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Comment | Southampton At Brighton The Verdict
at 11:08:26
The incredible fact remains that despite our feeble points total from 13 matches, there are still 5 other teams struggling, in poor form and well within catching range. In the first half the players continued along the Martin suicidal tippy tappy path making us look easy pickings for a heavy defeat. In the second half tactics changed somewhat and we made progress forward much quicker. Sadly I expect the manager to return to the possession football just as soon as the opportunity occurs. My second grouse is that Martin still hasn't made use of some potentially effective players who dont naturally suit his style of play. Martin likes to praise them all, apply ridiculous and childish nicknames , and the revert back to his few favourites at the expense of some potentially better talent confined to the bench or maybe not even that close! With a handful of football managers and commentators singing his praise, and a point here and a point there, Martin has no need to change. A convincing defeat against Chelsea will surprise nobody with so many absent players to offer in his defence. Like it or not, we are stuck with Martin, and I fear that the opportuniy to replace him may well have passed.
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Comment | Southampton At Brighton The Verdict
at 10:56:35
The incredible fact remains that despite our feeble points total from 13 matches, there are still 5 other teams struggling, in poor form and well within catching range. In the first half the players continued along the Martin suicidal tippy tappy path making us look easy pickings for a heavy defeat. In the second half tactics changed somewhat and we made progress forward much quicker. Sa |
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Comment | Southampton At Brighton The Verdict
at 10:56:34
The incredible fact remains that despite our feeble points total from 13 matches, there are still 5 other teams struggling, in poor form and well within catching range. In the first half the players continued along the Martin suicidal tippy tappy path making us look easy pickings for a heavy defeat. In the second half tactics changed somewhat and we made progress forward much quicker. Sa |
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Comment | Southampton V Liverpool The Verdict
at 10:48:49
A very good summary Nick after more unnecessary frustration for the Saints supporters. There are some, including Premier League managers , who continue to praise Martin for his courage to stick with his possession based football. Its quite possible that Martin will follow the Kompany route and end up with a top job with better players at his disposable; What should now be crystal clear to everyone is that his tippy tappy style is not going to work at St Marys. He choses players to play his style and has ostracised and ignored those who cant adapt to his way of playing. His team selections are at best baffling and we are fast running out of survival time in the Premier League. What is even more frustrating for Saints fans is that we are seeing moments of great determination and quality from some of our players, and maybe, just maybe, we have the resources necessary to make good progress in this league if we change our suicidal tactics and play to our strengths. Martin is not going to change and why should he? He has made his money and with top managers apparently singing his praise, he will soon, like Kompany, be in demand again and most likely with a top club! Such is the unpredictability of football Martin has nothing to fear for his future. If Sports Republic do not act now any change will be too late anyway to make any substantial difference to our League position. Some fans are already looking to next season with the same manager offered the opportunity to take us back again to the top League - what a crazy point of view - Dibling and our most talented players will be long gone by then - lets make a fight of it this season - we worked hard enough to get back and we still have a chance of survival with this stubborn individual of a manager gone! |
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Comment | Does Shea Charles Prove That Russell Martin's Player Judgement is Flawed
at 10:48:58
Clearly Martin will live or die by his possession based football, and in the Premier League his stubbornness will be his own downfall and sadly, the team's as well. Martin would prefer to persevere with his favourites, or those that will play his system. Who knows how many of the now abandoned player purchases would have made it under a different manager? Sports Republic have missed the last opportunity to make a managerial change and we will not only lose our place in the Premier League, but also many footballers who could have been successful and achieved their full potential at Southampton. |
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Comment | Sources Say Southampton Have Made Decision About Russell Martin
at 16:28:01
The result against Wolves should have been the final straw or have the VAR blunders saved him again - I mean after all we had so much possession at the time and scored a great disallowed goal! When you look at Sports Republics other teams, Goztepe and Valencianne how many more games do we have to lose before we are as poor as them? Sports Republic so ambitious and so successful! What a joke! How did we fall into their hands in the first place? We are now a laughing stock..
So what will Sports Republic call success in our next three games? Defeats by no more than 1 to nil? More VAR heartbreaks making us unlucky losers again? Dare I dream of ANOTHER point gained?
If as some belief Russell Martin is out of his depth, what on earth would you say about Sports Republic?!!! |
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Comment | Southampton V Wolverhampton Wanderers The Verdict
at 09:50:31
Nobody surely can deny that two VAR decisions showed once again how appalling these 'moments' can be for football teams. Certainly RM and the team had no luck there. But here the excuses must stop. Against one of the worst defensive teams in the Premier League, in a must win match for Saints, we manage not a single shot on target (Manning's effort aside).
RM is not wholly to blame as we do not possess a single forward capable of scoring goals regularly at this level. Many of us shouted loudly for a proven goal scorer during the summer break and we ended up with Stewart! That said one cant help feeling sorry for the 'forwards' that we do have, receiving pathetic service and only then once the entire opposition defence is back in large numbers! Crazy but it happens every week. The Board must take much of the responsibility for the shambolic decisions taken regarding our new signings as we returned to the Premier League. A disgraceful waste of money and then investing in a manger who's style of play could never work effectively with the mediocrity he was presented with.
The Everton victory was most probably just a lucky blip in our desperate season. Graham Potter can move in during the International break and at least give us something different to watch - certainly our next five or so matches should at least prove 'entertaining' for someone! Things cant get any worse although I fail to see how any manager is going to get goals out of Onuacho, Stewart, Armstrong, Diaz and Archer!!
Time for a change - but the damage has been well and truly done. |
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Comment | Another Big Premier League Weekend For Southampton
at 11:33:54
"so where we be looking to this weekend.?"
I respectfully suggest that the ONLY place we should be looking this weekend is Wolves! If we start winning matches we will not have to constantly worry about the performance of other teams. If you want to worry about something perhaps we should just worry about where on earth the goals are going to come from? |
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Comment | What Changed For Southampton Against Everton
at 11:31:29
I dont think there was any need for a long article - as abingdonsaint puts it - this time we got the breaks. Against Ipswich and Leicester we didn't! You can search for other minor differences but in the bigger picture nothing changes.
The alternative to Russell-ball is not 'just lump it'. I would have much more confidence watching Bournemouth's positive and energetic approach, than our slow hesitant sideways and backwards build up. Bournemouth have produced a style of play that suits the manager and their players. We have adopted a style that apparently keeps Martin happy but in my opinion still doesn't get the best out of our players.
But Its all about opinions though - the Wolves game will be another that can probably turn either way. Somehow I just dont think we have the forwards to score enough goals no matter how we play!
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Comment | Southampton V Everton The Verdict
at 10:53:36
I can just repeat TripleNiemi's remark 3 points is 3 points! I thought we might just edge this game as Everton offer very little these days; lets hope we get some more luck against Wolves before a run of very difficult fixtures. Perhaps we can take heart from the performance of Bournemouth on Saturday who played full of energy and positivity against the Champions! . The better sides can be beaten if you cut out the mistakes - especially those around your own box - and confidence can breed more confidence and success. Such a shame Lallana may not be available for the Wolves game, but Fernandes and Sugawara are certainly stepping up to the plate. So in many ways the next match is now crucial and will be a better indicator as to whether we really have turned a corner. |
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Comment | Southampton V Everton The Preview
at 10:16:09
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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Comment | Southampton V Stoke City The Carabao Cup Verdict
at 09:51:55
A poor game devoid of quality and full of mistakes and confused defenders. For the umpteenth time the possession based football does not suit our players who clearly are not good enough to play this way effectively. Stoke are a struggling Championship side and made nine changes for this match. If we have any forwards who can actually score goals in the Premier League we will never know it because of the time it takes for the ball to reach them and the absence of good crosses and activity the box. Presumably only previously made financial decisions by the Board are stopping Sports Republic from sacking the clueless manager.
Martin had to find more excuses for his failed team selection and failure to build on a 2-0 lead. Apparently the players that could have made a difference were all at home being ill! Fortunately they will make miraculous recoveries just in time to allow another shuffling of the pack for the Everton and Wolves matches. We all know that Stephens, Smallbone and Manning will make all the difference come Saturday as they return to bring the much needed strength and leadership back to the side! That and a goodwill message from friend Guardiola imploring Martin to carry on with his winning formula and continue stacking up the League points! Nobody can claim that Everton and Wolves should be dangerous opponents - so we should have a chance at the weekend - but they are better organised, more practical in both approach and execution, and dont have Martin to tell them how 'brilliant' they are in all those 'monents'. |
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Comment | Southampton At Manchester City The Verdict
at 11:36:23
Sorry for a second contribution - but would thoroughly recommend a read of A1079 comments on the thread 'My take on yesterdays game'. Everyone is entitled to their own take on our current situation but this guy makes a whole of sense and a very interesting read! Thanks A1079!! |
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Comment | Southampton At Manchester City The Verdict
at 11:13:19
Well Martin has done it again! Praise indeed from the great man himself - Guardiola. A similar feel to the Arsenal game. What a great shame we cant produce this kind of performance against the teams that we need to beat at the bottom. ,Everton and Wolves will provide the decisive test. If we win these games then Martin will be here for the duration - perhaps until Guardiola decides our Russell should be his successor at City!
Nick has referred to several recent quotes from Martin which the manager then appears to immediately contradict. Against Everton and Wolves we are going to need to score goals and this could prove to be his nemesis.. Clearly after one 'surprisingly' good loss Martin will be at his arrogant and self-important best. Lets wait and see what Everton and Wolves have to say on the matter!!!! |
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Comment | Southampton At Manchester City The Preview
at 14:50:32
Good on you Nick _ agree with your sentiments precisely! I see Guardiola is already telling Martin that he should continue with his chosen style of football - after all it will make City's task easier on Saturday.
Just makes the job a little simpler when you have Millions to splash out on all the best players available!
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Comment | Southampton V Leicester City The Verdict
at 15:00:20
Sorry for a third contribution but the more you hear the more angry you get!
Harwood-Bellis talking after the match:
"The set-piece at the end, the organisation is not right. People aren’t in positions and we get punished."
Its unbelieveable. Maybe its not just RM but his coaches who are also to blame. They are all just not up to the job - simple as that. |
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Comment | Southampton V Leicester City The Verdict
at 11:40:25
Just read this Nick to add to your observations, comments and criticisms!
RM explaining: "Martin insisted subbing Lallana on would not have played to his strength, instead turning to Will Smallbone on 68 minutes with the score at 2-1."
As bryank says "God help us"!!! |
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Comment | Southampton V Leicester City The Verdict
at 09:52:21
A first class report Nick echoing my own thoughts but which apparently Sports Republic cannot appreciate!
Yes the referee was awful and much that RM seems to try is either terminated by bad luck or bad refereeing!
However that is not the whole story. and I fear that we are already slipping into a relegation position from which there will soon be no escape. According to RM's latest comments Sports Republic are content with what the manager is doing. and still trust him to find a way out of this disastrous mess. If this really is the truth then I see little hope for this season - the occasional point gained and more goals gifted to the opposition. Thats the best we can hope for - a sad day indeed. |
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