Russell Martin

[coalman]

Nobody would be able to succeed in League One with these players. Once again the problem is his inability to recruit directly from Real Madrid / Liverpool / Man City. If he could just find a source of players who never make mistakes and can follow his instructions perfectly he'd be unstoppable.

[Oh no Mick Mills]

4 nil away win tonight ..back to back wins....GO TEAM RUSSELL.

I'm sure this thread will be flooded later with congratulations to our Russ

Eh lads...........lads? 😂

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Fair play. He's turned it around.

Look forward to seeing him back at St Mary's next season.

[The Kraken]

It’s been humorous to watch their start, but he’ll take them up this year, most likely automatic. They’ve had a laughable start yet, win a game in hand, and they’re 4 points off second.

Far too strong a squad to stay in L1 this year, even with a complete bellend in charge.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Smallbone came on as a sub. Could the turn around simply be him arriving at the club? The Smallbone Effect. 

(Not the one you're searching online for a solution to. The other Smallbone Effect)

[Oh no Mick Mills]

A tougher away game at Luton on Saturday awaits.

Win that and then win their follow home game and I'll be writing that man a lovely poem. 

[coalman]

It's great to see he was right all along. Leicester about to reap the benefits of sticking by their man in the way both Rangers and Southampton failed to.

Edited Wednesday at 06:03 by coalman

[23rdSaint]

38 minutes ago, coalman said:

It's great to see he was right all along. Leicester about to reap the benefits of sticking by their man in the way both Rangers and Southampton failed to.

We did 👍

 

(I realise you're joking, but worth remembering this run before our unbeaten streak)

Edited Wednesday at 06:41 by 23rdSaint

[IFHP]

Why are some so obsessed with Russell Martin? 

Hes probably got more pages about him when he’s not our manager than he did when he was . 
 

Strange. 

[Oh no Mick Mills]

19 minutes ago, IFHP said:

Why are some so obsessed with Russell Martin? 

Hes probably got more pages about him when he’s not our manager than he did when he was . 
 

Strange. 

He's in our heads,

In our heads,

Russell, Russell,

RUSS! RUSS! RUSS!

 

[Weston Super Saint]

28 minutes ago, IFHP said:

Why are some so obsessed with Russell Martin? 

Hes probably got more pages about him when he’s not our manager than he did when he was . 
 

Strange. 

Greatness should always be celebrated.  Just because you don't understand, doesn't make you a bad person.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, IFHP said:

Why are some so obsessed with Russell Martin? 

Hes probably got more pages about him when he’s not our manager than he did when he was . 
 

Strange. 

He has an interesting philosophy that he wants to embed at all his clubs. Regardless of short term gains, and very possibly despite possession based football having moved on.

I like to see it develop. The hurdles are clear to any fan of any of his clubs. They are very clear to players, who have to adjust to playing it. Spare a moment to remember Mason Holgate.

When it clicked, and with our better players, and against certain opposition, we played some good stuff.

I'm genuinely pleased Smallbone is there. He did really well under Martin, and Martin benefitted as a result. Looking forward to seeing how his side progresses. There are some Southampton and Rangers players in there, and it's looking a bit more settled.

But will he be given time ? will this be a turn around or a blip?  will the club actually be sold and new owners move him on? All questions I'm glad to be answered at another club.

[coalman]

3 hours ago, 23rdSaint said:

We did 👍

 

(I realise you're joking, but worth remembering this run before our unbeaten streak)

Yes, but then we gave up on him in the Premier League after another bad streak. Imagine where we'd be now if we'd followed the process.

[suewhistle]

Lower points record than Derby?

[O_B]

19 minutes ago, coalman said:

Yes, but then we gave up on him in the Premier League after another bad streak. Imagine where we'd be now if we'd followed the process.

L1?

[HKsaint]

Back to back to back relegation is getting remote. 

[Doctoroncall]

38 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

Back to back to back relegation is getting remote. 

Considering their dominant wealth in League One, only a points deduction over some hidden financial issues or administration will lead to that. 

[Midfield_General]

Club who won the premier league 10 years ago and got to the quarter finals of the champions league 9 years ago beats club with record attendance of 10,000 who were non-league until 2 years ago. 

And to think people doubted him

[Doctoroncall]

4 hours ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Greatness should always be celebrated.  Just because you don't understand, doesn't make you a bad person.

And greatness needs to be rewarded with a thread detailing the achievements. 

[coalman]

1 hour ago, O_B said:

L1?

Would we? I don't see Martin getting caught spying on the opposition. There's no need to spy when you play the exact same way every week. He's gotten Southampton promoted from the Championship before. Chances are we'd be on another record breaking run in the Premier League right now as he laid the foundations for next season.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Midfield_General said:

Club who won the premier league 10 years ago and got to the quarter finals of the champions league 9 years ago beats club with record attendance of 10,000 who were non-league until 2 years ago. 

And to think people doubted him

Such a massive decline results in a massive amount of scar tissue. It's not that they broke the rules and got relegated, they just weren't good enough. Russ understands. He gets those feelings and the pain the club and fanbase are going through. He's cleverly let himself be the focus of all that rage, as part of the club's healing process. And, given time, he'll steer them upwards once more.

[Weston Super Saint]

3 hours ago, coalman said:

Would we? I don't see Martin getting caught spying on the opposition. There's no need to spy when you play the exact same way every week.

He famously once stated that he really doesn't care about other teams and certainly isn't interested in their tactics, so he would never have any need to spy.  That's the level of self confidence that should be admired and celebrated.

[Saint86]

Sorry to break it to you guys, but i think you're getting ahead of yourselves with the Martin / Leicester revival.

Reading their forum (https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/140672-has-martin-turned-the-corner-and-we-should-support-him/page/3/#comments) its seems abundantly clear that he's temporarily abandoned his principles to save his skin... as we know he did with saints going into the play offs. In this case, it appears he has switched to a back 3 and stopped the tippy tappy passing along the back line (not too dissimilar to what he did with saints) which has resulted in an uptick in form... He's secured a couple of wins, got himself some breathing space etc., so i'm 99% sure he'll be reverting to type before too long. It would seem that even Martin knows he can't afford to fail at Leicester so quickly (for fear of terminally killing his career).





Based on previous Martin form, who wants to tell Leicester that its likely all is temporary to buy himself some more time, rather than having a footballing epiphany?

Edited Wednesday at 19:29 by Saint86

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Weston Super Saint said:

He famously once stated that he really doesn't care about other teams and certainly isn't interested in their tactics, so he would never have any need to spy.  That's the level of self confidence that should be admired and celebrated.

I'm sure I read a post on a recent match thread, wondering if Tonda had changed a few things based on the opposition. And if so, would be stop, as they should be worried about us.

Under Russ, this is not an issue. The whole planet knows exactly how he's going to set things up. But like peak Barcelona, it won't make any difference if they do. Although in their case, refs are picked and bribed by clubs, not to mention other clubs to play well, so possibly not the best comparison. Russ is better than that.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

20 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Sorry to break it to you guys, but i think you're getting ahead of yourselves with the Martin / Leicester revival.

Reading their forum (https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/140672-has-martin-turned-the-corner-and-we-should-support-him/page/3/#comments) its seems abundantly clear that he's temporarily abandoned his principles to save his skin... as we know he did with saints going into the play offs. In this case, it appears he has switched to a back 3 and stopped the tippy tappy passing along the back line (not too dissimilar to what he did with saints) which has resulted in an uptick in form... He's secured a couple of wins, got himself some breathing space etc., so i'm 99% sure he'll be reverting to type before too long. It would seem that even Martin knows he can't afford to fail at Leicester so quickly (for fear of terminally killing his career).





Based on previous Martin form, who wants to tell Leicester that its likely all he's done is temporarily buy himself some more time, rather than having a footballing epiphany?

As you say it will be temporary. The pure process will be back. This is just a sign the players are taking too long to embrace things. Will be starting soon, so that should make it easier to back to RussBall.

[HKsaint]

Is Leicester boss Martin turning the Foxes' fortunes?
 

revival 

[St. Ciervo]

On 21/10/2026 at 04:56, coalman said:

Would we? I don't see Martin getting caught spying on the opposition. There's no need to spy when you play the exact same way every week. He's gotten Southampton promoted from the Championship before. Chances are we'd be on another record breaking run in the Premier League right now as he laid the foundations for next season.

But I'd never know because I would have died of boredom. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Can Russ drive Leicester up the table quickly enough to replace Carrick, who the papers seem to have no shortage of successors in place for?

Perhaps he can remind Wilcox that United did appoint OGS, who had his only previous managerial experience in England, getting Cardiff relegated and then struggling in the Championship.

Perhaps it's just not to be. Had he joined Leicester in the championship. Or had Rangers stuck with his process. 🙂

They've tried everything from big names managers, annoyed Ferguson managers and former players. Surely now is the time for Wilcox to bring in his man, and their philosophy!

[coalman]

12 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Can Russ drive Leicester up the table quickly enough to replace Carrick, who the papers seem to have no shortage of successors in place for?

Perhaps he can remind Wilcox that United did appoint OGS, who had his only previous managerial experience in England, getting Cardiff relegated and then struggling in the Championship.

Perhaps it's just not to be. Had he joined Leicester in the championship. Or had Rangers stuck with his process. 🙂

They've tried everything from big names managers, annoyed Ferguson managers and former players. Surely now is the time for Wilcox to bring in his man, and their philosophy!

Poaching Martin from L1 for winning two games on the bounce seems like a very Wilcox and Man Utd thing to do. I believe I would very much enjoy that journey as a non Utd supporter. At least until they inevitably go bankrupt.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, coalman said:

Poaching Martin from L1 for winning two games on the bounce seems like a very Wilcox and Man Utd thing to do. I believe I would very much enjoy that journey as a non Utd supporter. At least until they inevitably go bankrupt.

There was a moment when star ex-player Kompany had stuck to his system, got  Burnley relegated, and went to a top job.
Star ex-player Pep was considered by most to be massively focused on possession football.
Man Utd were, as usual, having issues with their manager.
If star ex-player Martin could keep Saints up, playing Pep football, and getting a better record than Burnley, his pal Wilcox would surely take a look. 

[rallyboy]

The bizarre thing is that Russball might work if you had the best players in the world, it just doesn't work in every other league where quality players and coaches can comfortably counter it.

Seeing him attempt it with crap players at Man Utd would make a great comedy documentary.

 

 

 

[Jack]

Very brave and tactical genius from Russ to get his side a 90th min equaliser away at Luton. 
 

The players have let him down to then concede a 90+4 winner, that’s on them. 

[coalman]

After turning it round with two wins in a row, Russ has turned it around again. 

[Roo1976]

WHY ARE WE STILL INTERESTED IN HIM?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

10 minutes ago, coalman said:

After turning it round with two wins in a row, Russ has turned it around again. 

I noticed articles have gone from him turning it round to "heap more pressure on." Fickle press who don't understand the process.

Edit: Will on for a half. With Lunstrum suspended, he'll be looking to start.

Edited 4 hours ago by Holmes_and_Watson

[Lord Duckhunter]

5 minutes ago, Roo1976 said:

WHY ARE WE STILL INTERESTED IN HIM?

YOU TELL US, YOU CLICKED ON THE THREAD 

[Midfield_General]

They're taking it well though

Can't believe anyone was deluded enough to think beating ****ing Bromley was a sign things were turning in the right direction

Useless ****ing clown who has assembled a squad of useless ****ing clowns and instilled them with a useless ****ing clown mentality 

The right time to sack him was the day he was hired, every day since has been a waste of everyone's ****ing time

[Colinjb]

6 minutes ago, Roo1976 said:

WHY ARE WE STILL INTERESTED IN HIM?

You don't need to use this thread you know.

For those that want to see our gaslighting narcisstic twat of a former manager fail, this will continue.

Hillarious result for him today.

[AlexLaw76]

42 minutes ago, Roo1976 said:

WHY ARE WE STILL INTERESTED IN HIM?

I DON"T KNOW, WHT ARE WE STILL INTERESTED IN HIM?

[Badger]

For those interested in stats. From our match today.

 

Martin  would be fucking furious 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

54 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

They're taking it well though

Can't believe anyone was deluded enough to think beating ****ing Bromley was a sign things were turning in the right direction

Useless ****ing clown who has assembled a squad of useless ****ing clowns and instilled them with a useless ****ing clown mentality 

The right time to sack him was the day he was hired, every day since has been a waste of everyone's ****ing time

They just don't see the lesson here.

Every move in RussBall is a reset. Momentum is not the way of RussBall. Success is measured in the completion of the process. With many completions, victory shall be earned.

But this also applies, as it does in Russ' life, from match to match.

Every fixture is a reset. Emotion is not the way of RussBall. Success is measured in employing the same process against all opponents. With this approach, promotion will be achieved.

Martin said he had spoken to his team about the expectations in mentality he was expecting. Instead the team, perhaps overconfident from the last couple of games, struggled. They did get back into it, and overcame a setback. Only to lose a man and a late goal.

Russ has shown them the emotions of consistent defeat. Now they have to learn the consistency to achieve success, under his guidance. 

If only the fans could understand that changing a culture is no easy task. Leave that to other managers with their promotions and bonuses. Russ is building something deeper and more meaningful there.

[coalman]

11 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

If only the fans could understand that changing a culture is no easy task. Leave that to other managers with their promotions and bonuses. Russ is building something deeper and more meaningful there.

Every day that passes, Russball and its principles become more a part of Leicester's culture and identity. The sign of truly great leaders is that their culture lives on long after they've left. We're probably only weeks away from senior players starting to give interviews explaining that it's working but that the fans don't understand football to the extent where they're able to appreciate this. Going down to L1 was always going to be a struggle which is why they needed a manager to handle the reset and get them ready for next season.

[Weston Super Saint]

1 hour ago, coalman said:

Every day that passes, Russball and its principles become more a part of Leicester's culture and identity. The sign of truly great leaders is that their culture lives on long after they've left. We're probably only weeks away from senior players starting to give interviews explaining that it's working but that the fans don't understand football to the extent where they're able to appreciate this. Going down to L1 was always going to be a struggle which is why they needed a manager to handle the reset and get them ready for next season.

Ouch. That sounds like a lot of scar tissue.

[Badger]

Really hope he scrapes a few wins and points to stay in post there.  All in all it’s one of the highlights of the results seeing how he’s (not)doing there.

Can’t be many weeks until the real pantomime season starts.