How much do you trust the board?

To me I think the owner needs more time but he will either be really really good for the club or really really bad. I can't see a Leibherr middle ground tbh.

But we have a good foundation and things have started to change so we'll see.

To me I think the owner needs more time but he will either be really really good for the club or really really bad. I can't see a Leibherr middle ground tbh.

But we have a good foundation and things have started to change so we'll see.

I think it is time now that we had some kind of statement from the new owner setting out his strategy for the club. I completely understand if he stayed quiet because of the ending transfer window but now is the time to talk.

I think it is time now that we had some kind of statement from the new owner setting out his strategy for the club. I completely understand if he stayed quiet because of the ending transfer window but now is the time to talk.

Strange that we have not heard from him in some way.

I think it is time now that we had some kind of statement from the new owner setting out his strategy for the club. I completely understand if he stayed quiet because of the ending transfer window but now is the time to talk.

Strange that we have not heard from him in some way.

Didn't he do that when they bought the 80% stake and made a statement.

It's business as usual. The new strategy is the old strategy except that we're not a selling club any more, although that would have changed anyway because the influx of money was from TV income rather than from the owners.

I prefer the owners to stay quiet and not be noticed, that way they're doing nothing bad. Rather that than the chuckle brothers at West Ham.

It's clear that many fans dont trust the board and the virgil situation wont change that fact.

I think they have done a good job in the face of many external pressures.

My understanding is that Ralph, Les and the financial guys will continue to navigate the pitfalls in the same way under the new ownership as they did in the past....and away from this board we have a pretty enviable reputation amongst other clubs and supporters.

It's clear that many fans dont trust the board and the virgil situation wont change that fact.

Equally it's clear many fans are idiots, and same goes there.

Strange that we have not heard from him in some way.

It's clear that many fans dont trust the board and the virgil situation wont change that fact.

F*** me. What else can they do for a club our size? The rise from Div 1, 4 top ten finishes, European football and a cup final. There is no pleasing some.

F*** me. What else can they do for a club our size? The rise from Div 1, 4 top ten finishes, European football and a cup final. There is no pleasing some.

I think the media 24/7 have played a role in how football has become a 'must win' scenario and nothing less.

It is no surprise that, mr gao has come in and is the first window we have not cashed in.

Long may it continue.

Regular working class English football fans not trusting their clubs leaders who are often privileged types is nothing new. The likes of Les and Ralph have been clever enough to get there (given they are from sporting backgrounds and not raised in boarding schools) but most of the rest are probably 'bred' for leadership as has always been the case in the U.K. just like banks and politics. A meritocracy is part skill and then a massive part hubris and self belief which certain sectors of society have been taught to have. It's always difficult to trust people who've had helping hands from the moment they were born although it doesn't mean they are ****, just that they've had more help and opportunities than the rest to get where they are even if they wouldn't have the self awareness to admit or appreciate their good fortune.

For me, like the team, the board are as good as their performances with respect to their biggest and most important products, and that is is the first team, the academy, the stadium and thought leadership within the community that they represent. On these four, the first team is the trickiest as always under the spotlight but things are as a good as could be expected from a team like us, the academy is a long term project that produced better players under the previous leadership than this one so far if we are all honest, the stadium is what it is and is functional, not spectacular (a reflection of the city it is in) and then the foundation is the shining light of what the club does in the community although that is largely due to the people that work in it caring deeply about their community.

Southampton FC have existed for 130+ years. This board is just a tiny part of that history and as long as they don't forget that and get ahead of themselves thinking they are some sort of heroes, then I'm sure they'll be fine.

As for trust, none of the current board created Southampton FC and they don't (appear to) have any historical connection with the city or club so for them it is a job, and thankfully they all, apart from Les who is reasonably close to retirement need good CVs for better jobs should this one go wrong so they will want to do a decent job. Not a great job because they'll never care as much as we do, but safe enough so their reputations and future employment prospects aren't jeopardised. With this, they are largely okay compared to others in football, albeit still in it for themselves like most in our society.

Are we done now with opinions about the shareholders?

Does anybody have an opinion about the board? I think they do a crackin' job in the circumstances. For example selecting the manager is far more important than selecting players, and it's one of the reasons we are where we are.

Liebherr 'middle ground'? Sheesh.

Sheesh?Sheesh? Who are you Richie Cunningham?

Sheesh. A ffs I could deal with,or a talking ****e.

A lot. I have no reason not to.

To be honest - yes,

To do their best as they see it for the club- yes,

To get every decision right - no (they are human)

This depends on the make up of the board under the new ownership set up .

Since Marcus bought the club the Board has gone through changes but at every stage has continued to preside over achievements. The appointment of Claude may have been one weak spot but it arguably done for the best of reasons with the Europa League and his experience of managing squad rotation. When the appointment didn't work out the Board showed it was prepared to act. Other manager appointments from outside England have resulted in two ex-Saints' managers now being well-respected in the Premier League. The leadership shown by Ralph has been excellent and he has shown that provided you understand the sporting world and organisational management specialist knowledge of football isn't essential in the top job. As for Les Reed, he has grown into a role that few would have predicted 7 years ago. His management of player recruitment has been excellent.

We are one of the best performing clubs not located in one of the big cities, London, Manchester or Liverpool. Provincial location is a disadvantage as we tend not to pick up nationwide supporters but have to rely on our local area or people with links here. As a result, commercial income is harder to generate, a factor that impacts on what we can spend under FFP rules. But the Board have managed that very well, especially with the Academy, and are clearly looking for international sources of commercial income. This is a fairly long reply to the question in the opening post but rather than just to state my personal faith in the Board, it seems right to give some explanation as to why I am one who feels it's right to support them,

Sheesh?Sheesh? Who are you Richie Cunningham?

Sheesh. A ffs I could deal with,or a talking ****e.

Since Marcus bought the club the Board has gone through changes but at every stage has continued to preside over achievements. The appointment of Claude may have been one weak spot but it arguably done for the best of reasons with the Europa League and his experience of managing squad rotation. When the appointment didn't work out the Board showed it was prepared to act. Other manager appointments from outside England have resulted in two ex-Saints' managers now being well-respected in the Premier League. The leadership shown by Ralph has been excellent and he has shown that provided you understand the sporting world and organisational management specialist knowledge of football isn't essential in the top job. As for Les Reed, he has grown into a role that few would have predicted 7 years ago. His management of player recruitment has been excellent.

We are one of the best performing clubs not located in one of the big cities, London, Manchester or Liverpool. Provincial location is a disadvantage as we tend not to pick up nationwide supporters but have to rely on our local area or people with links here. As a result, commercial income is harder to generate, a factor that impacts on what we can spend under FFP rules. But the Board have managed that very well, especially with the Academy, and are clearly looking for international sources of commercial income. This is a fairly long reply to the question in the opening post but rather than just to state my personal faith in the Board, it seems right to give some explanation as to why I am one who feels it's right to support them,

A good and accurate summary IMO too !

Since Marcus bought the club the Board has gone through changes but at every stage has continued to preside over achievements. The appointment of Claude may have been one weak spot but it arguably done for the best of reasons with the Europa League and his experience of managing squad rotation. When the appointment didn't work out the Board showed it was prepared to act. Other manager appointments from outside England have resulted in two ex-Saints' managers now being well-respected in the Premier League. The leadership shown by Ralph has been excellent and he has shown that provided you understand the sporting world and organisational management specialist knowledge of football isn't essential in the top job. As for Les Reed, he has grown into a role that few would have predicted 7 years ago. His management of player recruitment has been excellent.

We are one of the best performing clubs not located in one of the big cities, London, Manchester or Liverpool. Provincial location is a disadvantage as we tend not to pick up nationwide supporters but have to rely on our local area or people with links here. As a result, commercial income is harder to generate, a factor that impacts on what we can spend under FFP rules. But the Board have managed that very well, especially with the Academy, and are clearly looking for international sources of commercial income. This is a fairly long reply to the question in the opening post but rather than just to state my personal faith in the Board, it seems right to give some explanation as to why I am one who feels it's right to support them,

Spot on.