Southampton

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We asked for your views on what was the one thing - good or bad - that no one is talking about Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

Ben: Aside from Russell Martin's refusal to adapt his tactics, absolute key to poor performance in the Premier League has been poor recruitment, especially in the last third. Sport Republic, the club owners, have rolled the dice on players who 'may' come good, or young unproven players that could show a good return on investment if they continued their improvement from youth level. Although the owner has invested in players in the striking department, all of them are totally unproven and the goal stats do not lie. We just don't finish chances. A more prudent strategy would have been to recruit one decent proven striker instead of a handful of strikers that are not fit for purpose.

Ceri: The owners! Their strategy is clearly at fault. If these owners persist in buying many poor quality players, instead of spending money on one or two decent players, we will continue to be a yo-yo club.

Ethan: No one talks about how good Flynn Downes has been this season and in general for us. He is consistent and covers so much ground. We would probably be on even fewer points without him.

Ross: Why did we let Carlos Alcaraz go? I know he is imperfect, but he is a creative influence, and added a bit of nastiness into the midfield, which we solely lack. Big Paul Onuachu is supposedly not a fit with Martins style, but he's looked like he could work too.

Michael: All the talk this season is about sacking Russell Martin, but no-one is talking about that 25 game unbeaten run we went on last season! Not to mention the fact Martin got us promoted at the first attempt. Yes, we've made our worst start to a Premier League season under him, but he also holds the record for longest unbeaten run in the club's history! Let's not forgot that!

Owen: The lack of accountability from the players. As an example, 'that goal' against Liverpool where McCarthy rolled it out quick. I get the manager is asking them to play a certain way, but he's an experienced player with nearly 15 years in the Championship and Premier League. Why doesn't he know that's a moment to take a breath, slow it down, reset? Not good enough from our experienced squad members.

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BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore has reiterated his belief that Russell Martin should remain as Southampton manager and thinks the club would have more chance of benefitting in the future if the former Scotland international stayed in charge.

Speaking on the latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Saints and Sinners podcast, Blackmore said: "For the long-term financial benefit of the club, if everybody could stomach and stay on board with the strategy, it may work.

"I absolutely believe it has more chance of working long-term than to keep changing your manager every year or two.

"If you're paying money as a fan to put up with what's in between that, I get it. It doesn't mean I'm wrong and you're right, but it just means we can see many different viewpoints.

"I respect fans for being angry and frustrated, they pay their money and they want to see their team win football matches.

"But, if they want the club to progress it's not as simple as let's spend 10 or 12 million pounds sacking the manager and bringing a new manager in, paying his staff and getting new players in January - we might end up having PSR issues.

"It's never as simple as we want to make it - there's something more noble about saying 'this is where we are, we believe in it, we're going to stick with it' but how often does that happen in football? Very, very, very few times."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Saints And Sinners podcast has landed.

Tom Deacon and Adam Blackmore try to find positives in the current dismal situation at Southampton

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Southampton's league results and position, as well as what the future holds for manager Russell Martin have all been much debated.

But given you know Saints the best, we want you to tell us the one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about regarding the club right now?

Have your say here

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

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Is the writing on the wall for Russell Martin?

As fans, we feel it is just a question of when. But will Sport Republic stick and give him another chance in the Championship, as relegation seems likely, or twist in an attempt to salvage something from this dreadful start?

During our ill-fated 2022-23 campaign, we had amassed 12 points at this same stage - a period that included wins at Leicester and Bournemouth, and at home against Chelsea.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was sent packing in early November following the slow start, and our 11-year stay in the top flight came to an end.

Fast forward two years, and things appear even worse. One win from 15. Five points and propping up the table. A position from which no club has survived before.

Saturday's defeat by Aston Villa left Saints with just one point on the road - a record that now extends to 15 top-flight away games.

We have made 10 mistakes leading directly to goals and are in danger of breaking Derby County's 2007-08 unwanted record of 11 total points.

Still, Sport Republic is yet to pull the trigger or even address the situation.

Is it as easy to just replace the manager?

You can draw more parallels with that relegation season. The much-loved Hasenhuttl departed and was replaced by Nathan Jones, who himself lasted only 14 games. If we were doomed for relegation anyway, why not stick with Ralph at the helm. Replacing the manager now seems futile.

There is also the question of who could come in. It does not appear an attractive position for any manager right now. Do we really need another Nathan Jones situation?

It does appear more likely that Sport Republic are looking ahead to next season. Sticking with Martin and saving some money in the meantime. Not willing to make the same mistakes.

But it leaves the fans with five more months of misery before preparing for another season in the Championship.

It is hard work supporting this club.

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

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

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans

Paul: Not all wins are glamorous. Some are forgettable and played in horrible conditions. Both give you three points. Villa got the job done unscathed and credit to them.

Mike: Less than 50% possession, and made hard work of a poor opponent, but a win is a win and hopefully a corner has now been turned after the recent sticky patch.

Brian: We give the ball away far too often and I don't think we would have scored another goal even if we kept playing until Sunday.

Hadders: Laboured performance - a better team would have beaten us. Jaden Philogene and Ross Barkley are just not good enough to make a positive impact when they come on but it's three points so we have to take the positives ahead of the huge game on Tuesday.

Southampton fans

Cliff: I'm so embarrassed to be a Saints fan right now, which is something I thought I'd never say. Another terrible toothless display. Sack Russell Martin now, and change the style of play ASAP.

Rich: The players made a fist of it for the most part, but we were toothless up front, either wanting an extra touch or an extra pass which invariably gave the ball back to Villa. Martin's subs made the team weaker, which shows how poor our squad is.

Bert: I have been supporting Saints since 1948 and I can honestly say it is the worst team in all those years.

Gary: I would rather go down and keep Martin than replace him. Under him we play an identifiable style and the players are still totally committed. We have failed to replace Jason Wilcox and probably not recruited well enough . Martin took a side that probably wasn't good enough up - I think that says more about him than Sports Republic.

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Southampton centre-back Nathan Wood spoke to BBC Radio Solent after Saturday's defeat against Aston Villa: "I've come away from this week with playing two Premier League games - which is what I want - but not winning hurts.

"We're never going to give up as a team. We're really together and we keep battling no matter what. I don't think you can ever question the commitment of the boys.

"The problem isn't the philosophy or style - it's the last bit. We need to score more goals. It feels like we're so close, but we are a long way off [avoiding relegation]."

Listen to the full episode here

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BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore spoke to the Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast about the future of Russell Martin: "The reason I'm on the side of caution is because I've seen it lunge from one thing to another before and still go wrong anyway.

"Everyone wanted Claude Puel out because the football was boring, but they finished eighth and reached the League Cup final. Everyone wanted Ralph [Hassenhuttl] out after fighting hard to keep us up with no money.

"When it goes difficult, everyone turns on the manager. They forget all of the tears and effort for years. Russell Martin got us promoted, and six months later he is the worst manager in the history of football.

"I get that football is about emotion and passion, but if you don't draw a line in the sand as a boardroom and don't have courage in your convictions, and if you keep lurching from one manager to another, I don't think progress is often made.

"However angry you are at Russell Martin, the players are playing for him. I'm worried that it could unravel even more when he's gone because a lot of the players will be telling their agents to try and get them out."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of the Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore and former Southampton player Jo Tessem discuss Russell Martin's future after Saturday's defeat by Aston Villa.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's four Premier League fixtures.

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

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City

• Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest

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Southampton are just the fourth side to have five or fewer points after 15 games in a Premier League season, after Sunderland (five points in 2005-06), and Sheffield United twice (five points in 2023-24 and two points in 2020-21).

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Russell Martin spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Southampton's defeat against Aston Villa: "We lose the game so I'm disappointed. Disappointed at the goal we concede and we got in the final third more than they got in ours. Played some good football, twice through on goal and it comes to nothing. The guys are trying, giving everything. That's all we can ask for. Lack of conviction and quality of decision making in the final third is not quite there.

"We've had a lot of changes in the team. They played well today the two centre halves. It's hurt us a bit with the changes we've made but it's a poor goal to concede. If we concede a good one then we can say OK but the goals we're conceding it's not good enough."

On Nathan Wood: "Brilliant bit of one v one defending at the end. We understand the potential he has and he'll be a good Premier League player in my opinion. The game got too messy in the end because we're trying to get back in the game. We had to try and find a goal from somewhere so we had a lot of attacking players on the pitch and that probably didn't suit us"

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Aston Villa’s performance

What did you make of Southampton’s display?

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

Four matches make up Saturday's Premier League action after the postponement of the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool because of adverse weather conditions, and we will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Southampton

• Brentford v Newcastle

• Crystal Palace v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester United v Nottingham Forest - 17:30 - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Aston Villa bounced back well against Brentford in midweek, while Southampton paid the price for some calamitous goalkeeping against Chelsea, although the size of their defeat was not just down to that.

Whenever promoted sides do not start the season well, it is easy for them to lose confidence that they can compete at this level and that seems to be a bit of an issue for Southampton when I watch them.

Goalkeeper Joe Lumley was not alone in making mistakes against Chelsea and I just think Villa will be too strong for them.

Credit to Villa keeper Emi Martinez for facing the Bees despite a broken finger. If he plays again here, I reckon he will keep a clean sheet.

Payne's prediction: 2-1

I watched Villa lose at Chelsea last week and they looked knackered. It feels reminiscent of what happened to Newcastle when they were in the Champions League last season. I still don't see Southampton getting anything out of this, though.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• It is "is touch and go" as to whether centre-back Jan Bednarek will be involved and it "looks a bit unlikely" that striker Paul Onuachu will be fit enough to travel.

• Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling are back from their respective one-match suspensions, which Martin described "as a big boost" for the team.

• On how his side are: "I see a lot of frustration and disappointment but it is being used in the right way. We are going to keep doing little things to be better. It has always been a process. The players and the team are getting better."

• He said "it was a tough night" on Wednesday against Chelsea but it was also probably their best start to a game all season.

• More on the Chelsea defeat: "We conceded rubbish goals. We have to improve that, but it was a good game and it was toe to toe. We had good chances but when you are down to 10 men it's tough."

• He said he is looking forward to playing at Villa Park because although it will be "a big challenge" it is" a great place to go and play at".

• On Aston Villa: "They are a very, very good team. Unai Emery has done an amazing job there. You have to accept and appreciate what they did last season was an incredible achievement. I am sure they will stick by their manager and team because every team has these periods [of tough results]."

• He said Villa's home form is not relevant and "every game is an opportunity and one we have to win because of the position we're in". Martin added: "We aren't trying to grab a draw away from home - because that's not enough."

• On how he is finding the job: "I am doing a job I love, so perspective is really important and at this club I am really happy. We are all in. It's an absolute privilege to be manager of this club and in the Premier League as well. It hurts when you're not winning games."

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

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Southampton are the only side yet to score a first-half away goal in the Premier League this season.

The Saints have also had the fewest shots (29) and fewest shots on target (five) in the first 45 minutes of away games compared to any other side during this campaign.

Brighton and Southampton are tracking 18-year-old Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller, with the Scotland Under-21 international also interesting Liverpool and Newcastle. (Daily Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Southampton captain Jack Stephens is set to be suspended for four matches after being sent off for the second time this season on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old defender was dismissed for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair during a set-piece in the first half of the 5-1 home defeat by Chelsea.

Stephens will serve an automatic three-game suspension for violent conduct, and because it is his second red card of the season, an additional match will be added to the suspension.

The previous red card was for a lunge on Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho in September.

That means Stephens will not play again until 26 December, when West Ham visit St Mary's.

When asked about Stephens' disciplinary record, manager Russell Martin said: "He has been amazing for us so I am disappointed for him, for us, but ultimately it will hurt Jack more than anyone."

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Southampton's Jack Stephens was sent off for the second time this season against Chelsea on Wednesday, on this occasion for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair.

The dismissal led to a debate on BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home with Adam and Jo podcast about whether he should remain as the club's captain.

Former Saints midfielder Jo Tessem said: "Firstly, you are allowed to make mistakes. He made a stupid judgment and did something he shouldn't have done. He knows it and everyone knows it.

"This is a discussion that I think Russell Martin will have. [But] you can forgive mistakes, you can forgive people for doing the wrong thing."

BBC Radio Solent reporter Adam Blackmore said: "The context of it is fascinating.

"The fact is a lot of fans perceive that Russell Martin was playing him a lot last season and this season because it's favouritism, or he likes Jack Stephens and keeps playing him even though he shouldn't be playing on the left and all this stuff. So if he doesn't act, it looks a little bit more like cronyism, and the fans want to see a reaction.

"I think a good leader leads by example and I think in Jack's case, that means possibly someone else should take the captain's armband - for a period of time even.

"In the manager's case, if he's not seen to act strongly with Jack Stephens, will that go down well in the dressing room or would other players also think there should be consequences to your actions?"

Tessem added: "There should be some consequences to your actions. A manager will always have favourites among the players, it's almost impossible not to.

"In the Premier League, because it's such a high level, you've got to play him in his best position. If you don't play him in his best position, you are going to be found out.

"If you think Harwood-Bellis and Bednarek are better players in the centre of defence, then the only place to put Stephens is on the bench, because he's not a left-back or a midfield player."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds