sadoldgit

Yep. And why is it ok to criticse one but not another? As you say, this place should be for grown ups.

I have this problem. It seem to me that the 5 year plan (now a 4 year plan of course) involved getting us into the Premiership, selling up and moving on. So I have 2 questions. What happens to us when they move on and what happens to us if we are not in the Premiership in 4 years time?

If you bother to read what I say I dont say that managers are infallible. Quite the opposite. They all are so why hang them out to dry for being human? Same with CEOs. but it seems that we have to leave a certain one alone now?

Pardew himself didn't seem very sure about his future and alot of old Saints "heros" came out of the woodwork to support him - so perhaps there was a reason for that?

I agree. I find it odd that the likes of Lowe, Wilde, Crouch etc were up for criticism but Cortese isn't. Why should the sad passing of the owner make his position even more fireproof? LIke the other CEOs, Cortese will make errors and he will get things right. His position and decisions should be no less up for discussion and scrutiny than anyone elses. Frankly I find the whole "In NC we trust" to be cringeworthy. Not so long ago he was being castigated for his petty actions re the echo and photographers. Nothing in his statement alludes t the fact that he has made some PR gaffes but because of the passing of ML. somehow we are suppose to firget that stuff? For goodness sakes, the passing of Markus was very sad and untimely, but it doesn't mean that Cortese suddenly walks on water and can do no wrong.

I thought I had done.

I don't know either person Alps. But I got a different feeling to Markus than I do for Nicola. There is no reason why people become friends, they just do. But I am not going to change my opinion of someone because another person liked them.

That would be the Chris Nicholl that blew the legacy that McMenemy left behind?

Indeed.

Because that is how he comes across to me Alps (and many others apparently). Mr Cortese may have many noble attributes but being avunclar isn't one of them (to me).

Can't let what go? Oh, you mean that some people are ok so we can treat them with an element of humanity and respect but others aren't so they aren't given the basic element of humanity or respect? Tell me, because you hated Lowe with a passion do you think that nobody cares fo him? Really, it is such b*llox.

Then do it. Why start a thread saying you are going to do it? It may well be a tough time for Mr Cortese at the moment. I imagine it is far tougher for Markus's family.

Not watching Dawn Goes Lesbian then?

In 1976 sat in the United end trying to contain my emotion when the lads paraded the Cup around the ground in case I lost my teeth. At Orient crushed against the wall but popped out on to the pitch just before the wall collapsed. Walked off the pitch with the players celebrating the draw that took us closer to promotion. Sat at work when the phone rang with my Dad telling we we had just signed Keegan. Happy days.

So you don't think that he has friends and family who care for him? Most odd. Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean to say others don't.

Interesting. I wonder if many people feel the same? I would have been shocked but I don't get the same vibe about him than I did about Markus. Same with Ted Bates. There is something about them both that makes you think of your favourite uncle. I can think of many things that Mr Cortese makes me think of, none of them avuncular.

Another thing Alps, do you think that they will be telling stories like that when Mr Cortese passes about him? Legod, good point. Time is shorter than we think.

Kindly avuncular old gent befriends hip young gunslinger to do his dirty work for him maybe? You can't see Markus falling out with the Echo or getting involved in some of the stunts that Cortese has can you? In all walks of life unlikely pairings occur. I don't think it is strange that they were close. What is more important now is how is Cortese viewed by the people who own the purse strings.

Not really Alps. I know plenty of people who are total nightmares and forge deep relationships with quite, kind people. Ask yourself this, had Nicola passed away instead of Markus do you think it would have been felt so keenly? It was nice that they were close. I expect people were close to Rupert too!

The Mermaid in Rye is supposed to be haunted. Lovely place but spendy. Didn't see one myself but there was a loud bang on the door.

Another sad point - we have learned more about Markus the man since he passed then we ever knew when he was here.

Read that at work on the Echo page and it brought a tear to my eye. So sad that he was unable to see the job through and buy more watches!

Since relegation from the Premiership we have gone through more players than I have had arguements on here with Alps! We have gotten very used to a spinning door mentality (and with managers). At some point it will stop but I agree with most that we are probably at least 2 short of the squad needed to challenge all season long.

Those were happy days indeed!!!!