Weston Saint

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.

And neither were promoted

I disagreed with Alpine Saint on that point before the season started but having seen our play against Plymouth and Bournemouth I have changed my mind and agree with the statement highlighted in bold.

I will pass on all the good wishes if I get chance to speak to him this evening.

Alpine Saint makes some good points. I too am worried about the lack of a "box to box" midfielder gereral, a "winger" to give competition to Lallana & Puncheon, particularly the latter and a cover "centre forward" Without I suspect we will struggle to get out of this division. Loan players are not the preferred option as has been shown in the past. Either they are not good enough or they are not available after their loan period. There was rumour that Pardew did not get on with Waigo (probably a communication issue) but Pardew is not the only one making decisions on transfers so either Waigo did not want to come or the club felt he was not the answer. Having said the above, we are not likely to throw money at a player (and nor should we) We do not want overpaid mercenaries. We want players who want to play for the club for what it is and what, with their help, it can become. If we cannot get the right players on permanent deals then loans may be the short term answer. That will not likely happen until after the transfer window closes. Getting promotion this season is the priority. We must keep up the interest of our "new" benifactors. They must be made to feel that continuing the late Marcus's dream will result in fulfilment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10993473 Good news but it leaves those with private land with a problem. How to stop illegal parking? One way will be to invest in collapsible posts or fence off with barriers. Wheel clamping was never fair.

Has been offered a 1 year contract with Hampshire for next season.

Did not come with him and in a different part of the ground although thay may have come together at one point in the day. Terry is Pompey through and through. Not even his loss of money has curbed his enthusiasm for them. Terry knows I am a Saints season ticket holder. We tend to take the P out of each other but always light hearted. I know many other good Pompey season ticket holders. We enjoy the banter.

Confirmed later in the evening by Terry Clarke "Terry the Builder"

Chanria is sorting out the purchase contract and intends to sell on as soon as possible. There is a potential buyer but Chanria has just upped the purchase price substantially according to Peter Storrie when I spoke to him last night. Long way to run in this saga yet

It goes back to scores after the power play (6 overs) Hants were in front on that as well. We and the team knew that the 1 run was enough although Christian looked like he did not

What a great day. A thank you from Sir David Frost, a chat with Peter Storrie followed by a chat with Terry the builder, and a cuddle from Rod Bransgrove at the end. Who said Cricket was dull!!

Let us not get too excited. Saints were poor in the first half and only marginally better in the second until we scored. Great goal from Lallana. Wotton offers nothing. Every time he got the ball all he wanted to do was get rid of it backwards as quickly as possible. If he is our midfield cover we are in trouble! Dickson had a poor first half. Harding as his replacement was much better. Davis just kicks the ball forward and rarely does a Saints player get first or second ball. He needs to distribute so we can build from the back. Bournemouth keeper was not much better. Seaborne was ok. Fonte was his usual polished self. Barnard had a poor game Oxy-Chamberlain was poor and no where near ready for the first team. Good goal and I was pleased for him but watched his positioning, lack of movement etc. Still he is only 16 and time for him to improve. 2-0 was about right but we are far from being a promotion challenging side on this performance.