It does feel very different this time round though. The end of a cycle caused by Mowbray's calamitous mismanagement of (as you say) very generous backing. Yet for some reason they won't can the guy that's fooked everything up for us.

You have to admire Southampton's front I suppose. Word must have got round in footballing circles about what a soft touch we are.

Absolutely. However - injury prone - been at Middlesbrough - ticks all our boxes. Expect a 5 Yr deal on 20k p.w. to be announced this week. Even if he didn't have a disastrous fitness record, why would we need another LB having signed Pickering anyway?

Those managers were involved in improving the facilities, not selling off part of them.

Think you're being contrary just for the sake of it now Gav, you yourself said you didn't believe a word that Waggott said on the matter at the time. Those involved haven't tried to do the same thing twice at two different Clubs for no reason have they? There must be some point or benefit to it somewhere for someone. And even if you accept Mowbray wouldn't have benefitted directly from the scheme then he's gone along with it when as manager he should have been standing up and fiercely guarding our facilities and infrastructure. Anyhow, back to Park......... How old is he BTW?

"Hatred"? - Yes probably fair. "Insane"? - Well, no other manager has ever been complicit in a corrupt and underhanded scheme to sell off our infrastructure before. Or been devious enough to install their own immediate boss to protect them. So not insane or irrational in my book. If he was only incompetent at the job I could just about handle that.

As you apparently think the distinction between a HOR and DOF is so significant have you explained what the difference between the two is yet?

Insult me all you like but you have no evidence to the contrary do you?

I almost agree with that but I would substitute the word "only" with "latest". The buck stops with them as it's their name over the door. Their overall record since taking over is horrendous. However I feel the reason for that is placing undue faith in the people they engage to run the Club on their behalf and who win their trust. They've (eventually) dispensed with numerous of the above in past, I'm at a complete loss to understand why the current miscreants are still in situ. Perhaps they like lemon drizzle cake.

Well, if they ever appointed a top manager it might. £280?m "invested" and they still don't appear to have grasped this basic fact yet.

When Williams was here an overall budget was agreed with the Walker Trust for the season and the manager and Board had complete autonomy within that budget. I very much doubt the situation is any different now. I expect it's only when Tony ***** up for the umpteenth time and they go over budget. they have to go back cap in hand for an extra body in or another loan or whatever. Failure to get deals over the line will be nothing to do with Venky's.

Absolute nonsense Gav. What have they done since relegation to the 1st Division that would cause a half competent manager to fail?

It depends whether you think the Club can succeed with Mowbray in charge really doesn't it? If like me you don't think that, then unfortunately everything else is virtually irrelevant and we're not going to particularly benefit from the appointment of a new HOR or by signing player X Y or Z. Unfortunately all roads DO lead back to him hence the need to mention it all the time. If this guy can transform our fortunes with Mowbray in charge then he really will be a genius. However, on the specific area of recruitment, I'd wager that even if he is unbelievable at finding hidden gems there's a fair chance it wouldn't make that much difference because we'd still have Venus trying (and failing) to get the deals over the line and/or Tony giving it his "You'll have to wait your turn" spiel. Venus is another Mowbray appointment - all roads lead back to Mowbray sadly.

Not aimed at you in particular chaddy but When we tank "let's give him until the end of the season and see where we are then" When it doesn't improve "let's see who he brings in in the summer" when there's no sign of activity "let's see where we are by the end of the window" when we start badly "let's give him until Christmas and see where we are then" When the congested Christmas period goes badly "let's give him the chance to see what we can do in the January window" When the season is dead by February "No point getting rid of him with only ---- games to go" And on and on it goes.

Never stopped you in the past! 🙂

Petulant reply from you - Mowbray and Waggott have done nothing whatsoever to justify their continued employment at the Club in recent seasons. In fact quite the opposite. Anyone else coming in with past connections to Mowbray is therefore bound to be regarded with extreme suspicion. But as far as recruitment goes he will get a clean slate and if it improves beyond all recognition after he arrives then he will quite rightly be lauded. And you know it. But hey, don't let facts get in the way of your "brfcs is a cesspit of negativity" type agenda.

I've no desire to research Stuart Weber although I did read an online article on him a while ago after you were banging on about him. He seems an impressive enough individual, but that doesn't mean to say the role of a HOR/DOF will be successful everywhere with everyone. I thought my original question was a simple enough one to answer if you're into all those kinds of technicalities. In real terms is there no difference then?

Like it!

Irrelevant. Souness didn't recommend and install an out of work CEO he had worked under before.

So other than the title, what's the difference between a DOF and a HOR then?

First point, he might as well after choosing the CEO and now seemingly being on the point of choosing and confirming the Head of Recruitment. Second point, he isn't, but the CEO he chose no doubt would if he asked for it.

Must not have worked out for him at Legia Warsaw after only agreeing to join them in the latter part of January this year. They seemingly won the Polish League last season but that's fairly inconclusive as they've won it seven times in the last nine years overall.

It's unrealistic to think that we'll be recruiting from Europe in the immediate future due to the change in the EU rules. Still, I suppose he can lean back on the massive talent pool that is currently Scotland. Perhaps someone should point him in the direction of Motherwell, there's a lad who's been getting rave reviews up there, Tyler Magloire I think his name is?

Just seen Mowbray's interview in the LT from a while back regarding the recruitment process for the Head of Recruitment. Basically came across as he couldn't be arsed speaking to all of the candidates so before he got involved he let others whittle the numbers down to make things look good then he just steps in and appoints someone he knows.

Did someone say he's been out of work for the last 4 years? That would suggest not.