Southampton lost their 13th game in 16 outings in the Premier League this season
Manager Russell Martin left for the changing room before Tottenham's fifth goal
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By YASEEN ZAMAN
Published: 16:55 EST, 15 December 2024 | Updated: 16:55 EST, 15 December 2024
Russell Martin had seen enough before half-time during Southampton's 5-0 loss by Tottenham on Sunday.
The Saints manager stormed off the pitch and into the dressing room at 4-0, only for James Maddison to complete his brace in the fourth minute of additional time in the first half to make it 5-0.
The loss puts Southampton at risk of breaking the most unenviable record a team in the Premier League could.
If they do not tally any points before Matchweek 18, they would mathematically be on track to eclipse Derby's record of achieving the least points in a Premier League season.
Martin's side, having taken only five from 16 matches so far, need a serious reboot to avoid being dragged into the conversation.
The Rams have the lowest points tally of the 646 teams to have completed top-flight seasons since 1992 - they collected a measly 11 points in 2007-08.
Russell Martin missed James Maddison's second goal for Spurs in the fourth additional minute
The Saints boss has achieved just one win with his side in the Premier League this season
Southampton may be on pace to break Derby's lowest points tally record in the Premier League
Martin rued his side's mentality after conceding the opener, explaining that they did not do enough to fight back from being 1-0 down.
'Well, I'm hurt with the first half, we just don't respond very well to setbacks as a group. Ultimately, it's hurt us a lot this season,' he said.
'We concede so early, and we have a chance to foul Djed Spence in the middle of the pitch, and we don't, and then we're 1-0 down, and then the response after that is incredibly poor. So yeah, very disappointing.
'Yeah, I think it's probably the most disappointing thing is we have a plan that I love the week's training. The players have been a part of that, been part of that process, but we don't carry it out of anywhere near enough intensity aggression are because we concede that literally the first action they have the ball.
'So then that's down to like mentality and still wanting to stick to it. So I didn't recognize the team in the first half. I'm pleased they stuck at it in the second but, yeah it's a tough night.'
When asked about the quality of the home support at St Mary's, he defended the fans, despite many of them leaving the stadium after just 25 minutes, as Southampton trailed 4-0 early on.
'[The fans] were amazing. Second half, they were amazing. Really good,' Martin said.
However, the Englishman noted that the boos ringing around the stadium were unconstructive for both him and the players, but insisted he was not offended.
'As a person? No, because I understand it's not personal, so I don't know them and they don't know me. As a manager? Yeah, of course it hurts me. It hurts the team. I also understand it,' he added.
Southampton