Saints Need To Connect With Their Fans With Managerial Appointment Sunday, 21st May 2023 11:30 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. 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 Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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