04 Nov 2018 18:52:29
We are in the normal cycle of a medium sized club. period of failure followed by renaissance and ambition and now decline. Big dreams and boldness replaced by pragmatic "we are a small club" and recruitment of a serial failure like Hughes. Did anyone really expect him to deliver success? If you are in your 50s with a track record of failure why would you suddenly become a success? Cortese was flawed but at least thought big. We have been on a down hill trajectory since he left through lack of ambition. Until we have club leadership with hunger we will always struggle. And the question as to whether been are relegated this year is perfunctory. if it's not this year it is next. Because the plan doesn't change. And Krueger avoids any real accountability . and I'm not sure he cares. The answer lies with our new owners and a hope that they will tire of mediocrity and excuses and seek to drive for success as we saw latterly with Leicester. Otherwise we have this depressing attrition that ends up making relegation a blessed relief. I love this club but find this period the most bleak in 40 years simply because of the benign acceptance of our demise.


1.) 04 Nov 2018
04 Nov 2018 21:26:27
Hi David,

I'm sorry why is it normal for a club to have periods of success and failure? That just demonstrates poor management! Saints have demonstrated poor management in so many areas recruitment, failure to retain key members of staff at all levels. Trying to treat Premier League Football like any other business is just a nonsense. We are in what is now a global entertainment business and let's be honest who would pay to watch Sfc? We obviously cannot compete with the financial muscle of the big teams but we have fallen behind in so many ways, I am a big admirer of Eddie Howe and Bournemouth, great to watch, very competitive and buy wisely. Sfc have blown millions recently on really poor choices eg Boufal, Carillo plus so many others, we can't defend, we can't score today's performance was just pitiful, to start playing 4-1 in the second half is just a team going through the motions, taking their bloated salaries. Perhaps relegation would necessitate the mass clear out of all our dead wood. As an Sfc fan of 50 yrs I have never felt so despondent and so angry at where we have ended up and it need never have happened. So let's see what happens in the next few weeks.


2.) 04 Nov 2018
04 Nov 2018 22:30:32
Two good post’s there-congratulations. To avoid any further supporter unrest and despair please let the TEA LADY choose our next Manager!
KOM.


3.) 05 Nov 2018
05 Nov 2018 17:07:34
I still think the new owner only has purchased any stake for development of land around Southampton, being refused sale of a large plot of land in the years previous for development. I know I know that's my doubting negative head speaking. but Mr gao does seem quite uninvolved. look at the comparison of say the Leicester owner (yes I know its totally different and no I don't know what goes on behind the scene) and I know this is a "personal" investment for him and his daughter but what has actually been impacted by their ownership? We're going backwards, we have no identity and we've gone from being everyone's second favourite team to laughing stock relegation fodder. I still stand behind my thought of bringing it back to clearing out these numpty big transfer signings, clear out the dead wood (not on loan) and get a good blend of youth, talent and desire. Then find a coach who is willing to emplore that and excite the fans and the league again. right now we are there for the taking home and away and that's been the case for at least 2 and a half years.


4.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 07:52:58
Agree about Mr. Gao. Seems totally disinterested in football or Southampton FC. I can't understand the owners just sitting back and allowing the club to fall apart. Surely they realise that their stake in the club will be next to worthless if we fall down through the leagues again. I would have thought that they would be making decent money available for transfers in January just to try and keep us in the premier league . If they have no interest in football start looking for someone else to purchase the club.