Long Shot

I think Crouch did show concern over a year ago - that is why he was negated on the PLC board following a coup by the execs. We were heading into administration long before LC grabbed the reigns in December 2007. Don't forget he had already tried to stop the haemorrhaging by blocking the Euell deal a few months before but was let down by Wiseman siding with the execs and Burley getting his way. During his short time in power (6 months) he agreed a deal with Barclays, got rid (albeit by luck) of a manager who was expensive, undisciplined and who had given up the ghost and, in the process, got a good compensation deal out of the Scottish FA which would cover NP's salary for 18 months. The only financial outgoings during this period were for Pearson's loan deals which probably kept us up. So a bit unfair then to have a go at Crouch for the financial mess or even accuse him of being equally guilty. Of course in the middle of this there was also the final satisfactory conclusion of the statue debacle in which he frankly rescued this club and us fans from national ridicule. Imagine, if he had not put his hand in his own pocket all we would have in front of St Marys now would be an empty plynth. If Wilde and Lowe are not the sole reasons for our plight they sure are the sole reasons why that plight is worsening. I honestly believe if they had stayed out of the club and let Crouch continue with Pearson at the helm we would be more secure with the bank financially and further up the table. Just my opinion of course and no way will we know. I am not particularly pro Crouch - he made mistakes - bad PR and Gorman/Dodd to mention two reasons that I was angry with at the time but, like I said above financial mishandling -no way. Wilde is hanging on for financial reasons, Lowe is there for financial and egotistical reasons, Crouch is involved because he cares about the club. It is a no brainer really and is why I will continue (until a better or more viable proposition emerges) to support the removal of Wilde and Lowe and back Crouch's and Co's efforts to make that happen.

You could be right, Roman, about civil war but I don't think Crouch is interested in the "club falling into his hands". In fact I hear he is no longer interested in any significant position at SMS other than in his corporate box, but I do think he is very concerned at the direction the club is heading and doing all he can to help prevent what is, under the current stewardship, inevitable administration. Wilde wants out with as much cash as possible. Lowe will not admit he got it wrong by coming back and will try and stay to the bitter end (as he did last time). Personal agendas ahead of the club's wellbeing is not good news for the fans.

jealousy I think - how are you Morph? Interesting and tense times eh? Regards Long Shot

Frank C you said With respect to the current situation, many are angry as they feel Lowe is 'interfering' - well I think alot depends on the definition of the word. Is he picking the side and tactics? NO, is he taking training? No, Is he telling JPP what to do? NO. How do you know Frank? You seem very sure. I happen to think you are wrong, especially with your 3rd NO - perhaps you can post some proof to make me change my mind?

"just as things starting to settle"? - you're surely having a larf, Nickh. You are a wag.

Your deduction is almost certainly correct St_Tel, but only a fool would say, on here, exactly when. Fairly soon I would imagine as administration was forecasted Feb 09 and that was with expected gates of 17,000+. Gotta go................................... "Indiana wants me"

Presumably he didn't think he could do a job for us on the pitch?

A fair precis Snowballs - question is does he sell to a "Lowe friendly" camp or a "Crouch friendly" camp? My hunch is.... he would prefer the former but the Crouch camp maybe more "strategically" positioned. Must dash I can hear the hounds getting close.

A well-placed source whose identity obviously I cannot reveal - sorry. I have no right to expect anyone to believe me and I have admitted to having an axe to grind but the info is, imo genuine, accurate and true. I think there are one or two others on here who have heard similar stories from alternative reliable sources too, but these are dangerous times. I best not say any more.

Unfortunately his ego his leading him to make decisions that are far from the best interests of the club. Nor is his erratic behaviour winning him friends in influential places. This is where the danger arises. Whereas Barclays were once content to give the club a certain amount of leeway, Lowe's current stubborness is... how can I put it, causing worrying difficulties in fraught times.

My "axe" is simple St_Tel. I believe that the presence of Mr Lowe at Southampton FC is a real and dangerous factor in our fight against administration and even survival. With that in mind I can make no apology for grinding my axe as hard as I can. Now you may chose to disbelieve me or even prefer to shoot the messenger rather than listen to the message, but events are quickly coming to a head and a lot of the serious players in this drama (I refer mainly to the bank and potential investors) are mightily, mightily sick of having to deal with Lowe and his ego.

I must admit I agree. One of Strachan's biggest failings was mis-managing Davies.

Not so sure we have "retained" the teenagers, Theo and Bale and Lallana will leave in Jan.

I agree with your thoughts on the SPL but they do seem to manage to compete reasonably well in Europe (I am talking Celtic not Rangers here). Still think his finish tonight was out of the top drawer, but like you say the big boys aren't sniffing - YET.

Right thanks Baj, I didn't know SM had a "character" defect. Begs the question though why did Strachan let him go because of that and yet, just a few years later "risked" signing him (was there a fee?) for Celtic. Has MacDonald had a Bartonesque change of character? Or perhaps he wasn't properly managed at St Marys. One of Strachan's defects was he could not "manage" awkward characters, if I remember. I still maintain he could have done a better job of Kevin Davies (who we let go for nothing).

After seeing him score tonight v Utd with a sublime finish it begs the question what manager decided he would not make it (assume it was a manager because you can't be too sure at St Marys) and why? One that slipped through the net, for sure, and perhaps one of the the biggest fish ever to escape that Southampton net. Others on our books that got away? Kevin Phillips, Dennis Wise, Bobby Robson (going back a bit here but he was at the Dell as a youngster, I am told) but unlike MacDonald none of them made the first team before being released.

Keep digging Nick Oh, and by the way - no one (I repeat no one) has a bigger ego than Mr Lowe and that............... is a fact not an opinion.

You know Nick sometimes it would serve you better it you just shut up and accepted others might actually know a bit more than you do.

Not for the first time, Nick, I have to tell you your opinion is incorrect. For the record MM had already bought into Leicester by the time this club became "available" for the right price. He has told a colleague of mine had he not (by then) gone in for Leicester he would have been interested in us. I am also told he has tried to search for others prepared to invest in us since. How hard he has tried I don't know but he bears us no ill will and has severed all connections with the Skates. I think he thinks us as a good long term investment.

One of the problems of this experiment is the continual chopping and changing (14 different central defensive partnerships already this season). A good side needs to be a settled side and (injuries permitting) JP seems unsure of not only who to pick but where to play them.

Regarding your "love" for Mandaric, Nick, I have it on very good authority that had "timings" been different then he would have come in for us - now that would have set the cat amongst the forum pigeons.

They even had Preston 3 Southampton 2 in the latest scores behind him.

Doncaster was our last turning point. It was good to get that result especially as Sky initially gave it 3-2 to Preston but I remain concerned at JP's tinkering. Wotton is in and out of the side like a yo-yo and so are others. Even players who are regularly chosen are played in different positions. Saints really have to get a settled side and hopefully that will add some consistency. But coming back from 2 goals down away is something I can't remember doing for a long time so tonight is not for being churlish but let's not get carried away either.

I would be careful what you allege Lordswood. Like many I thought there could be some truth in the rumours when Pearson was first appointed but I can state with conviction that neither L Mac or his son had a hand in NP's appointment or made any financial gain from it.

if you don't mind me saying Nick, this is a blinkered and naive response. Prat enlighten us - who takes the blame when they turn out to be not good?