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Where does Martin rank amongst Premier League managers for points per match?

His Southampton side sit bottom of the Premier League table on five points, already leaving them eight points adrift of safety.

Saturday's 1-0 loss at Aston Villa was their 12th defeat in 15 Premier League games. Southampton have lost three games more than the next worst team, Wolves.

Although they have had to contend with controversial VAR decisions, Southampton have already equalled a season-record 10 errors leading to opposition goals.

The St Mary's side have earned the same number of points as Sheffield United had done after 15 games last season.

READ MORE: Southampton's positivity loop is grating on fans - and so is the football

Their only victory to date came against Everton thanks to a late winner from Adam Armstrong before Beto's equaliser was ruled out by VAR.

Paul Heckingbottom, who started the season as Blades manager, had been sacked at this stage. He lost 11 of 14 Premier League games.

Under Chris Wilder, Sheffield United eventually ended the season with just 16 points and finished rock bottom.

Southampton have earned the same number of points as Sheffield United did at this stage last season.Southampton have earned the same number of points as Sheffield United did at this stage last season. (Image: PA) Martin achieved 1.89 points per match in his first season on the south coast but his average has dropped significantly to 0.33.

Points per match rankings are usually reserved for managers who have taken charge of 25 games or more.

Daniel Farke is the worst-performing manager under those conditions. He won 0.53 points per game during his 49 Premier League games in charge of Norwich City.

Vincent Kompany (Burnley, 0.63 PPM), Rob Edwards (Luton, 0.68 PPM), John Gorman (Swindon Town, 0.71 PPM) and Aidy Boothroyd (Watford, 0.74 PPM) round out the bottom five.

All five of these managers were relegated or relieved of their duties before the end of the season.

Russell Martin has only managed 15 Premier League games - all other managers here managed 25+.Russell Martin has only managed 15 Premier League games - all other managers here managed 25+. (Image: SDE).Martin has not yet reached 25 games, and may not be given 10 more games by the Saints hierarchy.

READ MORE: Why have Southampton not sacked Martin and will they now?

When you alter the conditions to look at managers with 10 or more games in the Premier League, the former Scotland international is the joint-second-worst performer.

Terry Connor, who was named Wolves manager until the end of the 2011-12 season after they parted company with Mick McCarthy, is the worst with 0.31 points per game.

Terry Connor failed to win a game as Wolves manager in the Premier League.Terry Connor failed to win a game as Wolves manager in the Premier League. (Image: PA) The current Grenada manager earned four points from 13 games, failing to win a single game as Wolves finished bottom of the league.

The other man with an average of 0.33 points per game is former Huddersfield boss Jan Siewert. The German, who took over towards the end of the season, has the same record as Martin.

Martin's Southampton face Tottenham on Sunday. Ange Postecoglou's side head to St Mary's following back-to-back defeats.

Before the start of the season, this game would not have been singled out as one Saints needed to gain points from.

But points are a must from every game now if the club are to improve their position and give themselves a chance to achieve an unlikely escape.

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