Angry Southampton boss accuses ‘ridiculous’ players after Premier League defeat
Southampton were beaten 3-1 at Bournemouth on Monday night, with their first-half display – during which they conceded three times – being lamented by under-fire boss Russell Martin
Southampton manager Russell Martin accused his players of lacking fight, aggression and courage as he took responsibility for a “ridiculous” first-half performance in their comprehensive 3-1 defeat to rivals Bournemouth.
Goals from Evanilson, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo put Saints’ south-coast neighbours in complete control at Vitality Stadium. The visitors improved after being booed off at the break, but, despite reducing the deficit through Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ header, their winless start extended to six Premier League games on the back of the abject opening period.
Martin was angered by his side’s initial response to conceding the 17th-minute opener and said picking up top-flight points was “impossible if you’re not going to fight”.
“Whatever personnel you have on the pitch, whatever way you play, if you lack the fight and aggression and spirit and togetherness and courage that we lacked in the first half, you’re going to have a big, big problem,” he said. “After starting well, literally the first setback we have in the game they score.
“Obviously I haven’t given the team enough in terms of mentality and character and fight and resilience, which really hurts me because they’re traits that have got me this far. But the team hasn’t got it tonight, so that’s my fault, not theirs.
“I’m coming off the pitch at the end of the game and I thanked them for running and fighting in the second half and actually I don’t think you should ever thank them for that, that should be the bare minimum.
“We put ourselves in a situation in the Premier League that’s almost impossible to come back from. It’s ridiculous. Bournemouth make 20 fouls, we make 10, I think that sums up the whole game. It’s impossible if you’re not going to fight.”
Aside from surrendering local bragging rights, a resounding defeat in Dorset leaves Saints with a solitary point, while stretching their club-record Premier League winless run to 19 games, dating back to the 2022-23 season, which ended in relegation.
Raging Russell Martin ‘really hurt’ by Southampton’s lack of fight against Bournemouth
Southampton manager Russell Martin accused his players of lacking fight, aggression and courage as he took responsibility for a “ridiculous” first-half performance in their comprehensive 3-1 defeat to rivals Bournemouth.
Goals from Evanilson, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo put Saints’ south-coast neighbours in complete control at Vitality Stadium.
