yorkie

Norm I couldn't agree more. Freedom of speech is one thing - a what if on a peaceful protest is something else. But being the teaching council - if it had been a CND rally it probably would have been OK!

May sound a bit dumb - but having got a group together to march on SMS - what happens when we get there? Is there going to be songs on the way? Is a police escort being arranged or provided? Does a march of football fans in their home town become a threat? Is there a coffin being delivered? Will there be a 10 minute rally outside the stadium? What happens when plod or Rupert's brown shirts (sorry stewards) start getting heavy? Has anyone got a bull horn of getting the message across? Once at the stadium will there be specific songs to sing? I know it seems a lot to digest - but as someone another thread stated..."Are you the Judea Popular Front?"...the older ones will know what I mean! I have to say I can see it turning into a sombre stroll to SMS with people staring at a bunch of middle aged men; get to SMS and mill about as there will be "true fans" outside waiting to go in; and the opportunity to make a statement is lost. I wonder if any of the pro-Lowe mob will be there to try and shout us down? No I just remebered they'll all be inside on the concourse spending money! No doubt the club will be reading this thread to see what our stratergy is - so we might as well make it known what is intended so everyone can plan for the best. As far as I can see the more the club do to stop a peaceful stroll to a football ground by football fans - the better it is for our cause. Even though Mr Lowe will be on the piste next Saturday, I believe firmly he must be the focus for the anger shown. Wilde doesn't interfere with the football matters - but he still needs to get the message. There are many influentual people inside SMS on matchday in hospitality and the Directors box - surely they must get the message! Personally I would love to see a couple of thousand people turn up. The town centre would come to a complete stand still and the space around SMS would become congested to say the least. I can't wait to see the face of the people watching out the windows when we all turn around and walk away - that will really hurt. I don't know what 2,000 people look like walking away - but it makes a great statement. Personally I would wait until 15.05 as then the full magnitude of the people walking away will be felt. We have less than a week to plan this properly - so who is the focal point?

Without trying to p*ss on your bonfire - I'm for joining the protests next week and not attending the game. It's a lot of money - but I think it must be a way to show the discontent - even when Jan resigns. How much publicity is this getting? It has a brief mention in The Echo - plus a few posters on here seem keen to go - but looking at the numbers a couple of hundred isn't going to make much of an impact. We need literally thousands to turn out to make the point! So what is being done in Southampton? A couple of thousand members on here and at the last look a hundred were going. Thats no a very high percentage is it. We only represent a very small proportion of fans - it neeeds to spread further. Radio, TV and local papers. All due respect for getting something going - but this needs to be big - and not a damp squibb. As for Lowe not being there - it doesn't matter. It's not a personal vendetta - it's about getting the "board members" who go to games to react. We the customers must have a say in how our club is run and performs on the pitch. If it ain't working something needs to be done. Let's not get carried away a one off march has to the start until something changes in the boardroom. One final thought - the lunatic fringe as we are called must show respect for the law. I fear the march will be infiltrated with an anti-establishment element that will stir up emotions and try to get things to kick off. This is likely to happen when we hit the Private Property of the Stadium. Just beware - it is no place for children! I like a good day out and with a 4 hour drive there followed by a four hour drive back - I don't care if as a stayaway I am not a true fan - I want to show the club it means more to me than sitting on my ar$e in Yorkshire doing nothing!

I bet Hockaway challenged our coaching system. Let's face it you don't bite the hand tjhat feeds at SFC!

I did join the Trust in place of renewing my membership in 2006. The membership was renewed for free in 2007 - but after appealing for more funds in 2008 and receiving no answer to my question on what the Trust were going to do to oust Lowe...I declined to offer my cash. The idea of the Trust was good at the time, but it seems to have lost it's way a bit. The Fan on the Board was a farce for someone (I can't guess who) to get his nose into the trough. Thankfully it never came to pass. Unfortunately I do not feel the Trust represents the fans. A bit like forums like this think they represent every Saints fan. They are a minority who have got a bit of publicity by backing Wilde to oust Lowe - but what are they doing now? I appreciate that no one can ever represent the view of the majority of fans - and personal issues of those fronting any organisation always creates problems. Not having a dig at Mr. Illingsworth, but he does lead with his chin metophorically speaking. I would back the Trust if it had a figure head that could unite the fans. We need a Mr.Southampton figure, an ex-player, a legend. There is one man who springs to mind - but I doubt his commitments would allow him to put himslef forward. So SAints Trust get yourself a figurehead the fans could look to for leadership. My choice would be MLT. There are many reasons - he is well respected in all aprts of the greater Southampton community, he gets exposure on SkySports and people want to talk to him about Southampton. So Saints Trust - there is your challenge - get yourself a figurehead and watch the fans flock to join an organisation that could challenge Lowe, Wilde and his cohorts.

Close The Northam - and get everyone form Itchen North Corner & Itchen to relocate to The Chapel (of Rest). At least then the team would be attacking an end full of home supporters in the 2nd half. Who are ya?

This does make me laugh inside, but on the outside it hurts. The problem is people believe passionately in The Club, but are not capable of expresing dicontent without using their fists. Sure in "my" day fists were used in anger but aimed at opposition fans. It's not big and not clever but that was the way it was - I'm not proud of the 70's or 80's - just a bit of laddish behaviour. I protest in a more peaceful way now. Firstly by not attending games at SMS. Sure it's a long way, but I was a regular once. The pressure on match days is immense, and I know those who go to SMS expect better. There are plenty of "Let's give Jan a chance" brigade and STs who want "Lowe Out". Whilst we can look to be united - more results like this will drive a huge wedge between the fan base. It started today by the sounds of it. I thought I'd get a smack at Barnsley last week with my anti-Lowe vigil, but it was apathy that ruled the day. Almost as if it didn't matter. I believe the only thing that will get things moving is a genuine boycott of games in the future. Surely even those who spent all that money on a ST could miss one game. Let them say there was 15,000 there with the stadium being empty. Look many will disagree but surely we are better going down due to having points deducted than struggling all season to start next year on -10 points. Hate to say that this is one situation we don't seem to have an answer for.

Discontent will fill the hearts of all Saints fans - especially after last weeks result. Lowe will do nothing - he believes in Jan. Jan to go? Lowe to go? Saints to be relegated? Only one of the above seems obvious to me! Can't believe people will keep saying "Keep the faith" - we need a miracle now!

Sorry I didn't report earlier but been chasing my tail! Personally with the team defending the Saints end in the 1st half, it was a good time to assess him. I thought he looked pretty solid. Good in the air and strong on the ground. He doesn't get bullied or pushed around and I got the impression he was dishing it out a bit too. There were times in the first half he just looked so composed. He always seemed to have the measure of Macken, and when he did stand a bit too far off he got away with, with a well timed tackle. I thought he was just what the doctor ordered - and whilst Jan knew nothing of him coming and Cork going, someone at the the club must be lsitening to all the forums. The fact is introduce a few experienced heads and whilst every one keeps saying we won ugly - there were times when the passing and movement made Barnsley look very ordinary. We suffer very badly in the final third - almost as if no one wants to take responsibility for having a go. Peery and Size (you know who I mean) at the heart of our defence will be a solid foundation to build on. We still look a bit vulnerable at left and right back, and midfield looks a bit lightweight. Holmes and Schneiderlin look good but get knocked off the ball too easily and don't put a foot in enough. Saying that given the ball and better distribution (especially Holmes) we could start believing we have a team of crowd pleasers. I worry about our presence in the final third - we are struggling with someone who is hungry to score a goal. It's almost like we want to score a goal like Arsenal. The perfect goal - passing the ball into the back of the net - like Lalanna's at QPR.

I think the biggest problem is Saganowsi is on a different wavelength to everyone else. The were no good balls into his feet, everything was pushed into space for him to run to, but although he got to a lot of them there was no support. Supporters got behind him as although he showed very little I thought McGoldrick and BWP had more space and time to do what they did best. A few more training sessions and a bit more of understanding between the forwards will see him make more space and create more chances for the younger ones. At least when the ball was cleared he was there putting pressure on their defenders. I know sometimes it's easy to say "Nothing Spectacular" - but I think he really is a different class to the rest of the forwards...it's called experience!

How dare you refer me as a 5-2-1 nutter! Codger if you please you washed up old fireman! Nice to see you again Shrek...I had a great day out! Thawed out - christ I know what you mean - my ears were burning by the time I got to Wakefield. Apologies to all those I offended with my attempts at Anti-Lowe lyrics to some well known away songs...but the team support was terrific. Travelling fans are so much better than the STs at SMS who are of course the super fans!

Well I'll try this theory at Barnsley - when we win we can than me for the anti-Lowe day I am arranging!

If I have anything to do with it there will be plenty... Suggest we segregate ourselves...the left side faitful can be the luvvies "We're the Lowe side" All the Anti's (like me) on the right side "We're the Lunies over 'ere" (Lunies of course as a reference to the small minority of the lunatic fringe). Never seen myself as a right wing extremist - but there is always a first time. And if you just don't care sit in the middle - but be sure to sing all the songs for both sides! We're the Lunies We're the Lunies We're the Lunies over 'ere Lunatic Fringe Lunatic Fringe Hello Hello We want a club That's better than this We wan a club that's better than this It needs a board with some money We want a club that's bigger than this E I E I E I O Down the Championship we go And when in administration This is what we'll sing Rupert Lowe Rupert Lowe Rupert he should swing R U P E R T Rupert is a jerk for free With no football knowledge And his gang of three Rupert is a tw*t you see

I know we did because of the winter conditions and frozen pitches up and down the country none of the other "top" teams were playing - but we were playing virtually every week keeping us clear at the top.

Kelvin is in goal and McGoldrick starts up front. Surman & Lallana are both injured. Schneiderlin is not fully fit hence sits on the bench in case we need him. Rupert hasn't quite finalised his selection yet Jan - but as soon as he calls me and asks for some advice on whether to risk playing 4-4-2 I'll let you know!

Are you saying Lucy doesn't have two - is one is false?

He isn't exactly prolific is he? He pulled his finger out to get that contract a couple of seasons ago, but is nearly as goal-shy as McGoldrick. He could never play up front on his own - at best he seemed to play in the hole or as a target man to feed someone in a 4-4-2. Do Do Do Marek Saganowski!

Dyer should never have been allowed to wear the SAints shirt again after his antics in Portsmouth/Southsea. Should have got rid straight away...like it or not he did something wrong was found guilty and given a new contract? Double Dutch to reward someone for breaking the law. Just glad he's not part of our current set up...I bet Rupert never left him alone in a room with his mobile phone!

Don't think there will be much magic about it really - more likely depression. If I was really sad I would confess to evey year on 3rd round day predict we would win the Cup. OK so in 76 we did, but forecasting has never been a strong point. This season more than any other I would love to dream again - but I truly believe we will get absolutely trounced on Sunday. I will be men against boys literally. United will sit back and let us play some attractive football, and every neutral wanting United to lose will think we are in with a chance. Fergusson will wink and nod and it will all be over. I think they will take pity and stop at 2-0 - but it will be obvious to all and sundry we are not going to make an impression. With relegation more likely than a trip to Wembley for the play offs let alone win 6 games in a competition on the trot and qualify for the final of the FA Cup, dreaming is the only option. At times like this it is I am grateful for the memories - RIP Lowe FC.

Please can I request that someone who attends tomorrow post a summary of the following: 1. Lowe's body language 2. The general atmosphere on the floor 3. Whether there was any anti-Lowe barracking 4. Whether any special motions raised and passed 5. Any non-shareholders turn up outside SMS 6. Whether there were any Lowe Brown shirts in attendance to quell discontent. As a shareholder I could have attended but business commitments at the last minute means I have to be elsewhere. Jan - you seem a fairly level headed when it comes to matters involving our club - is this something you would be prepared to do?

Perhaps he's not going because he can't look RL in the face when he withdraws his backing? It's a farce. The biggest day in the business of a football club and no attendance. Perhaps he has family problems, so let's not assume he's a coward or not interetsed. Let's be a bit more charitable, after all it is the season of good will to ALL men, even these two clowns.

Surprised you've lasted this long. I'm the same age as you and yet I saw this coming at the end of last season when Wilde jumped to back Rupert. I have a warchest for the new men - (anyone but Lowe) - but even now with the credit crunch I may just hold on to it in case we fail to oust the idiots curently running our club.

Surely things can't get any worse! Any other club would be looking at alternatives. Any other board would be demanding something better. Any other club would not have 28,000 turn up to give them another chance? It is really daft, but even from this far up the M18 I know how it hurts! And if anyone tries to tell me it is the stay aways fault - these bunch just aren't up for it!

Strange to sit all afternoon waitning for the 2nd goal...knowing the longer it went on the more likely Owls would score. Disappointed but not surprised! Results went our way again...try to see some positives but all I can say is at least we have a team of triers!

I won't be coming - even though the corner will be Itchen corner will be open. It'll be a nearly full house - full of old United fans from all over. It'll be like a home game for United. It will be a cracking game - at least we won't capitualte like we did that season under Redknapp. United won't break a sweat, but the lads will give them a game - the problem I see is who is going to score? We'll get a couple of chances against them - but I doubt if Fergie will put out a full team. Why should he? They will be kids with the likes of Rooney and Renaldo on the bench or in the stands! Rupes will be creaming himself...all our talented lads in the shop window for the January sales. TV revenue, lots of bonus add ons - especially on the corporate side.