MANAGER Russell Martin identified why Saints are suffering “in transition” as he looks to arrest an unwanted Championship record.
The boss has no interest in pragmatism to curb the trend despite the fact Saints have shipped a league-high 16 goals in just six matches.
Martin, whose Swansea City side finished 10th last season despite conceding the fifth-most in the division, is looking for complete trust within the club.
Saints host Ipswich Town just three working days after the defeat to Leicester City so there has been little time for drastic change.
READ: Martin insists Kamaldeen was 'devastated' about suspension
However, asked exactly what he does now when speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin responded: “We’re six games in.
"It’s been too many goals and I can’t get away from that, but I don’t care about the record after six games if it’s good after 46.
“It’s been frustrating and hurtful to concede that many. There are a few messages that we haven’t done well enough. Although it’s not a hugely obvious pattern, there are a few bits.
“We need to get behind the ball quicker in certain moments. When we’re on the front foot and the team is together, pressing, it’s been good.
“It’s when the ball gets beyond, we need to get together and more compact quicker, and then wait for the moment to go and steal the ball back,” he added.
“It’s in transition – we don’t have much chaos in our game but in those moments we do, we don’t defend it well enough.
“We also haven’t taken advantage of the chaos enough either. Against Leicester the other night, we didn’t punish them in the way they punished us.
“It’s in those moments. That’s about mentality, getting together. It’s also consistency in the team and they will all be better for it eventually.
“That’s why I’m not worried. We just need to find a rhythm with that and the lads need to really feel it on the pitch, a mentality to fight for each other, to defend, block and get up to people.”
Saints reflected on the defeat to Leicester with an in-depth video analysis at Staplewood on Saturday. Martin showed players the positives of their work, as well as improvements.
They have also trained on grass since. Despite the short turnover between fixtures – which is set to continue with a trip to Middlesbrough coming up – he is happy with the work done.
Martin explained: “They’ve recovered well. There have been a couple of bits of information for tomorrow and some tweaks to make.”
“Some of those bits are really important. We’ve done individual stuff with some of the players and unit stuff with others.
“You just do everything you can in the time allotted, that they can physically get away with. We have to make sure we go and perform.
“We’re really happy with the work we’ve done and we’ll reinforce some messages tomorrow but it’s now over to the guys.
“I’m convinced the work we have done will result in us being really positive and really brave, and hopefully see us put in a good performance.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel