Unstoppable: Martin must now release the 5ft9 Southampton ace who is transforming into a “monster”

Martin’s 5 feet 9’monster’ has made himself undroppable in Southampton.
Southampton’s hero from their 3-1 win over Leeds is untouchable ahead of tonight’s game against Stoke.
When Russell Martin took over at Southampton, the embarrassment of resources he inherited and the talent he was able to bring in during the transfer window meant that anything less than promotion would have been considered a failure.

He began his career as many predicted, leading the Saints to three victories in their first four games. However, while their offensive was dominating, his defense was being ripped apart, and his team would be hammered sooner rather than later.

Few expected it to come from a Sunderland team that had only scored four goals in their previous four games before thrashing Martin’s side 5-0 at the Stadium of Light.

That heartbreaking performance was followed by three more as Southampton suffered crushing defeats to Leicester, Ipswich, and Middlesbrough, handing the latter their first victory of the season.

Many expected a fifth goal when in-form Leeds arrived at St Mary’s, but they ended their September horror show with a 3-1 victory over the Whites, with goals from Adam Armstrong and Will Smallbone injecting some much-needed positivity back into the club and relieving pressure on the under-fire Martin.

Who were Southampton’s standout performances against Leeds?
Martin is well-known in the EFL for playing a possession-heavy style that lacks substance, dominating for long stretches of the game but lacking the killer instinct at the top of the ball.

Martin’s side had less of the ball (47% to 53%), less passes (442/492), and fewer shots (10/15) against Leeds, but they were ruthless when the opportunities came, scoring three of their five shots on target, according to SofaScore.

Adam Armstrong, who was instrumental in providing that clinical edge in the final third, had an xG of 0.80, three shots on goal, and two goals as the Englishman rose to the occasion, as did Will Smallbone.

The 23-year-old has been chastised for his lack of presence in the Saints midfield, but he put in a fantastic performance against Leeds, completing 81% of his passes, attempting three duels, making two clearances, and capping off his all-round performance with a well-taken goal, according to SofaScore.