Russell Martin admits he didn’t enjoy touchline ban because he prefers to ‘feel things’ near the pitch

Martin watched on from the top of the Kingsland stand due to serving a one-game touchline ban after receiving his third yellow card of the season against Manchester City on Saturday. He watched on as goals from Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Adam Armstrong gave them a 2-0 lead but missed Stoke's first goal while coming down for half-time. In the end, they required a late winner from defender James Bree to secure their first victory at St Mary's this season. "It was a good view but I didn't really enjoy it," Martin explained. "You want to be there and feel things with your team. Saints assistant Matt Gill took charge in the dugout against Stoke City (Image: Stuart Martin) "(Matt) Gilly's done a good job of communicating onto the pitch and I think he's probably relieved he hasn't got an airpod in with me shouting at him anymore. "I don't want to spend much time there. I just need to behave better. Although I would say one booking was deserved, I'm not convinced about the other two." Asked if he learnt anything new by watching his team from a different vantage point, Martin said: "No, not really. "I think you see things clearer and quicker. I think that helps. But we have a group of guys that are always up there on the mic anyway in games. "Ben Parker has been with me since we were in the dungeon at MK Dons for 10 hours a day five years ago, so he understands and knows everything.  "We really trust them guys anyway. Colin Calderwood sits up there now as well to give us another pair of eyes and ears. I think that works quite well."