Newcastle 1-0 Southampton: What Martin said published at 17:23 17 August
17:23 17 August
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Russell Martin spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Southampton's defeat to Newcastle: “We had 60 minutes playing against 10 men. We had enough chances to win the game, let alone draw it, but I’m so proud of the team.
“We made one mistake and we paid the price. Maybe it’s that little bit of belief [that’s missing], but I’m really proud of the team today.
“We should have scored three goals today. We brought on every attacking player we had. I don’t think we learned anything new about our players today, apart from the fact they’re new to this league.”
On the error that led to Joelinton’s goal: “It’s down to a lack of intensity – I knew that would be the narrative coming into the Premier League.”
Newcastle 1-0 Southampton: Send us your thoughtspublished at 16:58 17 August
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Southamptonpublished at 11:15 17 August
11:15 17 August
A new season, and a new challenge for BBC Sport's prediction expert Chris Sutton.
Sutton faced off against a guest for each of the 38 game weeks in 2023-24 and triumphed 21-10 (with seven draws) to secure his second predictions title in a row.
He will have a guest each week this time too, but now you can find out if you can do any better.
Sutton's opponent for the opening round of games is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.
Sutton's prediction: 3-0
This is another tough game for one of the promoted sides.
Newcastle have got some quality players and they are also such a powerful, physical and relentless outfit.
Southampton will know what is coming, but I am not sure they will be able to stop it happening.
Liam's prediction: 3-0
I heard a Southampton fan talking recently about whether they would rather be at the top of the Championship or in the Premier League getting trounced every week and he said he preferred to be in the Championship. I can understand why - I have gone for Newcastle to win this quite easily and it won't be much fun for Southampton if it turns out like this all the time - hopefully it won't.
Archer joins from Villa - a good signing?published at 16:16 16 August
16:16 16 August
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Southampton have signed Cameron Archer from Aston Villa on a four-year-deal.
The forward joins having played on loan for Sheffield United in the Premier League last season, as well as prior spells with Preston North End and Middlesbrough.
"I'm really excited to be here," said the 22-year-old. " I had a good chat with the gaffer. Obviously, he told me everything I needed to hear. That was one of the main reasons why I'm here, his playing style, his coaching and trying to improve me as a player."
Saints boss Russell Martin added: "Cameron is a really exciting young talent with huge potential to improve, and we’re really delighted to add him to the group in time for our first game back in the Premier League. He’s had a really good pre-season – he’s sharp and ready to go.
"He’s a constant threat with his pace and ability to score goals, and will have learned a lot from playing regularly in the Premier League last season. Now it’s up to us to help him develop and showcase how good he can be at this level."
Is this another good signing for Saints ahead of their top-flight campaign? Are there any other players Martin should be looking at to bolster the team, including the potential loan of Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu?
Can the new boys survive?published at 08:28 16 August
08:28 16 August
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
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There should be some focus on the newbies in the Premier League just as much as the old guard in the top half of the table.
When you get promoted, you really do want to hit the ground running. Start the season on a high and you can ride that wave for a while. Lose, and that sunny hopeful optimism can turn to a dark menacing cloud of fear before August is over.
Both Ipswich Town and Leicester City have got home openers but that is counter-balanced by the fact that it is Liverpool and Tottenham they will face - two teams with designs on a top-four finish. Southampton have a bigger mountain to climb, when they face Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Last season, all three promoted teams in Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United were duly relegated nine months later. That was an unusual occurrence that last happened back in season 1997-98 but at least Leicester and Southampton have a decent amount of recent Premier League experience.
Even so, it is hard to see any of them doing anything other than battling relegation. I wish them well but expect just one will survive.
Bella-Kotchap medical leaks 'irresponsible' - Martinpublished at 16:20 15 August
16:20 15 August
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Southampton boss Russell Martin has called reports speculating about the health of Armel Bella-Kotchap "irresponsible" as the Saints defender closes in on a move to German side Hoffenheim.
Reports from Germany on Wednesday suggested that the defender had failed his medical due to an issue with his heart that had been discovered.
"How that was leaked and came out without context and detail was a little bit irresponsible I think," Martin told BBC Radio Solent. "Because it mentions the heart it probably seems scarier than it is. He's had a really standard procedure on it that had never really caused him a problem and we have been aware of it for some time.
"Armel is completely fine and there is no imminent threat to him. The deal is progressing fine and I hope for all parties it can get done."
Bella-Kotchap signed for Southampton in June of 2022 and made 24 appearances in the Premier League on the season Saints were relegated.
He spent last campaign on loan at PSV Eindhoven before returning to Southampton this pre season.
Martin on more transfers, a new challenge and Walker-Peterspublished at 15:25 15 August
15:25 15 August
Martin Dougan BBC Sport journalist
Southampton boss Russell Martin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle (kick-off 15:00 BST).
On the health of his squad, Martin said: “Kamaldeen is nearly fit, Ross Stewart is nearly back in contention, Adam Lallana is nearly back, so they’re in a really good place."
On competing in the Premier League: "I’m really excited about it. Really looking forward to the challenge, really looking forward to the game and how good we are. It’s always difficult the first game. You don’t know where other teams are. These games are difficult to gauge anything from really, in terms of when the league starts because the opposition you are playing is different. Formations change, players change. So we will wait and see, the first game is always interesting."
On his team being ready: "I feel like we are at a point now where we need the first game to come. If we had any more training time I’m not sure what we would work on, I’m really happy with the work we’ve done and the players just need it to come now."
On using the fact his team are early favourites for relegation as motivation: "Yes, It’ll become part of the story I’m sure, but honestly even last season when it was going really well, we had a few tough moments. The external narrative doesn’t affect the process or the work that we do. So we will concentrate on trying to be the team we want to be and working how we want to be working, using the process that’s got us this far and try to be better at it."
On the length of the transfer window: "I think the fairest thing for all, is that it just shuts the day before the season starts. I think it’s nonsense it carries on but I don’t make the rules. I think it only suits the people with real financial power."
On Southampton's transfer window so far: "We haven’t done the business we would have liked to have done as a club yet. There’s some stuff I’m really happy with but we haven’t done enough and there’s still a long way to go. I don’t enjoy the transfer windows and I don’t think many managers do, but it’s part of it and I’m really happy with what we have done so far. We do need to do some more."
On Keeping Kyle Walker-Peters: "I’m a lot more confident than I was six weeks ago about keeping him. It was the same all last summer, it didn’t affect him one bit. This time it’s a bit different because he has a year left on his contract."
On challenges to overcome when playing against Newcastle: "They’re aggressive, they run so hard out of possession, they have physical stature and prowess and they have some really outstanding players and a very clear way of doing things."
What's the one thing we should be talking about?published at 13:18 15 August
13:18 15 August
We asked for your views on one thing that nobody seems to be talking about at Southampton but should be.
Here are some of your comments:
Matthew: I feel as though the unity and happiness between the squad has been, currently is and will continue to be severely unseen. We had multiple rough patches last season where the squad kept their heads and kicked on after a win or two. We will suffer similar situations in the Premier League which I feel we can bounce back from.
Robert: To echo what Russell Martin said, you can only appreciate the light when you’ve experienced the darkness. Saints fans have had plenty of darkness in the last few years and irrespective of where we finish in the league it feels like we’ve never been more together. On paper, we need an extra 10 points from the crowd to stay up. You never know.
Mike: The bad thing that nobody is talking about is that we need quality players in key positions of centre-half, midfield and centre-forward. Yet the spine of the side that will start at Newcastle will be no different to the one that came up short in our relegation season. I don't disagree with the pundits: Saints are doomed.
Fred: No one really seems to be talking about the amount of centre-backs and wingers we have in the squad. It’s OK to have a few for back up but having too many will cause a problem. Need to sell some and make a profit and buy a player who would be a great singing and in a position we need to improve on.
Chris: It is difficult, it will be Saints ability as a group rather than individuals if they are to stay up. They play for each other unlike the season when they got relegated. Will it be enough? It will be tough and touch and go, but they need to bring in some quality before the window slams shut. Best scenario bottom six. We all know the worst.
Sam: The fact we have the manager and the team to stay up in the Premier League. Russell Martin will keep us up.
Newcastle v Southampton - did you know?published at 11:48 15 August
11:48 15 August
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If Adam Lallana plays for Southampton against Newcastle then it will be his first Premier League game for the Saints in 10 years and 98 days. That is the fifth-longest gap between appearances for the same side in the competition's history.
Meanwhile, his most recent goal for Saints came against the Magpies in a 4-0 win in March 2014.
Phil McNulty's predictions - Southamptonpublished at 09:02 15 August
09:02 15 August
It's that time of the year again - the annual act of foolishness in which I try to predict the outcome of the 2024-25 season for all 20 Premier League clubs.
Southampton - 18th
No pleasure in any of these last three placings - all great clubs back in the top-flight and no doubt all as determined to make complete fools of naysayers such as this one.
Southampton came up by beating Leeds United in the play-off final after a season playing in the attractive manner demanded by their progressive young manager Russell Martin.
It may be a high-risk strategy in the Premier League, as Burnley discovered last season, but Martin does not appear for turning. He does it his way - admirable and sure to increase his reputation, if he can pull it off.
Flynn Downes has made his loan move from West Ham United permanent, the same applying to Taylor Harwood-Bellis after promotion triggered a £20m switch from Manchester City.
Ben Brereton Diaz will be asked to bring goals, after the Chile striker's £7m move from Villarreal. Adam Armstrong, last season's play-off match winner who scored 24 goals in the Championship, will hope to have better fortunes in his latest crack at the Premier League.
Will it be enough? I'm not convinced, but the environment at St Mary's will be a tough one for opponents.
When is the Carabao Cup second-round draw?published at 11:54 14 August
11:54 14 August
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The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the first-round tie between Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Thirteen Premier League clubs will enter in the second round, as will Luton Town and Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight in 18th and 19th positions last season.
The draw for round two will be regionalised into northern and southern sections.
The seven Premier League clubs playing in European competitions in 2024-25, including Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, will come in at the third-round stage.
The key dates for the competition are as follows:
Second round - w/c 26 August
Third round - w/c 16 and w/c 23 September
Fourth round - w/c 28 October
Quarter-finals - w/c 16 December
Semi-finals - w/c 6 January (first leg) and w/c 3 February
Martin’s style of play 'surprises' former team-matepublished at 09:18 14 August
09:18 14 August
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BBC World Service introduce you to the five bosses who will be making their managerial debuts in the Premier League this season in a special podcast on BBC Sounds.
Sportsworld’s John Bennett is joined by former Norwich City defender Sebastian Bassong, to discuss his former team-mate now Southampton manager Russell Martin.
“At the beginning of last season we had a chat because I played with Russell for many, many years at Norwich," Bassong said. "He was struggling but he had faith in his own style.
"Now it’s a different level - the top, top level. I think he’s going to have to really adapt to make sure that if he stays with the way he plays - attacking and open football - he’s going to have to really push them to be able to understand what the Premier League requires. because it’s going to take a lot mentally.
"He was a good right-back and I was surprised when I saw his teams playing because his teams play very open football and that’s different than the way he was as a football player.
"He’s a leader and he’s still young, so he knows the players’ mentality and he has a bit of respect after achieving promotion which will give him a little bit of credit from his players.”
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