Martin bitterly disappointed with first-half display

Saints saw a promising start at Vitality Stadium completely unravel, as Evanilson's 17th-minute goal kick-started a dismal spell for the visitors that ultimately saw them fall three goals behind by the break.

Martin's side improved significantly after half time, and raised a glimmer of hope when Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed in on 51 minutes, but they were ultimately unable to repair the damage that had been done.

"I think it's all tainted by the first half," said the Saints manager. "I feel bad for the supporters, who were brilliant after the first-half performance.

"We started the game well. Two good moments. Worked on the stuff that we worked on and with the formation we wanted to play and a couple of openings, should have scored, and then the first setback we have on the pitch the response is outrageously poor. A lack of character, lack of fight, lack of aggression, lack of courage.

"They make 20 fouls tonight, we made ten. We spoke about their strengths, quick free-kicks, forward runs, duels, their aggression. We didn't match any of that. So, whatever way you want to play, when you lack that spirit and togetherness and fight, which has been a real source of pride for us and the team and watching the team, when you lack that you have a big problem. Especially against a team who is really built off that. So, that really hurt.

"I didn't recognise the team in the first half. Then, with the ball, just passing our responsibility to each other. No real courage to play properly. So, it really surprised me. So, that's on me. I must have picked the wrong team, I've not got them ready and then we have a couple of guys who come on at half time and show so much courage. Ross [Stewart] and Joe [Aribo] in particular. Real aggression. Brilliant teammates. So, we have to get back to that first and foremost. So the first half is outrageous and it kills us because the second half we do some really good things, but ultimately it's pointless and it's too late."

Martin added: "There's a lot of frustration and anxiety in the group because we should have more points than we have. So they're waiting desperately for that first win. Then we go one-nil down and that seems even further away, but it's not an excuse. I obviously haven't prepared them well enough or given them enough belief in what they're doing tonight. So that's my problem and I will have to sort that out."

Reflecting on the second half, Martin said: "The lads were great. We have a couple of chances after [our goal]. We make them defend a lot, play with courage, aggression, intensity, Joe Aribo in particular. I think the first half, actually, Aaron Ramsdale and Flynn play with aggression and courage, no one else really comes through that with those marks, so yeah the second half has everything the first half doesn't have, but you're three-nil down in the Premier League so it's almost an impossible situation to come back from."

Attention now shifts to Saturday's trip to Arsenal, with Martin's message ahead of that game clear.

"We have a big test ahead of us on Saturday and my job now is to make sure the players really believe in the game plan and what we are doing. My belief in them as a group and us as a club and what we can do has not wavered one bit. But in the first half so much of it I just didn't recognise, so we have to have a look at that and make sure we learn from that and it never happens again.

"It's on me and I need to sort it out and we always have done, as a group of coaches and a group of players, together we have a problem, we find a solution, so we have to do that again.

"I said to the players after, it's really easy when things are going well to be together, talk about culture and spirit and fight. But honestly as a person, as an individual, as a team, as a group, as a club, we will be defined by the tough moments we have and how much you stick together and how much you want to carry on believing in who we are and what we do.

"And that's a choice, so we will have a choice to make. I know what choice mine is going to be, which is to work hard for this club and brilliant group of players and staff to put things right, which I really believe we can and I hope the players make the right choice.

"The fans have been amazing since I've been here, so I'm sure at Arsenal they'll make the right choice by cheering on their team. But we have to give them more to cheer about than we did in the first half tonight, so I feel bad for them guys. I feel bad for the people watching, it was nowhere near where we want to be or who we are. We have to be better."