Southampton have started the 2024/25 season with three defeats from three in the Premier League as Russell Martin looks to prove himself as a top flight manager.
Russell Martin only began his managerial career five years ago, initially taking temporary charge of MK Dons in League One before taking the job full-time.
After earning praise for his possession-based style, the former Norwich City captain soon moved on to Championship Swansea City where he spent two seasons before being appointed Southampton manager last summer.
Martin had an impressive first year at Southampton, completely overhauling the playing style whilst picking up the pieces from relegation months prior before steering the side to promotion via the play-offs.
That has seen Martin earn his first taste of the Premier League as a manager, but it has been a difficult start with Southampton losing all of their first three league games and only scoring once ahead of the first international break of the season.
History on Russell Martin’s side after difficult start to Southampton season
The only relief from Premier League defeats against Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford has been the 5-3 win over Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup.
With the 3-1 defeat to Brentford the last fixture prior to the international break, Martin now has plenty of time to work with his players ahead of a return to action against Manchester United next Saturday.
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Whilst Southampton have their work cut out to survive in the Premier League this season, their start to the campaign does not mean relegation is a foregone conclusion by any means.
In fact, history tells us that the opposite is true.
That is because, whilst defeat at Brentford meant Southampton have now lost their first three games of a Premier League season a league-record six times, they have never been relegated after holding such a record three games into the campaign.
Southampton lost first three Premier League games after 2012 promotion
Southampton have only been relegated from the Premier League twice since its inception in 1992.
The first of these was in the 2004/05 season, with the second of course two seasons ago in 2022/23.
The last time Southampton returned to the top flight was also the last time they lost their first three games of the leage season, with Nigel Adkins’ side losing to Manchester City, Wigan Athletic and Arsenal.
The Saints also had the same record in 1993/94, 1997/98, 1998/99 and 2001/02 and survived on each occasion.
Southampton fans may be struggling to find the positives currently, but they will be hoping that history repeats itself this season and Martin can turn things around.