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Comment | Alex McCarthy Or Joe Lumley That Is The Question For Russell Martin
at 10:48:31
Martin had to have a good reason for playing McCarthy over Lumley but he didn't because Martin said he just wanted to see how McCarthy 'got on'. An unprofessional decision, in my humble opinion, considering we needed to win the game against a play-off contender. That for me was a risk too far and totally unwarranted. Although Saints played well, Martin got lucky as Preston might as well not have turned up. It'll be different against Cardiff on Saturday. |
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Comment | What Brought About Russell Martin U Turns Against Preston
at 13:55:15
Occasionally, and by a lot of it is by luck or being forced into it, Martin finds the right combinations. Last night was one of those nights. So if Martin's got any sense whatsoever, he'll start with the same team but swopping Lumley for McCarthy. Pick the best team possible and make changes from the bench when necessary not from the starting line-up. Credit to Manning for his last two performances but then again he is a left back. |
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Comment | Southampton V Coventry City The Verdict
at 14:14:49
A classic Russell Martin Jekyll and Hyde performance and the players also have this Jekyll and Hyde aspect: positive, show our prowess and potential in the first half; second half sitting back, more defensive tippy tappy and dangerously vulnerable. Frankly we're lucky we got away with a win in the end.
All this to me shows that in reality Martin isn't a very confident manager. He overthinks his strategies, tinkers too much ( the Tinkerman, Ranieri, tinkered for Leicester but he had world class players to tinker with) and that we don't have many consistently top quality players. Martin listening to the critics was good, but this was only half done and sometimes the wrong choices are made; putting Stephens in at centre back but leaving out Bednarek. That doesn't matter too much to me because Jack usually plays well here and here played well tonight, rampaging forward on occasions and poking the odd decent ball forwards. But why break up the record breaking centre half pairing of THB and Bednarek - it smacks of unconfident decision choices. When Saints don't have Armstrong in the starting line-up we miss a large amount of creativity and goal threat. OK he doesn't seem to be able to play 90 minutes but at least leave him on, if fit, for 75 minutes because he's always capable of creating a chance. Fraser I thought was ineffective and Suleman might have been more of a threat with his pace. Adams was probably exhausted after his efforts but unfortunately moving Armstrong back into the centre doesn't seem to work especially when he's much more effective coming in from the right - where's he's scored most of his goals and been successful. Mara still flatters to deceive for me but then again he rarely gets a string of games. This season would have been much better spent, as I said at the start, with him going on loan to get as much first team football as possible. Hey ho, we march on. |
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Comment | Defence Is The Best Form Of Defence
at 12:17:58
Martin really doesn't have a plan B, he just deals with the situation sometimes in a skewed way according to biases that are not based on solid reasoning. It's been said many times recently but use 'round pegs for round holes' not square pegs for round holes. It's obvious but Martin can't see and/or stubbornly won't apply the logic that most fans can now see. Over the decade or so most fans also realise that Stephens can only operate effectively in one position - centre half. Other clubs also know this because whenever Stephens is out of position then that area is easily targeted and leaves Saints with a crucial weakness. Don't get me wrong, I think that Stephens is a reasonably good centre half (and I thought was one of our best players against Middleborough - but, and this is my point, in his accustomed centre half role). That should be his playing role in the squad and presently that should be as a replacement if THB or Bednarek, who are clearly our best centre-half pairing, aren't available. Martin complicates something that should be very simple. We simply don't have the defensive quality to tinker with positional changes.. |
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Comment | Russell Martin Take A Bow
at 13:28:27
I feel some of the initial criticism was warranted ( because real fans are passionate of their club and are due their criticisms, albeit not positive on occasions, and this may still represent true and realistic points that should be listened to and subsequently seriously acted upon for the good of the team and club. In a democracy you improve and progress by listening - and compromising - to all voices.) but the good thing about Martin is that he did listen and he did make many, if not all, of the necessary changes - the ability of a good manager given backing and time. He has been able to do this with an excellent all-round proficient footballing squad for the level of the Championship ( he didn't have this at Swansea or with Milton Keynes). Martin has also proved very good at man management, and, along with his staff, has seemingly improved most of the squad players. Nevertheless, let's not get too carried away with ourselves because some things are not perfect or have not been changed effectively as yet.
In reflection of the previous comments let's look at, from a fan's perspective, how the key players have developed under Martin's management over the last five months.
Bazunu was inexperienced, and he's still inexperienced, but less so now of course, thanks perhaps to some luck and circumstances. Martin stuck with him. But did he realistically have a replacement? I'd say probably not. And in this restricted situation Bazunu was allowed some mistakes and allowed to regain his confidence and develop his goalkeeping psychology into a stronger place. Also allowed to do this with an improving defence. It's pleasing for Saints fans to see a true potential develop through rough times into a proper professional footballer and this is what we're seeing with quite a large numbers of Saints players both inexperienced and more experienced.
Karl Walker Peters always had the potential but this has evolved a stage further with Martin. He's trusted and responds by putting in 100% every match. One of Saint's best players this season although there are quite a few up for that accolade. He's allowed to develop by instigating an attacking opportunity whenever and wherever he sees it. In the Premiership I'd say his weak point was defensively but in the Championship this is less of a problem because it can't be exploited so easily and because Martin has insisted that everyone defends and holds a position when necessary.
Left back is the most problematic position in the team and I'd say it hasn't truly been solved yet. Certainly if we go up either players will have to step up or we'll need a top flight player. Martin has tinkered a bit and Bree played well there, as well as KWP standing in but largely Martin has trust in Manning. Who has improved over recent weeks since he regained the position - all to his credit. Certainly the mistakes made at the start of the season seem to be ironed out. Personally though, I think Perraud is the best option in this position and if only Martin had had him as first choice he no doubt would have developed into a better player suited to Martin's style of football.
The two central defenders have developed a partnership because they've been playing together consistently - and consistency is a theme to Saints success ( consistency of team selection is a luxury unheard of for Saints in many years and can't be underrated). Again , this is partly down to lack of options but whatever the circumstances, consistency has allowed Harwood Bellis and Bednarek to show their true class at Championship level whilst continuing to develop as better players. HB is now showing his excellence as a ball playing centre back. In contrast to previous years we also have good options that can cope at this level as replacements in Stephens, Holgate and Charles although changes won't be as strong as the first pairing.
Right wing or wing back has proved as difficult as left back to get right. Tella's leaving has not successfully been replaced. Adam Armstrong has been the most successful player in this position and I think it's probably his best position - as the statistics of assists and goals - shows. If Martin can convince him of this, and Saints manage to find an effect centre forward, surely this is the way forward into the Premiership. Again Armstrong has been able to show his potential and ability at Championship level and has proven to be one of the best players at this level. Martin rightly made him captain, his confidence has been regained and seems to improve with each passing match.
Downes has improved and cemented his position as a crucial part of the centre of midfield. Giving 100% and filling the role to a T. The kind of stability the midfield needed especially after JWP's transfer.
As Saints are basically playing 4-3-3, the left side and right sides of midfield have not been claimed by anyone although we're lucky to have players good enough and flexible enough to fill those roles. Stuart Armstrong, Alcarez, Aribo, Charles, Smallbone can all fill those roles, and are good enough, when needed although those players have their preferred positions. Rothwell on the right would also be an excellent addition. These positions have not truly been claimed by any player as yet and would need cementing if Saints were to gain promotion.
The forward line has also been a success this season unlike the struggles of previous seasons. Adam Armstrong's already been mentioned and the left side has been successful with the success of both Edozie and Fraser who have both seen substantial development under Martin. The centre forward position ( I feel a team always needs a centre forward unless occasional tactical alterations are needed and especially if you play two wingers - not as obvious to some people as it seems) has been problematic with the injury to Stewart - brought in to do a centre forward 's job - and Che's original lack of opportunity and poor form. However, with the threat from the wings and the more direct positiveness of the midfield Adams seems to been showing a new lease of life despite transfer speculation. It looks as if Adams and the club is between two stools at the moment: the club would take the opportunity to sell Che if the right offer came in but equally might be happy, if Adams success continues, to offer him a new contract in the summer - presuming Adams is happy to do so. I don't think Martin has any say in this other than pressing the matter by playing him (or not). Again Saints don't really have a choice not to play him at the moment.
In conclusion Martin hasn't got everything right yet but he's got a lot of it right and continues to learn and develop as a good manager. Fans can only hope that SR will give his effectively backing and listen to him. His true test, of course, will be in the last half of this season and, if get promoted, in the Premiership.
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Comment | Saints To Take Midfielder On Loan From Bournemouth
at 10:35:01
Watch the guy on YouTube: he's very skilful, makes surging direct runs - so we don't have this type of player - however his end product cross or shot seemed to be a bit lacking at times. Judge for yourself - with his experience, and potential, I think he'll be a great acquisition, as long as he remains fit of course. |
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Comment | Southampton Have Danish International Midfielder On Their Radar
at 14:51:00
Sounds like the agent is keen to raise the price of the guy. Unless he's international/world class I can't see any of those top clubs going for him. That probably leaves only us! If he also plays on the wing - that doesn't sound like the kind of midfielder we need at present.
On YouTube he looks pretty decent but I'd look like a world beater on YouTube. The guy plays in the Danish first division so what's that, the equivalent to League 1 or 2 in the UK. At 27 you're taking a substantial risk on a player of this calibre. Unfortunately, in recent years, Saints have also got a track record of signing players under the radar but they're usually under the radar with good reason because they're generally useless players ( I won't list them all - I haven't got all day).
Another cheap, useless, squad player on colossal wages we don't need. Don't waste time and money please SR, maintain some measured judgement and sensible consideration and learn your past lessons. |
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Comment | Saints Appoint Colin Calderwood As New First Team Coach
at 14:02:48
Seems like a good and sensible appointment to me. Good summary of the situation by Nick. We definitely needed a more experienced, independent hand especially in the defensive coaching department. I'm happy about this move and hopefully it's a move in the right direction and about improving the team and club and not just satisfying Manchester City to improve their planning and bank balance. We'll wait and see. Onwards and upwards. |
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Comment | Manning V Perraud Who Is The Better Left Back
at 13:11:31
DAJF means 'did a job for' but what job? Helped achieve modest mid-table status. That shouldn't be part of a recommendation for purchasing any player.
As someone else said, it's like comparing chalk with cheese with stats as a spice for the argument. Perraud played in a division of much higher quality than the Championship. And many fans think he was hard done-by, by the numerous managers that failed to play him with any consistency which seemed highly unfair, unreasonable and illogical on many occasions.
How can you use stats when a players is in and out of the team whilst not played with any consistency - how can that player truly live up to his/her potential? They can't and so those statistics may represent that. One does not know how Perraud is played or regarded in France - the manager's decisions, style and perception has a massive influence on player stats.
Manning on the other hand has played under the same manager consistently for several years. The bias is surely plain for everyone to see. Potential is the knub here because a lot of Saints fans could see the potential in Perraud who actually showed Premiership qualities that so far Manning has not shown.
Also I would say he has made a lot more glaring and costly mistakes than Perraud made in his small numbers of appearances. The nature of mistakes hasn't or can't be quantified but fans can see this and do remember with their own eyes. Nick should have more faith in what fans see rather than pandering to other influences. |
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Comment | Russell Martin Admits He Will Need To Rotate His Squad On Saturday
at 14:55:10
'Too keep things fresh' has to be one of the most pathetic statements in football. It means 'I'm gonna take a chance and hope I don't get clobbered, fck the players and fans.'
'Keep them all happy' is another pathetic phrase. Football is a cut-throat business. You play to win so you must always play you're best players. If the others aren't good enough, tough - that's the game and the players know that. If you're a fringe player, the only thing to do is improve and show that you should be in the team when you get the chance. It's not a nursery school where you have to care for everyone and give them an equal opportunity. It's a remarkably inane and or cynical comment when you think about it.
What RM is saying is that he thinks he can afford to lay off a few of his best players but again we don't have any great players to lay off and it also gives the wrong message to the squad and team. The attitude lends itself to complacency, ignorance and arrogance.
'Taken something out of his players' - surely they can have a day or more's rest - what's the problem. Keep a winning team is what I say unless there's a genuine injury. I think large squads just confuse managers and players, as it did all our previous 4 managers who had large squads of all mainly mediocre players : 'Which one shall I stick in to try and do the job today?'; 'Oh, that didn't work I'll try someone else or play someone out of position' - ad infinitum. Mcmenemy and Bates were our best managers and they didn't have this problem, they just played the best team all the time unless someone was properly injured. Poch and Koeman both had a core of Premiership standard players who they played most of the time.
I'd just swop Charles, who played well when he came on Tuesday, for Smallbone who loses too much possession. We need a more aggression in midfield. What's the point of changing a winning formula.
Adams doesn't play A Armstrong's game and Sulemana needs lots more game time so that we can flog him for £40 mil in the January window! Seriously though, after Sulemana's performances in the last two games - how can you change him for Edozie. Although I reckon Sule could play on the left and Edozie on the right or vice versa. Mara needs to go out on loan , he just isn't ready yet. When he failed to lay the ball off for Aribo in a goal scoring position I had some sympathy for the latter. Aribo played well when he came on and that could have changed Aribo's fortunes and season, he's taken his chances well from similar positions before. So much for team play.
As I regularly harp on about this but - the club, players and fans need a decent reserve league. You know like the one that used to bring players like Channon, Moran, the Wallaces, Shearer and Le Tissier through to top level standards. There's too big a leap between the academy youth team and the first team - they need genuine competition at near league level. Players that are on the fringe, coming back from injury or have lost form also need to play in the genuine reserve team. Reduce the first team players on the bench down to two or three and play the others in a decent reserve league - preparing them for first team football. the current system has simply failed especially for teams that can't afford a squad of world class players ie most teams. |
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Comment | Southampton V Leeds United The Verdict
at 11:58:41
Crucial that Martin changed his team and tactics and he did - credit to him. However, with Smallbone easily losing possession in midfield and Manning losing possession in the penalty area in the first 15 minutes, it did look like it might be a typical Saints/Martin experience. But we were lucky and Martin managed to pick the right combination of Alcarez and Sulemana who contributed greatly to all three goals. Without them in the team we could well have lost despite very good performances from half the team : A Armstrong, Bednarek, KWP, Bazunu and S Armstrong. If we can maintain the nucleus of this team and get them confident in playing together, as a team, we should improve and progress . However, as we've seen so often before, it's rarely that simple and could flip around the next game. It'll be interesting to see how Martin approaches the Stoke game after their 'shock' away victory against Bristol. There isn't Premiership quality in this division but the teams are all capable of causing an upset on their day. I worry about the complacency of some of our squad players and believe this is a barrier to being a confident cohesive team. |
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Comment | Southampton V Norwich City The Verdict
at 12:46:25
Nick constantly harps on about an experienced centre back. yes, that would be brilliant but after 6 years, I can't see us buying somebody of Van Dyck's, or even Fonte's, calibre. Benarek's an experienced Polish international and Stephens is experienced and did a good job for Bournemouth last year. They really should be good enough. We're really not going to improve on that combination. It didn't help last year when the recruitment of three defenders was badly misjudged.
I believe the manager should always choose his players and have the last word - it's just common sense. It should be his agenda to find HIS best team possible not made to cope with somebody else's purchases, not partly as possible investments for a year's time.
I've always thought the club owner's haven't recruited enough quality, suitable players and successive managers have had to cope with this but failed.
And there's the rub because none of the players really suit the manager's ideal system and therefore we spent/spend far too long trying to fit squarish pegs into roundish holes. A squad substantially composed of a bunch of inexperienced kids is going to fail the majority of the time in a cut-throat professional league. A good team needs stability hence consistency and confidence follow.
So I've always seen the problem as unsuitable or mediocre players, throughout the team, struggling to adapt to systems they didn't really fit into. The midfield have always been the biggest problem for me, especially after releasing Romeu too early, and now especially as Lavia and JWP are being sold. Not tough enough, not dynamic enough, not creative enough, poor defensively. For me S Armstrong and Smallbone are too lightweight, whilst Charles is still very inexperienced. Hence any centre pairing are going to be horribly exposed and pulled hither and thither when your left and right backs are in nomansland. Saints still have these problems. to me, It's clear the exposure of the defence has to be addressed immediately before we can address all the other failings. |
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Comment | Southampton At Gillingham The Preview
at 17:26:07
I hope he changes the whole team and subs:
McCarthy/Bycroft/ Lumley/; Bree;Perraud/Lariois/Payne/Vokins; Charles, Awe; Lyanco/Simeu; Aribo; S Armstrong/K Doyle;Amo; Sulemana; Djenepo. Take your pick for the key positions, It'll be interesting to see who RM actually starts with. Hopefully, it'll be what he views as the second best string. |
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Comment | Why Caleta-Car Transfer Is Disguised As A Loan Deal
at 11:00:26
Wow, seems like a lose-lose situation for Saints. Get rid of a useful centre-back for 1.5 millions euros for a year - when we really need a straight forward deal with immediate return. And then get back the remainder that we paid for him, if they like him, a year later. So that's the total fee after two years. But - he could still return to St Mary's, on 1.54 mil wages, after one year and he'll still have two more years to go on his contract. He might also be crocked. After getting £35 million all-out for Tino - it seems like a poor deal for a decent replacement centre-back. Unless I'm missing something, the deal doesn't make sense to me. |
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Comment | Gordon Strachan Backing Southampton For Promotion
at 14:01:19
'... I don't think there will be players on huge wages' - I take it from that comment that Strachan hasn't been doing a lot of thinking about Saints past or present. The phrase 'talking out of his derriere' comes to mind. As for moving players on easily... Talk about wishful thinking. Thanks for the report - very useful! |
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Comment | Sport Republic About To Add New Club To Their Roster
at 09:46:46
Mutual benefit! So saints are going to cooperate with teams in the lower reaches of their respective second divisions and benefit and make money from that! What a great business model! Hilarious, dream on. That's chancer's game not a sensible owner's commitment. Owners should have a visible commitment to one team and one team only. |
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Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 9 | | Comment Votes: | 72 | | Prediction League: | 1 | | TOTAL: | 82 |
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