Ugh. No offense, but this is just flat-out crazy talk. That goal was like 50% wonderstrike from Coutinho, 30% the defense giving himway too much room despite plenty of numbers, 15% Pelle blowing it by turning a simple return pass into a hospital pass and like, 5% Martina tops. It's not that Martina doesn't have his issues, but you can't blame him for every single goal that gets scored against us.
Has Martina done enough for another year contract, or Cedric as no1 with youth player behind, or need to buy in the summer with Martina going
He was out of position and made no attempt to get back when we lost the ball. It's a stretch to say he was personally to blame for the goal, but he was nowhere near where he needed to be and making no effort to get there. As soon as the ball came to Coutinho I was yelling "where the hell's our right back?" That defence giving Coutinho too much room? Exactly. Big holes in the defence at Right Back, again. Cedric has been equally guilty many times btw.
No. First of all, Martina didn't just lose the ball and fall down. He stretched for the ball to get it to Pelle (and was successful, but it had too much pace and Pelle couldn't control it), and got pushed/clipped from behind from a certain non-longer-bearded-ex-Saint doing a good job getting back. Ex-Saint then passed it to Coutinho. There was plenty of time to close Coutinho down once he had it. Pelle took away the byline and let him cut inside thinking he wasn't a threat from that far. Romeu was right there as well. So was Clasie. Everyone just sagged off him thinking he would sit in space and look for a pass, but he took a quick shot instead. It was just a great strike from a (sometimes) great player. Sturridge was about a mile offside when the shot was taken, btw. I guess they felt he didn't influence the play.
So Martina has basically earned his place in the squad ahead of Cedric then. Thats interesting in itself, good on him but doesnt reflect well on Cedric. We need to be looking at another RB in the summer IMO. Unsurprisingly you cant replace a 20m pound player for 1.5m although you can find a player who can more or less hold his own and score goal of the season which is more than I was expecting. Martina hasn't shown anywhere near enough to get another contract for me. Thats not his fault in any way, he was never ready to step into the Saints first team squad and maintain our level or move us forwards and that needs to be the aim, right? I like Cedric's style but I don't think he's as accomplished as Clyne and we've looked less of a threat and more vulnerable down that right side this season. Next season I feel he'll be able to step up another level but we need an accomplished RB to compete for places.
The fact that we are signing on longer contracts but only gave Cuco two years suggests he was always considered as being on trial. As said, has he done enough to warrant an extension....that will depend on if we can sign a better player or if Koeman is happy with him as a player to provide depth. Don't worry, Cuco....like Forte with his two goals, you have a permanent place in our hearts for that goal.
