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Comment | Southampton At Millwall The Verdict
at 11:14:27
I think I will go with davidargyll and put this down to one of those things. We shouldn't award the full-time job to TE until he shown he can deal with such set-backs. We will only move up the table in a solid way if we sort the defence out. Without playing well we scored two goals. That should be enough for at least a point even against the better sides.
I have seen lots of strength-in-depth style comments this even. If that is true then we should be able to deal with a couple of absences, whoever they are. |
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Comment | Saints Supporters Question Block Of Empty Seats At An Away Game.
at 12:42:45
I suppose, as Nick says with Wrexham, we have to wait for a 'glamour' game. Coventry and B'ham will be interesting - Pompey? I am not surprised that Hull, Charlton and Millwall would be empty though. No idea why the club can't be honest about it and have a late resale scheme as mentioned above. The key piece of information is whether there were loyal supporters who wanted to go but couldn't get a ticket. If that is so then it is totally stupid. |
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Comment | Southampton At Charlton Athletic The Verdict
at 12:32:04
Good report from Nick. Of course important not to get carried away but still lovely to see not just a result but a performance too. If we can play like that going forward from now on then all we have to sort out is the defence and we will be right up there. If we get at least 4 points from the coming two games then it is hard to see them not giving it to Eckert. Perhaps a contract until the end of the season?
Re dear old Nathan - the main issue was Nick's square and round shaped holes. He is a pretty effective lower league manager and might possibly have got us up easier than Martin did if appointed instead of RM. What he wasn't was a top division manager. He was no worse than any of the others in the last two disastrous Prem seasons but there was a perfect storm of personality, style and performance that led quickly to the inevitable. Quirky, odd, cheeky-chappie managers are not for the Prem League media age - you might get away with it managing one of the Sky 6 but for the rest... |
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Comment | Southampton V Sheffield Wednesday The Verdict
at 11:05:26
Lowe's not 'right' honourable - thank god. The difference with Hoddle is that he was a proven manager who was probably going to be as good or better than whoever came in instead. O'Neil's not worth the hassle in my view. Whoever comes in we may well lose at Charlton and 'O'Neil Out' chants after twenty minutes would not improve the atmosphere for anyone.
I hope they don't repeat previous mistakes (no one will be holding their breath - it is SR) and appoint Eckert. Still was a mistake due to his inexperience and age. If we'd won under Eckert at, say, Stoke and then beaten Coventry at home then just maybe but a comfortable win against the poor old Owls does not a great manager make. Let's have someone with experience and clout. I can't stand Rodgers but he has both of those and no Pompey connections I can think of... |
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Comment | Southampton V Sheffield Wednesday The Preview
at 11:16:08
One step at a time. Get a win then worry about the new manager. Choice for keeper is the most interesting one today.
My four penneth on the manager: I can't stand Brendan Rodgers but he is the best of those available. |
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Comment | Southampton V Preston North End The Will Still Obituary Verdict
at 10:48:21
Nick got this one right!! I was surprised at how quickly he turned against Still but the last three games have certainly made us all see why.
So yet another managerial 'gamble' fails. Still was too inexperienced. In this league he needed time as an assistant or something. He looked bewildered pretty early on. I hoped he would learn quickly but the bitter truth is that even the two games we won were pretty narrow victories. Yes, there was some bad luck but I wouldn't say we deserve to have any more points than we've got.
Who next? Who knows - I just hope it is someone with experience who is capable of leading this team to mid-table or above. Some 'left field' appointment who might (but given that it is SR probably won't) be good in the long term is not what is needed. We may be in the relegation places by the time he is in situ... |
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Comment | The Opening Favourites To Replace Will Still Have Been Revealed
at 10:33:14
Early lists like this are just thrown together by guesswork. Any unemployed manager not too big for the post is likely to be on there. There would be no logic in Martin returning. Even if he stabilised us and got us up, say, next season we know he can't manage at the higher level. And the idea of him teaching the current squad all that tippy tappy in your own penalty area nonsense makes the mind boggle. I like Ralph but I don't see it.
Remembering that SR are making the decision I have little faith that the next one will be their first decent choice, and let's face it this won't be their first or even fifth attempt to get it right. I hope I am wrong but pessimists are rarely wrong when it comes to SR decision-making. |
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Comment | A Big Decision Week For For Southampton FC
at 13:42:29
Tough one this one. I always respect Nick's views even on occasions when I disagree with them. He nearly always errs on the 'loyal' side of the endless debates we have - so to read him calling for Still's head so soon is eye-opening to say the least. It certainly puts a big tick in the sack Still column for me.
The Stephens decision on Saturday will of course be seen by many as a 'feck you' gesture to the supporters. No idea if it was but it certainly was a very odd thing to do.
We are only about 7 points off the play-offs and if it was now February we would be hoping for a good late run. So it is the stick or twist dilemma that SR constantly provides us with: Don't move (keep Still - get it) now and will be regret it when we are 17 points off in Feb? We shouldn't worry about sackings of past managers or indeed how it looks. We should worry, instead, about SR's capacity to appoint a suitable manager. Past history is not good. If they have just got another potential dud up their sleeves (Rooney wouldn't astonish me) then we might as well keep Still.
My compromise is that they start looking now (and maybe take advice from people who know how to appoint decent managers) but give Still until the next (yet another) international break. By that time we may be in the relegation places - a fact that would be symbolic indeed. |
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Comment | Southampton At Blackburn Rovers The Verdict
at 11:30:05
I suppose I was a 'happy clapper' after Swansea. One thing I disagree with is the comments about player attitude. All clubs at all times have such players but this has being going on for years. To be fair to players their attitude will always be tied into to what is going on at the club.
I must be honest and say I haven't been to any games this year and my only evidence is TV, reports and TUI. I was saying after Swansea, like the majority were (and getting double-figure thumbs up) that WS needed to be given more time. I still think the overall problem is with the owners who, after all choose the manager and the players, but if we don't beat Preston I worry that the 'toxicity' will win the day. Should it? I really don't know - I do wonder whether it matters while the appalling SR are the owners. Are they actually going to pick a decent manager if they sack WS? History suggests the most likely answer too that question I'm afraid... |
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Comment | Southampton V Swansea City The Verdict
at 14:05:55
It is certainly unusual for Nick to turn on a manager this quickly. I think that a lot of the negativity is an accumulation of frustrations over a number of years and with SR more than anything. Sunderland came up through the play offs just like us and have already beaten our total from last season. That, like most of our other frustrations, is obviously nothing to do with Still. Let's face it the magic manager/leader who will cure all fans' ills is a very rare beast in football - just look at politics, there is always a leader in the wings waiting to lead us to the sunlit uplands and when they get in they are always useless.
As for the game, I thought we showed some promising signs and played reasonably well once we got going. I won't be still saying that in December if we are drawing 0-0 with teams as poor as Swansea were yesterday. The games up to the next (YET ANOTHER) international break really are vital. Yesterday was arguably the first game this season where we got less than we should have. Bristol City are a better side than Swansea so let's see on Tuesday.
Oh, and he should have them out there today doing open-goal practice.... |
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Comment | Constant Re-Shuffling Is The Cause Of Southampton's Problem's
at 22:26:18
I am not giving up on Still yet. I agree that he needs to make some decisions over players. This squad may not be top 6 but it shouldn't be bottom 6 either. If we need a season or two to build up before promotion then fine with me but discontent will rise unless we start looking better soon. |
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Comment | Rangers Sack Ex Southampton Boss Russell Martin
at 16:39:54
We have to remember, of course, that none of this has ever in any way, shape or form been even one tiny bit RM's fault. He and his 'philosophy' are world class. If only he wasn't being constantly let down.
Maybe if he goes down the toilet enough times he will realise that it's a turd he's been polishing all along but I expect we are a few sackings away from that yet... |
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Comment | One In And Four Out Likely At Southampton On A Controversial Friday
at 11:50:39
I've lost track of it all. We do seem to be a good CB and a good goal scorer short but what do I know.
On the point of Wet Spam breaking rules. Look at the world: Laws, rules, principles - they're yesterday's news. It's all about power, corruption and lies now. |
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Comment | Who Could Stay Or Go At St Mary's In The Last two Weeks Of The Transfer Window
at 21:28:34
Fernandes is the one we need to keep. Dibling is too light-weight for this division and I would pick Robinson ahead of him. I agree with Nick in his spat with saintmark. SR do spend money - it's how they spend it that's the issue!
The other key thing is to sell the big money people in time to be able to spend the proceeds before the window - altogether now - SLAMS SHUT... |
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Comment | Southampton At Ipswich Town The Verdict
at 09:58:59
We don't look right at the back. onetowatch has a point on why play three there. If THB stays he should be the lynchpin (once he is fully fit). If we are to have two others then no-one is making much of a case so far.
I am happy to accept that we didn't create that much because it was a tough game but we are going to have to create more chances. I expect it will be a season where we are always vulnerable to defensive lapses so WS's other main task after sorting the CBs out is to get us creating more.
All that said it was a good point. Only 8 more to equal last year's haul... |
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Comment | Why Are Football Retained Lists Suddenly Causing So Much Commotion
at 11:04:28
Short answer to the headline question: Everything in football is now hype. Ever-increasing loads of meaningless comment, meaningless stats, coverage of transfer windows slamming shut, endless bullsh1t and as for the actual game - everything devalued. European competitions - bloated and/or so poor that even Spurs can win one. League Cup, reserve teams, FA Cup going the same way. Kick-off times suiting TV and no-one else. Last train back - you have to leave at half time. ..
Alright, not a short answer. I'm off now to see if Stockport's third choice winger has been offered a contract extension... |
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Comment | Returning Loan Players Could Be Crucial For Southampton
at 12:59:36
Yes Joiedevivre 'had his critics' definitely need to be put into the present tense. Not sure he is terrible but not a great stopper and also injury prone.
Most of the others can do a job in the squad and one or two would have done better than those in the squad last season. (Can we start saying 'last season' now? Perhaps a therapeutic term to help put the trauma in the past!) |
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Comment | Will Still Appointed As Southampton Manager
at 10:30:11
Glad to see we are positive on this. I am pleased, sounds like he knows what he wants to do. Let's hope, unlike RM, he can put his ideas into lasting successful practise.
Being a lover of words (and pretty childish) I am looking forward to squeezing in sentences like: "Will Will Still still be manager..." |
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