Weston Saint

Drew has served Saints well and if he is now looking to further his career in the Premier then good luck to him. He is 22 now and the likelyhood of him ever doing so with Saints in the next few years is almost non existant. I have not heard he wants out but like any player he harbours ambition. He is an honest lad who loves Saints but appears to have now set down a marker. Anyone who points to Le Tessier must remember he played for us when we were in the Premier. He often said if we went down he would have to give serious consideration to moving on. Fortunately for us and him that never arose in his career.

I think it shows that Lowe is holding his nerve and the style of football we have been seeing this season will continue. Just hope he can teach the players to go forward more and take their chances. We are obviously creating them as we have had 157 on target before last night. That is an average of 7.5 a game and McGoldrick leads the division with 36 on target. We have only scored 19 of those! That is a 12% on target conversion. If you add the off target of 136 that is a down to 6.5% chance is converted.

Quite honestly from the start of the season, survival. Both financially and football wise. With a hope that such survival brings better times next season. I am still hopeful but with many of those same doubts still existing at present.

Certainly not the best football ever. Quality is better than the last few years yes but there is no cutting edge up front and our defending is as bad as ever. Attractive football will bring in the crowds but you need to win your games as well. We are well down the pecking order of Saints teams on that front

No effect what so ever. A non event as far as SLH is concerned.

Just not cutting the mustard at present.

Here is my take on the matter. If you start someone young too soon in a 90 minute first team game you could do more damage that good. A young player, where possible, needs a more gentle intoduction so he can get a feel for the pace of the game at that level, build his experience and his stamina. By starting with a loanee who will likely go back it gives JP time to introduce Paterson for the last 20 -30 minutes of a game until he shows he is ready for a full debut. BUT it is essential that Paterson gets those regular short outings now. That did not happen last night and that would be my complaint. He needs to get some time on the pitch before the forward loanees go back, and back they should go! Hopefully he will then be ready.

Your on.

We need to keep both. I am still hopeful we can. Surman is the sort of player we need in the team but I would say that wouldn't I As for Lallana, lets not forget he has only played 20 odd games for Saints first team so far. He is still learning, has the potential and I would rather we develop that potential than sell him in January on the cheap.

I am still confident Surman and Lallana will still be here when the transfer window closes.

Oh I can assure you our finances are almost beyond recall. I think Lowe may have one final throw of the dice. If he fails we are done for. If he manages to sort it we will not be financially secure but the financial future will look a little brighter.

I am not a Lowe supporter as many on here will testify. I try to give a balanced view. If Lowe interferes with selection of the team or tactics I am against it and have posted on the subject. Getting rid of Pearson for anything other than financial issues was a poor decision. If Lowe appears on the sidelines before the game or does not turn up for away games, so what. It has no effect on the team. If Lowe manages to sort out our finances, he has my support. If he does not then he is as bad as the previous regimes and we are in Administration. Lowe's involvement at present is devisive and it splitting the support. That is not good. Is there anyone out there that can do better at present? If there is, where are they? We are stuck with what we have. We cannot affect it other than withdraw our support. I just do not think that is the answer. It will just hasten the death of Southampton Football Club.

The obsession with Lowe on this forum is getting very boring.

Reg passed away some years ago but before he did he gave 51% to his son, John? and 49% to my friend who became Chairman. He then bought John out in 2002 and sold the business to Lowe Holdings a few years after and retired. Paul Stratford was his name. Was with Webbs since his appentiship with the company. I have just emailed him

Ah thanks for that.

what evidence is there that Rupert Lowe has anything to do with Lowe Holdings other than share the name! R F Webb was based in Shirley. A friend of mine was the Chairman and owner of the company when he sold out to Lowe Holdings. I remember being in his office at the time and there was no suggestion of Rupert Lowes involvement! Anyone any evidence of a link!

Agree about FloridaMarlin. I was saying that the 606 piece was not backed up with any evidence I was aware of. FM has kindly indicated that there was evidence of some kind. It does not indicate a rift as such but that JP in not taking all this without comment and making it clear what he, as coach, expects as far as future playing staff is concerned.

Thanks for the reply FloridaMarlin, I see your point.

Not a chance.

I think I have worked out who this poster is and I respect his comments. He shares the initials of one we often discuss I assume you were not there but have received good reports on this. As a man who understands the media, is it not normal for a press officer to be on hand to make sure a coach/manager keeps within his remit? Why should he comment on financial matters? Would welcome your further comments on this

I am with you on those sentiments.

Just a few quotes from Adam appearing in the Matchday Programme yesterday "I'm enjoying playing on regular basis and I hope that is going to be the case for the rest of the season" "I'd rather be playing first team football here than being in the reserves somewhere else. These matters are out of my hands but I'm on a 3 year contract here and this is where my heart is" "My biggest disappointment so far is that I haven't scored more times but it is something I'm working hard on both in training and in matches"

Agree with all Derry says. We both discussed that during the game.

I would take all this with a pinch of salt. If there was a rift it would have found its way into the media. This story has come from someone on BBC 606 forum. I have yet to see anything said on there about the club being true. None of my contacts have made mention of it. I have been told the reason for MW being on garden leave but it would serve no purpose posting it here (no PM's please) as it might compromise the person who told me. As for player sales, no one really knows who will have to be sacrificed. Certainly Lallana and Surman hope to stay, both have publically said they are happy. Davis likewise. It is rumoured that Skacel is very contented at present and his attitude seems to be spot on at present. Those at risk have to be Rasiak (on loan for the duration) John, Saganowski, Thomas (but he has a long term injury) and Euell. If we can offload some of those then our short term financial prospects will be a lot brighter.

Disappointed with the result as I thought we controlled the game and were the better side throughout. Just failed to get that second goal. In goal Davis had another good game but in the main untroubled. One sticky moment in the first half when I thought the ball was going in the net off his fumble but he recovered. Great late save when the SW player was clearly offside but missed by the linesman. Full backs had a decent game, Skacel providing balance between defending and getting forward. One great first half free kick that McGoldrick should have scored but headed over. James had a vastly improved game, gave himself more time on the ball and passed well. Central defenders look the best pairing and must stay together for more games. Perry's experience was invaluable and Pearce looks strong and reads the game well. One moment when the striker turned Perry and Pearce came across to put in a great tackle and save what looked a certain goal. Central midfield with Surman and Cork looked a good pairing and understanding. Thought Surman had a great game and controlled the midfield complimented by Cork who, apart from a couple of poor passes, did the job well On the wide Wright Phillips had a superb game, scoring one and looked the only player throughout the match who had the ability to put it in the net. Lallana, for all his silky play came in too much narrowing the choice of play. Up front Robertson put himself about and looked ok but no cutting edge. McGoldrick had a poor game for me. Paterson looks ok as well. Give him 20 -30 minutes for the next few games so that he can develop before being thrown in at the deep end. A positive note to end. We looked more like a team that can compete in the Championship. No longer did it look like men against boys. This team is developing and if they are kept together I can see us climbing the table into the safety zone in the New Year. 7 out of 10 for the team. Men of the match Wright Phillips, Surman and Pearce in my book