Southampton may have bounced back from four consecutive losses well, but Russell Martin needs Kyle Walker-Peters on top form.
Russell Martin must have thought his time at Southampton was in jeopardy when he was in the midst of a four game losing streak.
Since ending that streak with a 3-1 win over Leeds, Southampton have subsequently beaten Stoke 1-0 and drew with Rotherham just before the international break.
The turnaround in fortunes has brought with it an improved style befitting what Martin likely envisions his Saints playing like regularly.
In this run of form and even before hand, one player who was key was Kyle Walker-Peters who looks a level above the Championship.
Here are his stats…
Walker-Peters the key for Martin
Walker-Peters is currently on £20,000 at Southampton according to Capology, and he is worth every penny based on his recent displays.
In the Championship, Walker-Peters has thrived, with SofaScore giving him an average rating of 7.38 through his 11 appearances.
This has resulted in being named in one team of the week as he dominates at right-back.
On the ball is where he has thrived, adapting excellently to Martin’s possession based philosophy.
He boasts a 91% pass accuracy on average, which rises to 93% in his own half.
On average he has managed to make 98.1 touches per 90 which is a huge level of involvement.
Therefore if any player is going to inspire a Southampton rise up to the playoff places and possibly form an attack on Ipswich, it will be Walker-Peters.