Russell Martin admits it’s “incredibly hurtful and embarrassing” that his Southampton team have mustered just five points from their opening 15 games in the Premier League.
The Saints won promotion back to the top flight last season via the play-offs but have found the step-up in quality too much, winning just one game – against fellow strugglers Everton.
Individual errors have blighted Saints’ progress but Martin remains confident there are better times ahead.
Jan Bednarek 🔙
Paul Onuachu 🔙
Aaron Ramsdale 🔜The latest squad update ahead of Sunday #PL clash ⤵️
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 12, 2024
Speaking ahead of Sunday evening’s game with Tottenham at St. Mary’s, he said: “We shouldn’t be on the points that we are. It is incredibly hurtful and embarrassing to be on five points – we should have more.
”But there have been a few too many mistakes and a few too many moments that we haven’t managed well.
“We have had disappointments in games and setbacks, but we have to keep trying to grow – grow as a group, grow individually and prepare the players for those moments when it is tough, and find ways for them to cope emotionally.
“But they are growing, they are getting better and they are so competitive.”
Martin knows what Postecoglou is going through
Martin has faced criticism for his style of play with several of the aforementioned mistakes coming about due to his insistence on playing out from the back.
He has sympathy, therefore, for his opposite number this weekend, Ange Postecoglou, who has also been accused of stubbornness for his refusal to divert away from his all-out attacking philosophy.
Martin added: “I get criticised for the same thing, about being stubborn and all that stuff, but if you believe in something and it’s taken you a certain way in life then to deviate too far from that is crazy.
“I can’t speak for him but we are also adapting. We adapt shape, approach, personnel but with the same consistency about what is important for us, with the same concept of the game. We can’t deviate too far from that otherwise we become nothing, really.
“Everyone is just quick to criticise these days and I have a lot of respect for him.”
It’s good to be different from the norm – Martin
Martin believes different approaches enhance the game, even if does leave managers open to scepticism when results slide.
“People only criticise the ones who are a little bit different from the norm,” he said. “So if we all believe the same thing that would be pretty boring, but we would be less open to criticism.
“I watched a lot of his [Postecoglou’s] Celtic team, they were brilliant. They got so much praise for being so brave and aggressive. He did a great job, won lots of trophies and played in the Champions League.
“He goes to Spurs and starts so well, so when the results are good no-one questions the style or his convictions or belief system. Then the minute it starts faltering, it is always down to that.”
