Southampton’s Russell Martin believes he has learnt as much as a manager this season as he has in any previous campaign.
The Saints have only picked up one point in the Premier League this season, but qualified for the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after beating Championship side Stoke 3-2 on Tuesday.
Southampton host Everton on Saturday and ahead of that fixture, Martin said: “I’m learning all the time – I think I’ve learnt as much this season than I have done in any other season and we’re nine games in, so I’m enjoying that side of it.
“We tried to put into play everything we’ve learnt so far this season on Saturday (against Manchester City) and the players did it amazingly well.
“For us, the challenge and the learning is about trying to remain who we want to be and trying to improve and be better at that and grow under the big spotlight and scrutiny. Then the rest will take care of itself and I’ll be fine and comfortable with whatever happens.
“I really believe in this group. I really believe in what we’re doing and now we have to put it on the pitch on Saturday.”
Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory required an 88th-minute winner from defender James Bree and Martin wanted to avoid criticising his players – after admitting he made an error last season when he did.
“I want the performance to be better,” he said after Tuesday’s win, before adding: “I made a mistake last year: we beat Watford at home [in April] when we were 2-0 up and went 2-2 and then Flynn [Downes] scored in the 94th minute and I went to town on the players after the game.
“I think it surprised a lot of them because we managed to win the game, so I learnt my lesson from that, because we didn’t win after that.
“I think it affected us a little bit.”