Chief executive Phil Parsons led the transfer negotiations in the summer after director of football Jason Wilcox departed to become technical director at Manchester United.
Parsons’ previous experience was as an executive at appliance company Dyson, and Wilcox’s exit left a hole at St Mary’s.
Wilcox, who was instrumental in bringing Martin to the club from Swansea in 2023, has still not been replaced, with the likely scenario being Southampton appointing someone to oversee Sport Republic’s group of clubs.
Newly-promoted Saints lacked the football experience needed in that role during this summer’s transfer window and suffered.
They lost out to Ipswich for Liam Delap and winger Jack Clarke – the Tractor Boys offering higher wages for striker Delap despite Saints also agreeing a £20m package with Manchester City.
A deal to bring West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes back following last season’s loan eventually got over the line – despite almost being scuppered by Ipswich again – while three bids for Matt O’Riley, the final worth around £20m, were not enough to tempt Celtic to sell before the midfielder joined Brighton.
Ultimately, the summer’s struggles left former Scotland international Martin at a disadvantage going into the season.
Importance was put on signings’ mentality and character, and having no, or little, scar tissue from previous Premier League relegation experience.
Adam Lallana gives crucial know-how, Nathan Wood, Cameron Archer and Ronnie Edwards offer promise, while Aaron Ramsdale’s deadline day move from Arsenal showed the Saints hierarchy did eventually understand the need for a player who could make a difference.
This week, Ramsdale and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were handed senior England call-ups.
However, Southampton will need to be more decisive in January, when they are expected to be in the market for up to three additions to boost the survival prospects of one of the least experienced squads in the top flight.
The players Martin has, though, are a tight-knit group and morale remains high, with the players still firmly behind Martin’s policy and philosophy.
