Southampton's belief would not have dropped but Wednesday winner helps

“We’re not going to change, so you might as well get behind it,” director of football Jason Wilcox, who hired Martin, recently told the Daily Echo.

For supporters, though, who travelled to Sheffield Wednesday in numbers over 3,000 despite it being a televised evening game with limited transport, it was important.

After years of predicting what is going to happen at every turn – and the inevitable relegation from the Premier League – what they saw was a breath of fresh air.

Saints could have dominated 80 per cent of the ball as they did, making record-breaking amounts of passes in the process, but easily still dropped points to the inferior side.

That would have given voice to sceptics and it would have been typical, given what we saw from Martin’s Swansea City team – a 1-1 draw was my own pre-match prediction.

Martin’s style is not perfect among his new players yet and nor is it expected to be. Both he and Wilcox have urged supporters for patience.

Those supporters might have got carried away, singing (in jest) ‘We’re top of the league’ as they made their way out of Hillsborough Stadium – and why not?

What Martin has inspired in just five short weeks of work is a complete togetherness that goes from the boardroom to the pitch and certainly all the way into the stands.

At full-time, as Martin and a few Saints players completed their media duties, everybody gathered around. The energy was palpable. 

Wilcox emerged from the tunnel to congratulate his staff. CEO Phil Parsons joined in with the celebrations and was happy to chat with those present.

Assistant manager Matt Gill stood alongside Martin while he gave interviews – as he always does – and both Dean Thornton and Carl Martin watched on from the dugout.

Although there is a long way to go – 45 more matches of the regular Championship season – Martin was vindicated for a number of his key decisions.

Southampton’s 931 passes were completed at an accuracy rate of 94 per cent, while match-leading Will Smallbone only put five of a mammoth 147 passes astray.

He was selected by the boss to start ahead of the £50million rated Romeo Lavia, amid a transfer pursuit from top six clubs, and paid back on that decision.

Ryan Manning, the first signing of the summer and the only player to follow Martin from Swansea so far, was visibly key in implementing the plan.

Although it was pretty, it was still dogged. Martin’s side blocked three times the number of shots (9) Wednesday did – that was why Gavin Bazunu was so protected.

The former MK Dons man spent considerable effort convincing Jack Stephens that his future was here, as one of the squad leaders, before the 29 year old penned a new deal.

Martin’s in-game changes were effective – he introduced Stuart Armstrong and Adams while searching for the winner and both staked claims to start against Norwich City.

Martin did admit frustration at conceding from a set piece – Wednesday’s only shot on target – and that he would have been “really angry” if not for Adams’s winner.

“I’d have been frustrated for the supporters that travelled and for the players, despite being very pleased with the performance,” he added.

However, once the second goal eventually came, it never felt in doubt – that is something Saints supporters have not been able to say all too often.

That, despite nine additional minutes to end the match following the change of EFL regulations to extend matches to properly reflect how long the ball is in play.

Smallbone and substitute Joe Aribo both drew fouls to help the time tick down and you could count the times Wednesday touched the ball on your hands.

Manning, speaking to the Daily Echo after the match, admitted this is exactly what manager Martin expects from his team in the closing stages.

After 90 minutes of work against the ball, relentlessly pressing, the body and mind tire. It is a lot easier to keep concentration and composure when you’ve set the tempo.

"We have so much to work on still and so much improvement to make,” Martin did conclude, correctly. 

“But, hopefully, it shows everyone, the supporters and players, evidence to understand and feel the team they are going to be this season."

More change will come. Saints have already lost Tino Livramento to Newcastle United, in a deal worth up to £40million, and he will likely not be the last.

The club are ready to act on targets if further exits occur and Martin hinted last night they could still move to replace Livramento first.

If Armel Bella-Kotchap, injured at present, Jan Bednarek, or Lyanco depart – they will sign a defender. If Adams leaves, they will replenish the striking ranks too.

Lavia, James Ward-Prowse, Kyle Walker-Peters – there is still plenty of uncertainty, but Martin has learned a lot about his squad and earned three huge points in the process.