At BBC Radio Solent’s Southampton Fans Forum on Monday, Saints manager Russell Martin was asked for his message to fans ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League this weekend.
Martin, who will be working as a manager in the top flight for the first time in his career, said: “The game against West Brom (play-off semi-final) was incredible. We were very emotional on the bus ride when we saw everyone. It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had at that game. It was really unique and very special.”
“We want to get into the Premier League and do it our way, which I hope you understood, enjoyed and are proud of. We will fight for everything this season and try to do it our way.”
“I will be called naive a thousand times, everyone wrote us off before the season even started. We have to surprise everyone and be ourselves more than ever, and that includes you. There will be some difficult moments, I am not naive.”
Martin added: “All we can ever ask of anyone is that they give everything and hopefully I really believe that if we give everything and you give everything, that’s enough. I think we have a chance to have a really special, interesting and exciting season – but we need everyone to do that. My message is to stick together and do it our way.”
Also on the panel were captain Jack Stephens, managing director Phil Parsons and director of football operations Mark Bitcon – Listen to the full programme on BBC Sounds
