Russell Martin Labels Southampton’s Points Total as ‘Embarrassing’

Southampton manager Russell Martin has described the club’s Premier League points total this season as “incredibly hurtful and embarrassing,” noting that the team has secured only one victory in 15 matches. The team currently occupies the last position in the Premier League standings with five points. Since their promotion back to the top flight, Martin’s squad has recorded one win, two draws, and 12 losses across their 15 league games. Their goal difference stands at minus 20, with 11 goals scored and 31 conceded. Martin stated, “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.” He added, “But there have been a few too many mistakes and a few too many moments that we haven’t managed well.” Martin further commented, “We have had disappointments in games and setbacks, but we have to keep trying to grow – to grow as a group, to grow individually and prepare the players for those moments when it is tough, and find ways for them to cope emotionally.” Southampton is scheduled to play Tottenham in a Premier League fixture at St Mary’s on Sunday at 19:00 GMT. Similar to Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, whose team has recently experienced detrimental outcomes, Martin has encountered demands to alter his tactical approach. Martin remarked, “I get criticised for the same thing [as Postecoglou], 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.” He continued, “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.” Martin concluded, “Everyone is just quick to criticise these days and I have a lot of respect for him.”