Can I put it out there that some of what Blackmore says is just bollocks? Why can't he say what he wants? The whole "sensitive" thing is crap. You're a journalist, not an ITK twitter-nut. Obviously we will need a clear out to get rid of all the Cortese / MoPo Cronies. If they love the shirt, they fight to make the team stronger. I get the impression that they are using the perceived weakness of the board to validate money-grabbing moves.
I'm not laying it all at his door, I'm just saying that obviously in the first instance the players would talk to him and he is in daily contact with the board. You're telling me no managers would take an interest in their players' happiness? Would seem an integral role to me.
Person in "sounds like he's talking bullshit, is actually talking bullshit" SHOCK! (I don't think we can quite say this just yet, but signs aren't great, are they?)
it's also about treating people with respect. Doubt they'd even sign a contract now, whereas it would have been a formality. Made no sense...if they'd signed a new contract, they could still have been sold. The whole thing smacks of amateurism.
Of course he has to be careful what he says. He is BBC Solent's 'in' at Saints. If he hacks them off or lets on too much, they'll just isolate him. That means the BBC get isolated. I can tell you pretty certainly that Blackmore is telling it how it is here. He has close contact with players. Hell he wasn't even meant to be allowed to speak to Rickie last night yet Rickie went and spoke to him anyway to say goodbye. He is close to the squad.
Yeah, the problem is definitely the players. If we get rid of all the good players, and keep the ineffectual board, things were surely be looking up.
I understand that totally. But for him to be so intent on a move to West Ham - or even that he was so angry he wasn't allowed to go - makes me question his motives slightly. He must be on at least 40k a week here? I find it hard to believe that he is desperate for the money. Even with an early retirement.
This all ties in with the interviews the players did, suggesting they generally don't know the ambition of the board. Lack of communication here is startling
Of course, but managers leave, and it was pretty clear there was a MAJOR danger of MP going at the end of the season. The board will have known that, so should have been moving mountains to get players with contracts running out signed up. That's their responsibility, and they've not delivered (yet).
To a degree. But they're professional sportspeople - most of whom are away celebrating the success of the organisation that employs them by playing for their national teams. Oh diddums, they don't tweat me nice! Southampton need to show tough love. We want our players. You guys are staying. Get over it.
Can tell you now that José Fonte in particular is upset. He wants to stay here, he really does but he can't even get a conversation with the board. Don't be surprised to see quotes from him in the media next week guys...
A first step might be, I dunno, telling them that. Or offering the ones that want to stay contracts. Being left twisting in the wind appears to be much of the reason they're angry.
No. I believe the players have hinted at some of this. I believe he is making it out to be a bigger deal than it is. I don't like my boss either. I'm not leaving.
Yet the ones who seem to be angry are on massive, big money contracts and are away with their country. I'm far from sympathetic.
