Russell Martin was basking in the glow of defeat, not victory. It may say something for his experience of Premier League football that the high point arguably still came in a loss. But his Southampton side had gone to Manchester City, had 43 percent of possession and only lost 1-0. Martin had been praised by both Pep Guardiola and Phil Foden. Since then, he has taken as many points as Guardiola. He was not to know his 1-0 loss would look less admirable when City only won one of their next 11 games.
But he was able to hold court. “I have seen so many teams promoted and get nowhere,” he said. Southampton had got somewhere when Martin’s reign was curtailed on Sunday night: 20th in the Premier League, nine points from safety, their return ticket to the Championship booked. At their rate of progress – if that is the word – they should just beat Derby’s divisional record low of 11 points; though the numbers only put them on course for 11.875.
