James

Fraser, in particular, must be wondering what he has to do. If the criteria for starting Mara is “he played 82 minutes last time we played them” then Fraser has a more decent shout.

On what basis have you drawn that conclusion?

He could have changed back to another formation, played Armstrong through the middle and brought in Fraser or Brooks. Not as if bringing in Mara was his only chance option….

Mara…jesus wept.

Can’t wait for the playoffs. Martin has lost control here.

We’ve conceded 3 or more goals on 9 occasions this season by my count. Only one of those we’ve had McCarthy in goal.

My question is what players would be good enough to properly implement the Martin system? The system hasn’t been properly implemented by him at MK Dons, Swansea or with us and we’ve got some of the most capable players in the championship (whether we’ve got the best side is up for debate but we are up there). For me the system is bordering on propaganda. If the system needs Man City level players then it’s not a system that’s any use to the level of club Russell Martin is likely to be managing any time soon.

This is the oddest thing for me. He threw away all that had been done to make us harder to beat.

Considering Leicester’s recent performances the way they thrashed us is a real concern.

It would be suicidal to change now but if we don’t make the playoff final at a minimum he should go. I have no desire to see how shit we are at defending next year with lower quality players.

For years? Half of the back four was signed over the summer… Martin teams concede a shed load of goals, that’s the common denominator, and there is not a shred of evidence it’s going to change.

Who else should be blamed? Whether or not we have as good a side as Leicester is a debate but we shouldn’t be shipping 5 in a game against a promotion rival. Hasn’t learned how to tighten us up all season and wasn’t capable of it with Swansea or MK Dons. Surely it’s obvious this is a system failing rather than personnel.

Got to say this is looking like the wrong choice.

Fuck off Martin. This is not acceptable. Bottle jobs.

Quite like that team.

He must have an amazing agent if any PL club is genuinely interested.

No surprise then that he was SR’s top target in the January we got relegated 🤣

Yep. The end of the game was an utter shambles, that’s on Martin.

Ipswich also have a manager that will, in my view, go on to be top top class. McKenna teams do the basics right, are fully committed and never give up. Our lot on the other hand…

Completely agree with you but if Martin can’t set up a decent defence with KWP, THB, Bednarek and Downes then fuck only knows how porous we will be next season. Quite simply, Martin teams don’t know how to defend and he hasn’t shown any signs of knowing how to change that.

Precisely. This was our most important game of the season so far and is probably the lowest quality side we’ll face the rest of the way. I can accept wayward finishing isn’t the manager’s fault but that second half performance was totally unacceptable and is on the manager. The subs were chaotic and panicked and it showed on the pitch at the end.

This is my major concern. We’ve had glaring issues at times this season that Martin hasn’t been able to address with top quality championship players. To see him try to defend with a worse squad is not going to be fun at all.

Not sure of your point. Mine is that Stu Armstrong hasn’t been able to do two full games a week all season. To try it now and potentially lose him for the playoffs is, IMO, bad management. If you disagree that’s your prerogative.

Because shipping goals for fun in the championship with a much weaker side will be less fun in the long term than a season or two back in the Prem.

Second start in a week and he played the majority against Preston. He hasn’t been able to play two full games a week all season…