The Saints sit joint bottom of the Premier League table, having picked up one point from their opening six games. They were in action on Monday night as they took on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
But, after a promising early opening exchanges, they found themselves 3-0 down before the break as Bournemouth looked dangerous with every attack. The manner of the collapse is something that Martin was less than impressed with.
Southampton did score a consolation goal early in the second half, but were unable to make a comeback after three changes at half time. During his post-match press conference, Martin launched a rant at the lack of fight he saw from him team during the first 45 minutes.
“I think it surprised me a little bit their response to conceding, We start the game so well, maybe after two goals, maybe I should have changed it, but, maybe just too much trust in the guys out there that we’d get through that,” he said.
“We made changes at halftime; we were much better in the second half. But whatever personnel you have on the pitch, whatever way you play, if you lack the fight and aggression and spirit and togetherness and the courage we lacked in the first half, you’re going to have a big, big problem, a big problem.”
He continued: “I feel we prepared the team in a way to understand the opposition’s strengths and threats, but I obviously haven’t given the team enough in terms of mentality, character, fight, and resilience, which really hurts me because they’re the traits as a human being that have got me this far, so far, but the team hasn’t got it tonight, that’s my fault, not theirs. I’m coming off the pitch at the end of the game and I’m thinking them for running and fighting in the second half and actually, I don’t think I should ever thank them for that, that should be the bare minimum.
“But it’s my fault, not theirs, I obviously haven’t given them enough this week, After I thought it was a brilliant week of work, we haven’t given them enough in between their ears to respond properly to a setback. We put ourselves in a situation in the Premier League that is almost impossible to come back from, it’s ridiculous, Then that takes over, they go into self-preservation mode and I hate that, I hate that from my team.
“They don’t look after each other with the ball, they just dump the ball on each other, they start throwing their arms up at each other. I will never accept that, ever, that’s the problem.”
The Saints boss hinted at three players who could now be drafted into the starting lineup for the clash at the Emirates Stadium. The trio came on in the second half as Southampton attempted a comeback.
“And then, a couple of guys come on that should be playing, they should start, Joe Aribo was outstanding when he came on, Ross Stewart was outstanding, and Adam Lallana. They show fight, they show spirit, they show courage, they show aggression,” he added.
“But Bournemouth make 20 fouls, we make 10, I think that sums up the whole game, it’s impossible if you’re not going to fight. So, yeah, I need to work out a way, if it’s not a natural thing for us, to make sure the team oozes it, we found a way to do it last season, and we have to find a way again now.”
