Russell Martin sack noise to crank up around Southampton with loss to Leeds United as Daniel Farke softens relegation landing
If the differing fortunes of the relegated sides continue this weekend with a Leeds United victory over Southampton the noise around Russell Martin’s future will increase, according to The Athletic.
The outlet reported via their website on 25 September that following a 2-1 loss to struggling Middlesbrough at the weekend his club’s patience is being “tested”, and a fifth-straight defeat at the hands of the Whites next Saturday (30 September) will “stir things further”, among the fanbase above all.
The contrast with both Leeds’ and Leicester’s current form is highlighted, with both having also brought in new managers in Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca, as the sides sixth and top of the table are seen to have “hit the ground relatively gently” after going down while Southampton have “experienced a disconcerting bump”.
Despite a difficult start to the season while the transfer window remained open Farke has gone six games unbeaten, and has now recorded four consecutive clean sheets to climb up the table.
Climb
It was little over a month ago that there were understandable concerns over the state of the Leeds United squad in light of an exodus from Elland Road without the transfer budget being boosted thanks to relegation release clauses.
In contrast Southampton had sold Romeo Lavia to Chelsea for £58million [Sky Sports, 18 August] shortly after a £30m deal with West Ham for captain James Ward-Prowse [Sky Sports, 14 August], and Tino Livramento to Newcastle for another £32m [Sky Sports, 8 August].
That the intervening weeks have seen the Whites strengthen the squad anyway while Farke got his side on a strong run of form is a credit to the Elland Road boss and his recruitment department.
Fans may have feared the Whites would be experiencing the same struggles that Southampton are currently going through even late into the summer, but while things aren’t perfect in Yorkshire the situation has certainly turned around.
These may be early days still but it is tempting to highlight the importance of making the right managerial appointment to get through the chaos at the club, and landing a two-time Championship winner looks the right decision.
Missteps at manager essentially were what derailed the club’s time in the Premier League following the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa, as none of Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia or Sam Allardyce compared, but it looks like the new regime has got off to a good start in that area.
Farke will want to capitalise on his players strong form coming off an excellent 3-0 victory over Watford when he travels to the south coast for the early kick-off, and he now has some positive selection problems to deal with when he does.
In other Leeds United news, a Hornets player admitted his side were “scared” of the “atmosphere” at Elland Road as he issued a “strange” verdict on the Whites.