MANAGER Russell Martin labelled as "nonsense" and "laughable" the perception that he does not let his Saints players play the ball long. 

Martin, 38, has been unable to escape scrutiny over his perceived philosophy-fuelled first spell as a Premier League manager this season.

Saints have averaged 55.1 per cent possession, played the second-most short passes and had more touches in their defensive third than any other team.

They have attempted fewer long balls (601) than even Man City, although their long ball completion rate is one of the best in the division.

Having made a league-high eight mistakes leading to goals - in full view of the country against Liverpool last weekend - Martin's methods have been questioned.

But asked directly if the perception that he would be annoyed by his players going long and clearing their lines is true, Martin refuted the claim. 

"I'd much prefer the ball went off the pitch than to Dominik Szoboszlai who bent it in the corner," Martin quipped in response.

"Perception and reality are really far apart. The players know what they are being asked to do, if we play it long on our terms then it's no problem at all.

"If we play it long because we've had to I'm not going to get annoyed but we're going to understand why we're doing it, if we're playing a pass without purpose.

"We're always going to try to learn from it so I think every pass needs to be as much as we can on our terms whether it's short, long, backwards, forwards.

"That is nonsense that I'd be annoyed with one long pass. On perception, we had someone complain about Matt Gill smoking a vape on the sideline on Sunday.

"They had seen it on the screen. That's not the reality, he was talking into a microphone - I don't think he's been driven to vaping on the sideline yet.

"But this is how ridiculous it can be so I think me getting angry at a long pass is probably as laughable as Gilly smoking a vape in the dugout."

Martin will take his side to Amex Stadium to clash with high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion in front of the TV cameras again from 8pm on Friday.

Speaking after the 3-2 defeat against Liverpool, Martin admitted he told his players to play forward as quickly as they could in possession.

Mateus Fernandes scored Southampton's second goal from a slick counter-attack and Martin insists swashbuckling attack remains the target for his side.

"I think that's always going to be the message and the second goal is such good quality from all the players involved," said Martin.

"It is mostly their willingness to run forward at real high speed and outrun their opponent to goal so I think we have to maintain that mentality all the time.

"I know that sometimes it will take 20 passes and sometimes it will take two, it's just about understanding the moment.

"If we're making more passes in our third it's because the opposition is doing a good job, we haven't done it well enough or we're waiting for the moment."