Russell Martin was left incredibly frustrated after watching his Southampton side lose 3-0 against Manchester United on Saturday.
Russell Martin made four changes to the Southampton starting XI that lost 3-1 to Brentford in the last game before the international break, as well as changing to a back four against Manchester United.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Joe Aribo, Adam Armstrong and Will Smallbone all dropped out of the side, to be replaced by Lesley Ugochuku, Mateus Fernandes, Cameron Archer and 18-year-old Tyler Dibling.
Southampton started very well in the St Mary’s clash and Dibling won his side a penalty on 33 minutes.
This was missed by Archer, though, and that proved to be the turning point as Manchester United then scored twice before half-time.
This lead was added to in the 96th-minute by Alejandro Garnacho who was on the receiving end of the challenge that saw Saints skipper Jack Stephens sent off in the 79th-minute.
Russell Martin gives verdict on Jack Stephens’ red card for Southampton vs Man Utd
Stephens’ challenge on Garnacho was one borne out of frustration as a bright start soon turned to a familiar feeling of an opportunity missed for Southampton in the Premier League this season.
Stephens dived in on Garnacho in a challenge that was perhaps necessary to stop the counter, but the 30-year-old went in with excessive force and caught the United winger on the knee in what was a really poor challenge.
This saw referee Stuart Attwell reach for his red card to give Stephens his marching orders and Martin gave his view of the incident post-match, saying: “The only thing I was annoyed about was the process of the fourth official and the ref looking at each other for ages and asking if they would give it.
“So that was my only frustration. I felt maybe he missed him during the game, but I think he’s made contact, so it is what it is.”
Martin’s comments tell a story in themselves given the fact he did not have a problem with the decision itself, meaning Stephens can have little complaint.
Stephens absence gives Southampton chance to restore successful partnership
With the change to a back four, Martin had to decide which of his three centre-backs to take out the side.
Harwood-Bellis was the victim of this, with the young defender having a tough start to life as a Premier League player.
However, with Stephens now set to miss the next three matches, it gives Martin the chance to bring back the strongest central defensive pairing from last season in Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek.
The Carabao Cup match against Everton on Tuesday night will count as one of these matches, meaning Stephens will miss two vital league games against Ipswich Town and Bournemouth.
Southampton could benefit from a settled pairing across the next few weeks and Stephens’ red card means they should have this with Harwood-Bellis and Bednarek restoring their partnership.