David Armstrong...

[benjii]

on the radio earlier said that he has applied for the Saints Manager job several times over the past 10 years. Apparently he has all the relevant coaching qualifications etc...

 

He also said if he and Merrington had been appointed at Christmas they would definitely have kept us up this year.

 

Now, clearly the second pargraph is pure conjecture but the gist of his interview does reinforce the painfully obvious point that there were numerous cheap alternatives available to Lowe and that appointing a bizare nobody under the apparent instruction of a mysterious "Mr Fixit" was not the only option.

 

Anyone who still thinks our league position has been dictated exclusively by the finances is just plain odd IMO.

[saint lard]

I would of taken a chance with an Armstrong/Merrington combo time and time again over the likes of JP or wotte.

[Toadhall Saint]

Has he got a chrystal ball? But he at least was a/is a legend! What I'd give for a midfielder of his stature right now.

[RobM]

At least we would have had some history and passion involved in running the club! The chances of getting somebody like MLT in are slim, so this could possibly have been the next best thing.

 

Personally I hope we get somebody like Armstrong in next year in League 1. Somebody who knows what this is all about and what it takes to win games.

 

Heck, I'd even be pleased to see Dodd come back. League 1 might be his level and an ideal chance to start over for him and us.

[benjii]

At least we would have had some history and passion involved in running the club! The chances of getting somebody like MLT in are slim, so this could possibly have been the next best thing.

 

Personally I hope we get somebody like Armstrong in next year in League 1. Somebody who knows what this is all about and what it takes to win games.

 

Heck, I'd even be pleased to see Dodd come back. League 1 might be his level and an ideal chance to start over for him and us.

 

It certainly sounded as though he would jump at the chance if offered it.

[Wiltshire Saint]

I heard that Tommy Widdrington was keen. Now he would have done a great job. What experience has Armstrong got? Nothing. No wonder he wasn't given the job. Just because you once played for a clubdoesn't give you the right to either manage it or act like a loon and continually apply for the job over a period of 10 years. If you ran a business and someone with no experience applied for the same job endlessly for 10 years you'd think they were a big mental head.

 

Anyway, the important thing in all of this is that Tommy Widdrington should have been given the job after Burley (probably before Burley) and then we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now. And, without wanting to sounf smug, there were a few of us saying as much on this board and we were laughed at. Time to eat some humble pie I think.

[Nadia Sllim]

He did well at Andover!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[washsaint]

More complete and utter ****e from a PLAYING legend.

 

I remember when Dave Merrington wa sin charge and I think that was just about the worst Saints side I have ever seen (excluding this shower of ****e). Who can ever forget neil Maddison being played up front at Blackburn?

 

Why can't people see......last season we escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth on the last day. We then lost several players and have been left with crap like BWP, Euell, Skacel and Saganowski on huge wages which meant we could not do much.

 

The more senior players have come in and have been, quite frankly, a disgrace.

[ottery st mary]

More complete and utter ****e from a PLAYING legend.

 

I remember when Dave Merrington wa sin charge and I think that was just about the worst Saints side I have ever seen (excluding this shower of ****e). Who can ever forget neil Maddison being played up front at Blackburn?

 

Why can't people see......last season we escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth on the last day. We then lost several players and have been left with crap like BWP, Euell, Skacel and Saganowski on huge wages which meant we could not do much.

 

The more senior players have come in and have been, quite frankly, a disgrace.

 

None of the sides in the history of Saints have been as bad as we are now under our Top Dutch Coach....So I am told by most Saints supporters .

[rallyboy]

Yes I think we are experiencing history - surely this is the worst Saints team of all time?

 

And as for choosing a player of the year, that's like asking people to nominate their favourite serial killer.

Give the trophy to the groundsman, he painted some nice white lines.

[The Tango Man]

Has he got a chrystal ball? But he at least was a/is a legend! What I'd give for a midfielder of his stature right now.

 

What I would give for any decent mid fielder right now !!!

[lordswoodsaints]

tbh merrington has a very good track record working with the young players but it was a long time ago and things have moved on.....armstrong on the other hand was a great player and i loved his style of play but would the combination of the two be good enough?

im not so sure,but hey,is it any better than the gamble we have already got in place?

[Pat from Poole]

More complete and utter ****e from a PLAYING legend.

 

I remember when Dave Merrington wa sin charge and I think that was just about the worst Saints side I have ever seen (excluding this shower of ****e). Who can ever forget neil Maddison being played up front at Blackburn?

 

Why can't people see......last season we escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth on the last day. We then lost several players and have been left with crap like BWP, Euell, Skacel and Saganowski on huge wages which meant we could not do much.

 

The more senior players have come in and have been, quite frankly, a disgrace.

 

 

If memory serves, Merrington was only allowed to sign Venison during the season. I like him, he comes across as a bit of a doddery Grandad at times on Solent (I could never forget his hopeless attempts to pronounce Kosowski's name), but he knows his stuff. He has said many a time this season we wasted money on a reserve keeper when we could have gone in for Sam Vokes.

[saintwarwick]

on the radio earlier said that he has applied for the Saints Manager job several times over the past 10 years. Apparently he has all the relevant coaching qualifications etc...

 

He also said if he and Merrington had been appointed at Christmas they would definitely have kept us up this year.

 

Now, clearly the second pargraph is pure conjecture but the gist of his interview does reinforce the painfully obvious point that there were numerous cheap alternatives available to Lowe and that appointing a bizare nobody under the apparent instruction of a mysterious "Mr Fixit" was not the only option.

 

Anyone who still thinks our league position has been dictated exclusively by the finances is just plain odd IMO.

 

Hasn't our parent company, SLH, gone into administration due to financial problems? You do realise if we don't find a buyer soon we may not have a football team so finances has had an effect on our position.

[Channon's Sideburns]

If memory serves, Merrington was only allowed to sign Venison during the season. I like him, he comes across as a bit of a doddery Grandad at times on Solent (I could never forget his hopeless attempts to pronounce Kosowski's name), but he knows his stuff. He has said many a time this season we wasted money on a reserve keeper when we could have gone in for Sam Vokes.

 

I started threads on signing Sam Vokes from Bmth last season...got laughed at by some.

 

Hope those same people were watching him today.

[SFC Forever]

If we get a buyer with money we should try to get Paul Ince in. We have the ground and the fan base. Wolves are top and only got 24000 for the game today. Ince knows the league and I am sure he would be tempted if we could show enough to start the fight back.

Edited 10 April, 2009 by SFC Forever

[INFLUENCED.COM]

If Armstrong believes he has the ability to take Saints forward why the f*ck is he selling stationary ? why has he not remained in football ? why is he an employee and not an employer ? so easy for some to talk of others failure.

[rick1976.4.38]

i agree sfcforever,get ince,a man who is a winner and would give this bunch of ****e a kick where they need it.would get them playing with a bit of pride ffs.

[saintwarwick]

I heard that Tommy Widdrington was keen. Now he would have done a great job. What experience has Armstrong got? Nothing. No wonder he wasn't given the job. Just because you once played for a club doesn't give you the right to either manage it or act like a loon and continually apply for the job over a period of 10 years. If you ran a business and someone with no experience applied for the same job endlessly for 10 years you'd think they were a big mental head.

 

Anyway, the important thing in all of this is that Tommy Widdrington should have been given the job after Burley (probably before Burley) and then we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now. And, without wanting to sounf smug, there were a few of us saying as much on this board and we were laughed at. Time to eat some humble pie I think.

 

Just like Alan Shearer at Newcastle As for Tommy Widdrington, that is just pure speculation and IYO.

[SFC Forever]

Win lose or draw the first thing we want is a team to cheer on. The faces in our stand today told it all. There was nothing to support.

Edited 10 April, 2009 by SFC Forever

[saintwarwick]

If we get a buyer with money we should try to get Paul Ince in. We have the ground and the fan base. Wolves are top and only got 24000 for the game today. Ince knows the league and I am sure he would be tempted if we could show enough to start the fight back.

 

i agree sfcforever,get ince,a man who is a winner and would give this bunch of ****e a kick where they need it.would get them playing with a bit of pride ffs.

 

Paul Ince would be a great shout but sadly we could not afford him. Hopefully should we find a buyer for the club then someone like Ince should be top of the wanted list.

[SFC Forever]

Agreed. First we meed a buyer.

But to get Ince would surely tell us all that the club means business.

[Wiltshire Saint]

Just like Alan Shearer at Newcastle As for Tommy Widdrington, that is just pure speculation and IYO.

 

Well there a couple of points here. Firstly, I don't think Shearer is the right person for Newcastle because of his lack of experience. Secondly, the reason he was appointed was because he is a figure head for Newcastle. David Armstrong is not a figure head for Saints. He is a very good player from our hey day who now needs to stop talking and stop applying for the Saints job.

 

As for TW, we will never know the truth behind the story. All I know is that (1) he would be good for us (2) He is a saints man (3) he has experience and (4) he is better bet than David Armstrong.

 

I think I am now out of posts, but if you could imagine that anything you post regarding TW and DA I would respond with "rubbish! TW is perfect for us and it's not too late"

[offix]

Next season in League 1, if the club still exists, I would LOVE to see the Armstrong/Merrington combo in charge. Armstrong's legendary work rate and dedication should rub of on any team we may have left by then. He will not abide slackers. L1 would be the perfect level for that.

[saintwarwick]

Well there a couple of points here. Firstly, I don't think Shearer is the right person for Newcastle because of his lack of experience. Secondly, the reason he was appointed was because he is a figure head for Newcastle. David Armstrong is not a figure head for Saints. He is a very good player from our hey day who now needs to stop talking and stop applying for the Saints job.

 

As for TW, we will never know the truth behind the story. All I know is that (1) he would be good for us (2) He is a saints man (3) he has experience and (4) he is better bet than David Armstrong.

 

I think I am now out of posts, but if you could imagine that anything you post regarding TW and DA I would respond with "rubbish! TW is perfect for us and it's not too late"

 

If Tommy is that good why are Salisbury languishing mid table of the conference? Would you have him over Paul Ince? To me promoting Tommy Widdrington several leagues with limited experience is a big a gamble as promoting Dave Armstrong to the role. Either would be a huge gamble and that is why we should promote someone with real experience and not sentiments.

[teamsaint]

This club , if it continues to exist, badly needs some stability. Given that 80% of what is in place is of little value, I would suggest that a few old Saints around the place, like Armstrong, might be a good place to start a rebuild. Don't know about Armstrong as a manager, but whatever midfielders we have next season would learn plenty from him.

[J Bizzle]

Well there a couple of points here. Firstly, I don't think Shearer is the right person for Newcastle because of his lack of experience. Secondly, the reason he was appointed was because he is a figure head for Newcastle. David Armstrong is not a figure head for Saints. He is a very good player from our hey day who now needs to stop talking and stop applying for the Saints job.

 

As for TW, we will never know the truth behind the story. All I know is that (1) he would be good for us (2) He is a saints man (3) he has experience and (4) he is better bet than David Armstrong.

 

I think I am now out of posts, but if you could imagine that anything you post regarding TW and DA I would respond with "rubbish! TW is perfect for us and it's not too late"

 

His experience is coaching us at salisbury, and he wasn't that good a coach tbh. would hate to see him anywhere near this club.

[Professor]

Posts saying "if only....", really don't tell us anything. "If only Nigel Pearson had been kept on...", "if only Poorvlieit had been sacked sooner...". The fact is that if only those things had been done, the situation could have been better, or the same, or it could have been worse. If Pearson had remained and the team had been in the bottom 3 by September, the only certainty is that the same old names would have been screaming for Lowe's blood for keeping him on. Speculation can be interesting, but don't lets take it seriously.

[VectisSaint]

Ince knows the league

Please explain how Ince knows the league? 3 appearances for swindon Town hardly qualifies him as being even remotely knowledgeable of Leage 1, unless you are speculating that we will be relegated 2 divisions. We do not need Ince. What we need is someone with some feeling and passion for Southampton Football Club. There is hardly any shortage of ex players who are now managers who are 10 times more qualified that Paul Ince.

[Viking Warrior]

Tommy widdrington as an option,

 

Would we have had to pay relocation expensives from OZ to get him to the club.

[OldNick]

Has he managed a team? In had the impression he was sacked in non league football?

[Delmary]

Next season I hope we get a decent manager with plenty of lower league experience. We need to hit the ground running whether it's CC or L1.

[Junction 9]

I heard that Tommy Widdrington was keen. Now he would have done a great job. What experience has Armstrong got? Nothing. No wonder he wasn't given the job. Just because you once played for a clubdoesn't give you the right to either manage it or act like a loon and continually apply for the job over a period of 10 years. If you ran a business and someone with no experience applied for the same job endlessly for 10 years you'd think they were a big mental head.

 

Anyway, the important thing in all of this is that Tommy Widdrington should have been given the job after Burley (probably before Burley) and then we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now. And, without wanting to sounf smug, there were a few of us saying as much on this board and we were laughed at. Time to eat some humble pie I think.

 

I agree. I remember people pouring scorn on the idea at the time.

I was fully behind Tommy from the word go. He would certainly be a better option than Armstrong. Maybe Tommy would be interested in managing us in League 1??

[Miltonaggro]

To be fair Merrington never really had a chance as Saints manager and I feel he was very much a stop-gap at that time, great youth coach though (long before Rupert's groundbreaking 'fame academy') . During his season in charge he had little money and his wife was seriously ill, so to keep us up was an achievement in itself. Dave Armstrong as a player was magnificent and should have won 50 England caps. Both are Red and White through and through but are probably not the answer at present, although preferable to Hertz Van Rental et al.

 

If we went for an ex-player right now I would take Chris Nicholl, with a younger man as his number two (perhaps Le Tiss, Benali, or at a stretch Dodd). All were members of his youth set up, and Chris certainly has unfinished business at SFC...

[benjii]

To be fair Merrington never really had a chance as Saints manager and I feel he was very much a stop-gap at that time, great youth coach though (long before Rupert's groundbreaking 'fame academy') . During his season in charge he had little money and his wife was seriously ill, so to keep us up was an achievement in itself. Dave Armstrong as a player was magnificent and should have won 50 England caps. Both are Red and White through and through but are probably not the answer at present, although preferable to Hertz Van Rental et al.

 

If we went for an ex-player right now I would take Chris Nicholl, with a younger man as his number two (perhaps Le Tiss, Benali, or at a stretch Dodd). All were members of his youth set up, and Chris certainly has unfinished business at SFC...

 

Now that's an interesting shout!

 

Does anyone know what Chris Nicholl up to nowadays?

[Atticus Finch of Maycomb]

I am pleased that finally, finally people are starting to talk seriously about Widderington as manager. I used to live in Salisbury and attended a few friendlys and Salisbury looked like quite a sound outfit, players were played in their positions and, although salisbury lost, they had a lot of shots and their keeper was class.

 

Widderington has unfinished business at Saints. He left us as a player in acrimonious circumstances and would definitely relish the chance to set the record straight. I think if Tommy was given time (something our managers never get) and a few half-decent players, we'd be back in the championship in 4-5 years tops.

[miserableoldgit]

Now that's an interesting shout!

 

Does anyone know what Chris Nicholl up to nowadays?

Apparently managing Aston Villa Old Stars!

[benjii]

Apparently managing Aston Villa Old Stars!

 

What's that?!

[Dicko]

My heart tells me we need somebody with an unquestionable passion for SFC, and Armstrong / Merrington fit the bill

 

However, my head tells me we need experienced & strong management. An untried guy could spell disaster

[OldNick]

I am pleased that finally, finally people are starting to talk seriously about Widderington as manager. I used to live in Salisbury and attended a few friendlys and Salisbury looked like quite a sound outfit, players were played in their positions and, although salisbury lost, they had a lot of shots and their keeper was class.

 

Widderington has unfinished business at Saints. He left us as a player in acrimonious circumstances and would definitely relish the chance to set the record straight. I think if Tommy was given time (something our managers never get) and a few half-decent players, we'd be back in the championship in 4-5 years tops.

Reading this just underlines how far we have fallen.

[Kadeem Hardison]

If the vocal minority had paid attention to the growing groundswell of backing we had developed on here for Widdrington, we would have been able to use our voices (protests, chants, etc) to let the board now how we felt and could have had TW here after Burley.

 

If Widdrington was installed after Burley left, we wouldn't be in this position now. Fact.

 

We would probably have one eye on the Premiership by now, had Tommy been allowed to develop his team last season and this. THAT is what having a manager with passion for his club does.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

I would of taken a chance with an Armstrong/Merrington combo time and time again over the likes of JP or wotte.

 

I agree. That would have been interesting to see.

[miserableoldgit]

What's that?!

Kind of Ex-Saints type team I believe.

[saintwarwick]

If the vocal minority had paid attention to the growing groundswell of backing we had developed on here for Widdrington, we would have been able to use our voices (protests, chants, etc) to let the board now how we felt and could have had TW here after Burley.

 

If Widdrington was installed after Burley left, we wouldn't be in this position now. Fact.

 

We would probably have one eye on the Premiership by now, had Tommy been allowed to develop his team last season and this. THAT is what having a manager with passion for his club does.

 

No it's not fact just pure speculation. We need someone with experience that is fact.

[Wiltshire Saint]

No it's not fact just pure speculation. We need someone with experience that is fact.

 

Can you prove it's not fact and while you're at it can you prove that us needing someone with experience is a fact.

 

What irritates me about this club is the way that we have clearly f*cked up in a big way and there is a clear and sensible way out of the situation, but we never seem to take the sensible and easy route. I hope that L1 football begins with us being taken over (not by billionaires, but people with a long term interest in the club) who appoint TW and build a strong, young team made up of local lads who will fight for the name. TW has experience in managing and knows the club.

[Atticus Finch of Maycomb]

Widderington would sort out this bloody mess, first and foremost.

 

He would get the team fit and sort out or diabolical defence.

 

He would get our midfield passing and our strikers scoring.

 

He would restore pride in the shirt and would bring the fans back through the turnstiles.

 

We have already done half the job by getting rid of Lowe and Wilde. I know I'm not alone when I say that the job will be complete with Widderington installed as manager.

 

Do it now, we might even have a chance of staying in this league (unless we are deducted points, obviously)

[Ian the Red]

Widdrington IMO would not be the answer. If he is that good another club would have picked him up by now. He was an average player; but one that played for the club with pride and passion. He would not have the respect of players; he has achieved nothing, either as a player or a manager.

 

All speculation, he will never be a manager here. If someone comes in with dosh they will appoint a proven manager in whatever league we start in next season.

[70's Mike]

Alan Knill from Bury , also ex saints

[Atticus Finch of Maycomb]

Widdrington IMO would not be the answer. If he is that good another club would have picked him up by now. He was an average player; but one that played for the club with pride and passion. He would not have the respect of players; he has achieved nothing, either as a player or a manager.

 

All speculation, he will never be a manager here. If someone comes in with dosh they will appoint a proven manager in whatever league we start in next season.

 

another vote for Widderington.

 

hope the boys upstairs, or the prospective new owners, are reading this and paying attention to the fans (for once).

[MarkSFC]

what we need is a manager with real potential who would get us out of L1 and could also be good enough to manage us in the Prem for years to come. What we dont want is someone who is good in the lower leagues but may not be good enough for CCC and Prem. This would just cause disruption again. A manager who would be happy to be here for 5-10 years building us up to a top club again.

IMO Paul Tisdale fits that bill. Ex-player who stayed for years without playing, indeed played less than 100 game sin his career. He has already achieved 4 promotions with Team Bath and Exeter and may get another this year. He only has 1 year left on his contract I think so would be relatively cheap to get. But hes probably the most important signing for the club.

We should also identify a "long-term" academy manager, and then send him to work with GeorgesProst if Lyon would allow it in order to gain his knowledge. Might be controversial, but maybe Wigley!

Whatever happens with the takeover, plans must be put in place to promote stability, and a structure that will drive the club forward.

In a way, this may just be the best thing for us, new owners, new start......