Russell Martin insists his Southampton players are still 'giving everything' for him but time is running out for under-pressure boss after collapse against Leicester

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Russell Martin insists his Southampton stars are still playing for him, despite Saturday's second-half collapse against Leicester.

The Saints boss is under increasing pressure after taking just a point from the first eight games, and this week he declared the season's objectives were clear: for him to still be the manager in May and for Southampton to still be in the Premier League.

At present both look unlikely, but Martin will stick with the possession-based style which got Southampton back into the top flight at the first time of asking. 

He said: 'I'm not going to sit here in the false-positivity loop and say we're doing great - we're not.

'There's been some great moments in games but no one cares and it doesn't matter if you don't win matches. It will always be a balance of honesty and logic and feeling.'

Russell Martin insists his Southampton players are 'giving everything' for him

A second-half collapse saw the Saints slip to a damaging 3-2 defeat by Leicester at St Mary's

Jordan Ayew scored in the 98th minute to pile pressure on Martin, who is sticking to his guns

Time is not on Martin's side. Next up is a trip to Manchester City, followed by crucial games at home to Everton and away to Wolves.

Martin insisted his players are still fighting for him, adding: 'They're giving everything. There's no lack of belief in what they're doing.'

Nor is there any lack of belief at Leicester, who won in the Premier League after trailing by two at half-time for the first time in their history, when Jordan Ayew completed their comeback in the 98th minute.