Southampton scraped through in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, beating Everton on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
It was not the best game as Russell Martin and Sean Dyche both heavily rotated their sides with the Premier League the obvious priority.
The only survivor from the Southampton XI that started the 3-0 defeat against Manchester United on Saturday was Lesley Ugochukwu.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis captained the side and proved Martin’s decision to drop him against United to be the wrong one as he was the best player on the pitch at Goodison Park, as well as scoring Southampton‘s goal and his penalty in the shootout.
Alex McCarthy also did well in goal having lost his starting place since Aaron Ramsdale’s arrival, but it was Adam Lallana who Martin was most keen to praise post-match.
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Russell Martin praises Adam Lallana display for Southampton vs Everton
Lallana made his first start since returning to the club in the summer, ten years after initially leaving for Liverpool.
At 36, many questioned the impact Lallana could have on the pitch this season but he has shown his quality as he has built up his fitness with a number of cameos over the past few weeks.
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Lallana played the first-half at Everton before being replaced by Mateus Fernandes and was one of the better performers in his 45 minutes.
Asked post-match whether Lallana is now ready to start a league game, Martin told the Daily Echo: “I think tonight was always the plan to get him 45 minutes and I think on Saturday he showed what he’s going to bring, and against Brentford.
“He showed what he’s going to bring tonight. I just love watching him play football. He is an amazing footballer. He’s so graceful, elegant but aggressive.
“An amazing mentality he has. He’s going to be massive for us. He is off the pitch already and on the pitch he’s going to have a big, big say.”
Southampton fans could now see Lallana start in the crucial match against Ipswich Town on Saturday, as Martin added: “I think he is ready to start. He’s not ready to play 90 minutes but he’s definitely ready to start an impact game for us.”
Southampton need Lallana experience for Ipswich Town clash
There is no overstating the importance of Saturday’s St Mary’s clash against fellow Premier League newsboys Ipswich.
Southampton are yet to get a point in the top flight, scoring just once and conceding eight in their four fixtures.
Ipswich have fared slightly better, with two points from their first four after a brutal start saw them face Liverpool and then Manchester City. in their first two games.
A Premier League and Champions League winner, Lallana has seen it all and his experience will be a calming influence in a hotly-contested affair on Saturday.
Every time he has played since returning to Southampton, Lallana can be seen constantly giving his teammates information and telling them where to play the next pass and this in-game management will be a real asset in such a pivotal game.