Nowadays, a respected manager is defined by their play style and encompassing belief to play in a certain manner despite the lack of results.

If a decade ago a side was playing aggressive, front-foot football such as Southampton and had only sat on one point in the first eight games, many would call for resignation.

And while many frustrated Saints fans will be putting pressure on Russell Martin, the position that the Premier League is in today puts greater importance on a long-term vision rather than short.

One thing is certain - Southampton will not be parking the bus on Saturday. Unless Manchester City pin them in their box, they will be fighting.

Against a side that will remain unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium for two years if a defeat is avoided, many would say why not?

And to be vouched for by Pep Guardiola is a pretty decent co-sign, as he praised Russell Martin's integrity and bravery to maintain their style of football, and insisted results would come.

"It will have success. If you start to change your ideas, normally the players will notice and will know you're not a big believer," Guardiola commented.

"The results are coming. They always have good moments - against Brentford, Man United in the first half an hour, Leicester. They have the courage to play."

The praise continued from the Catalan, who insisted that Southampton are good enough to be Premier League due to the sheer fixture congestion in the Championship.

"The plan is there, they want to try to do it. Sometimes you have to adapt to the Premier League in the beginning, but I have a lot of respect for teams in the Championship who get promoted."

"We complain about how many games we have, but in the Championship it is even worse. They have to play FA Cup, Carabao Cup. They do it [were promoted] because they are good.

"Always they have the moments, they are brave. It depends on us whether they defend deeper or not."

Home record and attacking a low-block As previously mentioned, the home form of Man City is frankly ludicrous, as a target of two years unbeaten looms nearer.

Evidently, Pep Guardiola is a believer in jinxes, as when asked about nearly making that record he tried to disengage with the question.

"I don't like this question!" Guardiola exclaimed.

"It's really good. Twenty-six games unbeaten because we are consistent. If not, you don't win the Premier League for many years. That is why, especially away from home, we do our job every single time."

Due to the quality of the threat of a Guardiola attack, many teams will sit all eleven players behind the ball and sit as deep as humanely possible to nullify any threat.

When asked about the opposition doing this tomorrow, and in future, the City manager said it is down to him and his team to break the teams down.

"Depends on us [If they sit deep]. Sometimes we bring them there. It has happened to us where we sit deep because the other team has a good process.

"I know for example, I'm pretty sure against Spurs it is not going to happen, against Bournemouth it is not going to happen. Depends on the clubs - you have to adapt," Guardiola added.

Savinho improvement and Foden form After scoring the opening goal against Sparta Prague on Wednesday, Phil Foden looked more like his usual self.

It has been a stop-start season for the academy product, but Pep Guardiola is confident in his ability to perform irrelevant of fitness.

"I'm not concerned at all about how far he is [of his best]. I know when he is fine, he will get it - he is a natural talent. The first goal against Sparta Prague shows how Phil is an incredible talent," Guardiola said.

"You have these bumps as a player. You try to reduce these short setbacks as soon as possible. I am happy if he feels he is good."

Another bright spark recently has been Brazilian winger Savinho, who had praise heaped on by his manager.

"He's so young. Savio wants to be the best, the best player on the pitch. He wants to try things, his courage with the ball to try again. He is not scoring goals but he is trying to shoot," Guardiola noted.

"Last game against Wolves there is a free kick and [he is saying] 'I want to take it'. In this club, As a young guy, you have a feeling that you are here to become a good player. That defines the good players."