Chairman's message

[mawspurs]

Dear Supporter

Read the full article at Official Site

Notwithstanding that today’s match is an opportunity for a top six finish and European qualification again, I am conscious that on this, the last day of the season, we are reflecting on what might have been.

 

[CliffJones]

I think Tim's on his way, Dan would have made it clear if he was staying.

 

[millsey]

I think Tim's on his way, Dan would have made it clear if he was staying.

No shit. I like his message. Says what weve all been feeling. Its been a horrible season and the football has been terrible. It looks as if hes going to get possibly someone in next season who wont suffer fools. Could it be Benitez

 

[Black]

Imagin if he said tim was staying all we would hear all game is jermaine Defoe he's Yiddo

 

[wakefieldyid]

Could it be Benitez

..but he also said "Even in games where we gained maximum points, our football was not always what we have come to expect and associate with our Club." I'm afraid there's every likelihood that Benitez would deliver more of this. He's hardly remebered as the last of the footballing romantics!

 

[millsey]

..but he also said "Even in games where we gained maximum points, our football was not always what we have come to expect and associate with our Club." I'm afraid there's every likelihood that Benitez would deliver more of this. He's hardly remebered as the last of the footballing romantics!

Very true! Hmm this is getting even harder. Is FDB someone who wont take shit from prima dona players?

 

[scottlag10]

Dear Supporter

Read the full article at Official Site

Notwithstanding that today’s match is an opportunity for a top six finish and European qualification again, I am conscious that on this, the last day of the season, we are reflecting on what might have been.

So basically Daniel you just need to get in the right man to get the best out of this squad, and we have to hope more of the signings Chiriches (jury still out) , Capoue (injury) , Chadli (jury still out) , Eriksen (showing great promise) , Paulinho (jury still out) , Soldado (massive disappointment) , Lamela (injury), come good!
Thanks Tim but I expect your departure to be announced Tuesday.

 

[avonspurs]

..but he also said "Even in games where we gained maximum points, our football was not always what we have come to expect and associate with our Club.

If theres ever a statement that has summed up our season, under both managers, this is it. Our football has been crap. Slow and crap under AVB; a little bit faster and just as crap under Sherwood.

 

[eddiebailey]

I think Tim's on his way, Dan would have made it clear if he was staying.

I doubt he would say anything explicit, but he would have tried to find some positives to lay at Tim's door.

But Tim has been gone since the Liverpool game, IMO.

 

[doom]

I think he means we are bringing Ozzie back!

 

[davidmatzdorf]

It's a pretty toughly worded message and he's been frank and accurate about the two main reasons behind the fan discontent: failure to finish in the top 4, greatly compounded by tedious and/or chaotic football.

The phrase that struck me was "forced to make managerial changes". The wording is plainly carefully chosen. Who "forced" Levy to sack the manager? Or what behaviour by AVB "forced" the change? I don't think anyone thinks it was only related to a few conspicuous bad results, not when we were progressing well in Europe and were close on the heels of the top 4.

Either it's intended to imply some form of misconduct by AVB, or it's just a rather tacky and vague way to try to avoid responsibility. And I don't think Levy is prone to sloppy writing, so I don't think it's the latter.

 

[greywizard2020]

Im glad the chairman, the major decision-maker, can see that the standard of football has been uninspiring and lacking purpose.

AVB and Sherwood have conspired to create the most ugly, boring football that we've seen since Gross & Ramos. I believe 100% that were Sherwood's brand of football more exciting then he would be planning for next season's campaign. However because he is rubbish I really hope he is replaced by someone who is braver in matches and is more tactically astute.

I'd be all over Roberto Martinez because he ticks the boxes regarding being experienced in England, playing exciting football, encourages the young players & he's done it with minimal resources. If, despite our overtures we can't get him, then I'd plump for Mauricio Pochettino. He now has more experience of our league and he has encouraged the Saints academy lads to progress through to the first-team. In all fairness, Frank De Boer would be 3rd choice. Its not because I think he's a bad choice, far from it.

FDB has had to achieve major success with a team whose history demands that they dominate their domestic league. Its not easy, regardless of the league, just ask Fonseca at Porto who has been sacked for his side's lack of dominance. FDB is an unknown quantity & doesn’t have the experience of the rigours of our league and the expertise that comes with it. The job that he would be undertaking is one of the most demanding and difficult jobs in football because its not just a club, but its about honouring a tradition and winning with style.

I'm looking forward to next season with a group of players that will be better for this season's experience and hopefully a manager who we can get behind because he shares our desire for bravery and flair out there on the pitch.

 

[mil1lion]

"We were also forced to make managerial changes, which is far from ideal mid-season"

No Daniel you were not forced to sack the manager. You just can't help yourself.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

Our challenge now is to ensure we are in the best possible position for the start of next season - a season in which we shall look for a new level of commitment and performance from all.

Wasn't this taken from his statement last season, or was it the one before that..............or the one before that?

 

[greaves]

... Either it's intended to imply some form of misconduct by AVB, or it's just a rather tacky and vague way to try to avoid responsibility. And I don't think Levy is prone to sloppy writing, so I don't think it's the latter.

I agree David, though 'misconduct' may be a bit strong. Forced by an 'impossible situation' may be closer to the mark. A scenario where goals are needed, AVB feels he cannot use the likeliest goalscorer, Ade, because of a perceived misdemeanour that the manager cannot get past without feeling his own (brittle, insecure) authority will be undermined (and there is the point of principle too). An impasse that 'forces' someone such as Levy to step in and move the immoveable object, since goals must at least be scored given the lack of effective options from elsewhere in the squad. If we had had a striker who was used to to the PL and could have come in, AVB could have maintained his authority without cutting off his nose to spite his face. Ade's absence would have been less of an issue and more attractive, dynamic, incisive football might have been played to boot. But alas, as we know, no such alternative existed. And that should be a salutary lesson when fans are asking for another raft of new-bling signings. The PL experience I believe is key. You can carry one or two without this but not 7 (or whatever it was), if you want to see 'results' in the ensuing season.

 

[greaves]

If theres ever a statement that has summed up our season, under both managers, this is it. Our football has been crap. Slow and crap under AVB; a little bit faster and just as crap under Sherwood.

Using the 'crap' metaphor, partly down to consistency of stool.

 

[scottishbairn]

"We were also forced to make managerial changes, which is far from ideal mid-season"

No Daniel you were not forced to sack the manager. You just can't help yourself.

You don't know what goes on behind the scenes.

 

[fridgemagnet]

Also Still waiting on that fat **** Pickles to pull his finger out and sign the bloody forms so we can whack up some concrete, it's gonna take an age for the fat **** to do anything with an election coming up.

 

[PhilosoSPUR]

You don't know what goes on behind the scenes.

Yes. I remember hearing that DL didn't want to fire AVB but they had a meeting about the adjustments that needed to be made (I think playing Ade was the big one) and AVB wouldn't budge.

 

[mil1lion]

You don't know what goes on behind the scenes.

What goes on behind the scenes with every manager that Daniel Levy sacks you mean?