david in sweden

I agree with you about Dave Jones. Heaven alone knows what it must have been like for him (as an innocent man) to have a charge like that hanging over him for nearly a year !...( Talk about focusing ón the job as a Prem.manager !! ) However, even without that I believe he was almost ready for the push. If you look back (as I have) at our postion then, we'd sunk dangerously down the table and a few more bad results would have seen him OUT anyway !.... As it was he got " gardening leave" on full pay. Fair deal. I still think Lowe's decision was correct (and dare I say the word in the current climate) even honourable. Quite a few clubs might have justifiably sacked DJ for bad results, and then bought in Hoddle anyway (who undoubtedly steadied the team at a crucial time ). I did like DJ as a manager, but the circumstances clearly were against him at the time - but at least we survived with Hoddle at the helm. Honestly speaking I was more impressed by Hoddle's career/ achievements (except for omitting our penalty specialist Matt LeTissier from the 98 World Cup, only to see us exit the competition ...on a penalty shoot-out.! ) Bad call Glenn! Ted Bates and Lawrie Mac are in a class of their own, but I also liked Chris Nicholl and of course Strachan....as for the rest ...not overly impressed, though for me, the jury will still be out on Mark Wotte until May 3rd !

As a student of history, (well for the last 50 years at least,) I was intrigued by the choice of the name TRUST. It appears significantly in the early 1920's after the Russian Revolution, (before everyone realised what a psychopath Stalin really was). Opponents of the new regime, were " encouraged " to form "The Trust" as an alternative "democracy" (or whatever name the Bolsheviks used at that time) and when everyone had come out and declared themselves, and it became obvious who supported who, Stalins secret police stepped in, arrested the lot and they were all executed (or disappeared to Siberia) . Not that I'm making any comparisons you understand, but my question is : Who exactly are the Trust, and what do they want to achieve ? At least RL & Co. know who they are dealing with, and remembering the old saying " better the enemy you know, than the one you don't " perhaps at some future time " the Trust " might find themselves in a strange situation, not knowing who to " trust ", and not knowing who are their friends.

I'd agree with that, and somewhere along the line the " media" seemed to have given themselves the right to know (and write) about anything and everything concerning the club, players, directors, the tea lady's personal life and plans for the future......and what they can't confirm by traditional methods.... they make up! I'm not for in favour of supressing all comment and rumour, but it has gone a bit too far.

I do not have any secret sources but have read a lot of "reputable" threads on JP and MW on this site and in contact with others. But it goes like this. Originally (three years ago) RL was ready to sign Wotte as coach / manager. RL backed out at the last minute (oops Rupert) and signed Burley instead. George Burley here during two seasons before he went to Scotland. Then came Pearson who left after the summer, RL (reverting to his original plan) signed Wotte - but then (for some unknown reason ) brought in Poorfliet over him? Remember they were called the "gang of four " last summer with everyone interacting with all the players. Perhaps because of his seniority, international background, World Cup 78 etc, JP became boss and Wotte number 2. It seems they didn't like each other very much and JP ran the show his way, and Wotte kept an eye on the Reserves, (who results were considerably better than the first team !) The answer to your original question is: you don't criticise your boss in public - not if you want to keep the job that is - but there were obviously bad words between them, behind the scenes that never reached the ears of the media. Thankfully. Now MW has the reins over the whole squad, we'll see if he is better than JP. Come back in a month...... and you'll have your answer.

....seems like James and Skacel are set for the role of attacking full backs, that's the next best thing in our present situation. Good wingers........? sorry, Terry Paine retired years ago !

....seems like James and Skacel are set for the role of attacking full backs, that's the next best thing in our present situation. Good wingers........? sorry, Terry Paine retired years ago !

Nice feller, not bad player either 15 years ago, 'till his injury...but just now no thanks...it'd be too many cooks .....now it's up to the Dutchmen.

Nice feller, not bad player either 15 years ago, 'till his injury...but just now no thanks...it'd be too many cooks .....now it's up to the Dutchmen.

When he came back a lot of people on this site argued he was worthless, and not up to it, (but strikers above all) need confidence boosts and getting a few goals under their belt is the best medicine. James Beattie's best season when he scored 25 (?) goals, started with a goal drought of 11 GAMES.. after which there was no stopping him. HOPEFULLY; Saga can rediscover the form he had when he first arrived on loan. His arrival was quite memorable and reminiscent of Marian Pahars first few months. Vital goals in vital matches. Now they're all vital -especially the few 6 pointers that are left. Derby (H) Charlton (H) and Forest (A) Let's hope Saga (& Co.) can keep up the good form from Saturday.

When he came back a lot of people on this site argued he was worthless, and not up to it, (but strikers above all) need confidence boosts and getting a few goals under their belt is the best medicine. James Beattie's best season when he scored 25 (?) goals, started with a goal drought of 11 GAMES.. after which there was no stopping him. HOPEFULLY; Saga can rediscover the form he had when he first arrived on loan. His arrival was quite memorable and reminiscent of Marian Pahars first few months. Vital goals in vital matches. Now they're all vital -especially the few 6 pointers that are left. Derby (H) Charlton (H) and Forest (A) Let's hope Saga (& Co.) can keep up the good form from Saturday.

Typical of a situation where young / ínexperienced players have to train harder to be in the first team squad instead of getting by on 20 games a season in a youth team. He's not the only one to have had injuries like this, but "seasoned profs." are often fit enough to get over these things quicker.

Typical of a situation where young / ínexperienced players have to train harder to be in the first team squad instead of getting by on 20 games a season in a youth team. He's not the only one to have had injuries like this, but "seasoned profs." are often fit enough to get over these things quicker.

Its just as much about formations, as it is players. Some players really excel in some roles, and when played out of position they are lost. With two experienced strikers up front (Saga and Euell) they have the guile to match up to tough defenders whereas younger players like; (McG, McL, Lallana and Paterson) look good as individuals but haven't learned the art of holding up the ball or playing as a real strike force. I'm sure we'll also see Euell getting goals if we play them for a few games together.It gives the younger players more time and opportunity to get in the game. The fact that Andrew Davies,(an outstanding player for the short time he was with us) had such a nightmare against Saga and was subbed after only 45mins. proves the point that there is no replacement for experience. Having a good formation is one thing but every opposition is different and you need to adapt to each game. We'll need a tough midfield / defence v. Cardiff and if we can get a good start - expect to see Wotton and Liptak replace our young guns and get in amongst the muck and bullets for the last 30 mins. and hopefully another 3 points. COYR !!!!!!!!!!

Is there something wrong with discipline, I wonder ? Someone thoght Mark Wotte ought to bring them a glass of warm milk before they go out and play in this weather.....This is the best situation to get the best out of the squad we have. If we go down after this......next seasons squad ...will be this years Academy lads.

Mmmm.....fans eh ? a quick count says only 13 of 76 replies think Saints will win, the rest.....!! thats what I call positive thinking. Try prayer instead !

Having been a fan for over 45 years......please don't anyone think I am any less concerned / disappointed / angry / and thoroughly pi**ed off with the current situation. However, the facts of the matter are; we have the staff we have, the players we have and unfortunately some Board members who aren't up to it. BUT at this stage of the season we're sewn up .....no one dare suggest we should have another managerial change ....please. The majority of our squad are so young (in experience) that they are still learning and need the help of those they know, not some hard-nosed type threatening them with the relegation that seems increasingly likely - at present. For the many of you who are committed fans (and maybe considerably younger than I) there is little consolation except to say that some of us have seen it all before. With the limited number of games still left Saints must turn the corner in the next month, and we cannot rely of the likes of Norwich and Plymouth (who are also in freefall ) ...volunteering to replace us in the bottom three. Lord alone knows where we will be next season, but this I know those of us who suffered through the dismal years of the early 1970's, but were relegated, and those who rejoiced after the Great Escape campaign of 1998-99 will know that the only parties who matter here are the fans and the players. The Board have done their (best / worst) and the manager has his task....I have rarely seen players (especially young ones) who reacted postively to jeers, threats and sarcasm. We could all write pages of such here ..and most of it would be correct. I am fully in agreement with EVERYONE who says there are issues that the Board must take real responsibility for ..are you listening Rupert ?... but right now the ONLY issue is the next 95 mins. in the next match. For goodness sake, everyone who ever called himself a fan and can walk or crawl ought to be down at SMS today and screaming themselves hoarse and helping the team get that elusive win...That's what I did along with thousands of others years ago, AND we did it STANDING UP for 2½ hours - often with rain running down our necks. My visits to SMS are far too rare these days, but I feel it an honour to go and cheer ANY Saints team - even this lot. Don't let these chances disappear, it's a long way back up from League 1 ---do all you can to preserve the little honour we have left! COYR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we all had mixed feelings about that one, but it does seem that the "interim Board " had spent a lot of their own fees, had agreed to some terrible financial deals for players (e.g. Euells contract) that RL would never have Ok'd. The sudden revelation about a £6 million overdraft really woke me up and I wondered what on earth the "other " Board had been doing, as they never seemed to have raised any sponsorship money - let alone find a new buyer ! Running a club with shrinking crowds, debts and a large overdraft is a difficult thing for any normal club to handle- even if thay have a good playing staff.

Hi Norm, thanks for the greeting. It really got interesting when I started to think about it ! .....but apart from the impatience that modern day fans have with indifferent management and players form we're unlikely to ever have another manager for the 13 years (Lawrie) was here.......or even Ted Bates' 18+ years stint. They really were in a class of their own, but for totally different reasons. I'm afraid the later chapters may make poor reading.

I take one day at a time, and never considered myself to be a prophet !

I'm waiting a while with that - it's a hard chapter to write.

well ........an " or something " I guess, but I enjoy history and statistics, too. No I'm not THAT David, been here 25 years but never heard of him. Sorry !

as all the talk is about managers, it's interesting to look back at which players can be considered GOOD and BAD buys during their reign as boss. With Ted and Lawrie occupying 30 odd years between them, that takes up a lot of the time but here goes... Ted Bates signed Paine, Sydenham, Chivers and Channon as juniors and not a transfer fee in sight. They played close to 2000 games between them and scored + 550 goals ! (nuff said there). Ted said the only player he ever regretted selling was ..Martin Chivers, even though the £125 K was British record fee at the time, but he must have thought that the £45K in the exchange deal with Frank Saul was a waste, only 60 games (12 g). However, the best buy (for money) was undoubtedly Ron Davies £55K and 153g. in 277 apps. he was worth 3 times that (at his best.) Lawries arrival brought relegation the first year, but later came; Osgood, Ball, Boyer, MacDougall, Ivan Golac, Dave Watson, Keegan, Mick Mills, David Armstrong and of course Peter Shilton..plus young recruits in Nick Holmes, Steve Williams, Danny Wallace, Steve Moran and Mark Wright. A great balance of youth and experience. WORST buy.....certainly Derby sold us a pup with a 600K fee for injury prone Charlie George, whose knee injury never healed and he played only 50 games. (something we'd see more of in later years.) Ironically, Lawries last buy would become the mainstay of Chris Nicholls team for the next 7 yrs. Jimmy Case was one of the best midfielders we've had in the last 50 yrs. Chris Nicholl had a great chance to introduce youngsters and Dave Merrington's fanatastic youth sides provided us with Dodd, Benali, Kenna,Shearer, Maddison, MLT and two more Wallace brothers. Shrewd buys like Tim Flowers (future England goalie), Ruddock and ©ockerill gave us a good balance. Disappointments were the loss of Shilton and Mark Wright. Andy Townsend was surplus to requirements after return from injury but made an International career as well as Norwich, Chelsea, Villa and Middboro. BAD buys, Mmmmmm ideas anyone ? Here endeth the first lesson ..part 2 starts with .. Ian Branfoots unforgettable record.

...regardless of the level, it's always good when Footballers actually PLAY.

Well actually, ROTATION is a good principle. All the " management team " get to see everyone and it helps assessment of players form, and a chance to watch progress of younger players. The original method was, " Hey Boss, there's this young lad in the reserves, his name is ****** you don't remember him, oh well I told you about him last November, and I thought we could use him in the first team squad. I know you haven't seen him play, but ...maybe " (well something like that I'm sure) .........but job rotation is standard practice in many organisations - I think it should be more commonplace.