Rothwell on Southampton: It's not just pointless possession

The St Mary's side have kept 66.1 per cent of the ball in the Championship this season, more than any other team. 

Martin's charges look destined for the playoffs after picking up one point from two key matches over the Easter weekend. 

It has led to some criticism with Saints unable to put the fixtures versus Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town away. 

However, Martin's side have more final third entries and shots than any second division team and are among the top teams for goals scored. 

Rothwell, speaking in Southampton's recent matchday programme, discussed the style of play, saying: "I was trying to pick it up in games.

Joe Rothwell won the Championship goal of the month award for February (Image: EFL)

"Watching the lads who were playing, trying to get an idea off them and speaking with the staff.

"They showed me clips here and there - it probably took a couple of weeks, but I feel like I'm there now," the 29 year old continued. 

"The Swansea game came at a good time because it gave me a chance to do it on the pitch, it's a lot easier to do it on the pitch than it is in training.

"I then managed to get a good hour in my legs against Watford and it wasn't quite where I wanted to be, but it was always going to take a bit of time.

"As I say, it's slowly but surely, and I think we're there now. I think you can see on the pitch that it’s effective in the way we play.

"It's not just pointless possession, there's always a reason behind a pass and ultimately you want to score a goal at the end of the day.

"The amount of goals we've probably scored that started with Gavin Bazunu, finishing in a goal, just proves that it works."

Rothwell, on loan from AFC Bournemouth, has not started any of the last five Championship fixtures for Martin. 

Joe Rothwell and manager Russell Martin at St Mary's (Image: PA)

He has played only eight minutes since scoring a second brace of the season as substitute to beat Sunderland 4-2 at St Mary's. 

"You're not going to play every game, but substitutes see a little bit more of the games you don't play from the sidelines," he explained. 

"You've just got to be ready so that when you do go on the pitch, things can happen

"Luckily for me in the games I have come on, I have already had a couple of impact moments with a couple of goals.  

"I've said it recently, it's probably the tightest, closest group of lads that I've been around. A bit of adversity on the pitch doesn't affect us.

"We can rally together. I think we've shown it in a few games this year, we can come from behind and win."