SaintsBarry74

I think RM has been found out. The media initially didn't pay much attention to us as we're not part of the big six, so not as many clicks to be made on Saints coverage. But I've noticed in the last month or so that the commentators, pundits and various media outlets, not to mention opposition fans, have all started to point out the flaws in our one-dimensional system. The best comparison I read the other day was: 'Russell Martin is either very stubborn or very naive, or perhaps both, in persisting with a system that clearly isn't working. It's like insisting on driving a car with square-shaped wheels made of concrete.'

Premier League Win Percentages: Lampard 41% Gerrard 32.5% Cooper 18% Steve Cooper is very unlike Martin in the sense that he employs no tactics, there's no patterns of play and it's generally all just a mess. Would still be an improvement on RM, but surely we can do better by just taking a punt on a foreign coach?

"Southampton may have got away with such poor possessional play at the back in the Championship, but the Premier League is more unforgiving. They rank top of the division for the most errors leading to shots and the most errors leading to goals." "In the recent fixture against Wolves, the Saints had 71% of the play, but the majority of their passes that match were made between the centre backs, Bednarek and Harwood-Bellis." "It is admirable to impose such a possession-based system at the top level for a newly promoted side, but it comes with a sense of naivety. Martin must learn the art of adapting if Southampton are to survive." Laughing stock of the league, Martin is a fucking idiot.

Enzo Maresca also prefers to play out from the back, but unlike Martin, he actually knows how to adapt and mix things up depending on the opponent. When Leicester faced us last season, they scored five goals with a low possession in the mid-30s, punishing our tippy-tappy football with quick transitions. I can't recall seeing a manager as delusional as Martin, who stubbornly sticks to this one-dimensional style of play no matter the opponent or how the game unfolds.

Same here. Leicester fans were saying that he plays without any set system or tactics, the players didn't know what to do.

Same experience here, my mates and colleagues have also started taking the piss about our suicidal tactics. I think other fans started noticing after Pep’s comments about wanting to learn from RM, followed by their unprecedented losing streak that came after. The commentators and media have also definitely caught on. Over the past week, they’ve highlighted how meaningless and one-dimensional our approach to the game is, or, as we all know by now, high-risk, low(no)-reward football. We’re clearly not as bad as Derby if you actually watch us play, but we gift so many goals due to RM’s dreadful tactics that, results-wise, we’re currently on par with their record-low season. I feel like, unlike our previous relegation, this time we’re undeniably the laughing stock of the league.

We are projected to finish on 12/13 points based on our current points per game ratio. Should be just enough to avoid snatching the record from Derby.

We need a proper shot-stopper. Should start Bazunu.

The patronising continues, at this point I doubt anyone is falling for that nonsense other than RM. What is it now Pep (I bet he regrets those comments), Arne Slot, Madueke, Emery?

Why can't RM take a more pragmatic approach? Why is he stuck in this suicidal one lane system that is killing us week after week. The few times I've seen us divert from the tactic we've looked significantly more competitive, why can't this idiot see this?

Madueke also came out post match and being very complimentary of Saints. That’s like the 3rd or 4th person associated with a “big team” being complimentary to us. Was it Sir Alex who said to Pulis that if the big teams come to you and compliment you, you’re doing it wrong.

Anyone else saw the scolding Lumley got for playing long? I'm not sure what more can be said about this abomination that is Russball, surely if something isn't working for this long you'd try to change things up?

Leicester 39% possession, that's well shit.

So it’s actually a perfect match!

Zero shots on target, they've never looked this shit - which is strange because prior to the statement below, they were very dominant.

We could cause these problems if we take a more pragmatic approach, for that we need to abandon our suicidal tactics.

If we abandon Russball I still believe we've got a chance, we've seen glimpses of what the lads can do when they abandon playing suicide ball. Need Martin to stop this pathetic stats-padding and be more pragmatic.

Potter is still getting paid by Chelsea for the next 18 months. If he finds a job he will lose that paycheck.

Bet he’s starting to regret that handshake with Martin.

The year is 2028, and Southampton, with Russell Martin's principles firmly intact, nestle into League One - whilst dominating possession at a rather impressive 85%.

I don’t care what anyone says, a decent premier league manager doesn’t lose 0-9 twice.

Leicester fans seem to really rate Martin.

Russball with this squad against the best counter attacking side in the league. It'll be murder.

City don't seem very good at playing Russball. 0-3