It has been a brutal start to life since returning to the Premier League for Southampton as Russell Martin gets his first taste of the top flight as a manager.
Southampton have taken just one point from a possible 21 after losing six games and drawing one.
Russell Martin is a manager that believes wholeheartedly in his philosophy but even he must have had doubts as Southampton have struggled to make their mark since returning to the Premier League.
The Saints’ only point so far came against fellow newly-promoted side Ipswich Town, when a 95th-minute deflected strike robbed Martin of his first win as a Premier League manager.
Southampton have conceded 15 goals and scored just four in their seven league matches, so clearly big improvements are needed and Martin desperately needs his side to pick up points in their next four Premier League matches.
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Southampton next four games make or break for Russell Martin
Despite earning promotion whilst overhauling the playing style in his first season at Southampton, Martin will inevitably be starting to feel the pressure after such a bleak start.
There were some promising signs against Arsenal as Southampton battled well and took the lead before eventually succumbing to a 3-1 defeat, but the Saints have to start getting results.
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The next four league matches represent an opportunity to do just that, starting with a huge home game against Leicester City after the international break.
That game is followed by arguably the most difficult fixture in the Premier League as Martin takes his side to Manchester City, but then the Saints face Everton at St Mary’s and current bottom-side Wolves away.
There is a Carabao Cup round of 16 tie against Stoke City to navigate in the middle of those four fixtures which could give Martin an opportunity to rotate his side.
Southampton have to beat Leicester to ease pressure
Southampton know they simply have to take points off of the sides likely to be battling relegation with them or it will be incredibly difficult to survive.
It was incredibly frustrating for the Saints to concede so late at home to draw with Ipswich but they now have to beat Leicester or the St Mary’s faithful could turn.
Leicester got their first win since promotion as they beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Saturday so Southampton must stop them gathering any momentum by getting three points at home.
The City game is almost a free-hit, but Martin knows a heavy defeat could be so damaging for confidence and potentially even his job.
If the club can navigate that relatively unscathed then Everton and Wolves are two more huge opportunities to start climbing the table.