West end Saints

Keep. I would be absolutely shocked if they even consider sacking him this season. People seem to forget we have never been favourites for automatic so have pretty much performed as most in the country would have expected. As with most managers November will be key time (whatever division we are in).

I can assure you sold out stadium and two points a game after being a relegated mess does not get you sacked, or even considered. Most promoted teams are not the relegated teams bouncing back up (less than one team season on average). The aim was (and is) promotion, but he is not seen as a failure by the board.

The aim has to be promotion for us, would have been at the start of the season and will still be. If we don't go up I don't think he will be deemed, by the owners, a failure. Most teams won't reach their season aim, for example Man C, Arsenal, Liverpool all realistically aiming for the title. Villa, spurs, Chelsea, Man U, Newcastle all aiming for the champions league. This follows all they way down. I put on another thread the stat that the three relegated teams have never gone straight back up. In fact, on average, of the three promoted teams, less than one is a team who were relegated. This means that it is a myth that our only hope is to go up this season. I'm not defending last night, or other fair criticisms, but think play offs will be the minimum accepted. I would have preferred to be a few points clear in the top two, but if we win the lottery of play offs that's a better end to the season.

Tonight was shit, and not good enough. However it is very entitled to expect or assume promotion, rather than aim and plan for it. We were one of the worst prem sides ever and in a mess. We were far worse than Leeds or Leicester, (and I would suggest they kept / have better players). I don't think that the three relegated teams have ever gone straight back up in their first season. Nearly half of relegated teams don't even make top 6. The average is less than one relegated team goes straight back up the next season. Where has this rule come from, that I read on here, that if we don't go up this season we won't next? History suggests otherwise - as most promoted teams are not those who just got relegated. It's obvious we have had very poor defensive games, struggle without Downes, have thrown many games away - all of which are down to the manager. However, anyone who thinks there is a chance we will, or should, sack Martin when we are about to go into the play offs, on 84 points, is wrong.

If we don't go up the big losses will be Downes, THB and KWP. Defence Fullbacks Bree, Manning, Mehgoma, Larios - maybe one in? CBs - god knows with 4 out on loan, Midfield - Rothwell for Stu Charles for Downes Smallbone stay I can see Aribo staying or going Fraser will stay Wouldn't be stunned for Brooks to stay Edozie Dibling A Armstrong Sam AA Maybe Bragg more in the squad Forwards I can see Che and Mara both leaving, so just Stewart Ballard maybe promoted Priority has to be CF and CM (and probably CB dependant on JB and loans). Clearly will be weakened by three main names going but don't think we will be ripped apart. (Edit - forgot Sulemana, prob leave, as not managed to cement a starting place but a shame for all the frustration I do look forward to him coming on)

Is this following on from MLT video and is it clues? 4 + 5 =9? 50 =1959? Barbie launched and Luna 1 first man made trip to space.. Barbie coming from space to lead us?

I wasn't totally convinced by Brooks, but he is assisting and creating chances. Re PNE stepping up in second half??? 2nd half only possession 81% / 19% shots 9 / 0 accurate passes 389 / 59 total passes 426 / 101 pass accuracy 91% / 58% passes in oppession half 269 / 38 touches in opposition box 19 / 2 xG 1.15 / 0 And this was with us resting the complete midfield three, and both wingers! (and already having the game won and important games coming up!) It was a totally professional and comfortable one-sided half. PNE did not react at all, we outplayed them through out. (they actually had more possession, shots, xG, passes, etc in the first half. There was nothing in that second half that could rationally worry anyone!

I saw it similarly, although wasn't close, thought it was a bit of a nothing tussle then Mara shoved him to the ground. At the time I thought it was free kick level, not even booking level. Their player seemed to make a meal of it once he lost his balance. However, there could have easily been a punch / elbow I didn't see. I guess there was more to it than I saw if RM is expecting a ban.

I saw us score 19 goals at home last season, 51 this. I know it's a lower league, results based industry, need promotion, given too many away....etc But 51 goals and some great at times passing football has been much more enjoyable than the last couple of seasons.

McKenna two points from last two games Maresca 0 points from last three games Farke one points from last two. Martin six points from last two. Clearly only manager who can handle the pressure. (Not serious point!) Not sure why he seems to make it hard, but suppose after good early start and wanting a comfortable 3-0, what happened was more enjoyable. Those criticising subs- there were some tired players there today, Smallbone played very well but was correct to sub him. I would have been tempted to change KWP, he was puffing and leggy towards the end.

He explained it, took a knock not 100%. Agree JB better than JS but not if JS fitness is better, and want JB for play offs.

It has been a frustrating but overall I have enjoyed going this season more than many over the last 40 years of attendance, certainly more than recent years. 46 goals scored in 19 home games is not dull. It's the hope that kills, the long unbeaten run gradually made me start to arrive at St Mary's confident. We forced ourselves into second, then instantly seemed to throw it away. Personally enjoy the style of football, I like technical short passing style. Man City are the main other team I try to watch. Sometimes we just lose the spark and the style looks too predictable. I wonder if this is just loss of form (which all styles suffer with). I don't agree with every decision he makes. I hope he is with us next season

Fair enough, we have very different views and probably both too entrenched to be convinced otherwise. I read widely and am yet to be convinced of any tangible benefits, and when challenged you hear even likes of Farage agreeing but because we wanted a different Brexit😄. I think there was far too much dishonesty which has been proven (oven ready deal, Northern Ireland) which often was due to clear barriers which they didn't have solutions for. Sorry but all opinions polls clearly show most think it was wrong.

Just commenting on last two posts, as I have not been following this thread. I think the situation is quite clear: The vast majority of people, including those who campaigned for Brexit, agree it (the Brexit we achieved) has been bad for the UK. If people could turn the clock back, and vote again (with today's knowledge), it would be a huge landslide to remain - not just to save us from what turned out to be the disaster of Brexit, but to prevent the time it took, the arguments, the mess of parliament, politics since etc.. However, I doubt that many want to revisit the decision and have a vote on whether to rejoin, repeating all of the arguments. I think most just want to find a way forward.

Would be surprised if he didn't end up at a much higher level than us. I enjoy watching him - in the opponents half. From where I sit you could clearly see their right back face when he was one on one, it was a picture and he was beating him so easily. However why he runs across our own box doing I have no idea.

Easy to say just stay off social media or ignore it, but how do you think those close to him feel? What do fans know about whether his wife's (no idea if he is married or with anyone) family member has just been diagnosed and he is supporting her? We all get emotional over football, and I know I've said things that I don't really think, but surely it is enough to just moan about lack of effort, style of play, etc without getting personal?

Definitely had them fighting to the end, sub scored again. 25 shots away to team who are doing well at home. Backed Smallbone who had good game with assists.

Used to make me laugh when people couldn't understand us having Shane Long with his weakness in finishing, without clicking that with his pace and work rate, if he was a lethal finisher he would be Suarez and not playing for us. All our players will have some weaknesses compared with the top top players. And remember, think I put it earlier in this thread, that the criticism of Mane was worse in his first season, waste of money, shouldn't have signed him, just a sprinter, runs and stops, headless chicken etc..... Sulemana is the closest in playing style I've seen for us... In the summer he will be the age Mane was when he first signed for us. Pace is something that doesn't improve - decision making and end product does, he just could end up pretty decent.....

There is some rubbish on here tonight. Kids who just beat Chelsea? Yes far from a first 11, but this team would still beat mamy in prem. World up winner, Van D, Gakpo, Elliot plays most games, Konate .

What was wrong with selection? Only obvious starters KWP and THB, and Bree / Stephens did ok. Understandably went for pace up front, people were moaning about Adams and A Armstrong recently, Stu was very poor last game. Lack of quality up front was main difference and who do we have!

The last player of his style of play (not needing to get speed up, ability to stop, wait for a defender to react than burst past) was Mane. When we signed him there was a thread on here slating him as a waste of money. In the summer Sulemana will be the age Mane was when we signed him. I don't know how good he will be, but far too early to write him off

Thought both Armstrong's were off the pace last night, Stu back to his lazy frustrating premier league style. I don't know why, maybe fitness thing as was great against WBA. Aribo and Downes have to start. I wouldn't mind Smallbone with those two as they offer the physicality. Or maybe Brooks in AM role? Front three wee man, Che and Edozie/AA

I think that is post defeat emotion talking. I sat in the stadium moaning our game in hand has gone and tonight could be the night promotion went. However, 2 points behind with 13 games left so far from curtains to top two. A few days ago we were 2nd, so to say two by better teams is pretty negative when they were looking up to us before the last few days!

The last player we signed with his raw speed and style of play was Mane. When Mane was signed he was absolutely slated by several on here and described as a waste of money. In August 2024 Sulemana will be the same age that Mane was when we signed him. Far too early to write him off.

Russell Martin, after West Brom, picking out Smallbone and Aribo as doing great, and Mara being brilliant. Brook and Fraser scoring. Stu MOM. I also thought Rothwell and Edozie looked good Tough choice, guess will also be influenced by who we are playing