Saint86

His win rate is 38% and 2 of those wins were Hughes

Purchased the home shirt from Sports Direct in the sales. Thought the quality was really poor compared to previous seasons, particularly the sponsor logo.

There seems to be a lot of negativity surround Mark Hughes at the moment which slightly surprises me? Maybe we could get a poll going as to whether fans are happy to have him as manager for the coming seasons, or would rather he wasn't our manager. I think he is a good manager all in all, and one we can expect to get us to around 9-10th place in the league with a good enough season. For me he was absolutely key in us staying up last year, and would have achieved it with games to spare if not for some bad luck/confidence against Arsenal/Chelsea/Everton. He also seemed to have a good reception at the fan's forum. I agree that pre-season could have gone better, but I also think a lot of that has to do with the world cup / condensed window / china tour - its not ideal for a club that just scraped survival. That said, I think we have bought well, and I feel he'll settle into a good formation and we'll kick on from there. I also don't think it is far to blame him for our problems, he has only improved the team since he has been here. Or is that famous last words? What are other peoples thoughts - I would rather have him as manager than not.

I understand your point of view regarding the economics of football totally. But lets not pretend for one second that being genetically predisposed as an incredible athlete is a skill. Technical ability is one thing of course. But most footballers at top level are fit athletes with a decent touch, playing in a system that they have had drilled into them. E.g. you can teach a GK or a CB to be a surgeon, they won't be as good of course.... but you can't teach a brain surgeon to be 6ft 4in, agile and strong - they either genetically have it or don't. There are players like Messi which if anything prove the point. He is not physically exceptional, but is regarded as a special player because of his ability, nothing else. There are not many players at top level that are there for skill alone.

Interesting fact that has next to nothing to do with saints "you will do away with the courage and pluck of the game, and it will be bound to bring over a lot of Frenchmen who would beat you with a week’s practice" Without doubt, I give you an 1800's Brexit voter - Superb foresight as well

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/15/anti-nazi-league-founders-call-for-new-national-campaign "Group says political movement needed to combat challenge from ‘racist and fascist right’" Can't decide if this is deliberate spin or the left really is this oblivious to its evils. Only one side of the political spectrum is antisemitic.

Pompey are at their level now. And without serious investment (imaginary or not), they aren't going to get promoted until they've been relegated first.

The fact that the entire pier has collapsed makes me think the foundations went to be honest. Its not a case of the deck failing and the pier still being there.

They really don't want to face us do they. throwing games away just to dodge the potential bullet.

There has been a serious bridge collapse in Genoa where a significant section of highway has fallen 70-100m onto the river / buildings below. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45183624 http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/08/14/italian-bridge-collapses-police-say.html Thoughts go out to the families. Just horrendous. The bridge was built in the 1960's. Span that fell estimated to be somewhere between 100-200m length with several vehicles on it at the time. Absolutely horrific accident for European infrastructure. Anyone know anything about the bridge or likely construction? Guessing this is a pre-stressing or shear failure given the location.

Did anyone read the guardian defense of Corbyn? Shocking newspaper that one. Biased articles, no/limited area for public debate, and almost brutal fake news to push the Corbyn cause (at least on this point). You know you're in trouble reputationally when the Mail is able to one rings around your level of reporting on such a serious issue. I can't decide if I want the man gone, or if I want him to cling on as leader to ensure Labour don't get in. One thing is certain however, A JC leadership would decimate the country for a decade. That lot will be positively frothing at the mouth if BoJo ever made it to No.10.

Its almost like our fans were oblivious to how negative our previous two managers were? We have decent attacking players. They had bad games because we played with 10men behind the ball even when attacking...

On Friday night I placed a bet with my Villa supporting mate that Leeds would get playoffs. I see no reason to be concerned.

You're to young to sound this old. A perfect example of what Southampton Football Club does to its fans

Its an interesting attempt. One we have left to the last minute, obviously... and one which is a second choice because we didn't want to pay any real money... we're still trapped by the legacy of expensive players on stupid contracts and it is hurting us big time. If he comes and stays fit and in form, a good deal. if not meh.

It is flat out unacceptable to sell him. That is gallagher, targett and JWP that the club have tried to shift this summer. Completely sold our soul.

Not happening if that is the case. Club's PR mouthpiece dulling fan expectations once again.

On the basis that we are sticking with this 3-5-2 malarkey, my team is as follows: .......................Alex.................... ..Matt T Bedna Yoshi Vesty Bert.. ...............Hoj........... JWP........... ..................Armstrong................ ..................Ely Gabbi................. But I would go for a 4-3-3 and with Yoshi and Bedna at the back.

Its not even worth betting on saints at 7-1 tbh.

Agreed and agreed. This place is becoming really unbarable in the last week or so. I am glad the season is almost here and doubly glad there was a world cup to distract people for most of the summer!

Agreed, the melts are out in force this summer. I would far rather have Hughes than Puel or Mopey. We got to a league cup final under Puel and I still binned of my season ticket because I couldn't stomach another season of his football.

I decided i was not renewing my season ticket after Puel's first season. It was the correct call then, and it remains it still. Struggling to find any justification to put any money into the club when i am so against the ownership and management structure.

Its gonna be a long slow start to the season.

RIP to him and all former Saints.

Les Reed's destruction of the team and the fan bond, coupled with a ridiculous trip to china.... This is the result. Just hope we have enough about us.!