Russell Martin benefitted from his big Southampton squad as he was able to make a number of changes for the Carabao Cup clash against Everton on Tuesday night.
Both Russell Martin and Sean Dyche rotated heavily, with Southampton and Everton both placing far greater importance on the Premier League.
Lesley Ugochukwu was the only Southampton player to retain his place from the 3-0 defeat against Manchester United as Martin’s side progressed on penalties after drawing 1-1 in 90 minutes.
A header from captain on the night Taylor Harwood-Bellis cancelled out Abdoulaye Doucoure’s opener before a poor game limped to a penalty shootout.
Alex McCarthy was one of few Southampton’s players that impressed at Goodison Park and saved Ashley Young’s penalty to book the Saints’ place in the next round.
- READ MORE: Glenn Murray believes one Southampton player sent ‘message’ to Russell Martin with Everton display
Armel Bella-Kotchap, Paul Onuachu and Ryan Manning absent from Southampton squad vs Everton
Despite Martin making ten changes to the side that lost to United at the weekend, there was no room in the squad for Armel Bella-Kotchap, Paul Onuachu and Ryan Manning.
Southampton tried to sell both Bella-Kotchap and Onuachu this summer, but the former’s move to Hoffenheim collapsed due to an issue picked up in the medical and the Saints never received a suitable offer for Onauchu.
Manning was one of Martin’s first signings after taking over as Southampton manager last summer, joining on a free after working with Martin at Swansea City.
The left-back made 41 appearances in all competitions as the Saints were promoted last season but struggled to recreate his Swansea form and has surprisingly not made a squad in any competition this season as Martin has snubbed a former favourite.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin names the one player who’ll be ‘massive’ for Southampton this season after Everton
What Russell Martin said on missing Southampton trio
Martin has been vocal on the fact his Southampton squad is bigger than he would have liked after the club failed to find buyers for a number of players this summer.
Many Saints supporters expected – or perhaps hoped – that Bella-Kotchap would play against Everton as Martin opened the door for a return given he would arguably be the club’s best centre-back if fit and focussed.
However, this did not happen and Martin was asked by the Daily Echo if he had considered playing the German after Everton.
The Southampton manager responded: “Well I obviously didn’t because he’s not in the squad. I just answered the same in another interview. It’s never personal.”
Martin explained: “I’m paid to do the best job I can for Southampton Football Club. And if it doesn’t go very well I will lose my job. So I then pick a team that I think is best to win.
“I pick a squad that I think is the best to win. And it really is that simple. So there’s no personal fallout.
We had honest conversations before the transfer window closed and after the transfer window closed. It’s not ideal for him.”
Martin then went on to touch on the situations of Onuachu and Manning, adding: “We had a couple of moves fall through and now he [Bella-Kotchap] trains with the rest of them. He trains really well. The same as Paul, the same as the other guys.
“Ronnie Edwards has not been in the squad. He’s been really frustrated. Ryan Manning has been left at home and played 40 odd games for us last year.
“It’s not easy to do that. We could talk about all of them guys but I feel like when we’re here we should be talking about the guys that are here. And it really is that.
“It’s about who I feel is best for the team and who I trust the most to put in a performance on the pitch and help the group. Tonight I decided that it wasn’t those guys.”
Whilst Martin clearly has had to make some difficult decisions, this seems a pretty damning indictment for Bella-Kotchap, Onuachu and Manning, who will surely just be desperate for the transfer window to re-open.