Martin: Comeback win will be huge for us
Russell Martin praised Southampton’s powers of recovery after bouncing back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to triumph in a pulsating encounter with Huddersfield at St Mary’s.
Saints came into the game on the back of ten successive home wins, keeping clean sheets in seven of the last eight of those, but on this occasion faced huge adversity as relegation-threatened Town took a two-goal half-time lead.
The response was sensational, as substitute Joe Rothwell struck twice in the first five minutes of the second period, only for Saints to fall behind again to a freak deflection.
Finding themselves trailing going into the final ten minutes, Martin’s side reeled off three unanswered goals to claim a memorable 5-3 victory.
“I’m exhausted. I feel immense pride and gratitude with the players, and their spirit, togetherness, character and resilience they showed – and the supporters. I loved the atmosphere and the feeling at the end," the manager said.
“I think it was the first time we’ve had to really deal with some disappointment. We had to suffer a lot of tough moments in that first half in particular, and a big question for the players and a big test for the players to really show the spirit that’s got us this far and this many games unbeaten.
“In the first half we were forcing it so much, and Huddersfield were really good. They came with an absolutely fearless approach, nothing to lose, caretaker manager, brilliant result last week, so for the players to show that togetherness and spirit in such a difficult moment – and the supporters as well – was really brilliant. I think it will be huge for us moving forward.
“There will be so much for us to take and learn from the first half, and I was immensely frustrated at half time, but tried to stay calm for the players – a little bit angry, but trying to stay calm, because it was about trying to help them.
“I said, ‘if we’re going to get beat and suffer that together, let’s please at least do it being the team we want to be’ because in the first half we weren’t, which is testament to Huddersfield, they were good, but also down to our lack of energy and lack of aggression with the ball, and then, for the first time in a long time, a lack of courage to really play in the last 15 minutes of the first half.
“The second half was the complete opposite, they were amazing. The subs that came on had a huge impact – the guys at the back, the four and Will, who ended up playing as the No 6, and Gavin, incredible. Intensity, courage to take the ball.
“There were some tough moments, but they’ve come through it. The biggest thing about this team, the biggest pleasure and privilege to watch them grow and come together as a team has been that – their spirit and their fight for each other, and in the second half we had to show all of that, and I enjoyed that side of it. We’ll take loads from it.
“At 2-2, the ground’s rocking, the atmosphere’s incredible, and I’m sure everyone is expecting us at that point to go on and score again, and then to come back from another bit of disappointment takes a lot, so I’m proud of them.”
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