Russell Martin should double down on surprise Southampton decision against AFC Bournemouth

Russell Martin should double down on surprise Southampton decision against AFC Bournemouth.

Russell Martin will be eager to build on Southampton’s Premier League debut point, which they secured last weekend against Ipswich

Town, when they travel to Bournemouth on Monday.

Russell Martin realised something had to change going into their league debut against Ipswich Town after their team had lost their

first four games.

Martin made four further changes to the Southampton starting lineup for the 1-1 draw with Ipswich, after altering formation and

roster against Manchester United one week prior.

Although Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes, and Ryan Fraser were on loan at the club last year, the team that played in the first three league games was quite similar to the one that was promoted the previous season. In the final game, however, Southampton had nine new summer additions to the lineup.

This shows that Martin is in no mood for sentiment as he continues the search for a first Premier League win as a manager and his ruthless streak must now continue against Bournemouth.

Russell Martin should again start Charlie Taylor for Southampton vs Bournemouth

In right-back Yukinari Sugawara, Southampton appears to have made one of the best summertime acquisitions. The Japan international has been outstanding since joining from AZ Alkmaar for £6 million.

It’s possible that Sugawara was recruited as a replacement for Kyle Walker-Peters rather than as an alternative because the full-back was the target of a lot of interest in the summer.

Martin, however, attempted to accommodate both players by starting Sugawara on the right side of the defence and Walker-Peters on the left, even though Walker-Peters decided to stay with the team after the transfer market closed.

Both players functioned as wingbacks where they could showcase their offensive abilities because Martin started the season playing a 3-5-2, but the move to a back four gave the team a less balanced feel.

As a result, Martin made an unexpected choice for Ipswich, starting veteran Charlie Taylor at left defence and dropping Walker-Peters to the bench.

Taylor was rewarded for his strong performance against Everton in the Carabao Cup a few days prior by being able to hold down his starting position. Southampton feels more balanced because Taylor is naturally left-footed.

Walker-Peters might be one of Southampton’s finest players, but Martin understands that the team’s requirements come before any individual’s, thus he should start Taylor against Bournemouth.

What Martin said on decision to replace Kyle Walker-Peters with Taylor

Walker-Peters is in the last year of his contract, so even if he is remaining this summer, his future is still unknown.

Thus, the athlete can speak with foreign teams at will in January and could sign a free agent contract the following summer.

The Daily Echo questioned Martin about if his decision to sit the 27-year-old against Ipswich was influenced by reports that contract talks are now taking place.

However, Martin downplayed this, saying in response, “I think it’s really just a coincidence.” It was about fielding the team I believed would perform the best for us.

Martin continued, “On Tuesday, I told the guys that they need to put in a performance that can put them in the team on the weekend.” This was the rationale for the adjustment.

Charlie did that, I believed. That side is naturally left-footed, so I believe that gives us a better balanced alternative there.

“Yuki has performed admirably at right back. He’s been among our finest players this season, in my opinion.

“Kyle is sadly going to miss out. It is now his responsibility to compel himself to rejoin the squad.

Coming out of the side may not please Walker-Peters, but Taylor deserves his shot and should maintain the shirt for the trip to the Cherries.

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