I think and do agree that a time will come when serious questions need to be asked as to whether Russell Martin (RM) remains as manager, but as I say I don’t think that time is now or near.
For me, that’s because no matter who is/would have been in charge, with the team we started this season with, avoiding relegation was my priority and anything above is a bonus. It’s the season after (If we’re able to stay up) where we should be looking to question the teams/boards ambition as a premier league outfit. So whilst a loss is hard to take, in the grand scheme of things, on average, I expected more losses than wins. The hope is that lessons are being learnt and progress is being made and I definitely saw evidence of that yesterday.
Secondly, and most importantly, is that no one has a crystal ball. I hear chatter about Graham Potter and others, but there are no guarantees that if he did come in, he changes our fortunes. Fans (no offence intended) don’t take responsibility for the small things we/they can affect. There’s not much we can, but making noise about a manager’s replacement is one of the few things we can. Then (hypothetically) Potter came in and RM went and we got relegated, some small part of that would have to be down to the fans. They could argue that the Board left it too late etc., but the facts remain.
My approach is to hope for the best, plan for the worse. Personally, I think the board should give him a few more games and if there aren’t any changes in either progress or results then start planning behind the scenes for the correct replacement and that’s the key word, CORRECT. Just like how Pochetino replaced Adkins. It was brutal, but in hindsight 100% the right call.
I mean look at Pochetino as an example. I’d have him back in a heartbeat yet greedy Spurs and Chelsea fans called for his head because they didn’t trust the process. He took Spurs to the apex of greatness in their most recent history (even had a hand in Harry Kane’s rise) and what have Spurs done before or after him, not much. I remember a YouTube video of fans outside the Spurs stadium when they were awaiting the arrival of Jose Mourinho. They were all bigging him up and I just commented that you’re going to be sorry for what you’ve lost and what you’ve asked for.
A manager’s reputation is based on many things. Sometimes a fan has to realise (just like a player) that there were numerous factors why a manager was so successful at one club and it doesn’t necessarily mean it will transfer to another club. I saw the decline in Jose early on after he first left Chelsea and yet every subsequent club he went to fans thought he was going to bring that same quality, but he didn’t. He declined and declined.
Look at Arteta at Arsenal, he nearly left before he got started and now you’d have Arsenal fans crying if he left.
I’m by no means comparing RM to these managers, but I’m saying there are a lot of factors at play and that unless we have the confidence the board has when they replaced Adkins with Pochetino, then hold off until we do.
One thing I would change though, is this mindset that ‘Tall Paul’ can’t give us anything. If anything, he is the only player (currently) in the attacking department who can, I believe. He’s been prolific and he gives us one thing to gamble on every match that none of our other strikers can – his height. I’d rather play him each game between now and January and if he doesn’t produce, then look for a new striker.
Compared to our other options; Archer, Armstrong, Diaz, Cornett. Stewart and Cornet are unknown quantities at the moment, but if they don’t pan out like I say I think ‘Tall Paul’ is the way.
We need some kind of outlet upfront and if we can’t be clinical, then at least we can be physical.
Written by lesleee September 15 2024 14:09:32
