Make no bones about it, this is one of those games that is going to change the history of Southampton Football Club, whether it will be in a good way or bad way, we will find out at 5pm on Saturday evening.

The Premier League table does not make good viewing for Saints fans, as the old joke goes, Southampton are the strongest team, they are holding everyone else up.

At the bottom we are on 1 point from 9 games and above us are just 5 teams who are potentially in the Premier League relegation battle, ending with Leicester & Everton on 9 points, as we cross over the quarter way mark of the season.

That 6 team scrum could drop to just 4 if results go a certain way and part of that would be Everton winning at St Mary's which would leave Saints 11 points behind the Toffee's, a gap that surely would be uncatchable.

So make no bones about how crucial this game is to Saints season and indeed Russell Martin's future at the club, if we lose this, then in the modern game 1 point from 10 games would at 99% of clubs mean the sack for the manager, but Southampton do things differently.

Even a win would still leave us in the bottom 4 and when you are over 3 points away from safety in the relegation battle that is not a good sign and we start the day 5 points adrift of safety.

To make matters worse according to Russell Martin there was a virus in the camp that meant several players were unavailable for Tuesday nights game against Stoke and that could impact on his selection's to take on Everton.

That will see Martin clutching at more straws as he tries to find not even a winning formula, but a drawing one.

I have had no problems with the modern way of playing and the possession football game, but it is about making the best use of the squad that you have and against Stoke, a team who are only 1 point off the relegation zone, we struggled and once again threw on Tall Paul Onuachu, a futile gesture given that we pass the ball and keep passing it, whereas his game it all about getting on the end of balls into the box, something that we rarely do, so what is the point of playing him, a different system might see Tall Paul score a goal or two, but in Martin's system he is never going to succeed.

So what 10 players will Russell Martin select to accompany Jack Stephens in the starting XI on Saturday ?

That is both predictable and unpredictable in equal measures and that is the problem with this manager, he sticks rigidly with his system, but when it doesn't work he throws mud at the wall in the hope that some sticks metaphorically speaking.

Aaron Ramsdale will play in goal, but the back four is open to much change, I think Taylor Harwood Bellis & Jan Bednarek are going to be in the centre and my best guess is that Kyle Walker Peters & Jack Stephens will be alongside them.

But what will he do in midfield, Flynn Downes should be fit to play and then I would have Adam Lallana & Mateus Fernandes in front of him. I would also not be afraid to play Lesley Ugochukwu, he had a reasonable game against Stoke and showed he can shore up the midfield and drop deep and sit in the back line if needed, he could make a difference if we can get in front again as we did against Ipswich & Leicester.

Up front Cameron Archer didn't get the service on Tuesday night, some fans criticised his performance, but how many runs did he make only to see the ball passed sideways again and again and not forwards, Tall Paul had the same problem.

I would still play Archer though and flank him with Adam Armstrong for his work rate and Tyler Dibling, but then if he wants to go defensive then Sugawara & Ryan Manning would be the choices, with just one up front or he could go with 4 in midfield with 3 up front or 3 in midfield and 3 up front.

Confused ? I certainly am and it is probably only a matter of time before Martin sends out 12 players instead of 11 as he chops and changes.

I still think that this squad can pull us out of trouble, but something has to change and Tuesday night saw a lot of team changes, but not in the style of play, the second half was excruciating to watch, as we passed and passed and rarely had to guts to try a through ball for fear of losing possession.

Can Russell Martin adapt and change, the truth is it looks like he can't and will eventually fall on his sword as they say, but whether that will be too late to save this season is the big question.

In the meantime as supporters all we can do is stay behind the team, stay with them if things aren't going well and hopefully that will make a difference.

All Photos Via Reuters

Centurion added 09:59 - Nov 1 I think Russell Martin is likely to be our manager for the start of next season in the Championship.
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stmichael added 10:21 - Nov 1 To play Tall Paul from the start means we would need to start lumping the ball early and we are simply not going to do that and nor should we.. He is not good enough to change the way we play. Bringing him on as an emergency with 15/20 to go is ok but the problem is we are not utilising his strengths whatever they are because I’ve not seen too many… We scored 2 goals from crosses last home game so to say we don’t put the ball in the box is not accurate. There are a lot of cliches and misconceptions about the way we play.. It’s hardly any different to Pochetino and similar to most teams . I just don’t think we have the quality in the final 3rd. So do We abandon it and go full scale Allardyce? I personally don’t want to see that..

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A1079 added 11:31 - Nov 1 Fail to win against Everton (even a draw is not acceptable) and I will be resigned to relegation. I think I am resigned to it anyway but I suppose today there remains a flickering ember of hope within me. Heading south today.
2

IanRC added 11:57 - Nov 1 Personally I would give Sulemana a chance. When he was introduced on Tuesday he at least knew where the goal was, provided the only decent cross for Onachu and the pass that allowed James Bree to score the winning goal. His defensive work was also good. I doubt you will agree Nick but to me he is potentially one of our most valuable players, but needs proper coaching and opportunity. Doubtless Martin will not agree either and we will be subjected to the usual boring negative tactics with little forward movement. I hope not particularly because as you say this is a crucial game for us.

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Monksway added 20:26 - Nov 1 Saints are going down. We can either go down with RM and maintain some sense of stability or create chaos by sacking him, still going down and having to start all over again. Saints, Ipswich and Leicester are the three worst teams (Wolves). Going down isn't the end of the world as was proved last year. The EPL is the holy grail for owners, managers and players but for supporters, I would suggest winning more games, playing attractive football and having a positive atmosphere playing local youngsters is more important.

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saintmark1976 added 04:30 - Nov 2 Russell Martin is in an enviable position :- He’s a few months into a new three year contract. To all intents and purposes we are already relegated. Sacking him and appointing a new manager now would cost Sports Republic £millions. Sports Republic have waisted what money they did have on Premiership no hopers. There’s no upside for Sports Republic in sacking him so I very much doubt it will happen. Well done Sports Republic, another absolute triumph.

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JoeEgg added 10:16 - Nov 2 So Martin will continue as manager- and for a long time if we beat Everton - and there is every possibility that we will! His childish nicknames for his players who he 'loves' and thinks are all 'brilliant' are part and parcel of a thoroughly unprofessional attitude. Yes we will probably be relegated anyway - but this manager just makes me sick every time he opens his mouth.

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IanRC added 14:41 - Nov 2 Utterly pathetic team selection from Martin, Sulemana not even on the bench, no Sugawara but Stephens in. He has to go.
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