Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham United are considering a move for Sunderland's 23-year-old forward Jack Clarke, who is valued at £20m. (Football Insider), external
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton boss Russell Martin says both he and his coaching staff must "maintain our energy" if the players are to "nail the things that we want to".
The Saints got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at West Brom on Friday evening, but their focus has quickly turned to the next game against Hull on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT).
"I thought the changes we tried to make on Friday, the players handled so brilliantly and put on the pitch so brilliantly," said Martin. "So I was really grateful for that, and Tuesday is a different test.
"There will be some different things that we've had a look at and worked on. Hopefully they go and carry them out as well as they possible can, as they did on Friday. We need it to be the game we want it to be."
The Saints boss confirmed Che Adams will be back in the squad to face Hull, but there is still a decision to be made around central midfielder Flynn Downes. He admitted "it would be nice" to have both players back in contention for the game at St Mary's.
Martin says the squad is in a "good place" and there is lots of competition to be in his starting XI: "We have decisions on our hands and problems. They are great problems but they are problems which mean I do lose a little bit of sleep every now and again because I care about the players.
"I said to the players this morning that the hardest decision at the moment is to pick a team and to leave some of them out. They could all be playing, and I genuinely mean that. They have all contributed so much so to leave players out then becomes so difficult, it's the hardest part.
"I hope they understand that we're always honest with them and I hope they respect that it's always to try and get the best result for that game."
Former Southampton forward Jo Tessem and BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore have heaped praise on central defenders Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis after the 2-0 win at West Brom.
Blackmore said: "They played like it was the last game of the season and had to win. They threw themselves at everything."
Tessem was equally impressed, adding: "They didn't have a good game against Bristol City. It was the first time I'd seen our defence so open in a long time. It wasn't like them at all. They really stepped it up.
"They were absolutely everywhere. When Stephens struggled form the side, who picked up the pieces? Bednarek. On the other side, when Harwood-Bellis had to step in he did. Then they contribute with good forward passing. It was calm, brave, everything Russell Martin wants. What a performance. But firstly they are defenders and they did that job brilliantly."
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Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton boss Russell Martin says he has lost sleep - but through "excitement" rather than because of the defeat by Bristol City.
The 3-1 loss at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night was the team's first in any competition since 23 September at Middlesbrough and ended a club record 25-match unbeaten run.
It also slipped the Saints back slipped to third in the Championship albeit with an instant chance to rebound against in-form West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Friday night.
"I've really enjoyed the feeling amongst the players and it doesn't feel like there is any hangover [from the defeat]," said Martin. "They're still together and smiling.
"They were frustrated after Tuesday, tired on Wednesday, but today it feels like we have moved on and we're ready for another challenge.
"Asking me if this is the toughest week we have had, I genuinely don't know until the end of the season. We've had some tough weeks and we're going to have some more very tough weeks moving forward."
The Baggies have won 11 and only lost two of their 16 home games this season including five straight successes in front of their home fans. Martin though is unfazed.
"It's a brilliant challenge for us and I'm really excited about the game - I said that to the players," Martin said. "I didn't sleep very well last night and it's not through [thinking about the defeat], it's about understanding what it takes. I didn't sleep well because of excitement.
"I'm really pleased we have another game so quickly and I'm excited about what the team can go and do.
"We dust ourselves down and recover ourselves as best as possible and now it's about going and putting it on the pitch once they step over the white line again. I have no doubt they will."
Manchester United are working on a deal to hire Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Image source, Getty ImagesRussell Martin says it is "no surprise" that Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox is being talked about for a role with Manchester United.
According to reports on Friday, the former Manchester City academy director is being considered by United for a position to work under Dan Ashworth - who has been approached to become the club's first sporting director.
Speaking in his pre-match news conference about the reports, boss Martin said: "I hope it is people putting two and two together and coming up with five.
"I've got a lot of respect and time and a great relationship with Jason. It's no surprise that someone would look at him and the job he has done in such a short space of time here and over a long period of time at Man City and be interested in working with him.
"I'd like to think he would have a chat with us if there was anything in it, he's so honest and so open. I think he's been such a big driver of the culture we now have here, he's enabled us to do the work that we want to do and supported me and the staff incredibly well here and I've got nothing but praise for Jason and the impact he has had on us and what he has allowed us to do."
Wilcox only joined the Saints from Manchester City in January 2023 and his time at the club has included Premier League relegation and now a promotion push.
"I think he respects the work that we do and has a big opinion himself and we talk a lot and he's really open so I've enjoyed working with him," Martin added.
"Hopefully I get to work with him for a long period of time but I can't talk on behalf of Jason, I just hope it is one of those things that comes out and blows over very quickly as there is a lot of that in football.
"There's big changes coming at United and because of his relationship with someone there before [Manchester City's Omar Berrada] and the job he is doing here, I think it's a good thing for the club that people get linked to roles such as that. I think he feels he's got a job here he wants to see through and so do we."
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter Southampton's club-record 25-game unbeaten run came to an end at Bristol City on Tuesday, BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore believes a first loss since September may allow the Saints to "play with a bit more freedom".
Speaking on the Goin' Home With Adam and Jo podcast, former Saints player Jo Tessem said the squad "have got to recover and reset, find the little bit of comfort and feel sorry for yourself for a couple of days".
He continued: "You don't like losing. None of these players like losing. You do know, when things go wrong, that the loss was going to come at some point."
"You build up and build up, you've been chasing records and everything is on that momentum and everyone is talking about it.
"At some point, maybe you're a bit tired after taking it as seriously as you do, you think things are going to go by itself - it doesn't, football is not like that, you've got to be ready for every game."
Southampton return to Championship action on Friday when they face fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
Blackmore added: "I like my glass to be half-full, not half-empty. The run's gone so maybe that's just one thing not on their shoulders any more. Maybe they can play with a bit more freedom because there's no doubt they're all aware they were doing something towards a record. I reckon that does create a bit of pressure."
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Hear from BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore and former Saints player Jo Tessem as Bristol City end Southampton's unbeaten run.
Harry Tizard
Fan writer
If there was any match that would encapsulate the drama and unpredictability of the Championship while also proving Southampton's growth through the season and their promotion credentials, it was the Saints' 5-3 win over Huddersfield Town.
Fans travelled to St Mary's Stadium expecting another easy win, and who could blame them after 10 straight home wins in all competitions, where the hosts boasted an aggregate score of 30-3.
However, Russell Martin's men were not coming up against a side already defeated by the form books but a Terries outfit that looked resurgent under interim manager Jonathan Worthington.
Shocked by the relegation battlers, Southampton were 2-0 behind at half-time and looked set for their first defeat since September.
With Leeds United cruising against Rotherham United, the Saints needed to react and did so emphatically.
Joe Rothwell, David Brooks, Sekou Mara and Sam Edozie all came off the bench to turn the score around after trailing twice, showing that Southampton can grind out a victory when they cannot suffocate an opposition with their possession-heavy style.
It is impossible to play perfectly and control every game in a long season. Yet it is winning those frantic fixtures that separate promotion winners and losers.
Harry Tizard can be found on The Saints Score, external
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton manager Russell Martin spoke about the need for the whole squad to play their part ahead of their match against Bristol City on Tuesday.
Saints are currently second in the Championship with automatic promotion a strong possibility thanks to a 22-game unbeaten run in the league.
"I've found in my short period as a manager, it's being honest and having difficult conversations is much easier in the long term," Martin said.
"So a bit of short-term pain for me and for them but also I think there's an appreciation that if we are going to do anything and achieve something, we're going to do it together.
"Whether you have played five games or 46 games I think it reflects so well on everyone when you are successful. You have a chance to impact. Even if you come on for half an hour in the last game of the season that ends up getting you promoted, if you end up doing that, you have a chance to be part of something huge.
"They [the players] have a lot of love for each other, a lot of spirit, which you saw on Saturday. If we continue feeling that and showing love for each other on and off the pitch, then I think it will take us a long way."
Martin spoke of the tough nature of the Championship as the final months of the season hot up, with his side facing a trip to Bristol City on Tuesday.
"We have a tough one against Bristol City but they're all tough," Martin added.
"Saturday was tough. I know the expectation looking at Huddersfield's league position and the run they're on, everyone expects that to be simple and it's not.
"I think it's a brilliant reminder to everyone; players, staff, supporters, that it's never easy and on Saturday it wasn't easy but we came through it together.
"There are going to be more difficult moments throughout the season that we need to get through together so I think I would rather have not had moments like that on Saturday but I think it will be huge for us moving forward."
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton manager Russell Martin has stressed the important of remaining "humble" as his side look to make it 25 games unbeaten when they face Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Saints are a point clear of Leeds in third, with a game in hand over Daniel Farke's team, and will hope to cement their position in the Championship automatic play-off places.
"We all have a winner inside us - but you have to balance that with humility otherwise it is the wrong energy and the wrong place to be in," Martin said.
"If you watch this team sometimes, and I’ve had it a few times this season, they play with so much courage and conviction in what they are doing.
"Some people will look at it and say it’s maybe a bit arrogant or when I clap the players when they play out from a tight position, I maybe clap that too much sometimes.
"I feel that so much for the players, how difficult that is, and it is never arrogant if you are humble enough to understand that you still have a long way to go."
Southampton's unbeaten run has already surpassed the previous club record of 20 games without defeat set in 1921, but Martin believes his team must remain focused to maintain their promotion push.
"I’m still frustrated we haven’t got more points. I’m still frustrated we are fighting so hard to be in the top two, but we have to use that to keep driving us on and keep fuelling us," he added.
"The minute any of us overstep or lack humility, we have a big problem – myself and the staff included.
"They are a brilliant group, and they work so hard in training for each other. It’s our job to make sure that we stay there.
"While we have that then it’s a brilliant and beautiful thing. It’s up to us to make sure we always maintain that."
After Southampton set up an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Liverpool with victory over Watford on Tuesday, we asked for your thoughts on the upcoming trip to Anfield.
Here are a selection of your comments:
Tony: Daunting and exciting in equal measure. Playing against Premier League opposition will show just how far Saints have progressed under the new regime. I'd prefer it to not be against the league leaders and perhaps a team likely to be in and around us in the table if we do go up, but play like we have of late and we'll test them for sure.
Ian: We have a chance, albeit slim, but it will be great just being there. We are having a tremendous season and perhaps will be back in the Premier League next season. Come on you Saints.
Will: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Up the Saints.
Tommy: If only we had James Ward-Prowse!
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton boss says Russell Martin says he is looking forward to his side's match against Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
It will be Martin's first test against a top-flight side as Southampton manager, with the Reds currently top of the Premier League table.
"It will be exciting," said Martin after Saints beat Watford in Tuesday's fourth-round replay to set up their tie at Anfield on 28 February.
"It will be brilliant but we have five games before then.
"It is a great place to play football and to play against one of the best managers in the world in his last season there will be amazing.
"It holds a special place for me because I scored there on the day my son was born - probably the only point we ever took at Anfield in a fair few visits."
