Russell Martin - Confirmed as First Team Manager

[Free Falling Foxes]

2 hours ago, ian__marshall said:

Just been watching the recap of the 1st week of pre-season and I'll give him his dues, looks like Russ is putting them through their paces. I've been really critical of the teams fitness for a long while, but seeing the work they are putting in currently is giving me a lot of confidence that for once we won't be blowing out of our arses after 60 minutes. In fact, I'd say we may well end up being one of the fittest sides in the league. 

Whilst the cameras are running.

 

Strewth! I really am cynical about this coming season.

Edited Thursday at 19:50 by Free Falling Foxes

[Vlad the Fox]

On 09/07/2026 at 18:27, ian__marshall said:

Just been watching the recap of the 1st week of pre-season and I'll give him his dues, looks like Russ is putting them through their paces. I've been really critical of the teams fitness for a long while, but seeing the work they are putting in currently is giving me a lot of confidence that for once we won't be blowing out of our arses after 60 minutes. In fact, I'd say we may well end up being one of the fittest sides in the league. 

Where are you seeing these training videos? Because the only ones I can see on the app, web page or YouTube are all over a week old.

[FoxesFan100]

9 hours ago, Vlad the Fox said:

Where are you seeing these training videos? Because the only ones I can see on the app, web page or YouTube are all over a week old.

Facebook page. 

[ian__marshall]

9 hours ago, Vlad the Fox said:

Where are you seeing these training videos? Because the only ones I can see on the app, web page or YouTube are all over a week old.

No idea how you navigate to it in the app as I can't find a link. From what I can see, if you click on the link to the video of 'Catching Up With Young Foxes' it shows as 'Pre-Season: Week One Recap' in the upcoming videos section below the main video. 

[Saints Fan In Peace]

It will be very interesting to see if gets your boys fit. Because with us, we had all the YouTube nonsense for the cameras and endless guff from him about how they were (quote) ‘training like beasts’, but when the actual matches started it was clear we had the most unfit side most of us could remember. Everyone gassed after 70 mins. 

Because he was so keen to be popular and seen as one of the lads he was regularly giving them days off training, even when we were getting smashed every week in the Prem, and it was clear as day we were in poor shape physically as well as tactically.

 

Also look at the photos of the state he allowed Joe Rothwell to be in at Rangers. Two stone overweight and he still started him because he signed him and they’re mates. 

But hopefully he’s finally started to learn and adapt. 

Edited yesterday at 09:04 by Saints Fan In Peace

[HarryTheGenie]

1 minute ago, Saints Fan In Peace said:

It will be very interesting to see if gets your boys fit. Because with us, we had all the YouTube nonsense for the cameras and endless guff from him about how they were (quote) ‘training like beasts’, but when the actual matches started it was clear we had the most unfit side most of us could remember. Everyone gassed after 70 mins. 

Because he was so keen to be popular and seen as one of the lads he was giving them three days a week off training, even when we were getting smashed every week in the Prem, and it was clear as day we were in poor shape physically as well as tactically.

 

Also look at the photos of the state he allowed Joe Rothwell to be in at Rangers. Two stone overweight and he still started him because he signed him and they’re mates. 

But hopefully he’s finally started to learn and adapt. 

We have been the most unfit side in football since Steve Cooper left us, we need to be fitter and stronger, if this isn't achieved he will inevitibly fail here. However, I hope he has changed his tune and adpated because if you don't run in this game, you get beat, we know this, we've been doing it for years.

[Narborough Road Fox]

Thank you, @Saints Fan In Peace

This is what I've been fearing. We've had a serious issue with players being unfit. Doesn't look like it'll get better anytime soon. 

[murphy]

It seems like people have been saying "hopefully he will learn and adapt" for years now.  The fact that people are still saying it shows that he hasn't.  

 

He's a sideways zealot.

[dayday]

Russell Martins Blue and white Army 

[JimJams]

3 hours ago, Saints Fan In Peace said:

It will be very interesting to see if gets your boys fit. Because with us, we had all the YouTube nonsense for the cameras and endless guff from him about how they were (quote) ‘training like beasts’, but when the actual matches started it was clear we had the most unfit side most of us could remember. Everyone gassed after 70 mins. 

I got shot down for saying this in another thread.

 

And I'm still getting over it. 

[BillyFOX12]

3 hours ago, Saints Fan In Peace said:

It will be very interesting to see if gets your boys fit. Because with us, we had all the YouTube nonsense for the cameras and endless guff from him about how they were (quote) ‘training like beasts’, but when the actual matches started it was clear we had the most unfit side most of us could remember. Everyone gassed after 70 mins. 

Because he was so keen to be popular and seen as one of the lads he was regularly giving them days off training, even when we were getting smashed every week in the Prem, and it was clear as day we were in poor shape physically as well as tactically.

 

Also look at the photos of the state he allowed Joe Rothwell to be in at Rangers. Two stone overweight and he still started him because he signed him and they’re mates. 

But hopefully he’s finally started to learn and adapt. 

What’s your thoughts on him sticking with Bazunu? Imo the worst shot-stopper I’ve seen in both leagues he played in.

[Saints Fan In Peace]

31 minutes ago, BillyFOX12 said:

What’s your thoughts on him sticking with Bazunu? Imo the worst shot-stopper I’ve seen in both leagues he played in.

It was mind-boggling, tbh.

 

Bazunu was given yet another chance last year under another manager, and it just proved again that he's not even good enough for a top half Championship side. Martin obviously liked him because he's useful with his feet and he needs that in his system because so much of the build-up play starts between the keeper and the centre backs, but that becomes something of an irrelevance if you never save any shots. 

 

Bazunu converted from an outfield player to become a keeper quite late in his professional development, and it shows. He just doesn't move or hold himself like a proper goalkeeper does. Consistently out of position, very slow reactions and can't judge the flight of a ball to save his life. Fortunately, since we signed Peretz (who is exceptional for Championship level), it looks like his time with us is finally coming to an end. Given how many former Saints players seem to end up with you, and how much Martin seemed to like him, there was a lot of initial speculation that Martin might come in for him, but I wouldn't wish that on you. Derby were sniffing around a week or so ago so hopefully they take him, maybe in a two for the price of one deal with Brereton Diaz because he's shocking as well. 

 

Danny Ings might be interesting though if that one comes off. He was absolute quality for us, just great movement and a deadly finisher. Obviously he's older now and the question will be what shape he's in physically, but if you can keep him fit, and he's still got the motivation, then even if it's just coming off the bench for the last 25 mins he could be a very astute signing if you get runners around him. He's a great pro as well. 

 

Edited yesterday at 13:15 by Saints Fan In Peace

[stevostadium]

10 minutes ago, Saints Fan In Peace said:

It was mind-boggling, tbh.

 

Bazunu was given yet another chance last year under another manager, and it just proved again that he's not even good enough for a top half Championship side. Martin obviously liked him because he's useful with his feet and he needs that in his system because so much of the build-up play starts between the keeper and the centre backs, but that becomes something of an irrelevance if you never save any shots. 

 

Bazunu converted from an outfield player to become a keeper quite late in his professional development, and it shows. He just doesn't move or hold himself like a proper goalkeeper does. Consistently out of position, very slow reactions and can't judge the flight of a ball to save his life. Fortunately, since we signed Peretz (who is exceptional for Championship level), it looks like his time with us is finally coming to an end. Given how many former Saints players seem to end up with you, and how much Martin seemed to like him, there was a lot of initial speculation that Martin might come in for him, but I wouldn't wish that on you. Derby were sniffing around a week or so ago so hopefully they take him, maybe in a two for the price of one deal with Brereton Diaz because he's shocking as well. 

 

Danny Ings might be interesting though if that one comes off. He was absolute quality for us, just great movement and a deadly finisher. Obviously he's older now and the question will be what shape he's in physically, but if you can keep him fit, then even if it's just coming off the bench for the last 25 mins he could be a very astute signing. He's a great pro as well. 

 

thanks for the post squire, appreciated.

[Lambert09]

The good thing with Martin, is agree with his principles or not, he’s got some. 
 

The club has had 4 managers back to back who didn’t have a plan at all. Or an obvious style.  If you want player buy in, there needs to be some consistency and Martin will demand that. 
 

it will be good for the crop we have who have been playing in limbo land for too long.  

[Dan]

If we sign Bazunu we won't make the top 6. He's abysmal. Like Ward bad.

[FoxesFan100]

4 minutes ago, Dan said:

If we sign Bazunu we won't make the top 6. He's abysmal. Like Ward bad.

Some might argue he’s worse…

[Chelmofox]

9 minutes ago, Dan said:

If we sign Bazunu we won't make the top 6. He's abysmal. Like Ward bad.

Is there any real indication we are going to? 

[Dan]

13 minutes ago, FoxesFan100 said:

Some might argue he’s worse…

Think in terms of shot stopping his numbers were remarkably even worse than Ward's. Which is utterly extraordinary.

 

8 minutes ago, Chelmofox said:

Is there any real indication we are going to? 

No but I'd not be one bit surprised either. Fallen down the pecking order at Southampton, played under Martin, plus the very obvious Southampton link in general. It'd be a very us signing.

[Cropwellfox]

Poor Russell expects the squad to be looking different within the next week. Kingy needs to sit him down and tell him that’s not how we roll here. 

[LFC bear]

Rangers fan here again with another grim warning.

 

Word is, north of the border, Onions Mcgraw is looking to sign the centre-back John Souttar from Rangers for you guys.

 

I will drive him to Leicester myself if he needs a lift! 

 

This guy is a total liability; he cannot judge the bounce of a ball, often gets the ball stuck between his feet, and hangs on to the ball way too long before attempting a pass that fails. 

 

He will cost you goals in League 1. He is a low-end Scottish Premier League level at best. 

 

Of course, Veg Lasso, with his genius football brain, thinks Soutter is a modern Franco Barisi, and he will make Soutter your captain and the team's main playmaker. 

 

He can't play football, and he ain't a leader. 

 

He can head a ball out of the box on occasion, and that's about it. 

 

I'm starting to think the Leicester board have a weird fetish where they enjoy torturing the fanbase into submission via endless humiliation and pain. 

 

Unbelievable 

 

 

[Chelmofox]

Early days but no complaints today.

 

Silly really, but I feel managers are at their best when they cant completely adopt their preferred systems 100% - this was always why i felt it went wrong with Brendan, as early on his was adapting. 

 

Think Russell will be ok this coming season, as he will have to adapt to support the youth in the side. If we are successful and he starts making demands in the Championship, thats when i think problems will start to come.

Edited yesterday at 17:12 by Chelmofox

[GrobyLCFC31]

Loved the bit in his interview where he spoke about the quality of the young players in his interview saying something along the lines of ‘because of where we find ourselves as a club they’ve all got a fantastic opportunity to work hard and get lots of games with us this season’ 

 

That was one of the only things I had as a real positive of him coming in so hopefully the likes of Alves, Braybrooke, Page,Aluko, Otchere, Evans, Hutchinson, Wilson-Brown etc. all get good minutes and as a fan we can sit there and recognise our Leicester City team again! 

[Chelmofox]

3 minutes ago, GrobyLCFC31 said:

Loved the bit in his interview where he spoke about the quality of the young players in his interview saying something along the lines of ‘because of where we find ourselves as a club they’ve all got a fantastic opportunity to work hard and get lots of games with us this season’ 

 

That was one of the only things I had as a real positive of him coming in so hopefully the likes of Alves, Braybrooke, Page,Aluko, Otchere, Evans, Hutchinson, Wilson-Brown etc. all get good minutes and as a fan we can sit there and recognise our Leicester City team again! 

Yeah, but as much as i dont have any complaints today i dont believe this at all. If he had the option to bring in 11 experienced players who would have more of a chance of getting promoted, he would take it. If the squad he had today was mid table by christmas, he wouldnt be 'relishing' improving them, he wouldbe demanding resources. Take it all with a pinch of salt.

[Tommy Fresh]

39 minutes ago, GrobyLCFC31 said:

Loved the bit in his interview where he spoke about the quality of the young players in his interview saying something along the lines of ‘because of where we find ourselves as a club they’ve all got a fantastic opportunity to work hard and get lots of games with us this season’ 

 

That was one of the only things I had as a real positive of him coming in so hopefully the likes of Alves, Braybrooke, Page,Aluko, Otchere, Evans, Hutchinson, Wilson-Brown etc. all get good minutes and as a fan we can sit there and recognise our Leicester City team again! 

Cifuentes said the same thing and didn't do it

Edited yesterday at 17:55 by Tommy Fresh

[GrobyLCFC31]

25 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Cifuentes said the same thing and didn't do it

Marti didn’t have a track record of working with younger/academy players, RM does