Southampton have endured a difficult start since returning to the Premier League with the point against Ipswich Town all Russell Martin has to show for six matches.
The latest of those six league fixtures ended with Southampton losing 3-1 to Bournemouth in what was a really poor display.
Next up for Southampton is a trip to title-contenders Arsenal and another defeat could see Russell Martin start to come under pressure.
What would have concerned Martin most about the defeat against Bournemouth was the lack of fight from his Southampton players as they were second best to the Cherries in every department.
- READ MORE: Five things Russell Martin got wrong in AFC Bournemouth defeat could now cost him Southampton job
Jack Stephens’ Southampton ban extended to Arsenal and Leicester City
A much-improved performance at Arsenal is certainly required and Southampton will again be without their captain Jack Stephens.
Stephens had started every Premier League game this season before he was sent off for a brainless challenge against Alejandro Garnacho in the 3-0 home defeat against Manchester United.
That straight red card meant Stephens received a three-match ban which was served across the past three matches.
- READ MORE: Southampton boss Russell Martin shares what ‘annoyed’ him most about Jack Stephens red card
However, the Premier League confirmed on Tuesday that Stephens’ suspension has now been extended for a further two games and the defender has been fined £50,000 for using foul and abusive language to the officials before leaving the pitch.
This is news Martin could have really done without and Stephens will now miss the trip to Arsenal as well as a huge home clash against Leicester City.
Russell Martin should strip Stephens of Southampton captaincy
Martin made Stephens Southampton captain shortly after taking over as manager last summer with few suitable candidates in a young Saints group.
During his suspension, Flynn Downes has been wearing the armband and Martin should continue with Downes as captain even once Stephens is available again.
- READ MORE: Flynn Downes makes ‘funny’ admission after captaining Southampton against former club Ipswich Town
This may seem harsh, but Stephens’ actions against Manchester United were not those of a captain.
The challenge on Garnacho in itself was bad enough as the 30-year-old allowed his frustrations to boil over, but to miss five games due to the abuse aimed at the officials in the aftermath has seen Stephens really let his teammates down.
To add to this, there are question marks over whether Stephens is good enough to be in Southampton’s starting XI.
Since Martin has been at the club he has always been keen to find a space for Stephens in the side and many felt this came at Southampton’s detriment last season after Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek had formed a strong partnership whilst Stephens was injured for the first-half of the campaign.
Therefore, Martin should be brave enough to hand Downes the captaincy permanently as he is both a player who leads by example and one that should always be in the Saints’ starting XI.