Martin: I’m pleased with so much
Southampton manager Russell Martin was a pleased man at full-time of his side’s 4-2 pre-season at Reading on Saturday. But noted the areas of improvement ahead of an important double header at St Mary’s coming up.
Saints got off to an electric start at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Jan Bednarek opening the scoring with a corner inside three minutes.
It was two before 10 minutes as Nathan Tella’s low ball found James Ward-Prowse at the back post. But the lead was cut before the break after Harvey Knibbs finished off a quick Reading counter.
Into the second and it was more of the same from the visitors, Adam Armstrong and Joe Aribo upping the tally to four, before the hosts added a late consolation.
“I’m pleased with so much, we created so much, we should’ve scored a few more,” lauded the boss. “But we gave them a few too many moments in transition as well. We conceded two not very good goals so I’m not happy at that, and I think the players won’t be as well.
“I think all you can ask for at this stage is to improve and to learn from the previous one and I definitely think we’ve done that.
“Really credit to the players, they’ve taken on so much information since the Göztepe game. It’s been a big week for that learning and what we’re asking them to do and they’ve done that brilliantly at times today.”
The visitors were backed by a strong, vocal crowd in Berkshire, something Martin and his team were thankful for.
“When we went out there we were really surprised by how many fans were there and the reception we got, so we’re really grateful for that.
“Hopefully they’ve seen enough today to get excited about. I know it will look very different to what they’ve been used to but hopefully that’ll help their understanding as well and their connection to the team and what we’re trying to do.
“The supporters are the most important people at the club so it’s our job to give them a team to be proud of, that they can identify with and hopefully we can start building that.”
