrassment at St Mary's if he does well there, and MP does not live up to expectation.