Russell Martin has been speaking to the media ahead of Southampton’s first home game of the season against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Russell Martin is preparing for his first home game as a Premier League manager after watching his Southampton side succumb to a 1-0 defeat away at Newcastle United last weekend.
The Saints boss will have earmarked the St Mary’s clash against Nottingham Forest as a really good opportunity to get the first three points of the season.
Martin spoke about a range of topics in his pre-Forest press conference on Thursday lunchtime, including the goalkeeper situation, the changes to St Mary’s for the new season and Southampton being linked with a move for Jack Clarke.
Russell Martin explains Lesley Ugochukwu has joined Southampton to provide Flynn Downes competition
Whilst a move for Clarke seems unlikely amid a bid of up to £20 million from Ipswich Town for the Sunderland winger, Southampton have made three signings in the past week.
Cameron Archer and Lesley Ugochukwu both arrived last Friday, whilst Portuguese attacking midfielder Mateus Fernandes was confirmed on Tuesday.
- READ MORE: Who is Mateus Fernandes? The ‘complete’ £16m gem set to become Southampton’s 11th summer signing
Of those three signings, both Archer and Fernandes are permanent, whilst Ugochukwu has joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea with no option to buy.
Ugochukwu’s potential role has been a topic of discussion amongst the Southampton fanbase since his arrival, with the 19-year-old capable of playing as either a holding midfielder or a number eight.
Martin has now shed some light on how he plans to utilise Ugochukwu, as he told the media: “So what I would say is the number six position, where Lesley will ultimately compete with Flynn and maybe sometimes play alongside Flynn, the game has to go through you.
“So that’s not an easy position to learn for us very quickly.”
The Saints boss has been impressed with how quickly the youngster has taken on board what is being asked of him though, adding: “But he’s already been hit with a lot of information and a lot of work and he’s adapting really nicely to it.
“So we have a game on Wednesday, which will be a brilliant chance for some of them guys to step onto the pitch and play in this way.”
Ugochukwu should make Southampton debut in next few days
Martin has shown since taking over as Southampton manager that he does not like to throw players in shortly after arriving unless they have played under him before.
The exception to this rule was Archer coming off the bench against Newcastle last weekend having only signed the evening before, but that was Martin taking a gamble to help his side when chasing a goal.
Downes’ role – and potentially Ugochukwu’s – at the base of the midfield is is arguably the most important in Martin’s Southampton side.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin names one Southampton player who ‘makes the team better’ alongside Flynn Downes
Ugochukwu is almost certain not to start against Forest on Saturday, but he could make his debut off the bench depending on the game state.
If not, Martin has hinted that the French youth international will be in line to feature away at Cardiff City as Saints kick-off their Carabao Cup campaign.