FORMER Saints midfielder Carlton Palmer admitted Russell Martin will not get unlimited time but insisted “patience is required”.

Palmer, who earned 18 caps for England before joining Saints from Leeds United in 1997, has assessed Southampton’s start to the Championship season.

The St Mary’s side were unbeaten in their first four but have since suffered three consecutive defeats, conceding 10 goals and scoring just once in the progress.

Martin and his side were booed by home supporters at half-time as they trailed Ipswich Town on Tuesday night, which eventually resulted in a 1-0 loss.

Palmer calls for time for the former Swansea City man after a tumultuous summer but admits Martin has to fix a leaky defence.

"Southampton will be looking to make an immediate return to the Premier League," Palmer told Football League World.

Daily Echo: Chelsea's Bjarne Goldbaek fends off a challenge from Southampton's Carlton Palmer, during their 1998 FA Premiership football match at The Dell, Southampton.Chelsea's Bjarne Goldbaek fends off a challenge from Southampton's Carlton Palmer, during their 1998 FA Premiership football match at The Dell, Southampton. (Image: PA)

"They have acquired a good manager in Russell Martin, it takes time to make the adjustments from dropping out of the Premier League.

"Southampton losing players right up until the death of the transfer market makes things very, very difficult for the manager.

"They sit only two points off a play-off place and that is after losing their last three games.

"He won't get as much time at Saints, that's for sure, as he would elsewhere, but patience is required.

"They have to address the problem of conceding goals, 17 in seven games, you're not giving yourself much of a chance if you're conceding two goals in every game."

Martin's side visit Middlesbrough, who currently sit bottom of the table, looking to put right their poor run of form on Saturday, September 23.