Russell Martin has credit in the bank at Southampton after guiding the club to promotion last season but that could be tested if they fail to beat Ipswich Town at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Southampton are yet to earn a point since returning to the Premier League and sit 19th in the table having conceded eight goals and scored just once after four games.
Having started with the same formation and primarily the same players for the first three league games, Russell Martin made changes to both for the game against Manchester United last weekend.
Southampton ultimately lost 3-0 but looked far better than they have done in any other game this season for the first 30 minutes in which they dominated before Cameron Archer’s missed penalty at 0-0 proved the turning point.
Anything against United would have been a bonus but Martin does not have that luxury against Ipswich on Saturday in what is an early relegation six-pointer.
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Russell Martin must start Adam Lallana against Ipswich Town
The St Mary’s clash is sure to be a nervy encounter as both sides look to secure a first league win since promotion.
A hotly-contested affair will call for calm heads and Martin should turn to the vast experience of Adam Lallana to help his relatively young squad.
Lallana secured a return to the club at which he made his name ten years after leaving for Liverpool this summer but fans had to wait patiently for his debut after sustaining a muscle issue in pre-season.
Since making his second debut in the Carabao Cup second round win over Cardiff City, Lallana has shown his class in a number of cameos and started for the first time against Everton in the cup in midweek.
Martin withdrew the 36-year-old at half-time, suggesting he could hand Lallana his first Premier League start of the season against Ipswich.
This would be a huge boost for the Saints, with Lallana constantly barking orders to his teammates, taking responsibility on the ball and showing his ability in the little we have seen of him so far.
Martin knows how good Lallana can be for Southampton
Lallana is a Premier League and Champions League winner with 34 England caps so his quality was never in question.
The task for Martin is to manage the veteran effectively to ensure he stays fit and can make an impact on the pitch and the Saints boss could not speak highly enough of Lallana after the cup triumph against Everton on Tuesday.
Martin told the Daily Echo: “I think tonight was always the plan to get him 45 minutes and I think on Saturday he showed what he’s going to bring, and against Brentford.
“He showed what he’s going to bring tonight. I just love watching him play football. He is an amazing footballer. He’s so graceful, elegant but aggressive.
“An amazing mentality he has. He’s going to be massive for us. He is off the pitch already and on the pitch he’s going to have a big, big say.”
Martin fuelled hopes of Lallana starting against Ipswich as he added: “I think he is ready to start. He’s not ready to play 90 minutes but he’s definitely ready to start an impact game for us.”
It is crucial that Southampton start strong and do not panic against Ipswich and Lallana could be the calming influence they need.