Time: 1500hrs Place: Martins office, Staplewood. Phone rings RA- Russ? It's the Razz man. How are you Pal? RM- not too bad mate, busy busy, you know how it is. Running a few extra training sessions with the boys. I’ve just been re-watching our last match. You know, really soaking in the beauty of the game – the passing, the possession. It’s poetry in motion. RA- yeah about that..... RM-You can’t rush greatness. Look at Barcelona, look at City – possession football is the future! RA- Problem is Russ some of the fans are really quite concerned about the present.... RM-We’re building something here! Possession is the foundation, it’s about control of the game. We can’t just hoof it long every time a striker is running 5 yards out from our goal, that's madness! RA- I know that, you know that, it's just well, we're rock bottom of the league. RM- What league Raz? WHAT LEAGUE? Are we bottom of the possession league? RA- Well, no..... RM- Exactly. You’ve got to trust the process. Possession leads to patience, patience leads to opportunities. I’m building a team that dominates the ball. You're worried about goals? Come on mate, we've talked about this. Goals are for the philistines who don't understand football. RA- you know I believe in this system, Russ. I believe in you, these players, your beard. We’re not just trying to stay up, we’re building a legacy here...... RM- Exactly RA- but it's kind of financially important for us to stay in the league. RM- Winning, as it turns out, is a bit like dessert. It’s sweet, it’s nice, but it’s not the main course. The real joy of football lies in the journey, the way the team works together, the way we improve, and the moments of brilliance that happen on and off the pitch. We’re here to develop, to learn, to entertain, and most importantly, to have fun. RA- are you trying to out-razz the Razz man? RM- not at all, I just really enjoyed your Ted talks. You're an innovator dude. RA- (twirling his hair) Thanks Russ. Look is there any chance at all we can at least try and win Friday? RM- .......... RA- ............ RM- Bye Looks out of the window to see Tall Paul curling one in from outside the box. Starts banging on the window furiously.... RM- PAUL YOU LANKY STREAK OF PISS, WHAT HAVE I ****ING TOLD YOU?? ****ING LOOK AROUND YOU! DOWNES WAS 15 YARDS BEHIND YOU THAT'S A MUCH BETTER OPTION. (Mutters to himself, I'm dropping that ****, I wonder if BBD is free on Friday)
Anyway we've lost this game by 3 goals to 1 last couple of times we've played them. I don't think the gulf between the two clubs has ever been quite as stark. We've got absolutely no chance so I reckon another 3-1 is on the cards. Dibling with ours. Hopefully the beginning of the end for Martin.
It’s definitely flipped hasn’t it. The RM love in has gone & it seems the majority of us are all of the same opinion. I just hope it’s the same elsewhere & we as a collective fanbase, well & truly let RM & SR know our feelings. Please just **** off.
I don't get the impression that the bulk of the fans want RM gone. The team seem very much together to me. I don't see the point in changing the manager. I was on the fence for but now i say stick with the existing plan. There is something about saints that's intriguing.
I'm intrigued by how **** we are, but I also sort of see what you mean. RMs position should be untenable by now, but if we could just stop poncing around horribly at the back....
Of all the adjectives that describe how I feel about Saints right now, “intriguing” isn’t in the top 20, but I respect your intriguedness Mr Shuttle.
I said to a mate today that the reason RM still clings on to a job, is that we’re such a ‘nearly’ club it continues to fool us (and, I suspect, our owners).
Referee: Rob Jones Assistants: Neil Davies, Nick Hopton. Fourth official: John Busby. VAR: Jarred Gillett. Assistant VAR: Stuart Burt.
