It’s been a while since I have written in these pages about our beloved football club.

However, I feel the need to comment on some of the issues that many fans are increasingly frustrated about.

At the start of the season, we were all full of enthusiasm and hope about bouncing straight back to the Premiership.

We had retained a number of senior players and had a new young British manager who ‘talked a good talk’ and seemed popular with the players and confident in his approach.

He was convinced that retaining possession was the key to success. We subsequently learned, of course, that possession is only a benefit providing that you actually do something constructive with it.

In our game against Leicester, we, as usual, had the most possession. In fact, exactly twice as much as our opponents, 66 per cent to 33 per cent, but passing the ball sideways and backwards doesn’t achieve anything except frustration.

We didn’t score a single goal or even have one shot on target. Leicester, on the other hand, converted their 33 per cent into five goals.

We had a good run earlier in the year, but sadly too many draws and not enough wins, giving away numerous points.

Russell Martin seems unable to coach the team into holding onto a lead and maximising an advantage. This single fact has converted many leads into chaotic losses.

Team selection is often about giving people a chance, according to the manager, rather than just playing your strongest available team. We have had some good results but with the resources and players at our disposal, we should be much better.

Russell keeps talking about the players being brave - but - playing out from the back while being closely marked is not brave. It is completely reckless and sometimes suicidal.

We are told by Swansea fans that our manager can, and always has, only coached one way.

He has, they say, an inflexible attitude. Going forward, we need a manager who can plan out defensive tactics, inspire players to push and play forward, and who changes tactics and shape when necessary.

Also, using the best available substitutes at the best time.

If Russell Martin can do these things, he needs to act quickly. If he can’t, we need someone who can.

We are not good enough for the Premiership at the moment.

Let’s hope for some positivity before we lose all our loan players and the best ones that are left start heading off to the lower levels of the Premiership. COYR.

John Carter
Bitterne