Russell Martin - He Says.

[coolhandfox]

7 hours ago, Dan said:

Thomas at centre half is ridiculous. They've got to do something about that.

100% but hamstrung by not being able to move on a couple.

 

Can't bring some in and then be stuck with Souttar and Faes as well.

 

Injury to Nelson probably forces their hand.

[davieG]

10 hours ago, TheGoldenGod said:

Quite interesting interview on LCFC YT...he said he met Tommy Watson for a coffee in Brighton and sold him on the project! Quite refreshing to here if true!

Old School recruiting.

 

Wonder if Watson's Agent was there, probably at a nearby table with Watson wired up 

[1972 Fox]

10 hours ago, TheGoldenGod said:

Quite interesting interview on LCFC YT...he said he met Tommy Watson for a coffee in Brighton and sold him on the project! Quite refreshing to here if true!

Maybe RM is just a bare faced liar. 

[Merchant_Banker]

9 hours ago, Dan said:

Thomas at centre half is ridiculous. They've got to do something about that.

I don’t understand why he didn’t use Kevon Gray, was it just that he wanted Thomas to get 90 minutes of football? With all of the senior CBs looking to move, you would have thought he would take a closer look at the ones that will probably stay.

[davieG]

3 minutes ago, Merchant_Banker said:

I don’t understand why he didn’t use Kevon Gray, was it just that he wanted Thomas to get 90 minutes of football? With all of the senior CBs looking to move, you would have thought he would take a closer look at the ones that will probably stay.

More that he wanted Evans to get some fitness as he's way behind everyone else.

 

It's obvious he wanted to get everyone who's likely to be involved in the squad as much fitness as they can. Which probably tells us it's not Gray. Maybe there's high expectation of a big turn around with CBs

[Merchant_Banker]

Just now, davieG said:

More that he wanted Evans to get some fitness as he's way behind everyone else.

 

It's obvious he wanted to get everyone as much fitness as they can.

Ok, encouraging for Evans then.

[stevostadium]

11 hours ago, TheGoldenGod said:

Quite interesting interview on LCFC YT...he said he met Tommy Watson for a coffee in Brighton and sold him on the project! Quite refreshing to here if true!

One of contacts at the club described him being very similar to MON in his approach to players and signings.

 

All the players through thedoor so far have been down to him and JM.

Possible with the exception of the Man City kid.

 

Very old school approach which i approve of.

 

HOR are a waste of time IMO, no point in Glover being here.

[funkyrobot]

24 minutes ago, Merchant_Banker said:

I don’t understand why he didn’t use Kevon Gray, was it just that he wanted Thomas to get 90 minutes of football? With all of the senior CBs looking to move, you would have thought he would take a closer look at the ones that will probably stay.

He perhaps likes a left footed left sided centre back and so moved Thomas inside because of this? 

[CrazyKopCorner]

We should wait for 10 / 12 games to judge him but from thinking the man's a simpering fool I'm totally getting on the Russ Buss. 

 

 

 

 

[KFS]

Just now, CrazyKopCorner said:

We should wait for 10 / 12 games to judge him but from thinking the man's a simpering fool I'm totally getting on the Russ Buss. 

 

 

 

 

Me too. Oh god 

[Dan]

6 hours ago, Merchant_Banker said:

I don’t understand why he didn’t use Kevon Gray, was it just that he wanted Thomas to get 90 minutes of football? With all of the senior CBs looking to move, you would have thought he would take a closer look at the ones that will probably stay.

Thomas moving there is a red flag. I mean it's a friendly, it's not going to kill us but it's revealing the lack of options there. Nelson might be crocked and might leave, Faes will likely leave (hopefully), Souttar will leave. You're left with Okoli who could also leave and Gray who isn't getting on in that situation. We need 2, possibly even 3 centre backs.

[CrazyKopCorner]

57 minutes ago, KFS said:

Me too. Oh god 

Yep that's how a trickster tricks people. 

 

The our last 4 managers have been so insufferable (Marti okay but clearly not up to it) that I'm clutching at straws but I'm past caring. 

 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Fair play to him calling Wilder out.

[zealot]

On 02/08/2026 at 16:17, Dan said:

Thomas moving there is a red flag. I mean it's a friendly, it's not going to kill us but it's revealing the lack of options there. Nelson might be crocked and might leave, Faes will likely leave (hopefully), Souttar will leave. You're left with Okoli who could also leave and Gray who isn't getting on in that situation. We need 2, possibly even 3 centre backs.

We've needed two or three centre backs for about five years!

 

Our recruitment in this area has been absolutely shocking and the amount of silly avoidable goals we've conceded in the time is saddening... I'd love to see Martin of all areas to finally sort that one out.

 

They're like hens teeth though, super-rare, decent level-headed pacy centre backs.

[Dan]

Just now, zealot said:

We've needed two or three centre backs for about five years!

 

Our recruitment in this area has been absolutely shocking and the amount of silly avoidable goals we've conceded in the time is saddening... I'd love to see Martin of all areas to finally sort that one out.

 

They're like hens teeth though, super-rare, decent level-headed pacy centre backs.

I think our recruitment in that position from probably 2021 to now has been as badly as a club has ever recruited in that area when you think about it.

 

2021 - Vestergaard for £15mil

2022 - Faes for £15mil

2023 - Souttar for £15mil

2023 - Coady for £7.5mil

2024 - Okoli for £13mil

 

£65mil on that. My god. How can you get it that wrong  

[Winstonthedog]

On 25/06/2026 at 22:54, Grebfromgrebland said:

Let's not boo him in the first minute of the first game shall we? 

 

Maybe give him a few games?

Let's agree on first game second half ... seems fair to me 

[Winstonthedog]

53 minutes ago, Dan said:

I think our recruitment in that position from probably 2021 to now has been as badly as a club has ever recruited in that area when you think about it.

 

2021 - Vestergaard for £15mil

2022 - Faes for £15mil

2023 - Souttar for £15mil

2023 - Coady for £7.5mil

2024 - Okoli for £13mil

 

£65mil on that. My god. How can you get it that wrong  

And we are still lumbered with 2 of them 

[lcfc81]

On 01/08/2026 at 10:37, davieG said:

Russell Martin explains the Leicester City game model with Enzo Maresca admission | Leicestershire Live

 

Russell Martin explains the Leicester City game model with Enzo Maresca admission
Russell Martin's long answer on his coaching career so far, what he's learnt and the implementation at Leicester City

Russell Martin can be himself at Leicester City after tough spells with Rangers and Southampton(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

Josh Holland Leicester City correspondent
07:00, 01 Aug 2026
Leicester City manager Russell Martin has provided an insight into his footballing game model and how he has moulded it throughout his six years in coaching.

Martin's style of play has come under scrutiny in recent years and was a concern for many when he took over at the King Power Stadium in June. After being sacked by Southampton with the Saints in the Premier League and then lasting just 17 games at Rangers, the 40-year-old's reputation appears to be somewhat disfigured.

However, during Leicester's warm weather training camp in southern Spain, Martin provided an insightful answer when asked about his football 'philosophy' that explains what he wants his team to do, but also how each of his jobs in the past have moulded his way of playing today.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, he said: "I think football philosophy is the wrong word. There's a game model that we will try and bring on to the pitch. Philosophy is more about who we are as people, how we want to treat people. I needed to be in a job where I feel like I could by myself.

 

"It was really difficult [in] my previous job to be that with a level of criticism received all the time. So here I feel like I'm able to do that. Perception and reality in football are often very, very far apart.

"Everything I got celebrated for as a coach in my first five years of being a coach at MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton, then we got Southampton to the Premier League, everything I got praised for, I got criticised for in the Premier League.

"When I was working really hard to build something that we enjoyed and was successful at MK, [it's] also how you define success. So at MK Dons, to be successful was to avoid relegation in the first season, the Covid-19 season, we did that, [and] then to build assets with such a young team, which we did, and we sold a lot of talent.

"And then I left the club, I think in a better place than we found it. Pete [Winkelman, former MK Dons owner and chairman], was amazing, he supported us and he gave me the job. He was so brave and I'll be forever grateful to him.

"We left them a squad that I think was really excellent for the league. Matt O'Reilly, Troy Parrott, Scott Twine and Harry Darling, all of these guys, have so many good players. I've missed a few out there and I love them boys. They finished third the season we left and I watched that with so much pride at what we built and then we went to Swansea and they went to the play-off final and then the budget was heavily cut.

"Success was to try and build something that was synonymous with Swansea and their success and style of play and sell young talent, which I think we did. We finished 10th in the second season, just outside the play-offs on a really reduced budget. I was really proud of them and I loved watching that team and being part of it. I loved the players. At MK and Swansea, I felt like that was a mutual feeling between us and the staff and players. The fans were great at both clubs.

"Then we went to Southampton [who had suffered] relegation, so the remit was to get promoted quickly straight away if we could, but play some young players, make sure the transition from the squad [went OK], there was a lot of change and it was handled as well as possible.

"We got promoted and probably to my personal detriment, it would have been better if we waited another year like Leeds did because we weren't quite ready. We lost our director of football, Jason Wilcox, to Manchester United in March and we never replaced him, it was difficult. That's when all the stuff around style of play came in because people who have only watched the Premier league for years, pundits all they see is snippets of games like five minutes long in 100-minute games, including added time, [and see] a couple of mistakes earlier in the Premier League.

"And then it took off about naivety. It's really fascinating to me now because Spain have won the World Cup and Euros, the same people that criticise trying to dominate the ball and have possession are now saying that's the way England need to go.

"The thing is in football, if you speak to the players that we work with and the staff, they would say we're really adaptable, like tactically, try and be as flexible as we can, but without losing the essence of what we want to be, which is to try and dominate the ball.

"I'm not going here and say 'no, I don't want possession, it's not important,' because I think it is important, except we will try to be the aggressor in the game. And to be the aggressor, you have to have the football. We will try to be dominant with territory, with the football as high up the pitch as we can. Sometimes to do that, you have to build up close to your own goal.

"In the Premier League, it was frustrating to me because when the media are questioning it, I can't come out and reel off loads of data. In the Championship, we had Leicester, who were incredible under Enzo [Maresca]. This team under Enzo was amazing and one of the best I've seen in the Championship. But I can't come out and say all that because ultimately, all the people care about is winning.

"We didn't have the squad to [win games] but we still felt that the lads were really building something. We had the most final third territory, the most ball in the opposition half for a Premier League promoted team since the data began. So we were still proud of what we were doing because we could have just gone like, 'actually lads, it's not working after six or seven weeks so we'll just defend', which after I left Southampton, they went the complete opposite of me and I think the points per game thing was even worse.

"My job at that stage was, agreed, we'll probably get relegated, but we're going to have a go and try to build. So if we do get relegated, we have young players playing [like] Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes. players and assets that can help the club move forward.

"This is a really long answer but it's just to give you some background on, actually, if you speak to them players, we're really adaptable. Formation is not a problem. We're going to try and play a certain formation, but different games will require different ones. I'm not fixed on like a formation, but I am fixed on the concept of the game, which is to try and defend with the ball as high up the pitch as we possibly can and try and attack and play fast football.

"Sometimes you have to play two passes backwards and then boom, change the rhythm forward. But we will try to dominate the football because it's logical to me that if you dominate with the ball high up the pitch, you have less chance of the opposition scoring a goal.

"The mentality of the team then is to be aggressive, to be front foot and to dominate the ball. You have to press really high and press really aggressive - you can't have one without the other. It's not just 'we're going to play, it's nice and slow'. Actually, when teams try to dominate the ball like that, it's impossible. You can't. It will look messy very often.

"I chose a job [Rangers] where I couldn't implement that because you don't have much time and that's my fault. Now I'm here and I will bring something, but every team's been different. The concepts have been the same, the data has been the same with lots of touches in the box, lots of goals scored, which again, the narrative around the team, or our teams, is they don't create much or score much, they do and we will. I'm convinced of that.

"It's my job to give a team where the fans understand why they're playing a certain way and what's happening. With Saints in the Championship we did and then of course you lose games and it becomes difficult. I'm here now with an absolute belief that this team and club can be so brilliant and successful, but we have to do it in a way that is different to the others.

"Also, the level is different in League One so we have to find a way quickly to be ourselves, but have to win, the fans are excited about it and the players are excited. I do believe as an ex player, it feels like a long time ago now, I would have wanted to play this way.

"I think the feedback we've had from most players and I'm pretty sure it's [been] a problem at this club before, is that once you've seen the game in that way, it's really difficult to go to a different way. Which I think is why after Enzo, some of the players have struggled to adapt and find a different way. I can say that because I think it's true."

I must say I was very sceptical about this appointment but am very pleased with what I have seen and heard so far. 

I am now very excited about the season ahead and hope that I have egg on my face. I am really hopeful to see more aggressive fast paced football, so fingers crossed. A much better pre-season than last year by all regards! Well done so far RM and keep it up. 

[Iwebema]

https://youtu.be/T144DSEotsM?is=u3T4NnW4XReMII3s

[BlueBus]

On 28/07/2026 at 12:10, lcfc sheff said:

Bookmark it hun x

How's this going?

[Cropwellfox]

He is already saying things that are raising red flags after 2 league games.  Didn’t think it’d happen this quickly. If you can’t have your team starting their first home game of the season in front of their fans on the front foot then you don’t deserve to be managing in grass roots let alone professional football.
 

His dogma and the shite he comes out with is just relentless. The facts are because we do not have a pot to piss in the entire spine of our team will not be able to successfully play this horrible style so we will get caught out again and again and cough up goals every week against all standards of opponents.  No amount of ‘care, love, humility’, and the other empty platitudes he has on repeat every week will make a shred of difference. This group is in very very big trouble with this Manager, when the reality is if we aren’t promoted the club is basically insolvent. 12 months from now I can easily see Leicester not having an EFL club. 

[Danizen]

10 minutes ago, BlueBus said:

How's this going?

I mean we saw loads of quality high pressing today, to be fair and it was all thanks to Russell Martin...

[davieG]

Pre Match

"My real belief is that'll be our energy and it'll be how hard we work, how hard we want to fight from the off, how hard we want to hunt the ball, how hard we want to run off the ball, run forward and play forward. "I'm really, really looking forward to it actually. I have a lot of family coming and my kids are coming and they're excited, so it'll be good." He added: "We can make it a really tough place to come with the size of the crowd, if we play with the energy and put in a performance that I hope and expect tomorrow. We can really start something here and make it really difficult for people to come to."

 

Post Match

“The first 25 minutes,” Martin said when asked where it went wrong against Burton. “You can’t give teams a head start, and we did, we gave them two [goals] and we have a man sent off, so we can’t afford to do that against any opponent, anywhere we go.”

[davieG]

[FoxFossil]

On 22/08/2026 at 19:17, davieG said:

Pre Match

"My real belief is that'll be our energy and it'll be how hard we work, how hard we want to fight from the off, how hard we want to hunt the ball, how hard we want to run off the ball, run forward and play forward. "I'm really, really looking forward to it actually. I have a lot of family coming and my kids are coming and they're excited, so it'll be good." He added: "We can make it a really tough place to come with the size of the crowd, if we play with the energy and put in a performance that I hope and expect tomorrow. We can really start something here and make it really difficult for people to come to."

 

Post Match

“The first 25 minutes,” Martin said when asked where it went wrong against Burton. “You can’t give teams a head start, and we did, we gave them two [goals] and we have a man sent off, so we can’t afford to do that against any opponent, anywhere we go.”

Isn't this exactly, word for word, what he said pre-match for MKDons? Anyone without a life could check this. Suspect he may be an AI bot.