This is being billed in the media as the game that could see the sacking of either of the managers if they suffer defeat. I don't see that happening, but for Russell Martin this is a crucial game and one that he has to show that he can change things.

I have not been a critic of Russell Martin and I have always found it strange that a manager who has succeeded in exactly the task he was employed to do, ie promotion, can be so vilified by a certain section of our fanbase on social media.

However that does not mean that I think he is perfect, any football manager is judged on results, one ex Southampton manager once said to me you are only 3 bad results away from the sack at any given time and certainly no one can be pleased by the manner of our three straight defeats in the Premier League this season.

However I don't think defeat to Manchester United will see Martin axed, but I do think that it will push those in charge to seriously considering his position and the pressure will then very much be on for the home game against Ipswich Town and then the trip to Bournemouth.

Three defeats is bad enough, he will not get to seven.

However there is a precedent, Nigel Adkins the last man to win us promotion before Martin, is spoken of in revered terms, yet people forget that his start to the Premier League was not great, four straight defeats and 14 goals conceded, saw him under pressure.

So what does Russell Martin need to do to keep his job ?

The answer is simple and I am sure few on here won't be shocked by this, as it seems that the entire fan base think they know the answer.

The answer is "Change" Russell Martin has put out the same outfield 10 players in all three Premier League games and he has got the same result, 5 individual errors conceding 5 goals that could have been avoided and in all three games we really should not have lost.

So change in the starting line up is needed, but is Martin big enough to make the right changes, he will make some, that is for sure, but the first big question is Jack Stephens.

Captain Jack is not in the team on merit, most of the fans I speak to say that and so does most of social media, again I have no issues with Stephens other than his ability to do the job better than others in the squad.

For 13 years at the club he has been a squad player and spent time out on loan, yet Russell Martin seems to think he is the saviour of Southampton FC.

I feel sorry for Jack, of course he will think he is worth a place in the team, it would be strange if any player didn't think that about themselves, but his team mates may well like him, but they know in their own minds that he is not Captain material at this level.

So I am sorry but he has to be the first to go,

In my mind it should be this line up,

Ramsdale

Sugawara, THB or Bella-Kotchap or Taylor, Bednarek, KWP

Downes, Ugochukwu,

Fernandes

Brereton Diaz, Archer, Armstrong

I could be swayed to this

THB or Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek & Taylor as a back 3, Sugawara & KWP as wing backs, with a central midfield holding duo of Downes & Ugochukwu with Fernandes in front.#, plus Brereton Diaz & Archer up front.

Some will throw up their hands in horror and demand Tyler Dibling, it is a close call, but is this the game to give him his full debut ? I would suggest maybe better to continue his education a little, bring him on late and perhaps throw him in against Ipswich.

This is a game where we need experience first and foremost.

Russell Martin now has a big squad and he has to use it wisely, he has no excuses now for not doing so.

If you look at either of my line up's they have balance and experience, but if we take the first one for instance, it is not just about who starts, but who is on the bench.

Players not in my starting XI would include, two out of THB, Bella-Kotchap & Taylor, Adam Lallana, Maxwel Cornet, Will Smallbone, Joe Aribo, Ryan Fraser, Tyler Dibling, James Bree & Sam Amo-Ameyaw.

That is 10 players for 8 outfield positions on the bench and covering all areas both defensive, midfield and attacking.

But I haven't included Jack Stephens in this 10 and to be blunt he doesn't deserve to be even on the bench on merit or ability.

I am sorry to hark on about Jack, but I am afraid that Russell Martin has made a rod for his own back and indeed Jack's back, by his insistence both last season and now this to play him whatever and to almost create a hybrid role to justify that selection.

This is the Premier League, you need proven players in each position, not half and half hybrids.

So the first big test for Russell Martin will come at 11.30 when the team news comes out, this could be crucial in whether the Saints supporters are up for the game or not, against Forest the fans were leaving long before the final whistle, despite the fact that there was only one goal in it and so the game was far from lost, the fans were already deflated and defeated.

They felt that the manager was making the wrong selections and tactics and that is the big change needed, the fans need to see a team that is not playing possession football whatever the situation.

In the opening three League games they have not seen that, they have seen players that seem to be playing to instructions to pass the ball no matter how tight the situation, they are scared to play it long, even when the situation calls for it, perhaps they feel that they will be dropped if they do so,

Possession football is played by most teams these days, but each team plays it to the level that they have in their team and that is our problem, Martin is playing to Manchester City's level, but he hasn't got the quality that City have to do that.

Like all managers, he has to adapt or he will fail.

So it's all about change for this game, if Russell Martin does the same things he will get the same results and that means error strewn games that cost goals and points.

I truly hope that at 11.15am I am praising the manager for making the changes to his team selection clearly needed and that by 12.45 I have seen evidence that he has adapted the playing style

Photo: Action Images

DellBoyWally added 14:32 - Sep 13 The three to drop are Adama, who has struggled to step up, Smallbone, sadly, who also has failed to be anywhere near the standard, and teacher's pet Stephens, lowest ranked player in each game. Back 4: Saggy; TBH/ABK; JanB; KWP DM: FD; Ugo AM: Fernando SF: Dibling; Cornet No wingers!! But both Dribbles Dibbles and Cornet are fluid and speedy. Fernando is a true attacking midfielder and scorer so they can morf into a front 3, MU's weakness this season. Both Saggy and KWP can provide balls in whilst FD and Ugo cover the midfield If this doesn't pan out, as Nick says, we can totally change the side at half-time with wingers, we have plenty!, and striker (Tall Paul?? Ross Stewart??) Lallana could be good for 30 minutes. He still has class and skill If Stephens plays after his disastrous shows so far I can see fans really starting the RM OUT calls, me not yet in full voice but starting to lean that way

0

Sheffield United Polls