Saints boss Russell Martin says the club owners’ faith has left him feeling “energised” despite a tough Premier League start.
Southampton manager Russell Martin says he feels “energised” by the faith shown in him by the club’s owners despite a tough start to the Premier League season. Martin is preparing to lead the Saints into their 16th league game of the campaign against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, as frustrations among some fans begin to grow.
With just five points from their first 15 matches, Southampton finds themselves in a historically precarious position. Only three teams in Premier League history—Sunderland and Sheffield United (twice)—have been in a similar spot and gone on to finish at the bottom of the table. Despite the dismal run, Martin has retained the confidence of the club’s hierarchy.
When asked if he feels fortunate to still be in charge, Martin told the Daily Echo: “I’m not sure I feel refreshed, but I feel energised. I didn’t feel that way after Saturday’s game at Aston Villa. Losing hurts, and we’ve lost too much this season. I want to get back to that winning feeling we had so often last year.
“You get used to winning, and we haven’t done it enough this year. But I feel energised by the response of the players and staff when I walk into the building. I feel nothing but love and support from everyone here—from the chefs in the kitchen to the kit people, coaching staff, and players.
“As long as I feel that, I’ll have the energy to keep working, improving, and growing this group. I’m excited about what they’re capable of. I’ll keep going until I’m told otherwise.”
Martin acknowledged the team’s issues, citing costly mistakes and missed opportunities as key factors in their struggles. “Some mistakes early in the season weren’t what we worked on—it was just emotion and tension. We’ve also missed chances to break the rhythm of games or to convert key opportunities,” he said.
He emphasized the need for a more ruthless approach. “We stole the ball four times at Villa, and it came to nothing. When the opposition steals, they go for the jugular. We need that same intent.
🚨 Big news. Saints and City Council have signed an MOU to explore redevelopment of St Mary's Waterfront.
🔻 Seen by club as big long-term step.
🔻 Expand stadium/surrounding areas.
🔻 + Leisure, residential, public spaces.
🔻 Enhance transport and infrastructure.#SaintsFC— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) December 13, 2024
“This week, we’ve focused on being more aggressive in the opposition half, creating chances, and forcing the opposition to defend more. The message to the players has been clear, and I think they’ve taken it on board. Now, it’s time to see how we apply it on the pitch.”
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