Russell Martin

[Badger]

1 hour ago, Lord Duckhunter said:
 

The fact is, Lego is a shit manager with good PR. Whereas Jones is a decent championship manager with shit PR. 

Lego is smarm and bullshit for PR as manager. Jones is seen as aggravating, he was wrong manager at wrong time. Lego as now proving is wrong manager any time. 

[aintforever]

Surely he can’t survive losing 4-0 at home to Oxford, this has to be curtains for him as a manager. Amazingly he has managed just three league wins since the play-off victory over Leeds.

I don’t get the hate for him though, he got us promoted which is more than the current lot have achieved.

[Weston Super Saint]

10 minutes ago, aintforever said:

Surely he can’t survive losing 4-0 at home to Oxford, this has to be curtains for him as a manager. Amazingly he has managed just three league wins since the play-off victory over Leeds.

I don’t get the hate for him though, he got us promoted which is more than the current lot have achieved.

I think we've all moved on from "hate".

We now enjoy watching his inevitable downfall. 

[egg]

10 minutes ago, aintforever said:

Surely he can’t survive losing 4-0 at home to Oxford, this has to be curtains for him as a manager. Amazingly he has managed just three league wins since the play-off victory over Leeds.

I don’t get the hate for him though, he got us promoted which is more than the current lot have achieved.

Agreed. I'm surprised Leicester gave him a chance tbh, but that must be his last hurrah. He's probably going to retire minted at 40. 

[Turkish]

11 minutes ago, egg said:

Agreed. I'm surprised Leicester gave him a chance tbh, but that must be his last hurrah. He's probably going to retire minted at 40. 

Probably end up as a pundit telling us what all the other managers are doing wrong 

[so22saint]

11 minutes ago, egg said:

Agreed. I'm surprised Leicester gave him a chance tbh, but that must be his last hurrah. He's probably going to retire minted at 40. 

yeah, but he'll have an ugly wife... oh 🤣

[aintforever]

12 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

I think we've all moved on from "hate".

We now enjoy watching his inevitable downfall. 

It’s hilarious watching Leicester go into meltdown but after this wish him well, I doubt he will get another chance though. The Leeds play-off win was one of my greatest days out as a Saints fan and Martin was part of making that happen.

[Oh no Mick Mills]

54 minutes ago, Badger said:

Lego is smarm and bullshit for PR as manager. Jones is seen as aggravating, he was wrong manager at wrong time. Lego as now proving is wrong manager any time. 

Apart from our longest ever unbeaten run in the club's history and promotion to the Prem....apart from that yeah , he's been poor. 

[Colinjb]

13 minutes ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Apart from our longest ever unbeaten run in the club's history and promotion to the Prem....apart from that yeah , he's been poor. 

Ah that old chestnut.

Imagine what that squad could have done with someone who's subsequent record wasn't three wins in at three different clubs.

[St. Ciervo]

8 hours ago, Midfield_General said:

Fair points but also worth noting that since he’s been at Leicester he has brought in 14 new players there too - 10 perms and 4 loans. 

They haven’t got a pot to piss in so they aren’t big money signings but he knew going in what their financial situation was so he can’t blame that. 

He’s doing what he always does - coaching into them the only system he knows, regardless of whether it works, is right for the game in front of him or suits the players at his disposal. Then trying to shrug off responsibility when it goes horribly, horribly wrong yet again. 

Personally I hope he keeps getting jobs and keeps doing it, because it’s fucking hilarious.

If he can drag enough teams down, surely that means we will rise to the top!

[aintforever]

36 minutes ago, Colinjb said:

Ah that old chestnut.

Imagine what that squad could have done with someone who's subsequent record wasn't three wins in at three different clubs.

Yeah, last season went so well.

[Oh no Mick Mills]

50 minutes ago, Colinjb said:

Ah that old chestnut.

Imagine what that squad could have done with someone who's subsequent record wasn't three wins in at three different clubs.

What more could have another manager done with that squad? 

Well I guess get us promoted like he did..not alot else to achieve really ...maybe as runaway champions would have been nice 

We were always back going down with a whimper regardless of the manager .

PSR and Sports Republics ineptitude in transfer dealing gave us no chance of survival.

I'm not Martin fanboy thats for sure but it doesn't mean that I can't recognise the success we had under him and having a memorable season of taking my kid and him actually seeing a Saints team win regularly for a change in high scoring games...happy weekends are not to be sniffed at. 

 

 

[gallaghert366@yahoo.com]

8 minutes ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

What more could have another manager done with that squad? 

Well I guess get us promoted like he did..not alot else to achieve really ...maybe as runaway champions would have been nice 

We were always back going down with a whimper regardless of the manager .

PSR and Sports Republics ineptitude in transfer dealing gave us no chance of survival.

I'm not Martin fanboy thats for sure but it doesn't mean that I can't recognise the success we had under him and having a memorable season of taking my kid and him actually seeing a Saints team win regularly for a change in high scoring games...happy weekends are not to be sniffed at. 

 

 

What a, seemingly, sad life you've had so far.

Edited Sunday at 18:25 by gallaghert366@yahoo.com

[Colinjb]

6 minutes ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

We were always back going down with a whimper regardless of the manager .

Now, that is highly open to debate.

[Mboto Gorge]

From pre season 2024/25;

 

Southampton manager Russell Martin is hoping to "surprise some people" this season as he prepares to take charge of a top-flight side for the first time in his career.

The former Norwich defender led the Saints into the Premier League through the Championship play-offs back in May.

Now he is ready to test his football philosophy against the best sides in English football.

"It is illogical to me that we would get to the Premier League and, through fear or lack of belief, we would then do something else," Martin told BBC Sport.

"There are going to be games when we play against amazing opposition and maybe look a bit different, but we won't go away to Manchester City or Liverpool and set up to camp. We just won't do it.

"We have to accept sometimes we will get beaten, but then at other times we will have beautiful moments, games and results that people don't expect. 

"Maybe we will surprise some people."

Southampton open up against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Saturday, 17 August.

 

As the famous Gordon Ramsey phrase goes “you do surprise me yes, you surprise me by how shit you are!”

[Oh no Mick Mills]

3 minutes ago, Colinjb said:

Now, that is highly open to debate.

Fair enough, but Juric made zero difference and imo I really can't see how that squad would have gotten the additional 27 points ontop of our 12 to get 4th bottom

[Colinjb]

17 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

From pre season 2024/25;

"It is illogical to me that we would get to the Premier League and, through fear or lack of belief, we would then do something else,"

Yet, he got through the play-offs by doing something different.

[AlexLaw76]

1 hour ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Apart from our longest ever unbeaten run in the club's history and promotion to the Prem....apart from that yeah , he's been poor. 

who cares that we drew a fair few games amongst some wins. During that 'magical' unbeaten run, we gained roughly ZERO points on the top 2 at the time. 

[AlexLaw76]

32 minutes ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

What more could have another manager done with that squad? 

 

 

 

Oh I don't know. Made us partially competitive during the first few months of the season. Kind of like what Hull are doing now

[Katalinic]

9 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Oh I don't know. Made us partially competitive during the first few months of the season. Kind of like what Hull are doing now

They've signed 18 players, which is what we should have done, the "Nottingham Forest and Sunderland approach". Martin's arrogance on playing the same way was ridiculous, but that squad was never good enough to stay up.

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Katalinic said:

They've signed 18 players, which is what we should have done, the "Nottingham Forest and Sunderland approach". Martin's arrogance on playing the same way was ridiculous, but that squad was never good enough to stay up.

I Agree we never had a squad good enough to stay up, but to be relegated by Halloween and totally embarrassing ourselves on the way....come on

[Katalinic]

11 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I Agree we never had a squad good enough to stay up, but to be relegated by Halloween and totally embarrassing ourselves on the way....come on

I agree with that, embarrassing. 

[Badger]

2 hours ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Apart from our longest ever unbeaten run in the club's history and promotion to the Prem....apart from that yeah , he's been poor. 

You can’t take this away from him, although there were still a few mind numbing performances in there.
 

The play off SF and Final were memorable, credit where it’s due. But the way it’s gone since you expect this might be the pinnacle of his managerial career. 
 

I remember someone saying RM would have a more successful career than Danny Rohl. Mmm 🤔 wonder if they’d like to review that 

[Bobbyboy]

So hang on is this the new "Pompey Takeover Saga" thread where it's basically a place for relief and therapy, knowing at least someone in the world is worse off than us?

[Turkish]

[Mboto Gorge]

Just now, Turkish said:

£4m per win is definitely winning the managers net spend trophy. What a hero 

[Zorba]

3 hours ago, Turkish said:

Rattle Ma’tin

[Midfield_General]

£12m in the bank and shagging a page 3 stunnah. He might not win any football matches but he's winning at life, fair fucks to him

And I've just read that his first choice keeper has done his ACL. So that's Macca as first choice for the rest of the season, meaning there might be another sweet sacking package and a few more million coming his way before too long.

Everything's coming up Rusty! 

 

Edited yesterday at 09:57 by Midfield_General

[badgerx16]

31 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

£12m in the bank and shagging a page 3 stunnah. He might not win any football matches but he's winning at life, fair fucks to him

And I've just read that his first choice keeper has done his ACL. So that's Macca as first choice for the rest of the season, meaning there might be another sweet sacking package and a few more million coming his way before too long.

Everything's coming up Rusty! 

 

Who do you think was in goal vs Oxford ?

[Saint_clark]

Watching the Oxford highlights with tears in my eyes. Tears of laughter. 

Seriously, how the fuck does he keep getting hired?

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, Saint_clark said:

Watching the Oxford highlights with tears in my eyes. Tears of laughter. 

Seriously, how the fuck does he keep getting hired?

It amazing how if the reports are correct that hes received 12m in payoffs, it doesnt matter he's quids in and can live a comfortable life without working again. The worlds gone mad

[coalman]

It's obvious that he just needs time. The players aren't going to adapt to his system overnight and it will take time for everyone to gel with all the personnel changes. It would be a tragedy if he was released from another job after having built the foundations to turn them around. Leicester are still 4th favourites to win League One with good reason. The stats don't lie.

[CB Fry]

7 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Watching the Oxford highlights with tears in my eyes. Tears of laughter. 

Seriously, how the fuck does he keep getting hired?

I get the privilege of having BBC East Midlands on TV - on Monday evenings they show all the goals and (usually) a clip of the managers of Forest/Derby/Leicester.

Guess who was nowhere to be seen? 

The 4 goals were absolutely dreadful from a LCFC perspective 😂

[die Mannyschaft]

7 hours ago, OldNick said:

It amazing how if the reports are correct that hes received 12m in payoffs, it doesnt matter he's quids in and can live a comfortable life without working again. The worlds gone mad

Needs to be a University degree in football management as obviously a shortage in qualified and experienced coaches.

[saintant]

Has he not been sacked yet?

[skintsaint]

3 hours ago, CB Fry said:

The 4 goals were absolutely dreadful from a LCFC perspective 😂

Couldn't even blame AM for them either 😅

[Verbal]

2 hours ago, saintant said:

Has he not been sacked yet?

I hope not

[HKsaint]

3 hours ago, saintant said:

Has he not been sacked yet?

Not football manger, we need to be patient. 

[Saint Paul C]

Russell Martin's Second Leicester Interview (As Interpreted by Reality)

Josh Holland: Russell, five league games in. One win. Seventeenth in the table. And obviously the 4–0 defeat at home to Oxford hasn't helped.

Russell Martin: No, it hasn't. but I actually think people are being quite simplistic about it.

There were some really positive signs.

Josh: You lost 4–0.

Russell: I know. I'm not denying the scoreline, Josh.

I'm just saying there's more to football than the scoreline.

Josh: What, specifically?

Russell: The way we built up. The structure. The positioning. The courage to receive the ball.

There were periods where we looked exactly like the team I want us to become.

Josh: Unfortunately, those periods didn't seem to include scoring.

Russell: That's something we're working on. But you can't just jump straight to scoring goals.

There's a process.

Josh: Surely scoring goals is quite an important part of that process?

Russell: Of course. But if you try to score before the foundations are right, you end up becoming obsessed with results. And that's how clubs get themselves into trouble.

Josh: Leicester fans might argue that being obsessed with results is fairly reasonable when you're expected to get promoted.

Russell: That's the difference between supporters and coaches. Supporters see the table.

We see the bigger picture.

Josh: And what does the bigger picture look like?

Russell: Very promising.

Josh: Despite one win?

Russell: Because of the one win.

Josh: I'm not sure I follow.

Russell: If we'd won five out of five, people would think everything was working. Now we've got a much clearer understanding of what still needs to improve. That's valuable.

Josh: So the 4–0 defeat was useful?

Russell: Very. Obviously I'd rather we'd won. But from a coaching perspective, four goals conceded gives you a lot of information.

Josh: Presumably three or four of those bits of information were "don't concede goals."

Russell: That's a very basic interpretation. There are layers to it.

Josh: The fans are becoming increasingly frustrated.

Russell: I understand that. They're emotional.

That's what supporters are.

They've paid money, they've got expectations, they want to see their team win. But they also need to understand that we're building something.

Josh: Some of them don't seem particularly interested in what you're building.

Russell: That's fine.

They don't have to understand it yet.

Josh: Yet?

Russell: Eventually they will.

That's normally how these things work.

Josh: And what about those saying you're too stubborn? That you won't change your approach?

Russell: I think that's a misunderstanding. I'm not stubborn. I'm incredibly consistent.

There's a difference.

Josh: But if something isn't working, shouldn't you change it?

Russell: Absolutely. And we have.

Josh: What have you changed?

Russell: We've changed the way we don't change.

Josh: I'm sorry?

Russell: We've become much more flexible within the principles. The principles themselves aren't negotiable.

Josh: Why?

Russell: Because they're my principles.

Josh: And what if the players don't naturally fit those principles?

Russell: Then they have an opportunity to develop.

Josh: What if they can't?

Russell: Then someone else can.

Josh: That sounds like quite a ruthless approach.

Russell: It's professional football. I'm not here to make everyone comfortable. I'm here to make Leicester successful.

Josh: And you believe your way is the way to do that?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: Completely?

Russell: I've watched an enormous amount of football.

I've coached at a very high level.

I've been promoted.

I've been relegated.

I've been misunderstood.

I've been criticised.

I've been proven right.

I've occasionally been proven right later than I'd have liked.

But ultimately, I know what good football looks like.

Josh: Some people would point out that your last two jobs didn't exactly end with overwhelming success.

Russell: That's a very results-based way of looking at it.

Josh: They were both results-based industries.

Russell: That's the problem with football. Everyone wants immediate evidence. Sometimes you have to look beneath the surface.

Josh: Southampton went down.

Russell: Southampton had circumstances.

Josh: Rangers lasted 17 games.

Russell: Rangers had circumstances.

Josh: Leicester have started poorly.

Russell: Leicester have circumstances.

Josh: What circumstances?

Russell: We're still identifying them.

Josh: Any idea where you'll start?

Russell: Probably somewhere between recruitment, squad balance, confidence, injuries, refereeing, fixture scheduling and the supporters' expectations.

Josh: The supporters' expectations?

Russell: Yes. Promotion is a very easy word to say. It's much harder to actually build a team capable of achieving it.

Josh: But wasn't promotion the objective when you were appointed?

Russell: Of course.

Josh: So why shouldn't fans expect it?

Russell: They should.

Josh: That sounds contradictory.

Russell: Only if you don't understand the process.

Josh: Right.

Russell: Look, I understand why people are frustrated. If I was sitting in the stands watching us lose 4–0, I'd probably be frustrated too. Although I'd also be looking at the positioning of the full-backs and wondering why nobody else was noticing what I was noticing.

Josh: What were you noticing?

Russell: Quite a lot.

Josh: Such as?

Russell: I'm not going to give away all my tactical information.

Josh: You were 4–0 down.

Russell: Exactly. They've already seen enough.

Josh: There's been a lot of talk about whether the dressing room has bought into your ideas.

Russell: The players are fantastic.

They work incredibly hard.

They're learning.

Some are further along than others.

Josh: Are they all convinced?

Russell: Conviction comes with understanding. Understanding comes with repetition. Repetition comes with time. Time comes with patience.

Josh: And patience comes from winning?

Russell: Ideally.

Josh: Which you're not doing.

Russell: Not enough yet.

Josh: So where does that leave you?

Russell: In a very good position.

Josh: Seventeenth.

Russell: Temporarily.

Josh: How temporary?

Russell: Very.

Josh: That's quite confident.

Russell: I'm confident because I know what we're doing. The danger would be changing direction because people are shouting.

Josh: What if the shouting gets louder?

Russell: Then we'll know they're passionate.

Josh: And if they're chanting for you to be sacked?

Russell: That's disappointing. But ultimately, I don't coach based on chants.

Josh: What do you coach based on?

Russell: Principles.

Josh: Your principles.

Russell: Correct.

Josh: What would you say to a supporter who says, "Russell, I don't trust the process"?

Russell: I'd say that's okay. You don't have to trust the process.

Josh: Really?

Russell: No. Obviously I'd prefer them to, but trust is earned.

Josh: So how do you earn it?

Russell: By winning.

Josh: Ah.

Russell: Eventually.

Josh: So results do matter.

Russell: Of course they matter. They just don't determine whether I'm right.

Josh: What's the difference?

Russell: Results tell you what happened. They don't necessarily tell you why.

Josh: And you've worked out why Leicester are losing?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: And?

Russell: We're not executing the process well enough.

Josh: Why?

Russell: Because the players are still learning.

Josh: Why are they still learning?

Russell: Because we've only had five games.

Josh: So how long do they need?

Russell: Longer than five games.

Josh: How much longer?

Russell: Enough.

Josh: That's not particularly scientific.

Russell: Coaching isn't a stopwatch.

Josh: What if Leicester lose the next five?

Russell: We'll analyse them.

Josh: And if they lose the five after that?

Russell: We'll analyse those too.

Josh: And at what point do you analyse yourself?

Russell: I do that every day.

Josh: What have you concluded?

Russell: I'm still very good.

Josh: That's your self-analysis?

Russell: It's an ongoing process.

Josh: And you're not concerned about your position?

Russell: No.

Josh: Even with the pressure building?

Russell: Pressure is part of management. I actually quite enjoy it. It confirms people care.

Josh: What about the possibility that the board decide they've had enough?

Russell: That's their decision. But if they do, they'll have to explain why they interrupted a process that was clearly moving in the right direction.

Josh: Even if you're sitting seventeenth?

Russell: Especially then.

Josh: Why especially then?

Russell: Because that's when people panic. And panic is the enemy of progress.

Josh: Russell, if you were a Leicester supporter right now, would you trust Russell Martin?

Russell: Absolutely.

Josh: Even after Oxford?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: Even after one win in five?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: Even after everything that's happened?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: Why?

Russell: Because I know something they don't.

Josh: What's that?

Russell: I'm Russell Martin.

Josh: That's it?

Russell: That's quite a lot, Josh.

Josh: And finally, what happens if the process simply doesn't work?

Russell: Then we'll need to ask why.

Josh: And if the answer is that the football wasn't good enough?

Russell: It won't be.

Josh: What if it is?

Russell: Then we'll look at the players.

Josh: And if they were good enough?

Russell: Recruitment.

Josh: If recruitment was good?

Russell: Injuries.

Josh: If there weren't injuries?

Russell: Referees.

Josh: If the referees were perfect?

Russell: Fixture congestion.

Josh: If that was fine?

Russell: Pitch.

Josh: Perfect pitch?

Russell: Weather.

Josh: Perfect weather?

Russell: Fans.

Josh: The fans?

Russell: I'm not blaming the fans. I'm simply saying football is a complex ecosystem.

Josh: And you are the only constant?

Russell: Exactly.

Josh: Which presumably means—

Russell: If things go well, I've built something exceptional. If things go badly, I've identified a remarkable number of external factors. Either way, we've learned something.

Josh: And the supporters?

Russell: They just need to be patient.

Josh: How patient?

Russell: Until I'm proven right.

Josh: And if you're never proven right?

Russell: Then we need to have a very serious conversation about what "right" actually means.

Josh: Russell Martin. Thank you.

Russell: My pleasure. And Josh?

Josh: Yes?

Russell: Trust the process.

Josh: I'm trying.

Russell: No, you're not.

Josh: How do you know?

Russell: You asked too many questions.

 

[SaintsBarry74]

From the Leicester forum 😄. Its quite impressive how theyve mapped him out within a few matches. 

 

[benjii]

If Tonda gets a medium ban and Leicester let Rusty go, it would make good sense to bring him in as interim manager.

[AlexLaw76]

39 minutes ago, benjii said:

If Tonda gets a medium ban and Leicester let Rusty go, it would make good sense to bring him in as interim manager.

Unfinished business. You can smell it in the air

[suewhistle]

I've been busy with a new kitchen going in and have only just seen the weekend result (after looking at the wrong division, I'd forgotten..).

It's good to have a healthy laugh in the morning, although I do feel guilty laughing at someone who is so obviously delusional.

[Turkish]

9 hours ago, Saint Paul C said:

Russell Martin's Second Leicester Interview (As Interpreted by Reality)

Josh Holland: Russell, five league games in. One win. Seventeenth in the table. And obviously the 4–0 defeat at home to Oxford hasn't helped.

Russell Martin: No, it hasn't. but I actually think people are being quite simplistic about it.

There were some really positive signs.

Josh: You lost 4–0.

Russell: I know. I'm not denying the scoreline, Josh.

I'm just saying there's more to football than the scoreline.

Josh: What, specifically?

Russell: The way we built up. The structure. The positioning. The courage to receive the ball.

There were periods where we looked exactly like the team I want us to become.

Josh: Unfortunately, those periods didn't seem to include scoring.

Russell: That's something we're working on. But you can't just jump straight to scoring goals.

There's a process.

Josh: Surely scoring goals is quite an important part of that process?

Russell: Of course. But if you try to score before the foundations are right, you end up becoming obsessed with results. And that's how clubs get themselves into trouble.

Josh: Leicester fans might argue that being obsessed with results is fairly reasonable when you're expected to get promoted.

Russell: That's the difference between supporters and coaches. Supporters see the table.

We see the bigger picture.

Josh: And what does the bigger picture look like?

Russell: Very promising.

Josh: Despite one win?

Russell: Because of the one win.

Josh: I'm not sure I follow.

Russell: If we'd won five out of five, people would think everything was working. Now we've got a much clearer understanding of what still needs to improve. That's valuable.

Josh: So the 4–0 defeat was useful?

Russell: Very. Obviously I'd rather we'd won. But from a coaching perspective, four goals conceded gives you a lot of information.

Josh: Presumably three or four of those bits of information were "don't concede goals."

Russell: That's a very basic interpretation. There are layers to it.

Josh: The fans are becoming increasingly frustrated.

Russell: I understand that. They're emotional.

That's what supporters are.

They've paid money, they've got expectations, they want to see their team win. But they also need to understand that we're building something.

Josh: Some of them don't seem particularly interested in what you're building.

Russell: That's fine.

They don't have to understand it yet.

Josh: Yet?

Russell: Eventually they will.

That's normally how these things work.

Josh: And what about those saying you're too stubborn? That you won't change your approach?

Russell: I think that's a misunderstanding. I'm not stubborn. I'm incredibly consistent.

There's a difference.

Josh: But if something isn't working, shouldn't you change it?

Russell: Absolutely. And we have.

Josh: What have you changed?

Russell: We've changed the way we don't change.

Josh: I'm sorry?

Russell: We've become much more flexible within the principles. The principles themselves aren't negotiable.

Josh: Why?

Russell: Because they're my principles.

Josh: And what if the players don't naturally fit those principles?

Russell: Then they have an opportunity to develop.

Josh: What if they can't?

Russell: Then someone else can.

Josh: That sounds like quite a ruthless approach.

Russell: It's professional football. I'm not here to make everyone comfortable. I'm here to make Leicester successful.

Josh: And you believe your way is the way to do that?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: Completely?

Russell: I've watched an enormous amount of football.

I've coached at a very high level.

I've been promoted.

I've been relegated.

I've been misunderstood.

I've been criticised.

I've been proven right.

I've occasionally been proven right later than I'd have liked.

But ultimately, I know what good football looks like.

Josh: Some people would point out that your last two jobs didn't exactly end with overwhelming success.

Russell: That's a very results-based way of looking at it.

Josh: They were both results-based industries.

Russell: That's the problem with football. Everyone wants immediate evidence. Sometimes you have to look beneath the surface.

Josh: Southampton went down.

Russell: Southampton had circumstances.

Josh: Rangers lasted 17 games.

Russell: Rangers had circumstances.

Josh: Leicester have started poorly.

Russell: Leicester have circumstances.

Josh: What circumstances?

Russell: We're still identifying them.

Josh: Any idea where you'll start?

Russell: Probably somewhere between recruitment, squad balance, confidence, injuries, refereeing, fixture scheduling and the supporters' expectations.

Josh: The supporters' expectations?

Russell: Yes. Promotion is a very easy word to say. It's much harder to actually build a team capable of achieving it.

Josh: But wasn't promotion the objective when you were appointed?

Russell: Of course.

Josh: So why shouldn't fans expect it?

Russell: They should.

Josh: That sounds contradictory.

Russell: Only if you don't understand the process.

Josh: Right.

Russell: Look, I understand why people are frustrated. If I was sitting in the stands watching us lose 4–0, I'd probably be frustrated too. Although I'd also be looking at the positioning of the full-backs and wondering why nobody else was noticing what I was noticing.

Josh: What were you noticing?

Russell: Quite a lot.

Josh: Such as?

Russell: I'm not going to give away all my tactical information.

Josh: You were 4–0 down.

Russell: Exactly. They've already seen enough.

Josh: There's been a lot of talk about whether the dressing room has bought into your ideas.

Russell: The players are fantastic.

They work incredibly hard.

They're learning.

Some are further along than others.

Josh: Are they all convinced?

Russell: Conviction comes with understanding. Understanding comes with repetition. Repetition comes with time. Time comes with patience.

Josh: And patience comes from winning?

Russell: Ideally.

Josh: Which you're not doing.

Russell: Not enough yet.

Josh: So where does that leave you?

Russell: In a very good position.

Josh: Seventeenth.

Russell: Temporarily.

Josh: How temporary?

Russell: Very.

Josh: That's quite confident.

Russell: I'm confident because I know what we're doing. The danger would be changing direction because people are shouting.

Josh: What if the shouting gets louder?

Russell: Then we'll know they're passionate.

Josh: And if they're chanting for you to be sacked?

Russell: That's disappointing. But ultimately, I don't coach based on chants.

Josh: What do you coach based on?

Russell: Principles.

Josh: Your principles.

Russell: Correct.

Josh: What would you say to a supporter who says, "Russell, I don't trust the process"?

Russell: I'd say that's okay. You don't have to trust the process.

Josh: Really?

Russell: No. Obviously I'd prefer them to, but trust is earned.

Josh: So how do you earn it?

Russell: By winning.

Josh: Ah.

Russell: Eventually.

Josh: So results do matter.

Russell: Of course they matter. They just don't determine whether I'm right.

Josh: What's the difference?

Russell: Results tell you what happened. They don't necessarily tell you why.

Josh: And you've worked out why Leicester are losing?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: And?

Russell: We're not executing the process well enough.

Josh: Why?

Russell: Because the players are still learning.

Josh: Why are they still learning?

Russell: Because we've only had five games.

Josh: So how long do they need?

Russell: Longer than five games.

Josh: How much longer?

Russell: Enough.

Josh: That's not particularly scientific.

Russell: Coaching isn't a stopwatch.

Josh: What if Leicester lose the next five?

Russell: We'll analyse them.

Josh: And if they lose the five after that?

Russell: We'll analyse those too.

Josh: And at what point do you analyse yourself?

Russell: I do that every day.

Josh: What have you concluded?

Russell: I'm still very good.

Josh: That's your self-analysis?

Russell: It's an ongoing process.

Josh: And you're not concerned about your position?

Russell: No.

Josh: Even with the pressure building?

Russell: Pressure is part of management. I actually quite enjoy it. It confirms people care.

Josh: What about the possibility that the board decide they've had enough?

Russell: That's their decision. But if they do, they'll have to explain why they interrupted a process that was clearly moving in the right direction.

Josh: Even if you're sitting seventeenth?

Russell: Especially then.

Josh: Why especially then?

Russell: Because that's when people panic. And panic is the enemy of progress.

Josh: Russell, if you were a Leicester supporter right now, would you trust Russell Martin?

Russell: Absolutely.

Josh: Even after Oxford?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: Even after one win in five?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: Even after everything that's happened?

Russell: Yes.

Josh: Why?

Russell: Because I know something they don't.

Josh: What's that?

Russell: I'm Russell Martin.

Josh: That's it?

Russell: That's quite a lot, Josh.

Josh: And finally, what happens if the process simply doesn't work?

Russell: Then we'll need to ask why.

Josh: And if the answer is that the football wasn't good enough?

Russell: It won't be.

Josh: What if it is?

Russell: Then we'll look at the players.

Josh: And if they were good enough?

Russell: Recruitment.

Josh: If recruitment was good?

Russell: Injuries.

Josh: If there weren't injuries?

Russell: Referees.

Josh: If the referees were perfect?

Russell: Fixture congestion.

Josh: If that was fine?

Russell: Pitch.

Josh: Perfect pitch?

Russell: Weather.

Josh: Perfect weather?

Russell: Fans.

Josh: The fans?

Russell: I'm not blaming the fans. I'm simply saying football is a complex ecosystem.

Josh: And you are the only constant?

Russell: Exactly.

Josh: Which presumably means—

Russell: If things go well, I've built something exceptional. If things go badly, I've identified a remarkable number of external factors. Either way, we've learned something.

Josh: And the supporters?

Russell: They just need to be patient.

Josh: How patient?

Russell: Until I'm proven right.

Josh: And if you're never proven right?

Russell: Then we need to have a very serious conversation about what "right" actually means.

Josh: Russell Martin. Thank you.

Russell: My pleasure. And Josh?

Josh: Yes?

Russell: Trust the process.

Josh: I'm trying.

Russell: No, you're not.

Josh: How do you know?

Russell: You asked too many questions.

 

Brilliant 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[AlexLaw76]

that is very very believable 😀

[sockeye]

Nothing beats his Rangers era

Martin out flags at every game, his face in greyscale crossed out like he’s some Middle Eastern dictator😂😂😂

[West Dean FC Legend]

On 06/09/2026 at 19:44, Colinjb said:

Yet, he got through the play-offs by doing something different.

I might be misremembering or something be didn't he say the team didn't play the way he wanted in some stages of that game and it didn't sound like he was joking.

As for the unbeaten run, well leading 3-0 or something with 20 minutes to go and passing back and forth on the halfway line and then back to the penalty area - back to the goalie - out wide - back up the halfway line, across the halfway line again.....they could have gone 1000 games unbeaten and I wouldn't have watched them. It is supposed to be entertainment too.