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Post by Saint on Jun 2, 2011 19:17:20 GMT
Use this thread to discuss the Fans Forum which will be taking place tomorrow night at the Clubhouse in Clarence Park. This is an opportunity for all fans to meet the new owners John McGowan and Lawrence Levy along with the new chairman Ian Ridley, questions from the fans will be being answered by all three.
The Forum commences at 7:30pm. All fans are welcome!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 20:24:35 GMT
had to leave at half time but suffice to say Ian said a lot of positive things, like his attitude towards football
all good stuff in my book
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Post by EFMTFTV on Jun 4, 2011 0:16:00 GMT
I had a prior arrangement so can somebody gimme the jist?
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Post by thesaints on Jun 4, 2011 6:38:34 GMT
I didn't go was working, but apparenty there was no mention of a new manager, if they keep castle this would be a massive step backward in my opinion.
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oldgeezer
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Post by oldgeezer on Jun 4, 2011 8:50:49 GMT
I couldn't go either, but there seems to be a lot of negativity about Castle as manager. My thoughts are that he did as good a job as he was allowed given the constraints he was working under last season. 10 out of 10 for effort, perhaps adding support from the new chairman he will be able to produce the results to go with that effort. I'd let him manage for the first month or so and see what he does before chucking the baby out with the bath water.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2011 9:40:34 GMT
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Post by EFMTFTV on Jun 4, 2011 10:03:57 GMT
Agreed last year he worked under very difficult circumstances but are we not forgetting the previous seasons when he had some money, the football was dire, we need a clean break
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Post by Daedalus on Jun 4, 2011 11:23:16 GMT
The concern I have about Castle is the tactical side of things and whether his style of football is suitable for a side chasing promotion. Ultimately, we all know that Castle likes to play direct, 'percentages' football based on a solid defence and a workmanlike midfield. The Saints have picked up some of the best results over the last two or three seasons when they've been up against it and managed to break with some regularity, then got lucky and taken a chance. However, whenever they go into a game as favourites and are expected to dictate the play and to take the match to the opposition, they often disappoint. Hence an underwhelming home record whilst he has been in charge, where the side have more often than not failed to break down the opposition. Think of the games where Castle's team have pulled off an unlikely draw or victory away from home against strong opposition and then think of the matches where they have drawn or lost against more 'beatable' opposition at home, and I think that proves my point. Well, it's just a theory anyway.  Having said that, it's difficult to argue against what IR said in the interview. Castle worked with lots of limitations and constraints etc. He (and/or his management team) found some real gems in terms of players and brought the best out of certain players too. In some senses Castle did a good job keeping a sinking ship steady for a while. Maybe he even overachieved in some senses (this is what he suggested himself). Considering all of this, maybe he does deserve a chance, and perhaps we could see a different side to Castle if he has the support of the chairman & owners. Personally, I can't help feeling that maybe it's time for a fresh start though. I'm not sure how much faith I have in him to chase promotion next season. I do hope he proves me very wrong though if he is to get the chance as suggested by IR's interview. |
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Post by Daedalus on Jun 4, 2011 11:32:42 GMT
Also, you have to respect Ian Ridley's stance on this. He isn't coming in changing everything at once and making major decisions immediately. He says he wants to give everyone a fair chance. In acting in this manner, he is certainly distancing himself from his predecessor, which ultimately can only be a good thing! ;D
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Post by thesaints on Jun 4, 2011 11:45:08 GMT
Yea fair enough castle has had it difficult but let him manage the youth/ oaklands side of things maybe, and if we want progress at the club get a decent experienced manager in who knows what he is doing.
Personally I cannot stand the thought of another season watchin castle style football, no matter who now owns the club.
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Post by Canary Saint on Jun 4, 2011 19:14:16 GMT
I've always been a critic of SC - particularly during his first spell. Yet................ I've feeling that the Southern League may be his level and I wouldn't be surprised if we did well under him next year. After that I'm not so sure............. As for football style, it's surprising how attitudes change when the team is winning. On the whole feeling good about next season - COYS!   |
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Post by EFMTFTV on Jun 4, 2011 20:00:13 GMT
Yea fair enough castle has had it difficult but let him manage the youth/ oaklands side of things maybe, and if we want progress at the club get a decent experienced manager in who knows what he is doing. Personally I cannot stand the thought of another season watchin castle style football, no matter who now owns the club. We don't own Oaklands any more, Gibson kept it and Castle is still therefore working for Gibson at Oaklands |
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Post by saints17mad on Jun 5, 2011 16:14:00 GMT
I went to the meeting and thought that it was very positive. Ian Ridley encouraged people to ask any questions they wanted and for people to get there moans and groans out. Ian and Lawrence Levy both shared the mic but John McGown didnt say a word which I thought was a bit strange, maybe he was just shy?
For anyone that did miss the meeting here are some of the things that I remebered. Also ian Ridley did say he hoped to have another fans forum before the start of the season.
When asked if the playing budget would be cut half way through the season Ridley said they had a budget in mind and would be sticking with it. if towards the end of the season we were in with a shout of promotion the budget would be increased. He mentioned some clubs playing budgets range from £800 p/w to £7500 p/w and we would be somewhere in the middle. He also mentioned a lot of clubs start with high playing budget but cut them when there not going to get promotion or have a bad cup run (sound familiar?!)
Pre-season friendlies were asked about and Ridley said that although nothing was certain he hoped for a premiership team to visit the park, mostly of reserves but maybe some first team players and also that an oversea's team could be in line as there on tour. He did say nothing is confirmed and mr Levy said that pre-season friendlies are usually organised around christmas time.
With regards to the ground they both said that it needed work doing to it, upgrading the toilets and the catering facilities. They also stated that the club were going to renew the lease on Clarence Park and to be a conference you need a 10 years lease, with football league being a 20 year lease. They also mentioned to be in the football league you need to have 2000 seats and have already had discussions with the local council regarding the ground.
Finally they said that the oaklands scheme will continue for another year, the reserves will continue but also an under 18's team will play with the possibility of a st.albans ladies team. They mentioned trying to strengthen links with locals youth sides and having 'home-grown' players.
this is pretty much what i seem to remember form the meeting but I am extremely excited about this coming season, the first time in many years!
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Post by Boomer on Jun 5, 2011 19:23:19 GMT
I agree, saints17mad. A very positive meeting indeed and an excellent turn out, 120 by all accounts. Lawrence Levy and Ian Ridley came over extremely well and it was also nice to hear from Franco Sidoli about his plans for the reserves for next season. A good night.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 16:51:10 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 18:03:01 GMT
Thanks to saint17mad for the summary of the fans forum. Unfortunately I was unable to make it. On the subject of Castle remaining as manager, I feel it's time for a change and a complete fresh start on the field. If Castle does remain as manager, he will be signing players over the summer, with some on contracts. If we are flirting with relegation after say 10 games and Castle goes, we then get a new manager who is left with Castle's players and anyone half decent, already signed up by other clubs over the summer. A new manager now gets the opportunity to make full use of the availability of players during the summer and pre-season games to develop the team. I think the final straw for me with Castle was around Feb time when Sean Shields played really well on the Saturday and was promptly dropped for the Tuesday game against (I think) Borehamwood, when we had 4 defenders in midfield.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2011 16:47:07 GMT
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Post by Hatboy on Jun 7, 2011 19:00:10 GMT
I think you would of been pretty happy with what was said at the Forum Colin but i'm sure you are the sort of person that would agree with the saying 'The proof is in the pudding'
Shame about the Oaklands PASE scheme only running in conjuction with the Football club for one more year/season not sure which it is, still not happy about that but i guess Gibson wanted far too much money for it !
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Post by Daedalus on Jun 8, 2011 15:16:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2011 16:23:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2011 16:30:16 GMT
good article.
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Post by moaner on Jun 8, 2011 16:38:16 GMT
That is an exact copy of what was said in the interview on the site!
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Post by Canary Saint on Jun 8, 2011 19:29:55 GMT
That is an exact copy of what was said in the interview on the site! All publicity is good publicity! There cannot be too many ways to spread the word.  |
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Post by Aries on Jun 9, 2011 7:19:00 GMT
It sounds like he's preparing the way for keeping Castle as manager. Everyone is talking about how he kept it together last season and forgetting that he's been manager for much longer than that with little success.
He has to go; we need a fresh start.
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Post by EFMTFTV on Jun 9, 2011 12:21:33 GMT
^^ what he said ^^
Unless they are looking at other targets before releasing him, don't want to be left with egg on their faces and no manager
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Post by panshanger on Jun 9, 2011 19:24:22 GMT
I think Castle did all he could last season considering the restraints he was under, having said that i would like to see a new manager in place for this season who knows the southern league, gary Roberts to return maybe?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2011 5:10:04 GMT
roberts is a good call.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2011 5:10:19 GMT
roberts is a good call.
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Post by saints17mad on Jun 10, 2011 11:06:46 GMT
As much as I admire Castle for sticking to it over the last few seasons I really don't think he should stay. His record speaks for itself and during some of his seasons as manager we had a good squad but still played poor football. Gary Roberts would be an excellent appointment in my eyes.
Not sure if this is true or not but I heard that maybe Norwich City will be down the park for a pre-season friendly. Would be good to see a premiership side down the park again!
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Post by Boomer on Jun 10, 2011 11:49:06 GMT
Gary Roberts was certainly an advocate of passing football.
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