Martin refuses to go down without a fight after United defeat | OneFootball

Pressure is mounting for Russell Martin as Southampton’s winless start to the season was extended by a home defeat to a struggling Manchester United.

It was a challenging afternoon for the Saints. Cameron Archer’s saved penalty just after the half hour mark ended what had been a promising start, and the hosts found themselves two goals behind by halftime. A 96th minute goal from Alejandro Garnacho sealed three points for Erik Ten Hag’s struggling United side.

Coming into the season, Southampton were seen by many to be set for a quick return to the Championship. Now winless after four matches, Martin is refusing to go down without a fight.

When asked whether he is concerned by the prospect of relegation, Martin said: “I’m trying not to be annoyed with you for asking that, but I’m feeling annoyed. We’re four games in and the lads have had so many moments in the first four games where they feel they can really impact the league in a really good way and not just survive.

“We will stick with it in the same way we did last year. I am happier at this stage of the season than I was at this stage last season.”

Martin pulled no punches as he outlined what went wrong for Southampton today.

He said: “The penalty changed the game completely. We haven’t won. I think its really common sense why it would make a big change in the game.

“We conceded two goals before halftime. We are playing against a team with an incredible level of talent, and then the players got tired. We were trying to wrestle control then had a man sent off.

“We missed a penalty, didn’t respond well enough to that, then United took control and we conceded two terrible goals from set plays, that’s the only thing I’m really angry about today. The lads are trying so hard, giving it everything they’ve got. There were some brilliant moments that need to come to more. We need to unlock that last little bit.”

Martin jumped to Archer’s defense, though. The penalty was the first of Archer’s professional career. Ben Brereton Diaz, who was also on the pitch at the time, has scored all seven of his career spot kicks.

“We’ve had a chat about it, Cam has practiced quite a lot over the last couple weeks while he has been here and ben hasn’t, and he’s done brilliantly with them.

“He’s a number nine and he’s going to want to take penalties, and he felt really confident to take one. Ben was happy for that as well. It is one of those things, if he scores he’s off and away but he didn’t so of course its going to get questioned. That’s on me and the decision we made.”