Ivan Juric

[badgerx16]

17 hours ago, Farmer Saint said:

Archer isn't a player for a Martin system, .........

So why did we buy him ?

[notnowcato]

18 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

People need to calm down a bit. It was untenable for Lego to continue and it’s going to take more than 3 games to turn this round, particularly when the players don’t seem fit enough. 
 

Let’s see where we are after he’s managed a similar number of premier league games to Lego, as we can’t change manager again. 
 

 

Think I've found a glitch in the new release... 🤣

Joking aside you're right, unfair to judge Juric this early.  He does have top league experience.  Fitness maybe a thing.  I was at an FA Trophy game on Saturday so was fortunate to miss the shit show, on the extended highlights the obvious things missing to me were attitude and desire - that's a player's decision.

[Whitey Grandad]

13 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Think I've found a glitch in the new release... 🤣

Joking aside you're right, unfair to judge Juric this early.  He does have top league experience.  Fitness maybe a thing.  I was at an FA Trophy game on Saturday so was fortunate to miss the shit show, on the extended highlights the obvious things missing to me were attitude and desire - that's a player's decision.

But remember we are now ‘Freed from Desire’

[Tommy Mulgrew]

The SFC website lists 34 first team players.  Today, Ivan the Terrible said “… I have 17, 18 players, maybe more, who are competitive …”.

So half the squad seem to be of interest to him.  Just about sums it up really.  🤔 

I wonder which players are in the list and which are not.

[West end Saints]

He will do well to find 17/18 competitive at this level, I can't think of 5..Fernandes, Ramsdale, KWP, Dibling but not ready to be a regular starter....umm

Edited January 10 by West end Saints

[Dusic]

Quite noticeable in the press conferences so far that his English is very good but he chooses not to get drawn into lots of chat and just gives pretty direct and straightforward answers to the questions.

Certainly comes across as quite authoritative, but probably quite hard work for local media especially.

Intefesting the club havent really made much effort via their channels to build much rapport with supporters - I guess the situation is so bleak its possibly counterproductive.

Would be interesting to see how he would go about a season in the Champ where there would be some level of expectation - this job feels like a thankless free pass for him really, still quite suprised he took it after a short stint at Roma too.

[Andy Hill]

Feel sorry for him - did he not realise that the squad included the likes of Stephens, Smallbone, Armstrong and Fraser ?!

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

Got to say, he's already getting a tune out of Sulemana...which I for one thought was not possible.

In Martin's time, I can't think of one player who progressed under RM's management.

[Saint_clark]

3 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Got to say, he's already getting a tune out of Sulemana...which I for one thought was not possible.

In Martin's time, I can't think of one player who progressed under RM's management.

Tella progressed from a Championship winner to a Bundesliga winner TBF.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

25 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Tella progressed from a Championship winner to a Bundesliga winner TBF.

Which is true which also reinforces the point I was trying to make. There are players with potential in our squad. Tella improved because he left the club rather than because of RM. Charles left while RM was here and looks a better player. 

Who else is Juric going to bring on? Fernandes seems to be moving from the good to the exceptional bracket. 

[Pamplemousse]

5 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Got to say, he's already getting a tune out of Sulemana...which I for one thought was not possible.

In Martin's time, I can't think of one player who progressed under RM's management.

Dibling...?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

11 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Got to say, he's already getting a tune out of Sulemana...which I for one thought was not possible.

In Martin's time, I can't think of one player who progressed under RM's management.

The whole team learned to pass out under pressure, and looked much more confident in autonomic passing moves. Given the number of them that happened over the inevitable clangers.

In RussBall, Baz became an important base for defensive passing moves. Smallbone progressed in every part of his game. KWP was given a lot of licence to pick up other forward roles. AA recovered his form. Downes became a key player.

All this was in the Championship, and none of it transferred back to the PL. But, those were some improvements on what came down last time.

[AlexLaw76]

I do wonder of Charly Alcarz would have suited this manager....

[Charlie Wayman]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I do wonder of Charly Alcarz would have suited this manager....

Fair point.

[Dusic]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I do wonder of Charly Alcarz would have suited this manager....

He would be more suited to this style but we effectively swapped him for Fernandes who is miles better (and will surely turn a big profit in the summer).

Fernandes our best signing for many years IMO.

[Saint_clark]

1 hour ago, Dusic said:

He would be more suited to this style but we effectively swapped him for Fernandes who is miles better (and will surely turn a big profit in the summer).

Fernandes our best signing for many years IMO.

Fernandes had already signed hadn't he, I thought we sold Alcaraz to fund Ramsdale. 

[Wsaint]

1 hour ago, Saint_clark said:

Fernandes had already signed hadn't he, I thought we sold Alcaraz to fund Ramsdale. 

I think he means swapped as in fernandes fills that alcaraz role in the team.

[Chez]

On 18/01/2025 at 09:38, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Got to say, he's already getting a tune out of Sulemana...which I for one thought was not possible.

In Martin's time, I can't think of one player who progressed under RM's management.

Playing at a lower level makes it hard to assess what his impact was, but Armstrong was rock bottom when RM joined and was absolutely flying by the end of the championship season. He eventually got a tune out of Aribo too. Downes got better and better as the season went on. RM created an environment that allowed quite a few players to thrive like Smallbone. In contrast, going up and losing games makes it hard to assess whether individuals are `improving' as players. 

 

 

[Maggie May]

On 27/12/2024 at 18:40, Maggie May said:

Sadly, he’s going to finish on the same win, lose and draw ratio as Russell Martin. 
 

Palace are going to hammer us. 

I told you. Even worse than I expected.

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

I told you. Even worse than I expected.

You sound pleased 

[Saint1963]

11 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

I told you. Even worse than I expected.

Give yourself a pat on the back prick 

[FarehamSaintJames]

Juric out. 😂

[Wsaint]

50 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Juric out. 😂

FarehamSaintJames out

[Harry_SFC]

2 hours ago, Maggie May said:

I told you. Even worse than I expected.

I refuse to believe this guy is a bad coach. 

You can question some of his selections but I guess he's giving players chances, some have taken them and some haven't. 

The players that Russell couldn't get a tune out of are now showing up. I'd imagine he's given the squad a kick up the arse but a number of them don't like it. 

However I am frustrated that he continues playing KWP on the wrong side. 

 

[Dusic]

Results poor but I think Juric has at least sussed out most of our players, and knows what our issues are - intensity has improved and at least he is honest with supporters.

He just doesn't really have the players to solve them - as would have been the case whoever had been appointed.

It will be interesting in another 10 or so games to assess the liklihood of him still being in charge come August.

Edited January 19 by Dusic

[Lord Duckhunter]

23 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

You can question some of his selections but I guess he's giving players chances, some have taken them and some haven't. 

This actually gives me hope he’s staying long term, he’s not an idiot, he knew we were down when he arrived. I’m hoping hes looking at the situation and deciding who he wants and who he doesn’t next season. One thing for sure, the only way he’ll get to manage in the premier league again is to take us back up. 

[trousers]

2 hours ago, Maggie May said:

I told you

 

[Galway saint]

Early days but I think he’s doing ok. Yes we are obviously still shit but feels like we are less shit then we were and with the exception of the Brentford game we are more competitive and the football has a purpose. However when you concede as many as we do then it’s tough to win a game and the attack we started with is hopeless in this league.

[HarvSFC]

Key quote from today - "If you're good in the Championship, it doesn't mean you're good in the Premier League."

If only the decision makers realised this in the summer when they decided to give Adam Armstrong a new contract, instead of selling him when his stock was high. Contracts to McCarthy and Fraser too, while persisting with Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek at the back. All of which have struggled in the Premier League previously. Rewarding a team for finishing 4th in the Championship.

The Downes and Harwood-Bellis drop offs were at least surprising.

[Fabrice29]

He’s doing fine. The perception is things are improving even if the reality is the same results. He isn’t the problem. Mistakes, capitulations and lack of goals are all things that transcend managers and tactics.

[Whitey Grandad]

7 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

He’s doing fine. The perception is things are improving even if the reality is the same results. He isn’t the problem. Mistakes, capitulations and lack of goals are all things that transcend managers and tactics.

Style of play is what changes . The rest follows later.

[FarehamSaintJames]

He’s doing as good as can be possible in his situation.

Inherit a team so clearly devoid of confidence or ability for the Premier League. His job probably includes trimming the wage bill down whilst only bringing in players SR have already found on their little spreadsheets.

He can leave at the end of the season if he wants a couple of million pound richer.

The only thing that frustrates me a little as the five man defence. There’s no benefit in this, we still ship a ton of goals but limit or attacking intent to counter attacks. Surely it makes more sense to put another attacking player forward than waste them defensively?

[Turkish]

I’m going to arrogantly give him my stamp of approval too. He’s taken over a group of largely poor players, not fit enough for the level they’re playing at, with scar tissue from Russball days. His said the right things, seems to be address the key areas. It’s not like his come into a good group who had down tools, he’s trying to turn around a battle ship with an oar. 

 

Edited January 20 by Turkish

[Patrick Bateman]

9 hours ago, HarvSFC said:

Key quote from today - "If you're good in the Championship, it doesn't mean you're good in the Premier League."

If only the decision makers realised this in the summer when they decided to give Adam Armstrong a new contract, instead of selling him when his stock was high. Contracts to McCarthy and Fraser too, while persisting with Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek at the back. All of which have struggled in the Premier League previously. Rewarding a team for finishing 4th in the Championship.

The Downes and Harwood-Bellis drop offs were at least surprising.

Agreed - especially the bottom bit, but as we've already said somewhere on here, Harwood-Bellis needs a properly decent, experienced pro alongside him to learn from. Plenty of good centre backs near the end of their career we could've signed instead of trying to find the next best kid to sell for loads of money.  He's still young and another year in the Championship with us will only help I'm sure. 

Juric seems decent, I like most of the football I've seen, it's definitely been far more entertaining to watch, with more energy and busting a gut.  The players will be a much fitter, leaner machine by the end of the season, hopefully going into the Championship in better shape.  (I'd keep Armstrong too for next year though) 

[Colinjb]

7 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

Harwood-Bellis needs a properly decent, experienced pro alongside him to learn from.

I fear the powers that be saw Stephens and Bednarek as fitting that description.

[Miltonaggro]

2 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Style of play is what changes . The rest follows later.

In a nutshell!

[danjosaint]

Just need to bin off 5atb, doesn't work and won't work, to much riding on your 2 cms , which ours arnt good enough, funny enough Amorim plays the same and look how their doing and that's with cms a damn site better than ours, may work in serie A/Portugal ie slower leagues but not epl 

Edited January 20 by danjosaint

[OldNick]

On 18/01/2025 at 13:27, Saint_clark said:

Tella progressed from a Championship winner to a Bundesliga winner TBF.

Yes but that was under the Bayern Munich manager, he only played about 4 times under RM

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

I’m going to arrogantly give him my stamp of approval too. He’s taken over a group of largely poor players, not fit enough for the level they’re playing at, with scar tissue from Russball days. His said the right things, seems to be address the key areas. It’s not like his come into a good group who had down tools, he’s trying to turn around a battle ship with an oar. 

 

I cant be bothered to make a stamp but I also like the way he is doing things. I did hear early on he had ruffled a few feathers and some havent taken to him. I suspect it was the RM darlings

[Dirkdiggler]

7 minutes ago, OldNick said:

I cant be bothered to make a stamp but I also like the way he is doing things. I did hear early on he had ruffled a few feathers and some havent taken to him. I suspect it was the RM darlings

Would suspect that’ll be 

Downes

Wee man 

TBH

Manning 

Stephens 

??

[CylonKing]

3 minutes ago, Dirkdiggler said:

Would suspect that’ll be 

Manning 

Disagree, from what little I've seen of Manning play, he seems to be improving and has been pretty decent since Juric came in. Think he is a decent professional and is stepping up. Bree also seems to be playing at a higher level.

[Morse]

Obviously it's going to take time, but I think by the end of the season we're going to be unrecognisable from the team RM left in December, fitter, smarter and better organised; which I think will be enough to avoid any unwanted records this season and get us off to a good start in the Championship. I have faith in IJ. 

[Turkish]

13 minutes ago, OldNick said:

I cant be bothered to make a stamp but I also like the way he is doing things. I did hear early on he had ruffled a few feathers and some havent taken to him. I suspect it was the RM darlings

good, feathers needed ruffling, it was all a bit cringe the way Martin used to great and hug players "Breezy" i know he's quite a decent looking fella and not exactly David Brent but it felt a bit like that. 

As for the stamp, it's worth doing one so you can confirm you approve. 

[OldNick]

Just now, Turkish said:

good, feathers needed ruffling, it was all a bit cringe the way Martin used to great and hug players "Breezy" i know he's quite a decent looking fella and not exactly David Brent but it felt a bit like that. 

As for the stamp, it's worth doing one so you can confirm you approve. 

Fair point. I will work on the stamp. 

[Miltonaggro]

I think if we had brought Juric in when we went for Jones that we would be in a very different place as a club now.  Essentially, Saints are a mid-sized Premier League club and unless we get a huge injection of money it's always going to be about finding a way to consolidate, become hard to beat and then compete, Juric provides those attributes.  If we can become a Torino we can dream about becoming an Atalanta with that kind of set up.  It's obvious to most that he was brought in far too late to turn the oil-tanker around, but he's assessing the motley crew and we look so much better already - without any additions!  Personally, I really hope that he stays after relegation and keeps most of the players he wants from the current squad.  If Dragan backs him at that point we might just tear the Championship a new one and return to the Premiership a very different club in 2026.     

[OldNick]

8 minutes ago, Turkish said:

good, feathers needed ruffling, it was all a bit cringe the way Martin used to great and hug players "Breezy" i know he's quite a decent looking fella and not exactly David Brent but it felt a bit like that. 

As for the stamp, it's worth doing one so you can confirm you approve. 

I have used my top art design people to draw this up. Note the serrated edge

[Charlie Wayman]

21 minutes ago, Dirkdiggler said:

Would suspect that’ll be 

Downes

Wee man 

TBH

Manning 

Stephens 

??

Bit arbitrary since neither you nor I know anything about what goes on at Staplewood. Guess these are your least favourite palyers so chance to stick the knife in.

[saintant]

42 minutes ago, OldNick said:

I cant be bothered to make a stamp but I also like the way he is doing things. I did hear early on he had ruffled a few feathers and some havent taken to him. I suspect it was the RM darlings

They had that coming. No more best buddy with players and rightly so. RM treated the players like his best mates and the training ground like a place to have a laugh. Juric will soon make his mind up who is with him and those that aren't can do one. The days of being told they're so brave are over so some home truths might come as a shock but the little flowers are paid a lot of money and need to start earning it.

[Turkish]

41 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

I think if we had brought Juric in when we went for Jones that we would be in a very different place as a club now.  Essentially, Saints are a mid-sized Premier League club and unless we get a huge injection of money it's always going to be about finding a way to consolidate, become hard to beat and then compete, Juric provides those attributes.  If we can become a Torino we can dream about becoming an Atalanta with that kind of set up.  It's obvious to most that he was brought in far too late to turn the oil-tanker around, but he's assessing the motley crew and we look so much better already - without any additions!  Personally, I really hope that he stays after relegation and keeps most of the players he wants from the current squad.  If Dragan backs him at that point we might just tear the Championship a new one and return to the Premiership a very different club in 2026.     

We are one of about 20 clubs that if we get it right can challenge for the top 6 if we get a lot wrong we can end up in league one. 
 

Martin came up with his whiteboard idealistic “philosophy” which might work when you’re in the championship with top players but ain’t going to work in the premier league with inferior players. Trying to execute a perfect philosophy in a sport that is chaotic is never going to work 

Edited January 20 by Turkish

[Convict Colony]

Guy we only go 5 at the back when we dont have the ball.

I like Juric and think we will continue to get better over the coming games, am expecting a good Feb/Mar as fitness improves and he knows who he can "trust"