Good morning Saints. I hope you are all well. I am interested in getting Southampton fans thoughts on the old Smooth talking silver fox Alan Pardew. I never really knew what went on when he left your club. Rumour has it that he got a bit pally with Mike Ashley whilst still your manager? I have also heard rumours of scandal with women involved with the club? Just thought I would mention, he is generally liked by West Ham fans. When we took him from Reading, he had one of the best win ratios in football. His first season was disappointing which ended in a play off final defeat although I think this was more down to the mess that Glenn Roeder had left behind. In his second season He got us promotion and built a truly fantastic young side in our first season up. He was within a few seconds of winning us the FA Cup and the future looked bright. The following season results dipped. There was a rumour that he had an affair with a players wife and the squad started to look very divided. Some felt we owed him more time after what he had achieved in the past 2 seasons (sound familiar? but I think looking back we can all see that he had to go. Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts on him. Would you welcome him back? How far do you think he can go in the game? JUST TO ADD THAT ANY RUMOURS IN THIS POST ARE EXACTLY THAT - RUMOURS AND PROBABLY UNTRUE. BUT RUMOURS NONE THE LESS WHICH PROBABLY NEED MENTIONING WHEN DISCUSSING PARDEWS HISTORY WITH OUR CLUBS.
I was told by a close friend who was related to a member of the Charlton Board that AP's hands, eyes etc also wandered when at Charlton. Will probbaly never know until he writes his life story!
I think he was generally well liked here - he took us to Wembley, all 44,000 of us, and just missed out on the Lg 1 play-offs despite a 10 point deduction. You have to realise how dark things were for us in the summer of 2009 to understand why winning the Johnston's Paint Trophy meant so much. We never found out why Cortese showed him the door, despite all the rumours. This in itself is a tribute to both men, as neither have since breathed a word to the press on the subject. I'm pleased to see him doing well with Newcastle.
His time at Charlton had completely disappeared from my memory! Probably because his first game was a 4-0 win against us!
Guys and Gals.......Look it is none of my business what you people say about players or managers. Just a word of caution though.....when making any sorts of allegations, just remember you are liable for what you say and can be prosecuted. Even if it is hearsay and you report it as fact there could be consequenses. While I agree it is unlikely....but as has been proven over the last couple of years, if they have a mind, they will go for you......... So just be a bit on the cautious side as some of you tend to be a little overzealous with their allegations..........
Fair point Sir. As I say, it was just rumours and most likely bollocks. Maybe we were just looking for an excuse for our very sudden fall from FA Cup finalists and a top half finish to bottom of the league in a matter of months.
The fact that similar rumours also came around from his time at Charlton, West Ham etc makes me think that they were bollocks. I liked Pardew, respect the work he did, and hopefully he gets a good reception at St Mary's.
Is the WHU board too busy for you There were a lot of rumours about AP's `drinking club` at the training ground, Trying it on with a players Mrs, Asking to buy a new team to progress to the Championship. Clash of personality with out Chairman (not believing in NC dream of being a European force). Poor training pre-season and start to the season was the official reason. The rumour which held most water with me was he was out gambling with the Newcastle owner (Rumour: who AP owes a shed load of money to) discussing becoming the manager at Newcastle and NC found out, NC demanding total loyalty. There is a section on wiki about AP's controversies:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Pardew, with you being a WHU fan I'd have thought you were well aware of AP's reputation.
I would have him back at West Ham any time. At the time he left us he said he has unfinished business with us and would like to return one day. I hope Gold and Sullivan make it so because he is an incredibly likeable guy and clearly has talent as a manager. He also gave me some of my best memories as a West Ham fan. Play off final win. FA Cup quarter and semi final wins. Good times.
Thanks for that. I do not go to the West Ham section of not606 but I am a regular contributor on independent West Ham forums. However, I have found some good debate and banter on this site with the Saints fans and I like to call in now and then. Is that ok with you? I personally like it when fans of other clubs call into our forums. Of course I am aware of Pardews reputation. My opinion of him is very favourable. I was just interested in getting your views on him that's all as he is a mutual footballing figure for us.
Not atall. I was here for most of last season when you were above us. I will go if you want. It's just it makes a change to chat with other fans sometimes but not too fussed if you would all rather I didn't.
Pardew was brilliant, shame about the rumours and I hope they are not true. On the other hand I think he didn't see eye to eye with Cortese.
Trixter you are welcome as far as I'm concerned. Most of us on here enjoy a bit of banter! We would just prefer to be looking down on you rather than the other way around!
Trixter you are always welcome here IMHO . Relating to Pardew , so many rumours , BUT Great Manager and I wish he never left , having said that , we would never have got Nigel.............
