Southampton

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Earlier, we asked you to identify the former Southampton player from their Premier League statistics playing for the club.

The correct answer was Dusan Tadic.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The players have "pretty much recovered" from the illness which was sweeping through the club. Ryan Fraser is the only doubt for this weekend after coming off early in the Carabao Cup win: "We will have to assess him again in the morning. He trained a little bit today, but we will have to see if he is available."

• There was "a level of pride" after the display in Saints' defeat at Manchester City last weekend, and "a really good feeling" after the midweek victory against Stoke City.

• He feels his players have been "fighting" and "competitive", despite still not picking up a win in the Premier League this season: "We haven't felt like we have come away with what we should have, but we have to make sure we put things right. It is a long old season and we have been so competitive and so close. We just need to see one through now - that will help us hugely."

• Everton's five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League has "changed things dramatically for them" and Martin is "really confident" his side is capable of going on a similar run of form. He added: "It has to start somewhere, so hopefully that is tomorrow."

• On taking on Sean Dyche's side: "They are in a really good place. They have found a bit of rhythm. They have a manager with so much experience, and a team that is really well organised and good at what they do. I think it is going to be difficult. The challenge for us is to play how we want to play, but they definitely don't make that easy."

• He added: "We have to try to win the game. The situation we are in is so frustrating, but we have a lot of time to put it right and grow. This game, and the Wolves game, are huge for us. We want to get our first win, get some points, and improve where we are in the table."

• On his relationship with the owners after a difficult start to the campaign: "The owners have been brilliant. Everyone has been so supportive. I don't think people understand how close we are. I think there's a level of respect between us all. We are having to do things differently here - we can't spend loads of money - so we will keep trying to do it in our way until I'm told I'm not required to try any more."

• Adam Lallana is an "amazing character" and Martin is "really happy" with the relationship he has formed with the veteran midfielder: "He asks me lots of questions, I ask him lots of questions. I think we need that experience in the team right now. Adam has a lot of voice on the pitch and off the pitch, so he is a big part of what we're doing."

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

Guess the former Southampton player from their Premier League statistics at the club:

• Years at club: 2014-2018

• National team: Serbia

• Position: Midfielder

• Appearances: 134

• Goals: 20

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

The bottom six teams in the Premier League all play one another on Saturday and with the way the season has gone so far, those fixtures are going to be big.

Winning these games and earning three points could at the end of the season be called the six-pointers.

When I played for Reading and we were fighting down the bottom of the league, these are the fixtures that we looked for because they are must-win games.

I am not sure Crystal Palace would have targeted these at the start of the season because they would have expected to have been higher in the league, but the newly promoted teams will have.

Wolves probably need the win the most because they wouldn't have expected to be second from bottom after nine games and they need to start picking up results.

It is a little bit more difficult for the promoted teams because they are still trying to adapt to the Premier League.

I don't think these results will necessarily define any team's season - as it so early on - but winning helps to break the rut and sometimes it becomes difficult for teams to know how to win when they aren't.

For all of these teams something has to adapt at some stage. You have to find a way to win a game, even if it is scruffy, and especially against those teams that are in and around you.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

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The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup quarter finals, with eight Premier League clubs having made it through.

For the first time in 14 years it is an all Premier League quarter-final line-up, with ties including Tottenham hosting Manchester United and holders Liverpool travelling to Southampton.

Matches are scheduled to take place the week commencing 17 December.

All the fixtures are shown below:

Tottenham v Manchester United

Arsenal v Crystal Palace

Newcastle United v Brentford

Southampton v Liverpool

Find reaction to the draw here

In the latest Saints and Sinners podcast from BBC Radio Solent, Tom Deacon is joined by Youtuber Max Fosh to chat fantasy football tactics.

Toffees fan and taxi driver to the stars, Phil, will also be joining to help preview a huge game against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Adam Blackmore reflects on another win in the Carabao Cup and chats about who Manchester United should appoint as their new manager.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Southampton's Russell Martin believes he has learnt as much as a manager this season as he has in any previous campaign.

The Saints have only picked up one point in the Premier League this season, but qualified for the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after beating Championship side Stoke 3-2 on Tuesday.

Southampton host Everton on Saturday and ahead of that fixture, Martin said: "I'm learning all the time - I think I've learnt as much this season than I have done in any other season and we're nine games in, so I'm enjoying that side of it.

"We tried to put into play everything we've learnt so far this season on Saturday (against Manchester City) and the players did it amazingly well.

"For us, the challenge and the learning is about trying to remain who we want to be and trying to improve and be better at that and grow under the big spotlight and scrutiny. Then the rest will take care of itself and I'll be fine and comfortable with whatever happens.

"I really believe in this group. I really believe in what we're doing and now we have to put it on the pitch on Saturday."

Tuesday's Carabao Cup victory required an 88th-minute winner from defender James Bree and Martin wanted to avoid criticising his players - after admitting he made an error last season when he did.

"I want the performance to be better," he said after Tuesday's win, before adding: "I made a mistake last year: we beat Watford at home [in April] when we were 2-0 up and went 2-2 and then Flynn [Downes] scored in the 94th minute and I went to town on the players after the game.

"I think it surprised a lot of them because we managed to win the game, so I learnt my lesson from that, because we didn't win after that.

"I think it affected us a little bit."

Former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem believes despite beating Stoke in what he described as a "horrendous football game", the Saints got the result they needed to progress to the last eight of the Carabao Cup.

Speaking on the latest Goin' Home with Adam and Jo podcast from BBC Radio Solent, Tessem said: "We got the one thing we definitely needed - a win.

"That's all you need - you will take that when you are in the situation you are in now.

"It was a horrendous football game, boring at times, but we won it - that's the positive."

He continued: "Stoke were hardly threatening us, but when they did, they scored. That's the worrying sign. It's so confusing - why do we concede so many goals? I don't get it - it's really weird.

"We had a strong back four and they must be thinking 'what is going on here?' We keep making schoolboy mistakes, when you make them once, they shouldn't be happening again."

Tessem was also asked if he thought that any of the players that came into the team gave Russell Martin a selection headache going into Saturday's Premier League game at home to Everton, and he replied: "Ruthlessly, I think no - I don't think anyone stood out."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Carabao Cup game between Southampton and Stoke City.

Here are some of your comments:

Daz: A lucky win. If that was a Premier League side then it would have been a different story but nethertheless a win is a win. Saints need to plug their defence, as yet again they throw away a two goal lead. They get complacent and switch off which has cost them games before.

Henry: Same old story. Sideways passing and lack the creativity to break down opponents. No plan B and weak at the back when pressed, which wasn’t often but we nearly managed to lose the game somehow!

G: Absolutely embarrassing to be a Saints fan.

Ray: Saints won but should never have given away two goals. We were far too slow in the build up and had no threat in attack. If it wasn't for a goal-line clearance we could have easily lost. Stoke got their chances and had two shots on target and two goals. Saints just not good enough in my opinion. I've been a supporter all my life. This is a poor squad.

Andrew: Dire. Scraped through by the skin of our teeth playing unadventurous Russball.

Jovimac: We were awful. Passing to nowhere with no cutting edge. No one was prepared to take on the opposition. In all my years as a Saints fan I couldn’t be more disappointed. We only just managed to beat Stoke and if it hadn't have been for a goal-line clearance we might have lost.

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

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With 35 minutes on the clock, things couldn't have been going any better for Southampton.

Two goals ahead against Championship side Stoke in a last 16 Carabao Cup tie, it seemed like a much-needed victory was on the cards.

However, Stoke scored twice to bring the home side back down to earth and they Million Manhoef almost bundled the ball across the line to give Stoke a late lead but Sugawara slid in on the line to produce a vital interception.

Minutes later, James Bree scored the winner to send Southampton through to the quarter-finals of the competiton.

The crowd would have been fearing the worst after their last home match when they were 2-0 up against Leicester City and went on to lose 3-2 but this time they managed to hang on.

It is Southampton's first win in any competition since they beat Everton 6-5 on penalties in the third round last month and Martin will hope it gives his side confidence before they face Sean Dyche's team again at the weekend.

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Southampton boss Russell Martin speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the Saints qualifying for the next round:

"It should have been easier than what it was, we were so dominant in the first-half and should have gone in 2-0 up, so I'm a bit annoyed at that.

"By the time I left the stands we were 2-0 up and it was 2-1 by the time I got down so I was annoyed and frustrated.

"But I really liked the performance on the whole in the first-half. The final choice in terms of pass, cross or finish wasn't there. We could have made more of that but we gave them something to hold on to which changed the context of the game."

On opponents Stoke: "They defended with big numbers and caught us in a moment on a counter-attack and nearly did again later on in the game.

"So the boys came through the moment in adversity and we won the game with some quality from [James] Bree."

On his side's performance: "So many players on the pitch haven't been on there recently, so we have to take into consideration that a lot of players are playing with each other for the first time in a long time.

"I'm really pleased with the character within the group, I learnt a lot about some individuals tonight and we got through it. At the start of the night, it was all about winning the game. It's not easy the cup, you have to respect it."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Southampton’s performance, external

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Two games are being played in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, with Premier League clubs Southampton and Brentford both hoping to avoid upsets by Championship opposition and secure places in the quarter-finals.

• Southampton v Stoke City (19:45 GMT)

• Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday (20:00 GMT) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Follow all of the action and reaction

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

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Eight losses from nine, one point and pinned to the foot of the table. It has not been fun for us Saints fans this season. Serious questions are still being raised on the tenure of Russell Martin, but actually, we have plenty of positives from the latest defeat at Manchester City.

OK, it was another loss. It was supposed to be. But after conceding inside five minutes against the defending champions in their own back yard, you could be forgiven in thinking this could be another total collapse and set for a long afternoon. Instead, we battled bravely and even came close to levelling.

Such was the case against Arsenal, a game that saw us unexpectedly take the lead at Emirates Stadium and give us all hope for an unlikely upset. We eventually came unstuck 3-1.

Martin was given another much-needed boost after the latest result against another title challenger. Defensively, we looked capable of competing with the best, and looked like a Premier League side once again. Martin switched to three central defenders and welcomed back Jack Stephens following his five-game suspension.

It was not just defensive improvements. We showed desire with the ball, stayed with them until the end, had 64% tackle success and left with the best passing stats at Etihad Stadium since the start of last season with 434 accurate passes (91%).

We also received glowing responses from City's Pep Guardiola and Bernardo Silva, the latter remarking: "I have watched them and they have deserved more points than they have."

Martin responded: "This is one of the toughest places to come in the world. I have nothing but pride and gratitude for the players today because if we're going to lose, we need to lose in our way."

It is the response that will matter. We did not respond following Arsenal. If we do not build on the positives from City, then it will be all in vain. Nothing short of six points against Everton and Wolves will do.

Find more from Ray Hunt at the In that Number podcast, external

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More from Southampton manager Russell Martin, speaking on a special episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast: "I did my first badge at 17 in college and I coached on a Saturday morning.

"I often think career coaches who skipped playing can figure out what works, what doesn't, what they like and what age group they want to specialise in. I missed that, but I was playing and getting real experience in other areas that I can now relate to players.

"My coaching bits had come from coaching kids at Norwich's academy and I remember I was hammered on the team bus when I had my laptop out doing courses."

On if he knew he would have a successful playing career: "I never felt that comfortable, it sounds crazy. It was my third season at Wycombe where Paul Lambert came in and the first few games he basically slaughtered me in front of everyone and said 'you'll never play for me' and I got converted into a right-back, which I never played, and then I played every game for two years from that point and was used as a utility player, since I played every position.

"Paul then left and I went to Peterborough, then Norwich back with Paul. So much of football is timing and opportunity and who knows - without Paul I wouldn't have got to where I got to, but I'd like to think I repaid the faith he showed me and we had a great time and went to the Premier League together."

Listen to more on BBC Sounds

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On a special episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Southampton boss Russell Martin spoke to former Premier League striker Glenn Murray about his early football memories: "My older brother played. I grew up going to games from an early age, some of my earliest memories are playing football and I loved it, being around the smell of the dressing room, the deep heat, the burger stall. I loved it. My mum and everyone else told me that from 18 months I always had a ball with me. All I wanted to do was play football.

"I'm the second youngest, the penultimate child. There were four of us and we had two foster brothers as well, so there were a lot of lads in the house.

"We were constantly in the garden, in the park. I remember a game where you'd put the ball in the middle of the front room and run from each wall and end up smashing [into each other]."

On his earliest memory of watching football: "I used to watch my older brother play a lot and then when I wasn't playing I'd go watch my little brother's team that my dad coached. I started to helping coach them when I was 14 or 15.

"At 18-19 years old, I thought I'd only have a career in coaching, not playing, I was desperate to be a professional. I felt I maybe missed the boat and then I agreed to go to America to a place called Fairfield in Conneticut, where most of it entailed playing, the scholarship was a full scholarship playing soccer over there, but whilst coaching.

"It was the next best alternative to keep playing and play full-time while coaching and learning and then before that I had a trial at Wycombe [Wanderers]. I wrote to every club and I got three replies back.

"Swansea and Bristol Rovers were too far away and I was skint. I ended up at Wycombe and stayed there for four years. At that point I thought I’d pursue coaching more than I would playing, obviously I hadn't given up, but it was last chance saloon. I always knew I wanted to coach."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

John Bennett
BBC Radio 5 Live Sport reporter at Etihad Stadium

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After a tough week, when he was clearly annoyed by the media questions about his future, Southampton manager Russell Martin was extremely proud of his players after their narrow defeat at Manchester City.

For us journalists and commentators watching in the press box, it was the team's defensive resilience which stood out, but what Martin was most pleased about was Southampton's "courage on the ball".

Yes it was a defeat, but Martin's message was that it is one of those losses that his players can take huge positives from.

A bit of a cliché maybe - but I think the Southampton fans were also proud of their team on Saturday, and as Martin says: "If we can do that here [at the Etihad], we really have no excuse but to play with the same mentality and aggression."

As for the speculation about his future? Just like last week, Martin is choosing to ignore it.

He told us after the game at the Etihad that their performance against Manchester City won't stop the critics, but that it doesn't bother him and he wants to build a long managerial career in the game.

Still no win and still just one point from eight games - but Everton at home on Saturday is another one of those huge opportunities to turn things around in the Premier League.

Martin will be hoping that the "courage" they showed in Manchester can be reproduced to finally get that elusive victory.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

City fans

Robert: Fairly typical display from City in the all too frequent attack vs defence mode. We are always prone to a breakaway goal though and Cameron Archer was unlucky to hit the bar late on in the first half. Haaland had a few chances himself. It was a sound City display and three points in the bag. The game was interesting right up to the end.

Stewart: I thought City were poor, so predictable. We made Southampton look good! We need another striker who can give us something different if Haaland ever gets injured!

Louis: Manchester City should be getting more shots on goal. When the defenders sit tight in front of goal, I feel like the oncoming defenders like Akanji, Dias and Lewis should be having a go at goal. I feel like Haaland should also be darting sideways, away from defenders, in order to create more openings in the 18-yard area.

Abdullah: Savinho played alright but he just doesn't really have the end product. I think we should've let him stay an another year at Girona and then bought him. Rodri is obviously is a big miss but it looks like Nunes and Kovacic are turning up. Let's see what happens.

Southampton fans

Cliff: A good resilient defensive display. Our passing was crisp, positive and most importantly forward. The Saints are trying their best for the manager, you can see that. However the lack of real quality up front was once again the difference. I think Saints should stick with Russell Martin regardless, but a top-quality finisher is a must in January.

Tom: Fair play to the players for not capitulating after the early goal. Sadly good performances that don't yield any points don't massively help. Bednarek completely outmuscled by Haaland for the goal. He and Jack Stephens weren't good enough the last time we were in the Premier League, and I'm not sure anything has changed in that regard. Everton is a must-win game.

Oliver: We have had many good performances, like this one, this season. However, at the end of the day, at our current rate we are on track for roughly four points. No amount of good performances, with no points in the bag, can change that.

James: I'm unsure how some Saints fans can celebrate a 1-0 loss to Manchester City, given the bigger picture of the management of the team. When will the board remove Russell Martin from his position as manager? It is now becoming embarrassing to watch the team decline like they are under him. His comments post-match are laughable!

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Ipswich, Southampton and Wolves are all still looking for a win after nine games.

Of the previous 24 sides winless after nine games, a third of them still survived at the end of the season.

However, only four of the last 17 sides in this situation stayed up.

Southampton have been in this position before in 1998-99 and survived on the final day.

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Former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem believes Russell Martin's side showed "progress" in their narrow defeat to current Premier League champions Manchester City and praised attacking midfielder Adam Lallana for his performance.

Speaking on the Goin' Home with Adam and Jo podcast, Tessem said: "It was progress. Our style of football seems to suit playing against better teams, in a way, because you have got to have good possessional play in football, it is important.

"But in this game we were using that possession in the right way. We were forward-thinking with our possession so even when we didn't play it forwards, we were at least looking forwards.

"That is the difference, instead of just playing the ball sideways.

"Obviously you are coming to play the champions, so you are going to be in for a tough game, but we played in two very low blocks with a 5-4-1 and it worked! When it works, you just have to ride the moments of the game and get away from them."

On Adam Lallana, who returned to Southampton on a one-year contract this summer, Tessem added: "He was brave on the ball and he was able to turn people.

"He made Mateo Kovacic really work for and earn his money because he was having to work harder to mark him.

"His possession was brave. He was bringing the players [on the pitch] up and bringing the level of the game up. This is the difference. We need him on the pitch."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 1-1 Bournemouth

• Everton 1-1 Fulham