Miltonaggro

Over the past decade in the Prem our quartet of best managers for most would be Pochettino, Koeman, Puel (I know...), and Hassenhutl. In each case these names weren't on the fans shortlists or media radar but they all had potential or pedigree. You would think that in a multi-million pound business overseen by a billionaire chairman that reach and ambition would stretch further than Jones, Selles, and Martin.

It is indeed strange. There were some who were disappointed that the lunatic Jones was sacked, seeing him as a long-term appointment to bring us back up from the Championship. This was when we'd been a PL club for getting on for 12 years.

Demonic?

Agree with this. When we sacked Hughes December 2018 we were in 18th place, 14 played and 9 points. Replaced by Hassenhutl, the RB Leipzeig manager who has just finished second and sixth in consecutive seasons in the Bundesliga, recently resigned because he wasn't prepared to keep the seat warm for Nagelsman. Instant improvement with the same side - RH achieved 30 points in 24 games. That's the kind of galvanising calibre (players and fans) we need now if Martin cannot turn things around tout suite.

Probably, but not sure why given Martin's record he would have ever been on Wilcox's radar before the spring of 2023. Viera was available too at that time and I fancied him to come in via Wilcox's influence, Martin certainly felt left-field and a compromise.

SR has overall responsibility for appointments of course, and if Wilcox's had a man it was probably his colleague Maresca who turned us down.

If the trigger is pulled on Martin this season it will undoubtedly be another Sport Republic 'The Football League's Got Talent' masterclass. Further avoidable masochism.

I think this is his realistic target, the European Golden Shoe and a lucrative move to Real Madrid or Wolves. For now, I wish we were Torino.

Excellent evaluative analysis, but I have empirical evidence that these days Russ's beard smells of Sushi.

Just idle speculation, nothing more. The rule of thumb with the Sport Republic methodology is 'fuck knows'...

I am very happy with this, as long as he remains in the dressing room.

To be honest I can't see us sacking Martin unless we are well adrift, and even then I wouldn't be overly surprised if this Board are prepared to be relegated with him with an assumption that promotion from the Championship is relatively easy. But, my guess is that it fundamentally depends on how Solak is viewing things - once again it's his loot on the line. I wouldn't be averse to Moyes to steady the club, and would bet on him to keep this squad up. He has always focussed on getting a tune out of what he has at his disposal, a practical adaptive manager, and very able tactically. Of the other names mentioned, like many others on here I think that Potter is made for us, but doubt he will have any interest in taking on the job, particularly whilst he is on the Chelsea pay off. Further afield in terms of who is available, Joachim Low (unlikely but previously at Frieberg, a similar sized club to Saints prior to the Germany job), Xavi (Le Tiss number one fan and assuming we want to retain and refine the tippy tappy, I am fucking joking), slightly more realistically in terms of a statement appointment Roger Schmidt (relieved of duties at Benfica two weeks ago), and the Croatian double of Edin Terzic or Niko Kovac (always liked Kovac). However, in reality, should we part ways with Russ, there is a very good chance we go left-field again, and look to recruit a limited coach from a lower division who might be malleable and mouldable into a world beater. I don't think that certain members of this Board are comfortable hiring people who clearly know more about the high level game than they do.

Shocking. Gary Shaw always seemed a babyface from that era, forever young to some of us. Classy player in a team packed with talent and ability that, like Forest, gave Saints hope and encouragement in terms of what could be achieved at a provincial club. Cowans and Morley pulling the strings and Shaw playing and poaching off Peter Withe (who was the epitome of an 'English centre forward). Remember Rimmer always engaged in good natured banter with the Saints crowd, again a top player in a likeable team. Given Gary Shaw's relatively young age and apparent good health this must have been a head injury, and clearly unexpected, so all strength and condolences to his family who must be in pieces. Forever a Villa legend.

I think Martin sees a lot of himself as a player in Stephens, similar attributes and ceiling.

Carling shandy man

As someone said last year, if we had just signed a 28 year old CB with 150 odd Premier League appearances and 62 caps for Poland (FIFA rank 26) on a free, most of us would feel it was very good business. We need a cohort of centre backs in this league in terms of adapting formation and better the devil you know given our current standing - he gets picked ahead of Jack Shoehorn every time for me. Good news and best of luck Janny B!

Really liked Burley as a player in that great Ipswich side and he had a solid CV as a manager before joining Saints, including getting Ipswich to fifth in the Prem and the UEFA Cup (PL Manager of the season 2001). Sketchy on a limited budget at Saints 2005-2008 and some personal issues apparently, but some way off our former Saints' managers shit list. I sincerely hope George recovers his health and beats that bastard disease.

Spot on. Always think a good analogy is cash flow and profit in business.

Prince Albert.

I meant Dragan, however it’s framed it’s his investment and loss. The Board overall along with Martin are attempting to learn on the hoof, and some in senior positions are clearly chancers to everyone but the owner. They appear daft enough to think if we are relegated we come straight back up again. Cortese and Adkins provide the best comparators to the current decision making on and off the park.

I think at the very end of last season Martin kept his job because he was flexible and pragmatic in the play off semi and the final, both in system and selection. When it mattered. You would assume that as the pressure ramps up in this unforgiving league that despite his rhetoric he will have to adapt again, but who knows. I genuinely feel at this point SR would rather get relegated with him, than sack him, despite their commendable investment in this window.

At the very least the minty little runt has the same breath as a fucking badger.

This signing keeps us up and allows us to build back to being a top ten club. That important. Credit to Martin and the Board.

Lest we forget - get it done Dragan: