MANAGER Russell Martin spoke candidly as he insists he does not feel external pressure but hopes his best "will be enough" for Saints.

Martin's side picked up their first win of the Premier League season on Saturday but still face being embroiled in a brutal relegation fight.

Saints now have four points from their first 10 matches and media speculation had already suggested Martin's job is under threat this season.

Saints sources and Martin himself have suggested no such "do or die" conversation has happened but only results will alleviate demand. 

Asked if he had felt that pressure, Martin responded: "Not from inside the club, no. Not from the owners and not from the board.

"Honestly, I think I'm at a point in my life where I can maintain perspective fairly well in my life and where I've come from to here.

"I genuinely feel no different to when I was at MK Dons in League One in 2019 and took over in a relegation battle there.

"I had the same level of care and feeling for the people I worked with and the opportunity I had in the same way. This opportunity I have, I'm really aware of. 

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"I just go in, give it everything I've got and hope it'll be enough and if it's not, at least I know that I've done everything I possibly can," added Martin.

"The external noise, honestly, it's not that I don't care. Of course, I care because it affects my family more than it does me.

"But in terms of how I work and who I am, no, I don't think so. I have a really strong network around me of people I really love.

"They care for me and they're really honest with me and I'm really honest with them and I'm lucky to work with a lot of them. Genuinely, I mean that. 

"I'm in a job where if I let that affect me, I'm either going to get unwell or it's not going to last very long and I hope I can drag it out for quite some time."