Russell Martin’s patience of a Saint: Boss’s steady style can take Southampton straight back up despite draw at Huddersfield

Heaven knows Southampton supporters have learned to lower their sights in recent times, but perhaps now they can finally start looking up again.

Certainly that was the mood among a boisterous away following who arrived in Huddersfield for the latest chapter of a new era being patiently written by Russell Martin.

Last season’s trauma saw Saints relegated after 11 years in the Premier League. Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones and Ruben Selles were sacked. When 37-year-old Martin arrived from Swansea, he faced a mountainous task to rebuild a broken club. Turmoil was everywhere, with the squad decimated by 19 departures.

Prized assets such as James Ward-Prowse, Tino Livramento, Nathan Tella and Romeo Lavia left and £160million was raised. After 17 games, though, Southampton lie fourth in the Championship and are well placed to push for a quick top-flight return.

New director of football Jason Wilcox, brought in from Manchester City, has signed Ross Stewart and Shea Charles, in addition to shrewd loan signings such as City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who helped Burnley to promotion last season.

With Martin watching from the director’s box due to suspension, No 2 Matt Gill led the side

The contrast between Martin and his predecessors could not be greater. ‘Hasenhuttl had one way of playing and teams had started to work us out, so it was the right time for him to go,’ Saints fan Cameron Palmer, 25, who had travelled from the New Forest, told Mail Sport.

‘Jones was totally the wrong appointment and couldn’t handle the pressure of trying to keep us up. Selles was a last-chance-saloon appointment but an assistant manager at best.

‘The fans seem right behind Martin, though, and he’s the right man to take us back up.’ Saints fans took up their full 2,336 ticket allocation and were in fine voice, testament to an unbeaten run the side extended to nine games. Martin enjoyed a promising start before four straight defeats in September raised questions over his future.

Season-ticket holders Anita Wyeth, 52, and her daughter Heidi King made the journey to Huddersfield from Romsey, just north of Southampton. Heidi, 27, said: ‘There was so much upheaval during the summer with players coming and going.

‘But I like how the manager takes responsibility for things and doesn’t have a go at people through the media — that happened too often last season.

‘It’s much more positive now and we’re looking forward to going to games again. We’ve needed this rebuild for a while now, having struggled for a few seasons. It’s hard to fully reset in the Premier League when you’re scraping around at the bottom.’

Martin’s appointment followed stints in charge of MK Dons and Swansea which earned him a reputation for a patient, possession-based style of play.

It has led to criticism at times but legendary ex-Saints defender Francis Benali, who now works as a pundit and summariser, believes it is working.

The 54-year-old, who spent 20 years at his hometown club and was noted for his uncompromising style of play, told Mail Sport: ‘After relegation and the previous managers not working out, the next appointment was always going to be critical.

‘Russell’s taken to it extremely well and has a real bond with the supporters, while the players seem to have bought into his philosophy. I watched a presentation he did at St Mary’s on his tactical approach; a fascinating insight that reinforced his managerial ethos. As an ex-player who played in a certain way, I know it’s important to get the right balance. But it seems to be working.’

Adam Armstrong’s 10th goal of the season looked enough for the Saints away to Huddersfield

Southampton’s freeflowing style was evident during a first half in which they had 82 per cent possession and Adam Armstrong’s 10th goal of the season put them ahead. Frustratingly for Martin, who watched from the directors’ box as he served a one-match touchline ban, Saints sat back after the break and were punished when Huddersfield defender Ben Jackson curled in an 87th-minute equaliser.

That left Southampton fourth in the table, behind leaders Leicester and third-placed Leeds, the clubs with whom they were relegated last term.

Positivity drips from Martin, who told Mail Sport after the match: ‘When I arrived it was a fractured group — with three managers in a year that’s going to happen — and 19 players leaving. There was a change of chief executive, director of football, head of academy and first-team manager. You’re trying to navigate your way through that change and I feel we’ve done that.

‘Now it’s about building on those foundations and being relentless. Of course I want to be higher up the league with more points. But with what we’re building, from what we inherited, I can’t ask for any more from the players and staff. I’m enjoying it and excited about what’s to come.’