Southampton manager Russell Martin voiced his frustration over the goal that he believes “altered” the course of the game against Birmingham City, despite his team ultimately winning 3-1.
At St. Mary’s Stadium, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Carlos Alcaraz, and Adam Armstrong found the net, securing a comfortable victory for Southampton. However, Wayne Rooney’s quest for his first victory as Birmingham’s manager continues.
Birmingham showed signs of hope in the second half when Jay Stansfield’s goal reduced the score to 2-1. Martin was far from pleased with how his team conceded that goal, stating that Rooney’s side had not “posed much of a threat to us.”
He expressed his thoughts on the matter to Sky Sports, saying, “Their goal came unexpectedly and changed the dynamics for the next 10 minutes.”
“It’s expected that the opposing team will have a period of dominance at some point in the game, and it occurred after they scored. However, we managed to regain control and secure the third goal, which sealed the game. I thought our team displayed exceptional football today. I’m genuinely proud of our players.”
“I’m quite frustrated to concede a goal because up to that point, they hadn’t really troubled us, created openings, or appeared particularly menacing, so I’m disappointed with that, and the players should be too.”
“But it’s been a fantastic week for us, and as I mentioned, we played some outstanding football today with a clear purpose, great intensity, and high energy levels, which is no easy feat after a week with extensive travel and a Wednesday night match.”
“Additionally, the substitutes made a significant impact, providing valuable assistance. Two wingers, one delivering a cross and the other heading it down, allowed Adam Armstrong to score, and Joe Aribo made a strong contribution when he entered the match. It’s been a collective effort from everyone, and I’m genuinely proud of them. It has placed us in a favorable position.
Leave a Reply