By kickspoll 
The foundation for Southampton’s successful promotion from the Championship was built on manager Russell Martin’s possession-based style of football. Martin’s tactical setup involved the defenders starting the build-up play, assisting the midfielders and wingers in creating goalscoring opportunities. While this approach worked well in the Championship, it has led to the Saints conceding 15 goals in their first seven Premier League matches.
Premier League teams have effectively used high-pressing tactics to win possession in Southampton’s half and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Additionally, top clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle United have shown strong defensive work ethic, marking forwards closely and limiting Southampton’s chances to score. This pressure has prompted Martin to frequently adjust his starting lineup, giving opportunities to various players in search of the right balance between attack and defense.
Former Southampton captain Jason Dodd is not impressed with these constant lineup changes and believes it has contributed to the team’s inconsistent Premier League form. With 16 seasons at St. Mary’s Stadium under his belt, Dodd expressed concern over the lack of stability in the team, stating:
“The worrying thing is from my point of view, I’m still not so sure the manager really knows what his best XI is. In the Premier League, you can’t be gifting goals to the opposition, because they’re that clinical and we’re under pressure again. It does worry me.”
Dodd emphasized the importance of finding a balanced lineup early in the season. However, summer transfer window changes have made it difficult for Martin to settle on a consistent starting eleven. Key positions like left-wing and central midfield still need to be solidified. Martin will need to evaluate his squad to find the best options in these areas. Players such as Cameron Archer, Tyler Dibling, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have been standout performers recently, and Southampton will rely on them to add creativity in attack and stability in defense as the season progresses.
It remains to be seen whether some Southampton players can find form during international matches and establish themselves as regulars in Russell Martin’s side.