Martin left frustrated but also optimistic
Russell Martin's frustration at the manner of his team's defeat at Brentford was tempered by his optimism for what he feels lies ahead for them this season.
Saints were beaten 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium and were left to reflect on three poor goals they conceded before Yuki Sugawara's late consolation.
Yet it was a game of fine margins, with Martin's side creating some significant opportunities themselves and ultimately being left to rue a few costly mistakes at both ends that otherwise could have led to a very different outcome.
"I felt that we didn't start very well, but then we really had a couple of moments and really cut through them and could have hurt them," said the Saints manager. "It's so frustrating the goals we concede, a couple of mistakes and the long throw. It's really frustrating. We're getting punished for those moments as it stands and we don't make the best of our moments, like Adam has the best chance in the middle of the goal in the first half, it has to be a goal, and it's not, and then we're chasing the game the second half.
"At the time they scored we were so on top, we had them camped in and we created some chances, and we have created enough chances to score two or three goals at least today and that's the frustrating thing. We score a goal of real quality, but we give away really poor goals and we have to change that.
"But I feel so much better about what we are doing today than I did in the Forest game and hopefully the guys have felt that enough, because we are so close, but in the Premier League it feels like it's so far as well.
"The fans were amazing. I'm sorry to them that they haven't seen a win and what they wanted to see, but they stuck with the team because the team is trying so hard and the intention is there. We just need to work on a few things and iron that out.
"There's a lot to feel really confident and positive about. We just need to drill down on some things and we had a good discussion there as a group in the dressing room. They know, after three games now they know what's required, they know where we need to be, they know where we need to live on the pitch. They just need to trust each other and the work and trust us and, as I said, I feel way more positive today than I did last week."
With the squad being continually shaped over the final weeks of the transfer window and multiple new arrivals recently, including a number of deadline day additions – highlighted by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who made a strong debut here – Martin is confident the trajectory of the group is an upward one.
"In two weeks' time we'll have players way more ready, so Rambo will be more ready," he said. "He's done brilliantly today, so well. It's his first game though, he's had one training session, so he'll be in a better place.
"Tyler Dibling will have two more weeks of conditioning and he won't have played a 90 minutes on the Wednesday night, so he'll be in a great place. He was fantastic when he came on.
"Mateus Fernandes, he's lived it a few times on the pitch now and I think he's shown what he's going to do. Cam Archer is the same, so we have a lot to think about in terms of team selection and how it's going to look and what we're going to do. But there's a lot to feel really excited about I think.
"I've learned a lot in the three games. I think the players have, but I've also learned that if we stick to who we are and what we do and get better at it and improve it in a similar way to last year early on in the process and with the quality we've added now and the more they get used to it and the more they get accustomed to it, the more they feel it, then there's lots to feel really excited about."
