Nineteen Canteen

I think it shows the perilous state of the club's finances and I guess they want assurances form the bank and other 'backers' they will not remove their financial support and force the club to go bust. In that event any funds paid by supporters in full or on deposit would likely be lost and go towards paying of the principal creditors. In theory you are right but with the risk of administration I think it is right and fair that ST monies for next season are not collected if there is the slightest risk of administration. I have no inside track on this but just reading between the lines with regard to comments made by Wilde, a poster on this forum whose views I regard highly (but don't always agree with) and how the club has managed ST renewals in the past. Strange though that lowe may indeed have our best interests at heart.

More innuendo dressed up as fact

Plenty time for you to accept things have changed for the better and the need to change your most pertinacious posts. Never ceases to amaze me how some of our most stubborn doom mongers turn things around to suit their own depressing stance. A few weeks ago time was running out for the club to survive relegation and now after 3 excellent results we suddenly have plenty of time for things to go wrong? Has somebody slipped in an extra month and another half a dozen fixtures between March and April? Snowballs I can only hope your are referring to off the pitch 'things' because time is the one constant and can't be running out and then in the next breath have plenty of it , or is that how desperate the most obsessive anti-Lowe fans have become.

If we get relegated Wotte is a failure for trying if we survive Wotte is a success and Lowe's recruitment policy inspired other than simply prove 'you' wrong. Would you agree with this? Or if Wotte succeeds its just to prove you wrong or can't you bring yourself to acknowldge the credit where its due?

Realistic? Do you study form Charlie as you sound like a pessimistic woe is me pinsticker.

Correct, although, some heavy chips are weighing on slumping shoulders at the moment.

Likewise the question. Remember I don't run the club and occassionally they do things i don't agree with. What do you suggest i do, go on a march?

Lordy what is your obsession in trying to undermine everything the club is trying and that there maybe some merit in a positive theory. Wotte didn't want the job but is it so beyond reason that Lowe and Wotte did not have a discussion before Wotte joined us that maybe he could have the role if the situation arose sometime in the future. In any event it was an excellent hire and not a McMenemy or nepotism laced appointment in sight. Can you live with that?

Interesting the consensus view that we can beat Derby and only draw with QPR. I think Derby at home on their current form will be tougher than the game on Saturday or any of those we've already played under Wotte. Still, taking the fixtures from Preston thru to Derby if we take 9pts from a possible 15pts I think we would have taken that at the start as bonus points and with the possible exception of Wolves all of the remaining 9 games look very winnable and you couldn't say that about the current run of 5 fixtures we are in. Very confident we will be safe and probably after 44 games provided off the field pressures don't ruin the party.

Mick 55 points will be a record and in the past 15 years I think only once has a team been relegated on 52pts. It's Frustrating we are winning but not getting out of teh bottom 3 but whereas teams like Plymouth and Forest are winning as you say others are getting dragged in. This is best illustrated by that after the Preston game we were still effectvely 4 points adrift and 5 points from the dizzy heights of 18th. Now with a win on Saturday against a jittery Birmingham we could effectively leapfrog 4 teams and be in 18th. So even though after 3 wins we are in the bottom our overall situation has improved dramatically. Our home against Derby looks the most difficult as they were unlucky last night and are as equally revitalised as ourselves. The rest of our run in looks fairly easy with the likes of QPR, Charlton, Palace (1 win in 9) all looking home bankers and Blackpool, Watford and Sheff Wed all there for the taking away from home. Win those 6 and we have 18 points and your 55 cut off. With Burnley and Wolves wobbling the last game of the season against Forest could be irrelevant. Should be fairly comfortable thanks to these 3 unexpected wins provided we all keep the faith and roll with the odd defeat.

Exactly, I suspect 1965 would have Lowe alongside Fred Goodwin taking questions from the Treasury Select Committee. The important thing is has Lowe made his decisions right or wrong in the best interests of the club and considering all the other mitigating circumstances unprecedented in modern times. Whilst, the JP decision was wrong in hindsight few could argue it was negligient as it had the support of the majority at the start of the season. We all make wrong decisions the question is were they negligent. The fact Lowe has seemingly prepared for it going wrong would suggest prudence on his part, something of course he has been accused of in the past when fuller was his solitary signing in the close season.

I was just commenting on GT's post and my interpretation of his comments that you 'got slagged off' as people questioning your thinking. Given the circumstances I think that is a reasonable assumption to make and lets be clear about this you assume everything and know nothing so should understand where i am coming from. Now I am off to have a nice pious cup of tea to be enjoyed on the moral high ground with all the other Lowe life. (Can't beat a nice bit of self abuse)

So anyone supportive of the current board and what it is trying to achieve in difficult circumstances and therefore posts accordingly, is an idiot? His thread was closed because of the idiots having the cheek to question his thinking and post an alternative view. Works both ways and I don't see you complaining when the administrators allow anti-Lowes to go for the jugular of those wishing to support the middle ground. The behaviour of some posters on the extremities of holding a reasonable view is sadly puerile and often pugnacious and these qualities are no doubt reflected in the way they conduct themselves away from their keyboards (Plenty of examples sadly mixing it with Cardiff fans on the way to the game on Saturday). A sad indictment on society as oppose to any debate about Rupert Lowe or how this forum is managed. You, like 1965, Docker P and the rest are the epitomy of the phrase 'you only sing when you're winning' and in extreme cases it appears winning isn't even enough. Let's hope we get back to losing on Saturday and once again you can jusitify your position, Lowe out (as I can't think of anything meaningful to add to the debate). Son of Bob you are absolutely right but nonetheless are you doing refunds? My senses have started to dull.

Sorry Dockie I support the Saints its you who seem to be intent on looking for another club. Plenty of people far wealthier and far more shrewd and experienced than Lowe have lost far bigger pots. Perhaps you wish someone with the ethics of Fred Goodwin was our chairman. Sell short? Please explain.

Blinkered fool, if Rupert loses his money and the share price collapse what is that indictaing to you? Someone with deep pockets wanting to buy a bouyant football club with magnificent support in the midst of the deepest recession since the 1920's. Or is it a sign that shareholders are selling and cashing in whilst they can to limit the damage to their wealth before your 'beloved' club goes to the wall. Do you think Wotte will be good enough to overcome a -10pt deduction and the prospect of further deductions next season as the administrators unravel the position of the club and if they can actually save it of course. You're a class act Docker-P and represent how ignorant some people can actually be if they decide simply to adopt a position without logic or reason, taking into account all the variable and more pertinently the unknown factors.

You could also argue that they are at the core of what makes any community club implode. Why respect people who are actually doing their best to undermine you in a fashion so mindless not to take account the environment in which we are all operating in let alone have a proposed solution. Look at clubs like Derby, Norwich, Leeds, Leicester, WBA, Charlton, etc. All clubs arguably deserving of being protested against instead of loyally supported but even when Derby went 30 odd games without a win they were still pulling crowds of 25k. Are we smaller than Derby? They had over 28k there tonight and I doubt Clough will come under attack as their winning streak has come to an end but I wondering if our supportive fans will be so forgiving over the coming weeks as we are bound to drop points eventually. I have long come to the conclusion that Saints have a loyal and unwavering bedrock of fans of c.15k who will never give up on the club but that is not going to help us to survive in the long term and we are then in a catch 22. Mid table mediocrity in the CCC without the revenues to push for promotion to persuade the fickle and fairweather fan to return and of course we have to ignore the overtly prejudiced fan who simply refuse to support Lowe. To hear a fan like yourself say you will not sing Wotte's name or accept him until we are in the Champions league either supports my theory there are indeed fickle fans and worse idiots like you who class themselves supporters who you are on a massive wind up.

Really? Is that why on the 2nd march Connor and his ill advised chums displayed banners ridiculing the hire of Wotte and clearly wanting his head after 4 games? I assume Wotte can read and concluded that parts of the fan base were not fully behind the team. Perhaps P you were a little sensitive the comments were directed at you. There only one MARK WOTTE, one MARK WOTTE...go on practice singing I dare you or would you prefer Paul Hart?

Marco, I'll give you Perry. However, Wright was never on the radar untill all 3 keepers got injured at the same time forcing Pearson's somewhat lucky hand. If he had bought in Wright and shipped out another keeper to get him in then yes inspired management but otherwise it was just plain fortunate. As for Lucketti, did Pearson think he would have us safe by the last game of season so he could afford not to have Lucketti as the terms of the loan prevented him playing against his parent club? Touch shortsighted given Pearson only had 14 games to 'engineer' our survival. So Pearson's contacts and strength as a manager would have seen players flock to us this season for nothing? Signing fees are largely irrelevent if you pay the player handsomely but you don't mention tke Leicester wage bill which I suspect is quite high for a league 1 club. His managerial experience as at the start of the season was hardly impressive and for an expert U21 helper it was surprising Pearson didn't get the best out of the likes of Surman, Lallana, Gillett, James, McGoldrick and so on as he barely played any youth so hardly the combination of youth and experience you allude to. In fact it seems Wotte is in the process of giving Pearson a master class in managing a team on the brink unless you see any 5-0 capitulations on the horizon.

Mike it's excellent news. Easter weekend and I am away on holiday so will missed the high pitched screaming and all the young Tyro tykes who support Man U or Chelsea shouting abuse at our own players. Unfortunately with a bunch of out of control 10 year olds you can't exactly give them some stick but last year when I was sitting next to some manager/parent helpers listening to then slag off our efforts (and those of Safri who at the time was by far our best player) and how it wasn't like watching Chelsea it kind of grates a little bit. I know some fans who may not have put up with that and willing to make a 'bit of a challenge' in front of a bunch of noisy kids. Hopefully, for your sake they'll be rounded up and stuck in the corners away from the true Saints fans and their kids but personally I am glad to be missing the game as my ear drums won't stand the shrills and my generally calm demeanour won't be tested to the limit by the comments of some wannabe Mouriniho taking his U10's for a dayout whilst sadly wearing his matching and initialled tracksuit. Still needs must and if all our prejudiced stay aways returned we wouldn't have to put with it. However, I have no problem to members and ST holders being offered the occassional child ticket or two for £1 but detest block selling to the junior teams. I have not read the offer but it should be a one £1 child ticket per adult but as I can't make the game they can sell 15,000 tickets for a £1 especially if only 10% of those then badger their Families to attend.

Quite right, it's a school night.

and I believe 100% had we kept the old system we would have been bust before Christmas as the rules of engagement had changed somewhat. You can't compare what Pearson has done at leicester with what he could have done here as the financial constraints are somewhat different not to mention the vastly inferior opposition. The two wins are giving most of us hope because of the quality of the opposition and the marked difference in the players attitude and commitment under Wotte. No doubt if we lose the next two away games you will delight that your unfounded theories can be wheeled out again but the reality is we don't know how good Pearson is until he is given a chance of managing in the higher leagues. It could easily go a bit Paul Ince for him next season. I'll be interested to understand how we could attract better players for next to nothing? Surely, these better players/journeymen players want paying and their pensions topped up and we couldn't sell the 'better players' we already had; John, Rasiak, Saga, Euell, Skacel and I suppose we have to be grateful Idiotkez (much loved by Pearson btw) was at the end of his contract otherwise that would have been another 10,000 nails in our coffin each week. Stick to posting your unhinged views on the Echo and look on the brightside Wotte hasn't identified Vincent Pericard as being key to our survival. Nigel Pearson the messiah of Saints? I know football is a religion but that is a leap of faith to far IMO.

Didn't realise Wotton was injured just thought he was being kept out of the side by a younger player who seems to have found some spirit and belief. You are preaching to the converted but don't worry its good to read something positive that supports my own assessment of the situation. I have had a few bosses in my time and respected many and adored none, apart from the wife. Wotte and probably Svensson have made a big difference but I don't think the contribution of KD should be overlooked nor the impact of Saeijs has had on the team - an inspired signing. I would like to see BWP given a start down the right as despite his efforts its not coming off for Lallana at the moment. I hope your right about the end of the beginning and on the pitch I am quietly confident that the Wotte way will deliver. However, I remain very concerned about the financial situation and that Lowe's silence is deafening coupled with Wilde's comments in the programme, no ST renewals landing yet in NW Hants and stewards alledgedly only being paid on a one week basis. I don't know if the stewards rumour is 100% accurate but although my source was credible and has the right contacts in the game I don't know how stewards are normally paid. i.e monthly, weekly or under what type of contract. Taking that out of the equation we can only hope improved performances lead to increased attendances and revenues because financially I sense we are more precarious than Charlton's league position.

Read my previous posts and assess the stats in the light of the massive downturn in the economies. I think it does support though that 1k fans walked away simply because of Lowe but arguably if Crouch had carried on his rate of decline in one season from start to finish then we would have been worse off. Alos Lowe hasn't gone down the £1 a kid route and turn the atmosphere at home games into a kindergarten. I think Window Cleaner mentioned revenues for bums on seats so time will tell. No wonder you love stats if you look at them as simply as you do i.e. in an isolation chamber.

'Experienced players immediately farmed out by Lowe' and apparently in Saga's case against his wishes. Oh, I wonder why Lowe did that? I'm not dressing up Wotte as some incredible feat of strategic planning but just strategic planning and where else was he going to turn had he not appointed Wotte? You and your it's not rocket science theory if you know football. Knowing is one thing, doing is another thing altogether. I see you choose to ignore the signing of Saejis who has had a major impact on strengthening our defence and I wonder who gave us the inside track on him? Not exactly Vincent Pericard is he? Apart from the returning Saga who has been inspirational the age thing is a bit of a myth as both Skacel and Euell were used in the first half of the season and Euell was written off as being crap by many of those on this forum! Skacel had been looking like he was eating his way through his £12k pw. Remains a great pity we haven't sold him purely on a bangs per buck basis and we look vulnerable at left back whereas James has really come on in recent weeks. Oh more poistive youth over experience b0ll0x. Lets also not forget that Gillett and McGoldrick look like different players and the last two games I haven't seen the latter swan about with his hands on his hips once during a game. Must be all those older players in the team. Lallana remains the weak link and is working hard but it's not coming off for him and we should perhaps play with BWP down the right to reflect the good work down our left. Interesting Wotton has been largely dispensed with during our last two games for the younger Gillett. Shall we drop Gillett for Wotton? Is that what the fans want? Thank god McLaggon got injured as that would really scupper your theory.