Saint1983

He does understand how to change it up, that’s the frustrating part. He just cannot show any flexibility for any length of time for the betterment of the club - he’d prefer to revert to his vanity project at the very first opportunity of doing so. He doubled down this season, even after 11 goals of what we’d already conceded had been down to completely avoidable defensive errors in the first part of the season. He went full Russell Martin. if he’s not learned from that, he’s doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

Yeah, ahaha, spot on - that’s what I mean. He shows tactical nous - and then drops it and reverts to his “philosophy” again. I don’t know if it’s ego, arrogance but it’s quite frustrating as he shows that he can organise a side and innovate, just stubbornly refuses to do so.

Enjoy 😉 can’t say I ever warmed to him; I think it’s a bit of a media driven facade about what a nice guy he is. Some people will buy it, some people won’t - same with the players. If enough players do and you don’t get battered with a points deduction, I think he’ll do ok for you. If he gets you back up though, get rid. Immediately. He’ll go full Russball on you and before you know it, you’ll have more “goals conceded due to defensive errors” than actual goals scored your own team. and you won’t be allowed to criticise him or he’ll get a bit prickly.

Good post that.

Saints fan here. its a difficult one to get excited about, aye? I think there’s quite a few caveats, variables and nuances that need to be considered when appointing Russell Martin. For me, he’s probably a one or two shifts away from being a very good manager. If you put the tactical inflexibility aside, there were times where he showed his nous by changing the formation for some of our games to suit the opposition (vs Leeds twice and vs West Brom twice. He genuinely showed he ‘could’ switch it up tactically and get results - that’s the bit I would hope he’s learned from; it’s not a crime to move away from your philosophy for a game or two. What holds him back is just that - his overriding, pig headedness to change when his vanity project is falling apart. He takes things very personally when questioned and can be a bit spiky also. that said, the players seemed to ‘buy into’ his philosophy and if they do, you’ll be ok. Have my doubts about him being a nice guy though, much like the Swans fan above. The portrayal is different from the reality. also - can’t see him liking Fatawu or Mavididi; way too front footed and direct for him.