I’m kind of glad April is over. It’s a new month and a new beginning is on the horizon. April has been full of rubbish work, arguments, disappointments, Southampton being relegated, a very stressed girlfriend and incredibly annoying housemates.

Now it’s May and all my housemates have gone. I now officially live in a 4 bed house on my own. Kat’s dissertation hand in date is today so hopefully she’s past the worst of it now. Ok, so Southampton could go completely out of business and work will still be rubbish, but in general there’s a more positive feel to May for me!

All the reports about the position Saints find themselves in seem to indicate that, unless a buyer can be found, the club will fold any day now. That’s a hell of a scary thought for any football fan. Seeing the downfall of clubs like Leeds is one thing, but at least they survived and could re-build; But to see a club go from Premier League to bust in such a short period of time? That’s astonishing.

The thing I don’t understand about all of this is the “punishment” for going into administration. The club start next season (in League One after relegation) with minus ten points. So the club itself is punished, on the pitch (so to speak) and the fans end up suffering as well. But who’s to blame for the situation the club finds itself in? Surely that’s the former board of directors, the former chairmen; the people who actually ran the club? (and I’m using the word ‘ran’ in the loosest possible term) No, they get away relatively easily. Granted, they bought shares which are now worthless. But they get no punishment for taking a successful club and taking it to the brink of extinction. They are free to walk into another club and try again, if they so wish. And this, more than anything, is what upsets me about the whole situation.

I really hope that Southampton find a new buyer. We need a bright, fresh start. Clear out a few fringe players and get someone in who can really motivate the players. I have nothing against Mark Wotte, the current boss. I think he has had the team playing some very attractive football at times. But the players lack motivation and severely lack confidence. I’ve not seen a constantly confident and motivated Southampton side since about 2001-03 and the days of Gordon Strachan. He had the players fitter than ever, they were determined like never before and the results showed. At one point we were 4^th in the Premier League over Christmas. We slipped a little but still got into Europe. And we made the 2003 FA Cup Final. It’s been downhill ever since.

 COYR!