Five things Russell Martin got wrong in AFC Bournemouth defeat could now cost him Southampton job
Southampton continued their winless run in the Premier League with a 3-1 defeat away at AFC Bournemouth on Monday night.
That result leaves Southampton on just one point after six games and firmly in the Premier League relegation zone.
Russell Martin is looking to prove he is a top level manager but as yet this has not been evident since Southampton were promoted.
Just three goals scored and 12 goals conceded in six league matches makes for grim reading and the fact Southampton travel to Arsenal and Manchester City in their next two away games means the misery could be set to continue.
Southampton were punished by a ruthless Bournemouth side on Monday and Martin may now be starting to feel the pressure at the club.
With that in mind, here are thing things Martin got wrong against Bournemouth which could cost him his Southampton job.
Russell Martin played no striker for Southampton against Bournemouth
Southampton’s strikers have not exactly hit the ground running in the Premier League this season, with their three league goals scored by two defenders and a midfielder.
However, Martin’s decision to start without a recognised striker against Bournemouth was a strange one that ended up looking very negative in a must-win game.
To highlight the odd nature of this decision, five of the nine players named on the Southampton bench were strikers.
Ross Stewart came on at half-time with the Saints 3-0 down and the side immediately looked better for having a focal point at the top end of the pitch.
Tyler Dibling should play wide for Southampton
In order to start without a striker, Martin instead played attacking midfield duo Mateus Fernandes and Tyler Dibling as false nines in what was effectively a 4-4-2 shape.
Both players are very technically gifted but are a little lightweight and this positional change made it incredibly difficult for both players to get into the game.
18-year-old Dibling has been a revelation this season and scored his first senior goal playing from the right wing against Ipswich Town last weekend, but the move to a central position completely nullified the teenager’s talents.
Martin recognised his error as he moved Fernandes back into the midfield at half-time, whilst Dibling returned to a right wing position.
Martin gave up on two Southampton summer signings
Southampton owners Sport Republic had worked relentlessly this summer to secure 14 first-team signings for Martin.
With that in mind, it may have bothered the Saints owners that Martin appeared to give up on two of their Deadline Day arrivals on Monday night as Maxwel Cornet and Ryan Fraser were dragged off at half-time.
To add to this, loanee Lesley Ugochukwu was also replaced at half-time as Stewart, Joe Aribo and Ben Brereton Diaz came on.
Given two of the players introduced were at the club last season, Sport Republic may be wondering if their summer investment was worthwhile which could be bad news for Martin.
