We are probably relegated and I would suggest anyone within the upper echelons of the club, who know about football, realise this. Let's be fair. Regardless of how we play or the players we have, the results we have had since the season began would result in any manager getting the sack in the modern game. This would make sense because we are going to finish bottom, with possibly a meager, embarrassing total and I dare say before long a couple of right hammerings, at least 7 something once I bet. The harm this does to the structure of the club amongst backroom staff, junior players, players who stay, the supporters, the overall feeling and belief will be at an all-time low. Then, like our Championship season, the manager and board, will have to build up confidence, and belief in the club, to the point where everyone believes we can get a draw at Plymouth Argyle. This is the real damage, it sits in the club like a slow-growing mold and it stays there for a long time. In my opinion, this is a huge dilemma with the current run. I think our board thinks they are being clever, "Everyone else sacks a manager with performances like this and where we are in the league, but we at SOUTHAMPTON FOOTBALL CLUB don't! The way of doing things in this league isn't broken, but we've broken it!" Twats is all I think.
Completely agree . If no Saints fans turned up , what financial effect would that have on the club , compared to TV revenue ? Not much I would imagine !
Yeah, if anything, we need to somehow mitigate the motto "Off field it's all going very well" - then they'd listen.
Doesn’t this describe the last 7 or 8 seasons. We have become a pair of grans slippers as a team. Worn down and battered. Other slippers are available.
Absolutely, but the way it's going this season could be the rancid cherry on that pile of putrid cream. I mean really bad and embarrassing, possibly record-breaking, means it sticks that little bit harder. Much harder to wash away - unless we win the Championship without losing a game or something. Oh, I need to get the nurse, the medication is wearing off.
Saints (and/or Sports Republic) board seem to be following the WW I generals' strategy - "It didn't work last time, so let's try it again, as no-one will be expecting it"
Agree, you can't always get what you want but that doesn't mean I should pay for something I don't - I'm not obliged to spend my money on what I consider to be to be very poor entertainment value. At the end of the day that's what SR are - a business, selling the product of "entertainment" through the sport of football - as fans we decide or are decided for us which team we are going to support and we follow them - buy their merchandise, buy their tickets to see games and generally support the club in whatever fashion we can. If the football is a little boring but the team is still getting results then we don't complain too much, yes of course we'd like to see thrilling swashbuckling football but that doesn't always happen. What we have at the moment imho is dire plodding dull tedious football so when I think "what can I spend my hard earnt money on" I have many considerations to take into account - it's coming up to Christmas - The kids - Wife's birthday - the car needs a MOT so if I don't get what I want I'm going to go else where for my fun. Sorry, just because I'm Southampton born and bred, I'm not legally bound to put my cash into the pockets of SR - I think they're taking us for mugs.
Short memory, Claude Puel did just that and we complained enough to get him the bums rush. Think yourself lucky to have the choice of where to spend your money, millions don't have that kind of choice. The thing about supporting your team is down to the individual, but running away when the going is mediocre isn't going to solve the problem, you need to find positive ways to channel your anger.
"Think yourself lucky to have the choice of where to spend your money, millions don't have that kind of choice" - I lived and worked in Asia many years so I know all about poverty thank you - Gratitude and staying humble "but running away when the going is mediocre isn't going to solve the problem, you need find positive ways to channel your anger" Honestly WTF are you wittering on about? Think the only person getting angry around here is you when you perceive any criticism of the club. Do you think I should blindly put coffers into the SR purse and I'm not allowed to express my discontent? Mmmmmhhh that sounds familiar - I wonder where?
Different times different expectations. Puel came in after MP and Koeman, high expectations. Since then we had Pelegrino, Ralph spiral of depression, jones, Selles and relegation. If puel came in now he would be most welcome.
It is entirely your choice, I just don't agree with it. If you think your absence will make a difference that's fair enough.
Not been able to log on in here so far this season. To be honest, there has not been much to write about but I think I would like to add my part to this debate. Whilst the unbeaten run was impressive last season, I always felt that we were very fortunate to get promoted and that the drop off in form towards the end of the season by Leeds Utd enabled us to get the third promotion position which was not really deserved. I was insure as to how Martin would cope with the Premier League. Half of me thought that his style of football might be better suited than in the Championship whilst I did fear that it could go the other way and he would be a total failure. It was pretty clear from the first match against Forest that he was out of his depth and I just believe that we should have been ruthless and lined someone up to replace him in September. I feel that we have left it too late and would have been in a mch better position with a coach who knew how we were to manage the end of matches. I think relegation is unavoidable and the concerns about getting as few points than Derby strike me as being very genuine. Sacking Martin would have been unpopular in the summer . The warning signs were there last seaon, I feel.
It would have been harsh and I would have felt sorry for him, but most had concerns about his potential in the PL and would have understood.