Following Rangers' opening-day draw against Motherwell, the head coach argued that what was undermining his team was "not primarily strategic, it is a mentality challenge".
That was eight weeks back. Nevertheless during his post-match comments after the haphazard 2-1 Europa League setback on Thursday, there was an enervating familiarity about the way the manager accounted for the result.
"It is mentality, rather than a technical or tactical issue," the coach said.
Another match, one more familiar scenario for Rangers.
The events during matches is predictable, while the manager's evaluation has a sense of predestination about it as well.
There exists nothing to analyze about the poor beginning and shoddy defending that permitted Sturm Graz to gain control of the European contest that has not already been extensively covered by team members, analysts and fans alike.
The shared element is that exists a issue at Ibrox. Regular complaints indicate that. Only five successes in 16 matches cause it to be even more clear.
Therefore, what additional period can Rangers and their manager work from the same script and desire an alternative outcome?
'We were our own worst enemies' - Martin
Besides the small step on the road to recovery that was the Scottish Premiership success against their weekend opponents, Rangers have failed to lose sight of the beginning phase.
In Austria, they had a possibility to build positive momentum and build an argument for their manager, who continues to be under huge pressure.
Conversely, a misplaced throw-in by James Tavernier was played upfield by Dimitri Lavalee, controlled by another player, and finished by the goalscorer. Only 420 seconds had elapsed.
Whereas the initial goal represented a backline mistake, the subsequent strike was a defensive catastrophe.
An advanced defensive position at a deep free-kick was cut through with one excellent low drive, and a struggling the goalkeeper was left embarrassed for another time in the first half.
"Basic mistakes," commented former Rangers right-back the pundit.
The pair of blunders because of the Ibrox side's mindset, according to Martin. Not anything connected with their formation, approach or method.
"The contrast from the first half-hour to the next 60 minutes was too distant genuinely," the manager stated. "It's focus, it's mentality.
"I am annoyed because we allow two poor scores, soft goals. We prepared extensively about them recently we failed to be switched on.
"We caused our own problems since the opposition didn't create any chances during normal gameplay. It's painful and discouraging."
'I don't know what problem is' - The defender
Rangers limped along till the break. Subsequently things changed.
Jayden Meghoma and Oliver Antman were swapped for Max Aarons and Bojan Miovski in substitutions that constituted not at all like-for-like replacements.
Consequently the defender shunted to left-back, while the captain at central defense. Shocking on paper, successful in practice.
With a new lease of life among the players - although not entirely the command the manager implied - the goalscorer deservedly scored a consolation for the visiting team.
Yet consistent with the case frequently in recent months, the architects of their difficulties were unable to respond till the disadvantage was done.
"We displayed inexperienced and wound up down at 2-0, subsequently we were pursuing the contest," the defender told TNT Sports.
"We didn't start well, I'm uncertain what the problem is. It seems that there are periods when all players is switched on and tuned in and afterward the dynamic can alter, It's unclear the reason.
"We can't be tolerant regarding such performance. We must avoid being like this. We must to improve."
'It's become the norm' - what the fans say
David: Time to depart. It's simply complete nonsense whenever Martin speaks. He must be viewing separate contests to all other observers. Absolutely unrealistic.
Steve: Exists evidently a disconnect between the coach and the team. When they're unable to implement fundamental tactics such as the method to properly deal with a restart, consequently an issue is fundamentally broken.
Robert: The manager needs to leave ahead of this continues to decline more. I don't even get shocked now by the team experiencing setbacks, its becoming the standard. The upcoming Ibrox fixture turnout might be notable.
Stewart: Genuine leaders don't blame {their men|
