macca155

Proofs in the pudding of course, but he seems to be something different to the previous incumbent. By the sound of it We are going to see more athletic work horses featuring in his teams. He will need a midfield grafter ASAP to support Downes. That has to be priority one.

Bookies will give you excellent odds and happily take your money. With 22 games left its obviously possible, but it's not happening is it. It needs a major uplift in form and at least 3 of the other 4 contenders, to be as as abysmal as Saints. You can guarantee they'll all conspire to keep Saints exactly where they are. Watch the suspicious draws to start appearing. Everton have a 10 point advantage already. That takes the pressure off them a bit. Real scrap will probably be between Wolves and Leicester. I'd say getting more than 20 is a suitably ambitious target and try to avoid finishing last. At the very least go into next season with some hope and a better plan than this year.

Oh don't start on me, there's nothing in the forum rules that say you can't be a conflicted idiot 😂

Fair enough, I really don't know so happy to be more optimistic.

This screams a 'it's all we could get' appointment. I know pretty much zero about him but I suspect Saints are too far gone to interest anybody else. He's an experienced reasonably safe pair of hands. More Mark Hughes than Ralph. He'll be here to guide us through to relegation, whilst the board get their ducks in a row. I suspect a third of the squad will be sold or loaned out. He might be allowed to loan in a couple, but prepare for them to be athletic machines rather than cultured footballers. However that may not be a bad thing as fitness is a real issue atm. Not sure how I feel about it really. Hopefully the 2nd half of the season will be better than the first.

Well the new manager can watch that game and see exactly what is required. Held it together, bit more confidence for Sunday

With knobs on bigger stronger and from what I've seen some good skills. Dreadful he hasn't been used.

He sounds like he is happy where he is. Doesn't need all the nonsense that surrounds a big club. Who could blame him.

Hey good old chat is on to something. He's the boy for us. Been at Bodo/Glimt for 6 years. Won the Eliteserian 4 times in the past 5 years. More Euro experience than our lot. His style is relentless attacking, quick transitions, and intense pressing. All crafted around technically complex strategy. Our lads should have no bother adapting to that!! I'd never heard of him but he appears to be quite a coveted manager but has no interest in moving. Good for him.

Tad harsh your Lordship. Robins was very well regarded at Coventry, and their fans are pretty bemused as to why he was sacked. Obviously an appointment for the Championship, where we are almost certainly heading, but I like his style of football and he wouldn't be the worst appointment. I have more reservations about Rohl frankly but he was part of the best RH period, so there is that.

A lot of shuddering at the word similar but a point well made. Has international experience which will also help. I'm still not sure though.

I think that was obvious from his body language and the swiftness of the statement. I'm sorry for him, came across as a decent guy, but 5 points halfway through the season meant adios amigo. That begs the question as to whether the players had anything to do with it. 5 0 in the 1st half then 0 0 in the 2nd. Spurs slacking off helped, but that is quite the coincidence. I suspect the truth is they were aware something was in the air but no specifics. Probably contributed to that ridiculous 1st 30 minutes of football. Confusion all round. Maddison spent a lot if time consoling the Saints players at the end. Pros look after pros, Spurs had what they needed so no need to kick us when we were already in the gutter.

I mean it's not happening obviously, but can you inagine Jose in charge. It would be an interesting and fun ride.

We need more of this, unrealistic opportunism. Excellent

Decent guy had plenty of credit with fans at the start of the season, but hopelessly out of his depth in the PL. He was left in post far too long. The board share as much responsibility imo. He needed proper Prem players and some decent coaching experience support brought in. He had a small chance of success anyway, that clearly became zero. Look at Nuno, quality manager, decent pedigree, supported by the board, que success, but even he was chopped eventually. I do worry about what comes next. The choices are going to be very limited.

Oh yeah I hadn't seen Perez scored two. Oh so not as bad as I thought🥺 What the hell are KWP, Downes, and Aribo doing. It's like they can't be arsed. I can't even see what he can do to sort this.

I hate to be the prophet of doom but we were only 4 0 down at half time in the two 9 0s This may not end well everybody

Applaud and whistle for several encores

That is outrageous on Nathan Wood. That lad has taken a fair bit of stick from the fans. Turns in two reasonable performances, earns some credit, and gets dropped. Grrrrr No Onauchu of course, they so want to sell him. However positives, a back 4, all in their proper positions. A midfield of Aribo Downes and Fernandes. Clearly going to take the game to Spurs. Sully is a strange one, but let's not forget the transfer window opens in 2 weeks or so. Moi cynical

Yes but Palace were never going to be down in the gutter with Saints for long. Not with their squad. I can't see Saints surviving but it will be at the expense of Leicester or Everton if they do.

How very dare you ... get out. You can never be too far south

Hey no spoilers

I wouldn't say that for one minute. He's a top manager, I'm a bit iffy about about his football style, but I bet he'd have us up cheering reasonably quickly. Potter builds squads and style, a bit like Pochettino, but that takes time. He won't come to Saints in their current predicament. Absolute hiding to nothing. Cooper or Robbins are more likely, and are they an upgrade on Martin? Who knows

That's my take on him, elements of Puel but a little more attacking. With all this debate on Martin I am reminded of one of Brian Clough's great quotes. "Players lose you games, not tactics. There's so much crap talked about tactics by people who barely know how to win at dominoes” He's right really, but RM really needs to ask himself why his team concede so many goals from mistakes. Probably a good place to start.

The problem is we've had Puel, Pellegrino, and Jones. Martin for all his stubbornness is not in the same league as that bunch. I know opinions are split on Puel, but for me his football was dire. I'd rather go down fighting than watch that season after season. I agree with @Fitzhugh Fella if only he would adapt his style a little I'm sure he would feel less pressure from the fans. Relegation is pretty much a cert. Perhaps use the time we have to fine tune his philosophy into something less predictable. Potter won't come to Saints, don't be daft, but the board could at least think about what he would do if he did. Put someone in above Martin who'll get him to be flexible.