Southampton endured a tough night as they were outclassed in the 3-1 defeat away at south coast neighbours AFC Bournemouth on Monday.
After a much-improved performance against Ipswich Town last time out Russell Martin was expected to name the same Southampton side for the Bournemouth clash.
However, he instead brought Adam Lallana and Cameron Archer out of the side and changed from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation with midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Tyler Dibling acting as the makeshift strikers.
This saw Maxwel Cornet come into the side on the right of midfield, with Lesley Ugochukwu playing alongside Flynn Downes in the centre of midfield.
Other than a bright opening few minutes it did not work as Southampton were constantly victims of the Bournemouth high-press and fell to a 3-1 defeat on a night where Martin got it wrong.
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Lesley Ugochukwu struggled for Southampton in Bournemouth defeat
Both players who came into the side had really poor nights in Cornet and Ugochukwu.
However, they were not alone in that regard, with the players who came on off the bench arguably the only positives for Southampton.
Ugochukwu has been a mixed bag since arriving on loan from Chelsea for the season but really struggled against Bournemouth’s energetic midfield and the 20-year-old’s performance was rated a four of of ten by the Daily Echo.
The comments that accompanied this rating read: “A frustrating first half performance, having looked bright in the early moments.
“Lost the ball too often and should have done better for Bournemouth’s opener. He was beaten too easily by Semenyo for their third. Hooked at half-time.”
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Lallana was a standout performer for Southampton against Ipswich but the 36-year-old needs his minutes managed and this opened the door for Ugochukwu against the Cherries.
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However, it was an opportunity he did not take as he completed just 11 passes in 45 minutes according to Sofascore, maintaining a pass completion rate of just 69%.
The midfielder also managed just 20 touches – which was 32 fewer than goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale – in a game in which he failed to impose himself.
Next up for Southampton is an incredibly tough away trip to Arsenal and it would be a surprise to see Ugochukwu start at The Emirates after his latest performance.