Russell Martin has revealed that Southampton’s 0-0 draw with Getafe on Saturday gives fans a big clue as to how his side will line up against Newcastle United in the Premier League opener.
Pre-season is over and Southampton have entered the first week of the Premier League.
Russell Martin will be happy with his side’s work this summer, the 2-0 loss to Oxford United the only time his side tasted defeat.
There were a number of impressive performers in pre-season, with 18-year-old duo Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Tyler Dibling standing out.
Martin will undoubtedly want to see more players come in before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August, but the Saints boss has revealed that the side he picked to face Getafe in the last test of pre-season offers real insight into his best side currently.
- READ MORE: Ten conclusions Russell Martin can draw from Southampton pre-season ahead of Premier League return
Russell Martin likely to pick Getafe XI to face Newcastle United
Southampton really ramped up their Premier League preparations with a St Mary’s double-header against Lazio and then Getafe.
In the 1-1 draw with Lazio Martin played a number of fringe players before naming a side far more likely to reflect his best XI against Getafe.
This saw Kyle Walker-Peters come back into the fold, with the full-back getting his first minutes of pre-season as speculation surrounding his future continues.
Martin was asked by the Daily Echo post-match if Southampton fans should expect to see the same starters at St James’ Park on Saturday, to which he responded: “I don’t know because not everyone might be here. We might add one or two to the group.”
However, the Saints boss went onto reveal that the side picked against Getafe is a ‘good indicator’, adding: “I don’t know, but usually the last weekend is a good indicator, I’m sure. I think we have a lot of flexibility and we changed shape for the last 20-odd minutes.”
“We looked a bit more of a threat. So it’s about balancing that out and seeing what we want to do and what’s best for Newcastle.
“We’ve had an idea in our mind for a while and we haven’t wanted to show all our cards in pre-season. So yeah, we’ll see.”
How will Southampton line-up against Newcastle?
With Martin’s comments in mind, it is very likely we will see the exact same shape and personnel against Newcastle in what will be a very tough opening game of the season.
With so little time before that game, it is unlikely that even if Southampton were to make any signings this week that they would be thrown into the starting XI.
Therefore, the only caveat is if any sales are made, with Walker-Peters the only player for whom that is a real concern for Saints fans.
All being well, Martin will be able to name the same side that faced Getafe against Newcastle, which means Alex McCarthy will start in goal.
New signing Yukinari Sugawara played at right wingback against Getafe, which saw Walker-Peters play in the same role on the left in his maiden pre-season outing.
The central defensive trio has a familiar feel with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens the trusted trio and the same goes for the midfield where Flynn Downes, Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo started.
Up front, Adam Armstrong rekindled his Blackburn Rovers partnership with summer arrival Ben Brereton Diaz and the pair will look to cause Newcastle problems.