The Saints are winless in their opening nine games, only taking a single point in a 1-1 draw against fellow newly-promoted side Ipswich Town.

Southampton have to start getting points on the board very soon, otherwise, an immediate return to the Championship is looking likely.

But, regardless of how they’ve begun the season, the Saints board are still behind Martin who could be given the next couple of games to turn a bleak outlook into a more positive one.

What Southampton’s dressing room think of Russell Martin

One reason why the Saints are in no rush to sack Martin is because they know he’d be the ideal man to take them back up – should they suffer relegation – and the players still buy into his philosophy.

Usually, when a manager loses the dressing room, he’s close to losing his job but in the case of the 38-year-old, the players still ‘love’ him and want him to ‘stick around’.

That is according to right-back James Bree, who shared his verdict on the gaffer via the Daily Echo: “I think every win is good for the gaffer.

“We all love him for what he did for us last year, the way we play and how he is as a person. Hopefully, we can get a win for him on the weekend and settle all that down a little bit.

“It’s massive for the boys. I think we’ve got a really, really good group. We’re all very tight and close and good mates. We do try and stay as positive as possible.”

Bree has only played 13 minutes in the top flight this term, with Yukinari Sugawara and Kyle Walker-Peters preferred to start over him.

However, he has scored twice in the Carabao Cup, most recently in the 3-2 win over Stoke City on Tuesday night.

When Southampton should sack Martin

Although the players are still behind the manager, patience will be wearing thin if Southampton fail to win any of their next two matches; a home clash against Everton and a trip to Wolves.

Realistically, the Saints need to win at least one of their next two matches, otherwise, it’s difficult to see where three points are coming from as they face Liverpool, Brighton, Chelsea and Aston Villa all in a row.

Southampton could kickstart their campaign by beating Everton on Saturday but given the Toffees are unbeaten in five matches, it’s far from an easy chance to get off the mark.