TUI Messageboard stalwart Patred gives an overview of the happenings at Saints over the past two years.
In his the piece below Pat makes it quite clear that the way that the Club is percieved to be being run by the supporters, could change drastically should we either achieve or fait to achieve promotion, hence the reason for the overview now, as its important to look at the 21 months of the Liebherr dynasty with a clear head, the message is probably that whatever happens it doesnt change the way things have been done and that whilst promotion doesnt mean that everything is rosy, failure to achieve it, likewise doesnt mean that everything is wrong.
Over the past decade or so we have tended to look at everything in black & white thats why I have given this little introduction, as Pat himself says, you pay your money and take your choice, this is an overview not an opinion.........
It's been nearly two years since this administration took over at our club.
And I will state at the outset, overall I am mighty glad they did. But that has more to do with failings of the previous regime than the performance of this one.
I am choosing to write this before we know the outcome of our promotion campaign, one because I don't want to accused of knee jerk reaction to failure to getting promoted, should it not workout.
And two, if we do get promoted, which I dearly hope, then this will not be lost in euphoria that will surround that. I want to look at the progress made by our club, and to review the performance of the key figures in the last 2 seasons.
I have to start with Markus Liebherr, our benevolent benefactor. I cannot imagine any Saints fan that doesn't have an affectionate spot in his/her heart for our departed owner. He was a likeable 'uncle like' figure, with smile on his face, and an obvious love of our club, city, and fans, he wanted the best for us, and, no doubt, he is dearly missed by us all. He believed in us, in our darkest hours, and provided us with wealth and a new self belief.
Nicola Cortese.. a controversial figure, employed by Markus to oversee a five year plan to get us into the Premier League. He is on enormous bonus's to acheive that, and should he do so, he will have deserved it. He has his own way of running the ship, and is ruthless dealing with employee's, managers, other clubs, and fans that don't buy into his perceived view of buisiness.
He had no experience of the football industry, but had a good working relationship with the owner. One of his first decision was to get in Alan Pardew as manager. At the time it was a surprise when most thought of Strachan, Keeegan, Dowie, and some others with previous experience of the club were being touted. However, we know now that he wanted to make a complete and clean break from our past.
His dealings with local and national press were aggresive to say the least, and it has made enemies to this very day.
His dealings with other clubs has also been brutish, some say rude and disrespectful to those used to the normal relationship of clubs. His dealings with managers has been unforgiving as it has been with all other staff. Even loyal fans have felt his wrath.
But he is unwavering in his resolve and wants success. All of us do too, but some say they do not want success at the price he is extracting from our reputation as a friendly family club. Others, want success at any cost, you pays your money, you have the choice!
He was extremely disapointed that promotion was not achieved last season, despite the handicap of -10 points. Should we be unsuccessful this season, will he show even less restraint? Nicola will either be the most successfull chairman of this club, or he will end up eventually as a hate figure. No inbetween, and that his his way, all or nothing.
Alan Pardew.. bought into the club by Cortese. It was said at the time that nearly every unemployed, and a lot of employed managers wanted this job. A sleeping giant, with amazing facilities and a very healthy academy. A mega rich owner that was keen on success, and willing to back that ambition with funds unheard of for a Div One side. A big big fanbase starved of success, and a wage that few Championship managers would even dream of. Any manager worth his salt would have got this club up with those tools at his disposal.
But there was a fly in the ointment, the league had hit us with a ten point penalty, the first team was depleted, and on top of that the season was already under way almost, no time to hessitate. Pardew flew into the transfer market, and it must be said bought wisely, and prioristised wisely. He had good contacts and was also able to loan some decent players. He also used his contacts to reorganised the coaching and scouting staff, bringing in some very experienced people.
However on the pitch the results were slow coming, and the need was to hit the ground running to catch up the 10 point deficeit. It wasn't until Xmas that we were within striking distance of the leaders.
A further reinvestment on players in January window was needed, but this time instead of Pardew doing the negoiations it was Nicola Cortese! It became clear to a blindman that the relationship between the two was strained, and neither helped the situation.
Pardew seemed to want two or three of every position on the field, and Cortese was unwilling to allow him the luxury. Not helped by some unconsistant results. This led to some aborted bids which left other clubs fuming with us.
It also created an atomsphere at the club which permentated down to the playing staff. Markus Liebherr himself stepped in to broker a unstable peace between Cortese and Pardew at very point it looked as if Pardew was to be sacked.
Some say Pardew had already negoiated with another club for his services and Cortese was incadescent with rage on hearing that. Others give bizarre reasons of player disputes with Pardew over personal matters. Again you pay your money etc.
In the end promotion proved a step too far, but we were left with hope for this season and a little trip to Wembley and a trophy. Bookies had us odds on for the next season and everything was looking rosy despite the few weeds of discontent. Then the bombshell !!!
Markus had died, no one wanted to believe it! But our benefactor had passed on. For Pardew it was pivotable, he had lost his protector. The new season had got off to poor start, no new players, in fact we lost a couple of first teamers. Pre season training was a complete diaster, and Pardew showed all the classic signs of a dead man walking. He was soon put out of misery by Cortese, surprisingly leaving it till he gained a good away win.
Pardew had proved popular amongst the fans, no doubt most of them recalling the JPT win. But with hindsight you have to say he wasted a good opportunity at this club. His team proved too inconsistent, his tactics were only adequate, his team had very little spirit. He recieved very little backing in the end, and looked relieved when the axe fell.
Nigel Adkins, another surprise choice as manager, particulary when you consider we were being told that over 30 league managers had enquired about the job. In reality only 4 were considered, and Atkins was a very late entrance into that shortlist, and the least experienced.
I know some of you doubt that a very well known Prem manager was willing to take the job, but I can assure he was. And it is also right that a neighbouring teams manager was also offered the chance to manage this club despite the clubs denial.
The whole process was strange, and you have to wonder at our morals when it turned out that Nigel refused to walk out on his previous club to save us a few pounds compensation. This episode proved typical Cortese, with his strange negoiation skills, and ended in confusion and a little acrimony.
Adkins has settled in well and seems to have injected a team spirit in the squad and it's coaches. He has an appealing way of talking to the media and fans, which has gone a long way in repairing the damaged relationship of last season. Tactically he has set ideas, and one of his faults is that he he will play the system despite the players available, rather than adapt the system itself.
Financially he has not had the financial backing that Pardew enjoyed when first here, but that maybe has more to do with the death of Markus and the doubt of further investment, than Nichola's refusal . Even his salary doesn't match that of his predecessor. However he does seem to a little more ambition for this club. In the next few weeks he will be judged by our final postion, we all hope this likeable man gets us up and then goes on to see our benefactors ambition for us completed.
Then Cortese and Adkins will be seen as heroes!