Southampton have found themselves in a rut of form, having recently been on the end of a 1-0 home defeat to Ipswich Town at St. Mary’s
Southampton manager Russell Martin has “a big challenge” on his hands to fit Che Adams, Adam Armstrong and Ross Stewart into the same starting XI at St. Mary’s, as journalist Dean Jones considers finding the right balance
The Saints have endured a difficult few weeks since the beginning of September as they aim for an immediate return to the Premier League.
It’s been a testing week for Martin, whose side haven’t responded to their 5-0 shellacking at Sunderland at the beginning of the month as hoped. The Saints started the season in decent form, winning their opening fixture at Sheffield Wednesday before a thrilling 4-4 home draw with Norwich City followed a disappointing first-round Carabao Cup exit at Gillingham. Martin’s side then travelled to Plymouth Argyle, dispatching the newly promoted side 2-1 before another 2-1 victory followed at home to Queens Park Rangers
However, despite welcoming eight new faces during the summer transfer window, Southampton’s form tailed off following the market’s closure on 1st September. A 5-0 humiliation at Sunderland, less than 24 hours after the conclusion of Deadline Day, gave Martin food for thought during the season’s first international break. But a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Leicester City before this week’s 1-0 loss against Ipswich Town at St. Mary’s now puts the former Swansea City manager under pressure to turn the tide soon.