In a recent interview, Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters has admitted that head coach Russell Martin is most similar to Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The Saints endured a tricky start to the 2023/24 campaign following relegation from the top-flight last season, losing four games straight back in September, including a 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
However, Southampton have bounced back and currently sit fourth in the table, having picked up five wins from six games and are currently on an eleven-game unbeaten run. The club’s last defeat came back in September away at Middlesbrough.
Since that loss at the Riverside Stadium, the Saints have managed to earn big victories against West Bromwich Albion, Bristol City and most notably Leeds United as Martin’s side hunt for the automatic promotion places.
Despite critics early into his tenure, the former Swansea City boss has remained utterly determined to maintain his possession-based, attacking style of play, even though Southampton have conceded 27 goals in 19 matches which is the worst in the top six.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Sun, defender Kyle Walker-Peters admitted that Martin’s coaching style is most similar to the club’s ex-manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is now in charge of Premier League giants Chelsea [quotes via Inside Futbol]:
“He is very similar to Mauricio Pochettino in terms of having his style and he’s not going to change”, Walker-Peters told The Sun.
“I would say he is misinterpreted because it’s definitely not slow.
“Russell wants control in the game but everything is full intensity.
“Despite Russell being the most extreme manager I’ve worked with in terms of in possession, he still wants that intensity.
“It is the risk. I enjoy it, love it,” he continued.
“I love the fact that I’ve got a manager who tells me to play out no matter what. That gives the whole team confidence.”
Writer’s View
Walker-Peters played under Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur so would know better than anyone whether the two coaches are similar. However, it’s certainly a compliment to Martin given that Pochettino is one of the best coaches in the top-flight right now.
The fullback has also called the brand of football “risky”, which it definitely is, but this risk leads to high rewards and Southampton fans are being treated to some of the best attacking stuff in the second tier.
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