With the media convinced that Russell Martin is the next Southampton manager, it is fair to say that this does not excite any of the St Mary's faithful, in fact the very opposite, it is a feeling of deja vu, that we have seen it before twice this season.

The truth is that morale in the Saints fanbase it at it's lowest since 2009, personally although Sports Republic have made mistakes, I cannot see anyone else out there who are better to take us over.

In truth Sports Republic haven't done much different to how Southampton FC have operated over the last 60 years, they have looked to identify players still under the radar and turn them into top flight quality and do that by blending them with up and coming youngsters.

But in the past we have done that by making sure we have great leaders on the pitch down the spine of the team, but our failure has been not to do that, no one can point the finger at Sports Republic for not investing, but they have failed in appointing those who can lead the club both on and off the pitch.

Now it seems inevitable that there is a fourth change of manager in what will be around a 7 month period and that is failure in any ones books.

The hope is that with Jason Wilcox coming in as Director of football that there will now be leadership and direction behind the scenes, but the first job is to appoint the right manager.

This will be the acid test for Southampton supporters and who is in the job will go a long way in whether the floating supporters stay or go and perhaps more importantly whether even the more loyal fans feel that can renew their season tickets.

The Manager needs to be one who excites the fans and also excites the players, in this respect it will also influence those players we would want to stay to actually do so.

Sports Republic have come up with some fine words, but these now need to be fine actions.

No one is expecting a big name to take the job, but we want to see someone who not only fits the club's profile of a young and up and coming manager, but also has been experience in doing just what we need them to do in 2023/24 and that is get us back up to the Premier League.

John Dahl Tomasson at Blackburn wa sone who sprung to mind, he had been successful in Europe and almost got Blackburn into the play offs, only losing out on goal difference.

Not a household name, but his track record showed he has what it takes.
#So the news that Swansea City boss Russell Martin is allegedly the man for Southampton, is a little worrying.

At MK Dons 19th & 13th position in League One was not exactly ground breaking, but it attracted Swansea, his first season there saw 15th and this season ended in 10th position, not exactly a great CV.

It is fair to say that it is not exciting Saints fans, it is bringing more negativity to the Southampton FC social media and message boards.

Sports Republic don't have any brownie points left with the fans, perhaps Russell Martin is the man for the job, lets be honest Mauricio Pellegrino wasn't a popular choice and elicited the word Who ? when his name was announced, so i won't decry this appointment out of hand.

But our owners have Connect with the supporters, excite them, show them they are the people to take us forward and create a fortress St Mary's next season.

They are not doing that with the news that Russell Martin is their man, it is deja vu to when Nathan Jones was appointed, although that didn't excite the supporters, they did at least give him a little chance to show he was the right choice.

So to appoint what seems to be Nathan Jones mk2 seem to be a step too far for many.

There will be empty seats at St Mary's and a disenfranchised fan base next season, of course if the club win games and are in the promotion frame then the fans will return, but not all of them and that is the problem.

So Sports Republic should consider very carefully just what their next move is, this seems like the Jones appointment to be rushed and more to the point leaked to the media.

It is also counter productive until the season ends, Ruben Selles may have failed in the job, but that does not make him a bad man, he deserves the dignity of not having to put out teams in the final games of the season with this hanging over his head, like the appointment of Jones only days before the break for the World Cup, it can wait a week or so, what is the rush.

Photo: Action Images

abingdonsaint added 12:33 - May 21 In fairness, a little bit of research will show that the comparison with Jones is merely superficial. In terms of playing style, personality and charisma he couldn’t be more different. He’s almost the anti-Jones! If it happens, I actually think he ticks a lot of boxes whereas it was obvious from day one that Jones was just not the right fit. We don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes, and I would hope that we have at least sounded out the likes of Potter, but I for one would not be devastated if Martin is the one.

-3

MSB added 12:40 - May 21 Sad that Graham Potter not selected. He put the present Brighton team together and their present manager is reaping the reward
3

underweststand added 12:41 - May 21 whoever it ends up being, the (new) manager should have a reasonable ability to clearly communicate to the media in the English language (a problem that even some who were born in British Isles still suffer from). His first job should be to seen to win over the fans in a reasonable manner, not promise too much and avoid questions about guarantees and washing machines (ala Ralph). His behaviour towards the players (who are also employees of the club) is not our concern as they should do as they are told, train properly and DAJFU on match days. He will doubtless want to bring his own staff , but hopefully they will blend in with other names like Dave Horseman who has done wonders with the current Academy lads. He will aslo want to buy in his favourite players from any former clubs.

3

dirk_doone added 12:45 - May 21 Good article, Nick. You sum up very well how the majority of Saints' fans feel about Russell Martin. He reeks of mediocrity and wouldn't be a popular appointment. We could do better. Let's hope we do.
3

ItchenNorth added 13:34 - May 21 You bang on about social media, yet this article is negative !
-1

Chesham_Saint added 13:45 - May 21 This is a potential deal breaker for me. I probably won’t renew if this mediocre selection happens. Instead I will pick and choose just a few matches next season, if any. This from someone who’s not been a local for decades, but has had a season ticket throughout, travelling thousands of miles each season. As for the current owners, I can never understand how a club with our geographic location, infrastructure and fan base cannot attract a real owner of substance.

1

pintsizedsaint added 13:52 - May 21 Media reporting now that Martin has verbally agreed to become next Saints manager. Clubs sorting out compensation. Could be announced in next 24 hours. I get the lack of enthusiasm- but come on, Potter was never going to come. Martin is also a million miles away from Nathan Jones. He’s gathered a lot of praise for his possession based tactics, which will be vital in the Championship, only Burnley had better ball possession in the Championship last year (and it was marginal). I would be delighted for Saints to move away from the high press and play the possession game. We played the best when we did this previously and we shouldn’t be so vulnerable to the counter attack as shown this season. Most crucially, we might see some attractive football. He’s an experienced and respected former player and (from reports) has a really good management style about him. Yea he might not be a big name signing, but we need to put delusions of grandeur behind us now.

5

highfield49 added 15:01 - May 21 This morning I was feeling fairly despondent at the prospect of Russell Martin being appointed as the new manager but if he does have the technical ability and charisma that pintsizedsaint mentions above then maybe I need to give him my support. My prejudice was driven by ignorance and judging him before even considering that he could actually do the job. The fact that so many have failed in the recent past is hopefully not indicative of Russell Martin's ability. Time will tell.

5

Bowlercow added 15:49 - May 21 RM can be seen as an upgrade on taffy Jones and Selles but I fail to see how he can be seen as better than Ralph A win percentage of around 37% in the Championship is not going to get us back up Rumour has it that the Blackburn manager will replace him at Swansea He has a win rate of 47% so why don't we go for him? The last manager we had who played possession based football was Puel and I remember how boring that was Multi passes across the back line doesn't excite me much

2

Bowlercow added 15:49 - May 21 RM can be seen as an upgrade on taffy Jones and Selles but I fail to see how he can be seen as better than Ralph A win percentage of around 37% in the Championship is not going to get us back up Rumour has it that the Blackburn manager will replace him at Swansea He has a win rate of 47% so why don't we go for him? The last manager we had who played possession based football was Puel and I remember how boring that was Multi passes across the back line doesn't excite me much

-1

NewburySaint added 16:16 - May 21 Anybody that follows the EFL will know that Martin’s teams play what Strachan called propaganda football when we used to play Arsenal - there’s a lot of possession without achieving much. From my own personal point of view I would find his football hard to watch, boring you might say, if he was appointed and brings that style with him.
0

DorsetIan added 16:44 - May 21 SR do not seem to understand the task at hand. We are been sh*t for at least 2 1/2 seasons. We’re not used to winning or scoring and our Bestnote players will be losing. This is a very lumbering oil tanker to turn around. We need a captain who has at least turned a club around before. And if we think we’re going to pass our way to promotion, we’ve got a big surprise coming.

1

SaintPaulVW added 17:01 - May 21 For years I have been saying 'careful what owners you wish for because you could end up like Coventry' as we are now probably going to be leapfrogged by them, I had better shut up. If true, this appointment strikes me as driven by another 'we know better' gamble. What we all want and must be cheaper, £100 million a year for a prem place, is safe experienced seen it-done it pairs of hands in defence, up front and stood in the dugout. What we get are projects picked because they might turn into something good. This arrogant chase to be something different is a bit pathetic. Football existed before Sports republic. And once their money is gone it will still be here. COYR

2

Farlow added 17:09 - May 21 A lot of possession without achieving much is whar we,ve been doing for the last three years.
1

Farlow added 17:09 - May 21 A lot of possession without achieving much is whar we,ve been doing for the last three years.
0

Farlow added 17:09 - May 21 A lot of possession without achieving much is whar we,ve been doing for the last three years.
-1

Farlow added 17:09 - May 21 A lot of possession without achieving much is whar we,ve been doing for the last three years.
-1

silverspringsaint added 17:18 - May 21 Re the potential managerial appointment: True enough SR have comprehensively ballsed it up to date but - this level of toxic negativity is not good for the club - or its fan base. Next year is a whole new ball game for us - give the guy some room and let’s see how playing style, recruitment and (importantly) results pan out …!
2

Centurion added 17:41 - May 21 Hmmm. Russell Martin is definitely another gamble. IMO he will be looking at 2 or 3 seasons to introduce his ideas and so SR clearly looking at long term building in the Championship as opposed to an immediate return to the Premier League. Not a bad philosophy but cannot see much patience amongst the fans.
3

WestSussexSaint added 18:15 - May 21 I think the fan base has to be realistic about our situation. We are not going to attract a top manager while in the Championship. Potter was never going to be a likely option. I think the best we can hope for is ensuring there is a strategy on the playing side that the board and management team all agree on. That will ensure we retain/recruit the players that fit that strategy rather than the scatter gun recruitment we have seen in the last two windows. My gut feel is Jason Wilcox has a big say in the manager appointment and if Martin adopts a possession based style this should fit with what Wilcox will have been part of at Man City. Who knows if Martin will be a success so slagging him off before he has even signed on the dotted line is ridiculous. At least it appears SR are acting swiftly so the new management team has the maximum time in preseason to get the players ready for the new season.

4

DPeps added 18:34 - May 21 I know Russell Martin from his time as a player at Wycombe (my local team at that time). A very good, humble guy. Yes he's not achieved loads as manager so far but he's only 36 FFS. He got MK Dons to the playoffs and after he left they got relegated. He's done OK at Swansea, which would have been a tough gig after Cooper. We were never going to get Potter. Give Martin a chance

3

Monksway added 18:58 - May 21 Unlike Cardiff, Swansea have had a longstanding identity of a passing team that plays good football. Most of their managers have followed this approach - Rogers, Potter, Cooper, Laudrup,Calvalhal even Garry Monk - and some earning a move to wealthier teams. This is very different from. Nathan Jones, whose CV was entirely based on a Luton team that had battled it's way back from non league football.

0

Farlow added 20:29 - May 21 West SussEX Saint if this is moving swiftly why is Selles still there.This crap about passing teams does my head in to get out of the championship you need a bit more.Plus plenty of beef.
0

SanMarco added 22:21 - May 21 "In truth Sports Republic haven't done much different to how Southampton FC have operated over the last 60 years" - ?? How many Nathan Jones's have we had in 60 years? And how often have we been relegated with only 24 points? And how often have we played a whole season without a goal scorer? As for Martin - if, as seems likely, they appoint him, we have to get behind him with fingers-crossed. Yes, it is underwhelming, but as Nick mention the MoPo appointment didn't have us dancing in the streets and Strachan proved popular after we all screamed in rage when we heard about his appointment. The thing with possession/passing based football is it is great if you have the right players and manager - so if Martin does get appointed let him have the players who can play the way he wants - not some little piglets aimed at fatting up for market...

1

Ifonly added 00:10 - May 22 People are claiming above that the possession game somehow means not playing a press. Not true at all! Martin plays with a press. His style is actually very similar to Ruben: pressing when there is the opportunity and slow build up play involving a lot of sideways and backwards passing when we have the ball. We just have to hope that Martin can get something out of this style and these players that Ruben couldn't. I will give him my support but my expectations are low.

2

Blogs 31 bloggers

Brentford Polls