Southampton have just one more chance to get Premier League points on the board prior to the first international break of the season after losing 1-0 against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
That result makes it two defeats from two for Southampton this season, with Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest both beating Russell Martin’s side 1-0.
Southampton enjoyed the bulk of possession in both games but struggled to turn their dominance into chances and, crucially, goals.
It is a cause for concern for Martin who needs to find a solution quickly if the Saints are to have any chance of staying in the Premier League this season.
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Some more quality in the final third is undoubtedly needed, but more incomings could mean we see more players leave the club.
Russell Martin leaves Ryan Manning out of Southampton squad against Nottingham Forest
One of Martin’s first acts when he became Southampton manager last summer was to ensure that Ryan Manning came with him.
The pair had been at Swansea City together, with Manning becoming a free agent at the end of 2022/23 season.
Martin swooped to sign the left-back, but the Ireland international struggled to hit the same heights as he had in his last season in South Wales and found himself in and out of the team towards the end of the season.
With 11 signings this summer, Southampton have a large squad currently and that means not everyone can make the match-day squad.
Against Forest, Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood were both absent despite having been signed this summer, whilst Carlos Alcaraz and Paul Onuachu were other notable players left out entirely on the day.
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Surprisingly given the pair’s history, Martin also left Manning out of the squad for a second consecutive game in a move that could open the door for an exit.
Manning could be allowed to leave Southampton this summer
Manning is a creative left-back and suited Martin’s possession-based approach in the Championship.
However, his defensive work leaves a lot to be desired and – given he has managed just three assists and not yet scored since joining Southampton – his offensive contribution has not been productive enough to justify his inclusion.
Martin still rates Manning highly and hoped the 28-year-old had turned the corner at the Saints in January, as he said: “In the last four or five games Ryan has been so good. It is the Ryan that we know.
“You can’t underestimate that he moved clubs just after having a baby. He and his partner spent a lot of time in a hotel trying to find a house.
“Living in a hotel room is not ideal with a new baby – some people take it for granted that a player can join and settle in.
“The expectation of working with us before meant people expected him to hit the ground running. He played well in the early games and then he paid for a lack of pre-season.”
He went on to say: “I’m really pleased for Ryan that you’ve started to see the best version of him. When he is in his best place, he is one of the best in the league in my opinion.
“That is why we worked so hard to get him here. He has been fantastic with the group as well, he is a big character.”
However, it is difficult to now envisage a scenario where Manning becomes a regular in the Premier League for Southampton.
With Kyle Walker-Peters looking increasingly likely to stay, Charlie Taylor arriving this summer and Juan Larios edging towards full fitness, perhaps Southampton will see fit to cut ties with Manning this summer to trim down an over-inflated squad.