Martin keen to stress the positivespublished at 09:06 5 December 2024
Dan George
BBC Sport at St Mary's
Image source, Getty ImagesRussell Martin once again wanted to make a clear point of the positives in Southampton's performance after the 5-1 defeat by Chelsea.
His side gifted goals to the opposition and were poor defensively, but there were some moments in attack to be encouraged by.
It is also important to note that before a ball had even been kicked, Saints were at a disadvantage.
Three key players - Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling - all missed out because of suspension, while Aaron Ramsdale is out with a longer-term injury and Jan Bednarek was only just fit enough to make the bench.
Jack Stephens' red card also hugely impacted the game.
The side that started was far from full strength but early on they looked to impose themselves on Chelsea.
After 15 minutes, just prior to going 2-1 down, Southampton had dominated the possession with just under 70% and had created chances to score outside of Joe Aribo's leveller.
There was one real moment of quality that Martin celebrated on the touchline that did not even result in a goal.
Saints played out from the back effectively, with Cameron Archer spinning away from his man and running in behind after a long spell of possession with the ball to have an effort blocked.
Martin was very vocal afterwards about how impressed he was by some of his players who came in to the side, including defender and summer signing Nathan Wood, who played his first Premier League minutes of the season.
"I learned a lot about some people," Martin said after the game.
"Nathan Wood, James Bree and Joe Aribo were excellent - they have come in from not playing so much and been really outstanding and I'm proud of them for that.
"Some of the football that we played at 11 v 11 was amazing and we should have been 1-0 up. We conceded such poor goals but the response was brilliant and we were so in the game until a big moment (the sending-off) changed it."
The moments where it works are what the Saints boss wants to build on, but it all comes down to finding a balance in a competition as ruthless as the Premier League.
How long do you stick with this style of play before opting to be more pragmatic to try to get the points to stay up?
Or how long do the Sport Republic ownership stick with Martin before deciding a change is needed?
Martin has not once wavered from his philosophy and, from interactions with some players, they too seem adamant that this is how they play.
To Saints' credit they have made adjustments to their style in some games against tougher opposition but it is still yet to result in points.
However fans will be frustrated by some of the way in which goals are given away and when the ball is lost deep in their own territory.
Supporters loudly booed at full time after defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Not having Aaron Ramsdale is a big loss with how good he is with his feet and his ability to play out from the back.
Should Martin have given less passing responsibility to Joe Lumley and Alex McCarthy whenever they have come into the side?
The upcoming festive period holds so many games and a real chance to pick up points.
Many have written Southampton off already this season and the games heading into 2025 will be key on determining what the manager and club's future might look like.
