Russell Martin has responded to the boos and chants from Southampton fans calling for his sacking as manager during the 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.
His side fell behind after just 36 seconds at St Mary’s, when James Maddison struck the first of his two goals on the night, and were 3-0 down inside 15 minutes thanks to further strikes from Heung-Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski.
The third hitting the net caused large sections of the home support to voice their anger by chanting “We want Martin out!”, with others leaving the stadium in protest after Pape Sarr’s fourth beat Alex McCarthy after 25 minutes.
Initially, in his post-match press conference – which lasted less than five minutes – Martin was asked for his response to the frustrations being voiced so intensely.
“I have no response really,” he said. “The fans have been amazing for us since we’ve been here from day one.
“I understand the frustration, I also understand the modern world and football and what it is and what it’s about.”
Shortly afterwards, though, he added: “As a person, [it doesn’t hurt] very much. But when I put my ego into it as a manager, it hurts a lot because you work so hard every single day.
“But it’s not personal; I don’t know them, they don’t know me. So it’s a criticism of the job I’m doing, I understand. I don’t think you can criticise a person when you don’t know them. So it’s a criticism of the job I am doing.
“Of course, that hurts because we work so hard. But you have to accept it as part and parcel of football and it is what it is.”
Asked if the fans would get their wish, he said: “Not a clue, mate. Not a clue. You’re speaking to the wrong man.
“I’ll keep working and keep fighting until I’m told I’m not going to anymore.”
In his assessment of the game, and what went wrong, Martin said the manner of the first goal summed up where Saints went wrong.
“I think the game is really encapsulated with a moment where we have a chance to foul Djed Spence, he shouldn’t get that side of us,” he said.
“As we come up with the game plan together as a group of players and staff, everyone agrees it’s the best way to be aggressive against Spurs and try and steal the ball and stop them getting in the flow with their running and pressing high.
James Maddison performs his trademark darts celebration after giving Spurs an early lead at Southampton
“We don’t do it with anywhere near enough physicality or aggression within 30-odd seconds of the game. So then Spence wriggles, we don’t foul, and they score. Flynn Downs wriggles and gets away from James Maddison’s second half and he fouls.
“I think moments like that are so big and we don’t manage them well enough. Then, when we have a setback, which has been the story of the season so far, we don’t deal with it anywhere near well enough to take a breath and get back to the plan, stick together, ride out the tough moment. It’s game over after 40 minutes.
“I asked them at half-time to show some care for us and for each other and for what they’re doing and some pride and resilience. I thought they did that in the second half. I thought they did that. It’s just the game’s over at that point.
“Everyone is trying. They trained so hard this week. They tried so hard tonight. But the mentality of the team in the first half is a problem.”
Southampton’s next six Premier League games
Fulham (a) – December 22, 2pm – Live on Sky Sports Premier League
West Ham (h) – December 26, 3pm
Crystal Palace (a) – December 29, 3pm
Brentford (h) – January 4, 3pm
Man Utd (a) – January 16, 8pm
Nottingham Forest (a) – January 19, 2pm
