Russell Martin will be used to unwanted opinions on his playing style and that has only been exacerbated with Southampton in the Premier League.
Southampton play a very unique way under Russell Martin, with possession at the centre of everything they do and a focus on finding the spare man.
The Saints have already conceded a number of goals playing out from the back in the Premier League this season, whilst the fact Martin’s side have lost all four league games this season and scored just once gives his critics plenty of ammunition.
From a Southampton perspective it would perhaps be more concerning if Martin got to the top flight and then abandoned his principles rather than the fact he is sticking to his guns.
The 38-year-old did show he is open to tweaks to his side, though, as he changed formation and personnel for Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.
This saw Southampton dominate the early exchanges, but Cameron Archer’s 33rd-minute penalty miss proved the catalyst for United to turn things around before scoring three.
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Ben Foster sceptical of Southampton style in Premier League
The likes of Micah Richards, Danny Murphy and Jamie O’Hara have all been vocal on Martin’s philosophy, accusing the Saints boss of being naive.
Only time will tell if that is correct, with Martin ultimately to be judged on whether he is able to keep Southampton in the Premier League this season.
Now, former Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has weighted in on the debate, as he said on his Youtube channel: “If you are going to do it the way Southampton want to do it, and it’s nice, you have got to be really good. You have got to be very good at doing it.
“And like Burnley saw last season, they think they can come into the Premier League and think they can just do it this certain way and, Premier League teams have been doing this for years and years and years.
“They are stronger and they are bigger and they are more physical and they are more confident and they are better technically. There’s a reason why they are Premier League teams.
“It’s a big ask for somebody to get promoted and just carry on doing they have been doing in the Championship and think it’s going to work the same way.”
Russell Martin can start to prove Southampton doubters wrong vs Ipswich Town
Next up for Southampton is a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
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Whilst that fixture gives the Saints a chance to get one over on a relegation rival, it will be difficult for Martin to not view it as an unwanted distraction ahead of a huge league game against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Ipswich did the double over Southampton in the Championship last season and Martin will be keen to get his revenge alongside earning the Saints’ first points of the season.
It will be a battle between two newly-promoted sides who want to play attractive football, although Ipswich are perhaps slightly more pragmatic in their approach.
If Martin can mastermind a win at St Mary’s on Saturday he will go some way to easing the pressure that is starting to build.