Martin makes 'good place' admission ahead of trip to Wolves

Southampton head to Molineux following back-to-back wins - they recorded their first league victory of the season against Everton last Saturday.

Winless Wolves are the only team below Saints in the Premier League table but Martin highlighted that Gary O'Neil's side still pose a real threat. 

He insisted Saints need to avoid giving Wolves an opportunity to catch them on the break in order to achieve their desired result.

"I think the challenge is always the same for us, to impose the game we want, to try and create the opportunities we want and to be aware of the opposition threat," he said.

"I'm sure Gary's preparing his team in the same way. Wolves are amazing in transition, they have a lot of really good players and a lot of athleticism.

Russell Martin is looking forward to catching up with Gary O'Neil (Image: PA) "We have to try and avoid that as much as we possibly can. I think it's just so obvious for the players, it's the Premier League.

"We've won two games, one in the cup, one in the league. We had a good performance against Manchester City but we need to improve.

"It's still so early on. The international breaks make the season feel so much longer. They're a bit frustrating that they come in such quick succession.

"Whatever the outcome tomorrow, I really believe if the lads stick to the work with the intensity they played with last week, then we'll come out of it in a really good place.

"If we don't, we'll deal with it and we'll keep working. In terms of that, a positive performance, a positive result, everyone can go into this last break feeling a bit better about themselves.

"I want to go into the break feeling in a good place and positive and I'm sure everyone else does."

Martin played alongside O'Neil during his spell at Norwich and revealed the two would often discuss - and argue - about how they view football.

"We've stayed in touch," Martin continued. "Mainly when he was at Liverpool and Bournemouth and I was at MK Dons and Swansea.

Russell Martin played with Gary O'Neil (right) at Norwich City (Image: Nick Potts/PA) "(We've not stayed in touch) so much since I've been here and he's been a Premier League manager because things get very, very busy.

"I look forward to catching up with Gaz. I had a lot of time for him as a teammate and as a person. I think he's done a great job.

"He had an opportunity at Bournemouth and took it, a young English coach and did a brilliant job and now he's got a brilliant opportunity at Wolves.

"I've got no doubt at some point they will hit their stride this season because they've been really unfortunate and they've had a really tough run of fixtures as well. We understand the challenge.

"I look forward to catching up with Gaz after but we will compete against each other for 90 minutes, all the friendship stuff goes out the window."