23 May 2018 13:57:43
Hi guys

Sfc publicly stated that the appointment of Mark Hughes was the top priority, how is it that nearly 11 days on from the end of the season and this modern 24/ 7 world that this still has not been achieved? The transfer window has opened and other teams are doing their business early, and yet what of Saints? After such a desperately disappointing season you would have hoped that lessons would have been learnt, but here we are with fans debating whether to renew season tickets as an act of faith and confidence, here we are greeted with a deafening silence! Provoking speculation or possibly worse total antipathy and apathy. let's hope things will improve!

1.) 23 May 2018
23 May 2018 17:52:00
people are far too needy for information these days. How much info from the club did we get 10 years ago? 15 years ago? 20 years ago? Practically nothing compared to what we get now. As it happens, compared to most clubs, Southampton give out a lot of information to fans.

Hughes? Calm down, just because it hasn't been plastered all over facebook/ twitter doesn't mean the deal hasn't been done. Look at Koeman - he was signed up weeks before he was announced. If it hasn't been done, taking time and getting the right person is more important than someone moaning on the internet.

Transfer deals? Why rush into them for the sake of it? The transfer window isn't even open until June 8th. Again, taking time and getting the right person, especially this season, is more important that an few impatient fans

People not renewing season tickets? Fine, give it to someone with actual passion for the club, not just the names on the shirt or who the manager is.

2.) 23 May 2018
23 May 2018 18:03:44
I know Vintage and totally agree, the board seem completely detached from the supporters. Almost to the point of arrogance, if they are not in a position to announce an appointment just tell us. Saying nothing causes frustration amongst the fans who have stuck with the club throughout a very testing season. The revenue they will lose in season ticket sales for being so secretive seems backward logic to me.

3.) 23 May 2018
23 May 2018 20:20:04
Well said SaintySaint.

And Chris, the only arrogant ones are the fans who expect our club to waste their time pandering to their impatience.

4.) 23 May 2018
23 May 2018 20:34:39
Just a heads up SaintySaintSaint, the transfer window is already open. It opened on 17 May as this is the first year where the new rule is implemented to end the buying of players on 9 August, before the season starts. Perhaps if you were a little ‘more needy’ for information you would know. Its also interesting that you tell us Saints give fans quite a bit of info compared to other clubs (they don’t), but then go on to say that when we hired Koeman we the club sat on that news for weeks. Sounds about right.

While it may be true that the constant availability of news makes us more demanding, but that is not the issue here. This is far more about the steady degradation of the football, personnel and management of the club over the last two seasons. Fans are anxious about not having a repeat of a relegation fight. Also, both the club and MH have publicly stated they want to extend his contract so why the delay. Yes, you may argue that contracts are complicated things and you need to dot the ‘I’s and cross the ‘T’s, but when you see Arsenal, West Ham and even Stoke get new managers in swiftly, these are parties entering new relationshis by the way rather than simply extending an existing one, you wonder what the hold up is. VS is not wrong to moan about it.

On the transfer front, although I don't think it would be right to sign anyone until the new manager is in and has a say, given money is likely tight, the problem is, most players will not want to think about transfers during the World Cup so anyone playing in the tournament is likely out of bounds for a good chunk of the window. You do also run the risk of anyone playing well seeing their fee jump up or being subject to greater interest.

SaintySaintSaint, the reason why people are anxious in light of last season is for the very reason they care about the club and have passion. They are entitled to take a stand and not simply continue to pump their hard earned money into the club if they have reservations about the club's ambition or behaviour. To some, £600 for a season ticket is a considerable outlay and to the real fans, the ones with passion, the fortunes of their favourite team and the entertainment of the football on display can have such an effect on how they feel it can make or ruin their weekend. If those same fans are worried after the mismanagement of the club over the last two seasons and want to be reassured that the club will not allow a repeat of this term, they are entitled to ask to see some action before parting with their money. What other power do fans have that will get the club’s attention?

No-one is boiling over or panicking at this stage. VS was just making the point that this is rumbling on when it would be better for the club to be a little more proactive not only in getting the required work done, but notifying the fans when it has been.

5.) 23 May 2018
23 May 2018 22:17:14
I just think being personal regarding some posters views on this site achieves nothing. This is a site for honest opinions of how certain individuals feel about how the club is being run. What is wrong with that? We all have different views which makes this site a very available vehicle to say what you feel. I do think it is unfair though to personally berate individuals for just saying how they see it.

6.) 23 May 2018
23 May 2018 22:51:10
Hi figo

Thank you very much for your support, I think that this season is very important for Sfc, let's not forget the Board have in the last 2 seasons made 1 very disappointing appointment and 1 very nearly catastrophic, so guys you will forgive me if my faith and confidence in the Board is not at it's highest at the moment. For me I believe they are extremely fortunate to be keeping their jobs and they need to demonstrate that they are worthy of that trust and need to really perform above and beyond.

7.) 24 May 2018
24 May 2018 07:39:08
Just because the board haven't confirmed Hughes, doesn't necessarily mean that they can't go about our transfer business as normal. They would have been in talks with MH, I presume, and will know what he wants. So I think there is less urgency in a situation like this where than with the West Ham or Arsenal jobs, where they need to get the manager in asap to work on their summer transfer strategies.

And Chris, I assume that's aimed at me. I wasn't personal, I just expressed a view about a group of fans. Whether that includes you is up to you. And it's very easy to sit back and say that, but I do take exception to the mind numbing hypocrisy and inconsistency of many fans on here; it's the kind of thinking that will hold a group of people back in any walk of life and I hope the board continue ignoring fans demands for a long time to come. Giving into fan pressure ends with panic signings like Carillo to satisfy them, and then 4 months later you just get prematurely berated for that too.

8.) 24 May 2018
24 May 2018 10:45:40
To be fair to the original poster, fans were told the appointment should happen "early" this week and to date no announcement. I think the concern is that if Stoke can sack a manager, agree compensation with another club and agree personal terms, then we should have wrapped this up by now - in theory.

It then becomes natural to wonder what the hold up is.

9.) 25 May 2018
25 May 2018 18:26:44
To be honest I’m glad we’re arguing over when Hughes should be signing
It wasn’t long ago we were in melt down expecting to go down a league
Yes the board didn’t really shine them selves in glory last year but who gives a fu#k were still ready to fight another day
My self I wasn’t happy with the way things were under pillowgrino and then Hughes stepped in turned up the heat and we survived
He’s now got my vote and I’m looking forward to next season with optimism
There’s a lot that needs to be organised behind Closed doors that I’m not interested in so let them get on with it
yes les should seriously look at himself as should Ralph with his comments regarding our club
Even if you know we’re a small club you don’t say that to the paying punters that’s just stupid
Anyway I’m not ranting I’m enjoying time off wondering how England will do this year
I always thought after our heroics back in 90 I’d get to 40 and we’d have won the World Cup by then
I’m now 47 and still wishing we’d lift that cup but maybe we might experience that joy one day.

10.) 25 May 2018
25 May 2018 22:45:57
Mark Hughes has just put pen to paper, and signed a three year contract to remain as manager of Southampton Football Club. Get in!