It has been a difficult start to the Premier League season for Southampton but there have still been positives to take for manager Russell Martin.
Southampton have started their Premier League return with three defeats from three, narrowly losing to both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest before being well-beaten by Brentford 3-1 last time out.
Russell Martin has already seen his tactics questioned by numerous pundits, with his possession style perceived as naive in the top flight by many.
However, Martin must believe that he can turn things around and get Southampton to start winning Premier League points, beginning against Manchester United on Saturday.
- READ MORE: Three reasons Russell Martin and Southampton can feel optimistic heading into Man Utd clash
One player who could be key to that is Adam Lallana, who has come off the bench in the 5-3 Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City before an assist in his cameo against Brentford.
Adam Blackmore believes Southampton have ‘class’ player in Adam Lallana
Lallana joined Southampton as a free agent in the summer, ten years after leaving the club at which he made his name to sign for Liverpool.
At 36, fans were divided about the deal, with some seeing it as nostalgia driven whilst others felt Lallana could still offer plenty on the pitch as well as being valuable in the dressing room.
Concern grew after Lallana missed the entirety of pre-season through injury, but the veteran showed his class in his second debut against Cardiff before making a positive impact in the defeat at Brentford.
- READ MORE: What Adam Lallana told Russell Martin at full-time after making his second Southampton debut
BBC Solent Sport broadcaster Adam Blackmore has certainly been left impressed by what he has seen from Lallana despite the 34-cap England man only playing 34 minutes so far this season.
Blackmore was on the Saints and Sinners podcast when host Tom Deacon said: “Lallana, as he soon as he got on the pitch [against Cardiff], it was completely different. He was so good.”
Blackmore agreed: “Well he was against Brentford. He was different gravy, as they say.”
Deacon then added: “I feel like we’ve really missed that. He’s clinical. 30 passes, 30 completions – that’s Lallana, that’s what he’s good at.”
To which Blackmore responded: “Well, for me, it’s partly that – the accuracy – but it’s where he plays the passes.
“He plays passes into areas that matter and he’ll risk it because he’s confident putting the ball into dangerous areas. His little rabonas and his little step-overs and twists and turns to create half a yard. He showed his class in both games.
“Keep him fit and keep him on the pitch for about an hour a game.”
Lallana could have bigger role to play for Southampton moving forward
Any doubts over Lallana’s ability to make an impact have been put to bed emphatically with the former Brighton man’s two cameos.
The 36-year-old has looked a cut above anyone else on the pitch on both occasions, gliding around, playing neat passes and showing off his exemplary footwork.
- READ MORE: Jo Tessem names the Southampton midfield he would select to face Man Utd after Brentford concern
Martin needs a spark in his side with Southampton scoring just once in the league this season and Lallana is certainly a player capable of providing it.
With a wealth of experience, Lallana will also be influential in helping develop young attacking midfielders Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes and his free signing could prove to be far more beneficial than supporters may have first thought.