Summary:
- Russell Martin expressed anger at Southampton’s lack of “attitude, spirit, and fight” in the match against Bournemouth.
- Bournemouth sank the Saints score 3-1, with all 3 goals scored in the first half.
- Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored (51’) in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for Martin’s side.
The fact that manager Russell Martin is facing challenges at Southampton is no news to anyone by now.
However, the latest 3-1 loss against Bournemouth in Premier League has further expanded the losing streak that the side has accumulated across the past six games.
Ranked in the 19th position in the table and holding on to just one point, the Saints are struggling, dealing with their worst start to a campaign since 1998-99, as they keep failing to learn from their past mistakes.
The way they capitulated after the hosts’ opening goal (Francisco Evanilson, 17’) caused Martin to express his anger and disappointment at his side’s attitude.
Bournemouth scored two more times before the interval with Dango Outtarra (32’) and Antoine Semenyo (39’).
“The first half was electric”, commented Tommy Elphick, manager Andoni Iraola’s assistant.
“I Didn’t Identify My Team in the First Half in Terms of Attitude, Spirit and Fight.”
Martin commented after the game, saying that, no matter a side’s style of play,
If you lack fight and aggression, you’re in big trouble. I didn’t recognize my team in terms of attitude, spirit, and fight in the first half.
The high stakes of the match further exacerbated Southampton’s woes.
Namely, it was the last chance for any of the promoted teams to secure a win in the first six Premier League rounds.
Bournemouth had only scooped up one victory in their previous nine games.
However, despite Southampton’s brief resurgence in the second half, Bournemouth always seemed to be the superior side, pressing over possession and executing their game plan to greater effect.
The Achilles’ heel of Martin’s side was their vulnerability in possession and their lack of defensive attention once the ball was lost.
“We Were Soft.”
Martin, visibly frustrated after the game, remarked
We showed the guys how Bournemouth like to play quick free-kicks, but we switched off. We were soft. If you don’t run and fight, make contact and take things personally then it’s going to be a problem.
Despite the glimmer of hope that came when Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed home for Southampton (51’), Martin and his assistants couldn’t salvage the game, despite their best efforts.
Bournemouth soon weathered the storm by introducing Justin Kluivert who helped see out the match.
Southampton’s unusual team selection saw five forwards sitting on the bench. The call suggested a lack of trust in the Saints’ options for attack.
I will never blame the players—we’re all in this together—but I didn’t like what I saw
Though Martin pointed to a lack of aggression as the key issue, Southampton will need much more if they are to rise to the challenges ahead.
Can Southampton turn things around before the international break, get the best odds and opportunities with the best offshore sportsbooks for UK bettors.