Henry Winter's Goal Posts

Henry Winter's Goal Posts

Share this post

Henry Winter's Goal Posts
Henry Winter's Goal Posts
When dogma becomes damaging.
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

When dogma becomes damaging.

Henry Winter's avatar
Henry Winter
Oct 01, 2024
∙ Paid
11

Share this post

Henry Winter's Goal Posts
Henry Winter's Goal Posts
When dogma becomes damaging.
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
5
Share

When does faith become blind faith? When does a manager’s footballing credo become a dogma dragging a side down? Southampton’s squad has undeniable limitations, but the manager, Russell Martin, has even more limitations if he will not show some tactical flexibility.

Russell Martin. Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

He’s impressive in many ways, responding to a tough upbringing in a home scarred by his father’s domestic abuse of his mother, working hard to make himself as a player, representing Scotland, setting up a foundation to help change lives, and now making his way in management. Martin’s young, still only 38, and is committed to his philosophy. Too committed.

Managers want to do things their way, but stubbornness is not the best way. Plan B should not simply be doing Plan A again. Southampton 24/25 risk becoming Burnley 23/24. Playing one way over and over and getting turned over and over. At least Vincent Kompany could head off to Bayern Munich who have the quality of players to execute his approach.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Henry Winter
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More