QUESTIONS surrounding Russell Martin's future as Southampton manager have intensified following their collapse against Leicester on Saturday. 

Saints were 2-0 up after an hour but threw away that lead to lose 3-2 - Leicester's 33-minute turnaround was capped off when Jordan Ayew scored a winner in the 97th minute.

Southampton were reduced to 10 men during that time as Ryan Fraser saw red for a tug on Jamie Vardy as he looked likely to score an open goal.

The nature of Leicester's winner was frustrating. For the second time this season, Saints have left a man free from a late corner and have been punished as a result.

Set-pieces have been an issue all season. Southampton appointed Andreas Georgson as head of set-pieces last season but have not replaced him since he departed after a few months in post.

Instead, the responsibility has been shared by Colin Calderwood and Matt Gill. While they coped well against Arsenal - kings of set-plays - that has not been true for most of the season.

The defeat meant their wait for a first league win of the season goes on despite yet another good chance to end a club record run without a Premier League win - now at 21 games.

Martin held a routine board meeting with Southampton's chiefs on Friday and insisted he does not fear for his job when asked by the Daily Echo on Saturday.

However, it is unsurprising that doubts about his future have increased. Saints have won just one point from their first eight games this season - very few managers would survive that.


Nathan Jones lasted just eight Premier League games but had managed to win one during that time - a 2-1 win at Everton.

The context around both managers is different. Jones was sacked with 15 games remaining in the season. He had much less time to turn things around.

Crucially, Martin also has more credit in the bank having lifted the club back into the Premier League last season.

He inherited a team and a club in a bad place and managed to turn things around quickly, restoring the good feeling and Staplewood and in the stands as St Mary's.

He should always be credited with that - even now in the difficult times. We all knew this season would be difficult. All three promoted sides went straight back down last year.

The retired defender is in much need of a top-up. He spent a sizable chunk of his credit on defeats to AFC Bournemouth and Leicester.

He also penned a contract extension in the summer, likely buying him more time due to a probable higher payout. Southampton's slow start has not been without its positive moments either.


The first half at Newcastle, the opening 30 minutes against Manchester United and the first hour against Arsenal and Leicester are all reasons for optimism.

But it becomes more difficult to retain that feeling of hope when you look at what followed those strong starts.

Replacing a manager is viewed as the easiest way to turn around a poor season but how much of the blame falls for dropping three points after the 90th minute falls on the manager?

Playing under Martin was the most popular answer from summer signings when quizzed about their decision to join Southampton.

Southampton's game management can certainly improve - both in the late stages and after conceding a goal.

They have a tendency to crumble and often concede more than just the one. They have conceded three goals on six occasions this season. 

Martin's decision to introduce Fraser against Leicester was called into question - especially after he was sent off and they had Charlie Taylor sent off.

The boss admitted prior to this weekend that he feels he has changed things too often this season in a bid to find the right system.


Southampton's chiefs are now met with a huge decision regarding another more important change.

Southampton are off to Manchester City next. Very few expect them to get anything against the reigning Premier League champions but that is true for most teams in the world.

They then face Everton and Wolves in the Premier League after a home Carabao Cup tie against Championship side Stoke City.

As much as Martin does not like the term 'winnable game', those two fixtures against fellow relegation candidates are as close as you can get.

He will hope the board allow him to take charge of those games rather than target them as an opportunity for someone else to get off to a good start.

The timing of sacking a manager is as much about having the right person available for the job as it is about moving someone on who is no longer deemed able to fulfil their role.

The decision is formed on the 'we can find someone more suited to what we want to achieve.' If Saints are to move Martin on, they need to get the next appointment right.

This piece is not about suggesting who could replace Martin - he is still in the job and that would be unfair.


Yet, should Saints delay a decision, they could be operating in the same market as West Ham. The Hammers are struggling under new boss Julen Lopetegui.

They have won just two league games under the Spaniard and were thumped 4-1 by Spurs on Saturday. Wolves and Crystal Palace are other sides experiencing difficulties at the start of this season.

Although hiring a new manager is not a race, things could be more difficult if those teams make a decision on their bosses.

Morgan Schneiderlin, who avoided relegation upon promotion in 2012-13, admitted a change of manager is what helped them turn around a poor start.

Nigel Adkins had won back-to-back promotions but was sacked in January and replaced by Mauricio Pochettino.

"Nigel Adkins was a very good manager, but Pochettino made us even better players,” Schneiderlin told the Daily Echo last week.

History may very well repeat itself this time around. New managers bring new ideas and that could be what Saints need at this point.