Russell Martin is still ‘furious’ about one decision he made in the defeat against Millwall in February.
Southampton’s blushes were spared on Saturday afternoon as Joe Aribo’s 96th-minute winner secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Birmingham City.
That match once more highlighted an issue that has plagued Russell Martin’s side throughout this season, and that is their lapses in concentration defensively.
It’s an area that Martin’s men must improve significantly if they are to get promoted, starting in their home clash against Preston North End tonight.
The Saints must get back to winning ways at St Mary’s after losing consecutive matches against Hull City and Millwall.
In the latter defeat, the Southampton boss is still kicking himself at one decision he made and that was taking Adam Armstrong out of the starting XI.
Russell Martin is still ‘furious’ about leaving Adam Armstrong out vs Millwall
Armstrong is having the season of his life having plundered 17 goals and supplied 11 assists in the Championship this term.
Those returns should make his name on the teamsheet guaranteed week in and week out, however, Martin decided to drop him against Millwall and it is a decision he’s still living to regret.
“I am still annoyed at myself for taking him out of the team,” Martin told the Daily Echo. “I think we are a better team with him in it. With hindsight, I shouldn’t have but we felt there was validation for him needing a rest.
“We thought we would be okay without him and we weren’t so it’s testament to how good he has been.
“After the game at West Brom, we made a change to the team that I am still furious about and it’s my fault – nobody else’s.
“Do I think Arma coming out of the team has anything to do with his performance and maybe a bit of freshness – probably not.
Martin has to learn from that mistake
Armstrong has been incredible for the Saints this term and while his goalscoring record speaks volumes of his importance to the side, so do his other attacking metrics.
As highlighted by FBref, the 27-year-old ranks in the top 1% of Championship strikers for touches (att pen), top 5% for non-penalty goals and top 10% for assists per 90.
The former Newcastle United forward is reaching levels that no other player in the squad has come close to eclipsing and that is why Martin is still ruing his decision to drop him.
And while the Saints boss explained that resting him was a factor behind dropping him to the bench, Armstrong fired back by scoring in the win over Birmingham which prompted his manager to label him as “brilliant”.
He was part of a devastating trio that put four past the Blues as David Brooks and Che Adams looked equally electric, and could all keep their place against Preston tonight.