Martin encouraged by Saints' dominance
Russell Martin was proud of his players, even in defeat, as Southampton dominated long periods of their trip to Newcastle, only to be beaten by a solitary goal at St James’ Park.
Saints did things their way on the club’s Premier League return, controlling possession and playing through a notoriously tough Newcastle press.
The hosts were in trouble when Fabian Schär was sent off in the 28th minute, adding to Saints’ dominance, but ultimately won the game when Alexander Isak pounced on a loose pass in the box and set up Joelinton for the only goal in the final minute of the first half.
“Even when it was 11 v 11 I thought we were so good, so brave, so dominant, in control,” Martin reflected. “Could’ve maybe made more of the moments we had in the final third, but I think that comes with a bit more belief.
“I think today was a big test for the players in terms of coming to one of the most difficult places to try and play in this way, because they’re so aggressive; one of the best teams out of possession – the physical data backs that up, the stats back it up from last season.
“We watched team after team come here last season and get run all over, and make so many mistakes. We make one and get punished.
“The mistake is collective. I’m asking us to play in that way and we played beautifully, brilliantly for half an hour.
“Then they get a man sent off and it’s a normal reaction – the shoulders relax, ‘it’s going to be a bit easier’. We became a bit slow and lacked intensity, so the ball shouldn’t even end up back with Alex. It shouldn’t even go out for a throw-in in the first place, so we paid for that mistake.
“After that we turned it into attack vs defence. They had pretty much nothing, which is not easy in the Premier League, even against ten men with the threat they have and the athleticism they have.
“I’m really pleased with the players for that. We created, the goalie made a couple of really good saves, they blocked relentlessly. We just needed a moment of magic or luck for the ball to go in, because it should’ve done two or three times, but it doesn’t, and we have somehow lost the game.”
