He probably would have had a better chance of more England recognition playing for Spurs, also they were his favorite team as a schoolboy , also think White Hart Lane 30,000 plus ,the Dell 15,000 not to mention the annual relagation battles,no i think he must have been tempted irrespective of any cash issues .He always said he was very happy at SFC and i believe him. Anyone other than a Saints fan would consider Spurs a bigger higher profile club than us .No i don't think any one should question the mans loyalty
Cortese told the story that one day he said to his wife, 'People think I'm a little monster.' Her reply, 'No, Nicola. You are a big monster.' He is said to be a difficult person, but where have these stories come from? He says little to the press himself. If Nicola keeps quiet and carries on bringing success to Saints, I will have no complaints.
I'm not saying he isn't loyal, he's just not as loyal as people think. Le Tiss said himself the only reason he didn't join Spurs was because they wouldn't offer him more then he was on with us. Le Tiss also said if they did he would of gone without a doubt. The only true loyal people are us.
I can find a video of Gazza doing some magic but I defy you to say he's not a twat. Using "he's good at football" as a definitive counter argument for someone not being a twat is genius
My opinion: MLT was a footballing genius and always appeared to be a decent and simple person; he loved playing football in his style. He has become a huge Saints Fan and I think he is hurting a little. He is a true legend to saints fans and infact, most football fans hold him in fairly high esteem. He lived and breathed our club in a different era. Things are different now. The club has a new regime that is run and managed in a different way and by a man who puts his business decisions before any sentiment and some of those decisions have crossed MLT and some of his close friends. Matt has spoken out about it and the media now prod him on it; it's a story for them. I met MLT briefly and he came across as fairly humble, a saints fan and someone who enjoys life in a relaxed manner. I met NC at a fans dinner for 4 hours. He came across as the polar opposite to MLT. He was very businesslike (polite too), aware of his own persona and a man keen on detail (he sat through our dinner with a seating plan and a list of who had been to games, who hadn't and what they had spent at the club). He was a a good host, answered all questions openly but always with an obvious air of thought and caution; I don't think once he "shot from the hip". NC was asked about MLT and moved on swiftly by claiming he hadn't really met him so couldn't comment about him. He has not need to comment on him as he is sitting on the throne in the house. There was an "air" about him and I certainly wouldn't want to cross him but hey, he's the top man in a multi million pound business. MLT must remain as a legend of our club. I don't like reading the negativity in his comments but I'm so aware that the media will seize on any opportunity to stir. Sometimes he is maybe too open but I understand he probably is hurting - he shouldn't be on sky, he should be meeting the opposition off their bus each week as a reminder that "This is Southampton" and he should be shown to the fans on the pitch before each home game to help get that noise the team needs going. But that can't be now. Shame, but not the end of the world. Cortese's is the right man for this club as proved over the last three years and I hope he will continue and succeed with his plans to take us forward further. I like the way he keeps quiet, he is professonal. As a fan I don't need to take sides. I'm a saints fan and that means I hold Matthew Le Tissier in the highest footballing esteem and I am grateful to the excellent job Nicola Cortese is doing running my club.
Totally agree. The club is bigger than anyone and every player has his price. MLT would have left for he right offer but that doesn't stop him being a legend and the greatest player I've ever physically seen play. Cortese has put this club back where it belongs and for that we should all be eternally grateful. The noise is irrelevant!
We need to remember Cortese is a hard nosed business man, he is not there to make friends, he is there to run a successful, profitable football club and who are we to argue as long as the results continue to be produced on the pitch.
Who would you trust more? A hard nosed businesman who never blows his own trumpet or a footballing genius who was a failed cheat?
If you want an agreeable night in the pub....MLT is your man. If you want someone to be financially responsible for your team...NC is your man.
The bit I've highlighted is the right way to approach the situation. I have no doubt Cortese could comment if he wanted to but the fact he declines the opportunity shows a greater level of maturity than Le Tiss does, bleating on about it everywhere. Either that, or Cortese knows he's ****ed Le Tiss up and is too ashamed to explain... nahhh
Doubt Cortese thinks he is in the wrong...not that kind of person. He is right not to join in though.
Gaza didnt play for Saints and so what he is or isnt is irrelevant - its Matt Le Tissier we are talking about and he is Saints through & through. Its not a case of ' he's good at football ' its a case of Matt Le Tissier being a legend to thousands of us Saints fans for many seasons of great entertainment and giving us pride in our team. In my opinion Le Tissier will always be a legend. The new owners have done well since they bought the club, and i am very fond of the memory of Marcus - BUT in my opinion it remains to be seen how dedicated Cortese & co are to the club longterm and only time will tell. I have no major issues with Cortese but i am never going to go on a fans forum, or anywhere else for that matter, and slag off our greatest player in the modern era because he has an issue with the chairman.
Not sure people are slagging him off. We just wish he didn't keep talking about it. Just shows Saints in an unnecessary negative light.
Of course he's a legend of the club, as a player. He's acting like a twat right now though - I won't let what he did over a decade ago cloud my judgement on whether or not he's being a twat. It's not writing him out of the history books or anything.
Is the purpose of our existence to make others like us? If so then like Nicola I have failed but do I care? Not one jot.
There are definitely people on this thread slagging him of - if calling him a t--- isnt slagging him off then i dont know what is. I am just putting my opinion on here saying that i dont think Le Tissier is a t---, and i dont buy into the near hyseria when Cortese is challenged in any way. In my opinion and in most of those in our gang travelling to Upton Park on Saturday Le Tissier is Le God, and Cortese is doing OK but not in that league yet. Be great in 5 years time if he is still chairman and Saints are an established Prem team, but long way to go yet.
I think it's pretty hard to disagree with the notion that Cortese has delivered more for the club than Le Tissier ever did. Maybe that's what's upset him so much?
