Wolves 2-0 Saints - Match Thread

[Saint-Michael]

19 minutes ago, Football Special said:

This is true, keep sacking the managers but need to look at who is appointing them 

Spot on mate 

[Oldandtired]

43 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Martin made a comment at the end of his BBC presser saying “It is what it is”.

Interpret that as either he’s not arsed, he’s not concerned, he knows he’s inevitably going.

Or, gulp, come what may he knows he's staying

[derry]

All through the week we had a number of Martin style supporters trying to argue the science of the style I have long labled garbage. At either end of the pitch there is the only reason to play the game one you defend to stop the other team scoring and at the other you do your damnest to score. Endlessly recycling the ball five yards at a time mostly in one's own half is total nonsense. Today 71% possession and 9 shots 0 on target. That isn't football it's the absolute opposite. Probably 90% of our passing was worthless and led to the endless recycling. The team lacks shape and apart from the passing seemed to have no idea how to mount attacks and if they do it has taken us so long we are still facing the whole opposition closing us down. Onuachu and BBD come on but still no crosses into the penalty area. Multiple corners just aimlessly crossed. There seems an obsession with full backs running wide and leaving us open, we'd be better served with a back four that concentrated on defending and used attackers and midfielders to attack. Martin needs sacking but the knobs who advocate and condone this garbage probably won't.

[adrian lord]

3 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

I was at the game today. What I did note was that the outfield players only warmed up for 15 minutes on the turf. I know we lost FD pre KO. It just struck me as quite odd and a little unprofessional. The coach took as long putting out the cones

Fits with the languid play in games.

[OttawaSaint]

5 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

I was at the game today. What I did note was that the outfield players only warmed up for 15 minutes on the turf. I know we lost FD pre KO. It just struck me as quite odd and a little unprofessional. The coach took as long putting out the cones

Don't want to tire them out and this gives them more time to hear about Russ' vision...

[Badger]

12 minutes ago, OttawaSaint said:

Even Donald Trump has weighed in on Truth Social!

"Look, Southampton fans—I get it, you’re frustrated. You want results, you want wins, and I don’t blame you, okay? But Russell Martin? He’s doing big things with this possession style. Beautiful, controlled football. Now, I know a little something about winning, alright? Maybe mix it up a bit, throw in some quick counters—catch the opposition off guard, believe me, it works. But give Russell a chance! He’s got the ideas, he’s got the vision, and I know he can deliver. Stick with him. Great things are coming for Southampton, folks. You're gonna love it. Huge turnaround, I guarantee it."

 

I preferred it when he was reported to have said ‘stop the count, Southampton have already won the league’.

[derry]

I just wanted to check he had left Coventry but we could do a lot worse than Mark Robbins.

[OttawaSaint]

Just now, Badger said:

I preferred it when he was reported to have said ‘stop the count, Southampton have already won the league’.

From "stop the count" to "stop the cunt".

[Vancouver Saint]

Do you think SR are so committed to RM they have already accepted relegation and are building to dominate in the Championship next year?

Do you think they understand how naive that approach is? (If we have ambitions to be a competitive PL team).

If they do not change things this international break it will be too late for any new manager to get us to fourth worst team in the league.

I would like to see Graham Potter come in. Wishful thinking I know but...

 

[a1ex2001]

8 minutes ago, david in sweden said:

worst performance of the season ?  No shots on target, and most of the 71% possession was in our own half.

Many times we had the bad bounce of the ball, and Wolves were harder in the tackle, yet we got the yellow cards,

I wasn't encouraged to see several Wolves players... joking with the referee during injury pauses....and 

he didn't do us any favours either.    The upcoming fixtures are mostly against top 8 sides incl. Liverpool TWICE.

Needs a miracle of sorts now, so do we stick or twist with RM ?  I wouldn't want to be a new manager taking over

a team at the bottom who are already brainwashed into " Russ ball ",  and not scoring goals.  

Let’s face it dream team of lallana and the tea lady literally couldn’t do any worse!  We could get the fans to pick a team by online vote and just tell the players to give it a go and we couldn’t be worse, we could field the under 21’s and not be any worse!  Hell I’m almost dreaming of the great days of Nathan’s reign!

[Football Special]

2 minutes ago, Vancouver Saint said:

Do you think SR are so committed to RM they have already accepted relegation and are building to dominate in the Championship next year?

Do you think they understand how naive that approach is? (If we have ambitions to be a competitive PL team).

If they do not change things this international break it will be too late for any new manager to get us to fourth worst team in the league.

I would like to see Graham Potter come in. Wishful thinking I know but...

 

We're down mate, going to be a tough sell to get a decent manager to take on this project 

[a1ex2001]

8 minutes ago, derry said:

I just wanted to check he had left Coventry but we could do a lot worse than Mark Robbins.

That’s a good shout, he might actually take the job and he wouldn’t have to do much to show he is an improvement on Russ

[adrian lord]

Yes, we are almost certainly going down whoever we get in as manager, and while that will rule out any big names, an up-and-coming manager could take on the job knowing that if we go down he won’t be blamed and it could be an attractive project to get us up again swiftly and then stay in the Premier League. If they managed by some miracle to keep us up then even better. So it’s a win-win scenario for a young Turk.

Edited November 9 by adrian lord

[madge]

1 hour ago, terrym326 said:

Not much point in sacking Martin, it’s prob too late to attract a manager who will keep us up now. Potter would be mental to take over this shit show when better offers will come along (West Ham for instance). Moyes would really struggle with this squad as well, his style of keeping it tight that hitting the opposition on the break wouldn’t work. 
Really sad how far we have fallen in recent years. 

I just think a manager with a different playing style or the ability to change a style just gives us more of a chance… Nigel Adkins had more football nouse than Martin.. 

 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

2 minutes ago, adrian lord said:

Yes, we are almost certainly going down whoever we get in as manager, and while that will rule out any big names, an up-and-coming manager could take on the job knowing that if we go down he won’t be blamed and it could be an attractive project to get us up again swiftly and then stay in the Premier League. If they managed by some miracle to keep us up then even better. So it’s a win-win scenario for a young Turk.

Not really sure Turkish is that young to be fair. 

[a1ex2001]

15 minutes ago, madge said:

I just think a manager with a different playing style or the ability to change a style just gives us more of a chance… Nigel Adkins had more football nouse than Martin.. 

 

My Nan has more football nouse and she’s been in the ground a decade!  We went 2 down today so to save the game the manager sent on a right back (who should probably start every week) and a defensive midfielder (who looks about as good as the above mentioned nan) the man is fookin clueless!

[saintstowin]

I know it's not a scientific analysis but I honestly think the name Archer was mentioned once by the commentary team and that was in relation to how isolated he was rather than when he was involved. This is not a criticism of him but the system.

[Morse]

40 minutes ago, derry said:

All through the week we had a number of Martin style supporters trying to argue the science of the style I have long labled garbage. At either end of the pitch there is the only reason to play the game one you defend to stop the other team scoring and at the other you do your damnest to score. Endlessly recycling the ball five yards at a time mostly in one's own half is total nonsense. Today 71% possession and 9 shots 0 on target. That isn't football it's the absolute opposite. Probably 90% of our passing was worthless and led to the endless recycling. The team lacks shape and apart from the passing seemed to have no idea how to mount attacks and if they do it has taken us so long we are still facing the whole opposition closing us down. Onuachu and BBD come on but still no crosses into the penalty area. Multiple corners just aimlessly crossed. There seems an obsession with full backs running wide and leaving us open, we'd be better served with a back four that concentrated on defending and used attackers and midfielders to attack. Martin needs sacking but the knobs who advocate and condone this garbage probably won't.

On this subject, and until I get another three posts tomorrow, Derry speaks for me. 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, saintstowin said:

I know it's not a scientific analysis but I honestly think the name Archer was mentioned once by the commentary team and that was in relation to how isolated he was rather than when he was involved. This is not a criticism of him but the system.

Good post although your username is rather optimistic this season 😉

[SWLondon Saint]

37 minutes ago, derry said:

I just wanted to check he had left Coventry but we could do a lot worse than Mark Robbins.

Definite no, he'd be a disaster. His 2 main assistant coaches left over the summer and it's been a mess ever since. Don't think he gets the success of the last few years without his assistants.

[Doctoroncall]

33 minutes ago, a1ex2001 said:

Let’s face it dream team of lallana and the tea lady literally couldn’t do any worse!  We could get the fans to pick a team by online vote and just tell the players to give it a go and we couldn’t be worse, we could field the under 21’s and not be any worse!  Hell I’m almost dreaming of the great days of Nathan’s reign!

Was it Ebbsfleet that did team selection by online voting? Lasted a couple of seasons I think. All to raise much needed money as I recall. 

[saintant]

43 minutes ago, derry said:

All through the week we had a number of Martin style supporters trying to argue the science of the style I have long labled garbage. At either end of the pitch there is the only reason to play the game one you defend to stop the other team scoring and at the other you do your damnest to score. Endlessly recycling the ball five yards at a time mostly in one's own half is total nonsense. Today 71% possession and 9 shots 0 on target. That isn't football it's the absolute opposite. Probably 90% of our passing was worthless and led to the endless recycling. The team lacks shape and apart from the passing seemed to have no idea how to mount attacks and if they do it has taken us so long we are still facing the whole opposition closing us down. Onuachu and BBD come on but still no crosses into the penalty area. Multiple corners just aimlessly crossed. There seems an obsession with full backs running wide and leaving us open, we'd be better served with a back four that concentrated on defending and used attackers and midfielders to attack. Martin needs sacking but the knobs who advocate and condone this garbage probably won't.

Agree entirely. When you've proved beyond doubt that you are not as clever a coach as you think you are the sensible option is to strip it all down, keep it simple and go back to the basics. The time has come for Martin to admit he is not some maverick coach with radical ideas - if he was it would have become apparent long before now. The games up, he's been rumbled and needs to face facts.

[DT]

And O’Riley scoring for Brighton against City just rubs it in all the more. 

[Football Special]

Pep will be out of a job soon 

[Kenilworthy]

Saints were very, very poor against a terrible Wolves side, even when they were 1-0 up their fans were getting on their backs. But the refereeing was also corrupt. When Mike Dean says a VAR decision against us is wrong then you know it is wrong. But that was just part of it, we couldn't get a decision, and when bad fouls were awarded then the card didn't come it. And there were two clear fouls in the build up to their second goal that the referee had a clear view of but decided not to see.

[lambtiss]

2 hours ago, Jonnyboy said:

Hopefully not one with an AI Russ as one of the actors.

It would be the worse porn movie ever. Five hours of foreplay and then no orgasm. 

[lambtiss]

2 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Pep will be out of a job soon 

He could be RM's assistant so that he can REALLY learn straight from the master. 

[saintant]

Just now, Kenilworthy said:

Saints were very, very poor against a terrible Wolves side, even when they were 1-0 up their fans were getting on their backs. But the refereeing was also corrupt. When Mike Dean says a VAR decision against us is wrong then you know it is wrong. But that was just part of it, we couldn't get a decision, and when bad fouls were awarded then the card didn't come it. And there were two clear fouls in the build up to their second goal that the referee had a clear view of but decided not to see.

We can point to poor refereeing and bad luck as much as we want but it doesn't alter the fact that we are very poorly coached by a guy who is using us to try to re-invent the football wheel.

[lambtiss]

4 minutes ago, DT said:

And O’Riley scoring for Brighton against City just rubs it in all the more. 

Looks like Pep IS learning from RM

[JCBSaint]

Here’s an idea, goalkeeper stay in goal and save shots, kick it out when a goal kick or throw if anything is on, don’t be a sweeper ,  defenders defend, get tackles in, reset, don’t be playmakers , midfielders go forwards, yes forwards, not backwards to defenders , they defend, try passing to the forwards or wingers, wingers , receive the ball and run down the wing,, then cross it, strikers, try and get on the end of a cross. 
 

don’t make substitutions unless it will enhance the team 

anyone willing to give this a go? 
could be revolutionary! 

[saintant]

8 minutes ago, JCBSaint said:

Here’s an idea, goalkeeper stay in goal and save shots, kick it out when a goal kick or throw if anything is on, don’t be a sweeper ,  defenders defend, get tackles in, reset, don’t be playmakers , midfielders go forwards, yes forwards, not backwards to defenders , they defend, try passing to the forwards or wingers, wingers , receive the ball and run down the wing,, then cross it, strikers, try and get on the end of a cross. 
 

don’t make substitutions unless it will enhance the team 

anyone willing to give this a go? 
could be revolutionary! 

But surely this runs the risk of damaging our quite brilliant possession stats.

[bpsaint]

2 hours ago, SaintsBarry74 said:

Oh he’s learned something alright. Hasn’t won a game since shaking hands with the mighty Martin at full time against us.

[beatlesaint]

1 hour ago, Vancouver Saint said:

Do you think SR are so committed to RM they have already accepted relegation and are building to dominate in the Championship next year?

Do you think they understand how naive that approach is? (If we have ambitions to be a competitive PL team).

If they do not change things this international break it will be too late for any new manager to get us to fourth worst team in the league.

I would like to see Graham Potter come in. Wishful thinking I know but...

 

I don’t think they believed we would get promoted at the first go for a minute. I think that’s knocked them off their plan which was rebuild in the Championship then come back stronger. So going up meant they had to spend money and there’s a fair chance a fair few of those signings were lined up if we were in the Championship, ie - Wood, Edwards, Bereton-Diaz (probably), Sugawara, Fraser, Lallana (based on him being at the play-off final as a guest of the club). 
 

This season they’ll view as a financial bonus given parachute payments are re-set.

So I think they’ll stick with RM as they see him as the man who can build a team in the Championship and get us back up with a strong squad.

Edited November 9 by beatlesaint

[Football Special]

5 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Oh he’s learned something alright. Hasn’t won a game since shaking hands with the mighty Martin at full time against us.

They've both been figured out

[Jack]

I honestly believe that with this starting XI and squad, we’d do better by punting it to the opposition, sitting in a low block and trying to play on the break. 
 

Russell’s stupid obsession with slow possession, walking into the opposition half before creating nothing and getting done on the break, is killing us. 

[a1ex2001]

Just now, Jack said:

I honestly believe that with this starting XI and squad, we’d do better by punting it to the opposition, sitting in a low block and trying to play on the break. 
 

Russell’s stupid obsession with slow possession, walking into the opposition half before creating nothing and getting done on the break, is killing us. 

We wold be better off playing Bolton style hoof ball to tall Paul, I can barely think of any tactic that would be less effective than never attacking the opponents half let alone box!

[chivvy]

How many saves did Their keeper make today.. 

He needs to go.

[Turkish]

Why do people keep saying we have zero shots on target? FACT CHECK we did. We battered them in many ways. 

 

Edited November 9 by Turkish

[Toussaint]

1 minute ago, chivvy said:

How many saves did Their keeper make today.. 

He needs to go.

It’s not his fault we didn’t shoot at him, very harsh to make him redundant, I’m sure he’ll be required in the future when they play a team that shoots.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

Why do people keep saying we have zero shots on target? FACT CHECK we did

 

 It according to the BBC. So who’s right? And does it matter?

[Turkish]

Just now, Toussaint said:

It’s not his fault we didn’t shoot at him, very harsh to make him redundant, I’m sure he’ll be required in the future when they play a team that shoots.

We had more shots than them, more possession, completed more passes, created the same amount of clear cut chances. In many ways we were the real winners 

[Turkish]

Just now, Whitey Grandad said:

 It according to the BBC. So who’s right? And does it matter?

True, when you completely dominate possession and passes nothing else matters 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

4 minutes ago, Turkish said:

We had more shots than them, more possession, completed more passes, created the same amount of clear cut chances. In many ways we were the real winners 

So important to look at the underlying data. That's what separates the historic teams from the rudderless, knee jerk ones where it looks as though they can't get anything right.

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

So important to look at the underlying data. That's what separates the historic teams from the rudderless, knee jerk ones where it looks as though they can't get anything right.

Clearly the data shows there are only two issues to fix in the side, sticking the ball in the opposition goal and keeping it out of ours, other than that everything is really brilliant. 

[ecuk268]

6 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

 It according to the BBC. So who’s right? And does it matter?

I think that the argument is that as a foul was committed before the shot, the game stops at that point and what happens after doesn't count.

[Disco Stu]

10 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Why do people keep saying we have zero shots on target? FACT CHECK we did. We battered them in many ways. 

 

Why do the combined on and off target shots not equal the total shots for either side?

[Harry_SFC]

Just now, Disco Stu said:

Why do the combined on and off target shots not equal the total shots for either side?

I think they include blocked shots as part of the total shots.

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

Why do the combined on and off target shots not equal the total shots for either side?

We beat them at that too 👍

[JohnS]

2 hours ago, derry said:

All through the week we had a number of Martin style supporters trying to argue the science of the style I have long labled garbage. At either end of the pitch there is the only reason to play the game one you defend to stop the other team scoring and at the other you do your damnest to score. Endlessly recycling the ball five yards at a time mostly in one's own half is total nonsense. Today 71% possession and 9 shots 0 on target. That isn't football it's the absolute opposite. Probably 90% of our passing was worthless and led to the endless recycling. The team lacks shape and apart from the passing seemed to have no idea how to mount attacks and if they do it has taken us so long we are still facing the whole opposition closing us down. Onuachu and BBD come on but still no crosses into the penalty area. Multiple corners just aimlessly crossed. There seems an obsession with full backs running wide and leaving us open, we'd be better served with a back four that concentrated on defending and used attackers and midfielders to attack. Martin needs sacking but the knobs who advocate and condone this garbage probably won't.

Absolutely spot on!

Most frustrating & boring/pointless football week in week out - nothing ever changes

Talks a good game - that’s where it stops!  Get rid asap 

[SWLondon Saint]

This forums lack of an accepted sarcasm font is definitely causing some confusion 😏