SAINTS manager Russell Martin admitted “I will be praised if it works but if it doesn’t I’ll get called a stubborn git” as he sticks to his principles in a really “enjoyable” week of training.

Martin’s struggling side face a test to bounce back as they welcome a Leeds United team unbeaten in six Championship matches, with four consecutive clean sheets.

It is a completely contrasting run to Southampton’s defeats against Sunderland, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough, conceding 12 and scoring just twice.

Saints CEO Phil Parsons has moved to publicly explain the club’s poised financial situation this week, in an interview with the Daily Echo, while backing manager Martin.

Martin revealed he has also held “good chats” with the club’s ownership this week as Saints intend to stay on the path they believe “is the right one”.

Asked what the week’s focuses have been, the boss responded: “Consistency. Being really competitive with each other in training.

“Helping the players as much as possible, from a coaching staff point of view. Staying on a path that we believe is the right one and trying to connect everyone to that path.

“There were two ways to come into this week really. One was to feel sorry for themselves and to come in feeling sorry for themselves after four defeats.

“The other choice was to come in and attack everything and embrace everything, which they have done. I’ve been really pleased with the work this week.”

Martin added: “I think we will really benefit from the time on the training pitch this week, I’ve loved the mentality. I’ve really enjoyed it. I think we will come out the other side of it stronger.”

Martin already inherited a side that was already hopeless at the back as they slumped to a bottom-place finish in the Premier League last season. 

Improvement is still required in this area with Saints conceding a Championship-high 19 goals in the first eight fixtures under Martin’s tutelage.

“The situation is what it is. It’s frustrating, it’s been painful and annoying,” Martin admitted, asked about the record. 

“There is a lot of stuff we need to work on and improve. I feel like we have really narrowed down and laser-focused on some things that are really going to help us.

“Any time we play you analyse the game and you learn from it. We practise relentlessly then we are going to perform.

“It’s the same cycle. I hope everyone here now understands that we are going to behave in the same way. We are going to work relentlessly and tweak when we have to.

“I’m really conscious that I’ve been through these moments at both of my previous clubs. I am here now because we stayed on the same path and we had conviction in what we did.

“I am also really conscious that I will be praised if it works, if it doesn’t I’ll get called a stubborn git. It’s such a fine balance.

“I’ve had some really good chats with the owners this week about how they can help us, and they have been brilliant. I get the feeling that everyone here is with us.

“The energy has been great, so different to the energy when we first arrived here 12 weeks ago. We will continue on that.

“I’ve got no doubt and real confidence that the results will turn around. You can’t just be outcome-based. If you are, it can lead to a lot of pain - it’s not a very healthy environment.”