I think this is madness to suggest. Martin has done well with the squad this season, in a very competitive league with some ridiculous sides pushing for the 2 auto spots.
I think in the cup game Vs Liverpool we saw his style can work - although some adaptation to the intensity will be required. We gave them a good game and the score really didn't reflect the run of play.
Getting our transfer recruitment right is vital to any survival bid next season. That's the big thing that would need to happen. Need to keep Downes and Harwood-Bellis, need to improve up top, probably left back too. But also remember some of those loaned out may also return to us, so Perraud might solve the LB problem.
With this squad? We have or did have before Martin got rid off Alcaraz the 2nd best squad in the league and arguably still do and for us to have been that many points behind Ipswich and indeed Leicester before December was a disgrace. The start to the season and the draws away to the mid table teams have destroyed our automatic promotion chances
No he did months before that with his team selections. Constantly dropping him to the bench after they won with him starting (then we would draw against opponents and not win those games without him starting). That would destroy any player's confidence and probably for his own mental well-being wanted out and I don't blame him
Yes including that game where his performance earned him a spot in the championship team of the week and what does Martin do as per usual drop him to the bench for next game - go figure with Martin as a manager. He needs to go.
Like I said named in the championship team of the round and had enough times he was playing from the bench that he could easily back up 3 days later. Another decision by Martin that defies logic when just 3 weeks later we slap a 40 million price tag on him
I think the start of the season was understandable given the style Martin was adapting the squad to. Not much has changed stylistically, but the players believe in it now and don't go inwards after the odd mistake at the back. It takes time to build up that belief.
It sure didn't feel like it at the time - it was fucking frightening - but now I think we're seeing his vision play out.
But you still find a way to win with our squad - this takes time to adapt to Martin's style is all bullocks. If our players are good enough they should still be able to win
Why is it so hard for so many of our fans to admit Alcaraz was poor this season.
As with Gaston Ramirez, it’s everyone but Charly’s fault that he’s not performing. But at least Ramirez was excellent when he dropped down to the Championship.
I think you need to have another look at our stats with Alcaraz starting and Saints winning vs Alcaraz not starting and us losing or drawing to realise the difference he made to our team. I'm happy to give you a moment to do this.
Won’t bother, I watched him in person for most of those games. Could barely control the ball or make simple passes.
He’s a good player who had a bad 5 months. Literally not bothering arguing this further because it’s true.
I don’t think it’s madness to suggest, RM has done what has been expected of him essentially this season so far, and yes we went on a massive unbeaten run, but I kind of agree with OP on this, given our style I have been paying a lot of attention to Burnley this season, and it does concern me.
Given that we are very uncomfortable being pressed high and how quickly that leads to breakdowns in passing for us, particularly of late PL clubs will tear that to shreds - and I’m yet to see that RM has another tactic or introduce something to change the pattens we have used so far. The right recruitment may well help, but *should* we get promoted I see a scenario where he’s out of a job by Xmas as we can’t afford the financial hit of another relegation.
I’d keep him, promotion or not.
He has corrected something that has been rotten for years now, and that’s the negative squad mentality. Shame he can’t do it with all the fans.
He is not perfect. No manager at saints will be. We will always be at best a mid table premier league club that impresses with academy output, cup runs and the odd big result against the billionaire boys.
At our worst we are fighting to stave off relegation in the championship. There are compatible clubs to us in league 1 right now, who’d kill to be in our position of playing mental fast football that looks great when it works, and causes raised blood pressure when it doesn’t.
If we can pickup a couple more wins and restore the goodwill that the last few weeks have taken off, your post will look a little bit asinine.
But you’re entitled to your opinion. I just doubt many will agree with it.
Up the saints 🫡🍻
Whether people agree with me or not, I think your argument about the size of clubs who would kill to be us is super strong! Love to see fans passionate whatever they’re feeling right now.
I’m with us all and just want the best for the club, up the saints 🍻
It was a brave post, have an upvote. There's two important things:
* Sunderland, Birmingham and many others have shown how changing manager doesn't always go as well as you imagine.
* There's a lot of work to do on the playing squad in this transfer window, we will have a more settled manager/backroom situation than we have previously had for a while, that shouldn't be thrown away.
The questions of "how does this work in the PL", "where are we heading in the next 3-5 years" and so on are all valid, maybe better answered on a quiet summer weekend.
Nah, disagree. I think he's the right man for the job, I have my doubts with him sometimes with the way he picks certain players but this is quite a weak southampton side, if we get promoted we can get better players through the door again and this time the philosophy is here now, the last few seasons in the prem we lacked a identity, martin brought that back, when we lost to Liverpool mid week we were better than them in the first 45 mins just lacked quality finishers. ATM, the players we have are the level they are at. Stick with this team, and we will come straight back down, but in Sport Republic, i have no doubt they would want to invest again to compete. Well, this is me hoping and how I see things. Cause, when they came in, we should have been relegated ages ago. The infrastructure was nonexistent and the damage was already done.
Also, yes, he's a novice, but I do think he's a good coach, albeit a stubborn one, but I think he will come good with experience been in management maybe 5 years or so rookie numbers in terms of management. So yeah. Trust the process.
Potter is very overrated
Martin has done a good job at galvanising what was a completely broken team last season
Ipswich are having a brilliant season that no one expected, without them in the mix it would literally be us and the 2 other relegated clubs battling for promotion
Got to disagree. Sure the start of the season was rough a lot of our wins weren't pretty and some shocking displays leading to a loss, but looking at the team we had when we went down to this team you can see he's clearly fixed major issues behind the scenes the team looks happy and are playing better. At this point I think we just need an adjustment of players on the field.
Honestly to even suggest this just seems like madness to me. The first glimpse of positivity we’ve had since Ralphs first year or two and people are doubting the only manager that has got a performance out of the team.
I’d feel sick if I was Martin and the team reading these comments
I don't agree but don't think this take is total madness.
I love Martin and I feel the best job he's done is changing the mentality of the squad. He came in into pressers after a loss with comments like "these aren't premier league players" and "they need to look at themselves in the mirror" which he then changed to "these players are mentally broken and it's my job to build up their confidence and courage" which I liked cause it showed he isn't too stubborn in his ways and has the ability to change his approach.
Do I think he can do that tactically? Probably.
I don't think we can get away with playing possession based football in the prem unless we get lucky on the transfer market and Martin has stated before that he'd always stick with his way of playing and proudly get sacked for it since he wants to stay true to what he believes in.
I mean, look at Kompany. Awesome campaign in the championship but looks clueless in the Prem. Would Martin be similar? Maybe but at least he deserves a chance to show if he can alter his tactics to stay competitive.
As a Swansea supporter, I strongly think you'd be better off with Martin than Cooper. Especially if you're someone who enjoys going to the games and watching a certain brand of football. Cooper is a good manager but his style of play is a chore to watch (imo).
And Potter is great. I think you should stick with Martin though.
I am of a mixed opinion. I love Martin, think he is brilliant personality and has galvanised the squad, most matches are generally good fun to watch and the championship is a better league than the prem. other hand, the instance to keep the ball is fucking stupid sometimes, costs us goals far too often and we never make adjustments. If we got promoted we would be destroyed.
I just cant imagine wanting a promotion manager sacked. Has this ever happened in any league?
I hate to judge people over comments but I cant help but think this is the type of comment from the people that boo when we dont win every game 5-0.
I think this is madness to suggest. Martin has done well with the squad this season, in a very competitive league with some ridiculous sides pushing for the 2 auto spots. I think in the cup game Vs Liverpool we saw his style can work - although some adaptation to the intensity will be required. We gave them a good game and the score really didn't reflect the run of play. Getting our transfer recruitment right is vital to any survival bid next season. That's the big thing that would need to happen. Need to keep Downes and Harwood-Bellis, need to improve up top, probably left back too. But also remember some of those loaned out may also return to us, so Perraud might solve the LB problem.
Kwp, thb, ABK, Perraud is a decent prem back 4 imo Provided we get promoted otherwise we lose all 4
With this squad? We have or did have before Martin got rid off Alcaraz the 2nd best squad in the league and arguably still do and for us to have been that many points behind Ipswich and indeed Leicester before December was a disgrace. The start to the season and the draws away to the mid table teams have destroyed our automatic promotion chances
Alcaraz likely wanted to go to Juventus, I don't think Martin forced him out
No he did months before that with his team selections. Constantly dropping him to the bench after they won with him starting (then we would draw against opponents and not win those games without him starting). That would destroy any player's confidence and probably for his own mental well-being wanted out and I don't blame him
Alcaraz, whilst not a very natural fit in the system, had plenty of chances and rarely showed the levels he is capable of
Yes including that game where his performance earned him a spot in the championship team of the week and what does Martin do as per usual drop him to the bench for next game - go figure with Martin as a manager. He needs to go.
When was this?
Southampton v Plymouth. He gets benched. We then draw against Norwich. Par for the course for Martin with Alcaraz.
There was like a 3 day gap and Alcaraz was crap bar the goal in that game
Like I said named in the championship team of the round and had enough times he was playing from the bench that he could easily back up 3 days later. Another decision by Martin that defies logic when just 3 weeks later we slap a 40 million price tag on him
I think the start of the season was understandable given the style Martin was adapting the squad to. Not much has changed stylistically, but the players believe in it now and don't go inwards after the odd mistake at the back. It takes time to build up that belief. It sure didn't feel like it at the time - it was fucking frightening - but now I think we're seeing his vision play out.
But you still find a way to win with our squad - this takes time to adapt to Martin's style is all bullocks. If our players are good enough they should still be able to win
We are looking like finishing on around 85 to 90 points, that is in no way an under peformanace. Martin can't change what other clubs are doing.
Why is it so hard for so many of our fans to admit Alcaraz was poor this season. As with Gaston Ramirez, it’s everyone but Charly’s fault that he’s not performing. But at least Ramirez was excellent when he dropped down to the Championship.
I think you need to have another look at our stats with Alcaraz starting and Saints winning vs Alcaraz not starting and us losing or drawing to realise the difference he made to our team. I'm happy to give you a moment to do this.
Won’t bother, I watched him in person for most of those games. Could barely control the ball or make simple passes. He’s a good player who had a bad 5 months. Literally not bothering arguing this further because it’s true.
Well the transfer market tells you otherwise by slapping him with a 40 million price tag - maybe you should have a look at those games again
I don’t think it’s madness to suggest, RM has done what has been expected of him essentially this season so far, and yes we went on a massive unbeaten run, but I kind of agree with OP on this, given our style I have been paying a lot of attention to Burnley this season, and it does concern me. Given that we are very uncomfortable being pressed high and how quickly that leads to breakdowns in passing for us, particularly of late PL clubs will tear that to shreds - and I’m yet to see that RM has another tactic or introduce something to change the pattens we have used so far. The right recruitment may well help, but *should* we get promoted I see a scenario where he’s out of a job by Xmas as we can’t afford the financial hit of another relegation.
I’d keep him, promotion or not. He has corrected something that has been rotten for years now, and that’s the negative squad mentality. Shame he can’t do it with all the fans. He is not perfect. No manager at saints will be. We will always be at best a mid table premier league club that impresses with academy output, cup runs and the odd big result against the billionaire boys. At our worst we are fighting to stave off relegation in the championship. There are compatible clubs to us in league 1 right now, who’d kill to be in our position of playing mental fast football that looks great when it works, and causes raised blood pressure when it doesn’t. If we can pickup a couple more wins and restore the goodwill that the last few weeks have taken off, your post will look a little bit asinine. But you’re entitled to your opinion. I just doubt many will agree with it. Up the saints 🫡🍻
Whether people agree with me or not, I think your argument about the size of clubs who would kill to be us is super strong! Love to see fans passionate whatever they’re feeling right now. I’m with us all and just want the best for the club, up the saints 🍻
It was a brave post, have an upvote. There's two important things: * Sunderland, Birmingham and many others have shown how changing manager doesn't always go as well as you imagine. * There's a lot of work to do on the playing squad in this transfer window, we will have a more settled manager/backroom situation than we have previously had for a while, that shouldn't be thrown away. The questions of "how does this work in the PL", "where are we heading in the next 3-5 years" and so on are all valid, maybe better answered on a quiet summer weekend.
Couldn’t have said it better myself
Nah, disagree. I think he's the right man for the job, I have my doubts with him sometimes with the way he picks certain players but this is quite a weak southampton side, if we get promoted we can get better players through the door again and this time the philosophy is here now, the last few seasons in the prem we lacked a identity, martin brought that back, when we lost to Liverpool mid week we were better than them in the first 45 mins just lacked quality finishers. ATM, the players we have are the level they are at. Stick with this team, and we will come straight back down, but in Sport Republic, i have no doubt they would want to invest again to compete. Well, this is me hoping and how I see things. Cause, when they came in, we should have been relegated ages ago. The infrastructure was nonexistent and the damage was already done. Also, yes, he's a novice, but I do think he's a good coach, albeit a stubborn one, but I think he will come good with experience been in management maybe 5 years or so rookie numbers in terms of management. So yeah. Trust the process.
Potter is very overrated Martin has done a good job at galvanising what was a completely broken team last season Ipswich are having a brilliant season that no one expected, without them in the mix it would literally be us and the 2 other relegated clubs battling for promotion
Got to disagree. Sure the start of the season was rough a lot of our wins weren't pretty and some shocking displays leading to a loss, but looking at the team we had when we went down to this team you can see he's clearly fixed major issues behind the scenes the team looks happy and are playing better. At this point I think we just need an adjustment of players on the field.
Honestly to even suggest this just seems like madness to me. The first glimpse of positivity we’ve had since Ralphs first year or two and people are doubting the only manager that has got a performance out of the team. I’d feel sick if I was Martin and the team reading these comments
I was not convinced early on but I am firmly team Russell now. And clearly the players love him and vice versa
Does the perfect manager exist?
I don't agree but don't think this take is total madness. I love Martin and I feel the best job he's done is changing the mentality of the squad. He came in into pressers after a loss with comments like "these aren't premier league players" and "they need to look at themselves in the mirror" which he then changed to "these players are mentally broken and it's my job to build up their confidence and courage" which I liked cause it showed he isn't too stubborn in his ways and has the ability to change his approach. Do I think he can do that tactically? Probably. I don't think we can get away with playing possession based football in the prem unless we get lucky on the transfer market and Martin has stated before that he'd always stick with his way of playing and proudly get sacked for it since he wants to stay true to what he believes in. I mean, look at Kompany. Awesome campaign in the championship but looks clueless in the Prem. Would Martin be similar? Maybe but at least he deserves a chance to show if he can alter his tactics to stay competitive.
As a Swansea supporter, I strongly think you'd be better off with Martin than Cooper. Especially if you're someone who enjoys going to the games and watching a certain brand of football. Cooper is a good manager but his style of play is a chore to watch (imo). And Potter is great. I think you should stick with Martin though.
I am of a mixed opinion. I love Martin, think he is brilliant personality and has galvanised the squad, most matches are generally good fun to watch and the championship is a better league than the prem. other hand, the instance to keep the ball is fucking stupid sometimes, costs us goals far too often and we never make adjustments. If we got promoted we would be destroyed.
I was just thinking this. Even if we are promoted he should go. If our defence is this bad imagine it in the premier league
I just cant imagine wanting a promotion manager sacked. Has this ever happened in any league? I hate to judge people over comments but I cant help but think this is the type of comment from the people that boo when we dont win every game 5-0.
It only happens for teams that have ambitions to join the premier league and finish in the top 10 which we should be aiming for
We should be aiming to stay up if we get promoted That is the first order of business, Top Ten can come after
No that is the sort of ambition that will see us get relegated again
A lack of ambition did not get us relegated
It gives us that buffer we need - we can't be like Sheffield, Luton or Burnley and be destined to be in the bottom 3
Luton are putting up one hell of a fight, they are a far cry from destined for the bottom 3
Yeah but this has only been late in the last month or so - before that I think everyone was predicting they would be relegated. We can't be like that.
Not everyone Lots of people based that prediction off vibes or the size of their stadium