There is no way that this game can be dressed up as anything other than crucial in not only Saints season, but the future of Russell Martin as manager at St Mary's, by 5pm on Saturday there will be a lot of questions answered.

There is a lot of speculation about what side Russell Martin will put out against Leicester, but the reality is that unless he tweaks the playing style, it won't make much difference, as in every game played so far, whatever good work we have put in, has been undone by individual errors and getting caught in possession.

Saints supporters are now frustrated and desperate, so much so that some even see Tall Paul Onuachu as the answer, whilst I would be delighted if that was to be the case, I would say that a few fancy turns in the centre circle at the Emirates does not a striker make.

So my message to Russell martin is get back to basics and make it simple, at the end of last season you showed that you could tweak things and we went from losing 5-0 at Leicester to beating Leeds twice and promotion.

It is time for the best players to be played in their natural positions, the tried and trusted, not clutching at straws.

A tight back four and a midfield that can work hard and create, that said I'm torn on who plays at the back, but I am sure that Kyle Walker Peters name should be on the team sheet.

In the centre of midfield Flynn Downes should have Mateus Fernandes & Adam Lallana in front of him and up front Tyler Dibden & Cameron Archer.

The problem is that Russell martin is not a bad manager, if Pep Guardiola left Manchester City tomorrow and Martin replaced him, City would still win the Premier League, but Martin doesn't have the players to do that at Southampton, if he is to show that he is a manager who can manage at the top, he has to be adaptable and so far this season he hasn't been.

Saints are capable of winning this game, but only if we change and adapt, the players have to have the freedom to do the basics when necessary, to clear the ball when under pressure and not be scared to hoof the ball when required.

Another full house at St Mary's and 100% support is needed, I hope that come the end of the game that we have the 3 points in the bag and that we can move forward with some confidence.

All Photos Via Reuters

Jesus_02 added 11:27 - Oct 18 If sports republic could find a better manager he would have been gone by now. We just need to start scoring goal and we have shown against arsenal and Ipswich that we are capable. Our expected goals are up there we just don't have the finisher , in form to punish teams. Yes , downes made a very uncharacteristic unforced error but we have been much better in defence without captain jack. All we can hope for is that one of the strikers gets a couple and confidence rises. We are not going to be launching the ball up to tall Paul any time soon.

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Bowlercow added 12:06 - Oct 18 The win is vital just to instill a bit of confidence I know I am in the minority on here but I want him to stick to the possession game It's great to watch and gets me on the edge of my seat Sometimes for the wrong reason He has to adapt his style is the normal cry So far this season we have played with a back 3 a back 4 and a back 5 We have played a mf 2 a 3 and a 4 We have played with a lone striker 2 strikers and a front 3 If that is not trying to adapt what is? These next 5 games are vital and I would love to see a settled starting elevenl

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DoctorSleep added 13:21 - Oct 18 I'm with Bowlercow in that the possession game just needs a few tweaks and the goals and wins will come. It seems that Martin is either reluctant to make these changes or doesn't know how! He's beginning to grasp at straws - Tall Paul - the same way that Rueben Selles did before he left. We can discuss all we like but its Martin ( and his team ) who make these decisions and he ( and his team ) have to stand by them when they fail. So if it means they leave then they so be it. Saints will move on

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Boris1977 added 15:49 - Oct 18 Tall Paul isn't,,'the answer' but he offers another option - which our football manager genius badly needs. The possession game would be enjoyable if the results were averaged out and we have a handful of points but as there is rarely end product and several defensive errors per match with around 50% leading to goals against most saints fans understandably get frustrated knowing that a capable team player sensible football wouldn't help the opposition score goals. RM is an unpredictable manager so his way of playing may eventually pay dividends but it's far from uncertain. Whereas playing pragmatic possession football would, on balance, get results. COYRs

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saintmark1976 added 18:04 - Oct 18 Bowlercow and DoctorSleep, both minus seven. You should know by now that alternative views to the herd aren’t allowed. Won’t be long before some absolute doughnut calls you both Skates. It’s what the hard of thinking do nowadays.
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davidargyll added 20:20 - Oct 18 Sorry?! Russell Martin is not a bad manager? Well if you mean championship manager maybe. But a premier league one? Oh FFS he is utter sh*te, I know it, most if not all the fans know it and come on, so do you in your heart of hearts. Under him we are well and truly Eff You See Kayed, no more no less. HE ABSOLUTELY 100% NO ARGUMENT MUST GO…!
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Bowlercow added 11:32 - Oct 19 -10 must be a new world record I'll check with Guiness
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SanMarco added 12:33 - Oct 19 I'm sure some hapless poor soul who supported the sacking of Adkins would run you close Bowlercow. The hard truth is that decisions on managers are made in the present and RM is, for good or ill, nearly out of hypothetical future where Saints out-play teams with attacking possession football. We can lose today and still stay up but, right or wrong, it wouldn't be with RM in charge. That's football life. My biggest fear is Sport Republic's choice of a successor - some guy with no experience at this level will not in my view get us any closer to 'safety'. Come on you Saints this afternoon. Dare I say we are due a bit of luck...

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Boris1977 added 17:51 - Oct 19 San Marco - nail on head etc. sports republic are the biggest issue at the club. They'll walk away when their hedge fund practices stop making them money. By then we'll have a husk of a club which we thankfully avoided when Marcus saved us from administration and sisu COYRs
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