JUST IN: Soton Manager Outburst “Shameful” verdict towards defeat to Gary O’Neils side.
Russell Martin found himself under pressure as Southampton fell to the bottom of the Premier League after a 2-0 loss to Wolves.
Wolves started strong, taking the lead in the second minute as Pablo Sarabia rounded Aaron Ramsdale. Matheus Cunha then doubled the score with a powerful long-range shot. Southampton thought they had equalized through Ryan Manning, but referee Thomas Bramall disallowed the goal after consulting the pitchside monitor, ruling a foul in the buildup.
Commenting on the disallowed goal, Martin said, “I think it’s open to interpretation. [Nelson] Semedo doesn’t try to play the ball—he puts his leg across and makes contact. We expected a penalty. It’s frustrating.”
“It’s not a foul,” he continued. “The decision-maker needs a better understanding of the situation. It’s a lack of awareness.”
Martin admitted the second goal disrupted Southampton’s momentum and gave Wolves added energy. “If you told me before the game that we’d control that much possession in the final third, I’d expect us to get something out of it,” he said.
He emphasized the challenge of creating in the Premier League and called on his players to do more with their opportunities. “We get into their box often, especially in the first half, but we need to make it count. The team reaches the final third a lot, but players need to make things happen, to express themselves with more energy and spark.”
Reflecting on the match, Martin said, “We limited them to eight shots and dominated possession in their half, so I would expect to come away with something. But it’s not enough, and I know I’ll be questioned on our style of play. The structure is there for them to create; we just have to be more effective.”
He concluded, “We’ll work as hard as possible, and the rest is out of my control. Hopefully, we’ll be having a better conversation in two weeks.”