New Manager Debate

[Wade Garrett]

32 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

It says a lot when that’s another technical director/director of football that is touting his name about, or his agent appears to be.

SR personnel must be difficult to work for behind the scenes.

Who could you be talking about?  😂

[SaintNewForest]

56 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

It says a lot when that’s another technical director/director of football that is touting his name about, or his agent appears to be.

SR personnel must be difficult to work for behind the scenes.

I would too, if Wankersen was undermining me at every turn.

[CB Fry]

3 hours ago, manji said:

I shall try and be pragmatic. Tonda is doing a great job so what if he said Aribo played well he’s hardly going to piss off a player we might need. Majority of players signed by Solak/Spors are coming good so it looks like it’s going to be a decent season and do we want to go up this season ? 
it would be the same as last we aren’t ready. This season Tonda and newbies use this season to toughen up . I hated that last minute goal but big picture maybe a defeat might have been a good thing. 
No way we are getting relegated. This season gives Spors time to asses team indentify new signings Next season rinse the league and go up with a prepared side. 
No idea about Tonda but he’s fine at the moment maybe we go for Rosenior at the end of the season. 
and Sports Republic they pumped a lot of money into club and I reckon they will want to stay around to finalised ground improvements. Yes they’ve made some bad decisions but it looks like Spors phase one is coming good. 
I can’t think of any fans that are happy with thier owners and the divs that say SR should go and be replaced by who ? New owners more instability whereas as we have a sort of system in place and Dragon happy to get someone else in to work with SR. 

Championship weird no standout club let’s see what happens and of course I have to moan about some of the posters on here. The mentality of making the effort to have a dig at Tonda because he didn’t slag off Aribo in public to a hostile question FFS. 

Decent season maintain our superb away following and then straight up next season. What’s wrong with that ? 

Your "greatest era in our history" has been downgraded to "no way are we getting relegated to league one". Amazing.

 

[The Kraken]

3 hours ago, manji said:

I shall try and be pragmatic.

[BarberSaint]

4 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

It says a lot when that’s another technical director/director of football that is touting his name about, or his agent appears to be.

SR personnel must be difficult to work for behind the scenes.

The Rasmus Effect. 

 

"Come and be broken".

[Nolan]

The Tonda work permit will probably  be due to the Governing Body Endorsement, and the fact that he hasnt managed before.

completely separate to any work permit needed for being in a role that isnt manager or "interim manager". 

[Starksj1995]

14 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

He is already managing the 1st team.

He technically is pnly

interm and because of this visa has an expire date in have already had to apply for another visa so maybe you apply for 3 it gets turned down 

[RedArmy]

18 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

You really do try to wind people up for the sake of it. This forum was a much better place when you went awol.

 

Amen. 

[manji]

18 hours ago, CB Fry said:

Your "greatest era in our history" has been downgraded to "no way are we getting relegated to league one". Amazing.

 

Strange I’m just posting my opinion. Yet you’ve remembered my earlier comments. Seriously I couldn’t remember any of your posts or your views but it got you loads of lols. Highlight of your week.

[manji]

Just now, manji said:

Strange I’m just posting my opinion. Yet you’ve remembered my earlier comments. Seriously I couldn’t remember any of your posts or your views but it got you loads of lols. Highlight of your week.

and yeah thinking about it stabilising and having promotion next season fully prepared for PL sounds epic to me. 
I wrote a long post and you’ve scrambled around to find an actually fair comment for lols. You sad fuck.

[tdmickey3]

1 minute ago, manji said:

and yeah thinking about it stabilising and having promotion next season fully prepared for PL sounds epic to me. 
I wrote a long post and you’ve scrambled around to find an actually fair comment for lols. You sad fuck.

You said this 

Next season rinse the league...  

our best chance to do that was this season but that ship has sailed, what makes you think we could do it next season with 3 more teams with parachute payments.

[Weston Super Saint]

1 hour ago, tdmickey3 said:

You said this 

Next season rinse the league...  

our best chance to do that was this season but that ship has sailed, what makes you think we could do it next season with 3 more teams with parachute payments.

GrEatEsT ErA Of oUR lIvEs

[Willo of Whiteley]

Anyone that suggests sacking off the league now to get us a chance of “smashing the Championship next season”, take a look at Leeds United currently 👍🏻

[AlexLaw76]

4 hours ago, manji said:

and yeah thinking about it stabilising and having promotion next season fully prepared for PL sounds epic to me. 
I wrote a long post and you’ve scrambled around to find an actually fair comment for lols. You sad fuck.

6 months is a huge amount of time in this league, look at Sheffield United

[Mboto Gorge]

9 hours ago, manji said:

and yeah thinking about it stabilising and having promotion next season fully prepared for PL sounds epic to me. 
I wrote a long post and you’ve scrambled around to find an actually fair comment for lols. You sad fuck.

Sounds epic but in reality isn’t going to happen , we will have a poorer squad next season almost guaranteed. These owners have a track record of making our squad worse year on year, so why would that suddenly change?  The idea that we just accept mediocrity this season as a direct result of yet more fuck ups at board level with the recruitment of players and the manager, and just reassure ourselves in our heads with this “but we will definitely smash it next year” mantra , speaks volumes and is grossly naive and delusional, based on the track record so far of our owners .

It’s a lazy assumption based on fuck all evidence that’s it even remotely likely to happen. There’s a far greater chance that we will be even worse next season 

Edited yesterday at 00:07 by Mboto Gorge

[CB Fry]

6 hours ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Sounds epic but in reality isn’t going to happen , we will have a poorer squad next season almost guaranteed. These owners have a track record of making our squad worse year on year, so why would that suddenly change?  The idea that we just accept mediocrity this season as a direct result of yet more fuck ups at board level with the recruitment of players and the manager, and just reassure ourselves in our heads with this “but we will definitely smash it next year” mantra , speaks volumes and is grossly naive and delusional, based on the track record so far of our owners .

It’s a lazy assumption based on fuck all evidence that’s it even remotely likely to happen. There’s a far greater chance that we will be even worse next season 

Exactly- if two of Wolves/WHU/Leeds come down next year then the Championship could be an absolute shit show. Maybe 6 teams with parachute money plus Birmingham and Wrexham on their second seasons in the Championship.

[AlexLaw76]

30 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Exactly- if two of Wolves/WHU/Leeds come down next year then the Championship could be an absolute shit show. Maybe 6 teams with parachute money plus Birmingham and Wrexham on their second seasons in the Championship.

Just sit where we are, be very average despite spending massive money, sell better players in the summer, for it to suddenly kick in next season and we become an unstoppable force ready to cement ourselves back in the premier league.

 

[Mboto Gorge]

36 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Just sit where we are, be very average despite spending massive money, sell better players in the summer, for it to suddenly kick in next season and we become an unstoppable force ready to cement ourselves back in the premier league.

 

Ridiculous isn’t it? Never ever happening 

[Wade Garrett]

Nick Illingsworth reckons we are going to appoint someone before the Birmingham game.

[AlexLaw76]

49 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Ridiculous isn’t it? Never ever happening 

The only way that usually works is what Lampard did at Coventry, on the back of very solid foundation laid by a darn good manager (Mark Robbins).

Lampard took over about a year ago and I think Cov were around the part. of the table we are right now. Over the last year, they have been pretty much the form in in the league, and after somehow managing not to go up, they retain the likes of Rudoni (you know we would just not do that), and look at them.

 

[sockeye]

2 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Nick Illingsworth reckons we are going to appoint someone before the Birmingham game.

Birmingham at home or away?

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

2 hours ago, CB Fry said:

Exactly- if two of Wolves/WHU/Leeds come down next year then the Championship could be an absolute shit show. Maybe 6 teams with parachute money plus Birmingham and Wrexham on their second seasons in the Championship.

Yep Championship is going to be harder next year for sure with that scenario. 

Just shows how much Saints and the other relegated teams have made a mess so far this season. 

[Toadhall Saint]

55 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Nick Illingsworth reckons we are going to appoint someone before the Birmingham game.

Good old nick.

[Wade Garrett]

54 minutes ago, sockeye said:

Birmingham at home or away?

Home

[Osvaldorama]

19 hours ago, manji said:

and yeah thinking about it stabilising and having promotion next season fully prepared for PL sounds epic to me. 
I wrote a long post and you’ve scrambled around to find an actually fair comment for lols. You sad fuck.

I don’t think he’s a “sad fuck” for remembering that post.  
 

When someone posts something as batshit insane as that, it sticks in the mind. 

[Osvaldorama]

On 02/12/2025 at 18:46, Matthew Le God said:

Armstrong is currently playing as the 9 and is scoring goals 

Ramsdale is a contracted Saints player

My god you are insufferable. 
 

 

[Starksj1995]

26 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Home

Very much doubt that as the game is Saturday 

[Nolan]

If announcement is before game, then would anticipate today, as Tonda's press conferences have been Friday AM

[Wade Garrett]

27 minutes ago, Starksj1995 said:

Very much doubt that as the game is Saturday 

Wondered when it was.  Thanks for the information.

[Starksj1995]

47 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Wondered when it was.  Thanks for the information.

Yh so might be next week for it as it’s Saturday the game 

[manji]

1 hour ago, Osvaldorama said:

I don’t think he’s a “sad fuck” for remembering that post.  
 

When someone posts something as batshit insane as that, it sticks in the mind. 

We are all batshit insane for obsessing over football. If I post up an  overexuberent comment so what it’s no worse than someone continually making lame one liners for likes ( I’m not meaning anyone in particular) or the bizzare Circle Of Trust.
Incidentally I’m sure Turkish was an early adopter.

ive started watching Total Saints Podcast and the fellas on there often comment on the social media abuse because they hold a certain opinion.  Now that’s not even batshit crazy the perpetrators are fucking mentally ill. 

 

[DellBlockH]

I'm intrigued by the idea that the board sacked Still because of fan pressure and because the fans had turned against SR. I'm fairly confident that they sacked him based on results and, quite probably, feedback from players. 

Yes, there was some chanting from the Northam end during Still's final game. But I doubt if this was the deciding factor. After all, these fans spend quite a lot of time chanting about Pompey and, now, Nathan Jones. The idea that SR are holding off on a new manager announcement because they fear a fan backlash is also doubtful. I'm sure that they'd rather take the fans with them but they will announce when they have made a final decision, regardless of fan chants. They are either giving Eckert a long trial period or they have not yet identified (or persuaded) another candidate.

 

 

[Dusic]

21 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

I'm intrigued by the idea that the board sacked Still because of fan pressure and because the fans had turned against SR. I'm fairly confident that they sacked him based on results and, quite probably, feedback from players. 

Yes, there was some chanting from the Northam end during Still's final game. But I doubt if this was the deciding factor. After all, these fans spend quite a lot of time chanting about Pompey and, now, Nathan Jones. The idea that SR are holding off on a new manager announcement because they fear a fan backlash is also doubtful. I'm sure that they'd rather take the fans with them but they will announce when they have made a final decision, regardless of fan chants. They are either giving Eckert a long trial period or they have not yet identified (or persuaded) another candidate.

 

 

On Still, it was clesr he wasn't doing a good job and we were getting worse.

They obviously felt before the QPR game that we had a better chance of picking up points in that game and Sheff Weds without Still in charge - and were proved right.

I don't dislike Still as he seemed a nice enough guy but pretty clear looking back now that he got muddled and didn't do a very good job. Initially I kept thinking we would click in the next game but then we started getting worse and he got nothing out of our new signings.

Fair play to @benjii who called it early on - he was right.

[SaintJackoInHurworth]

1 hour ago, DellBlockH said:

I'm intrigued by the idea that the board sacked Still because of fan pressure and because the fans had turned against SR. I'm fairly confident that they sacked him based on results and, quite probably, feedback from players. 

Yes, there was some chanting from the Northam end during Still's final game. But I doubt if this was the deciding factor. After all, these fans spend quite a lot of time chanting about Pompey and, now, Nathan Jones. The idea that SR are holding off on a new manager announcement because they fear a fan backlash is also doubtful. I'm sure that they'd rather take the fans with them but they will announce when they have made a final decision, regardless of fan chants. They are either giving Eckert a long trial period or they have not yet identified (or persuaded) another candidate.

 

 

I am hopeful they will announce something soon, but happy to wait! My guess is that they are just seeking to get a few things sorted before everything is announced. For example:

• Eckert's new contract
• Any visa changes which are needed
• His support Team - coaches, etc.
• Possibly a director of football to support Eckert with experience
• Under 21 Team - NB I can't help wondering if Schneiderlin will be part of this

Obviously some of these are already in place anyway.

Edited 12 hours ago by SaintJackoInHurworth
Wanted to add in thought that we might appoint a Director of Football as an answer to those who feel we need more managerial experience in the dugout

[Midfield_General]

51 minutes ago, manji said:

We are all batshit insane for obsessing over football. If I post up an  overexuberent comment so what it’s no worse than someone continually making lame one liners for likes ( I’m not meaning anyone in particular) or the bizzare Circle Of Trust.
Incidentally I’m sure Turkish was an early adopter.

ive started watching Total Saints Podcast and the fellas on there often comment on the social media abuse because they hold a certain opinion.  Now that’s not even batshit crazy the perpetrators are fucking mentally ill. 

 

Yep, I can’t stand it when people are abusive on social media. 

21 hours ago, manji said:

You sad fuck.

Ah 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

I also recall, from several years ago, manji having an irrational dislike of Mike Osman and regularly sent abuse his way and towards, I think it was, his brother who posted on these boards.

But tbf, I read his posts with interest as  he seems to be a bit informed with regards the intentions of Dragan Solak. Maybe wrong but I get the impression that’s where his loyalties lay rather than with SR and trusts that Solak intends on delivering an improved St Mary’s stadium and surrounding area. Unfortunately SR keep fooking up the immediate important bit on the pitch.

 

 

[Chris cooper]

2 hours ago, DellBlockH said:

I'm intrigued by the idea that the board sacked Still because of fan pressure and because the fans had turned against SR. I'm fairly confident that they sacked him based on results and, quite probably, feedback from players. 

Yes, there was some chanting from the Northam end during Still's final game. But I doubt if this was the deciding factor. After all, these fans spend quite a lot of time chanting about Pompey and, now, Nathan Jones. The idea that SR are holding off on a new manager announcement because they fear a fan backlash is also doubtful. I'm sure that they'd rather take the fans with them but they will announce when they have made a final decision, regardless of fan chants. They are either giving Eckert a long trial period or they have not yet identified (or persuaded) another candidate.

 

 

We don’t do fan backlashes ! Have you seen our pathetic fan base ! 
 

SR are not arsed in the slightest as to what our fanbase does ! We are know Newcastle or Everton who fans actually get shit done !

[BarberSaint]

6 hours ago, DellBlockH said:

I'm intrigued by the idea that the board sacked Still because of fan pressure and because the fans had turned against SR. I'm fairly confident that they sacked him based on results and, quite probably, feedback from players. 

Yes, there was some chanting from the Northam end during Still's final game. But I doubt if this was the deciding factor. After all, these fans spend quite a lot of time chanting about Pompey and, now, Nathan Jones. The idea that SR are holding off on a new manager announcement because they fear a fan backlash is also doubtful. I'm sure that they'd rather take the fans with them but they will announce when they have made a final decision, regardless of fan chants. They are either giving Eckert a long trial period or they have not yet identified (or persuaded) another candidate.

 

 

I think  the quite audible and more than once sung "Sack the board" did have some effect. First time I can recollect they actually got put in the firing line.

[Starksj1995]

6 hours ago, SaintJackoInHurworth said:

I am hopeful they will announce something soon, but happy to wait! My guess is that they are just seeking to get a few things sorted before everything is announced. For example:

• Eckert's new contract
• Any visa changes which are needed
• His support Team - coaches, etc.
• Possibly a director of football to support Eckert with experience
• Under 21 Team - NB I can't help wondering if Schneiderlin will be part of this

Obviously some of these are already in place anyway.

We already have a dof 

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I honestly think Tonda will get it by default.

There is no one AVAILABLE out there the Board want, would come or have confidence in; and they know another gamble would be their death knell. Of course Tonda is a big gamble, especially after the Millwall game, when we reverted to a Still-esque performance. So all in all not really a healthy place to be. A young, inexperienced manager on the back of a four match run against at least 2 poor sides or .........

Time to cross the digits and hope like hell things work out. In Tonda we trust.🫣 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

42 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I honestly think Tonda will get it by default.

There is no one AVAILABLE out there the Board want, would come or have confidence in; and they know another gamble would be their death knell. Of course Tonda is a big gamble, especially after the Millwall game, when we reverted to a Still-esque performance. So all in all not really a healthy place to be. A young, inexperienced manager on the back of a four match run against at least 2 poor sides or .........

Time to cross the digits and hope like hell things work out. In Tonda we trust.🫣 

A sad indictment of Sports Republic as owners. 

[Wade Garrett]

53 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I honestly think Tonda will get it by default.

There is no one AVAILABLE out there the Board want, would come or have confidence in; and they know another gamble would be their death knell. Of course Tonda is a big gamble, especially after the Millwall game, when we reverted to a Still-esque performance. So all in all not really a healthy place to be. A young, inexperienced manager on the back of a four match run against at least 2 poor sides or .........

Time to cross the digits and hope like hell things work out. In Tonda we trust.🫣 

I think it will end in tears if they go in that direction.  

[Dusic]

1 hour ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I honestly think Tonda will get it by default.

There is no one AVAILABLE out there the Board want, would come or have confidence in; and they know another gamble would be their death knell. Of course Tonda is a big gamble, especially after the Millwall game, when we reverted to a Still-esque performance. So all in all not really a healthy place to be. A young, inexperienced manager on the back of a four match run against at least 2 poor sides or .........

Time to cross the digits and hope like hell things work out. In Tonda we trust.🫣 

Any managerial appointment is a gamble. At the very least we have seen us put in our best performance in a hell of a long time vs Charlton (who prior to the game many on here were saying was a proper test vs experienced manager etc).

Also the players clearly like, respect and want to play for him.

Just get it done and focus on the games, we have better players than most teams at this level so set up in a logical way and with a bit of positivity from the bench and in the stands we still have a good chance of a decent season.

[Tommy Mulgrew]

👀 Marco Rose, Thiago Motta, Erin Terzic, Erik ten Hag, Bruno Lage, Quique Sanchez Flores, Patrick Vieira, Dejan Stankovic, Tim Walter, Brendan Rodgers, Michael Carrick, OGS, Southgate, Xavi, Puel, Hasenhuttl, Eckert: dream and then 🫵 take your pick.

[Fabrice29]

2 hours ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I honestly think Tonda will get it by default.

There is no one AVAILABLE out there the Board want, would come or have confidence in; and they know another gamble would be their death knell. Of course Tonda is a big gamble, especially after the Millwall game, when we reverted to a Still-esque performance. So all in all not really a healthy place to be. A young, inexperienced manager on the back of a four match run against at least 2 poor sides or .........

Time to cross the digits and hope like hell things work out. In Tonda we trust.🫣 

Winning 4 out of 5 games is not a healthy place to be. The latest not so good game is the only one we should judge him by. Only getting the job by default and not the actual good work you’ve done to improve from the ‘Still-Esque’ performance.

Imagine being this miserable in life ffs 🤣 I swear people like you actually dislike it when we win games.

[sotonjoe]

2 hours ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I honestly think Tonda will get it by default.

There is no one AVAILABLE out there the Board want, would come or have confidence in; and they know another gamble would be their death knell. Of course Tonda is a big gamble, especially after the Millwall game, when we reverted to a Still-esque performance. So all in all not really a healthy place to be. A young, inexperienced manager on the back of a four match run against at least 2 poor sides or .........

Time to cross the digits and hope like hell things work out. In Tonda we trust.🫣 

If he gets to continue in the role it will because of his impact on first team results whilst in interim charge; not "by default." at all 

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

3 hours ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

I honestly think Tonda will get it by default.

There is no one AVAILABLE out there the Board want, would come or have confidence in; and they know another gamble would be their death knell. Of course Tonda is a big gamble, especially after the Millwall game, when we reverted to a Still-esque performance. So all in all not really a healthy place to be. A young, inexperienced manager on the back of a four match run against at least 2 poor sides or .........

Time to cross the digits and hope like hell things work out. In Tonda we trust.🫣 

The thing with the conveyer belt of football management is that somebody will unwittingly become available soon. Wait I say and that also gives Tonda more time to justify his candidacy. 

[sadoldgit]

17 minutes ago, sotonjoe said:

If he gets to continue in the role it will because of his impact on first team results whilst in interim charge; not "by default." at all 

If it is true that Spors brought him in because he saw him progressing eventually to become the first team coach then that is a reasonable assumption.

[ally_uk]

Frank lampard innit