Southampton manager Russell Martin has a distinct philosophy, emphasizing possession as the key to success. This approach has proven effective for Martin, who has progressed from his initial managerial role at MK Dons in League One to the Premier League with Southampton in just five years.
However, with each advancement in level comes heightened scrutiny, and Martin is discovering that there’s no hiding in the Premier League. This is particularly evident after Southampton’s challenging start, losing their first three games of the season. Martin addressed some of the criticism regarding his tactics following a 3-1 defeat to Brentford in their most recent match.
Chris Sutton has weighed in on Southampton manager Russell Martin’s recent comments regarding criticism of his managerial style. Martin had suggested that much of the critique he faces stems from being a young British manager.
On the *It’s All Kicking Off* podcast, Sutton expressed his admiration for Martin, noting, “I have a lot of respect for Russell Martin. I thought he did a commendable job last season, especially with the adjustments made when Bazunu was injured and McCarthy came in. Martin’s commitment to his principles is admirable.”
However, Sutton strongly disagrees with Martin’s assertion that his nationality is a significant factor in the criticism he faces. Sutton countered, “I believe Martin’s comment about the criticism being related to his British background is plain wrong. Look at Vincent Kompany with Burnley last season or Daniel Farke with Norwich in the Premier League. Both faced criticism for sticking to their principles, regardless of their nationality.”
Martin must fine tune rather than overhaul Southampton style
Sutton further commented, “Perhaps Martin needs to be a bit more adaptable. This isn’t to say he should abandon his beliefs, but flexibility is important.”
This sentiment is echoed by many Southampton supporters, especially given that four of the five league goals conceded by the Saints this season have resulted from errors while playing out from the back.
It’s clear that Martin may need to make some adjustments to his approach if Southampton are to succeed in the Premier League. While maintaining a possession-focused style is possible, adopting a more pragmatic approach could help the team secure valuable points, starting with their upcoming match against Manchester United on Saturday.
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