Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is confident that Russell Martin "will have success sooner or later" as Southampton manager and has urged the club's hierarchy to stand by his philosophy.
Martin has received criticism for his stubborn, possession-based game plan and has come under pressure following a poor start to the new season, with his Southampton side picking up just one point from their opening eight league matches.
The Saints, who sit 19th in the Premier League table, are one of four teams who are still searching for their first victory of the season and threw away a two-goal lead in a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Leicester City last weekend.
There have been reports suggesting that Martin is at risk of losing his job if he fails to turn Southampton's fortunes around quickly, although it is understood that the club's hierarchy have no immediate plans to part ways with the 38-year-old.
Martin is now preparing his side for a daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium to face reigning Premier League champions Man City, who have won 10 of the last 13 top-flight meetings between the two teams.
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Guardiola: 'The results are coming for Southampton'
Ahead of Saturday's contest, Guardiola has defended Martin's tactical approach to matches and believes that Southampton will be rewarded for their performances sooner or later.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: "He will have success sooner or later. When this happens you always have success.
"Normally when you change your thoughts and ideas then the players will notice and know you're not a big believer.
"It is one of our jobs to convince the players we are in a good way. It is impossible to train them in something if you show you're not believing. Sooner or later the results are coming.
"Always teams have bad results like Wolves but look what happens, we struggled to win. Against Brentford, Manchester United, for the first half-hour (against) Leicester they start really good. They have good moments and courage.
"After Champions League, I prefer to play teams higher in the table for better concentration. It is what it is.
"I always have a lot of respect for Championship-promoted teams. I don't know how we can complain sometimes [about the fixture schedule] because look at how many games the Championship teams play."
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Man City without six players for Southampton clash
Man City will have to cope without six first-team players for this weekend's fixture, with Guardiola confirming that Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku remain in the treatment room with long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.
Asked at his press conference if De Bruyne and Walker were available, Guardiola said: "Not yet. I don't know (when Kevin will be back).
"Of course I would prefer to have all the squad with the amount of games but it is what it is. Hopefully he'll be back soon. I'd like to tell you but I don't know."
While De Bruyne "doesn't feel good" and has missed Man City's last seven matches with a groin injury, Walker has missed the last two games since picking up a knee injury on international duty with England.
Guardiola revealed prior to City's 5-0 Champions League win over Sparta Prague on Wednesday that Grealish (unspecified) will be out for between seven and 10 days, while Doku (muscle) will be sidelined for "a little longer".
Meanwhile, Rodri (ACL) is ruled out for the rest of the season and Bobb (leg fracture) is targeting a return between January and February of next year.
Man City, who are yet to lose in the Premier League this season, currently sit second in the table and can leapfrog Liverpool to the summit with a victory over Southampton, before the Reds lock horns with third-placed Arsenal on Sunday.
Oliver Thomas
