Southampton

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton manager Russell Martin is confident that Gary O'Neil can turn Wolves' fortunes around this season.

With the two set to play against each other on Saturday for the first time since they entered management, Martin spoke about his friendship with O'Neil when they were team-mates at Norwich from 2014-16.

"We stayed in touch beyond [playing careers] when he was at Liverpool and Bournemouth and I was at MK Dons and Swansea," Martin said. "Not so much now because things get very busy.

"We were probably two of the moaniest players in training and having an opinion on the game so it doesn't surprise me that we have gone on to this side of it. We spent most of our time arguing on the pitch but we got on really well. We used to have a lot of conversations around football.

"Part of that comes from those conversations when you are on the training ground, when you are playing and travelling or in hotels - I just used to feel for [former Norwich defender] Steven Whittaker, who would sit there and roll his eyes at us.

"We've all got a different idea of the game but we all have clarity about what we want and part of that comes from them conversations."

With Southampton 19th and Wolves 20th, both managers are under scrutiny and in desperate need of a positive result at Molineux.

Whatever happens, Martin is convinced O'Neil will have success in his managerial career.

"I look forward to catching up with him," Martin said. "I had a lot of time for him as a team-mate and as a person. I think he's done a brilliant job and it was brilliant that he got the opportunity at Bournemouth as a young English coach.

"He did great last season and I have no doubt that they will hit their stride this season because they have been unfortunate and had a really tough run of fixtures. I look forward to catching up with him after the match - but for 90 minutes all of the friendship goes out of the window."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Southampton boss Russell Martin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League trip to Wolves (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He began with a squad update: "It's pretty much as is. 'Wee Man' [Ryan Fraser] has trained for the last couple of days, but it's probably too early to be in the squad. Everyone else seems to be good."

• On Taylor Harwood-Bellis' England call-up: "It's brilliant for the club. For us, he's been huge. We've had a difficult start and in the last few weeks we've seen him grow a lot as a character and leader on the pitch. He has to keep improving - he's an extremely talented young man. I'm delighted for him."

• On summer signing Yukinari Sugawara: "I think he's been outstanding to adapt to a different culture and environment. The only thing that has disrupted his season is the knock against Leicester and the amount of travelling he does [with Japan during the international breaks]. It's hard for him to come back with freshness and energy. I think he's been amazing and is ready for the Premier League."

• Martin praised Aaron Ramsdale for his national team call-up as well as Tyler Dibling, who also earned his first call-up to England's Under-21 squad.

• On Wolves boss Gary O'Neil, who was Martin's team-mate during his playing days: "I look forward to catching up with him. I had a lot of time for him as a team-mate and as a person. I think he's done a great job and did great last season. I have no doubt they [Wolves] will hit their stride at some point."

• Martin dismissed the idea of Wolves being an easier match than others: "The challenge is always the same - to impose the game you want and be aware of the opposition threat. I'm sure Gary is preparing his team in the same way."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis said he did not expect to be called into the England squad for the first time on Thursday.

The 22-year-old has been a regular for England at under-21 level but told club media, external he was "pleasantly surprised" to receive a phone call informing him of his first selection for the senior team.

The former Manchester City centre-back said: "I've obviously thought about it as something I wanted to do in my career but, to do it now, I didn't expect it.

"It'll be a good experience. It'll be tough to get minutes but I want to play. I'm not the type of person to be happy sitting on the bench, no matter who I'm playing for. Hopefully I can get a few minutes and I'll be proud."

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves are yet to win a game this season in the Premier League and they host Southampton who are fresh off their win over Everton last weekend.

That win will have relieved a little bit of pressure off Russell Martin's back and it has proved to fans, the board and us that Southampton can win games playing the way that they want to. That is a boost, so Saints will not be approaching this game in a different manner.

The pressure is very much on Wolves to win because they are playing a promoted side at home. That would be the case regardless of their position - and they should be favourites. Unfortunately for them, that means Southampton can play like the underdogs.

However, I do not look at this game and think a manager will lose his job from the result.

If Wolves get completely outplayed by Southampton then it could be a different conversation, but that it is going off the assumption that O'Neil could lose his job at the club.

We do not know that.

What should happen to O'Neil if Wolves fail to beat Southampton?

Make your selection

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your to tell us one thing that no one is talking about at Southampton at the moment.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: While Russell Martin's style of play and in-game tactics are far from perfect, it's fair to say the quality of the players to choose from has deteriorated since we were last in the Premier League. We've failed to match the standard of departing stars like Ward-Prowse, Livramento, Adams and even injury-prone Lavia. January transfer window hugely important.

Mike: Saints won't stay up because we have failed to bring quality signings to key areas of the pitch: creative midfield, central defence and striker. Bednarek, Stephens, Armstrong - these players have failed before in the Premier League and they are letting us down again. Fernandes looks a decent player but Flynn Downes is struggling.

Matthew: As much as the fans are extremely negative, we should be on between nine and 15 points by now. However, the players will know that and with a win now under our belt we should kick on with confidence and a clear aim. Trust in Martin's process and safety will come, especially if we win at Wolves.

Maximus: How much longer will it be before it's realised that we need to have more than one style of play? It makes us so predictable to play against. We may change the formation from time to time but we still employ the playing out from the back system. If we get pressed, we fall apart because we cannot adapt. Adapt or get someone who can.