Weston Saint

There is no one out there prepared to buy us Bill. Not at present anyway

Just a thought. We all know Saints are in a financial mess and under pressure from the bank to reduce the overdraft still further. Just say Crouch, in return for a say in the future of SLH and knowing Lowes cost cutting is likely to kick in big time after June when many of the big contracts expire, offers a loan of £2m or so interest free with a time limit and review at the end of the season? Just another Wilde thought (see what I did there) is that Michael steps away as Football Chairman and is just a non executive Director leaving Crouch to resume his Football Chairmanship

There could be something in this suggestion of Crouch joining forces.

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ipl2009/content/current/story/387617.html Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff have agreed to pay their counties 10% of their potential earnings from the Indian Premier League, after England's cricketers were cleared to take part in the competition for a three-week window that will rule them out of the start of the English season. The settlement was agreed after negotiations between the Professional Cricketers' Association and the ECB, with Hampshire's chairman, Rod Bransgrove, and Lancashire's Michael Cairns representing the counties of England's two most marketable players. "It's something the players are supportive of," Sean Morris, the chief executive of the PCA, told the Guardian. "One game's absence could net a county a fair bit of money, so commercially it makes sense. The counties would probably prefer it that way round than having a player for one game that he might not have played in anyway." Bransgrove, who has already had dealings with the IPL after agreeing to the release of Dimitri Mascarenhas for last year's competition, described the arrangement as "sensible and adult." If Pietersen was bought at the auction for his projected value of US$1.5 million, his three weeks' work could net his county a sum in the region of £50,000 on a pro-rata basis. That figure could rise for the 2010 season. Lalit Modi told Cricinfo on Friday that he would be expecting a two-year commitment from any player signed by the IPL, and there's still a chance that England may rearrange their summer fixtures to accommodate longer stints in next year's competition. "Broadcasting contracts could make that tricky at the moment, but it's a question of how flexible people can be," said Morris. "It doesn't make sense to have conflicting games between international cricket and the IPL," he added, "so we could reach the stage where England players are available for the whole tournament. Who knows, if that happens, Flintoff could probably part-fund some of the ground redevelopment at Old Trafford by himself."

I doubt Lowe has walked or been pushed Dave. Crouch's reason for being there is not known to me or who invited him. Wilde is Chairman of the Football Club so I would expect the statement to come from him. As to JP's sudden resignation, who knows? Plenty of speculation from both sides but no evidence yet.

I am not going to rise to the bait. You think what you like.

I refer you to Dubai Phil's post earlier on this thread. Forget Glenn Hoddle, it is not going to happen.

I wrote that before a phone call and an email. Nothing further I can add at this stage. I am awaiting further info with interest.

I know Adam Lallana, McGoldrick and James played the first half and they won 2-0 Sending off of one of the opposition came late in the first half when he bought down James. McGoldrick scored both goals with assists from Lallana.

Nick, what was the reason for the game and do you know what team we put out bearing in mind the vitaly important game on Tuesday?

Spot on Phil. Hoddle will not be coming to Southampton as Coach or Manager for the reasons you have stated.

JP went home for the weekend following the Doncaster defeat and no doubt discussed it all with his family. That was followed by a meeting with Lowe where I suspect certain things were said by all including the players and again he would have food for thought. His reflection this week along with the media and fans reaction probably led him to believe that his time was up and he took the honourable step to resign. He may be the only one to come out of this sorry state of affairs with any credit. To answer the question, no I do not see many more changes in the next month or so. Lowe will continue with his plan to stabilize finances assuming the bank give him time.

That is a naive comment.

Just got home but not suprised with JP resigning or Wotte taking the reigns for now. I am not happy with him taking over but it was on the cards. In my opinion it does not remove the problem just passes it to someone else equally inept.

The article appeared on page 61 of yesterdays Echo "Supporters to stage second get-together" A group of Saints fans are staging a second get-together in a matter of days with regards to pooling their Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC shares and forming a strong voice to help force change Season ticket holder Mike Fenner, from Droxford, was among the fans who met at Wickham and who are meeting again tomorrow night at the De Vere Hotel in Southampton (7pm) "It would appear that many fans like myself have had enough" said Mr Fenner. "Is Lowe so thick skinned that he does not realise many loyal fans are staying away because of him, which is creating the present financial crisis the club now faces" "Now is the time for us all to unite against the present regime and create a situation where the fans have some say in the running of their once great club" " I do believe that we have not yet reached rock bottom, but if we all act together in a positive way it may not be too late" "There are two of us with 7,000 shares between us and I ask all shareholders to come and meet us at the De Vere" "We have got to do something. If this does not get of the ground then at least we can say we tried to do something" "You have to be positive, you wouldn't try to do these things if you weren't" "I want to get the message out there that we don't have to endure all this on our own, let's join together and fight the cause. It would be fantastic if any ex-players were interested in joining our campain" Anyone interested in finding out more can email mikefenner@saveoursaints

On the face of it this meeting looks another unorganised knee jerk reaction event but if enough local shareholders attend it can be useful in devising a strategy similar to the one I posted up last Sunday. I wish them well. As far as the Saints Trust is concerned, yes it is disappointing that they do not yet appear to have a strategy or vision for the future of our club but if you are not a member, or like me did not renew your membership why do you think you have a right to criticise. One of the reasons the Trust is not working is that it has so few members and many that are seem happy just to leave it to those who give their free time (no they do not get season tickets or other perks from the club). For the Trust to work it has to be representative of the supporter base and it can only do that if it has sufficient members. If you want to be critical, join and make your voice heard. Get involved. Use some of that undoubted skill by volunteering your assistance.

No that was one sale. Still trading on the LSE at bid 22p sell 21p with quotation standing firm at 21.5p

Have to chuckle. Is it a he or a she, does it post under a different name or has it gone on holiday. Has the job been done. Is it in the Crouch camp or a certain new poster who supports the present regime. Candyfloss for the winner............Is there a winner?.......May be it's LongShot. If you are reading this LS I bet you are smiling to yourself now.

He is on £100,000 a year basic for that pressure.

Some sensible comments by GreenTreeFrog once again. Financial survival and then financial stability is Lowe's number one priority. I can understand the need to use our "cheap" resourses and whilst I was prepared to accept an unknown Dutch team to coach our side it is clear they are out of their depth and their naivety of tactics and understanding of the "English" game is not only damaging the team but our finances as well (many are not going because of our results, it is not just about Lowe) We need to get back to basics of the English game and we need an experienced CCC/lower league Manager for that to happen. I do not feel sorry for JP or MW. They are each earning more a year basic than most of those who pay to watch the team. They have failed.

Please do not pm me anymore. I will not be responding. I will not and cannot add to what I posted. I have no further information.

I have just received a return call to someone. This is pure rumour without foundation. It is not Lowe or the plc's plan.

Problem with the financial comment is that when we had a capacity of 14,500 we owned the stadium. We are now paying approx £2m a year interest/capital repayment. Allowing for average income of £15 per spectator over a season that requires another 6,000 bums on seats ie 20,000 plus average gate just to be in the same position.

Initially I heard that Wooton had a go at Jan at half time against Burnley and was suspended by the club for two weeks. Had to train at Brighton during his suspension. Then the rumours regarding Hockaday being put on gardening leave led to some thinking it was Wooton having a go at him and not Jan but why suspend Wooton and then put Hockaday on gardening leave when he returned. Things are not right in the dressing room at present. Looks like Jan has lost it. However that is my conclusion from many little snippets I pick up. I have not been told that by any of the players or connections. That may have been one of the reasons for the meeting yesterday. A final clear the air or else.

One major problem, our young players lack fitness and stamina. It was reported on here a week or so ago that Bournemouth were shocked at Jake Thomsons lack of fitness. I am hearing the same from other sources. They are not doing much if any stamina training. Watch the players after about 70 minutes. If they have been working hard in the team they are knackered. If they are knackered physically then they cannot be mentally alert. It would explain a lot.