Don't agree with you, O. Seems to me as if Jose has been a poisonous atmosphere about St Mary's from day 1 of returning from the Euros. We tried to show him our appreciation and he just ignored the fans. Not sure many players would do that unless their minds were elsewhere. Cedric certainly seemed pleased with his welcome. Then there's the support for the manager - not once has he spoken out about working with him or assisting. On field he gave no orders - that was for Virgil to do. I reckon he decided he was too big for this "small club", he'd worked his socks off to get us promoted (thanks Jose!) and now "deserved" a big payday. He was being outplayed by VVD and Maya and could see his possibilities limited. Reckon he or his agent started making noises as soon as he got back, which is why the club didn't cup-tie him in Europe. That seemed to make him worse and now he's prostituting himself to go to West Ham for an extra year on his contract. Silly boy - could have stayed here for his contract then gone as a free agent back to Portugal as a legend. As it is, thank Jose - now don't let the door hit you on the way out. Play as well as you did the last time I saw you and you won't be in their team long ..........
Guys I always hate it when a good player leaves........I truly cannot see what Jose is going to gain by leaving Saints.........to go to Wet Spam? What the heck........Are we ever going to find out the reason for his split with the club? We can all speculate but I am really having difficulty in understanding what has caused this rift. For the life of me I cannot see it is anything to do with his ego as others have suggested..........
But it hasn't been negative until (maybe) this season. We have improved and got better each season. My main point for saying it isn't so fans stop moaning at the club. It is so the fans that take it to heart or take it really badly can hopefully accept it more. Fans are a passionate bunch and some times too passionate, I doubt it can do some of the fans health any good. So it is not me trying trying to stop them moaning at how we are run, it is me hoping when a player leaves it effects them less.
The club did prevent Morgan, Wanyama and Mane from leaving when it didn't suit us....and have tried it with Jose (but have given up as unlike the other 3 he hasn't settled down). They left in the end, but after we had a season to prepare. Players leave other clubs as well. Not enough in my view. But who am I ......
Yeah, I really respect your stance on it. Godders summed it up perfectly for me in the other thread though. I loved having 'heroes' play for the club, it's a big part of football for me. I think that is why im going to less and less games. If the football was boring and we were losing, I can handle that. It's the fact that the players literally don't give a **** about the fans that makes me not want to spend my hard-earned.
To be honest wouldn't be surprised if Mendes started in Jose's ear tempting him with United and the big Portuguese clubs (who we mostly wouldn't begrudge him going to either), with whom he could of course grease the wheels, just to set in motion events that could then be manipulated to a point where any move with a good wage and agent fee would do by January. Wouldn't be particularly hard to do, right in the classic scumbag agent's wheelhouse. Just as much supposition as all the rest of the finger-pointing, but I suppose at least based on the indisputable fact that Mendes is a prick.
If it helps, I can still hear my Dad saying exactly the same thing in the 70's as the reason why he didn't go to football any more. Vin
Well, as usual, mate, we fans are in the dark. One of the problems with the "it's just a business" talk is this. I am pretty loyal to my internet service provider; to my house insurer; to my energy supplier. I refuse to be swayed by siren cold calls to switch my allegiance if the service provider is doing a good job and I'm happy. But I'll be off like a shot if my broadband stops working. And I don't go around talking about my ISP etc. I also don't expect to be kept informed if there is a change in management or personnel. I do talk about my allegiance to a football club that takes me a lot of time and money to support (a home game for me is a ten - twelve hour day) and being a "Saint" is a fundamental part of who I am. It's as significant as my political allegiance, and my personal values and beliefs (pathetic though it is to admit that, but as there are other equally insane people on here I think I am allowed to "come out" on here.) Being a fan is a one way street. We scream ourselves hoarse for them, endure train delays and crap journeys for them, eat **** food and drink over-priced beer, suffer disappointments and occasionally - just every so often - enjoy moments of success. And they send us e-mails that tell us sod all. The official website is a work of happy clappy non-news of which the Chinese Communist Party would be proud. And yet, and yet ... I'll be there on Sunday. I'll enjoy the buzz as the announcer tells us to welcome Southampton. Because I can't let go. I support the club. Partly it's an illogical allegiance to a home town in which I wouldn't live now if someone paid me. But mostly, as others have said, it was one of those "love-at-first-sight" moments when a shambolic Division 3 South ran out at The Dell and were seen by this impressionable young lad. Half the family were determined to drag me to Fratton to see a proper team, but this useless bloody team that couldn't win a game unless 7 of the opposition were sent off became the love of my life. My allegiance is to Southampton FC. And I have to accept that this club, like all the others, is not going to expose its inner workings to me as a fan. Frustrating? Bloody right. Should I expect better? No, not really. So Jose Fonte? Loved the guy. But now the sooner he is gone the better. I note the very wise FLT's comments about management. Yet there must come a point with anyone where you have to say that enough is enough. It's time they left. Saints seem to be at that point now, and whatever role SFC played, Jose hasn't covered himself with glory.
Not sure if this has been already raised, but once he's gone can we get rid of the awful "We Are Southampton" / "My Way" song? Pure cringe....
Doubt it. It was a collective player initiative. I did cringe when I heard it but it's no big deal really. If it works for the players, that's all that matters. And of course if it was dropped you can be sure there would be a call for it to be brought back. Can't please everyone.
I like this. The thing is, put aside that its a business, put aside that its a model that has been explained, its about people. The players are our heroes, and its the most natural thing in the world to form an attachment with the players because they are playing for us. Of course it isn't a two way relationship in the real sense, were just happy when their performance pleases us, but when they leave its hard. Fair play to you Beefy, probably a sensible philosophy you've adopted their. I'm a romantic, so I'll always find it a bit sad, even if the model is understood and I try to be pragmatic about the club. Although players moving is a regular experience for us, I don't know, seems Fonte going is the end of a successful era. Thank you for that Fonte.
I'm not sure that you have had the same old crap. The only thin that has been the same is us selling some good players. Everything else has been exciting and full of variation. Even this season is different.
