Southampton take on newly promoted Ipswich Town in the Premier League for the first time this season at St Mary’s. While Southampton are without a point from their initial outings, Ipswich have registered two draws in their last two matches. Saints were supported by more than 1,000 fans at Everton’s Goodison Park in the Carabao Cup midweek, and Russell Martin credited the dedication of the fans.
Russell Martin said “I think the fans have been brilliant. The ones that travelled on Tuesday night to Everton and the cup. The players need that. The relationship between them and the players last season was incredible with the way that grew, and it seems to have stayed on course despite a tough start. We are going to need everyone. I don’t think anyone thought this season was going to be easy and we knew there were going to be a few tough moments. We should have more points than we have. It’s really that simple, and I think a lot of people who have been to the games would probably understand that. They’re seeing a team that’s given everything they’ve got – which should be the thing they’re really judged on all the time. The rest is on me. I’m asking them to play in certain ways, but the players need the supporters. I feel like we just all need that first win. Everyone can then relax and actually enjoy themselves a bit, so I want to put a performance in that the players enjoy being part of.”
Regarding their upcoming clash with Ipswich,
Russell Martin said “They’ve got so many new players. We’ve got a fair few ourselves. Both me and Kieran have our own ways of seeing the game. I’m sure he won’t want to veer too far away from his and I don’t from mine – but we both have to adapt and learn in the Premier League quickly. We’ve looked at the games we’ve played against them and looked at their approach to the game so far this season.”
Martin expressed his excitement about the game at home.
Russell Martin said “I’m really excited about the game at home. We need to bring the energy we started the game with at the weekend and continue that. Then we can create real energy and atmosphere in the stadium as we did, but if we have a setback like we did on Saturday, respond to it in a much better way.”
