Match Day Thread Saturday 22nd February 2025, St Mary's Stadium, Southampton v Brighton, 3pm

Great post and agree with pretty much all of it but just wanted to focus on this paragraph as the Wellington thing was my favourite part of the game by a county mile.

The second part was one of the most ludicrous things I've seen and was when I left.

 

If you feel that strongly that they don't deserve any more chances, crack on. I'm not saying "I'm right" or "you're wrong" - I'm not that stupid or arrogant. It's just my opinion and feeling.

 

Kiss my chuddies!

 

I don’t think there are enough Saints fans that are militant enough to create a protest movement. I’ve only been to St Mary’s three times but from what I’ve seen, the fans are nothing like the rabid fans you get at teams like Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Everton etc. Having heard about the threats and death messages, attacks on fans and team buses etc, that ‘passionate’ fans turn to, to get the changes they want, I would rather be a pathetic fan. Hypocritical, I know, when I call the team pathetic. Saints are a pathetic club, management, players and fans. We care but not the extent of getting militant. Maybe it’s an age thing. Sad but true.

 

I remember the days of the Rupert Lowe protests well. We used to be angry enough to do stuff like that ...

 

Angry enough to kidnap Ian Branfoot !

 

Yep, I was there out the front of the stadium along with everyone else in the Lowe era. Christ has football really become that gentrified in 20 years that we're OK with being the worst team in history just because some random dude has turned up in a completely new and irrelevant post?

The whole of the Northam sang about swinging Rupert Lowe off a bridge. Not any more! We've got fan zones and a hideously overpriced pub in the stadium now, we shouldn't appear to be ungrateful! It's all a bit pathetic. We as fans deserve these owners because of how quickly we roll over.

2 relegations in 3 years but we've got Spors. Turn up, pay your money and clap

 

But he’s not random, and nor is the post irrelevant.

 

This isn’t me saying what has happened is acceptable, or that you have no right to be pissed off and angry at the owners. You do. I’m pissed off and angry about it. But there is recognition they’ve been ****, changes, and some hope (which may or may not work) on the horizon.

To say Spors is random/pointless/wrong/bad etc is idiotic though.

 

Do something then. Don't just moan on here. Actually organise some sort of protest.

 

Just in case people need reminding of his background. He was especially well thought of at Leipzig and Hamburg btw, where he was doing the exact things we’ve been so bad at for too long.

 

Think it’s more to do with the traditional issue of the ‘hardcore’ fans being priced out the club. I’ve had many a conversation over the years with people who’d love to go often but just can’t really afford it and an ST is too big a commitment. It’s very very noticeable in St Mary’s, I very much remember consistently good to excellent atmospheres, especially the Adkins year in the Championship, some incredible matches there. And the European nights.

It is absolutely nothing like that now. And I think it’s also (I go on about it all the bloody time but I will die on the hill) that the years between Poch - Koeman and the way we had to watch our club sell our best players has had a subconscious effect on the fanbase of the club. It’s like a pavlovs dog level of conditioning where we know to expect good players to be sold immediately. It’s engrained in us now, I’ve heard many a time this season how people just know Dibling will be sold in the summer and no one expects us to keep him. Same with Sulemana if he gets a few more goals.

People say it’s just part of football but we sold an entire starting team and a few subs worth in 3 summers, then everyone involved in that process left in a few years with their moneybags and the fanbase is left with Mark Hughes fighting a relegation battle and the fans are scratching their heads wondering what the **** happened. I feel like we were all hustled looking back. What looked like our golden years was actually just a 3 year long span of sell, sell, sell and run when the well starts to dry and you’re having to replace Mane with Nathan ****ing Redmond..

 

So well thought of, and such a heavyweight football icon that we had issues getting a work permit?

From the Daily mail
"The 42-year-old will use his exercise to lead owners Sport Republic on football matters across the group.

He will report to the club’s CEO, Phil Parsons - with Spors starting his role on February 15 alongside Director of Football Operations Mark Bitcon"

So he still reports to Parsons (responsible for this season) and will work alongside Bitcon (also responsible for this season) What exactly is he bringing to the table? Even if he's gods gift to football, if he's on a par with muppet #1 and answers to muppet #2 and muppet #3 he's not going to be able to achieve much is he?

 

F**k them, My first game was 1958. Wife and I have had season tickets since 1977. Both saw the the 76 cup final. Cannot believe the lack off basic professionalism, I've played in better organised back 4s (or 5s) than todays. That's it for this season, we've better things to do than watch this shower of sh*t. A grand daughter, 9 years old playing for Wycombe Wanderers under 10s offers much more hope than what I saw today. Shan't renew tickets until there is a change of direction that offers hope. See you all next season, if there is a discernable plan that makes sense to us. Otherwise after a life time of watching, wth a passion for 67 years I'll find someting better to do.

 

Hope your aunt had a great birthday.

Grew up in Botley and I haven't been to the Bugle in about 20yrs, bet it's changed a fair bit.

 

Parsons is responsible for the commercial side of the club, which has been the single success story so far (and which desperately needed sorting) - he has nothing to do with football decisions.

Regarding the work permit situation, you’d have to take that up with the Home Office. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work on “he’s well thought of”.

Look, EVERYONE has rightly said that our recruitment, both of players (with a couple of exceptions) and particularly managers has been horrendous. So we bring in someone who has a lot of good experience in scouting and recruitment, and regardless of what you say, is very well thought of. But despite us needing precisely what Spors is, we’re now saying “no, that’s not it”. It’s very weird.

 

Nah, looking at that info you posted, we will be interested in his cricket knowledge at Genoa.

Saying that, most score lines look like they’re from Cricket, maybe they’re on to something.

On a serious note, I get both sides of the argument, we simply have to wait and see what next season brings, but that shouldn’t stop people from having a right old moan right now.

The club are fully responsible for what is going on right now, the players have clearly chucked it in whilst continuing to collect sizeable salaries.

Honestly I can’t think of anyone I’d keep, other than Fernandes. If the club came out and replaced the entire playing staff I’d be happy.

I get that Juric was identified on the old guard, but my god what another total **** up, in a season of monumental ones.

I said I’d be getting a season ticket for me and my boys next season, based on right now I can’t justify it, I see no plan. They’d better come out with an almighty acknowledgment and apology very soon, as in when relegation is confirmed or more likely at seasons end.

They need to detail the plan going forward, including the sacking of Juric the night of the final game of the season.

I’d hope they detail the type of football they are after also as in possession based, press etc.

I get they can’t give too much away also, but we need to be told of the clear direction.

 

I think the key for me for the summer is we have to act early. Juric needs to gone the day after the Arsenal match and we need the replacement in well before pre season. We should already be sounding out managers so we can move quickly once the season is over.

Oh and I've said this before but please no ****ing quibbling over minor sums and trying to be clever re our league status. Identify our main target and get it done quick time.

 

Chelsea then Liverpool away are the next two fixtures…

 

Thanks. Was a great afternoon apart checking score at 5ish. Don’t think the Bugle has changed much tbh. Dolphin across the road is still there & really good. Some nice restaurants there as well.