Southampton again made unnecessarily hard work of a game on Saturday, letting a 2-0 lead slip before eventually securing a 4-2 win to inflict Sunderland’s sixth consecutive defeat.
Southampton took the lead through Stuart Armstrong after just nine minutes, before Ryan Manning was brought down in the box prior to Adam Armstrong converting the penalty for his 18th goal of the season.
It seemed at that point that it would be a relatively straight forward afternoon for Russell Martin‘s side, but his team do not like to do things the easy way and conceded in the 62nd minute and then again in the 71st minute to set up a nervy finish; these goals taking Southampton’s goals conceded tally to 18 in the last eight games.
Bournemouth loanee Joe Rothwell replaced Stuart Armstrong in the 73rd minute, before his quick-fire double in the 77th and 80th minute ensured Southampton took all three points and this cameo now gives his manager a real decision to make.
What did Russell Martin say about Joe Rothwell?
Martin was understandably concerned after the match about his side’s defensive woes and it could have cost them all three points had it not been for Rothwell’s intervention on Saturday.
Speaking post-match, Martin said: “I’m delighted we have won but am furious and frustrated we have conceded two goals because it shouldn’t happen”.
Whilst the ex-Swansea City manager could not hide his anger at conceding twice, he was full of praise for two-goal hero Rothwell.
Speaking on the 29-year-old, Martin said: “He was really great when he came on. Him and Joe Aribo can be frustrated that they aren’t starting but they have two guys in front of them who have been playing really well.
“It is good problems for me but they have to keep doing what they have been doing when they get on to the pitch and being frustrated at not playing”.
Should Joe Rothwell start against Middlesborough?
If you are Rothwell, you would surely feel a start next time out is guaranteed; albeit Southampton now have a 21 day wait until their next fixture when they welcome Middlesborough to St Mary’s on the 31st March.
However, this may not necessarily be the case. Stuart Armstrong was not at his best against Sunderland but did score the opener and showed his usual composure as the more advanced of the midfield three, whilst Will Smallbone impressed again having had a difficult time up until the win over Birmingham in which he provided two assists.
What may work against Rothwell is that last time he came off the bench to score a brace in the 5-3 win over Huddersfield Town in early February, he put in a dismal performance when rewarded with a start in the 3-1 defeat away at Bristol City next game that ended Southampton’s record-breaking unbeaten run.
With the ever-impressive Flynn Downes now back from injury, Southampton also appear to be benefiting from a settled midfield trio of Downes, Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong, with the return to winning form since Downes has been back fit no coincidence.
Rothwell was brought in as he adds something a little different to Southampton’s other midfielders with his ability to drive with the ball and his shooting ability, the latter of which Southampton fans are quickly becoming accustomed to. However, he has flattered to deceive at times and looks to be still getting up to speed with what Martin expects from him.
With the postponed Preston fixture looking likely to be played in April and the away trip to Leicester City already rearranged for next month, it looks like Southampton will have a remarkable eight games in April. This will test Martin’s squad to its limits and Rothwell will no doubt have a huge part to play in what will be a season defining month.