gio1saints

I think Scotland cutting off their nose to spite their face not picking wee man. Picked two injured Saints players already a risk but then add a kid in his place who has not played since December but is a Liverpool player instead plus compounded by they got massive injuries at wing backs which is what Ryan can play and has shown he can play well. Stupid decision imo.

Oh- and btw, you cannot adapt and evolve what you do not have. Martin and his team created ( or more accurately adopted) the PB style in pre season and it had to be learned from lesson one page one. By everyone. Was not just a little change in how we play. It was throw away all we did last year and start afresh. Not enough credit given for the coaching achievement , in that context, imo.

Same for every other team tbf in our league but your point is well made. Given a little bit more than one day to prepare his team for the next match Russell and players have shown what appeared to be questionable ability to winningly adapt and adjust the PB style - against strong opponents - and under max pressure too.

Football management thinking must always evolve. What worked last match will be studied and counter-tactics created by other Managers. Variations of the PB game are rife in the world leagues including of course Saints. It took most teams until about the end of our unbeaten run to finally have enough data to work out exactly how to counter Saints and RM’s record breaking style of play. And counter it they did making RM and his team look like they were stuck in time doing the same things that only a month or two earlier were heralded as amazing & record breaking. Fast forward to the playoffs and of interest is the playoffs have seen a seismic shift in Martins approach. Previously Saints had a highly predictable PB bible and play style (boring and mindless for some) that ultimately got “ found out”. For the Last match v Leeds and the play offs to date though it’s different. RM has prepared our teams very specifically the last three and his tactics and approaches have shown he IS able to ( winningly) adapt and adjust the PB style. His players also. That must be clear to even the most avid Martin haters on here. Each match of Leeds away, WBA away and at home have been coaching master classes. Those who feel he is not up to coaching better than this season with these players if we go up may be right - but I’d be one to say he deserves the chance to show he can adapt to EPL if we do go up - and would 100% want him to stay and win the Championship for us next season if we don’t.

Dyche and Moyes are like peas in a pod. Souness and Roy Hodgson were same also.Play the players you have in their best positions. Pep, Arteta, Bielsa, early Has, Poch, De Zerbi, that Aussie guy at spurs, Kompany - and our very own RM are more the brand value type of managers. Play this particular style of football first and foremost. Do not care if it doesn’t suit you- change or leave/get sold. Managers who start off with strong values but then dilute them become anonymous if they lose. And unemployed. Managers with strong values who do not dilute them when they lose can become notorious. That’s better than anonymous. If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything so the saying goes. And those guys can still get jobs accordingly. Despite and even if they lose. That Vincent Kompany is in with a shout of the Bayern job despite that Burnley shitshow this season shows it in a nutshell.

Had a nitemare with JustPark few weeks ago went to see Bruce in Cardiff. The app said it was 1.6miles away so I thought fair enough that was the nearest parking I could find. Except that was as the crow flies across an effing river and I was parked in the dodgiest council estate that made fratton look salubrious. The driveway owner looked like a cross between a heroin dealer and a scabby pro plus Getting back late at night in the dark expecting to be mugged any second was not a nice thought although that did not dampen the euphoria of the brilliant Bruce doing his stuff once again. And the stadium under cover is a fantastic music venue btw. But getting back was awful. Booked a hotel in Bristol tired and needing to wash at 00.40 and they said the boilers broken no hot water. Got the room and Brek free though so guess not all bad. Even the cold shower was alright.

It’s an interesting discussion. I think it just reinforces the increasing importance of “ brand value” perhaps sometimes ( or often) over the actual football. in business a company brand value can be 80% or more of their open market sale value. Bayern Munich under Kompany would not likely lose much brand value even if they lost matches. If they employed Fat Sam though they would probably lose brand value even if they lost fewer matches. It’s obviously bizarre incomprehensible and extremely regrettable to football traditionalists- but it is the way of the world today.. It’s why managers who represent a certain brand ( or style if yiu like) of play appear reluctant to change tactics if it goes wrong. So much money is at stake all off the pitch.

Got my ticket for Block 142 safe standing just now and it says enter via Red Zone Entrance M. Anybody know where that is in relation to the the coach park? ( yes I’m travelling with the official Saints bingo buses - got my marker pen sharpened my blankie freshly laundered ( for my knees it’s quite a trip ) polished my slippers, gave the thermos and sandwich box a good clean up so I’m all practically sorted, just must remember to take my medications and a beanie hat as it might be a bit chilly out there. And my throat lozenges of course - Two packs - plus some paracetamol for the sore throat and headache that I will have. Oh and must not forget the ticket so it’s on the lobby mantelpiece in my house if I forget it can somebody remind me that’s where it is. 😄

Don’t we still hold the record for most single club team support at Wembley ? ( the JPT?)

Arguably the most important match in Saints history. Certainly the most financially important.

Alex has looked fresh like he should do having not played all season. Mentally fresh, physically fresh. The toll of having to be available to play out from your six yard box - and the price of even a slight mistake being a goal conceded- is not to be underestimated. Alex has had none of that. The young Baz this season - probably too much. If I was part of the Saints management team analysing our season- long performance I think I’d put this into the post-mortem. And address it for next season. The mental stress of playing the way RM wants his GK to play is higher than that on a standard keeper, imo. And it lends weight to the physical stress too with higher probability to get weird injuries exactly like what happened with Gav. IMO of course. And it’s cumulative over the season. The likelihood of the GK having a “ breakdown” of sorts or just a series of “how did that happen “ moments failing to stop a basic shot or passing straight to the opponent must subsequently be higher longer season goes on. I would address it by greater use of the back up goalies. This season coming up wether it’s EPL or still in the Championship, if we continue to play in the same way then the GK need to be rotated more. IMO of course. Which then lends itself to the suggestion of joint #1 goalies who week by week get picked like every other player does based on performance - rather than just the one and the other two only play cup.

For those of you who feel he’s just an arrogant so and so only interested in his hair style or hipster ways you may be surprised to know that there’s another side to him if you check out what the ( very successful) Foundation he set up in 2017 does. Sometimes, if you wish to learn about the ( sometimes obscured or hidden) character and motives of a man it can help look at what he does away from “ work” sometimes as much if not more so than what he says or does at “ work”. https://www.russellmartinfoundation.co.uk

Glad I managed to get my place in the standing area. Should be some atmosphere and good practice for next seasons Northam Wall - indeed it might be considered its first outing in a funny kind of way.

I think Alex will leave too. But I also think our new keeper will not be a #2.I think our best value option is the Rotherham keeper. He is an excellent shot stopper and I think he can kick it a bit too so everyone’s happy. 😁3 way competition for places- or not if Lumley gets hacked off at that. Can’t see Baz voluntarily leaving. A straight swop with Rotherham not such a bad bargain imo. R got to be favourites to go up and Gav will play every week.

Nice to read posts like these. When you have a home grown player “ getting better” in front of your eyes it’s one of the most satisfying experiences you can have as a Saints fan. Will’s goals and performances show he is “getting better” and he always seems like a sincere man in interviews. Jack Stephens is a heart on sleeve captain. I’d rather play - and potentially lose - with a team of Will and Jack Stephens’s than recruit a bunch of Diego kickaballs next season - and probably still get beat.

Atmosphere around SMS already exciting. This is different…better…uplifting I hope to the players!

Just bought one of his books - “the Goldmine effect “ kindle version to see if I can understand him bit better. Probably will get “Hunger in Paradise” his other book if the first is any good. Might post a review on the other non saints board if anyone is interested. NB already noted Sir Clive Woodward gives him a ringing endorsement …..😎

Can somebody explain to me the visceral hatred for Rasmus that is regularly voiced on here by a few posters? I’ve tried to understand what it might be and am guessing it’s a combo relegation, the NJ then RS then RM appointment plus our “ style” of play? The bloke has been part and parcel of some successful organisations : Midjitland and Brentford and now Göztepe and hopefully this season a record breaking and repromoted Saints. Despite that, Rasmus even more than RM looks a solid favourite as some posters favourite person-you-love-to-hate. If I had to put my finger on why I think it might be he looks a bit young, looks a bit “ hipster”, is definitely Northern European so comes across as a bit cold and his methodology is very data and sports science driven - and that combination drives some posters on here crazy because, especially the last point, it’s the antithesis of what they call football. Especially as it encourages the PB football style they also hate. He neatly personifies everything they hate about todays (modern) football. I don’t know the guy am not his mum not saying leave off the hate. Just hoping to understand if there’s anything more in it than what I’ve noticed. Or maybe the hate/abuse just goes with his title- and would be same whichever club or clubs he is at?

Have to agree about WBA - they were certainly one of the best sides we played at SMS this season. Better than Ipswich Leeds and Norwich anyways imo. Came away from that home match thinking these were a good solid team - and they are. No idea what the score might be.

Was reassured by Alex last few games. Obviously despite not playing much he’s still a good pro. And a good keeper. He has done his career chances a lot of good these last two performances.

However, if RM is planning a home switch to 4-3-3 to blow WBA away in the first half, then I'd go with Manning. Except we played rubbish with him v Stoke and v Cardiff in that supposedly more attacking formation. It’s a conundrum all right! I rate Ryan as technically a better player than Bree but in this case it’s not about the player as much as what formation RM decides - that then auto selects the right player.

If I had to pick out a something to train in for Friday it was the vulnerability exposed whilst defending against Tom Fellows. Fellows got enough space from Ryan Manning to put in several excellent goal chance creating crosses. Ryans ( our) style is to encourage his winger to go wide away from goal, but yesterday all the talented Fellows had to do was push the ball forward a bit to have enough space to cross. No particular skill required. if I was Corboran I’d give him the ball lots more., Unfortunately that ingrained defensive instinct can compromises ability to stop crosses. Has done all season. It’s why many on here bemoan his defending - but It’s most certainly due to the requirement that Ryan participate in our attacks much more than a standard LB - such that at breakdown ( when we lose possession) he is often out of optimal defensive position - so his first instinct is to get compact. It’s easy to compare and contrast with Bree who appears better defensively because he attacks less - so is less often out of position - and is more likely to be close to his winger on turnaround to make crosses harder. Given Fellows is a threat I think I’d prefer Bree on him for Friday even if that foregoes our attacking potency a bit. I think we have enough attacking intent across the team without the need to compromise our left flank when out of possession. Alternately ask Ryan to curb his attacking enthusiasm. OR and this is more likely imo - revert to a back four.

How certain is it the “crown jewels” the out of contracts and the loan players all leave Saints at season end? Funnily enough I don’t think it makes all that much difference either way. Sure the wages may get a bump but the contracts ( and c wages and prospects) may not be as juicy as on offer at more established EPL clubs. Don’t forget the three promoted teams are always favourites for relegation.. If we go up - or stay down - I think the names and odds are still pretty much the same : 1. Alex will leave 10/10 imo. 2. Flynn is wanted and will go back and play for West Ham 9/10 imo. 3. KWP will leave 10/10 imo. 4. Stuart will leave 7/10 imo. 5. Mara will leave on loan or transfer 10/10 imo 6. Che will leave 9/10. 7. THB will leave 10/10. 8. Brooks will go back but we probably will be offered a chance to buy him ditto Rothwell. Unsure either are especially “ wanted” by Bournemouth. I’ve no idea if we would try keep either so I’m guessing it’s 6/10 they leave. Those are the current first readers off top of my head. Which suggests that there will be significant outgoings shortly, as expected. Strap yourselves in!

The Spurs link is very odds on I’d say. The coaches style will fit him well. And it’s clearly an upwards step. I’m, sadly, certain it will happen. Two players I consider not as good as him but who have done well overseas are Lewis Ferguson and Nathan Tella. Tella obviously hit the jackpot going to Leverkusen but Ferguson deserves credit - awarded “ Seria A midfielder of the year whilst at Bologna. The player overseas much better than all of them got no medals this season - Harry Kane- but his reputation as World Class has been enhanced not reduced by his time at Bayern given his goals and performances. . KWP to Bayern is not such a ridiculous thought. And Bayern cannot go two seasons without trophies & medals so if I was kwp and offered the chance I’d jump…

Comparing JWP to FD is just silly as many of the posts above show in detail. Yes, FD has been fundamental to everything good for us , this season, in the Championship, but comparisons casting shade on JWP’s career are so way off the mark as to be laughable. As for description of JWP as “ average” - think the word that should be used is exceptional. He is a far from an average baller - expect to see him in top line management one day when his excellent playing career in professional football is over.