MANAGER Russell Martin admitted he would tell Southampton's owners if he felt his squad had lost belief but insisted they are nowhere near that point.

Martin feels his players still believe in the system, despite Southampton currently sitting bottom of the Premier League table with one point.

Earlier this week, James Bree confessed that the squad still "love" Martin and want him to stick around.

Martin, 38, disclosed he feels more love for his players due to their willingness to remain headstrong and play the way they want to.

He told the Daily Echo: "I've never felt at any point that there was unrest or that they were unhappy with what we're giving them.

"I think they know that we're giving everything we can. We really care about them. We treat them with as much love, care, respect and honesty as we possibly can. 

"I love the players. It's not changed from last season because we're now losing. I have more love and respect for them now that they're continuing to try and be who we want them to be.

"Honestly, perception and reality in football, I've said this so many times this season, but they can be very, very far apart. 

"If I felt the team had given up a bit or lacked belief in what they were doing or had maybe lost a bit of belief in us and conviction, then I think I would be honest with myself.

"We'd probably have that chat with the owners and ourselves and say, look, we're at that point. But I don't think we're anywhere near that.

"I've been in dressing rooms where it gets to that point and then it's tough, really tough. But I don't feel that.

Southampton boss Russell Martin admitted he loves the players moreSouthampton boss Russell Martin admitted he loves the players more (Image: Stuart Martin) "You can see they're giving everything on the pitch. They are fighting so much for each other. They're running so much for each other.

"They're taking the ball in places people wouldn't want to take the ball. So that's all I can ever ask for them.

"I just really want them to win for them and for us and for the fans. I know it will come and we have to make sure it comes tomorrow."

Martin was rewarded with a new three-year contract in the summer having guided the club to promotion via the Championship play-offs.