Why does Martin expect collective responsibility over Newcastle goal?

They had been beaten by the only shot on goal 10-man Newcastle United mustered, as the St Mary's side dominated the match over 90 minutes.

Martin believed his side dropped their intensity after Fabian Schar was sent off by referee Craig Pawson for a headbutt on Ben Brereton Diaz.

The Magpies went down to 10 men in the 30th minute of the contest, with Brazilian Joelinton crucially putting the hosts ahead in the 44th.

"The problem is the few minutes before the goal and the throw-in shouldn't even end up back at Alex McCarthy. We'll sort that out," Martin said.

What is Martin talking about? Is he just defending his goalkeeper, who was otherwise excellent and remains key to the club's chances as the clear number one?

Alex McCarthy has a decision to make (Image: Wyscout)  

Stephens has no option but to play to McCarthy but under no circumstance should the ball come back - that is the obvious error in the play.

Alexander Isak has the quality to punish him (Image: Wyscout)

The position in which Alexander Isak receives the ball is not a guaranteed goal in most leagues but sums up the ruthlessness of the Premier League.

Saints players react to going behind (Image: Wyscout)

Upon re-watching the buildup to the goal, Saints will have identified that the error could have been avoided - but Newcastle’s press should be credited.

Kyle Walker-Peters lost the ball from a throw-in prior as he passed to Joe Aribo and the causality of that move would have annoyed Martin.

Kyle Walker-Peters takes a throw-in seconds earlier (Image: Wyscout)

The boss and his staff pride themselves on their success rate retaining possession and progressing in micro-elements of the game such as throw-ins.

After a one-two with Flynn Downes, Walker-Peters going to Stephens would put him under pressure from Isak so Aribo needs to show for it.

The field as Walker-Peters loses possession (Image: Wyscout)

Will Smallbone is static and too far away (had he been closer he could have recovered) and other passing channels are shut without something special to evade blockers.

Martin's assertion that his players "stepped off the gas" after Schar's early exit is not necessarily easily visible but some data supports it.

Naturally, their possession (73 to 85 per cent), frequency of attacks (0.20 to 0.68 per minute) and starting team depth (50 to 61m) increased from the 30th minute to half-time.

However, Saints played more back passes (18) in that 15-minute period than they did in any other period of Saturday's game.

An interesting metric calculated by Wyscout also reveals a significant drop-off in Southampton's pressing intensity for the final 15 minutes of the half. 

The red card and goal are marked along the x-axis (Image: Wyscout)

The metric takes the number of opposition passes allowed per defensive action you make in the top 60 per cent of the pitch (to discount general defending).

The graph shows Southampton's intensity, which took a sudden drop to 10 passes allowed per defensive action, from which it only rose for the rest of the game.

These could be among the things Martin is referring to, although none of it would be talked about if McCarthy had opted to clear his lines.

Saints are tracking the status of multiple goalkeepers in the final days of the summer transfer window and will move if solid competition becomes available.

With Gavin Bazunu set to return from injury in 2025, the club are reluctant to sign another shot-stopper permanently so a loan is more likely.

Saints should have gone ahead during these 15 minutes before the break anyway - Ben Brereton Diaz's header was their only shot but it was a clear chance.

Nick Pope produced a couple of good saves while Saints attempted 16 shots with four on target, nine blocked and just three off-target completely.

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They should have made more of their set pieces, too. Saints only managed one shot from 12 corners - albeit against a big team well-drilled in box-defending.

Martin and the club's supporters have been given plenty to be optimistic about, competing at one of the toughest grounds in the Premier League.

Staggeringly, between last season's three relegated sides, there was only one win against teams who finished in the top seven of the league.

They are seen by Saints chiefs as a chance to pick up bonus points - but, ultimately, they are unlikely to define Southampton's season.

The manager insisted his squad will take belief into their upcoming run of games, with Nottingham Forest up next at St Mary's on Saturday.