Russell But their courageous display at the perennial champions increased Martin’s belief they will beat the drop, with the underfire manager stressing the importance of building on that against second-tier outfit Stoke.
Martin says Southampton’s Carabao Cup clash with Stoke City is the most important game they have had this season as the Premier League’s bottom club look to build on a positive performance at Manchester City.
Having masterminded promotion back to the top tier at the first time of asking, the Sky Bet Championship play-off winners have endured a chastening start to the campaign.
Saints have suffered stoppage-time heartache on a couple of occasions during a winless start to a league season that extended to a club record-equalling ninth match with Saturday’s 1-0 loss at City.
But their courageous display at the perennial champions increased Martin’s belief they will beat the drop, with the underfire manager stressing the importance of building on that against second-tier outfit Stoke.
“I think it’s the most important game we’ve had this season,” the Saints manager said of Tuesday’s fourth-round tie at St Mary’s, where he is due to serve a touchline ban having collected a third booking of the season.
“We need to try and win, get to a quarter-final of a cup, and we need to build on (Saturday).
“We’ll play the strongest team available to us in terms of fitness and readiness. It’s a big, big game for us.”
The Carabao Cup has provided Southampton with their only sense of joy this term, with a thrilling 5-3 win at Cardiff followed by a penalty triumph away to Everton following a 1-1 draw.
Martin made 11 changes for the former and then 10 alterations for the latter game at Goodison Park – sweeping moves he will not be repeating given the importance of Tuesday’s game.
“It definitely won’t be 11 changes,” said the Saints boss, whose side then faces key Premier League matches against Everton and Wolves.
“There will be some, I think, such is the nature of it and we have two big games after that.
“But this is the most important one, so we’ll play the team that we feel is the most ready to win.
It will be significant for everyone, not just the new players joining the club, in my opinion.
“They must practice at home after we show them everything they did so well today, along with some areas where we need to improve.
The five players who played in Southampton Under-21s’ 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Friday will be among those competing. Along with gifted youngster Sam Amo-Ameyaw, summer additions Charlie Taylor, Ben Brereton Diaz, Ronnie Edwards, and Nathan Wood all made their debuts.
At Etihad Stadium, manager Martin stated, “I think if we want to play any of those guys, they need to be ready rather than traveling up here and sitting on the bench.”
“We really tried to find some rhythm and give some guys some minutes that might be taken into consideration for Tuesday.”
“We used laptops and iPads to watch the game in the hotel.
“The other guys completed their tasks and received some minutes, but Charlie came off as a precaution because he felt a little niggle.”
Martin responded, “Well, they have a choice,” when asked how senior players feel about playing for the under-21 team.
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