david in sweden

In the past few days I've watched a number of English / European games on TV.. everything from Championship level to European matches and (surprise ) most of them seem to be playing a variation of " Russball " - except that they had attacking wingers who centred the ball occasionally. The most surprising game was Man City v. Juventus (city lost 0-2 , and Pepe Guardiola seemed very disappointed. So you see Pep... is doesn't work for you , either.

and you forgot Onuachu ...

All this conjecture about Russell Martin's "potential " sacking really is a rather uninteresting non-event. By now we have all realised that his job is safe - for the foreseeable future - but those people who are really in fear of the sack ...are the manager(s) of those sides who Saints might eventually beat later in the season. I mean... what sort of manager is it whose side can't beat a team who have only won once in 14 Prem. games. That would be a condemnation that they would never be allowed to forget for the rest of their career(s).

It's Spurs ..and looking back over the last 60 years .. if there is one club that I h*te ...it's them...(myriad reasons)

Whilst bemoaning the potential loss of £12 million (in redundancy pay) ... IF.. we sack RM & Co. One might like to compare that to the astronomical sums squandered on "poor" signings in the last 10 years . These are some of the " cheapies" (those under 10 mill.) Carrillo, Boufal, Lemina, Djenepo, Elyounoussi, Hoedt... (should I include Vestergaard?). That lot alone cost a good lick over £100 million. (plus their inflated salaries) ..In comparison to that lot, dishing out another £12 mill. to get a new face in might seem like a drop in the Ocean. I don't like seeing managers come and go, but without the likes of a Tony Pulis or " Big Sam" (who were experts and keeping clubs UP), there doesn't seem to be any viable replacements on the horizon.... and everyone seems to be avoiding Potter like the plague (?) IF... RM doesn't change "something" in the formation there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel, and this lot need a good kick up the a*se from an S.O.B. who can get results - without pandering to their every whim and excusing their every failure. Rant over.

Oh... do you mean the Flynn Downes ....when in " his best form" and injury free?. .. He's not the player he was last season. Noted after his return from suspension - he's already had the first of his next 5 yellows. We are still without Will Smallbone, ( not sure when he's fit again) and Adam Lallana is good for 60 mins. before getting subbed / injured. Our midfield is pathetically weak (come back Romeu)...and we lack bite and creativity. I'd welcome a Shea Charles return, because we're hardly likely to get " a class act " to come in and bulk up the MF, with us (sadly) already with one foot in the Championship.

Whether this story is true, or not ?...it's plain that continuing to follow the same formula that clearly isn't working is leading us nowhere. His dutiful support of those players who are clearly sub-standard at this level serves no purpose and it is pointless to try and substitute enthusiasm and encouragement.. in the place of skill and self-confidence. His blatant refusal to consider any form of alternative Plan B... is / was / will ...most likely lead to his eventual downfall. The majority of the goals we have scored have come more from luck than judgement, and the lack of consistency from any of the available strikers only goes to worsen the already miserable start to the season. There may be some degree of misfortune attributed to; the long list of injuries, and a number of the deplorable VAR decisions we've endured in recently but the fact remains despite some creditable individual performances - things need to improve PDQ. If he's looking to quick way out, the answer may come sooner than anyone thinks, and the thought of a year or two on the beach somewhere warm doesn't sound unattractive to some people - (depending on the company you are with) . We will soon reach the point of no return, and even the thought of another " Great Escape " may only be a glorious memory. Possibly, a few new faces in January might help turn the tide, but fresh ideas are needed because at present we can only admit that whatever brave ideas he has about " the system" at the moment ....." just 'ain't working " Russell .

Agreed Duncan, but hopefully we can pick up a few more points in the next five games before New Year, and then move a few names in and out....and whether RM can adjust the system to create some more scoring opportunities.

It would be difficult to argue against the logic of your text ally_uk, but like others on here you may have overlooked the sad history that often follows dramatic calls to " sack the manager ". In Royal circles (and Presidential ones ) there is always a successor ready to take over the job at 5 minutes notice. No such person exists in the footballing world, and having " lost / sacked " a manager you are faced with the task of replacing him before the next match. The untimely departure of Ronald Koeman (a so-called attacking midfielder in his day) but had a goal-scoring record with club and country that would put many international strikers to shame, and that showed in many of the excellent results Saints had during his tenure as manager. We saw one of the best spells of success we have had this century, but landed in the same situation when trying to find a replacement at short notice, which meant dredging through the long, and unsuitable CV's of former managers who happen to be in "Football's Job Centre" at the time. It should be noted that many are not " unemployed " because they were successful in their former workplace(s). Quite the opposite in many cases. The obvious problem of employing someone with little, or no comprehension of the English language begins at the first press conference and extends to the training ground every day of the week. Tactics.. (a mysterious and often misunderstood word) revolves around the manager's own career and reflects that of his own career experiences and so it was with Koeman's successors ; Puel and Pellegrino who were both die hard defenders. Mark Hughes' stint showed us that there is no place in football for Auld Lang Syne, but Ralph Hasenhuttl's valiant tenure (173 games) showed how he could survive with everyone else's misfits and very little funds to buy new players. The mountain air during his redundancy in his native Austria was obviously better than him spending months with a " shrink". Nathan Jones' short nightmare period at the helm is best left unrepeated, and then Selles carried the can - as he was the only person in the club who knew everyone's name. In truth, his team selection could have been bettered if left to the tea-lady and the medical staff. Russell Martin's achievement in getting promotion with half-a-team of loan players and others about to retire or leave should not be underrated, and the use of " Russball " has been praised by other managers and has worked.....for the likes of Barcelona and Man.City ... but the Prem. is a greater challenge for a squad well below the required standard, and a manager (who like many of his predecessors) appears to have no Plan B. So.. ally, with everyone calling for the axe, we shouldn't ignore phrases like " frying pan and fire ", nor the one about ...." the devil you know ..". Hopefully, when everyone has served their suspensions, and others have been restored to fitness we might still turn the corner after the New Year.

I was born in So'ton, and watched my first game in 1959.... (and I know I'm not the oldest on this site either). It's been a long period of frustrating seasons and others with joy and excitement, but in fair weather and foul I've remained a dedicated fan and will stay that way for the rest of natural. My real sadness being that my now permanent location means my visits to SMS are restricted to my all-too infrequent visits to the UK. Thank goodness for cable TV. The club has always been "poor " in financial terms, but " rich" in the talent that has passed through the club over those many decades and has helped many talented youngsters gain a memorable career (often sadly elsewhere). Those of you who are disappointed with the current situation (as we all are) should learn to adapt, or go and support one of those " big clubs" like Man. Utd and Tottenham who seemingly spend hundreds of millions on a regular basis , yet regularly fail to win ...anything. Those fans should read the story of " the Emperor' s new clothes " My respect goes out to those " do or die " fans who come and support Saints in every game and those more hardy types who travel all over the country in supporting the team in away games whenever they can. As for the rest.... you need to look for another club to " support" , or find yourselves a new sport. We are Southampton, and you belong somewhere else. COYR !

to those of you who haven't gone away somewhere else .. ... Can someone give me a decent stream to watch please

what do you have for a stream ?

Given the obvious problems re: unavailable players .....before the kick-off, If we can finish the game undefeated ?....it will be one of the best results of the season. Does anyone have a stream please?

Er.....you've just named 12 players ! ..Did you hope the referee wouldn't notice, or ?

Given the obvious problems re: unavailable players .....before the kick-off, If we can finish the game undefeated ?....it will be one of the best results of the season.

Thanks Charlie, at least I got to see the best half...

I must be a glutton for punishment , but does anyone have a stream to watch?

give the fellow a chance Vectis. If he concedes less than 3 goals he's a better choice than McCarthy.

January window ? ......just thinking aloud you understand. Bring Shea Charles back from Sheff Wed. and send Edwards out on loan there instead, (he needs game time). *might even consider having goalie bro. Pierce Charles (and let Joe Lumley get some games there instead ?). Ugochukwa may stay for the rest of the season, but Cornet (WHam) doesn't even get on the bench regularly. If KWP goes before the summer we might recoup a few million otherwise he'll go for free in summer. £0. We may still get that South American striker in January (?) and let one of our strikers go out on loan. Archer / BBD ? If fit?.. ..Onuachu has 8 games left before the New Year to prove himself - otherwise we may cut our losses and he'll leave. We need a better choice of CB's, now it's only THB (plus a fit Jan B).... and Captain Jack who will be OOC in the summer. We are overloaded with full backs who don't play regularly and I read that Cedric is still available? (good experience at least) Neither Downes or Smallbone have excelled this season, and 60 minutes from Lallana is about the limit before he gets subbed, but I would really like a tough, experienced DF who knows about the Prem. and can tackle without getting a red card. Not much to ask - is it ?

Ploughing my way through some of the strange comments (personal / professional and otherwise ) above, I'll get back to Football. I am really surprised that RM hasn't done something to tweak his " Russball formation" , and although it is logical to say that (theoretically) it denies the opposition a kick, he must surely see that the high % possession doesn't equate to more points. Average 63%(?) ...sounds impressive but it doesn't convert to goals as we still have the lowest goal tally in the League. If the new tactic is for Tyler Dibling to run on goal and win a penalty, then at least that is working, but nothing else seems to. Watching Paul Onuachu start was a pleasant surprise and although he showed some skill, I'm not sure he has 90 minutes in him. Although we have seen some excellent performances from certain players, they don't seem to be playing - as a team, but perhaps the many changes (tactical and injuries) hasn't helped either. We haven't started with the same side twice to date this season. Individual errors have cost us more than a dozen points so far, and it's sad to recall that getting a lead in games like Leicester, (yes)... and even Liverpool only to see the game gifted to them by " avoidable mistakes". Perhaps we shouldn't dwell on the dubious VAR decisions that have passed us by, or those blatantly ignored by the VAR panels. Now it's onto the next game, with the hope that the tide will turn at some point in the next few weeks and we can show some signs of recovery, as not even another " Great Escape " looks likely at present.

For all the fine talk and compliments from other managers, we are still bottom of the table and still gifting goals with suicide passes at the back, but predictably it seems that RM still doesn't have a Plan B, but simply tries moving players around to other positions in the hope of changing things. e.g. Manning to a midfield role....... and Fraser to full back (!) Clearly Tyler Dibling still hasn't learned about " Russball " properly yet . As soon as he gets possession, he turns and runs for goal ....instead of passing the ball back to a defender. Sadly, the lad still has a lot to learn.

....and end up getting the same result, I suppose?

does anyone have a stream yet?

we had a massive cash injection of £100 million in the summer (well massive by our standards), but it doesn't seem to have come to fruition yet. Ironically some of the best performances we've seen so far have come from players who cost .....next to nothing. Part of the problem is always bringing in players who have shown up well in their former clubs.....and then playing them in another role, and in a position for which they are unfamiliar, and then we wonder why they haven't produced the goods. No guesses for the end result. Historically the majority of our "big transfers" fees have produced little or nothing positive for the team and been more of a hindrance than a help. Apparently, Onuachu seems to have scored a lot of goals (elsewhere) - from receiving crosses in from the wings.........(but none for us). whereas ....Sulemana has shown that he is a good winger with pace.... but rarely gets the chance to show off his skill ....as a winger . Wait a minute Russell......possibly there's a solution there somewhere... perhaps something we may have overlooked?........or?

let's face it Whitey........a win anytime would be very welcome just now.