Just emailed the Echo - advising them I would no longer be buying the paper and have urged my family to do similar - got this reply.
Many thanks for your email and comments regarding the Daily Echo and its Saints coverage.
Obviously we do not feel happy when some Saints fans become upset over our coverage.
However, it is difficult to see how we could have reported these matters in any different manner.
The facts are that the speculation regarding the future of Alan Pardew was started by Radio Solent quoting a source at the club close to the owner. The club and Radio Solent, as you no doubt know, have a financial arrangement so we can take what they say as an official view.
This speculation was taken up by national newspapers and elicited a strong response from such Saints legends as Matt le Tissier, Kevin Keegan and so on.
The Daily Echo sought clarification from the club day after day. We wished to put the rumours to bed and move on with positive news. A simple vote of confidence from the chairman would have quelled the rumours - this was not given. Yesterday, as you know, the chairman issued a statement on the matter and attacked us as well as others. The only media he did not attack was Radio Solent who began the rumours and speculation in the first place.
Now, some might say we could have, should have kept quiet and not reported on the whole matter, but that would be extremely unfair. Why should the Daily Echo, alone of all media, have to keep quiet on such an important issue to the fans? Why should Radio Solent, paid for by your licence fee, be allowed to start rumours and then escape any blame? Why indeed...
I believe we acted responsibly throughout and gave every opportunity for the club to put the record straight on rumour and speculation we did not start.
Some are telling us that the chairman only backed down over sacking his manager because of the publicity given to Pardew's cause and the support he received from sports legends, the media and of course the vast vast majority of the fans. I cannot speculate on that of course.
I hope that sets out a little clearer what has taken place.
Many thanks for taking the time to contact me.