DESPITE sitting bottom of the Premier League table, eight points adrift of safety, Saints have taken a positivity approach when speaking to the media.

It should be pointed out that Russell Martin did slam his players following their 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa and labelled their failure to register a shot on target as "madness".

However, the boss once again pointed out that his side have "as many, if not more final third entries than most teams (in the division)", yet they have nothing to show for it.

Southampton rank ninth for passes into the final third (443) and seventh for carries into the final third (185) but remain the division's lowest goalscorers with 11.

Southampton have lost 12 of 15 Premier League games this season.Southampton have lost 12 of 15 Premier League games this season. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson) It is no secret that Saints can be their own worst enemy nor is it a hidden truth that Martin will not change his ways.

Martin believes the negatives of playing out from the back are outweighed by the positives - those being their ability to maintain possession and reach the other end of the pitch.

Southampton equalled the Premier League record for errors leading to goals (10) on Saturday. Taylor Harwood-Bellis' failure to clear allowed Jhon Duran to race through and score.

Martin explained: "Taylor needs to either smooth the game out and pass to a teammate or clear it. We did neither."

It is hard to argue that Southampton's desire to play out from the back does not hurt them more than it helps them. They have only scored one goal more than they have given away.

When asked about handing goals to the opposition, James Bree told the Daily Echo: "It's tough to take when they do score but look at the nine other times when it helped us.

"Sometimes, you hope that if we make a mistake, they won't score. At the minute, they are (scoring). We will keep doing it and stick to what the gaffer wants us to do."

Nathan Wood added on Saturday that the "philosophy and style" is not the problem. He believes their struggles in the final third are the final hurdle to jump. 

This stat does not equate for the times when the opposition have failed to capitalise. Saints have made 26 errors leading to shots, 11 more than the second-highest team, Manchester City.

This figure is higher than any team has allowed across the last three seasons. They have equalled the total achieved by Leeds (2020-21) and Aston Villa (2019-20).

Joe Lumley passed straight to Boubacar Kamara at Villa Park but last-ditch blocks from the goalkeeper and Kyle Walker-Peters saved Southampton's blushes. 

Joe Lumley is playing ahead of the injured Aaron Ramsdale, Alex McCarthy and Gavin Bazunu.Joe Lumley is playing ahead of the injured Aaron Ramsdale, Alex McCarthy and Gavin Bazunu. (Image: Nick Potts/PA) Southampton have been without key players in recent games. Aaron Ramsdale and Jan Bednarek's absences have been felt particularly hard.

Yet, Southampton, despite their failure to test Emiliano Martínez, could have left the Midlands with a hard-fought point.

Villa were poor in the final third and were denied time and time again by Nathan Wood, who was a colossus in the second half.

Martin wanted to create a style of play which supporters could "connect" with. While he did manage to achieve that last season, they have, unfortunately, failed to repeat that trick this year.

Supporters have started to show their increasing frustration both with the style of play and the results it generates.

Chants of "How s*** must you be, it's only 1-0" were sung on Saturday. Ironic chants of "We've got the ball, we've lost the ball" were heard against Chelsea.

Fans were irked further after full-time as Martin appeared to aim a dig at the travelling supporters when speaking about Villa's winner.

READ MORE: Southampton fans fume as Martin aims dig at away supporters

During his playing career, Martin was motivated by the chip on his shoulder. His on-field success was despite the voices who wrote him off.

Southampton were written off by many before the 2024/25 season started. The inclination to showcase that his philosophy can generate results likely persists 

And despite claiming he does not listen to that outside noise, we know he has attempted to create a siege mentality within the group at Staplewood.

His players still believe in this style of play. "We will keep our heads down, the lads are still behind it," Bree maintained on Wednesday evening.

While that positivity may be required to reignite any remaining embers of confidence, fans are fed up and time is running out for Saints to show they can compete this way in the Premier League.