Martin or Jaidi?

[Ashley Grute]

Went last night and although Martin didn't do anything amazing, he had a solid game against a Prem striker and stood up to the task. If you were Pards, based on Jaidi's shaky start to the season, who would you play alongside Fonte on Saturday? I would stick with Martin.

[niceandfriendly]

Martin certainly played well yesterday, and kept Davies in his pocket for most of the game. I'd say he probably deserves to start in the league after that.

[SoccerMom]

Martin, please. Was ready to play it forward rather than hoofing - I was amused, in fact, that Bolton resorted to hoofing much more often than we did last night.

[Mr Saints]

Martin without a doubt.

 

He's only going to get better. Jaidi just gets worse.

[kpturner]

His distribution isn't up to much, but the same applies to Seabourne. He was solid enough though and always went for safety first (i.e. hoofing it out of play). I think he would be fine against most L1 opposition.

[Deppo]

The ideal centre back partnership is one quality ball player and one liability.

[RedAndWhite91]

I rate Martin, he impressed me in his debut against Gillingham and against Southend, always thought it wouldn't be long before he was challenging Jaidi for a place. He is solid and tries to play the ball out of defence - better than hoofing it. He's young and still learning but obviously has talent.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

The ideal centre back partnership is one quality ball player and one liability.

 

Killer and Lundekvam

[Deppo]

Killer and Lundekvam

 

Yeh, one of them with a quality ball player would have been perfect.

[kpturner]

The ideal centre back partnership is one quality ball player and one liability.

 

Killer and Lundekvam

 

Which one is the liability?

Edited 25 August, 2010 by kpturner

[SnailOB]

Interesting question. I find Jaidi slow & distribution is also very poor. Already this season we have had posters saying that Seabourne just hoofed ball away and dismissed him as an option - quite frankly Jaidi doesn't appear to be any better.

 

Think Jaidi / Seabourne / Martin are much the same. Pardew needs to make a decision and stick with it because the most important part will be the 'partnership' with Fonte.

[bpsaint]

As kpturner says his distribution was a bit wayward at times yesterday but that could easily be down to a bit of nerves at playing against a Prem team on only his 3rd start for us. He did the simple things right like putting the ball out for a throw instead of fannying about with it and was very vocal,just what you want from a CB.Think he'd be more than up to the task in League one, particularly if AP keeps him in the team for the next few games.

[Foxstone]

Martin is a very focussed young lad who has all the raw materials to be a great asset to us.

 

I think he is ready for regular selection now and in my view, should be selected ahead of Jaidi.

[SaintDonkey]

Jaidi hasn't really got the legs any more but his reading of the game is probably better than Fonte's let alone Martin or Seaborne. Having said that I'd like to see Martin phased in over the course of the season. He's going to get games as Jaidi can't play twice in a week and by the end of the season he should have made the place his own.

 

Seabourne needs to fight to reclaim the 'number 3' slot back from Martin - and I think that's healthy competition.

[RonManager]

I think Martin is a great footballer in the making.

 

He was excellent last night, showed pace and intelligence, knew when to do the simple thing and should definitely start on Saturday.

 

England material one day. FACT.

[Arizona]

I would say Martin 100%. For the simple season that he will probably get better, whereas there is no way on Earth Jaidi will get any quicker. I might be tempted to use Jaidi against a Grant Holt/John Parkin/Steve Howard type lump, but for me Martin is the answer. Not Hoofbourne.

[Rebel]

Jaidi seems to be on the verge of being past it

 

he also tries to be too clever with the ball when it should be a case of safety first - and his passing is not always great either

 

Seabourne and Martin should be pushing for the starting position alongside Fonte - but I have a feeling Martin will be the better of the two in the long run!

[RonManager]

What is Martin like in the air? This is definitely Jaidis plus point but he has no composure on the ball. Cheers.

 

Good. He kept Kevin Davies quiet last night, it was Fonte that Davies beat/fouled for the knock down from which they scored.

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2134055,00.html

[st alex]

Thought there were a couple of times when Martin let the ball bounce a couple of times last night, where Jaidi would surely have headed it half the length of the pitch.

 

However, Jaidi looks a real liability whenever a ball is played along the ground, I do rate Martin, and would prefer him to start ahead of Jaidi & Seabourne, although I'm probably a little bias as I want to see a young Southampton born player who was playing non league football this time last year force his way into the starting 11 and oust an experienced international.

[st alex]

Thought there were a couple of times when Martin let the ball bounce a couple of times last night, where Jaidi would surely have headed it half the length of the pitch.

 

However, Jaidi looks a real liability whenever a ball is played along the ground, I do rate Martin, and would prefer him to start ahead of Jaidi & Seabourne, although I'm probably a little bias as I want to see a young Southampton born player who was playing non league football this time last year force his way into the starting 11 and oust an experienced international.

[vince]

I haven't seen enough of Martin to comment on him, but after the Sutton friendly, I posted saying I would be surprised if Jaidi lasted the season with us and I'm still of that opinion.

 

I think Jaidi will give away too many free kicks for either being too slow to the ball and therefore fouling people or for climbing all over them to win headers in dangerous positions.

 

Looking past this season, I can't seen any way in which he will be involved next season.

[RonManager]

Thought there were a couple of times when Martin let the ball bounce a couple of times last night, where Jaidi would surely have headed it half the length of the pitch.

 

One instance in the second half he did this, with his back to the ball and the Bolton forward (Elmander I think) all over him close to the by-line. Determined not to just blast it anywhere, he looked infield and hooked it perfectly into the stride of Fonte. If he'd lost the ball there the forward would have been through to cut into the area. Another occasion, almost identical and in the same place, he again looked but no-one was available, so smacked it into the Itchen North.

 

That shows great self-confidence and also sensibilty and the ability to make the correct choice.

 

We've got a goodun here, I tells ya!!

Edited 25 August, 2010 by RonManager
Crip Spolling

[S-Clarke]

I've been pleasantly surprised by Martin, when we signed him i didn't expect him to really be involved in the first team for a while, but he's forced himself right in there and has looked totally comfortable whenever he's played.

 

He reads the game well, challenges well and heads well. He's just a general solid defender, no frills at all - he just defends and i like that. I wouldn't be surprised to see him start at the weekend.

[Dellman]

When Martin plays does Fonte have to move?

[positivepete]

First time I had seen him play last night. Good defender, stayed on his feet, loudest player on the pitch, played safe when he needed to, good decision maker. I would say he has a promising future if he carries on like this. Playing alongside Fonte clearly helped, but I would think, like others, that he could be a regular next season. I am sure he will make quite a few starts this season.

[Saints67]

Voted for martin though neot seen him play yet. Jaidi worries me as he seems casual on the ball and too often no loses out to the attacker when the ball is on the deck. In the air Jaidi still has it though from reading the reports from those that have seen Martin play I'd say he has the potential to be as dominant in the air as Jaidi (or even Metomo )

[alpine_saint]

Killer and Lundekvam

 

LOL, was thinking the same.

 

And proven is such a painful manner when we were relegated from the PL.

 

Lundekvam was a useless tw*t that season.

[alpine_saint]

Which one is the liability?

 

Are you for real ?

[CWD]

Martin for me. Looks mobile and a decent ball player too. As long as we accept that he will make mistakes every now and again, then he should play every week and get better and better

[kpturner]

Are you for real ?

Why?

[sambosa75]

I also went with Martin. Jaidi is definitely a handy player at this level when coming up against absolute lumps but from what I've seen of Martin he is a bit more mobile and has time on his side so he is only going to get better. At times on Saturday when Jaidi had the ball there were obvious passes on but he kept persisting in hoofing the ball as far as he could. Martin is young and might make one or two mistakes but he's got potential and the best way to bring that out is to play him.

[sad saints fan]

I think Martin is a great footballer in the making.

 

He was excellent last night, showed pace and intelligence, knew when to do the simple thing and should definitely start on Saturday.

 

England material one day. FACT.

 

I completely agree with this,and also think that by the end of this season he will be another in the AL mould that we will be worried about losing him to a team from a higher division.

[simondo]

i think Jaidi is getting a bit past it now. he is a man mountain when things come at him, but if he has to move quickly to cover or find space, he doesn't seem to have it in the locker. his distribution on Saturday was poor, and although others were obviously involved, i think he was partly at fault for both the goals we have conceeded. plymouth he misqueued and LO it was pressure on him that caused his mis pass that lead to the corner.

[eurosaint]

IMO Martin did enough last night to retain his place in the side !

Pardew alluded to this in his interview and his comment that he would pick his best team 'irrespective of reputations' indicates to me that AM will start !

[del boy]

Martin has come a long way in a short time, he looks the real deal and should get better with experience. I feel nervous with Jaidi in defence - he'll nearly always win a header but is seriously lacking in mobility and speed now. It should be a good combo this season though because there will be plenty of games to play. Its just a real luxury to have some CB options after recent seasons.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Frankly I would start Dean Martin ahead of Jaidi at the moment - and he's dead .

[Saint Matty 76]

Why isn't there an option for none of the above? I think that's the area we really need to strengthen.

[niceandfriendly]

Why isn't there an option for none of the above? I think that's the area we really need to strengthen.

 

Fonte, Jaidi, Martin and Seabourne. Most if not all League 1 clubs would kill to have those four as centre back options.

[opthomps]

Fonte, Jaidi, Martin and Seabourne. Most if not all League 1 clubs would kill to have those four as centre back options.

 

and butterfield can play there too cant he, when richardson comes back?

[ohwhenthesaints]

and butterfield can play there too cant he, when richardson comes back?

 

Bit short for a CB isn't he? We need a bruiser next to Fonte really. He can cover midfield though giving us the options of Guly, Morgan, Hammond, Butterfield and Wotton. Looks very good to me.

[saintscottofthenortham]

From the first time I saw Martin play (Southend) I have wanted him to be our permanent centre back. He really does have something about him. Jaidi, as I said before, I felt sorry for on the opening day against Plymouth. He looked so out of touch and could barely move by 75 minutes. He is a big lump, great in the air and reads the game well, but unfortunatly, his legs have gone. Martin is, for his age, a very very clever player. He isn't the biggest of lads but will throw himself into a challenge. I hope to see him play Saturday. I didnt go last night, but from what I could gather on Saints player he kept someone who many believe should be in the england squad, very quiet indeed.

[JustMike]

i was hard to believe on Martins showing last night that he is still so young, would definitely keep him in.

[scott_saints]

Jaidi. Easy choice for me.

 

I reckon Pardew also agrees. Martin 2nd choice though. Seabourne can suck my nads.

[West End Saint]

Martin could well force his way into the side as lots have said Jaidi is slowing up (thought he did well last season) I have only seen Seabourne have 1 good game away to Exeter.

 

Martin looks the real deal to me he is very young for centre back and will make mistakes but I think we have a very good player in the making I hope Pards rewards him with a start against Brizzle Rovers he deserves it.

[mitch01]

Orient's game plan on saturday was to just let Jaidi have the ball and mark tightly. It worked brilliantly, because he can't pass to save his life, and we lost the ball almost every time. Martin deserves a go.

[The9]

Went last night and although Martin didn't do anything amazing, he had a solid game against a Prem striker and stood up to the task. If you were Pards, based on Jaidi's shaky start to the season, who would you play alongside Fonte on Saturday? I would stick with Martin.

 

I thought Martin was decent in the air (though we conceded from a headed knock-down) and utterly petrified with the ball when facing his own net, just whacking it absolutely anywhere if under even the remotest kind of pressure, and sometimes even when not. A low-risk approach, but hardly impressive.

 

He looked scared to try anything and utterly out of his depth in places, very much the Conference South player turned pro - but the confidence will only come, if it comes at all, with game time.

 

Bit of a dilemma, that.

[torsaint]

Noticed him try to clear a ball on his left side with his right foot. It looked incedibly clumsy and would have been spotted and pounced on by better opposition. He is too inexperienced to play every week so I expect to see Jaidi most of the time. He is a much better header of the ball than any of the others. At 3rd division level that skill is vital.

[The9]

What is Martin like in the air? This is definitely Jaidis plus point but he has no composure on the ball. Cheers.

 

On the contrary, Jaidi has loads of composure on the ball, he's just not very good at hitting wonderful 40 yard passes, which might be one of the reasons he's a centre-back.

[suewhistle]

I saw Jaidi come on as sub against Thun in the first pre-season friendly. I'm not what one for snap judgements and assessing players from here in the Alps without actually seeing them play, but nothing I saw in the Plymouth and Orient games made me revise my initial view that he won't play much and/or last the season. Against slow lumps on heavy pitches he might feature, but it's a shame that his legs really do seem to have gone, and possibly some confidence with it.

[Turkish]

Martin seems to have moved above Seabourne in the pecking order. Didn't go last night but if he did a good job on KD that is a good sign as he is a better version of what he'll face week in week out. I think the criticism of Jaidi is a bit harsh, he hasn't been great but not that bad either, we know he has no finesse, he is not that type of player. He is probably one of those players that needs 4 or 5 games to really get into his stride in a season.