Prior to the arrival of Leeds United, Southampton had lost their last four Championship games.
Southampton manager Russell Martin confessed his players are still suffering from a mental hangover from last season’s Premier League relegation.
The Saints have lost their last four Championship games in a row after winning three of their first four Championship games and drawing the other 4-4 at home to Norwich City.
The bad run began with a 5-0 thrashing at Sunderland and continued last weekend against previously winless Middlesbrough, which Michael Carrick‘s team overcame to win 2-1.
The Saints will host Leeds United next, after losing 4-1 at home to another demoted team, Leicester City, earlier this month. Leeds made a sluggish start to the season, but have found their stride in recent weeks, winning three and drawing two of their last five games.
Martin has blamed Southampton‘s troubles on the team’s mentality ahead of Leeds‘ trip to the south coast, admitting that it won’t be a simple cure.
“The mentality needs to change,” he stated after Saturday’s defeat in the north east. We had the game where we wanted it, but for some reason, we let it slip through our fingers.
“That’s a mental issue, not a lack of effort, for sure.” The players are putting in a lot of effort, but there is no quick fix at the club.
“However long it’s been, it’s been a difficult year or 18 months.” That has left us with a massive hangover, maybe worse than we anticipated. But we will continue to offer everything we have in order to become a better squad and club.
“We want to give the fans a team to be proud of, but we’re going through a really tough time right now.” We need your help now more than ever, but we understand your frustration. It’s as easy as that: we have to keep working.”
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