Sign Russell Martin and stick with him

KVetch

Key Player
You would think but cheap rarely knows any limits ... perhaps one of Andy Pandy's hang-ups was that the Club wanted to let some of his team go.
Same with Potter and likely Cooper, they know the owners aren't investing in players. There's no transfer funds. There was supposedly £6 million on the table for Henry but where is that now. Russel seems promising though.
 

CroJack

Key Player
The Russell Martin Era has not got off to the best of starts but I'm keeping the faith that once he gets his stamp on the team we'll be OK
September 11 is the day. By then he will have been with us for almost a month and a half, and have had a mini pre-season during the international break. On September 11 we play Hull at the Liberty and I expect us to play superior football, create many chances and thrash them. No more excuses will be accepted when it comes to the squad, fitness levels, lack of pre-season, grass too wet or wind too strong.
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
When I knew he was a 'footballing/possession' type coach I was always in favour. I opted for Cameron Tosh at the time but then happily settled for RM. I knew it would take time for him to get his message across and was even prepared to write off an attempt at the top six this season whilst the players were getting to grips with what he wants.

We are about where I expected us to be as the players embrace our new style. Pleased with our possession and passing but would now like to see more end product in terms of goal attempts and goals. I think this is certain to come but how quickly depends on the players. I do take issue with some things though. I'd like to see Cullen and Whitts get more minutes although Joel is doing a great job up front and should always start as long as he's delivering. But I can't fathom his seeming aversion to Fulton. Like others on here, I know my football and I know the value of Fulton as a player for us. Quite why Martin doesn't seem to rate him is beyond my understanding.

That apart I'm very happy with Martin's appointment so far.......
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
Martin has been with us for three months. What are your thoughts now about this appointment?
Seems there's a slow but definite progression in our play, final third play increased but still room for improvement, defence seems tighter. Yes all in all an improvement, but still a little room for consistency. Think he's made better use of the squad than Cooper.
 

Victoria Swan

Key Player
Appointment is exactly what we as supporters needed/wanted - back to entertaining football ... even when we lose! He has done wonders with some of the individuals in the squad and finally we are now clicking on all fronts with the increase in our scoring capacity.

On the improved individual level I'd note: Ryan Bennett (a centre back who can suddenly pass and get up field), Kyle Naughton (who knew he could be the calm, controlling agent for our entire back line with the added bonus that we don't have to twiddle our thumbs waiting for his bloody prolonged attempts at throw-ins anymore?!), Ryan Manning (converted into far more of a utility defender who can play competently as wingback, central defender or midfielder), Ethan Laird (what a revelation he has been and clearly developed under Martin at MKD before doing the same with us), and Ben Hamer (languished on the bench under Cooper and has come to life with Ederson-like footwork at the back).

There are some individuals who have clearly suffered and gone out of favour under Martin. As the seaon has gone on I have to say that I see why and largely support the decision to sideline these players: Dhanda (never was consistent and Ntcham or Patterson turn out to be much better and more consistent playmakers), Cullen (is not up to the standard of Piroe and also falls short against Obafemi), Fulton (doesn't have the finesse or speed to flourish in an RM squad and rightfully takes second place to Downes and/or Smith unless we are playing against a clogging team of bullies like WBA when we could still use his heft), Whittaker (jury is still out on this one for me but I can see that he does need more commitment to defensive duties in an RM style of playing), Rhys Williams (seems to be lacking in confidence at the moment and could probably profit from a couple of games in the U23s), and Ben Cabango (is a bit lumbering and lacking in speed for the kind of total football approach of Martin).

Also important to note that the whole team seems to have better morale than under Cooper and players seem to willingly 'play for the manager' (and embrace his possession game). Not surprising we got a slow start or that it has taken time to replace all those goals lost when Ayew AND Lowe both left. RM made some astute loan signings as well and seems to have a good appreciation for the need to only acquire players with the right attitude in addition to good skills - Ethan Laird and Rhys Williams, for instance, seem like a great personalities.

All in all really happy but do wish he'd stop recognising everything and everyone in his interviews as "brilliant", "fantastic" or "wonderful". Can't things be just "very good" or "good" or "competent"? Does everything have to be a superlative these days? I am utterly, totally and drastically sick of these outrageous overstatements of superlatives!!!!
 

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Looking back it took Martinez until the end of October to set course and dominate L1. I figured it would take Martin about that long to do the same. Now it's time to set course with consistency and deliver high quality game in and game out. Do that and we're going to be pretty close to automatic come the end of the season or the bookies' favorite to win the play-offs.

There have been some casualties along the way: Benda, Fulton and Cabango. The others have been relegated to training fodder.

Disappointed that these three have either not stepped up as required, or suffered as bottom of the favorites stack. Benda was doing what he was asked to do, did it bravely and got caught once or twice ... a superb keeper technically speaking. Fulton is one of our better one-touch players, a good box to box type, and can finish with aplomb moves he started in his own half. Cabango ... this I have no explanation for. He's solid and demonstrated against City and Jesus last season in the cup that he is capable of dealing with quality.

Then there's Brad Cooper ... not a glimpse after such solid play early on. We have the FA Cup starting in January ... I hope we can get some game time for these players.

In summary, Martin was hired to do a job, and inch by inch it's getting done and the trajectory is onward and upward. We can bicker about this and that but can't really complain about anything. And, as @Victoria Swan stated, less is more.
 

CroJack

Key Player
I am surprised we are so high in the form table for the last 8 games. And our goal difference is +5. We are actually joint second-best for goals scored (together with Forest, Luton and Blackburn). Only Fulham have scored more.

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ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
I see Forest soaring high in third place confirming the good impression I had when they drew with QPR recently....... and could have won.
 

Behindthegoal

Key Player
Yes, it’s going to be an interesting season. A few more shots would ramp up the excitement.
I too think his adjectives are a bit OTT and I wish he wouldn’t refer to every player by his nickname. I prefer a little distance from the manager.
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Seems that Russell Martin is 13/8 favourite with the bookies for the Ranger's job Gerrard having gone to Villa. RM played a few games on loan for the Ibrox outfit several years ago and they rate his progress with us. If they are serious and he's interested, no doubt our sharks will be drooling at the compenasation we should get. Should he leave, my advice to the club would be to not faff around and appoint Cameron Toshack immediately. Thoughts?

PS: I would want RM to stay as my preference but Cameron would be a solid choice if he goes and would carry on with our footballing style.
 

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Seems that Russell Martin is 13/8 favourite with the bookies for the Ranger's job Gerrard having gone to Villa. RM played a few games on loan for the Ibrox outfit several years ago and they rate his progress with us. If they are serious and he's interested, no doubt our sharks will be drooling at the compenasation we should get. Should he leave, my advice to the club would be to not faff around and appoint Cameron Toshack immediately. Thoughts?

PS: I would want RM to stay as my preference but Cameron would be a solid choice if he goes and would carry on with our footballing style.
Oh 🤬!!!! Or words to that effect.

Cameron Toshack has to be the go-to guy ... unless there's some other name like Laudrup waiting in the wings that we don't know about.

Our immediate alternatives/stand-ins are KOL ... and nobody else really.

On the bright side .... isn't it going to be boring for Martin beating up on the little fish in the little pond every week. Rangers are never going to play in the Prem, never going to command big money from the media, never going to be able to sign top, top players, and therefore never going to be able compete in Europe. They start their new season as soon they finish the last one just to play through the qualifiers for the main Euro tournaments. And the weather is even more shit in Glasgow than it is in Swansea.
 

CroJack

Key Player
I don't think he is going to Rangers. Why would he? He has bigger fish to fry in Swansea. Even if he wins the Scottish league title there that's nothing compared to winning promotion to the Premier League. Apart from Fulham and Bournemouth, Swansea can beat any other Championship team and with a little bit consistency the Swans have a realistic chance to finish in the top six.

P.S. I also think Gerard has made a mistake. This Premier League season is extremely tough, just have a look at the managers who manage there: Guardiola, Klopp, Tushel, Conte, Benitez, Rodgers, Bielsa, Moyes, Potter, Hasenhuttl, Ranieri, Arteta, Dyche, Howe, Frank...
I am pretty sure Man United would finish in the top six even without a manager, and it seems that Lampard Jr. is taking over at Norwich.
 
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