the things the fans have said over the years

[Alain Perrin]

Seeing as we've posts using the benefit of hindsight to critique what Wilde and Lowe have said, I thought it would be useful to turn the mirror of history on us, the fans, the supporters, the lunatic fringe.

 

What have you posted on this board that has later proven plain stupid?

 

For example:

 

"We will walk this league"

"Dodd and Gorman should be given a chance"

"We got our club back"

etc.

 

Mine would have to be (I paraphrase) "our squad is much stronger than last year" (before the relegation season )

[Micky]

'The takeover will be concluded in the next few days....'

 

Normally a Wednesday phrase in time for Fridays by the likes of Tommac, et al.... absolute classic...!

[Saint_clark]

"In Jason Euell we have a player of genuine Premiership quality".

"Euell is twice the player Kenwyne Jones will ever be".

 

Tears in my eyes.....

[rocknrollman no2]

2005-Fans say they want Rupert to go.

2009-Fans say they want Rupert to go.

[Thedelldays]

"not in my name" - regarding crouch speaking out against lowe

 

"we will walk this league" - all time classic

 

"brett ormerod will bag 20 in this league" - lol

 

"the CCC is fun, fair and exciting" - ffs..it is none of these

[Papa Shango]

From me December 2004:

 

"Harry and Jim will bring the good times back"

[Mole]

"The fat lady might not be singing, but she's certainly warming up her vocal chords"

 

Saintlee on the Paul Allen takeover after his meeting/pm's with Marc Jackson and David Extance.

[Micky]

After a win, much like yesterdays:

 

'This result means nothing unless we follow it up with another 3 points against.....'

 

Whereupon we generally lose our next home game against the likes of Forest....!

 

Let's hope this one does not come back to haunt us again on Saturday

[NickG]

if we are going down the takeover there are a few other honourable mentions! Saintlee, Morph etc!

[Thedelldays]

"we have the best academy in the country" - a big LOL for that one..

[Mole]

Anyone remember Saintlee asking forum members whether they would like the ground name changing?

 

I can't remember whether he was asking on behalf of Jacko, Dan Williams or another of the tyre kickers.

[Alain Perrin]

Would prefer the thread to be about things you yourself have posted. Otherwise it'll turn into a "he said, she said" fight between people with small penises.

[dubai_phil]

Leandre Griffit is PL quality springs to mind

 

Telfer's not good enough for us but went off and played in the Champions League was a good one.

 

Let's go Wilde of course is the all time winner

[Mole]

Meet me outside turnstile A.

[Thedelldays]

Leandre Griffit is PL quality springs to mind

 

Telfer's not good enough for us but went off and played in the Champions League was a good one.

 

Let's go Wilde of course is the all time winner

to be fair...jimmy traore won the fecking competition and played a part in the final....he is shyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyte

[um pahars]

"Sorry, but I think Shearer misses too many one on one's. I don't rate him"

 

By yours truly, under East Stand, circa 1988

[Alain Perrin]

"we have the best academy in the country" - a big LOL for that one..

 

When you look at the crop we've turned out in the last few years that boast isn't too far from the truth though is it? Whatever the reasons (investment, our turn etc. etc.), any academy that can turn out Bridge, Bale and Walcott in quick succession has got to be respected.

[dubai_phil]

to be fair...jimmy traore won the fecking competition and played a part in the final....he is shyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyte

 

I think a good one (not on here) was "The academy is a good plan that will produce our own players like Man U so that we can push on to the Champions League

 

Mate in the pub

[Papa Shango]

"George Burley should be given five-ten years to get things right" A comment made on SF many times in his first few months here. I remember I got absolutely slaughtered at the start of the big spending 2006/07 for saying Burley should go if he didn't get us promoted. Just over a year later everyone wanted him out.

[Thedelldays]

When you look at the crop we've turned out in the last few years that boast isn't too far from the truth though is it? Whatever the reasons (investment, our turn etc. etc.), any academy that can turn out Bridge, Bale and Walcott in quick succession has got to be respected.

 

 

hmm...you have to look at man u, arsenal, boro, citeh over recent years to see who has churned out more premiership standard players...

 

respected yes...best in the country..err, no

[Thedelldays]

"George Burley should be given five-ten years to get things right" A comment made on SF many times in his first few months here. I remember I got absolutely slaughtered at the start of the big spending 2006/07 for saying Burley should go if he didn't get us promoted. Just over a year later everyone wanted him out.

 

 

yes...and lowe gets slated for appointing him...

 

I remember those threads well...if you dared question burley you had to have been on drugs or a skate..

[dubai_phil]

And my favourite one back at me...

 

"I saw GB at 11:14 in the De Verre blah blah blah"

 

response

 

Source?

[Thedelldays]

"jemaine wright is a good playe"

[Mole]

Should we build a railway station?

 

How can we expand the stadium?

[Thedelldays]

"james BT was actually a crap player"

[dubai_phil]

"james BT was actually a crap player"

 

Think you got this wrong it's supposed to be untrue things said...

 

 

Oh yeah ok when he was with us fair enuff but now? he's so good Stoke want him

 

oh:smt078

[Mr Saints]

"George Burley will be our best manager since McMenemy"

 

Me, Christmas 2005

[um pahars]

When you look at the crop we've turned out in the last few years that boast isn't too far from the truth though is it? Whatever the reasons (investment, our turn etc. etc.), any academy that can turn out Bridge, Bale and Walcott in quick succession has got to be respected.

 

Bridge debut 1998

 

Bale debut 2006

 

An 8 year gap is hardly quick succession.

 

Our Academy had a good reputation and churned out some good players, but it was never the best in the country nor was it as good as all the hype would lead us to believe.

 

There were 170 English players plying their trade in the Premiership last season, so our contribution of 3 (actually 2 as Bale is Welsh!!) isn't that great.

[Mole]

Bridge debut 1998

 

Bale debut 2006

 

An 8 year gap is hardly quick succession.

 

Our Academy had a good reputation and churned out some good players, but it was never the best in the country nor was it as good as all the hype would lead us to believe.

 

There were 170 English players plying their trade in the Premiership last season, so our contribution of 3 (actually 2 as Bale is Welsh!!) isn't that great.

 

But our academy is lightyears ahead of the dark days (pre 1997) when we churned out no players of note.

[John Cool]

"Duck Off Rupert" (banner unveiled slowly from right to left )

[Colinjb]

I wrote a big rant to Football 365 a few years ago complaining about Wigley, Lowe and how we needed a traditional english style manager to revive our fortunes.

 

It was published as the lead letter one day, I read it now and weep at how horrible things turned out and how wrong I may have been, and an interesting snapshot of November 2004.

 

Here it is:

 

" I guess the alarm bells begun ringing when Paul Sturrock 'left by mutual consent.' Rupert Lowe has made 'odd' choices before. Appointint coaches as managers for example, but 'no,' we thought, he will have learned his lesson. It is well known that a strong charismatic personality is required to bring out the best in a squad of overpaid - self obsessed prima donnas and that 'yes man' coaches cannot cut the mustard. Surely the Stuart Gray debacle will not repeat.

 

'Steve Wigley appointed as Head Coach.' A head coach. Not only had Lowe not learned... he obviously believes its the way forward. So we must surely need someone with charisma and personality to inspire the squad above or alongside Wigley, Which leaves Lowe (upper class self publicising businessman) and since his appointment a few weeks ago Christian Damiano. (a man who helped inspire Houllier's Liverpool last year.. god help us.)

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't blame Wigley for the mess we're in. He saw a chance to further his career, how could he predict he was out of his depth. The blame must lay with the one man who transformed the way our club is run into this shambles, Rupert Lowe. Even under Branfoot in the early 90's we had a 'manager' and a sense of some leadership. As things are it appears the players don't know who to respect, who to look too for inspiration, as such it seems they are like headless chickens, clueless and rudderless.

 

No number of 'turning points' will convince me now. 2-2 against Arsenal. The biggest miracle ever as far as i'm concerned now. 2-2 against West Brom, another Joke, the defence was dire. 5-2 against Watford. The final straw. We had no chance against a team who had not won in their previous 6 home games..... in a lower division.

 

Wigley, you tried, but the results speak volumes, please go while you still have a modicum of dignity left.

 

Rupert Lowe, you are the ultimate scumbag chairman. A soulless businessman who cares only about his own profile and pockets, who would rather gain some pennies from the misery of his businesses shareholders then use some resources to keep them happy and possible improve matters. Our highest profile signing in the summer was Peter Crouch, on form so far... a cheap cop out signing when we desperately needed a talented left winger. Beasley, who was quoted as wanting to play for Saints.. the only english team wanting to go for him, an American international (they are good team now the yanks, you must be fair.) and young. He was unwilling to stretch even slightly beyond his 'budget.' A budget so tight it makes Norwich look thrifty. For a chairman who is so keen to point out how fluent we are it seems bewildering he will not invest in real potential talent. A Cahill or an Andy Reid or just someone, please god someone. But no. We get Peter Crouch a man with a good foot, but who is so horribly lightweight. Our other signings are defensive. No disrespect to Jelle van Damme, but what a solution to the midfield problem.

 

Lets look at another angle. Why does Lowe appoint 'head coaches'? Here is my main opinion on this. Its because he goes for the cheaper option. Even 'managers' he's appointed. Strachan, sacked from Coventry and wanting to revive his career. Hoddle, sacked from England, and wanting to revive his career. Both needing a boost and obviously, cheap! Sturrock was from the lower leagues, he wouldn't have cost as much as any other 'proven' managers. Cheap. Others in the premiership wouldn't have touched them (even possibly Sturrock despite his Plymouth success.) Thank god he struck lucky with Strach. Now its finally backfiring. Coaches do not always make good managers. Both Lowe, and us the fans, are finding out the hard way.

 

Rupert Lowe must either accept a true manager is needed or he should go. And if he cannot figure this out for himself by now then I shall look forward to seeing Southampton play a few miles up the road from my residence in Coventry, in the glitz and glamour of the Coca Cola championship. I look towards Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford and fear for our future."

Edited 11 January, 2009 by Colinjb

[um pahars]

I wrote a big rant to Football 365 a few years ago complaining about Wigley, Lowe and how we needed a traditional english style manager to revive our fortunes.

 

It was published as the lead letter one day, I read it now and weep at how horrible things turned out and how wrong I may have been, and an interesting snapshot of November 2004.

 

Here it is:

 

" I guess the alarm bells begun ringing when Paul Sturrock 'left by mutual consent.' Rupert Lowe has made 'odd' choices before. Appointint coaches as managers for example, but 'no,' we thought, he will have learned his lesson. It is well known that a strong charismatic personality is required to bring out the best in a squad of overpaid - self obsessed prima donnas and that 'yes man' coaches cannot cut the mustard. Surely the Stuart Gray debacle will not repeat.

 

'Steve Wigley appointed as Head Coach.' A head coach. Not only had Lowe not learned... he obviously believes its the way forward. So we must surely need someone with charisma and personality to inspire the squad above or alongside Wigley, Which leaves Lowe (upper class self publicising businessman) and since his appointment a few weeks ago Christian Damiano. (a man who helped inspire Houllier's Liverpool last year.. god help us.)

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't blame Wigley for the mess we're in. He saw a chance to further his career, how could he predict he was out of his depth. The blame must lay with the one man who transformed the way our club is run into this shambles, Rupert Lowe. Even under Branfoot in the early 90's we had a 'manager' and a sense of some leadership. As things are it appears the players don't know who to respect, who to look too for inspiration, as such it seems they are like headless chickens, clueless and rudderless.

 

No number of 'turning points' will convince me now. 2-2 against Arsenal. The biggest miracle ever as far as i'm concerned now. 2-2 against West Brom, another Joke, the defence was dire. 5-2 against Watford. The final straw. We had no chance against a team who had not won in their previous 6 home games..... in a lower division.

 

Wigley, you tried, but the results speak volumes, please go while you still have a modicum of dignity left.

 

Rupert Lowe, you are the ultimate scumbag chairman. A soulless businessman who cares only about his own profile and pockets, who would rather gain some pennies from the misery of his businesses shareholders then use some resources to keep them happy and possible improve matters. Our highest profile signing in the summer was Peter Crouch, on form so far... a cheap cop out signing when we desperately needed a talented left winger. Beasley, who was quoted as wanting to play for Saints.. the only english team wanting to go for him, an American international (they are good team now the yanks, you must be fair.) and young. He was unwilling to stretch even slightly beyond his 'budget.' A budget so tight it makes Norwich look thrifty. For a chairman who is so keen to point out how fluent we are it seems bewildering he will not invest in real potential talent. A Cahill or an Andy Reid or just someone, please god someone. But no. We get Peter Crouch a man with a good foot, but who is so horribly lightweight. Our other signings are defensive. No disrespect to Jelle van Damme, but what a solution to the midfield problem.

 

Lets look at another angle. Why does Lowe appoint 'head coaches'? Here is my main opinion on this. Its because he goes for the cheaper option. Even 'managers' he's appointed. Strachan, sacked from Coventry and wanting to revive his career. Hoddle, sacked from England, and wanting to revive his career. Both needing a boost and obviously, cheap! Sturrock was from the lower leagues, he wouldn't have cost as much as any other 'proven' managers. Cheap. Others in the premiership wouldn't have touched them (even possibly Sturrock despite his Plymouth success.) Thank god he struck lucky with Strach. Now its finally backfiring. Coaches do not always make good managers. Both Lowe, and us the fans, are finding out the hard way.

 

Rupert Lowe must either accept a true manager is needed or he should go. And if he cannot figure this out for himself by now then I shall look forward to seeing Southampton play a few miles up the road from my residence in Coventry, in the glitz and glamour of the Coca Cola championship. I look towards Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford and fear for our future."

 

I think the only bit you got wrong there was questioning Crouch's ability and maybe talking old Marcus up. Otherwise most of it still holds true.

[Colinjb]

I think the only bit you got wrong there was questioning Crouch's ability and maybe talking old Marcus up. Otherwise most of it still holds true.

 

In hindsight, yes, I was wrong there. My god, the desire for 'a true manager' though, that did us well either way....

[norwaysaint]

Some comment about somebody being our best player that we must hang onto.

 

Some comment about same player playing badly half a season later and that we should get rid.

 

Some comment about crap loyalty of players.

[Fowllyd]

"Sorry, but I think Shearer misses too many one on one's. I don't rate him"

 

By yours truly, under East Stand, circa 1988

 

In fairness, Um, back in '88 the bit about Shearer missing one on ones was quite true. I remember seeing him through on Lukic at Highbury around that time and knowing he'd f*ck it up. However, one of the things that really mark him out as a quality player was the fact that he recognised that weakness in his game and worked at it like hell. A few years later when he was through on the keeper it was a foregone conclusion - and in the right way. Sadly, by then he wasn't doing it for us.

[EFM]

Myself about Peter Crouch - "Not only is he a talentless gangly ex-skate but his only "asset" is his height and he admits he's no good at heading".

 

Turned out to be one my favourite and most talented Saints players of recent years and a bloody good football player (even if he is back with the blue filth now).

[um pahars]

In fairness, Um, back in '88 the bit about Shearer missing one on ones was quite true.

 

Problem was that I couldn't see him getting any better and had him down as another Craig Maskell!!!!!!

[Fitzhugh Fella]

"we got our club back" when Wilde rode into town - will never be allowed to forget that.

[stanthemanfairoak]

"we got our club back" when Wilde rode into town - will never be allowed to forget that.

one things for shaw you wont see him in town again.

[The Majestic Channon]

"I would love to join you on the pre season tour of sweden mr wilde thanks"

[Ewell]

By yours truly!

 

On George Burley's appointment.

 

'He is the ideal man for the job and I think he will lead us to promotion. Surely there is no better manager available?'. I then danced my arse off with delight around my living room when I saw the article on the O\S.

 

We all make gaffs but who cares! It would be nice if some of you would show a little humility and admit your own gaffs instead of chastising everyone else’s, or is everything you say all spot on?

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

"Stern John is your typical journeyman striker who will add nothing to the team"

 

Chapel End Charlie - before the start of the 2007/8 season .

[Wopper]

Wheres the money gone Rupert?

[The Majestic Channon]

we should get wayne bridge on loan

[Hatch]

April 2005

 

'We will thrash those skate bastards at Fratton'

[CB Fry]

"Steve Wigley has a touch of the Arsene Wenger about him"

 

"He's [Wigley] is like the new Alan Curbishley"

 

You could not move for people bigging up Wiggers when he was appointed, and even six games in people were still salivating over the dinlow.

 

And then the same people salivating about Dodd and Gorman even though, again, it was an obvious disaster of an appointment. You couldn't move for the hero worship.

 

And the precise same people have the gaul to moan about the appointments in hindsight.

[Scudamore]

I told Scooby that there was no way that Rupert Lowe would return...

[Master Bates]

Many times last year.

 

"Lucy Pinder is fit as f**k"

[scott_saints]

"We have the best home record in the premier league"

 

A few years ago, before Liverpool put an end to it.

 

 

How times have changed

[Thedelldays]

I told Scooby that there was no way that Rupert Lowe would return...

 

 

"wait for the return of lord lowe"....old scoobers himself..lol