Southampton to 'raise the bar', says Saints chief: http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/06/18/ca-southampton-looking-to-raise-the-bar-says-saints-chief/ Giving his reaction to the fixtures and answering some general questions. Here are some quotes... On Liverpool game: "No problems with that. I don't mind those 'tough' fixtures. We'll take that positively. We've got plenty of time to prepare. I'm looking forward to the game and the start of the season." On Rickie: "I think they (the Saints fans) will give Rickie a fantastic reaction. Rickie has done fantastic things for this club. The fans adore him and were disappointed to see him go. But I think they've understood the special nature of that transfer and they'll never forget what Rickie's done here. He's a real gentleman, the move has gone smoothly and he's been very respectful. And I think our fans respect him. I think they'll give him an ovation and I don't see a problem with that." On Adam: "There's nothing happening at the moment, he's out at the World Cup. There's a lot of media speculation. As I've said repeatedly, we will deal with player transfers if they're right for the club. I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to be worrying about Adam lining up against us." On Koeman: "Of course (asked about Koeman being keen to keep Lallana), he wants a strong squad and a strong team. We've had initial discussions. We've taken a very positive stance on it, Ronald and myself. If we can hold on to our players and those players want to be here, then we will add to it. If players do move, it'll be because it's the right thing for the club. And if they do move they will be replaced with high-quality replacements." On Incomings: "We've got a fantastic manager with a great reputation. Players are going to want to play for him. I think it'll take its course over the course of the transfer window. Obviously it's more difficult with the World Cup. These deals are being done behind the scenes at management and executive level. It'll just run its course. As we've always said, we want to strengthen. We've had a few issues to deal with, but we've got over that." On Next Season: "We've got our manager now. He's won trophies, he's played in Europe as a manager and a player. We think we're raising the bar, and we have got everything to be positive about." DTLW
Uncle Les has stepped up to the mark in a big way and has shown admirable leadership. He is an excellent communicator and it appears that he was a major factor in the Koemans taking their jobs. He certainly did not deserve the negative reporting of him by certain Journalists.
The football guy talks a lot more sense than the hockey guy. I'm really glad the board have sorted themselves out now.
Anyone get the impression our Ralph might be finding another Ice Hockey position suddenly quite soon?
Least now the fans that were so quick to jump on the "the board don't know what they're doing" band wagon can actually trust in KL and LR. The club is moving forward, Who the hell is MP?
Reed is sounding really assured and just more like he is in control now. He also sounds like he knows what is going on, and what he is talking about. Krueger knew neither.
I'm sort of glad for MP's sake that Spurs don't come to St Mary's until late April next year, because the reception might still be poisonous. Besides, Levy will have sacked him before then anyway, so the issue becomes academic.
Why the vitriol against Ralph? He isn't here to deal with football matters, his role is elsewhere in the running of the Club, as I understand it he is out watching the lads at the World Cup, so is hardly going to be talking here at the moment. I don't know much about him and I guess nor do those that are making disparaging remarks about him?
Nothing against Ralph personally, but it is clear that he isn't the one we need to hear from on footballing matters. I think the club have realised this now.
It is sort of understandable. Ralph comes in, says a lot of words which mean very little. Les Reed gets in front of the cameras, says far fewer words, but conveys a lot of info. You can see how this appears preferable to a fan. Besides, Ralph is doing the un-sexy stuff, as he calls it, by promoting Saints in the commercial sense. He says there is a tremendous amount to be done to make Saints name bigger in every part of the World. Well, until the team make it easier, and win a few things, he's got to start banging on corporate doors. Something which he is entirely qualified for.
With, I can't see him being sacked. As much as I dislike the guy for playing us about, he is a good manager.
