coalman

I'm still hopeful that things will click for Still. The Liverpool performance gave me a lot of hope. Even if we've regressed since then in places.

True but given the unchanging nature of his system the tactics to beat a team he manages are. 1. Press defence and keeper for easy chances. 2. Then sit back and defend deep. Watch aimless passes as his attackers become static waiting for a through ball that's not coming. 3. Break into the acres of space down the wings when his team turns over the ball. I doubt he's repeating the feat ever again.

Saints is starting to remind me of this. We've taken Sport Republic directors and combined them with Sport Republic recruiters to bring in Sport Republic players under Sport Republic managers. Is it any wonder we've ended up with a hideous monstrosity?

I think the clue is in the usage of the word "rebranded". It was a branding exercise rather than a change in reality. More wishful thinking from our management.

I think he'll look back and get some good learnings about how he should have recruited players differently because he wasn't prepared for the physicality of the league. His fundamental problem is he "learns" it's not his fault. He talks a good game about learning and he's world class at platitudes but that's it. The trouble Martin now has is any future employers know what his system is but also know future opponents know what his system is. Against a Martin coached side you're only 1-2 passes away from being through on goal and any cross into the box is likely to result in a shot. Plus you're always getting plenty of time to get back into defensive shape.

The Rangers hierarchy need to take a good look at themselves over this. They took their sweet time appointing their outstanding candidate snatching him away from Leicester in the process. They showed the vision to appoint a manager for the long term and bravery to appoint someone who'd failed there as a player. Yet only three months on they've bottled it and abandoned him to the baying mob. Martin was right - Rangers have a mentality problem. Now us poor Saints fans are left without Martin managing a rival team in the Championship and with little joy on match weekends until United sack Amorim so Wilcox can reunite with Martin.

Doubt he's truly a free agent. He's only one Lineker kitchen table interview away from Man Utd.

According to the Rangers forum there's a board meeting tonight.

Wow. While the coach is blocked, Martin needs a police escort to get him safely out via a side entrance. https://www.followfollow.com/forum/threads/russell-martin-exits-through-a-side-door-with-a-police-escort….309918/

One of the maddest things so far.

Yes, well one of them is one of the smartest people who ever lived. The other is a beard stroking hair flicking excuse monkey.

Extra bonus points that on Thursday they equalled a 130 year record of going 22 away games without keeping a clean sheet which they beat today. Martin again proving to be a record breaking manager wherever he goes.

It's frustrating and hurtful apparently. They were more dominant the more the game went on and had so many touches in their box but they got a lucky deflection when they should've been building on a 1-0 lead. Note: Rangers had 26 touches in the box, 11 shots and 2 on target. Falkirk had 20 in the box, 16 shots and 4 on target.

If the lad is struggling for form and confidence you put him on when you're winning and comfortable. Not when it matters. That's twice in two games Still has hooked the winger that's looking most likely.

He should recruit some mentally strong players. A team full of his picks would definitely have the resilience to play his system flawlessly.

Because it's not tactics or technical. I thought he'd made that clear in the interview. He cannot be held to blame for anything that happens on the pitch because they've trained like beasts the way he wants them to and the sad thing is all the children growing up shouting abuse at people.

Hitting all the classic notes: - Turning on the fans "I just wish the fans could enjoy the team winning" - Saying "it's not an excuse" before doing exactly that - Saying it's just going to take time - Talking about the imaginary fans he's met around town - Saying that he's not bothered about the abuse but the fans he met said it was too much

I'm starting to feel sorry for the Rangers fans. They keep expecting him to be moved on but it would appear that the Rangers hierarchy are even more bought into the long term philosophy than our board were. It's funny how this mentality affects every team that Martin manages.

Never in doubt.

Oh my. Ross

Harsh to take Fellows off when Armstrong has been awful.

Something something 20 goal a season striker

I'm not sure I'm ready to see another new manager come in and learn (or fail to learn) the hard way that THB, Stephens, Bazunu and Manning are defensive liabilities yet.

They told us that Captain Jack was such a team player when they extended him. So surely it can't be us.

There's going to be a lot of teams in the SPL looking over their shoulders today after this result. The Martin train steams on.