Russell Martin is determined to continue to build on his possession-focussed principles as he prepares Southampton for the Premier League.
Southampton made the decision to appoint Russell Martin following relegation from the top flight in 2023 in a move that represented a shift in approach from the counter-pressing style they had been playing since 2018.
It proved an inspired decision as, after some early teething problems including four straight defeats in September, Southampton often played the best football in the Championship.
Ultimately, this would count for little if it did nit yield results, but fortunately for Martin and Southampton the campaign ended in play-off success at Wembley and a return to the Premier League.
Now, Martin has been looking ahead to the new season and suggested he will not change his style despite the higher calibre of opposition.
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Russell Martin to stick to his principles in Premier League with Southampton
Martin has enjoyed a fast rise as a manager having experienced his first taste of being the main man at League One MK Dons in 2019.
From there he earned a move up a division to take the Swansea City job where he impressed with his style of play and ability to improve players despite never finishing higher than tenth.
Now, the 38-year-old is set for his first experience of management in the Premier League and has insisted he will stick to his guns regardless of the opposition.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Martin said: “It’s illogical to me that we would get to the Premier League and then through fear or lack of belief we would then do something else.
“There are going to be games when we play against amazing opposition and maybe look a bit different but we won’t go away to say Man City or Liverpool and set up to camp, we just won’t do it.
“We have to accept sometimes we’ll get beat but then other times we’ll have beautiful moments and games and results people don’t expect, maybe we’ll surprise some people.”
Martin showed tactical flexibility with Southampton play-off success
One of the main criticisms aimed at Martin across his short managerial career to date has been a perceived lack of ‘Plan B’.
However, the Saints boss silenced his critics with a managerial masterclass in the last few weeks of last season.
Having played a 4-3-3 formation almost exclusively across the campaign, Martin sprung a surprise in the final game of the regular season by switching to a back three against Leeds United; knowing they could face the same opponents in the play-off final weeks later.
This decision paid dividends as Southampton won 2-1 on the day before using both a 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 formation at various points across the three play-off games through which they secured their Premier League return.
Martin is not naive and will know that different opponents will require different tactics, but Southampton fans will still very much recognise the same key principles on a weekly basis.