Russell Martin

[Harry_SFC]

Players like Edozie and Sulemena are struggling a bit with these tactics. We know Sulemena is lightning quick, and on most occasions beats his full back. Granted his crossing needs to improve but he generally just seem to be playing so deep.

The goal he scored at home to Liverpool last season would never happen under Martin because he'd be told to turn around and pass back. 

I've said before that I'm certainly not against a possession based style but I also think we need to mix it up a little. We have quick players in the forward areas, why not play to their strengths now and again? 

 

Edited 26 October, 2023 by Harry_SFC

[Dman]

53 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Players like Edozie and Sulemena are struggling a bit with these tactics. We know Sulemena is lightning quick, and on most occasions beats his full back. Granted his crossing needs to improve but he generally just seem to be playing so deep.

The goal he scored at home to Liverpool last season would never happen under Martin because he'd be told to turn around and pass back. 

I've said before that I'm certainly not against a possession based style but I also think we need to mix it up a little. We have quick players in the forward areas, why not play to their strengths now and again? 

 

If I recall correctly, when appointed, we were told that at Swansea, he had no 'decent' wingers and that he will here which'll improve his structure straight away. 

We've got really skillful, pacey and direct wingers who i'd fancy to win more 1 on 1 duals against fullbacks at this level, yet, they've largely looked completely ineffective. 

I want to see our 'wingers' playing higher up the pitch rather than in the build up. 

I think its why its worked so well when we've played charley up top, AA and Sully have played much higher and we've played to their strengths of attacking and running in behind. 

[notnowcato]

3 hours ago, egg said:

That's a long winded way of saying that you didn't see any improvements either. Thanks. 

Valuable insights, you're too kind

[notnowcato]

4 hours ago, saintant said:

Nor do I but in the absence of hearing anything different my point stands.

Well, not really 

[Galway saint]

RM says it will take time for the players to learn his style but he’s had over 200 games in his career and produced as many wins as defeats with a very poor defensive record. I’m not sure where this is all heading really. Last night we had 75% possession (!) yet played really badly and still conceded two goals. Does he want even more possession or less ? Does he even know ? We seem to have no idea what to do with possession other than keep possession. The main issue for me is the fact that we concede far too many goals but his teams have always done, so there’s no logical reason to think it will be different for the rest of the season 

[notnowcato]

38 minutes ago, Galway saint said:

RM says it will take time for the players to learn his style but he’s had over 200 games in his career and produced as many wins as defeats with a very poor defensive record. I’m not sure where this is all heading really. Last night we had 75% possession (!) yet played really badly and still conceded two goals. Does he want even more possession or less ? Does he even know ? We seem to have no idea what to do with possession other than keep possession. The main issue for me is the fact that we concede far too many goals but his teams have always done, so there’s no logical reason to think it will be different for the rest of the season 

Coming up against a low block of 5-4 is something we're going to need to find more solutions to.  Hopefully having a strong striker will give us more options.

[saintant]

5 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Coming up against a low block of 5-4 is something we're going to need to find more solutions to.  Hopefully having a strong striker will give us more options.

RM has been a manager for 4 years so you'd think he'd have gained enough experience to combat a low block. It's nothing new in the game.

[thesaint sfc]

It seems to me that we play up to the final third and then we're too scared to lose possession by trying to do anything clever. Our last few goals have come from people breaking out of this system and actually attacking. KWP is confident enough to get stuck in and do this and he's our most proficient attacking minded player at the moment. 

I've actually been pleased with Edozie - he didn't have a great game yesterday but he does at least try to attack sometimes. I think the passing it around system works up to a certain point but its discouraging a number of our attacking players from actually attacking at the moment.

[CB Fry]

7 hours ago, notnowcato said:

Leeds.  

It's a matter of opinion.  I like the passing, keep possession game, others don't.  Whatever floats your boat

Oh, I do too. I've really enjoyed watching Leicester this season.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

6 hours ago, bangkoksaint said:

We've some talented players which are being wasted IMHO. I've been to numerous games this season and it's dire. We're currently in the PO positions inspite of and not because of RM. Two moments of 'magic' last night, the rest of it was awful. Look at where Stoke are in the league, I think may be us in a couple of seasons - bereft of any decent players and just a mid table Championship side. It's this season or not at all and I am not sure that RM is the man to take us back to the promiosed land.

he isn't. and in any case, he most certainly is not the man to manage a team in the PL. They would be ripped apart

[Osvaldorama]

Pros:

- Good hair

- Likeable guy 

- Speaks well 

- Seems to have fostered some team spirit that we were missing 

- Has made some positive subs that have changed games 

Cons:

- Worst defence in the league

- Poor from set pieces (both ends)

- Boring, tedious football 

- System doesn’t bring the most out of any of our players. (We don’t have Xavi, Iniesta & Busquets in midfield)

- Not really seeing signs of progress yet 

 

Mitigating factors:

- Cheap skate owners sold most of our best players and replaced with budget, loans & dross. (Still have some PL quality players though)

- Has a big job turning the whole club around - we were a shit show  

Verdict:

Underperforming with the squad he has. This league is pretty poor and this team should be doing better. 
Think he deserves a bit more time but we really need to start seeing better performances. Some of the passing and moving the last couple of games was SO ponderous. 

[derry]

What really pisses me off is full backs and midfielders running into the wide space in front of Sulemana probably the quickest player in the league by a margin forcing him inside. If Martin knew anything about lightning quick players he'd know the space they need is wide between the halfway line and the corner flag so don't try overlaps or going wide leave it free instead make runs into the box. Our full backs should concentrate on disciplined defence. We'd soon see the benefit.

[Yorkshire Saint]

4 minutes ago, derry said:

What really pisses me off is full backs and midfielders running into the wide space in front of Sulemana probably the quickest player in the league by a margin forcing him inside. If Martin knew anything about lightning quick players he'd know the space they need is wide between the halfway line and the corner flag so don't try overlaps or going wide leave it free instead make runs into the box. Our full backs should concentrate on disciplined defence. We'd soon see the benefit.

There is no doubt Adam Armstrong especially makes a lot of good runs. But no one plays the early pass. 

[egg]

22 minutes ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

There is no doubt Adam Armstrong especially makes a lot of good runs. But no one plays the early pass. 

So AA is the modern day Tadanari Lee? 

[AlexLaw76]

Amazing fans think he is a good manager.

Has has a job above his station, quite clearly

[Charlie Wayman]

18 hours ago, Galway saint said:

RM says it will take time for the players to learn his style but he’s had over 200 games in his career and produced as many wins as defeats with a very poor defensive record. I’m not sure where this is all heading really. Last night we had 75% possession (!) yet played really badly and still conceded two goals. Does he want even more possession or less ? Does he even know ? We seem to have no idea what to do with possession other than keep possession. The main issue for me is the fact that we concede far too many goals but his teams have always done, so there’s no logical reason to think it will be different for the rest of the season 

Good summary and key questions. I don't think he knows where we go from here. His limitations are becoming more obvious by the match. Those expecting a sudden and dramatic transformation will be disappointed. Martin is no more than an average Championship manager and his single-mindedness is a severe handicap to further progression. Sooner or later the penny will drop with SR but their dilemma is how many more gambles can they make on relative unknowns if they decide to replace him.

[Toadhall Saint]

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

I like to have a scoot over opposition fans forums before/after we play them for their take on things, gives a bit of balance. What I have seen is many don’t rate and are pretty scathing of RM’s teams and tactics. Us included.

Watching the Preston game it was also clear the commentators were underwhelmed with our approach. It was called slow, vulnerable (ponderous passing across the back) and looking like we were treating it as a match on the training ground.

We desperately need to mix it up more.

[Saint_clark]

Patience, everyone.

[Dusic]

15 hours ago, derry said:

What really pisses me off is full backs and midfielders running into the wide space in front of Sulemana probably the quickest player in the league by a margin forcing him inside. If Martin knew anything about lightning quick players he'd know the space they need is wide between the halfway line and the corner flag so don't try overlaps or going wide leave it free instead make runs into the box. Our full backs should concentrate on disciplined defence. We'd soon see the benefit.

This post is just wrong.

He wants both the wide players (Sulemana and Arma in the main) to come inside because thats where they are a threat. Arma is up with the top scorers from this position largely because he is enabled to come inside by the fact KWP goes on the outside of him to provide the attacking width.

Sulemana they want running with the ball into the box, thats obvious based on every game so far where he has attacked the full back and ran towards goal, not stayed wide and put crosses in.

KWP is our best player and an excellent attacking RB so asking him to "concentrate on disciplined defence" would be an awful use of his skills.

Utter dross.

 

Edited 27 October, 2023 by Dusic

[AlexLaw76]

14 minutes ago, Dusic said:

This post is just wrong.

He wants both the wide players (Sulemana and Arma in the main) to come inside because thats where they are a threat. Arma is up with the top scorers from this position largely because he is enabled to come inside by the fact KWP goes on the outside of him to provide the attacking width.

Sulemana they want running with the ball into the box, thats obvious based on every game so far where he has attacked the full back and ran towards goal, not stayed wide and put crosses in.

KWP is our best player and an excellent attacking RB so asking him to "concentrate on disciplined defence" would be an awful use of his skills.

Utter dross.

 

you mean a couple of penalties and one deflected off his face?

[AlexLaw76]

I think everyone should calm down. We have the next great British manager.

Don't forget, it took Fergie 4 years to get it right...

 

and so on

[saintant]

43 minutes ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

I like to have a scoot over opposition fans forums before/after we play them for their take on things, gives a bit of balance. What I have seen is many don’t rate and are pretty scathing of RM’s teams and tactics. Us included.

Watching the Preston game it was also clear the commentators were underwhelmed with our approach. It was called slow, vulnerable (ponderous passing across the back) and looking like we were treating it as a match on the training ground.

We desperately need to mix it up more.

But it's soooooooo difficult to learn! Yeah, especially when the guys trying to to teach it don't appear to have a scooby. It's all smoke and mirrors designed to deflect from the fact that RM is a pretty average coach presiding over a team that plays uninspiring football and let's in far too many goals. But hey, let's keep saying the system is hard to learn. We should be seeing signs of improvement by now.

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, Dusic said:

This post is just wrong.

He wants both the wide players (Sulemana and Arma in the main) to come inside because thats where they are a threat. 

Sulemana they want running with the ball into the box, thats obvious based on every game so far where he has attacked the full back and ran towards goal, not stayed wide and put crosses in. 
 

 

What a load of old pony, I read some pony from Russball converts but this is a fucking field full of old ponies. 
 

The only time Suly looks dangerous is when he gets at the full back & gets to the byline, as he did Weds until Lego must have had a word with him. He was getting crosses in on my TV so I must have missed the “running “towards goal”.
 

Can you imagine SAF telling a young Ryan Giggs, get inside where’s its congested and that’ll leave a space for Gary Neville to over lap. FFS, there’s no point in playing Suly, Edozy or Frazier if theyre supposed to stay inside, might as well play 4 central midfielders. 

As for Armstrong being a “threat”, fuck me. Threat to my fucking sanity is about it. 

 

[Sunglasses Ron]

On 26/10/2023 at 09:36, SambaMaverick said:

We did beat Leeds 3-1 tbf, but I definitely take your point

Haha of course, how did I forget that! I think it's been so long that I'd given up hope that we'd ever do it again.

In that case, we've had some real progress lately, a win by a two goal margin and a clean sheet!

[notnowcato]

31 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

What a load of old pony, I read some pony from Russball converts but this is a fucking field full of old ponies. 
 

The only time Suly looks dangerous is when he gets at the full back & gets to the byline, as he did Weds until Lego must have had a word with him. He was getting crosses in on my TV so I must have missed the “running “towards goal”.
 

Can you imagine SAF telling a young Ryan Giggs, get inside where’s its congested and that’ll leave a space for Gary Neville to over lap. FFS, there’s no point in playing Suly, Edozy or Frazier if theyre supposed to stay inside, might as well play 4 central midfielders. 

As for Armstrong being a “threat”, fuck me. Threat to my fucking sanity is about it. 

 

Ignoring all the cliches... oh, nothing to respond to.

Not sure SAF would be telling RB Gary Neville to overlap LW Ryan Giggs - maybe there is something wrong with your TV.

[Lord Duckhunter]

If Lego leaves, there’s plenty of clubs that will be interested in him. That would buy into his tactics and management philosophy.

 

“There's Reading, Aldershot, Bracknell, Didcot, Yateley... … Winnersh."

Edited 27 October, 2023 by Lord Duckhunter

[Dig Dig]

This place has gone properly weird this season. 

[trousers]

37 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

If Lego leaves, there’s plenty of clubs that will be interested in him. That would buy into his tactics and management philosophy.

 

“There's Reading, Aldershot, Bracknell, Didcot, Yateley... … Winnersh."

Too Earley...?

Edited 27 October, 2023 by trousers

[derry]

4 hours ago, Dusic said:

This post is just wrong.

He wants both the wide players (Sulemana and Arma in the main) to come inside because thats where they are a threat. Arma is up with the top scorers from this position largely because he is enabled to come inside by the fact KWP goes on the outside of him to provide the attacking width.

Sulemana they want running with the ball into the box, thats obvious based on every game so far where he has attacked the full back and ran towards goal, not stayed wide and put crosses in.

KWP is our best player and an excellent attacking RB so asking him to "concentrate on disciplined defence" would be an awful use of his skills.

Utter dross.

 

I don't care what he wants but Sulemana coming inside against a massed defence is no faster than any other player running with the ball and is either crowded out or forced across the front of the defence. I once proved to a retired Olympic sprinter that was a good footballer and probably a lot quicker than Sulemana, that he was no quicker runnning with the ball and the only times he could use his pace was to run a defender onto a through pass or knock the ball into space and outpace the defender as Sulemana does when he has the room. Both our regular fullbacks are our biggest defensive weakness because of the space behind them. We don't create enough clear chances, score enough goals and concede far too many. All down to the way we play.

[Toadhall Saint]

1 minute ago, derry said:

I don't care what he wants but Sulemana coming inside against a massed defence is no faster than any other player running with the ball and is either crowded out or forced across the front of the defence. I once proved to a retired Olympic sprinter that was a good footballer and probably a lot quicker than Sulemana, that he was no quicker runnning with the ball and the only times he could use his pace was to run a defender onto a through pass or knock the ball into space and outpace the defender as Sulemana does when he has the room. Both our regular fullbacks are our biggest defensive weakness because of the space behind them. We don't create enough clear chances, score enough goals and concede far too many. All down to the way we play.

Bloke is an arse - my way or the high way - twat.

[CB Fry]

He just needs to remember he has achieved absolutely jack shit as a football manager.

13th with MK Dons and 9th with Swansea was not a track record deserving of the job he's got. 

He is incredibly lucky that the visionary/trendsetter/too clever by half SR leadership have landed on him as their third attempt at a managerial appointment.

Stop spouting off like you're gods gift to tactics and maybe start realising this teams potential.

[Harry_SFC]

11 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

He just needs to remember he has achieved absolutely jack shit as a football manager.

13th with MK Dons and 9th with Swansea was not a track record deserving of the job he's got. 

He is incredibly lucky that the visionary/trendsetter/too clever by half SR leadership have landed on him as their third attempt at a managerial appointment.

Stop spouting off like you're gods gift to tactics and maybe start realising this teams potential.

He is so defensive about these tactics. Almost as defensive as Nathan Jones, look how that turned out.

I wouldn't care if the tactics were working, if there were clear signs of improvement or if we were being unlucky in games. At least then he could back it up. 

[saintant]

1 hour ago, CB Fry said:

He just needs to remember he has achieved absolutely jack shit as a football manager.

13th with MK Dons and 9th with Swansea was not a track record deserving of the job he's got. 

He is incredibly lucky that the visionary/trendsetter/too clever by half SR leadership have landed on him as their third attempt at a managerial appointment.

Stop spouting off like you're gods gift to tactics and maybe start realising this teams potential.

Good young managers make a difference quickly and the ones with something about them soon stamp their style and personality on teams. Their methods bear fruit and their teams improve. For his whole time in management RM has continued to claim that his methods will work but are difficult to learn so time is needed. It's a bit of a con trick and when our owners eventually realise this he'll move on to another club and espouse the same ideologies. 

[Whitey Grandad]

On 26/10/2023 at 15:54, Galway saint said:

RM says it will take time for the players to learn his style but he’s had over 200 games in his career and produced as many wins as defeats with a very poor defensive record. I’m not sure where this is all heading really. Last night we had 75% possession (!) yet played really badly and still conceded two goals. Does he want even more possession or less ? Does he even know ? We seem to have no idea what to do with possession other than keep possession. The main issue for me is the fact that we concede far too many goals but his teams have always done, so there’s no logical reason to think it will be different for the rest of the season 

What you have to realise is that if we score a goal we lose possession. That cannot be allowed to happen.

[LGTL]

2 hours ago, CB Fry said:

He just needs to remember he has achieved absolutely jack shit as a football manager.

13th with MK Dons and 9th with Swansea was not a track record deserving of the job he's got. 

He is incredibly lucky that the visionary/trendsetter/too clever by half SR leadership have landed on him as their third attempt at a managerial appointment.

Stop spouting off like you're gods gift to tactics and maybe start realising this teams potential.

This in spades. It’s probably my biggest hate about him. It’s a sad fact for poor Russ that Nathan Jones has achieved more FFS. 

[Saint Matty 76]

I do find it a bit baffling how much people seem to dislike him on here.

Lots to be disappointed about so far this season but there definitely seems to be more "screw him" energy than hope and belief we can improve within this style, which I don't see why we can't. Miles of room for improvement and we're 1 point off 3rd, yet a large majority of people on here called people hoping for promotion crazy? 

His press conferences are a bit iffy but he's literally being asked the questions to warrant those responses, that's something that people seem to forget when we're just reading his words.

[saintant]

4 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

I do find it a bit baffling how much people seem to dislike him on here.

Lots to be disappointed about so far this season but there definitely seems to be more "screw him" energy than hope and belief we can improve within this style, which I don't see why we can't. Miles of room for improvement and we're 1 point off 3rd, yet a large majority of people on here called people hoping for promotion crazy? 

His press conferences are a bit iffy but he's literally being asked the questions to warrant those responses, that's something that people seem to forget when we're just reading his words.

I don't rate him doesn't mean I dislike him.

[Baird of the land]

Do find this modern i'll play my style and fail rather than adapt to the circumstances a really odd thing. On Monday night club they were talking about how Emery was a throwback in that he is a pragmatist without a set style across his various jobs.

Martin's football not only leaves me feeling devoid of much joy, which is one thing but it also doesn't feel like it is getting the most success out of the talent at the disposal and most of all i struggle to see how it can in any way translate successfully to the Premier League.

[Chewy]

1 hour ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

I do find it a bit baffling how much people seem to dislike him on here.

Lots to be disappointed about so far this season but there definitely seems to be more "screw him" energy than hope and belief we can improve within this style, which I don't see why we can't. Miles of room for improvement and we're 1 point off 3rd, yet a large majority of people on here called people hoping for promotion crazy? 

His press conferences are a bit iffy but he's literally being asked the questions to warrant those responses, that's something that people seem to forget when we're just reading his words.

I read it almost entirely the other way round, though. I think people were generally positive to begin with and becoming increasingly frustrated because we don’t seem to be improving in the key areas that are obvious to everyone except RM, coupled with the fact he’s talking defensively and patronisingly to us - it’s like Jones only more coherent. Most of us have watched an awful lot of football and know sh1t when we see it - so don’t BS us into saying we’re seeing real progress on our path to finding the magic bullet of footballing systems … because we aren’t and we can all see it.

The performance against Sheff We’d was still one of our best this season and despite the time he’s had (which he’s forever banging on about) we’re no better now. 
Yes I know there were different personnel available but we’re worse TACTICALLY now.

We looked dangerous out wide - got it wide quickly and regularly and had the wingers attack their full backs or cut inside and shoot. Why have we stopped that? We had midfielders move rather than just occupy a spot in a rigid formation - why have we stopped that?

All in all, I’m actually satisfied with our overall performance - we have crap defenders, strikers and keepers which is a problem if you can’t score and prevent opposition goals. Not RMs fault. 
But I’m really concerned that the insistence of worshipping at the alter of possession football is actually highlighting our deficiencies rather than playing to our strengths. 
Im not a stat man but our xg in relation to possession must be a huge negative (ie opposition get as many xg with 20% possession as we do with 80% sort of thing).
We are so overloaded and ponderous in midfield that we dominate possession without creating anything and whenever we do lose the ball we give the opposition a dangerous chance. 

It’s this issue which is staring all of us in the face every game and isn’t improving.

FWIW I think we need a solid midfield 2 to protect the defence, and allow the full backs to push on our wide, where they can support our wingers, the real strength of our squad. Add in an amc because- quite frankly- we barely have one striker worth a spot let alone 2. Wide quickly and early and with the wingers coming in narrow to support up front with full backs providing width. 
In terms of creativity we have Stu, Charlie, Ryan, Edozie, Kamaldeen and SAA - as much creativity as any squad in the division. Yet we create f all. Given our strikers need 700 chances per goal, this is our biggest issue and to circle this back, until RM sorts this issue which all of us can see, he’ll get an increasingly frustrated fan base.

There is and was no great clamour for him to fail from day one, and being foreign has nothing to do with it. Playing the wrong tactics for the players (good ones too) at his disposal and repeating the same mistakes is what is causing the current noise - nothing else.

 

Edited 27 October, 2023 by Chewy
Spelling

[Bad Wolf]

18 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

Do find this modern i'll play my style and fail rather than adapt to the circumstances a really odd thing. On Monday night club they were talking about how Emery was a throwback in that he is a pragmatist without a set style across his various jobs.

Martin's football not only leaves me feeling devoid of much joy, which is one thing but it also doesn't feel like it is getting the most success out of the talent at the disposal and most of all i struggle to see how it can in any way translate successfully to the Premier League.

It doesn't need to. We aren't there.

[saintant]

4 minutes ago, Chewy said:

I read it almost entirely the other way round, though. I think people were generally positive to begin with and becoming increasingly frustrated because we don’t seem to be improving in the key areas that are obvious to everyone except RM, coupled with the fact he’s talking defensively and patronisingly to us - it’s like Jones only less coherent. Most of us have watched an awful lot of football and know sh1t when we see it - so don’t BS us into saying we’re seeing real progress on our path to finding the magic bullet of footballing systems … because we aren’t and we can all see it.

The performance against Sheff We’d was still one of our best this season and despite the time he’s had (which he’s forever banging on about) we’re no better now. 
Yes I know there were different personnel available but we’re worse TACTICALLY now.

We looked dangerous out wide - got it wide quickly and regularly and had the wingers attack their full backs or cut inside and shoot. Why have we stopped that? We had midfielders move rather than just occupy a spot in a rigid formation - why have we stopped that?

All in all, I’m actually satisfied with our overall performance - we have crap defenders, strikers and keepers which is a problem if you can’t score and prevent opposition goals. Not RMs fault. 
But I’m really concerned that the insistence of worshipping at the alter of possession football is actually highlighting our deficiencies rather than playing to our strengths. 
Im not a stat man but our xg in relation to possession must be a huge negative (ie opposition get as many xg with 20% possession as we do with 80% sort of thing).
We are so overloaded and ponderous in midfield that we dominate possession without creating anything and whenever we do lose the ball we give the opposition a dangerous chance. 

It’s this issue which is staring all of us in the face every game and isn’t improving.

FWIW I think we need a solid midfield 2 to protect the defense, and allow the full backs to push on our wide, where they can support our wingers, the real strength of our squad. Add in an amc because- quite frankly- we barely have one striker worth a spot let alone 2. Wide quickly and early and with the wingers coming in narrow to support up front with full backs providing width. 
In terms of creativity we have Stu, Charlie, Ryan, Edozie, Kamaldeen and SAA - as much creativity as any squad in the division. Yet we create f all. Given our strikers need 700 chances per goal, this is our biggest issue and to circle this back, until RM sorts this issue which all of us can see, he’ll get an increasingly frustrated fan base.

There is and was bo great clamour for him to fail from day one, and being foreign has nothing to do with it. Playing the wrong tactics for the players (good ones too) at his disposal and repeating the same mistakes is what is causing the current noise - nothing else.

 

Many good points here.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

2 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

It doesn't need to. We aren't there.

And we won't be with him managing us.

But to go along with your argument... let's say he somehow managed to get us promoted. Do you really think he'd be sacked then? Of course he wouldn't. And then we would literally be getting raped every game in the Prem. Forget 9-0...we're talking more embarrassing than that. 

[Bad Wolf]

5 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

And we won't be with him managing us.

But to go along with your argument... let's say he somehow managed to get us promoted. Do you really think he'd be sacked then? Of course he wouldn't. And then we would literally be getting raped every game in the Prem. Forget 9-0...we're talking more embarrassing than that. 

Well THEN we can talk about transitioning it and mixing it up. The style of play is working. He's doing a good job. But we are the most difficult set of fans in the country to please bar maybe West Ham.

[The Kraken]

4 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

Well THEN we can talk about transitioning it and mixing it up. The style of play is working. He's doing a good job. But we are the most difficult set of fans in the country to please bar maybe West Ham.

I know you adore a straw man but please do talk me through how you’ve arrived at this one. Because you must have studied it in depth.
 

Looking forward to this.

[Bad Wolf]

6 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

I know you adore a straw man but please do talk me through how you’ve arrived at this one. Because you must have studied it in depth.
 

Looking forward to this.

Well nothing is ever good enough is it? Boo'ing an unlucky draw after two wins was a joke but not even remotely surprising.

[The Kraken]

Just now, Bad Wolf said:

Well nothing is ever good enough is it? Boo'ing an unlucky draw after two wins was a joke but not even remotely surprising.

And yet another straw man argument.

But anyway, is that the only reason why Saints fans are the second most difficult set of fans in the country to please? Is there a league table? Let’s call it the Bad Wolf table. Who is third? How often do the places move about?

 

 

[CSA96]

1 hour ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

I do find it a bit baffling how much people seem to dislike him on here.

Lots to be disappointed about so far this season but there definitely seems to be more "screw him" energy than hope and belief we can improve within this style, which I don't see why we can't. Miles of room for improvement and we're 1 point off 3rd, yet a large majority of people on here called people hoping for promotion crazy? 

His press conferences are a bit iffy but he's literally being asked the questions to warrant those responses, that's something that people seem to forget when we're just reading his words.

You and me both. The negativity of the past four seasons or so has turned large parts of this place into incredibly bitter and negative enclaves. Think it's a fair point on there being more 'screw him' energy than 'we're in a decent-to-good league position but haven't moved through the gears frequently enough yet' for some reason.

If we're so intolerably shit, yet are still 5th, unbeaten in five and still don't have our main summer signing (who happens to be a proven, prolific goalscorer) fit yet, then I can suck that up. And I feel like there has been improvement... but clearly plenty do not.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

3 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

Well nothing is ever good enough is it? Boo'ing an unlucky draw after two wins was a joke but not even remotely surprising.

 

Just now, The Kraken said:

And yet another straw man argument.

But anyway, is that the only reason why Saints fans are the second most difficult set of fans in the country to please? Is there a league table? Let’s call it the Bad Wolf table. Who is third? How often do the places move about?

 

 

Yeah but only West Ham and Saints fans would boo after drawing at home to Rotherham 🙂

 

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

12 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

You and me both. The negativity of the past four seasons or so has turned large parts of this place into incredibly bitter and negative enclaves. Think it's a fair point on there being more 'screw him' energy than 'we're in a decent-to-good league position but haven't moved through the gears frequently enough yet' for some reason.

If we're so intolerably shit, yet are still 5th, unbeaten in five and still don't have our main summer signing (who happens to be a proven, prolific goalscorer) fit yet, then I can suck that up. And I feel like there has been improvement... but clearly plenty do not.

Not going to insult you by asking if you have actually watched the games this season. I presume you have. On the whole, our football is dull and predictable. We are 5th because we are in a league which is a whole world removed from PL quality. Doesn't take much to do well. Look at Leics / Ipswich.

We have scraped numerous results in the last minute. We have not dominated many teams (oddly enough, we did dominate Leeds). 

Worst of all, we have kept only 1 clean sheet all season, which is just not acceptable. I followed the Ipswich game in midweek. They went 1-0 up and you just knew that was game over. We literally need to score 3 just to start believing we can get a draw.

There's a short window where we have a massive financial advantage over other teams in the league. We are wasting it.

 

Edited 27 October, 2023 by Golac's Cunning Stunts