Weston Saint

Yes it was.

There was this guy from Netherlands acting as Lowe's advisor on football. He told Lowe to get Forecast in and tie him to a long contract. Our Goalkeeper Coach at that time was heard to say soon after that Forecast would not make a professional goalkeeper, did not have a clue and was a waste of time. Soon after the coach was on gardening leave never to return. I think Pulis was the only way Lowe could offload the expensively paid injury that was Davies.

Here is a novel thought. Could this just be the plan Lowe & Co put together to obtain investment and when none came in and the club went tits up a certain group of individuals such as C & O used it as a blue print for the future. For a while I have thought the similarities with which Lowe wanted to go (Sir Clive excluded) is uncanny!!! A plan was floated around just before Administration, in high circles.

The young players loved them. Even wanted extra time with them. The older players did not. The latter may have been influenced by the Manager & Coaches if Clifford's tweets are true! I will pass a copy of the tweets to an ex Director I should be dining with sometime this week to see what he has to say.

No wonder Cortese kicked out all the previous club officials if Clifford's tweets are factual (and as HR had said as much to a friend of mine at the time he was still Manager I think it has legs). There is plenty of evidence that football contains many who are milking the game and we the supporters are paying for it in part. I was angry the way HR treated us during his term as Manager. He seemed always to talk about them rather than us. I can see why now. He was being undermined throughout. Thank God we now have a regime in place that appear to be putting this right in SFC.

Correct. I have nothing to say

Part 2 Had I been Harry and co I would have hated me too, I did not know until I spoke to Kevin Bond 2 years ago that a month before I arrived Clive had called a meeting to tell the staff that 'the best coach in the world was coming to teach them', that did not help me at all. Clive and I were also paid more than the manager which was leaked pre me coming, Dave Bassett was only on £50,000. Jim Smith had been the same, I would have been not very happy I did not know what they were on, my salary kept increasing every time I said no. It was not the money I said no on, it all sounded daft. In any event my salary was to be paid to my soccer schools that do not make profit. I was also told to criticise the players and interviews set up so I could in order that we got the players or a particular coach to leave. This was not Rupert, then I copped for it. I was also in my contract allowed to be still running my other operations. Even when we had the team. They should never have agreed to that and I could not believe they did, I hoped they would refuse So I was on £300,000 a year in the season before we could take over. Worked one hour of a morning Monday to Thursday did 2 hours Tuesday and Wednesday night. In total 8 hours a week, I flew home each Thursday on the 1.20 pm to Leeds. I tried to do more work, but I was told to go and relax. Clive bought an apartment and never stayed in it. I said from week 2 I felt we were stealing from the club at our wages and was not comfortable. The only other thing I did while there was I did Clive's session plans and course work for his badges, sorry to saints fans, it was truly a shambles. The daftness like letting me carry on with my schools Rupert was against and got outvoted, in retrospect they and I could name each board member, every minute and meeting, the silly things were not RL, the board had three factions

Here is the full trascript for those interested In answer to an article on the OS regarding invite to football scholarships. Futsal is a load of rubbish. A far better training technique, Futebol de Salao was introduced to your club in 2005. FDS brings 7.54 touches a minute, Futsal 2.6. Some of the youth coaches you had and still have are among the very worst I have seen in football. Malcolm Elias your youth scout was a masterstroke in Rupert bringing him. Every scholar I worked with had a home phone number outside of Southampton and had been bought in. If that does not tell you something about Huw Jennings and his coaches, nothing will. I have never met a man as unsuited to a role improving young players. I told Rupert that after one conversation with him I did not rate him at all. He went to be Head of all the Academies at The premier League. He may be good, I just cannot see what at. He is now Head of something at Nike talking a lot on videos as his team travels around losing matches here there and everywhere. Anyone I mentioned academically, development wise the man had never heard of. All the best to your club, forget me or Clive. the real genius you had their was Rupert and some idiots chased him out. Study where that group that Clive and I had each morning and evening and see where they are now. Only 16 then yet all Championship or EPL, very rare that % Our credit nil, we were not there long enough to impact, but Rupert's 100%, you were never in the red under his watch also In answer to a question from a Saints Fan A failure, it was a complete disaster. I thought I could do a job and I could not. I was unable too. I will tell you this though I was the only member of your backroom staff who did not take any money from the club. Rupert said I had grounds for a claim of a year's salary due to some nonsense. I said I deserve what I have done, 2 months 11 days and I gave the money to SVP society. Rupert called me the most honest man he has met in football as a result. Clive told me to sit tight and take the money, I did not. Clive stayed, went once a week after I left and saw it through to May to get his cheque. I refused and I was on £300,000. £250,000 from your club and £25,000 each from Rupert and Clive. I agree in the fans and the regime. I just wish that people had really knew Rupert, I thought as you did before I got to know him, exactly the same view. Anyway, deep down I do wish Saints well, always will. I thought the whole thing was crackers, I had no experience at that level, Clive was Rugby. Clive sold Rupert a manifesto that had doubts about and said no 5 times. Clive convinced me that he was in with the FA and within 3 years we could have the England team, Clive said he had a dream about it!. In reality he was mates with Palios and Rupert was on 2 key boards. We signed and had contracts to be joint management as of season 2006/07. We thought when we signed that this would be EPL. I was the one who stopped that date being season 2005/06 Our deals had been agreed long before we arrived. That was silly. I insisted that we must have the reserves that year and at least prove some experience. I was told by Clive we would after 2 months of being told that I was getting the reserves 'next week' and then let's sit back and take the money comment, I was off! We could not possibly have even a prayer without having the reserves, starting the coming August. I stood up for Clive when he would not for himself, but he hid too often, I love him as a man, but he is no leader and the man in the book 'winning' does not exist in reality. I had a 2 hr skype with Rupert last week, I know he will never win you over but he's not bad. If any doubt anything I have said it's all completely accurate and I would stand by it in court. I was a failure though Simon Clifford

Chris, as he has said he will defend what he has said in court can you do an article on it here so we can all see what he says. It fits with something HR said to a friend of mine at dinner when he was still Saints Manager.

All over Hants win. Now for Worcestershire on Tuesday.

They needed 308 to win and we have them at 45 for 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another gone 113/6 but Woakes striding to the wicket!!!!!!

Chris Woakes made his maiden first class centry against Hamsphire at the Rose Bowl in 2009 season. He hade his highest score 136no against Hamshire at Edgbaston last season and he has just got his best bowling figures 7/20 this season. The boy loves playing against Hampshire!!!!!

Coming up to kick off and the anticipation rises as I log in to BBC Sport Championship page. My heart says a 1-0 win but my head says I will take a draw. After all Ipswich are one of the teams tipped for success. Ten minutes in and we are 2-0 up. I am happy with that as I combine looking at the updates as I mess about with other things. Then just before half time and 3-0 with reports we were playing them off the field. It just could not get better. Soon in the second half and the score changes to 3-1. Bugger! but still confident. Hold it there Saints. Then 3-2 and the spirit sinks. The heart pounds. The nerves set in and I log off.....but only for a few minutes as I cannot resist having another nervous look. Davis makes a superb save but it looks like Ipswich have the pressure and the edge. Lallana makes it 4-2...game over and a relieving smile. 5-2 and it really is the icing on the cake. A warm satisfactory glow of pride and excitement. Bring on the Lions on Saturday.

Perhaps this present kick up the backside is exactly what Puncheon needs. He clearly thinks he is better than he is. He can be a decent player when he puts his mind to it. Clubs in higher divisions would not have sought him out and played him regularly when he was on loan. However when it comes to matching the alleged value of £1m placed on him by the club, they shy away. Puncheon needs to understand at Southampton it is about the squad. Very few have a right to be on the teamsheet every week. They have earned the right. Puncheon must go about it in the same way. He might be stuck with us for the rest of his contract. He needs to decide if he is going to change his ways to fester. He has to be hungry in training. He has to fit in. He needs to heal old wounds. He has to make the first move and the club then need to hold out the hand of reconciliation. A bad boy can turn. Remember Kenny Burns of Notts Forest!

But they only had 2 strikers available on Saturday so Ings is the third. Does not mean they will release their hold on J Rod

Burnley do not want to sell him so have put a price of £6m. That is too high a value for Saints even with the money we have from the Chamberlain deal. Cortese will not pay more than his valuation on the player. I think therefore that it is dead in the water. As for Maynard, who knows? There is rumour we have made an enquiry but again it is all internet chat. I suspect Cortese and Adkins are not fretting over another striker. It would be handy but not a priority yet. The same for Centre Back. We can compete in this league without another. The right sort would make us stronger but again not so urgent that we need to panic buy.

In fairness Phil, the Echo had a small article on this last Thursday. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/9188628.Chambo_switch_takes_academy_earnings_beyond___40m/

Not when it is down to DL where a match is rained off whilst the side batting second are still chasing a total previously set. That is my understanding

Red in my opinion having viewed it on BBC. Doubt he will appeal it.

Bloody Cricinfo have changed it now to Vince.

Bates opening the innings against Scotland.

Interesting goings on in Durham!!!! Hants declared on 275-7 Durham forfeit first innings. Hants forfeit second innings. Durham need 276 to win from what looks like 82 overs. Well done to both captains.

Just heard Foster has signed a 3 year extention contract with Essex

First Class • 54 matches for the club. • 2,997 runs at an average of 36.54. • High score of 219 scored against Nottinghamshire in 2009. • Four x 100s, 20 x 50s. List A • 53 matches for the club. • 1,958 runs at an average of 39.16. • High Score of 108 – scored against Sussex in 2007. • Two x 100’s, 19 x 50s Twenty20 • 47 matches for the club • 1,101 runs at an average of 24.46. • High score of 124 not out – scored against Essex in 2009. • One x 100, six x 50s. Hardly nish wadesmith!