Badger

True that it has coincided with the Premier League and untold greed that goes with it but I think the internet has been the big change in how matters are communicated,built up, and then things organised around . Interesting you mention Branfoot, and you’re right that he was the first Saints manager to be subject to a bit of a campaign. Although Fanzines started towards the end of Chris Nichol’s time and he came under a bit of scrutiny it seemed lighthearted as the fanzines were just finding their feet, perhaps nervous in gradually exploring how far they could push boundaries. Branfoot was the first manager (of ours anyway) to be featured and vilified by the fanzines and I think this made a huge difference in the feelings and eventual ‘campaign’ against him.

Don’t get too high when we win, or too low when we lose. Always prepare for the unexpected- Sun Tzu, Art of War. It’s as simple as that. Adkins knew how to motivate a promotion winning squad ( or keep the supporters motivated and positive at least). Anyway I’ll draw a blue line under this and celebrate three points to cement our eventual third or fourth place finish. Perhaps dream of automatics.

No CN’s start was as I recall pretty average, but that was expected after Lawrie left and fans were quite supportive of him ( and the challenge he faced ) His problems were a year or so later when he had a fall out with Mark Dennis, then again during a 20 or so game run without a win 88/89 I think (but would have to check).

No, not on the same scale by any means. Lawrie for example faced some flak walking to the dug out after relegation and a poor faltering start to life in Division 2. But that was on match days from a minority . Chris Nichol the same. Neither though had to contend with the hysteria that is now built up by social media

Enzo less popular there than RM with us at the moment it seems. ( Taken last night).

Perhaps Smallbone has a copyright on that particular label on here

Pleased it’s worked out for him. He’s done a good job in difficult circumstances. Trouble for Reading is that after one decent season he probably feels ready for ‘the next level’ and a mid-table Championship or a more ambitious and financially secure L1 club will take a punt on him.

R/W quarters, or r/w halves would be fine by me for a change. Then keep the sash for anniversary years ( hope to still be breathing for our 150th year in 2035.)

Starting as favourites or 2nd favourites counts for fuck all though. For a club that seldom lives up to expectations (after they raise them) I won’t get hopes up on being favourites before a ball is kicked

I don’t think you can criticise a manager for publicly backing his players, especially a young one at the beginning of the season. As for ‘binning’ Bazunu, yes he could but when the immediate options available to him are Lumley (look at the stats for his previous season) and McCarthy , it isn’t great.

Fair point to some degree, but the stripes are also historically ‘ours’ as well. I’d rather that than a copy of another clubs style be it plain red shirts with or without white sleeves. The all red kits under Cortese just didn’t feel like Saints in my view. (Await the MLG view on ‘tradition’ etc).

Not overwhelmed by the appointment last summer, but as others have said this is a question for the end of the season. Big fear is getting rid leaves SR with the opportunity for another fuck up. If we’re going to go for Rosenior for example (another ‘possession’ manager ) or Carrick (no real achievement and living off his name as a player) then doesn’t seem any real upgrade on RM.

White sleeves ? Bit ‘Arsenal’ isn’t it ?

We’ve yet to repeat the 1976-80 Admiral twin stripe kit. Not necessarily advocating it, but suspect it will make a comeback at some point. It should at least be better than some of the crap featured on the Puma link above in the thread.

I miss Dave Merrington on the summary, but Tessem has grown on me. I was fortunate not being able to go yesterday so listened to Solent. Tessem certainly didn’t hold back yesterday in his criticism of the team, and especially RM’s selection and tactics (nor did Blackmore although tried to be a bit more ‘balanced’). Tessem particularly highlighted Jack Stephens ( what is he meant to be doing), AA , why he was playing up front, it simply wasn’t working, his miss in the first half, the inverted full backs, a Bazunu cock up in the second half that could have been costly. Made a refreshing change from the “he’ll be disappointed with that” bollocks.

I heard this on Solent, and seems poor management. Tessem made the point that Armstrong has scored 20 goals from a wide position and been one of our most effective players. Quite simply, Martin should have pointed that out to the player, emphasised his importance and left him playing there.

Feel a bit sorry for RM and some of the criticism coming his way now. For me the two biggest failings have been GK and striker where he inherited Bazunu and has not been given a fit striker since arriving. (How instrumental he was in pushing for Stewart we don’t know). But recent performances and especially selections remain on him and are difficult to justify.

SR* are unlikely to make such a bold move, or gamble. * wonder who the decision makers will be with Willcox going/gone. No confidence if it’s still with Rasmus to get it right.

Surprised none of our players helped him to his feet, brushed him down, enquired if he was okay, before allowing him to take the shot. We really seem that obliging at times.

So which was it, “defensive disorganisation” , or “piss poor play by our attackers”, possibly both ? Actually I don’t think our forwards were involved in it at all. My recollection is that Bazunu launched it like an Exocet missile, over AA’s head and straight to their GK. As I said on an earlier thread it was reminiscent of Crouch v Everton in 2005, the ball should have been put anywhere but to their GK who was always going to return it upfield into our half. We spend large parts of the game needlessly passing it between the CB’s and Bazunu, but not it seems when that was required. ( I can understand that we needed a win, so perhaps an excuse, but in terms of that match it was ridiculous). No wonder Martin was annoyed with Bazunu at the end of the match.

Continuity for me is probably the main reason to persist with RM rather than ripping it up and starting again. Not convinced either way. Also comes back to who else then ? Having said that next season will be a ‘give him ten games’, ‘end of October’, ‘ see where we are at Christmas’ type of season if things aren’t flying.

Perhaps the previous recruitment team and DOF also shoulder some of this responsibility for the GK’s signed, and the absence of a decent striker.

This is quite a telling, and accurate observation that most on here would agree with. But let’s not advertise this too much or loudly as it’s the type of stat that RM and Rasmus W. would get a ‘hard on’ over. Dress it up as this is how we exceed expected passes between the penalty areas type of bollocks.

Thanks for the views, interesting observations and comments. First visit to Portman Road and Ipswich on Monday. Bastard of a journey but nice place, and good traditional ground. Not a great fan of some our passing it around for the sake of it sometimes but on Monday thought we passed it well and for most of the match with a bit of purpose moving it forward. Ipswich as others have said certainly have a winning spirit about them and keep going. Hope we both go up, although we’ll have to endure the play offs ( and will probably balls it up). Expect it’ll be Leeds and one other. Don’t remember the 1993 match, but other memories of Saints v Ipswich are : 1969 - my second league match - Saints won 4-2. First time I saw a Saints goal disallowed (don’t recall why). Sense of ‘injustice’ has lived with me ever since. 1981- Saints won 4-3 after being 1-3 down at HT. those were the days, our current lot would go defensive second half for damage limitation or concede another six.

Agree. How much did Leicester pay for their GK from Denmark, or Ipswich for theirs ? The Ipswich bloke made the sort of save on Monday at a crucial time of the game. Can we say the same ? The Rotherham GK is light years ahead of anything we’ve got. Can only hope Darren Mowbray can find the sort of player - not just GK - that has eluded our recruitment team.