Southampton have had a difficult start to the season, and in an interview with GIVEMESPORT, journalist Dean Jones listed two players that Russell Martin will need to use to make his system work.
Saints fans may have expected greater immediate success after being relegated from the Premier League.
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Martin’s team had a good start to the season, winning three of their first four Championship games. However, the points total does not tell the entire story, with late goals against Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday allowing Saints to eke out a win. Southampton earned a point in a 4-4 draw with Norwich City thanks to a last-minute penalty. However, the Saints’ luck has run out in their last three games. Martin’s team has now lost three games in a row, allowing ten goals.
The former Swansea City manager has been candid and honest with supporters in the media, stating that his players and staff are struggling as a result of recent setbacks…
Of course, the Saints’ task was never going to be simple after losing a slew of crucial players during the summer transfer window. Among those who left before the deadline were Romeo Lavia, James Ward-Prowse, Tino Livramento, Mohammed Salisu, and Nathan Tella. As a result, Martin and his recruiting team were compelled to bring in a long list of reinforcements, who will naturally take time to settle into a new club while also learning the manager’s system.
Before being relegated from the Premier League, the south coast team had some of the greatest players in the Championship.
Dean Jones and others are required to make the system work.
Southampton have been without Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens for the whole of their Championship campaign, despite earning a combined £105k per week at St Mary’s. Stephens was named club captain earlier this summer, and Bednarek has Premier League and international experience, so these are two significant losses for Martin’s youthful squad.
Southampton, according to Jones, require the defensive two to make their system work. When speaking before Saints’ defeat to Ipswich on Tuesday night, the journalist adds that this week was a real chance for them to turn a corner. Jones revealed to GIVEMESPORT…
Will Bednarek and Stephens be called up this weekend?
Martin stated at the end of August that Stephens would be out for seven or eight games, so a comeback this weekend is improbable. His leadership on the field appears to be lacking, and the Saints manager will be eager to see him return as soon as possible. Bednarek and Stephens will know what it takes to play for Southampton, as evidenced by their experience and time at the club, as seen in the table below.
| Selected Centre-Back Options | Jack Stephens | Jan Bednarek | Taylor Harwood-Bellis | Shea Charles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starts | 190 | 196 | 4 | 27 |
| League Games For Southampton | 126 | 157 | 2 | 6 |
| Age | 29 | 27 | 21 | 19 |
Bednarek missed the game against Leicester City earlier this month, but he was fit enough to come off the bench against Ipswich on Tuesday. If the Poland international is able to play from the start this weekend, the struggling Saints will receive a much-needed boost.