hypochondriac

They've also been scoring a lot recently too. Hopefully we've identified that for this game at least.

Both Swansea early chances came from our left when they were in acres of space. If it's a tactical thing then it's stupid because they could and arguably should have scored.

The upside is that it's January shortly so we can address some of those problems.

I hope you received a nazi Christian belt buckle, a voucher for a free haircut from your black barber and a copy of Tommy Robinson's autobiography.

No problem mate thanks for the clarification.

I am enjoying what is happening. I was responding to woodsaint1 who said that the manager he wants in charge is the one that the club deems good enough. Personally I don't think that's a good standard to judge a manager given the many mistakes we have made on that score in the past. Writing a response to a poster isn't not enjoying what is happening, I've been to all the festive games and loved them.

RM may be “ finally listening to what the fans demanded / want “ now" Is going to become one of those saintsweb myths that everyone definitely said when no evidence exists that anyone actually said it.

I want the person in charge who makes us successful. If the club deem the likes of Nathan Jones to be the best man for the job then they all need sacking because he was ridiculously unsuitable and that became obvious very quickly. The club aren't infallible clearly and the sooner they realised their mistake with him the better.

And a couple of times where the keeper booted it long!

Don't be a bellend you know exactly what I was saying. Pundits and fans were saying the same thing and Martin realised himself the need for change which is one reason we got a defensive coach in. I'm not suggesting that the fans moaning made him change, it was the shit results that did that.

To be fair, a large number of the posts are talking about being unable to adapt the tactics and wishing for something simpler. It was around this time that he did change things and did what was asked which resulted in a remarkable turnaround.

I'm really not. In fact I was making excuses for him earlier in the season when some were deriding him or calling for him to be sacked (something I've never done). I haven't misjudged him at all. I've had a great few weeks enjoying the football and been to most of the games during that time so my opinion has nothing to do with the results or performances.

I get that but historically there are examples at multiple clubs where some players and managers have viewed their role at a particular club as more than just a wage at the end of the month. I accept that's the minority though. I think part of the reason is that Martin comes across as very sure of himself (not really a bad thing) bordering on a bit of arrogance which means he's less likable than some other successful managers we have had. I'd absolute take this success of course, but I'm not sure he's at a stage where he's going to inspire a level of love and devotion that certain players and managers have in the past. Will be interesting to see how it develops at any rate.

Agree with all that. Not sure I'd say the same about the likes of Adkins though. As an example he's come back to the club in his own time to watch games which I'm not sure you'd do if you didn't have an affection for the club that lasted beyond your employment.

I'm not saying that's an act, what I'm saying is that's a tactic for success I think he'd employ at any club he's at and I'm not yet convinced he actually cares much about saints as an individual club. Like I said though, that could be harsh. I said similar to my mate at the pub before qpr and he thought I was mental.

Yes I did see it and yes I agree with you which is why I thought maybe I am being a bit unfair. It's just my perception, he's clearly a clever bloke with a much greater awareness of his own pr compared to someone like Nathan Jones who was very authentic even if he was a twat.

I get the feeling that for Martin it's his playing philosophy that is important and that the club he does it at isn't really important beyond providing him with the necessary resources. Adkins and to a lesser extent Ralph always seemed quite proud to be here. I suppose you could say the same thing about poch and Koeman and we were great under them.

I am very pleased with Martin and I am starting to like him a fair bit, but I don't have the real love I had for Adkins for example. I think it's because I felt that Adkins loved us whereas I think Martin is playing a part and would be acting similarly no matter what club he was at. I think the mask slipped a little a few weeks back when he was a twat to Blackmore. Maybe I'm being harsh but I don't feel the same sense of genuine affection from him that I felt for Adkins and even to some extent Ralph. I suppose it may come in time.

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of our run of results is how almost every member of our squad is participating. Aribo and Bree weren't even considered at the start of it, Alcaraz, Edozie, Sulemana, Stephens, Fraser, Smallbone and Mara have been in and out of the team either through injury or because someone else was performing in their place. You can tell Martin has had to manage a team in this league before but it is now difficult to pick our best first eleven which is a good sign.

Almost certainly true but it's not insurmountable at this point. If they suffered an injury crisis combined with losing players for the AFCON then you never know.

Well that was the most enjoyable time I've had at St Mary's for at least three years so thanks Martin for that if nothing else

Merry Christmas to you all. Even the small minority of bellends on here deserve a merry Christmas.

Odd stance. The club should have bought or loaned a player capable of significant contributions. It's not for the individual fan to make that call, it's the club that needs to make better choices.

No matter the result in the Leeds Ipswich game, if we win today then any result could be a decent one. We either move above Leeds for the first time in ages or we make up ground on Ipswich.

Given this news on Stewart, I think I've changed my mind on ings now. Fine to get him in to supplement what we have but we can't really be relying on him as a regular striker. I suppose if we get this goalscoring winger in that it might be OK but otherwise I'd look elsewhere.