Russell Martin was not unanimously welcomed by Southampton fans when he was appointed as manager last summer. However, the former Swansea City boss orchestrated a remarkable turnaround that saw Southampton return to the Premier League at the first attempt. The Saints forced their way into contention to challenge for one of the two automatic spots, but ultimately missed out and ended up in the play-offs. They defeated West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United in the post-season showdown to join Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League. Southampton will be keen to avoid a swift return to the Championship. The odds are stacked against them, but the Saints have a fighting chance of surviving this season.
Saints’ Squad Needs Improvement
Strengthening the squad is always a good place to start when preparing for a survival battle and Southampton have gone into overdrive this summer. The Saints have spared no expense in their quest to re-establish themselves as a Premier League club, adding eight new players to Martin’s squad this summer. While sanctioning such a revamp may be detrimental to the squad’s cohesion, Southampton have been meticulous in their dealings. They signed experienced duo Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor on free transfers alongside former Sheffield United loanee Ben Brereton Diaz from Villarreal. Diaz proved to be an exceptional acquisition for the Blades last term, netting six times in 14 games, and Southampton will be hoping he can replicate those numbers this season. Flynn Downes and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were key players in Martin’s side and the club have made their initial loan deals permanent to ensure the manager maintains his core group. Downes often lined up alongside Will Smallbone in midfield, with the latter notching seven goals and four assists in 50 appearances in all competitions. Smallbone was a vital cog in the middle of the park and spurred Southampton to promotion with a goal and an assist in the Championship play-offs. The Republic of Ireland international will be key if Southampton are to avoid relegation next season, although their odds suggest they are in for a rollercoaster ride. According to most of the new sports betting sites in Ireland, Southampton are one of the favourites to be relegated at the end of the season. Gavin Bazunu’s return to action will also bolster their chances of avoiding the drop. The Irish international goalkeeper kept 11 clean sheets in 41 games before rupturing his Achilles. However, he is expected to return to the fold next year, which could significantly improve Southampton’s odds of securing their Premier League status.
Martin Will Need to be Tactically Flexible
The odds may be stacked against them, but Southampton have assembled an exciting squad and will fancy their chances of defying expectations, especially with Martin at the helm. The Englishman was tasked with lifting the mood of the dressing room and picking the club off the ground after their gut-wrenching relegation, and he did just that. Martin overhauled Southampton’s brand of football, implementing a philosophy that centred around patience, possession and passing, and it worked a treat. The Saints averaged 65.5 percent possession in the Championship, more than Manchester City’s division-high 65.2% in the Premier League. Southampton also attempted (32,772) and completed (28,747) more passes than any other club in the Championship, boasting a pass completion rate of 87.7%. Only Ipswich (92) and Leicester (89) scored more goals than Southampton (87), while Martin’s side also created the most chances from open play. However, Martin also proved he wasn’t a one-trick pony by tweaking his system towards the end of last season. He usually sets up his team in a fluid 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 formation and demands a brand of composed, confident possession football. He switched to a back three on the run-in, sacrificing possession to ensure defensive solidity and make his side less vulnerable to counter-attacks. The system worked a treat in the play-off final, where they dispatched Leeds despite having just 43% of possession. Martin’s ability to adapt and tweak his system when required will be crucial for Southampton as they prepare to re-align themselves with top-flight football. Considering the number of goals they conceded last season, it wouldn’t be surprising if Martin sticks with the back-three system in the Premier League. If Southampton can remain unbeaten against their fellow promoted sides and take points off some of the top teams, they could steer clear of the drop zone.
