Russell Martin

[woodsaint1]

What a shite manager

Sure hes never won anything and will never win anything with us

Should have sacked him in September.

RM just got on with it and got the job done. What a super season, picked up a team that was on its arse, played some great football and topped it all off by beating dirty Leeds in the biggest game. The club got it spot on with his appointment 👏🏼👏🏼

[The Cat]

I've always liked him, never really understood any of the hatred that people on here posted. 

Managers get things wrong sometimes, all of them do. He's still at the start of his career and now gets a shot in the Premier League. 

Fair play to him.

[ant]

The 'well, he's never achieved anything' criticism of his career has gone up in flames. 

Maybe, just maybe, he's on the up and worth a shot at the big time.

[CSA96]

Fair play. I've always liked him as a person, think he comes across very genuine but really worried he was far too tactically rigid and didn't have a Plan B.

Then we get to the playoffs, he plays it perfectly. 3-5-2 away at the Hawthorns to keep it 0-0 and get back to St. Mary's, brings out the 4-3-3 and sticks three goals past them at home. Then back to 3-5-2 at Wembley to force Leeds to play the way we want them to and grind out the result.

Only that silly late goal against WBA which stopped us going the whole of the playoffs without conceding a single goal.

Nice one, Russell 

[ScandiSaint]

Happy for him. Took a lot of stick this season. Some of the criticism was justified but a lot of it was well over the top. He stuck to his guns and made some critical adjustments for the play-offs. 

Lets hope he can continue to develop along with the squad. Onwards and upwards. 

[CampionSaint]

I think one indication of how he's succeeded is how he's improved players.  Jannie B, Kyle W-P, THB, Flynn, Will S & AA have all had arguably their best seasons.  I notice Jo Tessem was talking about how he was using AA so much better than Ralph did and could succeed in the Prem.  I think from where we were this time last year he's done a great job.  Has he made mistakes.  Of course.  Overall he's got us playing good football and got some pride back in the team and they genuinely seem to be gelling well as a team which must be a credit to the management.    

[S-Clarke]

We've all had our critiques over the season, it's part of being a fan. The frustrations have been borne out of knowing we could do better, or we could keep tighter etc - my biggest criticism has been that we cannot keep needing 3 or 4 goals to win a game, it wasn't sustainable.

But since the last game of the season we have played 4, let in 1 goal. A massive shift in approach, some flexibility allowed and some real focus on certain tactical tweaks. Today he absolutley had Farkes number tactically, we played it perfectly - we played it perfectly against WBA too, and Leeds in the final game.

I think we can put the silly games against Blackburn, Stoke etc to bed. When we've needed to show up, when the pressure was bigger than it's ever been, we've done that.

[Weston Super Saint]

1 hour ago, ant said:

The 'well, he's never achieved anything' criticism of his career has gone up in flames. 

Maybe, just maybe, he's on the up and worth a shot at the big time.

That's just daft.

Until today he hadn't achieved anything. That criticism hasn't suddenly gone up in flames!

He's now achieved what the club said needed to be achieved. Job done. Next goal will be survival.

[Dusic]

Top job over the season! Really pleased for him.

Its almost like it didnt matter that he only finished 10th with a different team in a different set of circumstances.

Edited May 26 by Dusic

[Andrew Watson]

Well done Russell Martin for getting us up at the first attempt. I have been very critical of the tippy tappy dross played in some games,but am certainly able to put my hand up and say the manager has got up against the odds and he deserves a lot of praise for that. I have no issue at all with his politics or his decency as a human being either and never have unlike others on here. My only issue has been some of the football we have played over the season.

[The Cat]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j0gk45?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

 

[ant]

1 hour ago, Weston Super Saint said:

That's just daft.

Until today he hadn't achieved anything. That criticism hasn't suddenly gone up in flames!

He's now achieved what the club said needed to be achieved. Job done. Next goal will be survival.

No, you've just shifted the goal posts.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Happy to eat humble pie. Wasn't sure about him at all and some team selections have been bizarre but he's stuck to his guns and done what he was employed to do.

 

[Saint_lambden]

The fact that he went and shook the hands of Leeds' players/coaches whilst our players were lifting the trophy says a lot about the guy. He's one of the good ones. 

His adaptability has been questioned plenty of times during the season but he's made us incredibly tough to beat in the last few weeks without sacrificing our general philosophy. There will be plenty of tough days next season but he deserves a decent budget in the summer to build the team in the shape that he wants and to get a fair crack of the whip. 

 

[Hayling Saint]

8 minutes ago, Saint_lambden said:

The fact that he went and shook the hands of Leeds' players/coaches whilst our players were lifting the trophy says a lot about the guy. He's one of the good ones. 

His adaptability has been questioned plenty of times during the season but he's made us incredibly tough to beat in the last few weeks without sacrificing our general philosophy. There will be plenty of tough days next season but he deserves a decent budget in the summer to build the team in the shape that he wants and to get a fair crack of the whip. 

 

Totally agree.

[SNSUN]

Will leave this here... what a day for Saints fans. Respect to Steve and son. Atmosphere is everything.

 

[Sheaf Saint]

Well it seems that Russ does have it in him to be flexible with his tactics after all. No idea why he waited until the playoffs to demonstrate that, but I'm obviously not complaining! 

He's still young and inexperienced as a manager, and this season will have been a massive learning curve for him. Looks like he has finally taken those lessons on board.

I was dubious about him being the right man for us inbthe PL if he got us up, but if he can continue to show the same kind of tactical nous he has shown in the last three games, and with some decent acquisitions in the summer window, then I'm feeling much more confident than I was a month or so ago.

Well done Russ. You've earned a place in Saints folklore now as the man that got us back up at the first attempt. 

[CB Fry]

10 hours ago, ant said:

The 'well, he's never achieved anything' criticism of his career has gone up in flames. 

Maybe, just maybe, he's on the up and worth a shot at the big time.

In his own post match interview he himself said "I hadn't achieved anything [as a manager] until today". Winning yesterday doesn't suddenly magic up achievements at MK and Swansea.

God knows why you are saying "maybe" he deserves a shot at the big time - obviously he does, he has literally learnt his shot. 

Well done Russell.

Edited May 27 by CB Fry

[AlexLaw76]

We will have to adapt in the premier league, as some of the play were persist with will see us battered at times 

we will make a better fist of it compared to the 3 that have just been relegated 

[Lighthouse]

10 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

That's just daft.

Until today he hadn't achieved anything. That criticism hasn't suddenly gone up in flames!

He's now achieved what the club said needed to be achieved. Job done. Next goal will be survival.

If we finish 8th in the PL next season, would you consider that ‘not achieving anything’?

[ant]

1 hour ago, CB Fry said:

God knows why you are saying "maybe" he deserves a shot at the big time - obviously he does, he has literally learnt his shot. 

Would've thought it fairly obvious from the flow of that sentence that the "Maybe, just maybe..." was merely to emphasise that I feel he's always been on the up. Given the means, this is what he's capable of. 

Well done indeed.

[CB Fry]

31 minutes ago, ant said:

Would've thought it fairly obvious from the flow of that sentence that the "Maybe, just maybe..." was merely to emphasise that I feel he's always been on the up. Given the means, this is what he's capable of. 

Well done indeed.

So you do understand how context works, well done.

You accept Russell Martin's own description that he hadn't achieved anything as a manager until yesterday then? Thanks.

[Weston Super Saint]

51 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

If we finish 8th in the PL next season, would you consider that ‘not achieving anything’?

If the goal was to finish 8th, then I'd consider that achieving the goal, job done. (Although I've said earlier the next goal / achievement is survival).

This season the goal was promotion.  Goal achieved.  Job done.

Edited May 27 by Weston Super Saint

[Lymington Saint]

We seem to have a plan B.  3 centre backs with wing backs really suits the players that we have.  RM set us out yesterday to be hard to beat and Leeds barely had a sniff at goal.  Play 4-3-3 as at the start of the season and we will get regularly hammered next season.  It's not as good to watch, but way more effective against better sides.

[Wade Garrett]

Fair play to the manager.

I haven’t had a lot of time for him.  Selections, substitutions and a stubbornly rigid formation and style had me pulling my hair out.

From the Leeds game, and through the play-offs he has shown how tactically astute he is and the players obviously love him.  Really good to see.  Looking forward to seeing what he achieves with us next season.

[Lighthouse]

1 hour ago, Weston Super Saint said:

If the goal was to finish 8th, then I'd consider that achieving the goal, job done. (Although I've said earlier the next goal / achievement is survival).

This season the goal was promotion.  Goal achieved.  Job done.

So if the targets he was set at Swansea and MK we’re solid mid table finishes, then he would have achieved something.

[SaintsFan86]

27 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

So if the targets he was set at Swansea and MK we’re solid mid table finishes, then he would have achieved something.

That doesn't suit his agenda mate. 😇

[Midfield_General]

34 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Fair play to the manager.

I haven’t had a lot of time for him.  Selections, substitutions and a stubbornly rigid formation and style had me pulling my hair out.

From the Leeds game, and through the play-offs he has shown how tactically astute he is and the players obviously love him.  Really good to see.  Looking forward to seeing what he achieves with us next season.

Absolutely this. I’ve been very frustrated with him at times this season but he has come through for us and he’s delivered. 

He’s also schooled Farke three times, home, away and at Wembley, which given their history I’m sure must have given him great satisfaction, although he’s been too classy to say so. 

I’ve also been really impressed how he’s handled himself over the last few weeks when the pressure has been on. He’s been the model of calm and has been a superb leader. His insistence on giving all the credit to the players and his staff reflects exceptionally well on him. He’s been a class act. 

He deserves every last plaudit for what he’s achieved this season, absolutely fair play to him. I hope we back him properly in the summer and I look forward to seeing what he can do in the Prem (hopefully with us not Brighton!)

Well done gaffer. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

34 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Fair play to the manager.

I haven’t had a lot of time for him.  Selections, substitutions and a stubbornly rigid formation and style had me pulling my hair out.

From the Leeds game, and through the play-offs he has shown how tactically astute he is and the players obviously love him.  Really good to see.  Looking forward to seeing what he achieves with us next season.

These are my feelings exactly, and it took an injury for him to play our best goalkeeper. That said, he did everything he was asked and got us promoted at the first attempt. He’s delivered some fantastic football this season, but also some horrendous boring possession based slow dross. He was right about Jack Stephens, his leadership & spirit were needed when it mattered. 
 

I also thought he acted with class at the end of the game as well, so perhaps he wasn’t quite the cock I thought he was. He’s shown yesterday  that when we have less of the ball (as we undoubtedly will do next season as well) he can finally set us up to defend properly. Decent keeper, left back, & a centre forward we’ll stay up, no bother. 

[Whitey Grandad]

3 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

These are my feelings exactly, and it took an injury for him to play our best goalkeeper. That said, he did everything he was asked and got us promoted at the first attempt. He’s delivered some fantastic football this season, but also some horrendous boring possession based slow dross. He was right about Jack Stephens, his leadership & spirit were needed when it mattered. 
 

I also thought he acted with class at the end of the game as well, so perhaps he wasn’t quite the cock I thought he was. He’s shown yesterday  that when we have less of the ball (as we undoubtedly will do next season as well) he can finally set us up to defend properly. Decent keeper, left back, & a centre forward we’ll stay up, no bother. 

I'm with you on this. 

[hypochondriac]

46 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Fair play to the manager.

I haven’t had a lot of time for him.  Selections, substitutions and a stubbornly rigid formation and style had me pulling my hair out.

From the Leeds game, and through the play-offs he has shown how tactically astute he is and the players obviously love him.  Really good to see.  Looking forward to seeing what he achieves with us next season.

This basically. Like I said to a mate, previous criticism of him wasn't wrong, it's just he hadn't displayed those things you mention until late into the season so he deserves immense credit for proving that he does have the skills to adapt and have a plan B. 

[saintwbu]

Easy to forget he’s only 38, he’s still relatively new to management, so i think it is noticeable at times that he is still learning. But learning is good, and the last 4 games we’ve done something different and it’s worked brilliantly. Tactically he has outclassed Farke 3 times this season, and Farke is a good Championship manager, hopefully we might have a good Premier League manager on our hands instead. 

[Midfield_General]

13 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

These are my feelings exactly, and it took an injury for him to play our best goalkeeper. That said, he did everything he was asked and got us promoted at the first attempt. He’s delivered some fantastic football this season, but also some horrendous boring possession based slow dross. He was right about Jack Stephens, his leadership & spirit were needed when it mattered. 
 

I also thought he acted with class at the end of the game as well, so perhaps he wasn’t quite the cock I thought he was. He’s shown yesterday  that when we have less of the ball (as we undoubtedly will do next season as well) he can finally set us up to defend properly. Decent keeper, left back, & a centre forward we’ll stay up, no bother. 

+ another proper defensive mid

[Weston Super Saint]

57 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

So if the targets he was set at Swansea and MK we’re solid mid table finishes, then he would have achieved something.

I've no idea what his targets were at those clubs.

I'm his own words, he had achieved nothing before yesterday, so I can only assume his targets were higher?

 

[Lord Duckhunter]

3 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

If we finish 8th in the PL next season, would you consider that ‘not achieving anything’?

It depends on whether it was am entertaining 8th place finish . If it was 8th but we drew a few 0-0 it’ll be a massive failure which deserves the sack and constant criticism for years afterwards. 

[Saint Matty 76]

There's no issue with people having criticised him throughout the season. He made plenty of mistakes but thankfully learned from them in the end and set us up absolutely brilliantly when it mattered.

However, what there is an issue with is the select few oddballs on here who had it in their mind from the off that it wasn't going to work out and spouting absolute shite whenever a result didn't go our way throughout the season. Some of the personal attacks on the bloke were fucking bizarre to say the least. 

Anyway, onto a huge summer for RM and I pray he doesn't fall into the trap of being a players manager in regards to loyalty. There's players who've played a good part who shouldn't be in the squad next year.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

5 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Anyway, onto a huge summer for RM and I pray he doesn't fall into the trap of being a players manager in regards to loyalty. There's players who've played a good part who shouldn't be in the squad next year.

That's what I fear the most. From his interviews etc he comes across as being quite loyal to a core group of players. Nothing wrong with that, but you have to be realistic when you step up a league that certain members of a team aren't going to complete the journey with you. We've all seen the likes of Stephens, A Armstrong and Bazuna struggle in the PL, if he remains loyal to those guys in the starting eleven, it could be his undoing. 

[Bad Wolf]

The bloke is an absolute legend. The hate he gets for the simple crime of not being perfect is ridiculous. He probably had the simplest objective of any Saints manager in history.

Get us up - He's succeeded

Don't get us up - He's failed

He's done what he set out to do. No doubt 3 games into next season he'll be back to being a "clown with no plan b" or something.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

On the occasion I saw him saying that he was grateful to have been given the chance by Jason and SR, as he had achieved nothing, he looked down towards the trophy.

That could be taken to mean he hadn't won silverware. And he also said he was aware he wasn't the sexiest appointment (name wise, and clearly not stubble or hair wise).

He had achieved things, from MK Dons to mid championship finish with Swansea. Those are achievements. Now he's got a play off final win, and will be a Premier League manager. More achievements.

Russ was being humble and grateful, as usual, throughout all his interviews.

Russ had been adapting him system through the season. It's been fascinating to watch. A lot of the criticism has mirrored his own post match comments.

He'd got possession nailed down. We'd have games we'd create loads and not finish. Sometimes just the finishing, and others allowing defences to reset making it tougher. We'd have possession and not create, getting it stuck in midfield. It frustrated him no end too.

We saw the system switch because KWP is a class above. We saw it shift because of the strengths Baz and Will have. We ended up with a lot of fluid players: Will, Jack, Aribo, AA and Che.

Conceding was a problem throughout. He went more direct. Jack returning to the side changed the roles of others to try and give us more balance.

We had to adapt when Stu got injured. I think the underpinning work all season really helped us when injury hit. All that passing helps transition when we get it from more direct positions upnfield. We're more direct due to injuries and the shore up the midfield. But it's RussBall v1 that helps us make the most of the lower possession we get.

Stephens coming in did disrupt a few things. Yet, it pushed Will into having to develop even more of his game in the final third again. It gave us the vocal  leadership Leeds lacked, as well as a nother versatile player on the park, filling in all over.

Martin has changed our system and style. Not without bumps, as players were relearning natural games, and we lost JWP and Tells. 

He's changed the mentality from what seemed a flat, disrupted dressing room. Again, not without bumps with wantaway players, some searching in September, and arguably it's still a quietish squad. He's done that with individuals too. Aribo is a much improved player

There's been a ton of work on all aspects of everyone's game that's allowed us to adapt throughout the season. And that's what's got us through in the end. Perhaps not the most naturally talented squad (Leicester). Perhaps not the most relentlessly attacking (Ipswich). But certainly the most controlled, capable, intelligent side in the division. Possibly the hardest workers too.

[The Cat]

1 hour ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

There's no issue with people having criticised him throughout the season. He made plenty of mistakes but thankfully learned from them in the end and set us up absolutely brilliantly when it mattered.

However, what there is an issue with is the select few oddballs on here who had it in their mind from the off that it wasn't going to work out and spouting absolute shite whenever a result didn't go our way throughout the season. Some of the personal attacks on the bloke were fucking bizarre to say the least. 

Anyway, onto a huge summer for RM and I pray he doesn't fall into the trap of being a players manager in regards to loyalty. There's players who've played a good part who shouldn't be in the squad next year.

Fans are always going to criticise managers, that's pretty much a given whoever is in charge.

What got my back up was the over the top abuse, people calling him all sorts of names. There's nothing wrong with saying "I thought he should have played x or subbed x on earlier" or "we should play forward quicker" etc but it's utterly uncalled for to post some of the stuff people did.

Funny then that those who did will no doubt brush that off with a simple "maybe I was wrong" post. But that doesn't excuse some of the ridiculous name calling or banging on about his beliefs or lifestyle choices because they aren't the same as yours. 

[Wyn]

Congratulations on going up. I had a feeling he'd get the better of Farke, because he'd won the tactical battle betweern them previously, at Swansea. 

The similarities with his time at Swansea are remarkable. The latest being his ability to change things when the chips are down. Early Spring in his second season Swansea were just above the relegation zone and there was talk of him being sacked. He then switched from a back 3 to 4 at the back, played more direct, sacrificing some possession. Finished the season with 7 wins and 2 draws.

I think he'll do well for you next season, as long as he shows flexibility in his approach from the get go and you recruit wisely. A top half finish isn't inconceivable. 

On the recruitment side of things if a centre back is needed then Rodon will be available for around £15 million as he only has a year left at Spurs and they're looking to sell. He's had an excellent season at Leeds and is finally fulfilling his early potential at Swansea. I'm sure he'd like to join a possession-led side.

Good luck for next season. 

[notnowcato]

3 hours ago, Midfield_General said:

Absolutely this. I’ve been very frustrated with him at times this season but he has come through for us and he’s delivered. 

He’s also schooled Farke three times, home, away and at Wembley, which given their history I’m sure must have given him great satisfaction, although he’s been too classy to say so. 

I’ve also been really impressed how he’s handled himself over the last few weeks when the pressure has been on. He’s been the model of calm and has been a superb leader. His insistence on giving all the credit to the players and his staff reflects exceptionally well on him. He’s been a class act. 

He deserves every last plaudit for what he’s achieved this season, absolutely fair play to him. I hope we back him properly in the summer and I look forward to seeing what he can do in the Prem (hopefully with us not Brighton!)

Well done gaffer. 

Agreed. He also deserves our patience during the early stages of next season. He’s getting better and better, shown a real talent in building the foundations of our new identity and as someone has said he is a class act, on and off the pitch. 

[Midfield_General]

43 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Agreed. He also deserves our patience during the early stages of next season. He’s getting better and better, shown a real talent in building the foundations of our new identity and as someone has said he is a class act, on and off the pitch. 

It's been his tactical flexibility and his willingness to change to suit the occasion/ opposition over the last few weeks that I've found most refreshing. Earlier on in the season it didn't look like he had it in him, so I agree that I think we're seeing him grow and improve as a manager, and that's great. I'm still perplexed by the apparently blind loyalty to Baz, as the swap to McCarthy felt to me like such a pivotal piece of how we've got through the play-offs the way we have, and that was an enforced change, but that  conversation has been done to death and it's for another day. Right now I just want to bask in the feeling of winning and say well done to each and every one of the players and staff, as they all played their part in what will go down as one of the most memorable and enjoyable seasons in our entire history. 

[CSA96]

 

[JustinR]

I take it he didn't sleep much last night 😂

[Barsiem]

One thing that struck me when watching the extended highlights on Sky was a comment Don Goodman made about how three times we've played Leeds, (deservedly) beaten them three times, but in each game we had less possession.  Many on here have taken the p*ss out of Martin's obsession with possession football, but here's a clear indication that he's more pragmatic than perhaps he's given credit for.  We're going to need that in the PL

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 minutes ago, Barsiem said:

One thing that struck me when watching the extended highlights on Sky was a comment Don Goodman made about how three times we've played Leeds, (deservedly) beaten them three times, but in each game we had less possession.  Many on here have taken the p*ss out of Martin's obsession with possession football, but here's a clear indication that he's more pragmatic than perhaps he's given credit for.  We're going to need that in the PL

It seemed to be possession to move opponents, create spaces and incisively pass through them to create chances.

He's kept the create spaces for incisively pass through them to create chances, but more directly, allowing us to have a lot more defensive structure.

A lot of the first way has enabled us to be capable of doing it the second, when it was needed.

Martin could probably even claim it's all within his core philosophy.

[Wsaint]

1 hour ago, CSA96 said:

 

Don't share this, Kermitz will be raging.

[Dark Munster]

6 hours ago, Barsiem said:

One thing that struck me when watching the extended highlights on Sky was a comment Don Goodman made about how three times we've played Leeds, (deservedly) beaten them three times, but in each game we had less possession.  Many on here have taken the p*ss out of Martin's obsession with possession football, but here's a clear indication that he's more pragmatic than perhaps he's given credit for.  We're going to need that in the PL

Absolutely: Leicester 5 Saints 0 with 66% possession.

Compared to Leeds 1 Saints 2 and Leeds 0 Saints 1, both with about 43% possession.

Enough said.

But this interview worries me that he's itching to go back to his possession obsession:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crgg4kp6ly3o

Quote

"I know possession won't win you games," said Martin after his side's Wembley success.

"But it is a vehicle for us to give ourselves the best opportunity to show the best version of ourselves, I really believe that.

"If you win this way, to me it is the best way, not the right or wrong way but it's the best."

 

[gio1saints]

5 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

Absolutely: Leicester 5 Saints 0 with 66% possession.

Compared to Leeds 1 Saints 2 and Leeds 0 Saints 1, both with about 43% possession.

Enough said.

But this interview worries me that he's itching to go back to his possession obsession:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crgg4kp6ly3o

 

 

RM himself said that when they had a week to prepare the team we seemed to do better. 

Suggests that when it’s a quick turnaround he went into a default mode - Possession obsession mode if you like. 
 

At times that worked ( mostly against inferior teams and managers) other times especially later in season we looked predictable and any good team & good manager could work us out. 

The last four games he prepared match by match and he was VERY effective though. Saints possession obsession remained a fundamental part of it - but was not the be all and end all. 
 

Keep that approach, retain the best bit of our PB game and I’m sure he will, like Vincent Kompany, be managing a European giant in 25/26.😂