The odds are stacked against Russell Martin and Southampton staying up - but the Saints boss does not appreciate the vultures circling so soon, even if their next fixture looks daunting

Southampton manager Russell Martin questioned his side’s character following their 3-1 defeat by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Monday. Goals from Evanilson, Dango Ouattara, and Antoine Semenyo helped the home side race into a 3-0 lead after 39 minutes,

There were no Saints, only sinners. For 45 minutes Southampton may as well have cashed in their chips and returned to the Championship such was the way they were simply destroyed by a rampant Bournemouth in the kind of performance that heaps further pressure on their manager Russell Martin.

Unless something changes, then it does feel like the writing is on the wall. They have to adapt their style of play a little bit sooner rather than later if they want to start picking up results. Vincent Kompany left it too late last season and Burnley went down.