Martin Semmens Interview on Five Live

[The Left Back]

Just listened to the interview and all the associated punditry, thanks for flagging it @kwsaint

I found it an impressive and uplifting 30 minutes, which made me proud to be a saint.  The player pathway, the way the club is run, the transparency over manger discussions, the ownership change, the acknowledgement of both business objectivity and fan passion.  All of it was very satisfying.

And I found Martin Semmens to be clear, eloquent, humble, inspiring in a way that I've not really heard a football person be before.

And the fifth step of the player pathway, that we are clear we need to let them go, not to raise money but to clear the path for the next, seemed to be a jaw/mike-dropping moment for the studio.  I hope there's enough flexibility in that strategy to allow a Le Tissier to stay or to allow us to sign a Steven Davis.  Other than that I think it's a bold and interesting move.  I'm not sure the people running Everton, Villa, Newcastle etc would get away with saying that because their fan base is far more entitled than we are, but for us it seems a brilliant strategy.

PS I'm guessing Frank is the manager they had in mind.  And I'm guessing we won't be signing Broja permanently.  

PPS Yes I'm optimistic about us right now, but have also been a supporter long enough to realise we are never far away from the wheels falling off again!

[TWar]

Regarding the new manager, it is probably someone who plays similarly to how we already play. We are a pressing team so it's more likely to be a pressing heavy manager

Here are the pressing stats for this season. Based on the "new manager to the prem" thing, could be Viera or Frank based off this. Potentially Lage.

We also play with a super combative midfield and defense, and as such our midfielders and defenders rank high in tackle and interception numbers

 

Again, we see Brentford and Palace pop up, so likely again Frank or Viera

Finally, the playbook Ralph put together seems to mostly use specific formations, usually a four at the back and a strike partnership, but with the flexibility to adapt when needed.

Of the three suggested, here are the formations Lage, Viera, and Frank have played this season:

 

None of them play exactly our style. Lage plays a ver different formation. Franks is quite different but he uses a front 2 as we do. Viera uses a back 4 as we do and has played a double 6 4-4-2 which is quite similar to Ralphs 4222 although seems to prefer 1 or 3 up top. He does show the tactical flexibility we need in a way that Frank and Lage don't but that could be due to his surplus of options up top.

In conclusion:

• Lage could be a decent fit but doesn't really play our style (and is already at a bigger club imo so not really gettable)
• Frank would be a good pick as his team press a lot and are combative and he uses a front 2 as we do, he is also very gettable as we likely have more pull than Brentford. Not a perfect match formationwise but nobodies perfect
• Viera would be a great pick, even better pressing numbers than us, good combative players, and his formational flexibility and use of both a back 4 and occassionally a front 2 fits us very well. Would be tricky to get off palace as they are a similar size to us imo

[TWar]

44 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Armstrong is so undervalued by everyone outside of Saints. He wouldn't look out of place in anyone outside of City or Liverpool.

He's held back a bit by fitness. He impresses for a bit then gets injured. If he was more fit he'd get a lot more hype. 

[tajjuk]

It was a really good listen and very honest, pragmatic etc. and shows how well run the club is, but its also a little dream destroying to be honest. I know its realistic these players move on etc. but you'd hope to hear a little more about building a team, pushing up the table and trying to hold onto as many as possible. I mean if we got an unexpected top 6 or even a surprise top 4 place, you'd really hope we'd build on it and invest if possible but listening it sounds more like even in that situation it would be very much business as usual. 

[tunit]

Since he said earlier this year or end of last in regards to the manager who came into the PL. My first thought was Steven Gerrard? I feel like he's a much better fit for us than Bruno Lage. Either SG or Thomas Frank I reckon.

[Matthew Le God]

5 minutes ago, tajjuk said:

It was a really good listen and very honest, pragmatic etc. and shows how well run the club is, but its also a little dream destroying to be honest. I know its realistic these players move on etc. but you'd hope to hear a little more about building a team, pushing up the table and trying to hold onto as many as possible. I mean if we got an unexpected top 6 or even a surprise top 4 place, you'd really hope we'd build on it and invest if possible but listening it sounds more like even in that situation it would be very much business as usual. 

There only about 4 clubs at most in world football that are not selling clubs. Saints aren't going to be one of those clubs.

[Saint_clark]

Having listened to it myself he mentions someone who's come in and done an incredible/unbelievable job and as such is probably out of range for us now, which to me doesn't say Frank, Gerrard or Viera. I'd imagine he's talking about Lage. What he's done with wolves is nothing short of amazing.

[Saint_clark]

7 minutes ago, tajjuk said:

It was a really good listen and very honest, pragmatic etc. and shows how well run the club is, but its also a little dream destroying to be honest. I know its realistic these players move on etc. but you'd hope to hear a little more about building a team, pushing up the table and trying to hold onto as many as possible. I mean if we got an unexpected top 6 or even a surprise top 4 place, you'd really hope we'd build on it and invest if possible but listening it sounds more like even in that situation it would be very much business as usual. 

One of the things he said that was most interesting to me was that selling on players that do well isn't about the money, it's about ensuring the pathway is still open for new young players otherwise the entire system breaks down. 

[The Left Back]

35 minutes ago, TWar said:

In conclusion:

• Lage could be a decent fit but doesn't really play our style (and is already at a bigger club imo so not really gettable)
• Frank would be a good pick as his team press a lot and are combative and he uses a front 2 as we do, he is also very gettable as we likely have more pull than Brentford. Not a perfect match formationwise but nobodies perfect
• Viera would be a great pick, even better pressing numbers than us, good combative players, and his formational flexibility and use of both a back 4 and occassionally a front 2 fits us very well. Would be tricky to get off palace as they are a similar size to us imo

Regardless of who was being referred to I think the point he made is that they are no longer a target because we've missed our chance.  Who we have in mind for our next manager will be someone not yet in our league, further back along the pathway. He sort of told this story in the past tense as an example of the way we think.

17 minutes ago, tajjuk said:

t was a really good listen and very honest, pragmatic etc. and shows how well run the club is, but its also a little dream destroying to be honest. I know its realistic these players move on etc. but you'd hope to hear a little more about building a team, pushing up the table and trying to hold onto as many as possible. I mean if we got an unexpected top 6 or even a surprise top 4 place, you'd really hope we'd build on it and invest if possible but listening it sounds more like even in that situation it would be very much business as usual. 

I did think that briefly while listening and then I was heartened when he talked about our ambition.  I think he said our ambition is to be a top 10 side each season.  When pushed he hinted that top 6 would be great but never used as a target (I paraphrase).  So my reading of that is that being a top 10 side means there is a reasonable chance of Europe by one means or another every few seasons.  And if we had a special side that clicked and we were pushing on toward top 6 one season that perhaps players would hang around a season longer than otherwise, and the pathway would slow slightly but be stacked with even more quality than usual. 

10 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Having listened to it myself he mentions someone who's come in and done an incredible/unbelievable job and as such is probably out of range for us now, which to me doesn't say Frank, Gerrard or Viera. I'd imagine he's talking about Lage. What he's done with wolves is nothing short of amazing.

Good point I think you might be right about that.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

28 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Having listened to it myself he mentions someone who's come in and done an incredible/unbelievable job and as such is probably out of range for us now, which to me doesn't say Frank, Gerrard or Viera. I'd imagine he's talking about Lage. What he's done with wolves is nothing short of amazing.

I definitely took it as being Lage. If he continues taking Wolves up the table,I think our chances of taking him are pretty slim. Never know though,two years is a long time in football. Wolves may pay the price for success when the bigger clubs come looking for their players.

[Singapore Saint]

4 hours ago, Jessinkalasin said:

Dean Smith I reckon. 

Nope, it's Graham Potter.

[Teddeer]

11 hours ago, SaintBobby said:

Actually, MS says the manger came in "this year or the end of last year" - suggesting he's maybe talking calendar years not seasons...so that sounds like Howe?

Weren't there rumours not so long ago that Semmens had interviewed Howe and he was waiting for the Saints job to become available. Obviously he's now gone to Newcastle but it's interesting that his contract is two and a half years which seems to coincide with when Ralph is planning to retire. I'm probably putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5 here 🙂

[Tom & Gerry]

10 minutes ago, Singapore Saint said:

Nope, it's Graham Potter.

Thats what I thought

[Saint Mikey]

10 minutes ago, Singapore Saint said:

Nope, it's Graham Potter.

My first thought was Potter, although he has been in the league a little while now. He has done a similar job to Ralph in terms of having a definite style of play and improving the connection to the supporters. 

[Matthew Le God]

19 minutes ago, Singapore Saint said:

Nope, it's Graham Potter.

 

8 minutes ago, Tom & Gerry said:

Thats what I thought

Potter joined Brighton in May 2019, that doesn't meet the description Semmens used in February 2022 of "this year or the end of last year" .

Edited 15 February, 2022 by Matthew Le God

[manji]

4 minutes ago, Teddeer said:

Weren't there rumours not so long ago that Semmens had interviewed Howe and he was waiting for the Saints job to become available. Obviously he's now gone to Newcastle but it's interesting that his contract is two and a half years which seems to coincide with when Ralph is planning to retire. I'm probably putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5 here 🙂

Not Howe the way he fucked over Celtic was atrocious. Ralph was going through a bad patch, Howes agents leaked rumours he was our target to replace Ralph, the fucker even started attending Saints matches and made sure the press knew about it. Howe is a snake.

[igsey]

I imagine we'll become Brentford's #1 enemy if we take their owners and their manager!

[Winchester Red]

I thought he meant Graham Potter

[Matthew Le God]

7 minutes ago, igsey said:

I imagine we'll become Brentford's #1 enemy if we take their owners and their manager!

Their owner is Matthew Benham, he has nothing to do with Saints.

4 minutes ago, Winchester Red said:

I thought he meant Graham Potter

Potter joined Brighton in the summer of 2019, so doesn't really meet the description Semmens used of joining the Premier League "this year or the end of last year".

Edited 15 February, 2022 by Matthew Le God

[CB Fry]

I don't want to labour the point too much, but Semnens was talking about how it is difficult to plan too far ahead because things change, but of course you track people.

And the point he was making about this mystery manager was that we would most likely not get him now because his next step is now beyond us.

He was talking about a manager we won't get, not one that we will.

So everyone can stop playing the name game.

[Saint_clark]

I think it could be Graham Potter he's talking about now that I've thought about it more in depth. Matches everything Semmens said.

[Matthew Le God]

Just now, Saint_clark said:

I think it could be Graham Potter he's talking about now that I've thought about it more in depth. Matches everything Semmens said.

No it doesn't.

[Tom & Gerry]

20 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

Potter joined Brighton in May 2019, that doesn't meet the description Semmens used.

It's quite a stretch, but he clearly didn't mean this year. So if he meant last year and like me he doesn't realise how time flies, especially in football and got that wrong it could be Potter.

[CB Fry]

3 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

I think it could be Graham Potter he's talking about now that I've thought about it more in depth. Matches everything Semmens said.

If by "everything Semmens said" you mean "nothing Semmens said", you're bang on.

[Bad Wolf]

1 hour ago, Saint_clark said:

Having listened to it myself he mentions someone who's come in and done an incredible/unbelievable job and as such is probably out of range for us now, which to me doesn't say Frank, Gerrard or Viera. I'd imagine he's talking about Lage. What he's done with wolves is nothing short of amazing.

I agree but why would he come to us? Frank or Viera are much more likely to come here.

Anyone know where I can listen to this interview?

[Toadhall Saint]

4 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

I don't want to labour the point too much, but Semnens was talking about how it is difficult to plan too far ahead because things change, but of course you track people.

And the point he was making about this mystery manager was that we would most likely not get him now because his next step is now beyond us.

He was talking about a manager we won't get, not one that we will.

So everyone can stop playing the name game.

It’ll be someone that most of us will not have heard of. Especially as it’s going to be 2 years away. Be interesting to see if we appoint someone new in the coaching staff over the next 2 years tho.

[Toadhall Saint]

2 minutes ago, Instant Classic said:

I agree but why would he come to us? Frank or Viera are much more likely to come here.

Anyone know where I can listen to this interview?

Trousers has put a link on the first page of this thread

[Matthew Le God]

6 minutes ago, Instant Classic said:

Anyone know where I can listen to this interview?

3 minutes into this...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0bp4jlr

[CB Fry]

Actually I think its David Moyes, he's only been at West Ham like a couple of years or something and Semmens probably got mixed up and he meant Moyes. Basically definitely matches everything he said.

[cloggy saint]

Almost certainly Conte, 

[Teddeer]

Irrespective of the question of who replaces Ralph issue that was a seriously impressive interview from Martin Semmens. His clear and honest appraisal of the club's philosophy was refreshing and leaves us in no doubt about what we can expect in terms of transfer business. Right now we are in very capable hands and in a great place in terms of the brand of entertaining football we are playing and the results we are getting. Clearly we'll never compete with the big boys on spending power but we can look forward to an exciting future and hopefully many more young talented players spending time with us as a natural development in their careers. It may not last for ever but let's enjoy the ride for now.

[Saint_clark]

27 minutes ago, Instant Classic said:

I agree but why would he come to us? Frank or Viera are much more likely to come here.

Anyone know where I can listen to this interview?

He probably wouldn't, that wasn't the point of what was being discussed. Semmens was talking about a manager who was number one on their shortlist but has since done an incredible job at a club after recently coming into the premier league, and as such is probably out of reach for us.

28 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

If by "everything Semmens said" you mean "nothing Semmens said", you're bang on.

I was winding up MLG, thought I'd made it obvious but guess not.

[nta786]

It is definitely Pep. Or Tuchel, he did win CL which exceeded expectations. Reed wanted him I think at some point if I recall but Dortmund was his next logical step. 

[Chickendippers]

Just for fun - i think it was Viera. We are all over Ligue 1 so would know his style and what he was trying to achieve at Nice well. Strikes me as a Koeman type appointment.

[Jimmy_D]

2 hours ago, tajjuk said:

It was a really good listen and very honest, pragmatic etc. and shows how well run the club is, but its also a little dream destroying to be honest. I know its realistic these players move on etc. but you'd hope to hear a little more about building a team, pushing up the table and trying to hold onto as many as possible. I mean if we got an unexpected top 6 or even a surprise top 4 place, you'd really hope we'd build on it and invest if possible but listening it sounds more like even in that situation it would be very much business as usual. 

It’s not like we’ll be pushing players out the door to bigger clubs. I’m sure we’ll still be trying to keep our best players as long as possible.

With a bit of luck and progression, hopefully we’ll get better players wanting to stay here longer and see where they and Saints can take each other.

[Kenilworthy]

My worry is that twice before we have received praise for being run in a way that is the envy of other clubs - 2002/3 and 2014/2016 and in no time at all it went wrong

[Charlie Wayman]

We have heard all this stuff about our football philosophy, fully integrated management and pathways and so on many times before from Semmens over the course of the last two or three years but it seems to me that something else has happened recently as well to trigger this sudden change in our fortunes.

For example, why is it that only now are players like Forster and Elyounoussi suddenly coming good after a few years in the wilderness? Surely it is still the same management team and the same coaching staff as before. If it wasn't working then, why is it working now?

Describing success with hindsight begs the question of whether the club even now really understand their own recent success fully. 

Edited 15 February, 2022 by Charlie Wayman

[SuperSAINT]

12 minutes ago, Kenilworthy said:

My worry is that twice before we have received praise for being run in a way that is the envy of other clubs - 2002/3 and 2014/2016 and in no time at all it went wrong

Always the way when you trade players… we need more Tino / KWP / Broja’s & less Hoedt / Lemina / Carrillo’s

[Turkish]

22 minutes ago, Kenilworthy said:

My worry is that twice before we have received praise for being run in a way that is the envy of other clubs - 2002/3 and 2014/2016 and in no time at all it went wrong

3rd time lucky?

[Charlie Wayman]

42 minutes ago, Chickendippers said:

Just for fun - i think it was Viera. We are all over Ligue 1 so would know his style and what he was trying to achieve at Nice well. Strikes me as a Koeman type appointment.

My guess is Bruno Lage who has been simply brilliant at Wolves

[SNSUN]

Livramento, Broja, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Perraud, to a point Diallo, If these are the quality of young people we aspire to bring in to our club, then I’m all for the project. I’m wary though that it only takes a few Djenepo/Adam Armstrong failures for the plan to suffer. That said our scouting seems to be decent of late so fingers crossed that doesn’t happen. We also need to bring in the odd “old head” for experience... again hopefully not like Walcott and more like Stu.

 

If our long term plan by the new owners is to be the Leipzig of the Premier League, then that should help us with player progression. It’d be like getting first dibs on the new Sadio Mané.

 

As for manager in two years, I wouldn’t fully rule out Ralph changing his mind if things are going well. Fergie changed his mind on retirement a couple of times iirc. That said, again, we currently seem to have the right people in charge of us to pick correctly. 

[Saint Garrett]

4 hours ago, TWar said:

Regarding the new manager, it is probably someone who plays similarly to how we already play. We are a pressing team so it's more likely to be a pressing heavy manager

Here are the pressing stats for this season. Based on the "new manager to the prem" thing, could be Viera or Frank based off this. Potentially Lage.

We also play with a super combative midfield and defense, and as such our midfielders and defenders rank high in tackle and interception numbers

 

Again, we see Brentford and Palace pop up, so likely again Frank or Viera

Finally, the playbook Ralph put together seems to mostly use specific formations, usually a four at the back and a strike partnership, but with the flexibility to adapt when needed.

Of the three suggested, here are the formations Lage, Viera, and Frank have played this season:

 

None of them play exactly our style. Lage plays a ver different formation. Franks is quite different but he uses a front 2 as we do. Viera uses a back 4 as we do and has played a double 6 4-4-2 which is quite similar to Ralphs 4222 although seems to prefer 1 or 3 up top. He does show the tactical flexibility we need in a way that Frank and Lage don't but that could be due to his surplus of options up top.

In conclusion:

• Lage could be a decent fit but doesn't really play our style (and is already at a bigger club imo so not really gettable)
• Frank would be a good pick as his team press a lot and are combative and he uses a front 2 as we do, he is also very gettable as we likely have more pull than Brentford. Not a perfect match formationwise but nobodies perfect
• Viera would be a great pick, even better pressing numbers than us, good combative players, and his formational flexibility and use of both a back 4 and occassionally a front 2 fits us very well. Would be tricky to get off palace as they are a similar size to us imo

Think you'd actually get more value by looking at where they were before this season, given we identified them before this season started.  The knock on affect of specific squads, and personel, will obviously impact those stats.

[TWar]

59 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Think you'd actually get more value by looking at where they were before this season, given we identified them before this season started.  The knock on affect of specific squads, and personel, will obviously impact those stats.

This is probably true. Unfortunately all three don't have a huge number of stats readily available. The prem has easy to access stats on all teams but it is often harder in the championship/abroad. 

I think this is reasonably indicative but you have to work within limitations for such things.

[qwertyell]

5 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Armstrong is so undervalued by everyone outside of Saints. He wouldn't look out of place in anyone outside of City or Liverpool.

Not sure about that. I think he's pretty much at our level.

Fantastic at driving through the midfield with the ball, but his end product and decision making in the final third leaves a lot to be desired.

[Saint86]

17 hours ago, Turkish said:

What time is he on? Can’t be arsed to listen to two hours of it 

Circa 11min - 45min

[Highfield Saint]

4 hours ago, Singapore Saint said:

Nope, it's Graham Potter.

100%

[Highfield Saint]

Just now, Highfield Saint said:

100%

Mind you I haven't listened to the interview 😂

[Dman]

As I’ve said before. The club spoke to Howe in the summer regarding taking over should Ralph had not turned things around. 

Edited 15 February, 2022 by Dman

[Saint86]

5 hours ago, TWar said:

Regarding the new manager, it is probably someone who plays similarly to how we already play. We are a pressing team so it's more likely to be a pressing heavy manager

Here are the pressing stats for this season. Based on the "new manager to the prem" thing, could be Viera or Frank based off this. Potentially Lage.

We also play with a super combative midfield and defense, and as such our midfielders and defenders rank high in tackle and interception numbers

 

Again, we see Brentford and Palace pop up, so likely again Frank or Viera

Finally, the playbook Ralph put together seems to mostly use specific formations, usually a four at the back and a strike partnership, but with the flexibility to adapt when needed.

Of the three suggested, here are the formations Lage, Viera, and Frank have played this season:

 

None of them play exactly our style. Lage plays a ver different formation. Franks is quite different but he uses a front 2 as we do. Viera uses a back 4 as we do and has played a double 6 4-4-2 which is quite similar to Ralphs 4222 although seems to prefer 1 or 3 up top. He does show the tactical flexibility we need in a way that Frank and Lage don't but that could be due to his surplus of options up top.

In conclusion:

• Lage could be a decent fit but doesn't really play our style (and is already at a bigger club imo so not really gettable)
• Frank would be a good pick as his team press a lot and are combative and he uses a front 2 as we do, he is also very gettable as we likely have more pull than Brentford. Not a perfect match formationwise but nobodies perfect
• Viera would be a great pick, even better pressing numbers than us, good combative players, and his formational flexibility and use of both a back 4 and occassionally a front 2 fits us very well. Would be tricky to get off palace as they are a similar size to us imo

The most successful pressing team on that list was Brighton under potter - and by some distance.

Whether he sees us as a sufficient step up after Brighton i don't know. Also chances are he'll have moved up in the world by 2024. Could easily see him at Arsenal / tottenham by that point. Unlikely either of their current managers survive that long.

Edited 15 February, 2022 by Saint86

[TWar]

3 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

The most successful pressing team on that list was Brighton under potter - and by some distance.

Whether he sees us as a sufficient step up after Brighton i don't know. Also chances are he'll have moved up in the world by 2024. Could easily see him at Arsenal / tottenham by that point. Unlikely either of their current managers survive that long.

I would love Potter, he's a fantastic manager, but I don't see him coming here tbh.