The post-Russell Martin era is going to be full of heartache, frustration, and bitterness.
Bitterness because so many of us saw the problem from the start of this season.
The club should have acted much sooner in removing Martin.
His style of possession football has had a devastating effect on the team.
Not only were our players not good enough to play that way, but it also led directly to us losing many of our games.
The other huge problem with wandering about giving short passes sideways and backwards is that you are not requiring your teammates to run through onto or with the ball.
The result of this is now becoming blatantly clear.
No constant running means no fitness!
We only have a couple of players with speed and ability: KWP and Tyler Dibling.
Adam Armstrong can be fast but does not have Premiership ability.
The team are completely unfit.
So Russell Martin has left us – as I said he would – with a team of players completely indoctrinated into his way of playing, who look like they can only play for short periods without getting worn out.
I feel very sorry for Ivan Juric. He is trying hard to get the team to play attacking, forward-pressing football. I imagine he is shell-shocked with what he has seen.
So where did it all go wrong? Dragan Šolak, the Saints owner, is a very successful businessman.
However, he is being let down, as we all are, by the man who makes all the decisions on footballing matters: Rasmus Ankersen.
He has chosen managers (remember Jones!) and also chooses most, if not all, of the players.
Mr Šolak made a lot of money available for players when we were promoted, but Ankersen wasted it by buying in average players who were not ready or good enough for the Premiership.
We have an overlarge, below-standard squad.
His decision-making has cost us dearly.
He even waited until we were doomed to relegation before getting rid of Martin.
So, Dragan Šolak, thank you for putting money into our club. However, we are very, very angry with the footballing decisions being made on your behalf.
You, like us, are being let down.
The board, like the team, need renewing.
You need to address the problems now.
John Carter
Bitterne
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