"Southampton hasn't seen a fight like this since a tramp and a fat man fought over a half eaten sausage roll found outside Yates" Le Tiss won that one too iirc.
Would be pretty scared to see the end of Solak with whatever chancer ends up buying us in this state. Sports Republics reign has been a weird one - obviously terrible in the Premier League, but the footballing decisions can be explained in the following timeline: - SR come in with Rasmus leading the way - SR hire Joe Shields to lead football decisions. - Joe Wilcox ****s off after 3 months. - SR then keep power in-house, oversee a terrible relegation and managerial appointments. - SR hire Jason Wilcox, oversees a strong albeit not perfect season in the Championship but ultimately culminating in a return to the Prem with no financial issues. - Jason Wilcox ****s off before our most important transfer window in years. - SR lads take the helm again, with a pretty awful transfer window and terrible season on pitch (Mangers, the players, VAR, The Dell Bars fault, take your pick). - SR hire Spors to oversee the following season. The pattern is obviously that the SR football guys shouldn't be running the show - they're not now, and that gives me confidence going into next season. To their credit, they have tried to implement a structure around "football guys" and give them power - they've just ended up ****ing off/ getting poached. Solak has invested and looked to try and improve the team, facilities and culture - it's gone wrong on a few counts, but can't help feel sorry for him. He's a decent owner who has had the wrong people in charge, and he acknowledges that. With all the terrible owners and clubs falling down the pyramid, I can't help but feel like the sort of person to buy us now would be of that ilk (not a lot of money, trying to get promoted on the cheap, try to make money from our best assets and not re-invest). I guess we'll see what happens over the next few months, but **** me this couldn't have come at a worse time.
Solak has invested and looked to try and improve the team, facilities and culture- How has our team improved from when they took over? We beat Brentford 4-0 that game. All of those players are better than what we have now. To be fair to them we've got a pub though. Try to make money from our best assets and not re-invest- SR have been pretty explicit regarding that being their plan. Does it really matter if another company does the same? I get people are worried about new ownership because that's pretty ****ing scary, but ultimately the league table doesn't lie. This is the worst Saints team in our entire history. We've won 1 home league game all season. That is ****ing unforgivable, and it all stems, absolutely all of it, from trying to be far far far too clever summer of 22/23 season. I understand the argument he's had the wrong people in charge but he put them there. The buck stops with him. We could get worse owners yes, but we could also get far better. These lot are amateurs and written their names into the Saints history books for all the wrong reasons
So Dragan gets a free pass? Not his fault? Obviously there's absolutely nothing he could have done, if anything he's the victim here
That was a really grim season and never thought I would see the like again and then this season came about
Really, how?. In actual terms yes, but we had only shillings to pay players. Relative to our peer group at least they were more competitive in 2009
Yes I am sure a £200mm squad would be better than a £2mm, squad, I was hoping folks would have looked deeper......
Rather than compare which team were better, whether in actual terms or in relation to competition, surely it makes more sense on looking at which time was more enjoyable as a fan? That is why we all do this, isn't it? Without doubt it is better being a fan now, mainly because our future is secure and we aren't on the brink of not existing anymore.
Well exactly. We had shillings. This thread is about the ownership. We have never been financially unstable under them! We have also always signed players with some value!
He’s really not a very nice man. Was involved in MBS usurping MBN, forced him to give up the crown by imprisoning him and withholding vital medication.
I'd dispute that tbh but depends how you look at it I guess. Obviously we don't have all the off the pitch concerns now but in terms of what's actually happening on the pitch this is by far the most miserable season I've experienced in my time going. Prob doesn't help that I've been to far more games though in fairness.