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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!!
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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. |
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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! |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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Comment | Brighton Striker Linked With Move To Southampton
at 16:29:18
I would rather get a striker with proven Championship scoring record. Or keep Adams. Tall Paul could score, but needs good high crosses to use his height. But no good at pressing, as not mobile enough.Bring him on last 10 mins chasing a game and bung in high crosses with men to pick up the knock downs. Good in defence as well! |
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Comment | Southampton Lining Up Bid For Aberdeen Striker
at 12:25:50
We need to either keep Adams AND buy another striker, or get 2 in. Need back up better than Mara. Need to loan him out or sell. But cost £10m. We could buy TWO Championship strikers for that! Big Paul cost £15m. Last year, we could have brought one decent striker for the £30 wasted on those 2, and Aribo £5m. Now reduced to haggling over £4m strikers from the Highland Pub League! |
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Comment | Southampton V Queens Park Rangers The Preview
at 09:08:23
We still don't have a clue who will be in squad V Sunderland. Could lose 5 or 6 players before window closes. And the wrong one's! At least got Downes in. I feared we would lose our best, and bring in downgrades. That's coming true. I think Charles and Downes will be good at this level. Not impressed by Manning. We could have had Tino and KWP as FBs. Now could have Bree and Manning. Could lose Adams, with no sign of getting in as good, let alone better. I am not looking forward to the next few days. Martin says squad will be stronger at the end of the window. I just don't believe it. I really really hope I am wrong. Rather be wrong than see promotion thrown away by SRs blind pursuit of 'value' and use of algorithms to make decisions. |
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Comment | Southampton At Plymouth Argyle The Verdict
at 11:14:52
Why does anybody think the squad is going to be stronger when window closes? Martin said 3 or 4 that were playing are in transfer talks. SR just put Alcaraz on the market for £25m. If Tella, Adams, Alcaraz, KWP go, no chance of getting in better. Piroe just signed new deal at Swansea, as has Grimes. So 2 Martin targets gone. The key now is NOT to sell our best. I just can't see SR allowing Martin to keep them. They have a price for all players. They seem to ignore the fact that promotion is worth £150m. Plus, a winning team means full house at St Mary's every week. More shirt sales etc. We shall see. Next 2 weeks crucial. |
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Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 2 | | Comment Votes: | 164 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 166 |
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