Russell Martin admits it’s “extremely hurtful and embarrassing” that his Southampton group have mustered simply 5 factors from their opening 15 video games within the Premier League.
The Saints gained promotion again to the highest flight final season by way of the play-offs however have discovered the step-up in high quality an excessive amount of, successful only one sport – towards fellow strugglers Everton.
Particular person errors have blighted Saints’ progress however Martin stays assured there are higher instances forward.
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Talking forward of Sunday night’s sport with Tottenham at St. Mary’s, he mentioned: “We shouldn’t be on the factors that we’re. It’s extremely hurtful and embarrassing to be on 5 factors – we should always have extra.
”However there have been just a few too many errors and some too many moments that we haven’t managed nicely.
“We have now had disappointments in video games and setbacks, however we now have to maintain attempting to develop – develop as a gaggle, develop individually and put together the gamers for these moments when it’s robust, and discover methods for them to manage emotionally.
“However they’re rising, they’re getting higher and they’re so aggressive.”
Martin is aware of what Postecoglou goes by
Martin has confronted criticism for his fashion of play with a number of of the aforementioned errors coming about as a consequence of his insistence on enjoying out from the again.
He has sympathy, subsequently, for his reverse quantity this weekend, Ange Postecoglou, who has additionally been accused of stubbornness for his refusal to divert away from his all-out attacking philosophy.
Martin added: “I get criticised for a similar factor, about being cussed and all that stuff, however should you imagine in one thing and it’s taken you a sure method in life then to deviate too removed from that’s loopy.
“I can’t converse for him however we’re additionally adapting. We adapt form, strategy, personnel however with the identical consistency about what’s essential for us, with the identical idea of the sport. We will’t deviate too removed from that in any other case we turn out to be nothing, actually.
“Everyone seems to be simply fast to criticise today and I’ve quite a lot of respect for him.”
It’s good to be totally different from the norm – Martin
Martin believes totally different approaches improve the sport, even when does depart managers open to scepticism when outcomes slide.
“Folks solely criticise those who’re a little bit bit totally different from the norm,” he mentioned. “So if all of us imagine the identical factor that will be fairly boring, however we might be much less open to criticism.
“I watched quite a lot of his [Postecoglou’s] Celtic group, they have been good. They obtained a lot reward for being so courageous and aggressive. He did a terrific job, gained numerous trophies and performed within the Champions League.
“He goes to Spurs and begins so nicely, so when the outcomes are good no-one questions the fashion or his convictions or perception system. Then the minute it begins faltering, it’s at all times all the way down to that.”