Saint Fan CaM

What we need to remember is that Lowe was driving the club into the ground - it was failing financially prior to LC's involvement...way before. Getting Lowe out was an attempt to rescue the club, no ifs or buts. It was Wilde that caused the utter mess with the Executive he appointed and then turning Judas to allow Lowe back in. Crouch did everything he possibly could, but it was too late by the time he was able to influence matters. And let's all remember also that Lowe's failure to put the club into Admin 1 week earlier would have seen us back in the CCC this season as we wouldn't have had the -10pts.

As usual, a balanced and understated post. There are a number of possible and perfectly rational reasons for not holding the trophy game. The club have many initiatives that are currently underway to transform root and branch how the club operates to prepare for the exciting future ahead. To get the foundations right takes huge resource and planning and I can understand why NC wants focus on the important stuff right now. I also agree that AP might want a different pre-season focus for the squad. However, it would be nice to keep the competition going. I think it might be much more befitting now for the trophy to be contested by the youth squad. Perhaps between our Academy and another Academy (Hoddles?) for example.

Perhaps Saints could offer him the medical and recuperation facilities he needs and in turn he could help Saints back to the Prem? Let's face it, Connolly is here still and he must be getting near to fitness where he could ply his trade at a higher level now. IMO Owen doesn't have a hope in hell of getting back near the England squad now - he's a yesterday man as Capello will be turning to younger players to bring through ready for the Euro's.

Where the heck did that crazy rumour spring from Trousers? Anyway - Owen or Connelly? Both?!?

Mentioned on here quite a few times how much the club meant to LC - I know from discussions with him. Beyond being a good businessman, he is a top guy who put lots into the club for many years, even when Lowe was trying his best to ruin it. Be glad to see him back at SMS ready for the good times to roll again.

Have not read all the thread so not sure if this has been mentioned already. Drove past the stadium today and saw that electronic barriers and ticket machines have been installed to the entrances to the car parks. Now then, first thing I thought was perhaps the car parking is being set-up on a first come-first served basis in the ground on matchday, thus cutting out the need to book and post tickets. This means peeps get to the ground earlier and spend more money in the Megastore and on the new hospitality (i.e. food/drink etc).

OK, so thanks for info about what's happening at the club, but hey ho it's not really surprising that NC wants the best set-up he can muster. It's the building blocks to more and more success and if staff don't want to be on the train then they can jump off at the next station as far as I'm concerned.

Electronic swipe card entry system for ST holders.

No! Thug that beats up women and is not a particularly good footballer.

For the issues you have raised above... a. Yes, I empathise with those not able to use the installment plan. I used it when it was available, but I planned ahead so that my affairs were under my control. A plan B if you like. So while I might empathise, I certainly do not sympathise. b. No, I do not empathise with regard to a pre-season tour - the club has done nothing to stop anyone going along. The club has never provided the means to any supporter as far as I am aware of getting to pre-season matches abroad. It is a personal choice to arrange and to go. So I repeat, what is there to empathise with? Having said all that, this thread was about the supposed changing of names of the hospitality suites and what a dreadful issue this was. And again I repeat, what exactly is the problem? IMO there is no problem - to anyone - except perhaps the celebs who have had a good innings making money from their association with the club. I CAN empathise if the club feels now is a good time to move on and change the status quo. Big picture and all that good stuff.

Sorry Stu - don't agree. A lack of empathy would require me to understand and agree that there is a problem. I don't, so there is no lack of empathy - I simply do not see what the problem is to me or any other supporter. Unless it's someone trying to score personal points or has some fanatical reason for wanting the forum to be a depressing and negative place.

If you could explain how changing the names of some rooms at SMS affects you personally, then I might reconsider. Until then my view is not lack of empathy - it's more aligned to pity and exasperation at the overload of negativity you are inflicting on the forum TBF.

Good shout that.

Ah, some sense. Good post.

Can we just try to get his thread to 134 pages please? I mean we really need the diversion and this subject is so vital that if we don't reach that many pages, I really don't think we'll have given it enough thought and exposure. So with that in mind please feel free to abuse me as that will add to the thread posts. You don't need to worry about presenting any viable problem or issue - just get that post count up. It really is a serious matter that needs debating.

I like your methodology, but to be fair the answer has not really changed anything. So yeah, agree.

Oh come on, do you really expect anyone to believe the truth?!?! This is clearly an outrage against every single Saints fan dead and alive. It's going to have a huge impact on ticket sales now and it will obviously mean hordes of fans making the trip down the M27 to Farton Park take advantage of the excellent facilities there. Seriously, this is just goes to show what a terrible, terrible businessman NC is and how much he really undervalues his customers. Some might say that naming dining areas in the Stadium is not REALLY important and that concentrating on the football on the pitch is of paramount interest, but they're mongs for thinking that. We have a long history of ensuring the matchday experience includes all the niceties and trimmings because that's what's really important - even Mr Lowe got that right. Future players like Rickie will want away now they know a suite will not bear their name! We need to organise a big rally and march to SMS as one to show how hacked off so many fans are at this travesty! Who's with me? (OK, you don't have to answer that)

Amazing to see Pulis still there alongside the football players.

Alpines sentiments are OK in that timing of squad enhancements in relation to a strong start to the season is important. The timing is though somewhat of an over-reaction given there is a good week before training camp. Having said that, with Papa, Antonio, Semi, Connolly and James not replaced yet, the strength of last seasons 1st team has been dented. And bringing in Dickson has not really addressed these positions. There are a number of young players listed by Saints in the squad that appear to be wanting 1st team football - my hope is that NC is not telling AP that he has to work with these players to make up the numbers and gain auto because I do not think they are strong enough. Central midfield is extremely weak if one or more of Spiderman or Hammond are out. So yeah, there are concerns, but it's much too early to start worrying about no action just yet.

Well one probably had the personal finance to be in the same circles. The other just happened to have worked in the same industry sector. Both plausible reasons, however I feel there is only one who would truly have handed over power for the good of the club and that was not Lowe. Evidence? If it was Lowe, why did he wait until AFTER the deadline before putting the club into admin?

First post eh? Sounds like you might know something we don't? Why would today be a 'busy day' - why not tomorrow, afterall tomorrow's Friday!

Of course it was said tongue in cheek slightly, but thought a bit of reverse physcology might do the trick and prompt the club to release some news. Some missed the point, but hey ho. Anyway, heard on Solent this morning that there is a complete lock-down at Staplewood with no media presence whatsoever allowed in - not even Solent. Now then, either someone is over-reacting a bit, or there's one or more secret new signings starting training with the squad. Your guess is as good as mine.

Was supposed to be going to Wigan. Did the permit paperwork hit a snag? Shouldn't be a problem. http://www.wigan.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=177224 Bit more... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Palacios

You were doing so well until you mentioned that bit...

I did say some!