Russell Martin is in no immediate danger of being sacked at Southampton. This is the message relayed by reliable journalist David Ornstein.
Russell Martin helped Southampton to achieve promotion to the Premier League, therefore he is held in high regard at Southampton. However, since the Saints have returned to the English top flight, they have had a horrid time of things.
Now that it's the November international break, Southampton are right at the bottom of the Premier League table. Having won only one game all season, the Saints will hope for better after the break.
However, will they do so with Russell Martin at the helm? After all, it is typical in dire situations such as this one that fans call for the manager to be sacked.
Reliable journalist provides Russell Martin sack update for Southampton
According to journalist David Ornstein, Russell Martin is in no immediate danger of being sacked at Southampton. In fact, the Saints are in full support of Martin and they could fund his transfer plans in January.
In his own words, Ornstein said: "I don't know of being in imminent danger of being removed from his position, and that's because he is very highly thought of. He bought Southampton into the Premier League. Their ambition was to stay there, and they very well could do so this season."
Instead of pinning the blame on Russell Martin, the consensus among the Southampton officials is that the players have not performed well enough. Therefore, the Southampton players are under the microscope, not the manager.
Concluding, Ornstein said: “There's a feeling that perhaps the players have not been good enough, and they're going to need to do something in the January transfer window.”
In many ways, it is good that the blame isn't immediately pointed at Russell Martin. After all, there is only so much the Scot can do, when the players are not fighting for the badge.
However, Southampton being bottom of the Premier League table might be enough to give the players a reality check and a lesson that things must improve going forward.
Even with this in mind, there can be no denying that Russell Martin is under pressure. Even if it is not immediate pressure, he will feel a sense of responsibility and a need to make things tick at Southampton.
Still, fans must get behind the manager and the players. After all, they will fight harder when they know they have a reason to fight.