Southampton boss Russell Martin was in no doubt that his team shouldn’t have been beaten by the Blues.

Jeremy Sarmiento netted a dramatic 97th-minute winner for Town to take Kieran McKenna’s side back to the top of the table and all but end the Saints’ hopes of automatic promotion.

“We were the best team. We didn't deserve to lose,” the former Norwich City man insisted.

“We had 17 shots, five huge chances but missed three. They had relatively little until late on.

“We responded well until we conceded a poor goal, if you were watching the game you would know we were the dominant team and should win the game with two massive chances.

“Then we go down to 10 men and we responded well even at 2-2. Brooksy [David Brooks] goes through in the box and nearly squares it for 3-2.

“It was a brilliant performance and if we play like that between now and the end of the season we will be fine. 

“It gives me huge amounts of confidence and encouragement about what is to come. We played brilliantly tonight, nobody can say anything else.

“I am not saying it’s not a blow, it hurts a lot, but we will only know how much of a blow it was in four weeks.

“It hurts but I don’t know if [automatic promotion’s] gone, we have eight games and if we play like that I really think we can win all eight.

“That would put us on 98 points and I don’t think anyone has not got promoted on that, so we will aim for that while it’s still there.”

Regarding his team failing to take chances, he added: “It’s not a technical thing, they can all score. Sometimes it was great defending or goalkeeping, maybe it’s just a lack of composure in certain times. 

“We have also conceded goals we shouldn’t have conceded, so I am not going to blame anyone. We have scored a lot of goals this season so I don’t think it’s been a problem until now.”

Regarding James Bree’s 85th minute red card for bringing down Leif Davis when the left-back was in on goal, Martin added: “I think Taylor [Harwood-Bellis] is getting there but I have only seen it once so I don’t know.”

Quizzed on reports that Saints director of football Jason Wilcox has resigned to take up a role with Manchester United, Martin spikily responded: “Give me more than 10 minutes to get over tonight’s disappointment, and I’ll have more for you.

“You know my feelings on Jason, I have just had a text saying how proud he was of the performance. Once I know more I’ll tell you.”

Photo: TWTD

therein61 added 07:32 - Apr 2 Thought he has been in football long enough to know these things happen now and again poor thing he's beginning to sound like John Bond!!!!
3

carsey added 08:17 - Apr 2 Russell Martin is an ar$e and Southampton are going nowhere with him in charge. He was a bang average player and has flattered to deceive everywhere he has been as a manager. Whatever happens to Southampton this season, one thing is for certain, he won't be in charge next season.
1

SpiritOfJohn added 08:18 - Apr 2 Russell Martin, I agree that Southampton played well and would have won most against most teams by playing at that level. But you came up against an Ipswich Town side that doesn't know when it is beaten. In the second half you brought on a ten million pound player and other subs who made your team less effective, while Kieran McKenna's subs were more effective and timed to perfection. So thanks for keeping the game open and playing into our hands. I hope you go on to beat Leicester and Leeds.

6

Kickingblock added 08:23 - Apr 2 The April fool.
4

docsavage52 added 09:28 - Apr 2 If his team didn’t keep falling over there would not have been so much extra time, so thank you for that.
5

Bert added 09:39 - Apr 2 Those lucrative parachute payments must be weighing heavily on you against a newly promoted team.
4

Facefacts added 09:45 - Apr 2 Ref knows that Leif is a left footed player - he saw him crash one into the net in the first half from exactly the same angle - who won't turn on to his right foot and be covered by the central defender. Red card all day long. And the crowd shouting 'off, off' in his ear, was just the icing on the cake.
3

WhoisJimmyJuan added 09:46 - Apr 2 Spirit of John, Carrey and Europa Blue: excellent comments. The fan comments on the Southampton Echo page says exactly those things. That Martin is carp at substitutions and can't motivate his players. M9stly nice comments about us but one described our players as "agricultural " compared with there's! That's duelling talk that is.
2

blueboy1981 added 10:04 - Apr 2 Is TWTD becoming a Kids and Nerds Playground for Comments ? - some are beyond belief, and go way beyond an opinion !!
-1

Linkboy13 added 10:37 - Apr 2 Times ive heard those comments after a defeated manager.
1

BobbyBell added 11:07 - Apr 2 You were playing the comeback kings and a team that usually scores 3 goals at home. If you think that being the better side for 60 minutes would be enough then you didn't do your homework on the tractor boys did you Mr. Martin.
3

Dissboyitfc added 11:22 - Apr 2 Coming from the king of childish posts, priceless!!!
4

FreddySteady added 12:14 - Apr 2 To be fair, I would be seething if I were the manager or a Southampton fan. They were definitely the better side in the first half, parts of the second and still carried a threat when down to 10 men. But hey ho, we found a way through again!
0

Wooly74 added 12:35 - Apr 2 Southampton by far the best side to come to PR this season and we hung in there for the first 60 minutes for sure. This team of ours never know when they are beaten and sadly one of the three best sides by some distance aren’t going to go up automatically. I fear for us still only because of the size of our squad and our inability to sustain too many injuries. Hirst and Burns are massive misses and I wait with nervous breathe about the updates regarding Moore. What a season though, we have our beloved club back and I’m so proud of them

2

Bramidan added 13:49 - Apr 2 Did he notice we hit the post? I thought we also “gave them” two of their goals. We could have defended better on those occasions. Our keeper made one really good save and him and Wolfenden denied them a goal. Some of the losing managers don’t half come out with embarrassing rubbish. No class unlike our manager
2

TimmyH added 15:08 - Apr 2 Well we played the most important (as in most Championship games) last 20 minutes better than you...hard luck buddy, move on!
2

Bert added 18:41 - Apr 2 Martin should shoulder the blame for allowing his defenders to ignore the left flank where Leif had acres of space allowing him to feed our attack. That said, they were flippin good first half.
1

blueboy1981 added 22:01 - Apr 2 Dissboyitfc ….. you should knoe !
-1

blueboy1981 added 22:04 - Apr 2 ….. typo - ‘know’ not ‘knoe’ !
0

blueboy1981 added 22:04 - Apr 2 ….. typo - ‘know’ not ‘knoe’ !
0

Lion added 10:28 - Apr 3 What a bitter bell end, once a scummer, always a scummer, thanks for the 6 points Russell
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls