x

Saints Need To Connect With Their Fans With Managerial Appointment

With the media convinced that Russell Martin is the next Southampton manager, it is fair to say that this does not excite any of the St Mary's faithful, in fact the very opposite, it is a feeling of deja vu, that we have seen it before twice this season.

The truth is that morale in the Saints fanbase it at it's lowest since 2009, personally although Sports Republic have made mistakes, I cannot see anyone else out there who are better to take us over.

In truth Sports Republic haven't done much different to how Southampton FC have operated over the last 60 years, they have looked to identify players still under the radar and turn them into top flight quality and do that by blending them with up and coming youngsters.

But in the past we have done that by making sure we have great leaders on the pitch down the spine of the team, but our failure has been not to do that, no one can point the finger at Sports Republic for not investing, but they have failed in appointing those who can lead the club both on and off the pitch.

Now it seems inevitable that there is a fourth change of manager in what will be around a 7 month period and that is failure in any ones books.

The hope is that with Jason Wilcox coming in as Director of football that there will now be leadership and direction behind the scenes, but the first job is to appoint the right manager.

This will be the acid test for Southampton supporters and who is in the job will go a long way in whether the floating supporters stay or go and perhaps more importantly whether even the more loyal fans feel that can renew their season tickets.

The Manager needs to be one who excites the fans and also excites the players, in this respect it will also influence those players we would want to stay to actually do so.

Sports Republic have come up with some fine words, but these now need to be fine actions.

No one is expecting a big name to take the job, but we want to see someone who not only fits the club's profile of a young and up and coming manager, but also has been experience in doing just what we need them to do in 2023/24 and that is get us back up to the Premier League.

John Dahl Tomasson at Blackburn wa sone who sprung to mind, he had been successful in Europe and almost got Blackburn into the play offs, only losing out on goal difference.

Not a household name, but his track record showed he has what it takes.
#So the news that Swansea City boss Russell Martin is allegedly the man for Southampton, is a little worrying.

At MK Dons 19th & 13th position in League One was not exactly ground breaking, but it attracted Swansea, his first season there saw 15th and this season ended in 10th position, not exactly a great CV.

It is fair to say that it is not exciting Saints fans, it is bringing more negativity to the Southampton FC social media and message boards.

Sports Republic don't have any brownie points left with the fans, perhaps Russell Martin is the man for the job, lets be honest Mauricio Pellegrino wasn't a popular choice and elicited the word Who ? when his name was announced, so i won't decry this appointment out of hand.

But our owners have Connect with the supporters, excite them, show them they are the people to take us forward and create a fortress St Mary's next season.

They are not doing that with the news that Russell Martin is their man, it is deja vu to when Nathan Jones was appointed, although that didn't excite the supporters, they did at least give him a little chance to show he was the right choice.

So to appoint what seems to be Nathan Jones mk2 seem to be a step too far for many.

There will be empty seats at St Mary's and a disenfranchised fan base next season, of course if the club win games and are in the promotion frame then the fans will return, but not all of them and that is the problem.

So Sports Republic should consider very carefully just what their next move is, this seems like the Jones appointment to be rushed and more to the point leaked to the media.

It is also counter productive until the season ends, Ruben Selles may have failed in the job, but that does not make him a bad man, he deserves the dignity of not having to put out teams in the final games of the season with this hanging over his head, like the appointment of Jones only days before the break for the World Cup, it can wait a week or so, what is the rush.

What to read next:

Swansea City : Dates fixed for Cabango & Darling new and improved contract offers
It seems there is now a way ahead for both Ben Cabango and Harry Darling to at least sit down with Swans Chairman, Andrew Coleman and their agents to try and forge a way forwards to solve their contract issues.
Swansea City : Club football is back so we look backwards
There has been a great deal of progress this season. Despite the unfortunate defeat at Burnley, the Swans capped off the week with strong performances and valuable points. Looking back on the season so far, the team has matched top teams and is playing some lovely football it is much more competitive and there appears to be a strong team spirit.
Wales 4 Iceland 1 : Cullen culls Iceland and Wales win the group
Wales have won their group in the Nations League to earn promotion to League A next time around as Türkiye had the rug pulled from underneath them in Montenegro. The unlikely became the likely, and the saying ‘Let us see what happens at the end’ never more a reality. Better seedlings, games and a whole lot more is the immediate future for Wales.
Wales TEAM NEWS Cabango starts
It’s the final game of this Nations League campaign for Wales later tonight in Cardiff (KO:745pm) It’s an interesting tie for a number of reasons.
Wales : Nations League, World Cup qualifiers and dates explained
The Nations League has provided football fans with some interesting focus as opposed to meaningless friendlies which Wales especially find themselves playing during international breaks. The lack of understanding regards the Nations League (and it’s a bit of a minefield) has seen interest wavering at times.
Nations League, Türkiye v Wales : Team News
It’s the crucial Nations League tie in Kayseri, Türkiye this afternoon (KO 5pm) Wales have at their disposal a squad very much capable of winning this fixture. If they do they go top of their League B group with one game to go.
Nations League : Two days until the drama starts in Türkiye
This weeks focus is on the two big fixtures for Wales, first Türkiye away on Saturday (5pm) and then home to Iceland on Tuesday (7:45pm) We take a look at the latest comments from the players and have fans advice too.
Türkiye v Wales : Just two more games to go, it is very much achievable
Two big games face Wales this Saturday and on Tuesday. The first is against Türkiye at the Kaide Has stadium complex in Kayseri, a city in central Türkiye. The second with a 7:45pm Kick at home on Tuesday against Iceland. The 32,000 ish capacity at Kaide is the home of Kayserispor and Kayseri Erciyesspor, utilising the complex accordingly. The game kicks off at 5pm UK time.
Burnley 1 Swansea City 0 : Timid and listless Swans beaten at the death
If anyone’s wants proof that shopping for players on low salaries in the Championship doesn’t pay off then it was evidenced today. Despite a very competent back four and keeper the rest of the team was sour and lacked any punch or awareness in controlling a football. Persistently caught offside or tripping over the ball, giving it away or relying on Myles Peart-Harris and a tired Ronald just wasn’t going to work.
Team News : Burnley v Swansea City
It’s a 3pm kick off at Turf Moor today.