MANAGER Russell Martin will “flex and adapt” his tactics but insists Saints have employed him to help guide a specific direction and will see it through.

The 37 year old, hired by new director of football Jason Wilcox, has been identified to develop an attractive possession-based football model, with Martin insisting human connection is at the heart of it.

Martin comes into the club off the back of years of hurt, which eventually resulted in relegation from the Premier League, while knowing promotion is the ultimate ambition.

Saints have been beaten three times in succession in the Championship after an unbeaten start to the campaign with the pressure now ramping up. 

Martin takes his Saints side to Middlesbrough with the confidence to keep the club moving in one direction despite a shock run of results.

“I’m not passing excuse because we need to work to find a way through it but there’s been a lack of cohesion at this club,” the former Swansea City boss said.

“There’s been a lack of togetherness with the supporters, a lack of connection here at the training ground – and our job is to bring it back.

“I’m doing it while implementing a different style and a completely different way of behaving, so I’m hoping now we can find a connection by being really honest with you and with the players.

“We need to build energy and momentum. Ipswich have that and it’s carrying them through to a really good place, we don’t have that but we will find it.

“People will see a team that is functioning well and when we find that rhythm, people will start to trust the work we’re doing and the players trust it because they can feel it.”

Martin continued: “Out of anxiety, at the moment the players feel they need to run around and do more. In some moments, less is more.

“It’s our job to help them understand that. I’m excited about what is to come, you find out so much about people and yourself in these moments.  

“It’s such a long season and we’re only seven games in, We’re going to tweak, adapt, learn and try new things but we’ve been brought here for a reason.

“It’s to give the club something to really buy into, to energise everyone and to bring people together. I want supporters to enjoy watching their team.

“They probably haven’t for the last three games and I understand that. Also to understand what it takes and the mentality and courage it takes to play this way. ‘

“It’s up to us to give the supporters more moments than we have done to build that connection and togetherness and we will because it’s what we did at the last two clubs we were at.

“We will flex and adapt but without losing what the club really wants to be. The club have embarked on a journey now with loads of new people.

“The owners and directors have been great. The club have made a decision to go this way and we have to see it through, it’s pointless going one way and then another.

“The club has decided this is the way we’re going to go. They’ve employed a young manager and a young group to develop the group in a certain way.

“They understood there will be some really sticky moments but when you see it through and ride through this moment it will be brilliant.”