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Russell Martin Take A Bow
Monday, 15th Jan 2024 09:40

On Saturday Southampton equalled a club record unbeaten run that had stood for just over 102 years. many illustrious names have managed the club in the period since, but none had come close to the record, but now one man has.

When Russell Martin was announced as Saints manager back in the summer, the response from the St Mary's faithful was decidedly mixed, but few were actually excited.

After all although he had extensive experience as a player both in the Premier League as well as the lower divisions, including the Championship where he had played for Norwich as a player as recently as 2017/18 season, as a manager he had less than 4 years experience.

Most Southampton fans were open minded, although his record as a manager with MK Dons and then Swansea was essentially only 3 1/2 seasons, after two disastrous appointments they looked past this and were whilst not exactly jumping with joy willing to give him a chance.

Some though were not so generous, they pointed out that he had done nothing as a manager, that at Swansea mid table was as good as it got, they did not see it as a good spell at a club with little money, they damned him as a failure.

He was dubbed Rusty by his detractors, a pun on his first name and what they saw as disastrous possession football was slurringly called Rustyball.

A poor pre season fuelled the fire and some early games were we made mistakes were jumped upon, even the first four games were we won 3 and drew 1, were the excuse to focus on the fact that we had conceded some soft goals, not that we were a side that at the start of August didn't know who was going or staying in that transfer window, or for that matter who was coming in, put bluntly the manager and indeed certain players in the squad, both already at the club and newly arrived were singled out for criticism before they had been given a chance to show what they could do at Championship level.

A four game losing streak saw the manager jumped on with some demanding his sacking and back in September the club was just about at the lowest point since it had been in administration back in 2009.

The scrapping of "Rustyball" was demanded and a return to good old fashioned football demanded, it was only a vocal minority, but it was starting to creep into a greater number with each defeat in that four game run.

The knives were also out for Sport Republic with claims that they were only here to make money etc.

Most of the supporter base were still willing to give Russell Martin a chance though and so were the board, they had faith that Martin was the man for the job, that possession football was the way forward and they stood firm.

Those of us of a certain age could draw some strong comparisons with the situation back in 1974, when Lawrie McMenemy for a year or so after our relegation was the most hated man in Southampton, but the Saints board then had faith in their manager and history was made when it easily could have gone a different way.

So here we are four months on from our lowest ebb and slowly but surely Russell Martin has stuck to his guns, not compromised and turned us from the worst defence in the division to the tightest, from a side that struggled to score goals into the second top scorers in the league, into a side that is truly a team, it defends as a team and it attacks as a team and we don't rely on one man for those goals, virtually the entire squad have contributed.

In doing all this at the weekend Russell Martin had turned us into the best team in the Championship, yes perhaps that four game losing spell will mean that we are not top of the table in May, but since we started the 19 game unbeaten spell we are the best team bar none, in that period Leicester have gained 44 points, Saints have amassed 45 !

So all the evidence is there of the job that Russell Martin has done in the last four months, he has taken us from a period of instability to one where we are an organised, disciplined and confident side, something that just 9 months ago was not something that you would say about the team as we slumped to relegation.

In doing so he has had to equal the 102 year old record set by the Saints side that gained promotion from Division 3 in it's second season in League football back in 1921/22 when we were unbeaten for 19 League games on our way to being champions of Division 3 South, hopefully that is a good omen.

When you consider the great Saints managers who have been at the club in this 102 year period and indeed the great sides they created, the likes of Ted Bates, Lawrie McMenemy, Gordon Strachan, Alan Pardew, Nigel Adkins, Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman and perhaps the unsung hero Claude Puel who's 8th place finish in the Premier League and a League Cup Final is in the top half dozen or so Saints season's ever in what was achieved.

Looking at those names makes Russell Martin's achievement all the more amazing.

So yes we have yet to beat the record and perhaps I'm jumping the gun a little as hopefully it will continue a little longer, but the weekend was not just about the record, it was about another step in the promotion run and our win over Sheffield Wednesday was just about our most complete performance of the season where everyone from Goalkeeper to the forward line has to play their part, it also saw us land a big psychological blow on Ipswich, our jumping above them into second place might have been brief, but it was a big reality check for them that they are no longer way out in front of third place.

All this being the case then it is right that Russell Martin takes a bow for the great work that he has done in such a short time, whatever happens this season he has turned the club around and he has given the Southampton supporters pride back in their club and team !

Photo: Action Images



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Chickendippers added 10:26 - Jan 15
I hope you meant Pochettino
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SaintNick added 10:42 - Jan 15
I did
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davenbennett added 10:50 - Jan 15
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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AndyC added 11:01 - Jan 15
The manager deserves credit for tweaking his philosophy just a little bit following that horrible 4-game run. I was one hat had my doubts at the time. I wasn't sure that he would be flexible enough to see the problems he had (mainly pushing the fullback way to high too often and leaving the centre backs totally open to counters attacks), but the showed reassuringly that he is still learning.

It should be said though, that he has one of the strongest squads at Championship level this season, so it's a good opportunity for any manager to be successful. In some ways it should be more difficult to not be successful.

It looks promising for a return to the EPL next season (fingers crossed and touching wood), and then the real challenge will begin, because this current squad still has the weaknesses that it had when it was relegated.
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StEdmund added 12:19 - Jan 15
Don't forget that in the four match losing streak we lost to high-flying Leicester and Ipswich, not to mention Sunderland ... or Middleborough on the up. Were we really that bad?
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SaintPaulVW added 12:46 - Jan 15
Think I wobbled during the four match streak of death in September. To give him his due, just like he did at Swansea, he has adapted his tactics without ever really admitting it. I seem to recall he used to say that he favoured 3 CB's this seems to have morphed into a back four where KWP is given free rein to surge forward. Which is smart.

The other thing to bear in mind is that a possession style is now the modern tactic. Most teams now seem to play this way. Thank Pep for this. The idea of giving possession away from clearing the ball is well out of fashion. Sweeper keepers are pretty much on every teams shopping list. So RM isn't really an outlier on this.

RM has made the best of what he has available and deserves the plaudits. Leicester v Ipswich should allow us to further catch up one or both sides. If we carry on playing like this I don't think Leicester are out of our sights yet.

COYR

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LoisDeem added 13:16 - Jan 15
Any team with big time aspirations -and why not us -would've needed a good and sustained run after that poor period. I do believe the team /squad and manager has improved through the season, and I do believe a better style has evolved. So many elements seem to be coming together. Credit for this progress is acknowledged, but full on plaudits only when they are due please -whatever your own agenda for the various shades of naysayers.
This season's activity so far can only be likened to dragging your heels at the start of a marathon (even going off course?), and starting to speed up (nearing a sprint, even getting a 10k PB?) in the middle when most will know -I certainly do -that the toughest part of the race is still ahead of us.
It is after all, more of a marathon than a sprint isn't it?
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Bowlercow added 13:18 - Jan 15
In reply to D Bennet above
First keep going with the physio and I hope the hip is a success
When you return to SMS I think you may be well surprised at the difference in the team and the way they play Yes we will continue to play out from the back but we now do it so much quicker Although I enjoy the tippy tappy stuff I was frustrated by the lack of pace and purpose I can't say that any more
Even the chances we create are more clear cut and we are more consistent with putting them away because of that
Loads and loads of questions about the future but put it aside for now and enjoy the here and now
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landsdownsaint added 13:23 - Jan 15
I can’t believe what he’s done for our club on & off the field , I was heavily critical of him becouse of Ralph’s dismissal for NJ , feel a bit pathetic about that now but I still think our best chance of survival was with Ralph but RM is just what Southampton club needed … brilliant
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Flamingbankers added 13:28 - Jan 15
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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LoisDeem added 13:34 - Jan 15
I like your list of managers Nick, and would say that I would agree on the Puel comments too, and definitely add Dave Merrington and maybe Alan Ball and Chris Nicholl ahead of him. Russell Martin would do well to heed the comments of a thinking fanbase too. Merrington sneaks in your list for me for what he did individually for players too, and what this meant in the longer term for this club. Bally and Nicholl much the same, even though poor Chris was unaware at the time, he oversaw a slow dismantling of a great team and tradition, which has taken years in the rebuilding, with many an unnecessary bump in the road since.
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SaintNick added 15:01 - Jan 15
Loisdeem, I dont disagree with what you say about those managers, I just stuck in the main to those who got top 10 finishes in the Premier League
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onetowatch added 10:10 - Jan 17
I think we are all agreed on the massive improvement in performance that we've witnessed since the horrid, and deserved, 4 run defeat - I was at the Sunderland game, and 5- 0 wasn't a fluke!! But although praise is deserved for RM, as has been eluded to with some comments above, it's not all about the squad buying into his way of playing - CA only ever made the bench at best in those 4 defeats, SA started only 1 game. Add to that the change in formation, a more traditional back 4 with KWP allowed to push forward, then it's clear that RM had to change his approach also. The emergence and consistency of Downes has also been an influence, along with of course the performances, individually and as unit, of our back 5.
The groundwork needed for improvement is done...thankfully. Now comes the 'tweaking'. We are improving considerably, but still have too many periods where our build up play is too slow. AA and others, making great runs off the shoulder of defenders, but players with the ball not even looking for those runs. A greater urgency is still needed at times when in front by 1 goal, to get that second and secure the game rather than hang on.....I'm not being picky, just realistic. If we have any chance of a top 2 place, that tweaking is needed now, and it would be a good platform to work with for this squad, as the majority wil be there if promoted...,
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