SAINTS boss Russell Martin believes facing Man City is an exciting opportunity despite his side’s poor start to the season.
Five years on since their 0-9 thrashing against Leicester City, Southampton have to make the five hour trip to face Manchester City this weekend, with the reigning champions the highest-scoring team in the league this season with 19 goals.
Conceding 18 times in just eight games, Southampton face an uphill battle if they are to pick up their win of the season, although manager Russell Martin is excited about the challenge ahead.
In his press conference ahead of the clash, he said: “We have to accept that they are a brilliant team, with a brilliant manager and players, but the challenge is so exciting for us.
“It is what we have worked so hard for in all of our footballing lives. To have the challenge of going and playing against one of the best is exciting and we just have to keep doing what we’re doing and stick to what we want to be.
“The challenge is to go there and see how brave we can be. We have to go there with the same fight and mentality we had at the Emirates. We are going to the Etihad with a game plan of trying to win, not just to avoid too much damage. “
Nothing but support from the owners
Winless in their first eight, just one point picked up and 18 goals conceded, Martin has been under real pressure to keep his job on the south coast after a disastrous start.
However, the Saints boss insists that his relationship with the owners are strong and that they have shown him nothing but support.
“Perception and reality are often very far apart in football, and a lot of people made up that it would be ‘do or die’ against Leicester if we lost, to the point where I got asked about my job after the game.
“However, I’m here, I have a really good relationship with the owners, we are trying to build and grow something, and I will continue to do that to the best of my abilities.
“Until I’m told otherwise, I will do that. I want more points, they want more points, but I feel nothing but support from them and it won’t impact my job either way.”
Guardiola a huge role model for Martin
A lot has been said about Martin’s possession-based style of play, with it being an incredibly ‘marmite’ philosophy which is loved when a team has the players to execute it – just like Manchester City do.
However, it has played the Saints into trouble at points this season and been criticised heavily, although Martin insists that he will not be changing it and that Pep Guardiola’s way of playing is the best style.
“It is the most enjoyable version of the game to watch. Everyone’s stamp on a team is different, every team he’s had has dominated the ball, every team we’ve had has done the same, but all have been different.
“I think having the ball and trying to create is football in its purest form, and when you don’t have it, to win it back as quickly as possible, and his team doing that better than most.
“The challenge is not to be overawed by it and not just sit there and watch Man City and appreciate how good they are, but it is to challenge that and show moments ourselves. I hope we can earn their respect by putting in a performance we are proud of.”
