Weston Saint

Agree with that assessment, B.

I listened to it as well and agree with you, hense my last paragraph.

I am not so sure it is not sports wide Stu. When Hampshire played at Basingstoke in their annual 4 day county match, a chance for local corporate indulgence no one wanted to pay and we had very little. I believe the cost per person was £125 plus vat per day. At the T20 final however, hospitality in the Robin Smith, Shaun Udal and Shane Warne suites vertually sold out. Cost in the Robin Smith was £599 plus vat per person with minimum table of 10. Very little Corporate is sold for county games/pro40 or T20. Clubs round the counties report similar fall off. Money is being saved for the big events

If Pardew agreed it would fit in with his plans and was happy to go along with the signing then fine. If not then it is a dangerous game for Cortese to be playing. He must trust the judgement of his Manager or dismiss him. Posters know I am not a fan of Pardew to get us back to the Premiership but whilst he is here he needs to be given 100% support from the club management and players. Anything less will poison the club. We have seen this before. Unless I hear different I am going to assume Pardew supports the signing 100%. I have a sneeky feeling this might be the quality midfield signing we have been looking for.

Interesting he mentioned Les Reid who is heading Scounting & Development. That suggests the "committee" on player recruitment is as I suspected - Nicola Cortese, Alan Pardew, Les Reid and David Burke. As long as the Manager is not marginalised this appears a sound set up.

I wonder if this is dad http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/8271328.Bankruptcy_for_councillor_leaves_art_firm_out_of_pocket/

Like we did with Fonte, I agree but they are few and far apart. It is difficult getting someone to drop leagues who have the recognised skill and class.

When I saw Apline Saints initial post I was suprised and agreed with S-Clarke's response. However, I see what Apline means now. We need to sign players we know will make a difference not gamble on them doing so. This suggests weak Management and a lack of certainty. On this one though I am making an exception. I think the loan part is good business. Brazilians often find it difficult to settle in our climate and tha pace of our football is totally different. I am sure the club think he will make a difference but why gamble on a relative unknown. I suspect this was not Pardews decision alone. Of couse it might have been the player who insisted on it being a loan with an option. He might have been able to go to Roma if information in the media is correct. He wanted to try English football We all wish him well and a success. At least coming to Southampton he will have access to the best part of England, especially looking Westwards.

A 21 year old whose father went bankrupt in July. Normal service is resumed

Sound advice Dave and something I am going to practice from now relating to Pardew.

Bern, The difference between Lowe & Cortese, is as you say, very little. The BIG difference last time was that Lowe was part of a plc. If he went someone else would come in. Cortese was Marcus Liebherr's only choice to run his business and the family look set to continue that support. If, as looks likely, there is a difference between Cortese & Pardew, something has to give. Without Cortese & the Liebherr families private wealth (not the Mali Company) we will be going no where. Anyway, for me this is not about Cortese but a Manager who is clearly not good enough. Not just Cortese's opinion, a rising number of supporters are expressing the same view. Other Chairmen/CEO/Supporters of other clubs have expressed the same opinion. I fear your aguments with Alpine are clouding your judgement as to the real issues

He will aspire to becoming a top Manager, he will have that ambition. He cannot make it with Bournemouth, they just do not have the money or infrastructure. He could wait and become a Premier Manager but that route is littered with good managers taking on too much too soon. Southampton FC would be a perfect vehicle for him. His success will be our success. The two perfectly fit for me. I hate calling for someone's head. Pardew seems to be a good chap but if we do not progress our new owners are likely to restrict money flowing from their personal wealth and we may end up with a lesser owner or nothing. Just surviving football wise and financially. I want more than that for the price of my season ticket and the support I give for cup games.

I have no problem with Pardew's after match interviews. He is not good at it but he is sincere and honest within the restraints I feel he is under - talk about the performance but nothing else by way of speculation. That seems to be Nicola Cortese's way. What I do have a problem with is his management of the team. Posters go on about the fact it is only 2 games in and he needs to be given a little longer but what if he does not improve! It may be too late for his successor to get us the promised promotion. Pardew was given the time last year and he failed. I think he did well from a -10 point situation but given he was provided with transfer money in January on the basis he told Cortese he could get us into the playoffs he failed with his main target. This season we have seen a disjointed pre season, two league games where he has only demonstrated last years failings and a cup game where he admitted Bournemouth's system and players were confusing him. I want to see a decision now. Eddie Howe is an up and coming Manager who could go all the way with us as he develops his undoubted talent. Look at what he achieved last season. Look at what he is starting to achieve this season. He is the ideal man to continue his development in Div 1 with us, take us to the Championship and beyond. This is a risk worth taking. Pardew may be a decent Div 1 Manager but can he hack it higher? West Ham and Charlton had their doubts. He had limited success but now it the time for change Eddie Howe for me is just what is required at our progressive club. I think if he was offered the chance he might just see this as his ideal to develop his talents by moving up the leagues without jumping straight into the Premier mire.

I heard Chanria wants to sell for £30.5m (overheard telephone conversation from someone in the process) although someone else with an interest told me it was £40.5m It seems both figures are putting off the buyers already expressing an interest. Chanria unlikely to waste any more of his money. They will limp on with the emphasise on LIMP

I feel like I have been robbed. I went full of anticipation and faith but was badly let down For long parts of the game we lacked width. For long parts of the game we lacked a tactical awareness. For long parts of the game we lacked control and passing when we had the ball. Some points – Puncheon just does not have what is required. I have watched him enough times. His thinking is too slow and is too often forced to hit the ball at the defender rather than a telling pass. - Schneiderlin is taking money under false pretences. Clearly gifted but he is playing in his comfort zone too much. Side passes when he gets the ball is not what he should be about. - Hammond is just not good enough for this team. We need to find a replacement. Hopefully Saints are on to this. - Butterfield was our best player in my opinion. Tactically aware, compact in play and very good at crossing. It is still early in the season BUT we cannot afford to leave it too late. By that I mean we must replace Pardew, and now. Go get Eddie Howe Mr Cortese, and quick

Not to my knowledge

Cortese took the project to Liebherr, trust me on this one.

21,559 was last seasons figure but that was for Bank Holiday Monday For the corresponding fixture date last season 19,169 against Brentford.

Occasionally (more so of late) silly posts appear on serious threads. If they were ignored they would stand out as what they were, sill posts. To respond not only gives "credibility" to the post but usually causes the serious thread to decend into farce. Just a passing thought!

You are right, I am reading between the line. That is why I said "appears" Until the full details are known it will only be an opinion. Agree with you on the Mali Group. Much rather it be in the hands of the family who will likely respect Marcus's wishes than a hard nosed business.

I am pleased the club have issued a statement to clear up the uncertainty which followed Marcus Liebherr’s sad passing. However, things can never be the same in my opinion. Marcus & Nicola had a special relationship and Nicola was trusted implicitly by Marcus. Whilst it is clear from the statement that the family wish to continue that relationship in regard Nicola Cortese and Southampton Football Club it will by nature be a little more fragile than before. The very same strength of passion for the club will not be there although I am happy from the statement that, in the short term, the family will wish to continue the legacy. Whilst Marcus & Nicola discussed in detail the future blueprint of the club it appears Marcus did not place money in trust to make sure his dream could be fulfilled. At least that is what the statement suggests. When Sir Jack Walker passed away he left £30m in trust for the sole use of Blackburn Rovers FC. Of course we, as supporters, can have no influence on matters other than to turn up every home match and give our support to the team. The club is likely to be more dependent on income streams than ever before since Administration. One thing is for sure, before Marcus & Nicola rescued us our future looked very bleak. That is not the picture today. Long may Nicola and the Liebherr family keep Southampton Football Club in their hearts and make this club great again and a leader and envy of the football world in general

http://plasticsaints.myfreeforum.org/Today_at_St_Mary_s_Church_Herbie_about9325.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/7950756/Markus-Liebherr.html

Despite what i was told by a club official Steve I think you are right.

Neil McKenzie has been offered a new contract for next season. If he accepts, and the signs are good as he and his wife love it here, then I suspect Benham will be released. He has not really taken the opportunities given him. He is a good player and I am sure a move to one of the more unfashionable clubs and an extended chance to prove himself will see him successful. Spoke to Corky and let him know what we all feel. He thanked us. Benni Howell has been in the seconds for the last 3 years. He had his development contract extended for this season and have been making runs in the 2nds. Good to see him getting a chance. Spoke to him late last night. He is not travelling up to Scotland for the weekend as Ervine comes back into the side. Good to see Abdul Razzaq at the ground last night. His T20 contract is over but he came along anyway. Christain speaking as he went back to the Airport and back to Aussie said he was not nervous whilst he waited for for the last ball and all that went before. He was calm and in control. But when the ball hit the pad and the appeals went up he just thought, I need to run to the other end. He fully understood how, in the heat of the moment Somerset forgot the rules! For those who are not sure, when you use a runner you have to remain in your crease. If you do not you risk being stumped, not run out as some in other area's have suggested.