BBC Sports chief football writer Phil McNulty's take on the Koeman move to Everton, interviewed on Radio Solent on Saturday. Interesting to get a journalist's view straight of his mouth, rather than whittled down to an article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03x8zvc
Well, if we're flummoxed as to why some don't trust the board, that to me would be it: minor issue or no, the discordance from those statements leads people to think that they're either not clued in or intentionally leading fans on. It's likely just swinging too far in the other direction on fan outreach after the uproar about their silence during the first exodus, but it'd be easily solved...simply stop making public statements that X looks highly likely to happen unless the individual in question is holding a pen and about to sign a contract.
Why has nobody suggested that Erwin Koeman will take over the managers role? Has there been any mention of Ron taking his back room staff with him? Sammy Lee at Everton??? Erwin is an experience manager! How much of his influence has contributed the last two seasons? I wouldn't be surprised if he was appointed
I think I may have said at this time could that have been a bit of club spin, I thought it was a strange interview to give. We never talk about incoming players in this way, fair enough he was our manager but all the same, my view is we likely smelled a rat back then and got in first. Same with AL and NC. This is about promoting and protecting the brand, and making the most out of something they thought may happen, sort of a We march on together type thing. Bet it goes down great in the US... QUOTE="Puck, post: 9318730, member: 1019268"]I was mainly just messing with you FLT and I'm not going to claim it's the biggest problem in the world but over the last few seasons the club have made a number of statements along the lines of "We're confident X is going to sign a new contract" just before X has gone elsewhere. You have to admit the club have cocked up slightly when they feed an article to the press that says and then less than a week later Koeman leaves for Everton. As a one-off it wouldn't really matter but, as Schad said, similar things have happened in the past. I remember Koeman saying Alderweireld wanted to come to Southampton about 3 days before he signed for Spurs and we were also confident Clyne was going to sign a new contract not long before he left. You're right that the decisions and actions of the board are more important and generally speaking they're doing a very good job. This press stuff isn't that important but it must have an effect on how the public and other people in football or the press perceive the club. Not the end of the world - far from it - but the club have made the same "mistake" (for want of a better word) a few times now and it's something that can be improved. No harm in pointing that out.[/QUOTE
If I approach the club and ask them to refund my season ticket as it was sold on the basis of Ron staying and few changes to the squad, what do yo reckon the chances of them doing it? Next season I'm going to wait until the end of the summer before I commit ......
o Actually, I have been saying for about 4 years that it isn't the end of the world if we take a step back. In fact I expect us to very soon. I want someone who will buy in to the club's plan properly. If they stutter for a bit, then so be it, I believe in the strength of our structure to withstand that. This club has had forward momentum for 7 years, so this huge opportunity isn't any different to each of those years. I genuinely think most Saints fans have now set them selves up for a fall and are far too short term in their views. This is probably down to raised expectations because of recent progress and success. With 12 clubs chasing top 6, then at some point we won't achieve it and then I will watch the whinging and moaning begin. I am reading more and more comments like "Throw money at it" and " We need to splash the cash". Even yesterday there were posts in the discussion about the Board and perhaps they could have thrown more money. It might not be popular, but this is my view. I want us to succeed, but I also understand that success isn't a one way street and a continual upward curve on a graph. There will be downward directions. Anyone who doesn't expect one at some point, is in for a nasty shock and they won't be able to handle it. I'll back whoever the Board choose
Are you sure you're a football fan? Far too bloody reasonable. If the path of true love is rarely smooth (and I've got 50+ years experience of his one), the path of business development makes it look like a straight highway!
I think you're onto a loser there Dave, I'm pretty sure the manager or certain players remaining isnt one of the T&Cs when you sign up to buy a season ticket...
The annual ritual of the threat to return a Saints season ticket - it's like the first swallow of summer. Pretty soon they'll have to move the cut off for renewals back to March.
I don't agree. They stop making statements about those things fans know are up for discussion/renewal/etc and they will get hammered (remember the big summer exodus?). I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. This is all about how individual people view statements from the Board and whether they like to find a fault somewhere or not. I have absolutely no issue with the Board over making those statements. For all we know it could be a tactic to flush something out.
No make them wait. We don't care anymore but we may as well make it difficult. It's not going to make our new manager arrive any quicker.
Anyone clicked to see who voted where above? Clicking on the lower voted candidates, I noticed Leeds, Norwich and Liverpool fans voting. Some twice! Boy, they must have sad little lives
