imadirtyurchin

Now now. Play nice - no need for name calling.

I get the theory of building something over the long term - but what’s really the plan when we have an historic, record breakingly poor season (cos that’s where we are heading) and morale and support has completely tanked and the atmosphere is completely toxic - do they expect that it would all just turn around the following season for a promotion push with Martin in charge? There surely has to be some minimum targets that martin has to meet internally to stay in the job long term. Carte Blanche permission to fail this season in a way that doesn’t satisfy, and actively alienates the entire fanbase will undercut the “project” more than changing the manager. Surely?

I think on reflection one of my biggest frustrations, amongst many… other than not creating anything in an attacking sense with an urgency is the recurring pass we play into midfield after having the ball at the back.. we continually have the ball at the back and are being pressured (great, it’s creating space) but it’s near our goal… then the ball is passed under pressure into the midfield and it’s never to an obvious player just into space - then a midfielder will be running at pace towards our goal to receive a ball that’s slowing down but he’s closely tracked by a opponent who is also running at pace - but facing our goal. Our player can’t turn so he can only flick the ball left or right or pass back - it’s this next ball that is continually given away - and the press is all facing our goal, all running that way and our defenders are spread out and on the back foot from being pressed in the prior part of the move. it happens every game, and it’s so often leads to opposition chances - I think the triggers have been sussed cos martin “won’t change” - so what hope is there? very very symptomatic of what’s wrong at the moment.

A Martin Masterclass. Our goal shouldn’t have been disallowed… but we were struggling in midfield all game and showed a major lack of quality across the pitch. Fernandes probably gets the most credit but even he was let down with a poor final ball. Our attack was nonexistent and our goal threat was worse - Wolves are a very poor team but they look in another league to us when it comes to attacking play. Luckily we had 71 percent possession and were able to be defensively solid (despite conceding 2 more goals, lots more shots on target and near misses) /s. Basically, anyone who likes this system, in this iteration, with this team is a moron. He’s gotta go.

I am pleased and surprised to get 3 points. But martin is delusional - outstanding football today apparently. I saw a toothless side play slow football and flatter to deceive whilst conceding chance after chance to a relegation rival and be kept in it by our goalie. This wasn’t the vindication that martin seems to think.

More like 1-3 and 78%-22% and 6shots - 18shots but 900 passes - 200passes

This is the thing that gets me about this system - supposedly about control… but for all the possession and “the control” - we still concede way more goals than teams playing other way - without having a far superior attacking output as mitigation. Including to stoke reserves. Looking at the defensive stats last season and this season, and throughout martins’ career and it’s almost like the theory doesn’t really align with the results - it doesn’t work. This is my supreme frustration with playing this way - and having to hear about being brave and sticking with the process.

I don’t know if I would go that far that its the worst football by Saints ever - I’ve been supporting them over 30 odd years now and I’ve witnessed some shockers - even under good managers for us - losing (and travelling) to Rotherham mid-week away in the cup 1 - 0 and villa away one year without a shot the whole game to name two amongst many. The nadir loss of Forest at home under jones a particular lowlight - but it’s very very similar to Pelegrino’s borefests. Few goals/goal threat and turgid play. Even fewer clean sheets. Just a complete lack of excitement and conviction that it will ever change and we might get a convincing win. I’m no longer even dying from hope….

Any metric other than goals scored you mean?

All the possession - and we’ve barely had a shot in normal play. We needed a set piece and a dodgy penalty to score. But at least we’ll always have the possession

Classic martin-ball. All the possession, no real threat - cos it gets to the opposition final third and the players that have it most are our centre backs who shuffle it wide… and then receive it back whilst everyone else stands still being marked on the edge of the box. It’s so boring and I’m so over it. Oh, then we concede. But at least we have all the possession.

Just listened to the latest Press conference - basically said that the fans’ opinions are irrelevant - arrogant tosspot.

Easy on the eye?? 🤢 if thousands of backwards and sideways passes and not threatening their goal and then conceding possession and conceding a chance or a goal is your idea of a good time?! 😂 I get the philosophy. But it’s just not working and he’s lost. But yeah, we’ve bought championship quality - and that doesn’t help. but its just so boring atm.

I’m gonna say it. I’ve tried to be patient and fair plus understand what he’s trying to do - I acknowledge he did a pretty good job last year considering the train wreck he inherited (whilst noting our players were significantly superior to most of the league which helps.) but I want him gone. I don’t enjoy the football - there’s no goal threat, I understand the philosophy but it just doesn’t work and wont work in this league with the players we have. It’s too easy to play and score against. No, I have no idea who should come in. But I think he needs to go pretty soon.

I’ve just realised… any number 9 in the world in this team is pointless. Might as well go without and put an extra man where they will be involved… then it hit me - that’s why we play 3 at the back 😂 see im now on russ’ wavelength.

Brereton-Diaz has touched the ball about 5 times and given the ball away 4 times. (6 and 5 if you count dibling’s shot)

Feel a little sorry for Armstrong. Hes made a couple of good runs in the last few minutes and we’ve not played the pass and gone backwards.

Absolutely. But it doesn’t even seem that we sacrifice creativity for solidity. We have long periods of possession but get turned over multiple times every half and concede chance after chance to the opposition. So I wouldn’t say it’s worth it, or working.

It’s all possession and zero control of the game.

It’s just so boring and toothless. We don’t look like we even want to score let alone look likely. Another nil incoming. Unless we can actually have some shots…

Genius football from saints.

There was a chance just a couple of minutes ago to play a through ball in the final third to a midfield runner. Instead it goes backwards to the centre backs and then passed about slowly.

Just listening to the post match conference- I can’t believe (amongst many other things) that he thought archer played well?! What game was he watching??? also to get so pissy with Alfie’s question… Martin is so unlikeable at times

what I wouldn't give for saints to have a prime Beattie now - decent pace, great shot, physical presence, good in the air. decent goal scoring rate.... if a little bit streaky

I don’t know if I misunderstood. I just simply didn’t know 😂 so at an English club since 18 (continuously) except for loans I’m guessing.