Russell Martin ‘four games from Southampton sack’
Southampton manager Russell Martin has just four games to save his job after a dismal start to life in the Premier League.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England international goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes the new four games will be pivotal for both the club and the 38-year-old manager, especially the fixtures against Everton and Leicester.
The South Coast club find themselves in 19th with just one point from their opening six Premier League games after their 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Monday (September 30).
Next up for Martin’s side is an away trip to the Emirates to face title challengers Arsenal in what is expected to be a routine win for Mikel Arteta’s in-form Gunners.
Russell Martin close to Southampton sack
Southampton will play potential ‘six-pointers’ against fellow strugglers Leicester and Everton after the international break, with a game against champions Man City sandwiched in between them.
Despite Martin’s insistence on playing out from the back, Southampton are the lowest-scoring side in the league with just three goals in their opening six games.
“I think he’s got four league games”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“You look at the fixtures, I think he’s got four league games, I think he gets through this international break.
“I think he’s got four league games with a cup game sandwiched in between them if I’m not wrong.
“They’re away at Arsenal this weekend, then they’re at home to Leicester, and then they’re away at Man City and at home to Everton.
“The home games against Leicester and Everton are absolutely pivotal.
“Listen, there’s a team like Southampton, you’re not going have a season-defining game thinking that we’re going to go to Arsenal and Man City and get points, and he won’t be judged on that by his fans, by the board, by anybody else.
“It’s a very open style they take a lot of risks, they play out from the back where they not necessarily should do in certain games.
“I think he’s got four league games. I think he makes it through the international break.
“But the two home games, either side of the Man City game, home to Leicester, home to Everton, I think they’re absolutely pivotal for his future.”
In other news, Graham Potter tipped to land Southampton job.
For more Southampton and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.