Southampton boss Russell Martin urges his players to channel their frustrations into securing results – as Saints travel to Bournemouth in search of their first win of the season

Southampton boss Russell Martin has challenged his players to use the club’s early-season frustrations to fuel a surge up the table.

Winless Saints travel to nearby Bournemouth after picking up only a point from five games since promotion.

Martin has generally been encouraged by the performances and feels the team’s efforts have deserved greater reward.

‘We should have more points, we should be higher up in the table,’ he said. 

‘It makes me really frustrated but it tells us we’re really not far away. If we keep on doing the right things with the right intention, eventually those things will end up levelling out and becoming more of a reality.

Russell Martin insisted Southampton have to use their early-season struggles to fuel them going forward

His side have managed just one point from a possible 15 since returning to the top flight

‘You either choose to suffer through the pain or you choose to grow through it and you choose to use it as fuel. I always know what my choice is.

‘We will get better and we’ll end up with the points we feel we deserve.’