Russell Martin's dismissal isn't a good news for Southampton fans but it provides Will Still a possible way to safeguard his St. Mary's position.
Last year's December and the ongoing October had particularly nothing in common, but they are two sources of reality checks for Russell Martin. He has served 2 Championship clubs well before turning forty but first division seems beyond Martin's toolkit.
Will Still shares the same under-40 coaching charisma as Martin, and Southampton fans know not many do. Plus, Still has only ten or so performances coming from an English football's dugout so, could the St. Mary's also get fed up with him sooner.
Chances are open, as he has nudged past Martin in a Southampton role - not clearly out-throned him. Also, eight games comparison don't mean for anything when the annual verdict will arrive after 46 league hurdles.
A sack is a sack, and it can't be overturned unlike goals being wiped by VAR. If Still keeps Southampton behind the footsteps of blue neighbours Portsmouth, then, of course it will irk the Saints higher chiefs.
Rangers nodding to Rohl will offer Will Still bigger safety net
Speaking in wins and only three points until December will all but confirm Still finishing a campaign here. But what for a sluggish Championship tide where Saints win some, lose some and keep tying scorelines that pile up a winless streak?
That scenario also justifies a coach's dismissal yet Rangers, more than Southampton, can decide how much additional matches are thrown in Still's plate. According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, the Scottish heavyweights are mulling over Danny Rohl as one possible Russell Martin heir.
Now, the Rohl-wishing fans at Southampton may get jealous if it were to happen but Still's smile can only go broader from here. If the German is given the keys to restructure Martin's mess, then Johannes Spors and the Saints boardroom will have no ready made succession plan for Still, if the need arised.
Exactly, which will force them to bide weeks in finding some worthy candidates for their shortlist and give Still a decent window to launch one final job-saving push. Let's see how Will Still's future deviates from now onwards.