Daft Kerplunk

The reality is that football is run by people with little care, and in some cases, little understanding of football beyond it being a fairly lucrative business with guaranteed customers. Outside our detached owners, our own team at the top is made up of posh boys who probably like rugby or cricket more than football, or at least deep down they do, or that’s what their kids play because football is just for oiks. No problem with that but it just exemplifies that those running football don’t love the game on a deep level. When that’s the case, it’s only about money, whatever they say. A European league run with playoffs like the big us leagues would be an answer but those leagues developed that way as they got bigger. A European league is a contraction and as many point out, you can only have one winner and that means 15 other teams used to winning don’t. They are underestimating why people not in the communities nearby like those teams in the way they do. The obvious dream to the big teams is US sport leagues but all American Leagues have population and demographic requirements to host a team in a league (apart from some very traditional teams like Green Bay Packers) and there is way more geographic loyalty. Each team can sustain itself to a degree because of corporate business, stadium seat purchases and local TV deals. Apart from baseball, every team has to take part in a draft and each team gets a superstar or two, and there are big restrictions on wages paid. A European super league wouldn’t necessarily fail but it won’t be the walk in the park the top boys think. I for one would have limited interest and kids aren’t watching like they used to so football might end up alienating its core audiences. If it had balls, the premier league would call these teams bluff, and as someone suggested, say they need to leave all competitions in the UK. They won’t and ultimately, these clubs will get a great share of the TV revenue.

All these players should be sent on loan and probably moved on ideally. None are really likely first eleven material for a top twelve prem club.

These little ITK spats are hilarious. As if anyone is going to say, ‘yeah my source is Zoe in the legal team, or Charlie in marketing or Caroline at the FDSC (Staplewood)’. Keep posting any snippets those who are ITK or claim to be, ignore those who are envious of your contacts...or perhaps are plants from inside ‘the club’ who try to rubbish you?

Would be a desperate and massive mistake

That was indeed the possible 🤣

Oooh, just think of the academy graduate chat the marketing team can talk about with this one. So much mileage of a player ‘coming home’ even if he’s way past his best and we couldn’t afford the two (possibly three) really decent ones.

UA would never have been able to fulfil this because they probably aren’t quick enough at turning kit manufacture around but their decision to agree to a third party making them is perhaps a way out of a contract they over paid for. Plus they seem less interested in football, or can’t afford to be in it anymore. Glad ‘the club’ is letting people keep the shirts although they would’ve gone in the bin anyway 🤣

If true, I look forward to enjoying his contribution for a few years

Excellent news if Gao is to go and be replaced by a proper owner. Glad Martin Semmens is now fixing this mistake by the then leadership team of Kruger, Liebherr and Semmens 👍🏼

Makes perfect sense if it also helps get rid of u23 players who will never make it to our first team, some barely end up as professional players yet have several years as a ‘pro’ on fantastic money.

That’s whole chunk of change for some directors and senior management staff!

Pompey at home...we owe them a proper battering, no foots off the pedal

When all is bad there is always hope

The big difference was that the players were moving and you could see that there was a purpose to the play, sometimes this season at SMS it’s been a fearful pass backwards and a forward pass has been available. I believe most fans know the difference and wouldn’t have been critical. At home fans rightly expect their team to be on the front foot, hopefully the players are regaining the confidence they need to play that way at home.

Hate me now instrumental is 100% what the players come out to. The music when the players shake hands is the Premier League anthem.

F**k me we were s**t but a win is a win

Great move of true. There was surprise when Les got the job over Crocker in the first place. From some people in the game I know, he will be much more demanding than Les was in the right areas so I’d imagine some of the academy staff from senior to lower will be made to answer some questions about why the standards have slipped and so many good people have been replaced by average ones.

Phone the accounts team and ask them to deny it

Let’s do away with some myths. She lent the club money for which she was paid back as well as using club accounts to pay for her and her son’s lifestyle, and then sold the club to the first person who came along. She, as well as others, is very much responsible for where we are...which is a relegation favourite just a few years after being a team that could’ve been a permanent top half/pushing for Europe. She deserves nothing from fans. Her Dad, yes. Her, none.

Someone ITK might confirm but I was told Radhi hasn’t been coaching the team very much this season and has been largely sidelined. Maybe another Bathampton coach has come in to do it, or someone with a West Country connection?

Just saw this on our website. Does anyone have kids that play in these tournaments? https://www.southamptonfc.com/global-football-development/southampton-cup/southampton-cup-series-usa

I will be happy with this a)when I see it actually happen and b)when the players are decent and not ‘one for the future’

No, they had a falling out apparently. Has left Ralph with some bang average (at best) support on the coaching side but the power he was given and had in the club allowed him to get rid of someone who was more important than anyone probably realised because Ralph had been given hero status. Last season he and Rohl were a two-man show on the sideline, this year he has nothing.

There’s no money to invest. You have hit the nail on the head when it comes to character. They are a weak bunch. Not great players and certainly not the mid table team some think we are because even that takes players with a good mentality as well as technique.

What a massive lie that was