Russell Martin will come under increasing pressure at Southampton if their poor start to the season continues.
This weekend, Southampton face the unenviable task of travelling to title contenders Arsenal after collecting one point from a possible 18 in the Premier League.
Russell Martin was criticised for one key decision he made in the 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Monday, as the Saints boss chose to start without a striker, instead opting for Tyler Dibling to lead the line.
Martin started five strikers on the bench at the Vitality Stadium, and while he’s since explained the decision, it doesn’t make it any less bizarre.
Sadly, this isn’t the only error of judgement the young manager has made this term, with some of his latest comments pointing towards a huge downfall at St Marys.
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Russell Martin refuses to alter Southampton’s style
Every manager has a tactic and style they believe in but sometimes, it can be of detriment to their chances of securing a result.
Last season, Southampton played some excellent football in the Championship and have since tried translating that up to the Premier League.
Although they’ve shown some promise, one point taken from their first six matches suggests something needs to change.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 4 |
| 17 |  LeicesterLeicester | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 3 |
| 18 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 3 |
| 19 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 12 | -9 | 1 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 1 |
For most supporters, it’s clear that a tweak in the system is required however, Martin’s stubbornness to remain with the same style is frustrating.
The Southampton boss has explained that, ahead of their trip to Arsenal, he could coach a side ‘really excellently’ without the ball but he doesn’t believe in that way of playing.
“I’ve played in many other ways of playing and I can coach in a different way really, really excellently without the ball,” Martin said via the Daily Echo.
“I can coach that no problem but I don’t believe in it so I won’t be able to convince the lads to believe in it either.”
Russell Martin’s stubbornness could cost him Southampton job
As Vincent Kompany found out at Burnley last season, it’s difficult to maintain what worked in the Championship and translate across to the Premier League.
Martin is admittedly having a similar problem and if he refuses to change the system in certain games, he could either end up getting sacked or Southampton will be relegated.
Of course, it is admirable that he aims to go to the Emirates and take the game to them however, it would perhaps be wiser to adopt a more defensive system against a world-class side.
Martin doesn’t need to scrap his way of playing completely but the best managers know how to adapt and across his career so far, the former Swansea City boss hasn’t shown enough of that.
After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Southampton are currently joint bottom of the Premier League, which suggests something has to change, and fast.