When asked what he would consider a successful season for Southampton, Russell Martin said it would be one in which the team

finishes in the Premier League and he remains manager until May.

After an exhilarating, nail-biting afternoon at St Mary’s, where Martin heard cheers of delight as Southampton led 2-0 against

Leicester City at halftime transform to complete rage as they contrived to lose 3-2, it seemed very much like odds against both.

This season, Martin’s passing ideas have already generated a lot of discussion. The manager hasn’t wavered from his demands on how

the game must be played, despite growing evidence that suggests he – or at least something – needs to alter, or else Southampton and

the manager might face serious consequences.

He told BBC’s Football Focus: “There is a difference between being stubborn and having conviction. If you really believe in something

as a coach, manager, leader, then the logic for me is that you stick with it and try to be better at it.”

More importantly, Martin said, “Nobody cares unless you win,” in a different interview.

Additionally, Southampton is losing.

Martin’s primary complaint is that he and Southampton are trying to get better in the competitive Premier League, where rookies

suffer severe penalties and veterans are penalised for mistakes.

And it was all on display as they threw away a promising position that had been built up over the course of an outstanding forty-five

minutes. Earlier goals from Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo had given them the lead, but Jamie Vardy, Facundo Buonanotte, and

Jordan Ayew, who slipped past custodian Aaron Ramsdale in the 98th minute, gave Leicester the lead back.

There was venom in the reaction from Southampton’s stunned fans when Anthony Taylor’s final whistle sounded. It was the sharpest

of contrasts from the reception at half-time.

The statistics illustrate Martin’s reliance on passing, as they rank fourth in the Premier League with an average of 528 passes per game

and sixth measured in possession, 55.6%.

Martin must now reflect on the more telling statistic that Southampton are bottom of the Premier League with one point from eight

games, conceding 18 goals, second only to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A journey through Martin’s managerial career does not offer any suggestion he will change his modus operandi, even though there

must be increasing concerns around Southampton that such a poor start will be a main ingredient in a recipe for relegation.

From the start of his time at MK Dons from November 2019 his team were top of the table for both passing and possession in League

One, averaging 469 passes per game and 58.5% possession until the end of that season, then heading that measure again the following

season with 544 passes per game and 64% possession.

MK Dons finished 19th in 2019-20 then 13th in 2020-21, his approach earning him a move to Swansea City, where he succeeded Steve

Cooper, Leicester City’s manager here, before the start of the following season.

The trend continued in south Wales, Swansea finishing top of the Championship passing standings with 598 per game and also the

possession statistics with 63.9% as they finished 15th. The following season they were top of passing with 594 per game and second in

possession on 64% as they finished 10th.

It was next stop Southampton for Martin, his style reflected once more as they played more passes per game than any other team, 667,

enjoying 66.1% possession, the highest in the division as they came up via the play-offs.

Prior to this heartbreaking loss, Martin’s high-risk approach was exposed in the Premier League, especially in away losses to Brentford

and Bournemouth.

Martin and Southampton are repeating their mistakes and hoping for different outcomes. It isn’t happening, and the management is

under more pressure now that there’s a chance they’ll end up stranded at the bottom.

Martin said: “Right now there is no message I can give that is helpful because of the emotion everyone is feeling.”

On the post-match reaction of Southampton’s furious fans, he added: “I’ve nothing to say apart from that I need to keep working and

we need to win a game of football. I hope they will always turn up and support their team, they’ve been amazing.”

There are ominous echoes of Burnley under Vincent Kompany last season, another manager who took his principles on the passing

game straight back into the Championship after winning promotion, finishing 19th with only five wins and 24 points, before he landed

the coach’s job at Bayern Munich.

Martin doesn’t project the image of a manager ready to put pragmatic considerations ahead of principle in exchange for the possible

safety that a change in strategy might—but might not—bring.

His approach is just as fraught with danger as his game plan, and it will need the backing of a board and fan base who are

compassionate and understanding.

When it came to Southampton’s backing, this devastating conclusion at St Mary’s was a turning point that tried any remaining

endurance.

Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/