Russell Martin cannot afford to be sentimental if he is to keep Southampton in the Premier League this season.
Southampton‘s start to the new campaign has been concerning, with Russell Martin‘s side losing all three of their league games and scoring just once.
1-0 defeats to Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, as well as Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Brentford, have served as cruel reminders of just how difficult it is to get points in the Premier League.
So far, Martin has rewarded the players that helped get Southampton promoted from the Championship by keeping them in the side as only three players not at the club last season have started a league match.
However, with no points on the board and the Saints 19th in the league, it is time for Martin to show the ruthless streak demonstrated in the Championship last season.
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Russell Martin will make changes to Southampton team against Manchester United
Against Brentford Deadline Day signing Aaron Ramsdale came straight into the side to replace Alex McCarthy in goal.
Ramsdale aside, though, Martin made no changes to the side that had started the defeats to Newcastle and Forest but admitted post-match that this will not be the case next time out.
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Martin admitted after the game that he felt the players that got Southampton to the Premier League deserved their chance, but conceded he cannot afford to persevere with them out of a feeling of obligation.
According to Southampton reporter Alfie House on X, Martin said after the Brentford loss: “Russell Martin admits he would start today with different personnel if he could go back, but says the players he started has “built so much credit”.
“Added he does not know what the team will look like for Man United but that it will be different.”
Martin has showed he can be ruthless with Ryan Manning last season
Whilst Martin is keen to be loyal to his players, he is not naive enough to think things will change unless he makes tweaks.
Last summer Martin convinced the Southampton board to bring Ryan Manning to the club given how well he had done under the manager at Swansea City and the fact he was a free agent.
The board obliged and Manning looked a guaranteed starter, but with the Irishman unable to match his Swansea form in his new colours Martin showed a ruthless streak as he dropped the left-back for the play-offs.
His omission has continued this campaign, with Manning yet to make a match-day squad in the Premier League.
Now, Martin may have to show this side to his management again as he needs to inject some fresh impetus into his Southampton team.
The likes of Will Smallbone and Adam Armstrong were key last season but have struggled with the step up in quality.
With 14 first-team players signed this summer, they will be chomping at the bit to be in the starting XI and Martin cannot continue to hold them back regardless of what came before.