Russell Martin has stated that it is not a coincidence that Southampton benefited on Tuesday in the EFL Cup due to a high work rate.

 

Southampton progressed to the EFL Cup fourth round by beating Everton on Tuesday; however, their Premier League form has been poor.

 

Martin is under some pressure in the league as Saints have yet to pick up a point from their four games so far and victory in the EFL Cup was a welcome relief.

 

 

Martin stated that the high work rate of his players is the backbone of their performances and pointed out that this is not a coincidence that Southampton ran the most on Tuesday to produce a superb display.

 

“It’s no coincidence that we ran the most this season and had a brilliant performance on Tuesday”, Martin said at a press conference.

 

 

“That has to be the backbone of any performance.

 

“We’re pretty sure everyone is physically ready to do that so it’s about picking the best team.”

 

 

Southampton are set to take on Ipswich Town at the weekend and Martin added that they are aware from the Tractor Boys’ performances last season that how good a team they are.

 

The Saints boss stated that Ipswich have a good manager in Kieran McKenna and believes that the weekend’s game will be a big match for Southampton.

 

“They are a really good team, we found that out last season”, he added.

 

“They have a good coach.

 

“It will be interesting to come up against them again.

 

“It’s a big game but every game in the Premier League is.”

 

Southampton will host Ipswich at St. Mary’s on Saturday and will be determined to register their first points of the season.