Russell Martin: Southampton boss says criticism from Saints fans hurts even though he does not see it as a personal attack | Football News happymamay

Russell Martin responded to boos and chants from Southampton fans calling for him to be sacked as manager during the 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.

His side fell behind after just 36 seconds at St Mary’s, when James Maddison scored his first two goals of the night, and were 3-0 down within 15 minutes thanks to further strikes from Heung-Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski.

The third strike caused large sections of the home fans to express their anger by chanting “We want Martin out!”, while others left the field in protest after Pape Sarr’s fourth victory over Alex McCarthy after 25 minutes.

First, in his post-match press conference – which lasted less than five minutes – Martin was asked for his reaction to the frustration that was so intensely expressed.

“I don’t really have any response,” he said. “The fans have been great to us since we’ve been here since day one.

He added: “I understand the frustration, and I also understand the modern world and football and what it is and what it is about.”

But he added shortly afterwards: “As a person, [it doesn’t hurt] a lot. But when I put my ego into it as a manager, it hurts a lot because you work so hard every day.

“But it’s not personal; I don’t know them, and they don’t know me. So, it’s a criticism of the work that I do, and I understand that. I don’t think you can criticize someone when you don’t do it.” I know them, so it’s a criticism of the work I do.

“Of course it hurts because we work hard. But you have to accept it as an integral part of football and it is what it is.”

In response to a question about whether the fans would achieve their desire, he said: “Not evidence, my friend. Not evidence. You are talking to the wrong man.”

“I’m going to keep working and keep fighting until I’m told I won’t do it anymore.”

In his assessment of the match and what went wrong, Martin said the manner of the first goal summed up the errors made by Saints.

“I think the game really boils down to the moment we have the opportunity to foul Jed Spence, he shouldn’t have to deal with that side of us,” he said.

“As we come up with the game plan together as a group of players and staff, everyone agrees that it is the best way to be aggressive against Tottenham and try to steal the ball and prevent them from running and pressing high.

“We don’t do it with enough physicality or aggression in the 30 seconds of the game. So, Spence squirms, we don’t make a mistake, and they score. Flynn Downs squirms and gets away from James Maddison’s second half and goes ahead. He fouls out.”

“I think moments like that are very big and we don’t manage them well enough. And then, when we have a setback, which has been the story of the season so far, we don’t handle them well enough to handle them well.” Take a breath, go back to the plan, stick together, and get through the difficult moment. The game is over after 40 minutes.

“I asked them at half-time to show some interest in us and each other and 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 game over at that point.”

“Everyone is trying. They trained hard this week. They tried hard tonight. But the team’s mentality in the first half is a problem.”

Southampton’s next six matches in the English Premier League

Fulham (A) – December 22, 2 pm – Live on Sky Sports Premier League

West Ham (h) – December 26, 3 p.m

Crystal Palace (A) – December 29, 3 p.m

Brentford (H) – January 4, 3 p.m

Man United (A) – January 16, 8 p.m

Nottingham Forest (A) – January 19, 2 pm