SFC - Have we finally passed the lowest point ?

[alpine_saint]

I wrote over a year ago in the dark days of Burley f**king about, then Dodd & Gorman and the rumours of Lowe's return that the club had not reached its lowest point of decline.

 

Maybe its the euphoria of back-to-back wins, but I am thinking that even if we are relegated, we may now have passed the lowest point.

 

Wacky theories regarding players and tactics, going against decades of experience of English football have now been utterly discredited, and the way forward is now clear. These dumb-ass theories will, in my opinion, never raise their head again.

 

Despite a certain poster who frequents this site banging on about how football has changed (I will conceed that maybe it is the effect of the credit crunch bringing us in a full circle), it is clear that the Lawrie Mac principle of getting in good, experienced players possibly a little past their prime and in their last few years of pro football, combined with a few decent young guns, is the ONLY way forward.

 

Also, attendances appear to have passed their lowest point too.

 

So, what say you all ? Have we started the claw-back to where we were ?

 

EDIT - apologies for the similarity to BadgerBadger's threat, but the slant of mine is a little more general about the club and further forward-looking, imo.

Edited 1 March, 2009 by alpine_saint

[Andoverian]

I wrote over a year ago in the dark days of Burley f**king about, then Dodd & Gorman and the rumours of Lowe's return that the club had not reached its lowest point of decline.

 

Maybe its the euphoria of back-to-back wins, but I am thinking that even if we are relegated, we may now have passed the lowest point.

 

Wacky theories regarding players and tactics, going against decades of experience of English football have now been utterly discredited, and the way forward is now clear. These dumb-ass theories will, in my opinion, never raise their head again.

 

Despite a certain poster who frequents this site banging on about how football has changed (I will conceed that maybe it is the effect of the credit crunch bringing us in a full circle), it is clear that the Lawrie Mac principle of getting in good, experienced players possibly a little past their prime and in their last few years of pro football, combined with a few decent young guns, is the ONLY way forward.

 

Also, attendances appear to have passed their lowest point too.

 

So, what say you all ? Have we started the claw-back to where we were ?

 

EDIT - apologies for the similarity to BadgerBadger's threat, but the slant of mine is a little more general about the club and further forward-looking, imo.

I think you are right bar the fact that Lowe is still around and I fear that he will come up with some nonsensical new plan at some stage which, as usual, will put us back in the ****e. There is no doubt that the fans are totally behind the players and the new management. That was obvious yesterday. Great atmosphere! Keep Rupert away!!

[dubai_phil]

Think you're a little premature, not on the footballing side but just the overall can it still get worse side.

 

There seems to have been an outbreak of common sense on the footballing side, that seems to be bringing back a few extra fans each week. So the green shoots of recovery ARE there.

 

But I still remain convinced that we are only hanging on financially by our finger nails.

 

Will the two away games (and reduced income in that time) impact on our cash flow and cause the bank to pull the plug?

Will the attendance increases be fast enough to improve our revenue and cash at the bank?

 

I really think that IF we can get to the end of the season and clear some of the O/D but keep the core of the team we WILL come out of the mess now.

 

But I worry whether we will get through the next month off the pitch. Perhaps our only saving grace is that Lowe is such a "nasty piece of work" in his negotiations that he can keep the bank on a string long enough.

 

So not yet, but nearly

[Colinjb]

Until a viable alternative to Lowe is found we will remain at a low point.

[SaintRobbie]

Maybe its the euphoria of back-to-back wins, but I am thinking that even if we are relegated, we may now have passed the lowest point.

 

.

 

No way have we reached our lowest point. I am afraid its as simple as confidence in strategic leadership to make the right decisions.

 

We have no strategic leadership and a Chairman called Rupert Lowe out for his own personal gain. Sorry, but as long as Lowe is in a position of influence over decision making this Club has a long way to fall.

 

We are still going down. We have had two better performances against underachieving teams on the day. I am not convinced we'll survive, Lowe will take us into League 1 yet.

 

3-4 more back to back wins and I may change my mind. But, the evidence is not convincing enough.... yet.

[sidthesquid]

I wrote over a year ago in the dark days of Burley f**king about, then Dodd & Gorman and the rumours of Lowe's return that the club had not reached its lowest point of decline.

 

Maybe its the euphoria of back-to-back wins, but I am thinking that even if we are relegated, we may now have passed the lowest point.

 

Wacky theories regarding players and tactics, going against decades of experience of English football have now been utterly discredited, and the way forward is now clear. These dumb-ass theories will, in my opinion, never raise their head again.

 

Despite a certain poster who frequents this site banging on about how football has changed (I will conceed that maybe it is the effect of the credit crunch bringing us in a full circle), it is clear that the Lawrie Mac principle of getting in good, experienced players possibly a little past their prime and in their last few years of pro football, combined with a few decent young guns, is the ONLY way forward.

 

Also, attendances appear to have passed their lowest point too.

 

So, what say you all ? Have we started the claw-back to where we were ?

 

EDIT - apologies for the similarity to BadgerBadger's threat, but the slant of mine is a little more general about the club and further forward-looking, imo.

 

I'm beginning to worry about this outbreak of optimism - has spring reached the dark side of the Apls at last?

[Le Timmier]

I really hope so. I'm not going to get carried away, but I have a real feeling of optimism today that I've not felt on a Sunday morning for a very long time.

 

Saints have 6 points out of 6, spring is in the air and the sun is shining! The only way today can improve is seeing that lob-sided Skate crook's face when Manyew stick 6 past Spurs!

[WealdSaint]

I'm optomistic that we might just stay in the Championship this season.

 

However, without changes at board level, I can't see anyway that things are going to get dramatically better.

 

It will be interesting if we survive how Wotte & Lowe get on in the close season

[Big Ron fan]

Unfortunately, things are very likely to deteriorate much further. Lowe is capable of making many more dreadful decisions before his time at Saints is finally up.

[Amesbury Saint]

Any news on ticket prices for next year?

 

What is the latest financial position?

 

Very pleased with 2 wins but is the real challenge off the pitch?

 

Have we passed the lowe(st) point?

 

Not yet

[70's Mike]

Any news on ticket prices for next year?

 

What is the latest financial position?

 

Very pleased with 2 wins but is the real challenge off the pitch?

 

Have we passed the lowe(st) point?

 

Not yet

 

The first question is the big one for me , was discussing it yesterday and many were saying even if there is a reduced price offer that they will wait to see what division we are in, so if we stay up the club could have an unexpected windfall of more season ticket money as people renew at a higher price

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

I'm starting to think we might have bottomed out. Whether though it has come too late remains to be seen.

[docker-p]

Maybe past the worst. Lowe has conceded his youth revolution was an unmitigated failure, and we are now playing with two experienced players up front.

 

But I doubt good times are about to return anytime soon. For that we need new investment which Lowe can't or wont find, and/or increased revenue through bigger crowds, which also is unlikely until Lowe disappears back under his stone.

 

But it was good to walk away from SMS yesterday happy with 3 points.

[ExSt Peter Saint]

It's still going to take an incredible effort this season to stay up. We ****ed up the first half of the season so badly that this will be one hell of an escape if we pull it off. We had the players to do this on the books all along, but haven't used them. Now we finally are, but one or two injuries and we could be back to kids who don't have the strength mentally or physically to keep us in this league and relegation to the third division would leave us absolutely doing a Leeds. Would you want to be in that league for as long as them and then only be clinging on to a play off place at best?

[sidthesquid]

Maybe past the worst. Lowe has conceded his youth revolution was an unmitigated failure, and we are now playing with two experienced players up front.

 

But I doubt good times are about to return anytime soon. For that we need new investment which Lowe can't or wont find, and/or increased revenue through bigger crowds, which also is unlikely until Lowe disappears back under his stone.

 

But it was good to walk away from SMS yesterday happy with 3 points.

 

It was not an unmitigated failure. It really irritates me that people are suddenly anti our good young players just because Rupert is supposedly in favour of them & suddenly players who have rarely ever cut it for us are afforded God-like status just because he wanted to sell them. It was a failure because they went too far with the youngsters, but if we survive this season we will reap the benefits. Please don't take your hatred of Lowe out on our young lads

[Mole]

Lowe is still at the club therefore there's no light at the end of the tunnel.

[um pahars]

Please don't take your hatred of Lowe out on our young lads

 

I don't think anyone is!!

 

If anything, people have been supportive of those youngsters who have been put in a position that they are not yet ready for.

 

Over and above expressing normal opinions about any player who pulls on a Saints shirt, I don't think any animosity has been directed at the younger players who are the innocent party in this naive experiment.

[Micky]

Who knows if we have passed the lowest point - we will only really know at the end of the season. If we are relegated, and there is still a very really posibility of that, then things could get decidedly worse.

 

If we survive however - then I think people at the club need to take a long hard look at last season, and this season and learn.

 

The real crime would be staying up and failing to learn from this seasons mistakes - there are some very stark lessons that are very evident.

[glkdcdes]

Mark my words, forget about 2 wins as good as that is. We will not see any real change while the imbecile Lowe is in any way involved with Southampton. If we stay up, which in reality is still a very tall order it will be in no way due to Lowes visions or capabilities and if we start beleiving it is the rock bottom is still ahead of us

[buctootim]

I am thinking that even if we are relegated, we may now have passed the lowest point.

 

So, what say you all ? Have we started the claw-back to where we were ?

 

Probably we have passed the lowest point. Unfortunately I keep buying bank shares thinking the same thing.

[Scudamore]

Mark my words, forget about 2 wins as good as that is. We will not see any real change while the imbecile Lowe is in any way involved with Southampton. If we stay up, which in reality is still a very tall order it will be in no way due to Lowes visions or capabilities and if we start beleiving it is the rock bottom is still ahead of us

 

So if we do well it has nothing to do with Lowe...and if/when we're sh:t it's all down to Lowe?

 

:roll:

[Whitey Grandad]

So if we do well it has nothing to do with Lowe...and if/when we're sh:t it's all down to Lowe?

 

:roll:

Exactly! and we're not 'doing well', by the way.

[Scudamore]

Exactly! and we're not 'doing well', by the way.

 

So the relegation zone isn't good? Ah nuts...

[brightspark]

An answer to the title question:

 

I fully doubt it. Still think we will get relegated and fail to impress on League 1. Becoming an Oldham could be our low point for me. Please don't let 2 wins trigger dreams of lifting the Champions League trophy in 3 years time!!!

[nick1579]

So the relegation zone isn't good? Ah nuts...

 

I think you both missed Scudamore's important two letter word. Might want to read the post properly before posting clever replies.

[Whitey Grandad]

So the relegation zone isn't good? Ah nuts...

I've seen better. :roll:

[Whitey Grandad]

I think you both missed Scudamore's important two letter word. Might want to read the post properly before posting clever replies.

Apologies if I have misunderstood. Which of the several would that be? (no, I'm not trying to be clever)

[Scudamore]

I think you both missed Scudamore's important two letter word. Might want to read the post properly before posting clever replies.

 

And i am Scudamore...i reserve the right to be a smart arse to myself! Thanks for sticking up for me however. Very kind.

[Whitey Grandad]

And i am Scudamore...i reserve the right to be a smart arse to myself! Thanks for sticking up for me however. Very kind.

I'm reminded of the end of the film 'Spartacus'. If we can't be smartarses on here, then what hope is there left?

[Scudamore]

I'm reminded of the end of the film 'Spartacus'. If we can't be smartarses on here, then what hope is there left?

 

I am Smartacass.

[eelpie]

We have four points to haul back on the team above us before we can congratulate ourselves. The lowest point will be if we fail to do this.

But hey, good work fellers, so far.

[slickmick]

With Pompey slipping nearer the relegation zone I am feeling a lot better about our prospects.

Also a really good gate on Saturday, lets hope the last five home games bring in crowds big enough to help us fight our debts.

[Whitey Grandad]

I am Smartacass.

No, I'm Smartacass.

[eurosaint]

It was not an unmitigated failure. It really irritates me that people are suddenly anti our good young players just because Rupert is supposedly in favour of them & suddenly players who have rarely ever cut it for us are afforded God-like status just because he wanted to sell them. It was a failure because they went too far with the youngsters, but if we survive this season we will reap the benefits. Please don't take your hatred of Lowe out on our young lads

 

I suspect that you are twisting the facts here :

a) Nobody is (anti) our good young players, only the fact that they were all thrown in at the deep end together !

b) Stupidity/incompetence was the cause of playing too many youngsters at the same time, surely that's what managers/coaches are there for, to get a balanced team capable of getting results, no?

My opinion is not borne out of hatred for Lowe, it is based on proven logic in the football world and most certainly is no reflection on individual youngsters in the squad !!!

[um pahars]

I suspect that you are twisting the facts here :

a) Nobody is (anti) our good young players, only the fact that they were all thrown in at the deep end together !

b) Stupidity/incompetence was the cause of playing too many youngsters at the same time, surely that's what managers/coaches are there for, to get a balanced team capable of getting results, no?

My opinion is not borne out of hatred for Lowe, it is based on proven logic in the football world and most certainly is no reflection on individual youngsters in the squad !!!

 

I did try to point this out yesterday, a ridiculous and unfounded statement.

[sidthesquid]

I suspect that you are twisting the facts here :

a) Nobody is (anti) our good young players, only the fact that they were all thrown in at the deep end together !

b) Stupidity/incompetence was the cause of playing too many youngsters at the same time, surely that's what managers/coaches are there for, to get a balanced team capable of getting results, no?

My opinion is not borne out of hatred for Lowe, it is based on proven logic in the football world and most certainly is no reflection on individual youngsters in the squad !!!

 

I'm not trying to twist things, just, like the team, find a balance

Point b - I agree with almost totally (but money did play a part)

Point a - a lot of people on here have been saying the only reason we are doing better now is because the senior pros are so great. They have done a good okay, but if they were that great somebody would have signed them up. I know nobody has been specific about individual young players but it the way everyone says it was obvious that Euell/Skacel/Saganowski were essential and are the best ever that annoys me. Personally I would have been happy to see all three go in the summer after last year, though I am pleased they are performing well at present. And part of the reason we are doing well now is that our good young players have matured because they have been playing regularly

[um pahars]

Point a - a lot of people on here have been saying the only reason we are doing better now is because the senior pros are so great.

 

You are rather prone to over sensationalising things aren't you?

 

No one has been suggesting they are so great, more that in having them in the side it has given us more balance look, and that we look a better side with them playing.

 

I know nobody has been specific about individual young players

 

Exactly, so your claim that supporters are "anti our young players" and are "taking their hatred out on Lowe" are plainly ridiculous.

 

but it the way everyone says it was obvious that Euell/Skacel/Saganowski were essential and are the best ever that annoys me.

 

Once again you're slighly exagerating people's views. No one is saying they are the best ever. We just look a much better team with their involvement.