Weston Saint

Holbury, he is not who you think. How do I know? Because the only connection he has to Saints is his season ticket and as a supporter.

The answer for me Frank is yes he would have performed better than JP. Why? The formation has changed to one more suitable to this league and the spirit in the dressing room and on the field of play is also better. Wotte is stronger and more disciplined. That aside, wining breeds confidence and it is also possible Wotte had more player choice from the moment he came in. Overall JP was out of his depth, of that I am convinced.

Is 1965onwards a PR plant put on here by Rupert Lowe to disrupt this obviously anti Lowe forum? Food for thought?

Absolutely agree. This team appears to have the right balance and desire. Stick with it.

I am told very reliably Lowe and Cowen have been working tirelessly behind the scenes with others to try to secure finances and stave off Administration since they came back. I am not going to go into the pro's and con's of the early season coaching structure, I think it has been proved that Lowe and Wilde got it wrong whatever the reasons for the change and Pearson is proving with Leicester he has what it takes. Money is still a massive issue. With the player loans out and choice of first team the overdraft had reduced but of course we all know the consequence was poor team selection, poor application, poor results and the inevitable sharp decline in paying supporters. Now with the present Coach, balance in the team and an eagerness to perform well we are seeing results on the field but unfortunately at the expense of finances. Was Lowe a lot closer to getting it right than we give him credit for? The answer has to be a firm No on playing/results but yes on finances. Is he getting it right now? Results suggest he is but we will only know the answer to that if he can keep us from the relegation trap door and Administration. This is still a very real possibility. Green shoots on the playing field but not in the purse at present.

Col, I just felt the message was so positive I am sure Herby does not mind. If he does ask him to say so on the list and I will contact him.

According to Herbie Taylor (SMS tour guide) Under is a part of his post on Saintslist which I hope he will not mind me reproducing "I can tell you there is a great atmosphere in the dressing room. Kelvin Davis takes his role as captain very seriously and mixes humour and discipline in his approach to all aspects off the field. You can bet your life one or two of the lads have ben reminded of their responsibilities. The players look up to him and he relishes his responsibility. My spies tell me it is a happy dressing room, Rudi Skacel is smiling a joking again and looks much more contented, maybe he feels needed. So well done Mark Wotte and his staff. You only had to see the joy and relief on the players faces at the final whistle to see what it meant to them." Good positive stuff

Agree Jan. Really looks the part. Just wish we could find a right back so he can display his talents in midfield. Good passer, good crosser and undoubted football brain developing.

A combination of first year at this level and poor fitness training. The concentration seems to be more on tactics and formation at present. But they are working much harder in the recent matches. I said at half time the players that have come in this season need games and are beginning to show some ability at this level. Next season should see the team profit from this experience.

No you are probably right Steve. We seem to have seen the same person. My mistake.

Ah was I? Maybe, just glanced over quickly. Who is Les and what does he do then?

Come back Wes. You would have been proud of the teams fight for 95 minutes, to see the Manager swerling his jacket round his head at the final whistle, the players in a huddle at the end with the Manager before leaving the field, the Northam and Itchen singing positively throughout and and Woggy was back in the technical area at the end of the game. Financially we are still very much in the mire and it is still touch and go so your money is needed. Not for Lowe and Wilde but for Wotte and the team. Feeling very positive tonight.

No doubt Hampshire have to look for a new overseas player for the start of the season. North looks to be an automatic to tour with the Aussies in the summer and they have already indicated that they will pull him from the Hants contract if he does make it.

What happened to Westoner? I see some similar posts of his style on this thread and some others. Has he changed his posting name?

How about the stay aways because of the way the club is being run, particularly Lowe, pick a game where they all agree to attend but first sending out a missive to the board that they are going to do that to show what they are missing? That might be a positive protest. If it took the attendance beyond the break even figure it would be food for thought not only for the board but the banks and future investors.

I have found it better not to respond to Stanley. I know some of his history.

Yes Duncan, if they go back up the parachute payment stops. In fact last year or may be the year before there were calls for the money saved by the premier be distributed between the lower leagues. I think some was.

I said I was told a board meeting 3 weeks time and the last board meeting was on the day of the Sheffield United game. I was not told a specific date, just three weeks. I have not heard anything else since but if my source reads this I am sure he will ring me if his information was right or wrong.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/darlington/7909576.stm First of many leading up to the end of the season?

I seem to recall you telling me of Hone intimidating in the same manner Gordon???

Celtic down 43% from this time last year

Spurs price is down 51% from this time last year.

Just a thought. Bearing in mind the make up of the team last Saturday, does this not suggest that the present board are getting behind the Manager and letting him get on with the job. I appreciate we all, well most of us, have issues with Lowe and Wilde but should we now take the same approach as the board and support the Manager and the Team? I am not against protests and applaud young Bowers and others for getting off their backsides and doing something rather than moan on here but think not about the reason for the protest but what it was supposed to achieve. Last Saturday's team and performance would suggest the message may have got through. Let's give them all a chance this Saturday to show they continue to listen.

But he is not doing it for BC, why would it have been any different for us!

What the Stern John who felt he was better suited to BC style of play and has scored 2 goals for them since joining?