![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton Nearing Cash Plus Player Transfer Deal at 11:28:06
Martin don't like Alcaraz, fir whatever reason. My view is that it's prob combination of fiery temper, and losing the ball too much. But I member one game where Stu Armstrong list the vall I think 19 times. But he did it trying to drive forward, just like Akcaraz. The 3rd reason is probably not tracking back. It's part of the modern game. I wonder if a Le Tiss, Worthington, George, would get in a Martin side? |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Back To Stripes Back To Reality For Southampton at 22:34:44
I was talking to somebody who works for Saints. They said the betting companies always offer way over the next highest bid. But, the PL is banning betting Co sponsorship from.next season. Some restrictions in place now. I do t think allowed to put logo on kid's replica shirts. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton Set To Make £20 Million Offer to Celtic at 14:02:18
6ft 2, 91 games, 25 goals Celtic. Last season 37/18. Plays as a 10, so Stu Armstrong replacement? Can play right side in a 3 MF. So, big goalscoring versatile MF/striker. Just the kind of player we need to stay up. His mum's Danish. Dad used to live in Farnborough and played in local rock band Straight Shooter in 70s. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton Linked With Move For Fulham Midfielder at 10:49:47
I agree that we need to bring in experienced PL players, and if free, even better. D-R He scored more PL goals in one season than Ely, Djeneppo and Sulemane ever did. We are going to lose money on C-C, Lyanco, Big Paul, Perraud. Might break even with B-K. Due to structured deals we will still be paying for players no longer at the club. We also lost money last season. Only the £150m from sales balanced the books. So, limited budget. We may be able to spend £15m on Downes, with 1 or 2 others around same price. But that's it. Any more in means selling likes of KWP to raise funds. So, free transfers have to be part of the transfer strategy. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Russell Martin Take A Bow at 10:50:07
I was a critic. Still don't like the style of play, and believe it has fatal flaws in leaves vulnerable to long ball over the top, and if lose ball by playing out from the back. I also criticised Sports Republic, but not for wanting to make money. We live in a capitalist society. Either make money, or go broke, or become rich man's plaything like Man City. Arab absolute rulers can be deposed. What then? My problem with SR is that they pride themselves on using data. Then make disastrous decisions that get us relegated. I said before season started we needed to get a settled squad ASAP. We didn't, and so w went on a 4 game losing streak. Buy sicknote Martin. OK, a gamble that didn't pay off. But then say not going to cover. Not buying a forward unless sell Adams. Another gamble. We are scoring more now, but all it needs is an injury or 2, say to Adam A and Adams. and we are in trouble again. Mara is coming good, and admit I have criticised him. But, is he good enough to lead line for the rest of the season, if we get the injuries above? This window is another crucial one. I would get cover for Stewart ASAP for eg. Even if loan. I know used up 5 allowed. But can have more, just 5 max in match day squad. So, must admit Martin has got the team playing for him, in his style. It's up to SR to give him the one or 2 players he needs to strengthen the squad. ( I wrote Martin not Stewart above, but can't edit). So, whether I like the style or not, Martin's the manager, and when I get back to St Mary's after my total hip replacement, I will be supporting him and the team - but still moan when we play tippytappy crappyball!! |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton V Blackburn Rovers The Verdict at 09:22:28
Ings left after reject⁶ing £100k per week to take £125k pw. Even if WHU pay half his wages, its still a lot. He has only played 1/3 of possible games in last 3 years. I like Ings, but he's another sickness. Already got 1 in Stewart. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton V Cardiff City The Preview at 12:41:29
The problem with our tippy tappy crappy style is that players get the back with their back to the opposition. That means either turning with the ball, risking losing it. Or passing backwards. In 'old fashion' football, the No.9 would play with his back to the goal. Try and chest it down, or flick on to the wingers. These players are either running onto the flick, or towards the chest down. It's the fundamental flaw with our style. We are facing the wrong way when receiving the ball! |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Back Of The Chapel ! Looking To Ramp Up The Atmosphere At St Mary's at 10:38:12
I am a season ticket holder in the Chapel, row Z, which is about half way up. No problem with people wanting to sing. But what I don't want is that turning into forcing everybody to stand. I am 65, as are my mates, and others around me. I can't stand for the entire game now. One reason I don't go to many away games. Always thought it funny that Arsenal have best seats and biggest leg room - but never get to sit down! One solution could be safe standing, which is being discussed. Just not in the Chapel please! |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Newcastle Hovering In January In Move For Southampton Attacker at 15:20:19
Main priority next window is to replace Aribo, Mara, and if get a good offer, Adams. Stewart should be fit by then. But still think need similar striker to him, esp if sell Adams. Would not like Alcaraz to go. He does struggle sometimes with the defensive side. But, does have something special going forward. If we do get into the play-off's, and go up, need him in the PL. Still think team has too many issues to go up. Certainly wouldn't stay up. But, Martin does seem to be learning. Moving away from suicide tippy tappy. Need to be able to mix it up. Not be so rigid. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton V Leeds United The Verdict at 10:48:28
1st half was what I expected to see all season. Major differences were thar played best players in best positions, and crucially, allowed the backs and Bazunu to get rid if closed down. We didn't lose it once fannying about at the back. I've said, greatest threat to our goal this season has been playing slow suicide tippy tappy crappy football. Martin, I hope, has learned. Let's hope he continues to grow as a manager. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Will Russell Martin Be The 7th Manager In A Row Hounded Out Of Southampton at 13:51:32
I think Puel was hard done by. As we finished 8th and got to a final. But it was playing weaken teams in Europe that upset me, and of course Fonte. Why bother to try and qualify for Europe, then see it as a distraction? Fans don't get managers sacked, results, or with Peul, being boring, do. As for Martin. Said before, he's been brought in by SR as he fits the style they want to play. Sacking him won't make any difference. So, we will go down, unless 3 teams are worse than us. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton At Middlesbrough The Verdict at 10:33:48
It's not Martin it's Sports Republic. They got him in as he played the style they want. So sacking him won't change anything. I have been saying since the 1st game that the tippy tappy crappyball style is suicidal. Only the elite clubs with elite players can do it, and even then they can ship goals from fannying around at the back. Man City scored after a 46 pass move. Great. SR seem to think that buying ex MC youth and getting in Wilcox and other backroom staff, we can play like MC. It's great to have a dream - until you realise it's just a nightmare! |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton At Middlesbrough The Preview at 12:47:54
I have been saying all season, the problem is not Martin. He was brought in by Sports Republic to play a certain way. The transfer window was chaotic. JWP wasn't allowed to play by WH, when still a Saints player. We didn't get Downes in to replace. Either play JWP or get Downes in before goes. Holgate is a disaster! 5th choice Everton CB in their worst back line in 50 years. Is he any better than C-C or Lyanco?Then 2 CBs get Injured. Have to play CMF as CB. Then 2 MF get Injured. Have to play ARIBO! Then bring in crocked forward. But, major is is SR assisting we play tippy tappy crappy football. They bring in ex Man City Wilcox. And other backroom staff. Also ex MC players. They want Saints to play like MC. They also use data to make decisions. But it just doesn't work! And it never will. It is a great ambition to want to play like MC. Just a bit mental! So, Martin going won't change a thing. SR won't change. So we are totally screwed. Avoiding relegation is best we can now hope for. We are not going to see the PL for many years. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Russell Martin Sets Out Ross Stewart Recovery Schedule at 12:33:54
The problem was not buying a striker who will miss at least 25% of the season. It was not getting a striker in before the 1st game. Then move on Mara. We should have got Pirou as well. Martin favourite, and not that expensive. Also stops him going to rival Leeds. Some will say, can't have Stewart, Adams and Pirou if only playing 1 striker. But, it's a 100 min game now. Can take a striker off on 70 mins. Also, gives option of playing with 2 strikers. And, cover if one gets injured. We don't know when Stewart will play, or if he recovers 100%. Some don't. Steve Moran, Jay Rod are 2 I can think of. Let alone McQueen. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Southampton At Sunderland The (Damning) Verdict at 11:55:22
Been saying Martin is a one trick pony from the start! Saints would never employ and old hand like Mowbray. Has to be some smart talking guy who hasn't won anything. The system is easy to beat. Just long balls over the top. As others have pointed out, if Plymouth and QPR had better players, would have beat us doing just that. But, SR wants Martin, and to play possession based football. The whole concept is flawed. Slow build up allows sides to pack defence. But, as been pointed out. We get caught on the counter with only 2 or 3 back. Also lack of height in the team. So buy 5ft 4 winger! The problems we have MAY be solved with H-B at the back. He may be young. But was a winner at Burnley. Can he actually talk to the staff and tell them how they set up last year. Would they listen to a nipper? I was very relieved when last of quality not got rid of by SR. But now seems they might flog Sulemane to a side where transfer window is still open. But, even if he stays and scores a few, not going to be enough if defence is still a shambles. I was really shocked by thus result. Genuinely thought we were promotion prospects. All hope over within 10 mins! Be lucky to end mid table, unless Martin picks the right team, and somehow turns gutless losers into winners. Can't see it, but one can only hope! |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Saints In For Club Brugge Winger at 11:09:32
Experienced player, not that many goals. But any Tella replacement ain't going to get 10. Main interesting fact is he's 6ft. Most linked with are dwarves, in a team that struggles in the air. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Manchester City Defender Tipped For Southampton Signing On Thursday at 20:57:40
Hope we get him over the line. Playing for Champions Burnley last season must have given him great grounding in our keague. Want to keep B-K, but he wants out. Brought for £10m, so good profit on an Injury prone player. Hope got a good sell on clause. |
![](/images/avatars/11117.gif) | News Comment | Celtic Midfielder Linked With Old Boss Russell Martin at 10:07:29
We have a strong CMF already with Downes, Smallbone and Charles fighting for 2 places. Unless he replaces Alcaraz. We are also rumoured to be after MC's McAtee. He did well in Championship last year. That's a higher quality than Highland Pub League that is SPL. Aribo, Ely spring to mind. |
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