Lowe: We don't want to sell - but we can't stop players wanting to leave (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Another day, and another negative post from the man in charge.

What's that? Two in five days?

I wonder what Derek would have to say about such negativity?

I very much doubt that anyone would actually disagree with the sentiment, as everyone is aware that post-Bosman, the power lies with the players.

But at a time when we are trying to unite the supporter base, looking to improve crowds and trying to support the players these really are words we could have done without.

Of course we may have to cross this bridge when we come to it, but until then, for the sake of unity, positivity and for the good of the Club, let's keep these comments out of the press.

History repeatig itself, this man never changes and the CLub will never be united until he is removed.

The AGM should be a hoot.

Do they have an open forum for shareholders to "Ask the Chairman" questions?

As for players chosing to leave...doh! I would accept if you were 24 and looking to move to the next level I would be looking. But at 19/20 when you are still learning your trade, and enjoying playing with your team mates and coach - why move? It's not as if they were on bad money - is it?

Then there's the crowd - they love playing at SMS!

Then there's the tactics!

Then there's the alledged interference from the Dark Lord at Staplewood!

My first question to the Chairman would be "Are you taking your FIFA/FA Coaching badges?"

My second would be "How much does it take to remove you from this Football Club?"

My third "Where is the ambition?"
My fourth "Where's the investment?"

I have to admire the man for coming out (not literally) with this news now (only weeks before the AGM) - but why is it most of us knew this would be the case as soon as he returned?

The trouble now is once upon a time young starlets in the Premier League were worth MEGA bucks - Championship lads with potential are NOT! So the old practice of selling to cover your loses is a non starter.

I compare it to going to a jumble sale and finding a Dior suit. Sure it's a secondhand Dior but it's still only worth the price of a secondhand suit.

Usual deflective PR rubbish from Lowe then ! Anyone remember Walcott and the "We do not have to sell" "Theo Not for sale" etc within a week he was sold !!!

Poor old lowelife trying to get on as many local radio stations as possible ! comical stuff


Lowe and Wilde are nothing more than two failed chairman that are 100% responsible for the decline of Southampton FC.

When is Rupert Lowe going to repay the £120 million he personally cost the club in lost revenue due to gross incompetent managament causing relegation ???

DONT take us for fools mrlowe Rasiak&Jonh didnt want to go you just wanted to get your hands on wages SUPPORT THE SAINTS HATE THE board

The Watcher - He could have said nothing and incurred the wrath of the fans who say he says nothing. He could have lied and said nobody is leaving this club, or he could have said exactly what he said. After all - every manager and chairman says it, and it is a bit obvious innit

Yorkie - What do you mean "move on to the next level" surely anything other than a step down a division is another level for these lads, and why the hell would they want to stay amidst all the current backbiting and turmoil, particularly as they are not even appreciated by the masses (apparently)

UTS - Lowe has to get on all these stations. As he controls every single one of them he has to show his face now and again, and as for the 100%, perhaps I cam question your maths, as I am certain I am not alone in attributing the decline of our club entirely to that one man.

Keep keeping the faith though - eh?

Doh-py why dont you just consentrate on your panto you know Snow White and the seven dwarf's, it is that time of year you know,

He's right, the players do hold the power and if they want to leave they will leave - everyone knows that.

I think it's pretty odd timing to make this clear in the local press just before the transfer window opens though...or is it?

Derek
Our lads are clearly not ready for the "next level".
Yes there is a next level to achieve but try to learn to walk before you try to run.
What's better for these young lads - playing every week for the first team and gaining experience in the real world called the Championship OR sit for 2/3 years in a reserve side in a Premiership club?
As for the back biting...what goes around comes around! Mr Lowe hasn't the first idea on man management or PR - so let's leave it at that.
The players are immune from anything said on here - the only place for back biting...so give it a rest!

Its a damned if I do or Damned if I dont situation really but ultimately yes the players will decide if they want to leave as Did Walcott & Bale. I'm not a lowe fan at all and he does need to go just so that the fans are reunited behind someone else, however, the things he has implemented this year ahve saved us from admin (maybe the things he did int he past got us here in the first place but thats been debated to death). I hope the youngsters like Surman * Llalana etc etc dont want to go but ultimately they want to improve there experience so maybe we could do a sale/loan back for a year situation>?? then if they do want to go, we are getting some money and keeping them in the tem for a year and they are gaining experience. The money we get for them wont buy adequate replacements and we have to ensue that the others coming through are given more time before they become first team regulars. Whatever happens I think JP should be applauded for getting them playing like they are given there obvious lack of experience. I would love to see SMS full but understand people wont go while RL is in charge but I do belive that AT THE MOMENT he is the right person for the job...,.but do agree that he should move on just so that our fan base can be properly re-united. Interesting times ahead..........

Can ANYONE remember the last time something positive happened at this club. I've had it now, i'll go to st marys and support the team , may even hit a few away games but it's the same old pathetic story. January sales are coming around so we have a chairman who so happens to be alerting the world and his wife that our players are ready to leave. I know for a fact Surman doesnt want to go and i would hazard a guess for anyone else. The telling point will be the Manu Unted game. Lets just see how many players are injured/rested/suspe
ned for that one, we dont want them being banned from the cup for other clubs do we now. The lot of them should be shot, the utter mis management of this club is appaling.

sainthog7 wrote:
DONT take us for fools mrlowe Rasiak&Jonh didnt want to go you just wanted to get your hands on wages SUPPORT THE SAINTS HATE THE board

What do you mean, "They didn;t want to go?" Jeez you must be gullible if you believe that. Do you buy double glazing over the phone as well?

Invidia - I really think I could put a blank post out and you would find something to whinge at. Apart from just disliking me, I don't suppose you could offer any explanation as to exactly what in my post got your goat - or do you just like to come on with little clever funny things. Perhaps it is just the way I think, but I honestly saw what I wrote as just making counter comments to the views already on this site. Apart from UTS that is, and I do find it hard to take that man seriously. It would have given your case much more credibility if you had just come on and opposed my views with some of your own, if what I said was such arrogant tosh in your eyes. Don't just make this a battle ground for the sake of it.

Yorkie you are absolutely right and I agree 100% What I am trying to say (not very well it seems) is that if any of these heads are turned by the lure of a Premiership club with the possibility of much higher wages - they almost certainly will jump at it. If you add to that the prospect of staying here and playing in a half empty stadium with a gang of fans on your back and so much unrest in the boardroom - it is a no brainer. I know it makes sense for them to stay and further their training but when did sense play a part. These are young kids looking to progress and they would see that as progress.

Could you honestly say if you were in their position and someone from the top half of the Premiershiop came calling - you would say no

I know for a fact that Chris Baird did not want to leave. He was told one morning that he had been sold to Fulham. End of

Derek of Holbury wrote:
The Watcher - He could have said nothing and incurred the wrath of the fans who say he says nothing. He could have lied and said nobody is leaving this club, or he could have said exactly what he said. After all - every manager and chairman says it, and it is a bit obvious innit Yorkie - What do you mean "move on to the next level" surely anything other than a step down a division is another level for these lads, and why the hell would they want to stay amidst all the current backbiting and turmoil, particularly as they are not even appreciated by the masses (apparently) UTS - Lowe has to get on all these stations. As he controls every single one of them he has to show his face now and again, and as for the 100%, perhaps I cam question your maths, as I am certain I am not alone in attributing the decline of our club entirely to that one man. Keep keeping the faith though - eh?

Well, with two negative comments in the space of 5 days, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep the faith.

Attendances are the best way to test the water with regards the "feelgood" factor and whether or not we have faith, and at the present time both must be at an all time Lowe.

Rather than add to the negative aura surrounding the Club, on this occasion Mr Lowe really should have kept his powder dry.

History repeating itself.

After so many posts, a word of sense from St Yorkie, RL knows nothing about PR. Sadly, absolutely spot on. If RL had a proper PR machine most of the complaints against him would never have materialised. No idea about his man management. The only thing we know for sure is that he didn't get on with the poison dwarf, Harry - but neither would I so I can't really judge on that one.

As far as the rather obvious comments he made about players going if they want to, whether or not they are 'ready' to go they will. Theo wasn't 'ready' but his time training for the job at Arsenal has probably developed him quicker into the player he is than if he's stayed at Saints.

And nothing changes - players have always come and gone. Alf Ramsey, Steve Williams, Mick Channon, Martin Chivers, the Wallace brothers, Alan Shearer to name but a few. Pre-Bosnan, under Bates and McMenemy Saints were a selling club. We always were. CB Fry for God's sake was one of the first in a long line that trooped down the road to Portsmouth.

That is because we are not and never have been a great club with great support as some people on this site believe. We have always had to sell some our best players to make ends. It is just that that is now more difficult to manage given the power that players have over their own futures (not a bad thing - they are not slaves).

So Rupert Lowe says something blindingly obvious and the sky falls in. He is doing nothing more nor less than his beloved predecessors and the sky falls in. I do agree that he will always be a divisive character in the boardroom because some fans will never stop blaming him for the failings on the pitch. Unfortunately there appears to be no-one who wants to buy him out (a mere six per cent shareholding) and put their own money into a cash strapped club.

So I wil contnue to ignore RL's cack-handed media stratgey, try to see the truth behind it, and continue supporting the management and the team.

Could it be that Lowe has just announced to the league that the January sales have started early at SFC. Come and get your next generation stars at SFC at a price that wont break the bank.
IF he wanted to keep the team together, IF he wanted to build a team that can push for promotion in 2 seasons or so, IF he was serious about SFC as a Football team and not a business or wage packet then Lowe wouldn't have said anything in the press about selling players. But his superior business accumin means he has to pitch his stall early to guarantee the sales. He should be trying to convince players to stay, after all it was only a few weeks ago that players themselves were saying they needed to stay together for 2 more seasons to push for the Prem. All this talk from Lowe, is an insult to the fans intelligence as he is trying to prepare the fans for player sales, as so predicted by many a fan on here weeks/months ago. Of course Lowe will say its not his fault the players have gone, after all since when has a good contract been legally binding in the country!!!!!! As we all predicted the sell off is coming, but the financial gain is short term (not such good business sense). As I have said, in my opinion, we are living day to day to financially survive. That is as good as it will get under Lowe. SFC is not about the football, the team, or the fans anymore I'm afraid.
Does anyone know who we have coming through the ranks to sel of next January? Surely our resources aren't running out are they!!!!!!

Keep on keeping the Froth, Doh-py. By the way I believe Bruce Forsyth is looking for new material, maybe you could sell him your effort and then donate the money to your Saviour RL
P.S. You always do put blank post's on here

You took us out of the prem Lowe, then it is simple....GET US BACK NOW!

If players go, and all the lets back to team blindly brigade is a bit dead in the water. You may get this team to get us out of this league with time if the team staus together. As I keep pointing out to those who wish not to listern. It's not back the team only, it's the bigger picture you should see. The scenario could go on for ever, as it's a gamble. If you are hoping to support the team and then get development for how many more season. It will not work if your best players are sold constantly every season, let alone the unrest feeling all the time. It conteracts what you hoping for. For this to work, you can not live in hope. You need to say,"no not for sale", have some balls and back you comittments. Then you need add a cut off plan. One which dose not keep having a moveable date/season added to it. Set the mark/goals and make it happen. Or get the finacial backing in some how!

To survie in this game you need to be in the money and in the prem and it would also be nice to win somethings too! Sorry state it is, but this is footbal, football is money. I don't like anymore than the next. But if your not there you have no control, no power, no real happiness/pride. Others will dictate the price of failure to you and hold you down where you are to keep themselfs afloat.

We need a chairman who dose not simple accept fact/stituation we are in. One that fights and makes things happen for their club. Lowe get's the first part, but dose not make it happen else where. He hides behind it all very cleverly. He dose not come out and say to himself we desrve to be in the prem, and I will do what ever it takes to get this great club there now. No all he says is all the reason we can not....too easy Lowe...ever so easy!

Still coming up with those gems Invidia - my sides are aching.

Surely the point is no matter what Rupert Lowe says or does not say - these kids are perpetually in the window. Do you really believe if someone like Sir Alex came after one of our players he would take any notice if RL said - "not for sale".

Don't you think these clubs (like ours) have been scouting all season and they know what we have got. They also know only too well the bloody awful state our finances are in

It is obvious reading these posts that we all care deeply about Southampton football club the problem keeps on cropping up unfortunately that RL HAS NO AMBITION FOR HIS CLUB. How Often do you read of other club chairman pushing for bigger and better things, but no RL is satisfied with the status quo, and has no ambition for Saints to move foreward he is only using HIS CLUB to keep in the media spotlight to boulster his other financial activities

Derek of Holbury wrote:
Still coming up with those gems Invidia - my sides are aching. Surely the point is no matter what Rupert Lowe says or does not say - these kids are perpetually in the window. Do you really believe if someone like Sir Alex came after one of our players he would take any notice if RL said - "not for sale". Don't you think these clubs (like ours) have been scouting all season and they know what we have got. They also know only too well the bloody awful state our finances are in

You are all forgetting the parasites (agents)in football who have a vestige interest in moving players on so they their get cut

Lone Ranger wrote:
I know for a fact that Chris Baird did not want to leave. He was told one morning that he had been sold to Fulham. End of

Well as Lowe wasn't chairman when Chris Baird was sold I think you'll find it very difficult to pin that one on him. On that point who should we blame for the sale of Baird, Bale Jones, Pele, Smith, Folly, Oakley, Higginbotham, Blackstock, Fuller, Crainie and Best. And where did the money go?

St.Yorkie wrote:
The AGM should be a hoot. Do they have an open forum for shareholders to "Ask the Chairman" questions? As for players chosing to leave...doh! I would accept if you were 24 and looking to move to the next level I would be looking. But at 19/20 when you are still learning your trade, and enjoying playing with your team mates and coach - why move? It's not as if they were on bad money - is it? Then there's the crowd - they love playing at SMS! Then there's the tactics! Then there's the alledged interference from the Dark Lord at Staplewood! My first question to the Chairman would be "Are you taking your FIFA/FA Coaching badges?" My second would be "How much does it take to remove you from this Football Club?" My third "Where is the ambition?" My fourth "Where's the investment?" I have to admire the man for coming out (not literally) with this news now (only weeks before the AGM) - but why is it most of us knew this would be the case as soon as he returned? The trouble now is once upon a time young starlets in the Premier League were worth MEGA bucks - Championship lads with potential are NOT! So the old practice of selling to cover your loses is a non starter. I compare it to going to a jumble sale and finding a Dior suit. Sure it's a secondhand Dior but it's still only worth the price of a secondhand suit.

You're already a laughing stock on here. Do you really want to extend your reputation to the public environment of an AGM?

Mr Lowe- We cannot stop you leaving either.
Hoping to say 'Goodbye' very soon'!

Derek of Holbury wrote:
Still coming up with those gems Invidia - my sides are aching. Surely the point is no matter what Rupert Lowe says or does not say - these kids are perpetually in the window. Do you really believe if someone like Sir Alex came after one of our players he would take any notice if RL said - "not for sale". Don't you think these clubs (like ours) have been scouting all season and they know what we have got. They also know only too well the bloody awful state our finances are in

Derek, I agree what what you say, it's is very true and realistic situation of times at SFC BUT in your opinion, and I'm not challenging you here, who are we to support if the team is stripped every 6 months? If we are to support just the name "Southampton Football Club" then it really doesn't matter what league we play in or whether or if SMS is full, right? As long as there is a name to support?
Even though I know that you, like us all, support the team that wear the Red & White then I cant help concluding and therefore returning to my gripe that Lowe is a parasite on SFC and SFC needs change. If Lowe was in it for the Football, the Team and the Fans, then Lowe would resist all offers in January and the summer and would find someone, if he doesn't have the interpersonal skills, within SFC to help convince the lads to stay and help to take the club forward. Even if he promises a one off bonus to them upon promotion. If not then what't it all about? What are we suporting? I know you and I have very different opinions on how best to support SFC and I'm sure we wll never agree on this subject but I cant help but feel if things continue then there will be nothing to support and not becuase some fans choose to stay away.

St.Yorkie wrote:
The AGM should be a hoot. Do they have an open forum for shareholders to "Ask the Chairman" questions? As for players chosing to leave...doh! I would accept if you were 24 and looking to move to the next level I would be looking. But at 19/20 when you are still learning your trade, and enjoying playing with your team mates and coach - why move? It's not as if they were on bad money - is it? Then there's the crowd - they love playing at SMS! Then there's the tactics! Then there's the alledged interference from the Dark Lord at Staplewood! My first question to the Chairman would be "Are you taking your FIFA/FA Coaching badges?" My second would be "How much does it take to remove you from this Football Club?" My third "Where is the ambition?" My fourth "Where's the investment?" I have to admire the man for coming out (not literally) with this news now (only weeks before the AGM) - but why is it most of us knew this would be the case as soon as he returned? The trouble now is once upon a time young starlets in the Premier League were worth MEGA bucks - Championship lads with potential are NOT! So the old practice of selling to cover your loses is a non starter. I compare it to going to a jumble sale and finding a Dior suit. Sure it's a secondhand Dior but it's still only worth the price of a secondhand suit.

What planet are you on when you believe a 19/20 year old would turn down a 500% wage rise in order to keep playing with their mates. Doh!

In fairness to Lowe (and believe me, it hurts just writing that sentence) he was put in an impossible situation. He was asked if players such as Surman and Lallana would go in January.

a) He could have said definitely not, and then someone engineers a move and he gets pilloried as a liar.

b) He could have said they were definitely going, and he gets pilloried as having no ambition.

c) He states that he hopes not, but it might happen, and just gets generally pilloried.

I don't like defending Lowe, but in this instance I think he couldn't do anything else.

All that about Chris Baird, I think if you heard his comments at the time he was desperate to move from SMS and be reunited with Lawrie 'rubbish' Sanchez. Im sooooo sorry it didnt work out for the ****. As for the other youngsters if the want to go they will, its down to them not RL. He cannot force someone who is under contract to leave the club unless they want to. I would be supprised if Surman left though as he is always speaking of how much he loves SFC. I hope we can keep them, but I suppose it comes down to the waiting game. Fingers crossed.

Iain wrote:
In fairness to Lowe (and believe me, it hurts just writing that sentence) he was put in an impossible situation. He was asked if players such as Surman and Lallana would go in January. a) He could have said definitely not, and then someone engineers a move and he gets pilloried as a liar. b) He could have said they were definitely going, and he gets pilloried as having no ambition. c) He states that he hopes not, but it might happen, and just gets generally pilloried. I don't like defending Lowe, but in this instance I think he couldn't do anything else.

He could also have said e) as chairman of this great football club I will do everthing in my power to improve the team and to go on to bigger and better things and have got pilloried for spouting B*ll S**t

Yorkie my man - you seem to be ruffling feathers.

Help the Saint - Believe me I am not opposed to you challenging me and I do accept I make gaffs and and sometimes I upset people. None of these things are intentional.

I understand your points and your frustration, and I would be so happy if we could somehow keep the star players together. Of course it would be better for all of us to have a settled team for a period and know who is going to be at the club for the next year.

Unfortunately, football is not like that for any team these days and that is more so with our club at the moment than others.

I really do believe we can bring no influence on who stays and who goes, and whatever we think of the man, Lowe,s hands are completely tied in that respect. Whether we believe him or not when he says he does not want to sell - he is going to have to sell. Our debt and the bank will make sure of it.

My hope is that we can survive those sales and still somehow manage to avoid relegation. I do know at some point we will stabilise (again - with opr without Lowe) and just pray that time is not too far away. In the meantime I will keep on supporting whoever we have left to pull on the shirt, just so long as they are wearing it with pride and putting all their effort in to playing for my club.

I just do not know how to do anything differently

Keep keeping the faith

My hope is that Jack Cork (who we must keep) and Adam Lallana will realise that the best way to make the England Under 21 squad next summer is to be playing every week. It is no good going to the Premiership and warming the subs bench - Stuart Pearce is happy to pick Championship players. Jack knows if he returns to Chelski he won't remove John Terry as centre-back at the moment so why not stay at SAINTS, improve your game and get the recognition that comes with that. Perhaps Lallana should have chat with Chris Baird who if he was honest would rather have stayed at SAINTS and be playing football then doing nothing at Fulham.
Anyway I'll be there tomorrow cheering the lads on and hoping for three points.
Eventually got my MAN UTD tickets even taking into account the complete nightmare of trying to get through on the phone - I thought we were supposed to be a Premiership club with everything off the pitch?
COYR's

RL says "“While you’re in the Championship, there’s no point in saying that players aren’t going to move, because ultimately they’re the people who decide whether they’re going to go or not.”

In response to that I would say "Fitz Hall". Sold for a song when we were in the Prem against the wishes of every fan at a time when we desperately needed him. And, why? The parsimonious pay policy introduced by RL. It wasn't necessary at that time. Because of actions like that we do now need to sell at any cost.

Derek of Holbury wrote:
Yorkie my man - you seem to be ruffling feathers. Help the Saint - Believe me I am not opposed to you challenging me and I do accept I make gaffs and and sometimes I upset people. None of these things are intentional. I understand your points and your frustration, and I would be so happy if we could somehow keep the star players together. Of course it would be better for all of us to have a settled team for a period and know who is going to be at the club for the next year. Unfortunately, football is not like that for any team these days and that is more so with our club at the moment than others. I really do believe we can bring no influence on who stays and who goes, and whatever we think of the man, Lowe,s hands are completely tied in that respect. Whether we believe him or not when he says he does not want to sell - he is going to have to sell. Our debt and the bank will make sure of it. My hope is that we can survive those sales and still somehow manage to avoid relegation. I do know at some point we will stabilise (again - with opr without Lowe) and just pray that time is not too far away. In the meantime I will keep on supporting whoever we have left to pull on the shirt, just so long as they are wearing it with pride and putting all their effort in to playing for my club. I just do not know how to do anything differently Keep keeping the faith

Derek, you passion and belief in the Saints is second to none and I cant fault you for that.
I dont agree that the banks will dictate who we sell. All the bank are interested in, in my opinion, is making sure that they receive the monthly repatments for SFC. How SFC get the money to make those payments is not the banks, concer, worry or interest. If we were in administration then yes the club would have no say but we aren't and the Bank are not running the club. As long as the monthly payments are met the bank will stay out of the business affairs. Lets face it, the bank dont tell us how to spend our money. As long as we make any repayment commitments the banks leave us alone.
As for SFC having no say over players choosing to leave, well then I would suggest if thats true then the person who wrote and negotiated the contracts on SFC's behalf needs shooting. If you look at Man U, Ronaldo said he wanted to go to Real Madrid, Ferguson said NO and Ronaldo is still playig and performing for Man U. Why? Because of a **** good contract and I'm sure some good man managment by Ferguson and his staff.

Help The Saints wrote:

Derek of Holbury wrote: Yorkie my man - you seem to be ruffling feathers. Help the Saint - Believe me I am not opposed to you challenging me and I do accept I make gaffs and and sometimes I upset people. None of these things are intentional. I understand your points and your frustration, and I would be so happy if we could somehow keep the star players together. Of course it would be better for all of us to have a settled team for a period and know who is going to be at the club for the next year. Unfortunately, football is not like that for any team these days and that is more so with our club at the moment than others. I really do believe we can bring no influence on who stays and who goes, and whatever we think of the man, Lowe,s hands are completely tied in that respect. Whether we believe him or not when he says he does not want to sell - he is going to have to sell. Our debt and the bank will make sure of it. My hope is that we can survive those sales and still somehow manage to avoid relegation. I do know at some point we will stabilise (again - with opr without Lowe) and just pray that time is not too far away. In the meantime I will keep on supporting whoever we have left to pull on the shirt, just so long as they are wearing it with pride and putting all their effort in to playing for my club. I just do not know how to do anything differently Keep keeping the faith

Derek, you passion and belief in the Saints is second to none and I cant fault you for that. I dont agree that the banks will dictate who we sell. All the bank are interested in, in my opinion, is making sure that they receive the monthly repatments for SFC. How SFC get the money to make those payments is not the banks, concer, worry or interest. If we were in administration then yes the club would have no say but we aren't and the Bank are not running the club. As long as the monthly payments are met the bank will stay out of the business affairs. Lets face it, the bank dont tell us how to spend our money. As long as we make any repayment commitments the banks leave us alone. As for SFC having no say over players choosing to leave, well then I would suggest if thats true then the person who wrote and negotiated the contracts on SFC's behalf needs shooting. If you look at Man U, Ronaldo said he wanted to go to Real Madrid, Ferguson said NO and Ronaldo is still playig and performing for Man U. Why? Because of a **** good contract and I'm sure some good man managment by Ferguson and his staff.

It couldn't be that Real Madrid were not offering five times the wages that Man Utd are paying Ronaldo so that there wasn't as much incentive to strop and sulk. Or maybe he's happy to see out his contract at the European Champions. What did Crouch and co. do as soon as Kenwyne Jones refused to play for Saints. Oh I remember they sold him but there wasn't a big outcry against the then chairman because it wasn't Lowe

Still more pro-Lowe comments coming out everytime there's a statement released by Lowe! I wish he'd just shut up and let the team get on with things.
The more he says to the press the more hated he becomes! He divided the club when we got relegated and he's dividing the club now! Any decent Chairman would relise they were damanging the club by being in power and leave.
It's not difficult to have done the few cost cutting things that he's done, but the big wage earners are now off the books so why are we still losing so much money??

Some people on here want their cake and eat it.

RL knows that his tenure at the club relies on the club not going into administration and, equally, not being relegated. He therefore has to balance sales with keeping an adequate team.

Of course he would want to keep Llallana and Surman, but will he get the money he needs from selling all the ones we don't want to keep? Of course not.

The club is not in a good position and good players will always go to where the money is. I don't blame them, but then I don't blame RL either.

Times are hard.......we just have to learn to deal with it.

StDave wrote:

Help The Saints wrote:

Derek of Holbury wrote: Yorkie my man - you seem to be ruffling feathers. Help the Saint - Believe me I am not opposed to you challenging me and I do accept I make gaffs and and sometimes I upset people. None of these things are intentional. I understand your points and your frustration, and I would be so happy if we could somehow keep the star players together. Of course it would be better for all of us to have a settled team for a period and know who is going to be at the club for the next year. Unfortunately, football is not like that for any team these days and that is more so with our club at the moment than others. I really do believe we can bring no influence on who stays and who goes, and whatever we think of the man, Lowe,s hands are completely tied in that respect. Whether we believe him or not when he says he does not want to sell - he is going to have to sell. Our debt and the bank will make sure of it. My hope is that we can survive those sales and still somehow manage to avoid relegation. I do know at some point we will stabilise (again - with opr without Lowe) and just pray that time is not too far away. In the meantime I will keep on supporting whoever we have left to pull on the shirt, just so long as they are wearing it with pride and putting all their effort in to playing for my club. I just do not know how to do anything differently Keep keeping the faith

Derek, you passion and belief in the Saints is second to none and I cant fault you for that. I dont agree that the banks will dictate who we sell. All the bank are interested in, in my opinion, is making sure that they receive the monthly repatments for SFC. How SFC get the money to make those payments is not the banks, concer, worry or interest. If we were in administration then yes the club would have no say but we aren't and the Bank are not running the club. As long as the monthly payments are met the bank will stay out of the business affairs. Lets face it, the bank dont tell us how to spend our money. As long as we make any repayment commitments the banks leave us alone. As for SFC having no say over players choosing to leave, well then I would suggest if thats true then the person who wrote and negotiated the contracts on SFC's behalf needs shooting. If you look at Man U, Ronaldo said he wanted to go to Real Madrid, Ferguson said NO and Ronaldo is still playig and performing for Man U. Why? Because of a **** good contract and I'm sure some good man managment by Ferguson and his staff.

It couldn't be that Real Madrid were not offering five times the wages that Man Utd are paying Ronaldo so that there wasn't as much incentive to strop and sulk. Or maybe he's happy to see out his contract at the European Champions. What did Crouch and co. do as soon as Kenwyne Jones refused to play for Saints. Oh I remember they sold him but there wasn't a big outcry against the then chairman because it wasn't Lowe

By allo accounts, looking at some Archive reports, Real madrid were going to offer Man U between £75 - £100 Million for Ronaldo, not bad considering Man U are in debt for close to £800 Million. But still they said No. Real offered Ronaldo a deal that was worth £300,000 per week, after tax, for 5 years more than what he is on at Man U. Ronaldo also mentioned after the Champions League Final that he wanted to go to Real as " it would be a dream come true". Feguson was on holiday at the time Ronaldo when Ronaldo said that he wanted a move but Ferguson wouldn't speak to Real or Ronaldo until he came back off of his holiday.
So I guess that despite the money being offered to Man U and the debt Man U have, the deal being offered to Ronaldo by Real to tempt him away and the history / reputation of Real Man U / Ferguson still managed to influence Ronaldo staying put at man U. So time for Lowe to earn his 6 figure salary I say.

Lowe - "I Created The Academy"

Absolute garbage and typical of the pompous ego driven twerp to think that.

The fact is that the academies where set up as a Premier League iniative in 1997-8. Saints where one of all the academies at clubs that appeared then !

Previous to that we had the youth set ups.

I wonder how much spin lowe would of used from the 80s youth that created the Wallaces, Le Tissier, Shearer. Go back to Channon, Paine, Sydenham etc etc

The weak Academy 'card' is all that Lowe has left. It means nothing however as its totally insignificant to the gross mismanagement we have seen from Lowe over ten years. Icing on the cake a disastrous 04/05 with three managers and relegation.

The only news I want to hear from Lowe is "I and Wilde announce my immediate resignation from the board".

That is the only Christmas present I want this year. Then we can all get back to supporting the side, filling the stadium and trying to recover from both our financial and league status.

It's ridiculous to compare us to Man U. They might have bigger debts than us but they're also a global brand and they sell out Old Trafford every time they play, so they're perfectly able to service their debt and they're under no pressure whatsoever to sell.

We, on the other hand, absolutely do have to sell if we want to avoid administration. As Lowe says, all we can really do is get the best price possible, which is quite depressing but it's just where we happen to find ourselves at the moment. We just have to roll our sleeves up and get on with it.

St Retford wrote:
It's ridiculous to compare us to Man U. They might have bigger debts than us but they're also a global brand and they sell out Old Trafford every time they play, so they're perfectly able to service their debt and they're under no pressure whatsoever to sell. We, on the other hand, absolutely do have to sell if we want to avoid administration. As Lowe says, all we can really do is get the best price possible, which is quite depressing but it's just where we happen to find ourselves at the moment. We just have to roll our sleeves up and get on with it.

So Man U's Fan Base, Income & size of debt isn't or cant be considered relative to SFC's Fan Base, Income & Size? I don't see how Man U's debt even the interest on their debt can be easily covered by their yearly income. Same situation at Saints. We can cover the debt, just about, on the income?? If not then how were the books cooked to allow us to take on so much debt? Who is responsible for that? If selling is the only way to balance the books then it looks like Administration really is inevitable.

Invidia wrote:
It is obvious reading these posts that we all care deeply about Southampton football club the problem keeps on cropping up unfortunately that RL HAS NO AMBITION FOR HIS CLUB. How Often do you read of other club chairman pushing for bigger and better things, but no RL is satisfied with the status quo, and has no ambition for Saints to move foreward he is only using HIS CLUB to keep in the media spotlight to boulster his other financial activities

Totally agree. This is exactly what the critics of Lowe have being shouting about. Lowe had no ambition for us when we were in the premiership and certainly has no ambition in this league.

All Lowe cares about is spending as little money as possible on the signings and wages on the club, for maximum returns.

Strachan had the opportunity to sign Saha and Malbranque. Lowe wouldnt release the purse strings and sanctioned Neil McCann instead.
This example of short sighted managment is why we are in this mess.

The academy is another good example of Lowes thinking. Spend £1mil a year on the running of the facility to flog the cream of the crop for a healthy profit after a couple of years.

Where is the ambition to get us back to the premiership? Where are the statements of intent?

The business is football and entertainment not just balance sheets! Lowe doesnt understand fine balance needed to make a club sucessful. He has failed the club. Watfords chairman resigned this week as he had failed in his plans to get the club back to the top division. Its a shame our chairman cant take the hint.

Let's face it he was damned as soon as he came back.
The disaster that season with 3-managers and relegation still sits in my memory.
He single handedly settled for mid-table mediocrity, but had the best catering facilities in The Premiership. Where has that got us Rupert?
This is no knee jerk reaction - but what I can't understand is why he came back?
I think he has a mission!

loweout@hotmail.co.u
k wrote:

Invidia wrote: It is obvious reading these posts that we all care deeply about Southampton football club the problem keeps on cropping up unfortunately that RL HAS NO AMBITION FOR HIS CLUB. How Often do you read of other club chairman pushing for bigger and better things, but no RL is satisfied with the status quo, and has no ambition for Saints to move foreward he is only using HIS CLUB to keep in the media spotlight to boulster his other financial activities

Totally agree. This is exactly what the critics of Lowe have being shouting about. Lowe had no ambition for us when we were in the premiership and certainly has no ambition in this league. All Lowe cares about is spending as little money as possible on the signings and wages on the club, for maximum returns. Strachan had the opportunity to sign Saha and Malbranque. Lowe wouldnt release the purse strings and sanctioned Neil McCann instead. This example of short sighted managment is why we are in this mess. The academy is another good example of Lowes thinking. Spend £1mil a year on the running of the facility to flog the cream of the crop for a healthy profit after a couple of years. Where is the ambition to get us back to the premiership? Where are the statements of intent? The business is football and entertainment not just balance sheets! Lowe doesnt understand fine balance needed to make a club sucessful. He has failed the club. Watfords chairman resigned this week as he had failed in his plans to get the club back to the top division. Its a shame our chairman cant take the hint.

Perhaps you can share with us how you would have raised the money to buy Saha and Malbranque. Together they would have cost approx £9M in tranfer fees and approx £4M p.a. in extra wages. In the Cup Final season we made a profit of circa £3M. How was the extra £10M going to come. We were already selling out SMS every week so we could not get extra revenue through increased attendances. The only way to increase revenue was to make the Champions League every season and buying the 2 players you mention would not have done that. Even with our current financial situation you still cannot see the stupidity in spending money that you don't have

I remember that Pele's girlfriend was working with a good friend of mine and the first he knew about moving to a club was being called in to see the manager at the time (cant remember who was managing at the time, Burley?) and being told that the Club had agreed to a fee and all that was required was him to agree personal terms! He did not want to go, fact!
Anway I am either mad, or for some reason can no longer find the info on the Saints official site regarding player transfers, it used to be there and have all the fees etc, does anyone know where it has gone and is there a reason for it being removed, if indeed it has?
I also wonder if anyone can tell me in financial terms how much cash Rupert has put in to this club and how much he has taken out in all the time he has been our chairman?
I am realistic enough to recognise that in our current hard times finding buyers will not be easy, but I also undertand that the figures he has wanted for his shares far exceed there current stock market value.
At the end of the day Mr Lowe has divided the fan base of our club and if, as he always states that he is only interested in the club, he should step down and this time for good to make way for someone who can at least pull us all back together as a unit again! He divided us once before and I cannot believe that his ego would come back for round 2! But perhaps being RL I should!

UTS wrote:
Lowe - "I Created The Academy"

Absolute garbage and typical of the pompous ego driven twerp to think that.

The fact is that the academies where set up as a Premier League iniative in 1997-8. Saints where one of all the academies at clubs that appeared then !

Previous to that we had the youth set ups.

I wonder how much spin lowe would of used from the 80s youth that created the Wallaces, Le Tissier, Shearer. Go back to Channon, Paine, Sydenham etc etc

The weak Academy 'card' is all that Lowe has left. It means nothing however as its totally insignificant to the gross mismanagement we have seen from Lowe over ten years. Icing on the cake a disastrous 04/05 with three managers and relegation.

And what happened to them - you rather make my point that nothing has changed. We've always been a selling club.

Wallaces - SOLD, Shearer - SOLD, Channon - SOLD along with many others who came in through the youth team or as young transfers. Very occasionally you get a life long Saint like Le-Tis or John Sydenham but players who wanted to leave after a couple of years generally went to highest bidder.

The difference now is that the academy is producing more players who may make the grade - either with us or at another club. Hopefully we'll be able to afford to keep enough of them to get us promoted next season, but the others will always be the cash cow that keeps us afloat. It's been like that for over 100 years - can't see it changing any time soon.

Paul TS wrote:
I remember that Pele's girlfriend was working with a good friend of mine and the first he knew about moving to a club was being called in to see the manager at the time (cant remember who was managing at the time, Burley?) and being told that the Club had agreed to a fee and all that was required was him to agree personal terms! He did not want to go, fact! Anway I am either mad, or for some reason can no longer find the info on the Saints official site regarding player transfers, it used to be there and have all the fees etc, does anyone know where it has gone and is there a reason for it being removed, if indeed it has? I also wonder if anyone can tell me in financial terms how much cash Rupert has put in to this club and how much he has taken out in all the time he has been our chairman? I am realistic enough to recognise that in our current hard times finding buyers will not be easy, but I also undertand that the figures he has wanted for his shares far exceed there current stock market value. At the end of the day Mr Lowe has divided the fan base of our club and if, as he always states that he is only interested in the club, he should step down and this time for good to make way for someone who can at least pull us all back together as a unit again! He divided us once before and I cannot believe that his ego would come back for round 2! But perhaps being RL I should!

Once again Lowe wasn't chairman when Pele was sold but hey let's blame him anyway. When you ask about the money taken out by Lowe also ask about the £250,000+ salary paid to a director during the time Lowe wasn't chairman. That was more than double Lowes salary in our first season in the CCC but nobody seems to query this.

StDave wrote:

Paul TS wrote: I remember that Pele's girlfriend was working with a good friend of mine and the first he knew about moving to a club was being called in to see the manager at the time (cant remember who was managing at the time, Burley?) and being told that the Club had agreed to a fee and all that was required was him to agree personal terms! He did not want to go, fact! Anway I am either mad, or for some reason can no longer find the info on the Saints official site regarding player transfers, it used to be there and have all the fees etc, does anyone know where it has gone and is there a reason for it being removed, if indeed it has? I also wonder if anyone can tell me in financial terms how much cash Rupert has put in to this club and how much he has taken out in all the time he has been our chairman? I am realistic enough to recognise that in our current hard times finding buyers will not be easy, but I also undertand that the figures he has wanted for his shares far exceed there current stock market value. At the end of the day Mr Lowe has divided the fan base of our club and if, as he always states that he is only interested in the club, he should step down and this time for good to make way for someone who can at least pull us all back together as a unit again! He divided us once before and I cannot believe that his ego would come back for round 2! But perhaps being RL I should!

Once again Lowe wasn't chairman when Pele was sold but hey let's blame him anyway. When you ask about the money taken out by Lowe also ask about the £250,000+ salary paid to a director during the time Lowe wasn't chairman. That was more than double Lowes salary in our first season in the CCC but nobody seems to query this.

StDave.
I was not having a pop at Lowe on the subject of Pele, but merely pointing out that he had not asked to leave, but had been told the club had done the deal and all he had to agree was his own terms for the deal to be concluded, as opposed to the main article saying if a player wants to go etc etc!
Anyway as you are so in the know regarding salaries, can you answer my initial question regarding Lowes investment and how much over 11 years he has taken in dividends, speacial rates for shares and salaries?
I think that Crouch was prepared to try and invest in players to get us out of this division and also being a FAN contributed significantly to the Ted Bates statue?
Perhaps you should read any post more slowly, before letting your emotions kick in with any impulsive response next time?

Obviously ALL ex and current directors have different degrees of responsibility for the mess the club is now in. But there is a villain that seems to escape scott free in these comments!!! Barclays Bank.

Unlike many businesses that are suffering in the credit crunch our club has for some time been run for the benefit of this bank. We have already repaid considerable amounts of debt but still find ourselves under considerable pressure and the threat of administration. Of course like all the other big lenders Barclays srewed up their own business and had to look to middle east investors to rescue them. Isnt it time that the bank gave us TIME to sort out the business without forcing us into administration or forcing the sale of players. They look like shadow directors to me!!

Isnt it time they took into account the considerable repayments that they have already received through the sale of players.isnt it time that we supporters saw them as villains and turned our attention to them. How many of Saints supporters far and wide bank with Barclays. How many football fans have seen the banks screw up their own businesses only to be bailed out by the Government or overseas funders but continue in their Ivory towers to give no help to the clubs.

I think its time saints fans voted with their feet and boycotted Barclays.

Can you imagine their reaction if every Saints fan with a Barclays accounts moved it elsewhere:)

Looking forward to victory tomorrow:)

zip it rupbert.
approx 10 managers , high turnover of players, relegation ,are why we are cash strapped.
stop blaming everybody else
if one of the above had not happened cash would not be a promlem.
for everybodies sake moveon, or zip it

roy dibben

Do some reporting and find out who the loan note holder is putting pressure on.Is it a current or ex director? does anyone out there know?

Help the Saints - I think you may have misunderstood me. I was not suggesting that the bank would tell us WHO to sell, and you are absolutely right they will not get involved in that - they just want their money. That is my point, because they have to have that money, we will be forced to make it wherever we can, and at the moment that unfortunately means only one thing - sell players. I am only going by what Lowe said right at the biginning when I say that the bank hold the cards. He had to go to them with a business plan that they had to accept or they would have pulled the rug. After that meeting he said the bank accepted his plan but it would very much be the bank that called the shots in future.

I also understand to a point what you say about UTD and their players. The difference is cash. They could have held out as long as they wanted (and did) and still refused to let them go. We could effectively do the same except that we need the cash they would generate. When it comes down to it - if they want to go they can, but we do not have the financial clout to keep them.

Allsaintsnocureve - You have to be honest - whatever the man says he will get pulverised by some sections of the crowd, and it is the same people basically who are moaning when he is saying nothing. The reason why we are still so deep in debt is because even with all the sales it came nowhere near meeting the huge overdraft debt at the club when he come back.. If you add to this the half empty SMS each home game you can quickly see that we are not even meeting our running costs.

Jezza - well said mate, spot on

UTS I have read and re-read the above article and can find no reference to Lowe having said he started the Academy

Lowe out - So you get your Christmas present and Lowe and Wilde leave. Then what? Just when there is a bit of stability in the club and the lads are playing well you want to create the mayhem all over again. That would be a surefire move to ensure we have a mass exodus af players come January. Who do you think will come in and do a better job and how long do you think it will take? You want to watch Saints in the third division and falling?

St Retford - absolutely correct. I read when we were doing pretty well in the Premiership that worldwide, Utd make more in a month from shops than we made in total revenue from all departments in a season. Not in the same league as you say.

MikeC - You are banging your head with that one mate. I have banged on about that incessantly with UTS and it does not seem to get through. It seems whenever you put up a good argument against one of his, he simply changes the subject.

Old time Saint - absolutely bang on. The banks as we know are sweetness and light when they are trying to get your custom, but the minute you go into debt they change their tune. I also will be hoping for a win tomorrow and I have a feeling this will be the one.

Then we can go on a run and move up that table. Bring on UTD.

Keep keeping the faith everybody

Apologies Derek got the wrong PR spill that was on the Official Site.

I wonder why Lowe fills so desperate to get on Radio Solent, Wave Fm, Radio Hants. Get in the Daily Echo and now the official site.

I have never known anyone who can try and deflect so much failure and mismanagment.

Like i have said on these feedbacks before. The bank have turned the screw and he has seen the slack removed. The bank would of preferred Leon Crouch and his recruits as they offered 'some' investment.

So the LITTLE MAN has now admited that we are not in financial trouble,because he has now publicly stated that its not the club that wants to sell,its the players wanting to leave!
Well thats brilliant news at least we will not have to get rid of either,both are under contract.
Another PR ****-up from Mr Liability,side stepping any blame by using these young players as a means of achieving.
If you DONT WANT TO SELL PLAYERS,and if YOU WANT TO KEEP THE SQUAD TOGETHE, its quite simple,make both honour their contract after Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger took this same stance with players wanting to leave and it worked.
You have certainly dug a big hole with this qoute LITTLE MAN.

UTS - Did not see you make a mention of all the sudden press coverage that your friend Leon got, especially as he is nowhere near as high profile. Or was this just some more Lowe influence to give the man some poor spin.

So Doh-py Derek it looks like you have answered all the questions and there was me thinking it was RL who was going to be the saviour of HIS CLUB now that every problem has been sorted we should all be happy, well done Doh-py go and have a packet of fags, better still lets all celebrate and have a cigar and break open the champagne, why not I feel so relieved that you have been able to show us where we have all been going wrong. By the way you have never replied to my question I am disapointed

You'll be alright in the January sales, or this is a misleading headline.
Saints haven't got any Stars.

I think the question is why is he always finding time to face the cameras. he didnt have to be there, he didnt have to announce some players may be sold.

I think he really believes he is saints saviour even though hes made us a laughin stock when before he came we were a small club, always punching about our weight with the big clubs, now the club seems happy to get a draw against anyone

Shagga, the genuine lard @rse wrote:
You'll be alright in the January sales, or this is a misleading headline. Saints haven't got any Stars.

yeah right, what a wonderful way to get dumped out of the Uefa cup calamity James is a star, but never mind he will be playing for Spurs soon and god knows where Sol Cambell will be playing and many others too

Planting the seed now so he can say in January - 'well the players wanted to leave so what could we do?'
Just be honest and say we're selling the final few remaining big guns and renaming ourselves southampton youth

UTS wrote:
Usual deflective PR rubbish from Lowe then ! Anyone remember Walcott and the "We do not have to sell" "Theo Not for sale" etc within a week he was sold !!! Poor old lowelife trying to get on as many local radio stations as possible ! comical stuff Lowe and Wilde are nothing more than two failed chairman that are 100% responsible for the decline of Southampton FC. When is Rupert Lowe going to repay the £120 million he personally cost the club in lost revenue due to gross incompetent managament causing relegation ???

UTS,

You conveniently forget Walcott was sold because he wanted to go to Arsenal.

Maybe, just maybe the local radio stations asked Lowe for interviews? Perhaps that is beyond the realms of possibility though?

Did Lowe borrow £120 million from Saints then?

lowe is only saying that the players dont have to leave to cover his own back and hopefully escape any flack being the slime bag he is.
most of the transfers are allready sorted as they dont happen overnight

Invidia - when you can actually post something sensible and has some bearing on the game, instead of your personal vendetta against me, I might take the time to actually read it.

As it is, they just come across as tripe and hardly seem worthy of time being spent reading them.

As for your question - was there actually a question buried somewhere in your drivel. Yawn - must have missed it.

Got to go now, I have some serious supporting to do with fellow fans

Keep trying to find the faith insignificant person

Is Mr. Lowe attempting a clever game here to fool some of the fans? Tell the fans in December that some key players, i.e. the most valuable ones that he wishes to sell, are unhappy and wish to move on to better lands in January. Fans then say "if they aren't committed to Saints then sell the Judas players". Wupert then hopefully keeps some fans on his side by fooling them. Result happy fans, money in bank and Barclays happy! He's done this before.

I have not seen one fan saying sell the Judas players. Fans are either saying - there goes Lowe selling all our top players again, or they are just accepting it as something that we have to do

Just a question to those who attend matches regularly.

Do we actually have any players that are ready to play, week-in week-out, in the Premier League?

If Rupert really wants to impress he should be trying to attach a loan clause to any player sold to a Prem League club, giving us the rights to retain the player at least until the end of the season.

He could have his cake and eat it then.

Security word - what-team. Priceless