Martin proud of performance and fruitful festive period
Russell Martin praised Southampton’s dominant display at Carrow Road, but admitted to feeling frustrated by the 78th-minute loss of a clean sheet and, with it, two points.
Saints were on course for a fifth successive victory when Adam Armstrong smashed home from close range with 20 minutes to go, but Norwich substitute Josh Sargent salvaged a point for the hosts eight minutes later.
Martin’s former club set up uncharacteristically deep on home soil, denying Saints space in behind their defence, but the manager felt that was a compliment to his side’s outstanding recent form.
“I’m really proud of the performance,” he said. “I thought we were really brilliant for a long period of time – 24, 25 shots, limited them to two on target. We should score a couple more, probably the only frustration is we’re not two or 3-0 up, but they have a moment and take it.
“We’re playing against a team that has been struggling to build some momentum but really good players, there’s been a lot of money spent on that squad, good team.
“To come away from home and completely dominate for so long – reacted to losing the ball so well, so aggressive, pressed so well, took the ball relentlessly.
“They had a couple of moments in the game, but for an away performance the challenge for us is always to be the team we want to be, and we were today.
“The away crowd were fantastic – this is as flat as I’ve ever seen the atmosphere and I was surprised by that, and also surprised by their setup.
“I think it’s testament to the players and what they’re doing. They made it really hard for us, they defended their box so well – two of the biggest centre-halves in the league, internationals at the back, so frustrated not to win, frustrated not to keep a clean sheet, but really proud of the performance.”
The result means Saints sign off a hectic festive season with 10 points from four games across a gruelling 10-day period, leaving the boss feeling grateful to all involved.
“I’m immensely grateful and proud of them, and to the supporters and the staff,” he added.
“Christmas is a bit of a non-entity when you’re in football – that’s why we chose to give everyone Christmas Day off, but the boys are giving us everything and repaying us so well.
“The frustration and disappointment in there (the dressing room) after drawing here, playing like that, is a real credit to them and how far they’ve come. I said to them they should be so proud, I’m loving watching them do what they’re doing, we just have to maintain it.
“We’re 18 unbeaten now, which is incredible at any level, but this league is so tough, and we’ve started off the new year fine. It’s frustrating not to win, we want to win every game, so we’ll keep demanding more and keep using that frustration to kick us on and keep growing, but that is the challenge now.”
Martin revealed that Samuel Edozie will need to be assessed after hobbling off following a late tackle in the first half, while Jan Bednarek was substituted at half time due to illness.
