Russell Martin is currently reaping the rewards of the Southampton academy with Tyler Dibling and Adam Lallana both playing starring roles against Ipswich Town.
Tyler Dibling and Adam Lallana are both at very different stages for their career, with Lallana double Dibling’s age at 36.
However, the two players combined wonderfully to score Southampton‘s goal in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich last weekend as Lallana picked out Dibling before the 18-year-old slotted home.
Unfortunately, that was not enough to hand Russell Martin his first win as a Premier League manager as the shares were spoiled with Ipswich scoring a 95th-minute equaliser to break Southampton hearts.
However, if the link up between two products of the Southampton academy is a sign of things to come then supporters can be very excited about the future.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin names ‘impressive’ Southampton talent who could follow in Tyler Dibling’s footsteps
Andy Goldie hails Adam Lallana impact at Southampton
When Southampton secured a return for Lallana for free this summer ten years after he left the club for Liverpool fans were left decided.
Some fans saw this as astute business for a vastly experienced professional who would help a young dressing room, whereas the more cynical saw it as a nostalgia-driven last payday for an injury prone Lallana.
Those concerns were amplified by the fact that Lallana missed the entirety of pre-season through injury but he made his first Premier League start last weekend run which he provided the assist for Dibling’s first senior goal.
Now, Southampton’s academy director Andy Goldie has taken to LinkedIn to reflect on that moment as well as praise the influence Lallana has had since signing, as he said: “Another truly special moment for Tyler, his family, and everyone at Southampton who has supported him since he was just nine years old.
“The goal was made even more special with the assist coming from fellow academy graduate Adam Lallana, whose mentorship has been priceless for Tyler and our young okays since returning to the club this summer.”
Lallana still has plenty to offer Southampton on the pitch
Lallana’s tutelage of the likes of Dibling, Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Mateus Fernandes will be invaluable, but the veteran has shown he still has quality in abundance on the pitch.
Lallana made his long-awaited second Saints debut off the bench in the 5-3 win over Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup last month where he immediately put fans’ worries at ease as he looked a level above everyone else on the pitch.
- READ MORE: What Adam Lallana told Russell Martin at full-time after making his second Southampton debut
His quick footwork, football intelligence and eye for a pass all combined with his leadership qualities and experience mean that Lallana must be one of the first names on Martin’s team sheet now that he has built up his fitness.
When Lallana left Southampton in 2014 he was a tricky winger but he has now reinvented himself and played alongside Flynn Downes at the base of the Saints midfield against Ipswich.
It is a role he should reprise against Bournemouth on Monday night and don’t be surprised to see Lallana again control proceedings.