Well on the plus side we stopped the flow of goals into our net, but aside from this, here was a game where an Ipswich side had a game plan and stuck to it and of course there was the obligatory get caught in possession moment from Saints.

Perhaps this was always going to be a game of small steps hopefully leading to a bigger one, certainly the first 30 minutes were encouraging for Saints, firstly they didn't concede in the opening minute of the game and indeed they had the best of the opening half hour with Adam Armstrong and Che Adams both seeing good chances go just wide.

But on the half hour mark came yet another goal conceded due to being caught in possession and giving the ball away, Shea Charles the culprit on this one and within seconds the ball was played through to Hutchinson who gave Bazunu no chance.

Now the die was cast, Ipswich got two solid lines behind the ball at all times and waited for the Saints to give away the ball and attack on the break.

Here was another plus point in that we didn't get caught on the break as we have done so many times already this season, we dealt with it and tried to build up our own attacks, but we are a team lacking in confidence and although we edged the game in terms of possession, we were wary of getting caught on the counter and didn't over commit and that made it difficult to create and indeed score.

So we took a few small steps in this game, but the bigger steps were not to follow just yet.

So where did it go wrong in this game, there wasn't much argument about the starting line up, although a few eyebrows were raised about Joe Aribo, certainly when the first change was made on 56 minutes, a triple one, it seemed to make us stronger.

But there were too many players out there playing with fear, the fear of getting caught on the break was perhaps the biggest, but that wasn't the only one, the fear of giving the ball away, the fear of the crowd on the back, all of this in my opinion saw a team full of players with no confidence to play the killer ball, it was about basics and doing the basics is often not good viewing although it keeps the scoreline down.

But the main issue out there is our fear of not following instructions, we are scared of putting our foot through the ball when it is needed, we are always looking to play the pass, when we are closed down we still look to play it even when it isn't on, sometimes you just have to launch it.

Shea Charles was the man caught out this time, but a look at the video shows that although he had the ball at his feet, there was absolutely none of his team mates on for a pass, he was looking for them, but they weren't there and in that split second Ipswich pounced.

Earlier in the season we would have had players moving off the ball and demanding it, certainly Ipswich did, but that has gone out of game, the fear has kicked in, we are not flowing, our players don't want the ball, they are now more concerned about not getting caught out.

Yes Shea Charles was the man caught out, but he was given no help by his team mates.

There was a feeling of panic walking out of St Mary's after the game, the owners, the manager getting a lot of stick, but the truth is there is a long way to go in this season, we have had a lot of squad upheaval, we have to give the manager time to get things right, to be blunt he has barely had six weeks with the bulk of this squad, as August decimated the squad in the transfer window.

He has to be given the chance if only for the reason that we have no other choice.

Sport Republic have had a lot of criticism, but they have made the money available, yes they have made mistakes, the first one in my opinion was sacking Ralph Hasenhuttl, the second appointing Nathan Jones and then appointing Ruben Selles.

You have to ask whether they bowed to public opinion on all three of these decisions, that was their fourth error, they didn't back their own conviction.

Now they have to back Russell Martin and show the courage of their convictions, we lack a leader on the pitch, they have to show that hey can lead off it, certainly now we have a Director of Football in Jason Wilcox hopefully they will, one thing is for sure if we keep pressing the panic button everything goes wrong it is a recipe for disaster.

I see people commenting on line that the manager has had 7 games and that is enough to judge him, I have seen people saying that after a dozen games that will be enough, both are wrong, at present we are in the middle of a bad run, but we are still only a win away from the play off spots, this is nowhere near terminal.

It is time for cool heads, in the boardroom, in the dressing room, on the pitch and in the stands, I would add on social media as well, but that is never going to happen..

If the Southampton board had listened to the fans in 1974/75 season then our history would be much different !

I am not trying to dress this up in any way, at the end of the day it is three straight defeats and that is not good, but it is not the first time I have seen that happen at Southampton FC and I am sure that it won't be the last.

A few weeks ago there was much optimism, now that seems to have evaporated, I am not going to tell anyone what they should do, but myself I'm going to keep calm and give this manager a chance, no one said this would be easy.

Photo: Action Images

Saintandy66 added 09:39 - Sep 20 We won't get anywhere just passing sideways and backwards far to slow going forward teams just let us play in front of them knowing we will give the ball away after a few sideways passes still that's the brave Russell Martin way.
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robcoe5 added 09:39 - Sep 20 Problem I see we are playing too deep Defence is back in their own penalty box, midfield sitting deep leaving the forwards stranded . Che Adams worked hard last night trying to close ipswich down on a numerous occasions he looked around for support, but he was a lone man. If we want to play the Man City way passing they also hit the long ball from the keeper, bazuno never kicked it long once in a hurry

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Centurion added 09:45 - Sep 20 I always felt it would take 2 or even three seasons to turn things around. This season is about steadying the ship. I would be delighted if we finished mid table. As long as we don't get relegated there are good times ahead, but we may have to wait a few years.
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Rossm2006 added 10:03 - Sep 20 Totally Agree with @Centurion I thought the best we could hope for this season was the last play off spot. The simple truth is the problems cant be fixed in a few games and could potentially be made much worse with yet another change of staff and system. We are not a team yet, too young, too inexperienced, not enough leaders / experience on the pitch. Its the same issues as last season really. A long long way to go, no need to panic. It will be an up and down season but could still go well if we can get a bit of confidence. Injuries have probably impacted the shape and balance, it was obvious even at the norwich game the midfield needed a DM. That remains the case. no protection for a very young keeper and CB pairing with Jan and Jack injured.

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Block8 added 10:18 - Sep 20 I do agree with the fear factor around the defensive unit. Which is exacerbated when we have two very young CB's (one of which is actually a CM) & a system where they appear to be afraid to launch it upfield regardless of the situation. And how many times did Edozie make a great run off the full back only to be ignored for a sideways pass? We have to be able to mix it up and become less predictable if we are to progress. There is pace in this side (not at the back unfortunately) which can completely change games but we don't use it. Sulemana didn't get one ball without having three men on him, so slow was the build up. Adam Armstrong has pace to spare and yet has to use that to help out after we have given the ball away rather than working the opposition defence. RM whines on about being brave but we are slowly returning to the Selles style of possession for the sake of it. We have some very good players but are currently sucking out the enthusiasm & replacing it with fear. If RM wants to talk about being brave then he needs to be brave enough to compromise and allow the players to express the abilities we signed them for!

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landsdownsaint added 10:19 - Sep 20 I thought KWP & Bazunu were excellent but Smallbone , Manning & Adam Armstrong who doesn’t get the ball out of his feet feet fast enough aren’t good enough for that style RM wants too play , saying that we should’ve beaten Ipswich but they showed how you beat Southampton , they played dirty for that goal but unlike Leicester game we didn’t rollover ,I’m liking Edozie he’s very talented

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SanMarco added 10:21 - Sep 20 Who put the team under all this pressure leading to the cited fear/lack of confidence etc?? It was SR with another very odd managerial appointment. Yes it was always going to be difficult with all the 'turmoil' etc etc. Why not therefore get a more experienced manager with some sort of record of achievement who could take it in his stride? Right or wrong RM was NEVER going to be given much time by the fans. 7, 12, 20 games, a whole season - it doesn't matter, minds that were already half made up at the time of the appointment weren't going to take long were they??. Make the wrong (actual or perceived) appointment and that guy will not have long. Yes the Lawrie Mac example is interesting but it is from half a century ago. Things change - there will never be another Lawrie Mac or Fergie story, maybe that's sad but it is football life today. Of course, those calling for RM's head must ponder SR's track record on managerial appointments - the next one might be even less suitable...

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landsdownsaint added 10:24 - Sep 20 2or 3 seasons time coming mid table conceding the amount of goals we do their won’t be anyone in the ground watching ! I expect at least playoffs nothing less .
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Bowlercow added 10:28 - Sep 20 We have some outstanding individuals that RM. must blend into a team This will only happen when the starting eleven are unchanged for a few games For me Alcaraz Stu A and Charles should start Infront of Downes Smallbone etc If it works as it did yesterday for the last 30 mins then why not from the off Yes such massive changes that we have to endure will take time But how much time? SR are going to be stubborn on this and stick with RM in the belief thaove maybe 3 years it will come right

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halftimeorange added 10:42 - Sep 20 In his interview after the game RM said he was having to deal with the aftershock and scars left over from last season. Absolute balderdash. The best player on the pitch last night was KWP by a country mile and probably the man who should be captain. Only five of last night's starting line-up were here last season and Edozie was second-best after KWP. I even thought Aribo looked livelier than I'd previously seen so RM seems to me to be on the defensive. The defensive howler for their goal was due to Charles running up a blind alley and RM made no mention that Ipswich could've easily been three or four goals to the good but, for wayward shooting. We definitely have talent at St mary's but, I can't see RM successfully harnessing it this season.

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halftimeorange added 10:42 - Sep 20 In his interview after the game RM said he was having to deal with the aftershock and scars left over from last season. Absolute balderdash. The best player on the pitch last night was KWP by a country mile and probably the man who should be captain. Only five of last night's starting line-up were here last season and Edozie was second-best after KWP. I even thought Aribo looked livelier than I'd previously seen so RM seems to me to be on the defensive. The defensive howler for their goal was due to Charles running up a blind alley and RM made no mention that Ipswich could've easily been three or four goals to the good but, for wayward shooting. We definitely have talent at St mary's but, I can't see RM successfully harnessing it this season.

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Boris1977 added 10:50 - Sep 20 Progress of a kind last night so hopefully this is the beginning of a long but eventual recovery. I'm not convinced that under SR we'll ever have a squad capable of playing the way RM dreams of playing as the recruitment model is about prioritising money over building a capable team. As soon as a few talented players step up and are noticed, they'll be sold and we start again - with diminishing returns as we have seen over the past few years. However we are where we are. I'm not sure there was valid reason for optimism after the first few games as we squeaked past very average teams and once we played any teams of quality* we've been torn apart. *When I say quality I mean teams that set up and play to their strengths. From what I have seen so far this league is full average teams with a few that are effective - and the latter ones are the ones that will get promoted. This is where Saints are the outlier. The board/RM are trying to be clever and over complicate the situation by playing so called attractive football. It's not attractive - it's frustrating, embarrassing and, most damaging for our opponents, predictable. We have some decent talent within the team suited to this league (although CB is still a serious concern) but they are being drilled into doing something they are not capable of doing successfully. The team should be picked on the basis of the best individuals who can deliver results rather than players who are willing to play within a fixed system (think of Ely last season). We will not win enough games playing in this dogmatic way. Hopefully the cautious approach last night is the beginning of a reset but it's probably going to take more humiliation before RM and the owners come to the conclusion that everyone involved in competitive sport already knows - results are the most important thing. COYRs

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felly1 added 10:58 - Sep 20 I agree that we should be backing Martin and doubling down on our support right now, particularly for the players. I did notice the Northam end kept singing and kept behind the boys and this is exactly what we need to do right now. Come on forums, slate the players and manager/tactics by all means but creating a toxic atmosphere in the ground and constantly pressing the panic button is a recipe for disaster. We've been locked in a tailspin of defeat and misery for a good few years now and sorry Nick but this includes Ralph's last year where he was shot to bits. This is going to take some time to get out of and we haven't completely bottomed out just yet. Martin deserves at least a season (unless we're in or close to the bottom 3) and we should see where we are after that.

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rusle added 11:06 - Sep 20 Not much argument about the starting line up? You are kidding right? Most people I know thought it was weak in the spine from a young inexperienced Centre back pairing to putting Aribo in CM with Smallbone. Smallbone isn’t a defensive midfielder. He’s better playing further forward.we were much better when Charles’s moved forward as a DM and Bednarek replaced him at CB.
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SAINTSNIL added 11:18 - Sep 20 For over 18 months we have endured horrendous home form,no wonder the ground oozes negatively, no where in live does 18 months off total failure promote goodwill... especially when everyone can see where the real problems lie (SR and their egos ) but Nick still spouts the same old crap..just like the old saying..'Free beer tomorrow...... '
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I_would added 11:30 - Sep 20 I don't know what the problem is. All the fans have to do is 1) Get used to losing every week. 2) Enjoy losing. 3) Give money to the owners by way of S/T's and merchandise. 4) Keep your mouths shut regarding the team and let the professionals take care of things as they know what their doing.
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mascott514 added 11:49 - Sep 20 As a STH going o most away games too,I understand the frustration. But actually booing your own team, I will never do. Its so counter productive I'm not a happy clappy light show bollocks type,I just realise its causing us issues. RM cant come out and say it, but he's alluding to the fact the players are scared shitless to make any mistakes at home. Having said that- a couple of wins and it will change, the same booing fans will be kissing badges and hailing their heroes soon enough. On a footballing level, I think its time for those that stayed to get their heads down and realise they are Championship players - were not the big boys everyone seems to think we are-just play each game as it comes, and give it your best. We need a few big voices in there- lacking at the moment. COYR

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JoeEgg added 12:16 - Sep 20 "Nick still spouts the same old crap." Hey but we can almost hold our own against the likes of Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday, but then I guess so can everyone else in this League. We are never going to get relegated but it will not be long before we welcome Pompey to St Marys for a League match and I do not want to see 1 Burnemouth, 2 Portsmouth and 3 Saints!! by then. We have some good players and we have some very promising players. But young inexperienced players are NEVER going to be best suited to the Russell Martin way. They didn't like it at Swansea and they dont want it here. We are also playing some of our best players out of position. Charles and Smallbone come to mind - full of potential but not when asked to play the way they played last night. Its not just fear that is affecting the players - its playing an unfamiliar style often from unfamiliar positions and with no targets.. Ross Stewart might jhust be an answer to the goal famine and provide the support that Adams so desparately needs. Edozie and Sulamana will improve but they need targets in the box who can hit the back of the net and benefit from their efforts.. Keep the defenders to defending and leave the attacking to those who are supposed to specialise in hitting the target! Even 'mascott514' will surely agree that during the latter stages of the game we had totally lost our way and wouldn't have scored if we had played another 90 minutes! For once I am at least positive about the skills that many of our players possess. RM's starting line up was pure and simply the wrong one. Lets recognise the undoubted talent of the likes of Edozie and Sulamans and get 'forwards' not defenders in the box to finish off the job. Play Charles and Smallbone in the positions they are comfortable with; and give poor old Baza a pat on the back. My own belief is that the fear element arises because playing the RM way the players know that at some point one of them will make the mistake and that this will concede a goal and probably lose us the match. I'm sure SR cant afford to admit that they have made another poor appointment and will stick with this brand of football. A Graham Potter-type appointment could have turned us into another 'Brighton' and brought excitement and success back to St Marys. Just another missed opportunity sadly. I feel for the players - they may show fear - but most have talent, promise and do their best!

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stmichael added 12:24 - Sep 20 The starting line up was ridiculous… Che Charles in defence is an experiment that started in pre season and it didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now. It has cost us 2/3 pathetic goals already but the biggest crime is it means we lose him from midfield where he offers the defence great protection. To not start him at all At Sunderland and then play him at CB in the last two games has contributed greatly to 3 defeats. Next Bernard Manning. Reminds me of Dan Fox who was equally as shite. It’s got to the stage where James Bree is going to have to play and JWP move over to left back. A mannequin would be better as positionally at least it would be in the correct place every now and then. Next Aribo ahead of S.Armstrong and / or Alcaraz - WTAF!!! Next Adam Armstrong in midfield !!!!!!!! Next Fraser on the left does not work.. Edozie plays well on the left so swap them over FFS!! So much wrong with that line up it actually beggars belief…

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saintmark1976 added 12:52 - Sep 20 A team going nowhere lead by a manager who has never been anywhere.
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WestSussexSaint added 13:05 - Sep 20 I don’t always agree with Nick’s match reviews but on this occasion I do on the whole. The atmosphere at SMS really isn’t helping the players “be brave” as the crowd are on their backs for every missed pass or mistake. Don’t get me wrong, the team have some responsibility to get the crowd excited about what they see but it does explain why on the whole we have played better away from SMS this season and to a large extent last season as well. I get the fan frustration having seen a string of poor performances over that last few years we are desperate for some positive results. Combine this with a potentially over inflated expectation that we should be in the promotion mix this season, it is why we are seeing the negativity appear so soon and so strongly. But booing the team and calling for the manager to be sacked after 7 games is counterproductive. I was actually encouraged by the performance last night. On the whole we had control of the game which wasn’t the case against Sunderland or Leicester. Yes there was still a mistake that led to a goal, yes the attacking flow was stunted but both can be put down to learning a new way of playing and being fearful of the crowd reaction. Some fans sat near me were booing every single backpass. That smacks of a lack of understanding in what the manager is trying to install in this squad. Hopefully with time the more fluid attacking approach will come but as a supporter base we need to show a little more patience and understanding. If we don’t it will become a self fulfilling prophecy and as we saw last season multiple manager changes rarely provides a positive outcome.

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kingolaf added 13:10 - Sep 20 Not much argument about the lineup! You must be joking. So you agree with Charles at the back, no ball-winner in midfield and Armstrong playing a role that he is not equipped for. Sorry Nick, but you’re sounding like Comical Ali again. Complete drivel.
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bryanK added 13:13 - Sep 20 I have seen good and bad teams in my 70 years of support in that long period of time (until the last 3 seasons) I have felt entertained during the peaks and troughs. However I feel utterly bored currently in the style this new manager wants to play. Is it me? Slow build up, time wasted in playing tippy tippy crap around our own penalty area, no creative play apart from KWP. The players are not good enough to play this type of football so RM be brave as you wrongly suggest your players need to be. This situation is firmly on you. For those who seek patience do you want to wait until January 2024 for our highly paid squad to click??

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mattlegod added 13:27 - Sep 20 Dear RM, 1. Shea Charles is not a defender, but looks good as a defensive midfielder. 2. Smallbone looked like a rabbit in headlights and clearly didnt understand where he should be. He definitely isnt a defensive midfielder. 3. Once Bednarek and Stuey came on you could see the difference with some experience on the field. 4. Play Edozie on the left, it suits him better. 5. Get Dean Hammond (who was commentating for the live stream) in as one of your coaches - he talked much more sense and seemed to understand the issues much better than you do. Thanks and COYR

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davidargyll added 13:41 - Sep 20 I completely concur with bryanK. Whether or not we are a good or bad team or have a good or bad manager - for the record I think “OKish” and “terrible” in that order - the fact remains that going to watch a football match is ultimately all about being entertained. And I would say 95% of the crowd last night and probably the same % on here cannot by any stretch of the imagination possibly claim that they were entertained by the current mob, let alone getting value for money. Bored to death is more like it. Boring play, boring team, boring (and utterly deluded) manager, and I would be amazed if the Board isn’t bored as well. In essence do any of us really want to slog all the way to SMS to watch utter dross like last night? I would say it is an emphatic NO. The sooner there is a change in every aspect of our beloved club, the better.

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