Southampton fans have not had too much to shout about since returning to the Premier League as Russell Martin is still on the hunt for his first win as a top flight manager.
Southampton did at least finally stop the run of defeats and earn their first point of the season as Russell Martin‘s side drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town.
However, given Southampton led from the 5th-minute through Tyler Dibling the fact they conceded a 95th-minute equaliser from a corner made it difficult one to take.
Dibling has been a huge positive for Southampton, with the emergence of the 18-year-old very exciting for the St Mary’s faithful.
Remarkably, after five league matches Dibling has scored one of just two goals for the Saints and it is the other Premier League goal scorer who could well be considered one of the bargains of the summer.
- READ MORE: How Tyler Dibling really feels at Southampton amid latest Man Utd and Liverpool transfer interest
Yukinari Sugawara looks great business after start to Southampton career
Prior to Dibling’s early strike against Ipswich, Southampton’s only other Premier League goal had been scored by right-back Yukinari Sugawara.
Southampton paid AZ Alkmaar just £6 million to sign Sugawara when it looked increasingly likely that Kyle Walker-Peters would leave, but the Japan international’s performances have seen him overtake Walker-Peters in the pecking order.
Sugawara started the season at right wingback with Walker-Peters playing the same role on the other side as Martin started the campaign playing a back three.
The two right-backs stayed on the same sides as Martin switched to a back four for the 3-0 loss to Manchester United but against Ipswich Sugawara retained his place as Charlie Taylor replaced Walker-Peters at left-back.
Sugawara is quickly becoming a fan favourite at his new club with his surging runs forward, all-action displays and infectious positivity and showed his attacking qualities with a clever goal against Brentford with the outside of his left foot.
Russell Martin a big fan of Sugawara since arriving at Southampton
Southampton only paid two fees lower than the £6 million paid for Sugawara this summer in the shape of Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood; who both cost an initial £3 million and have only played in the Carabao Cup.
Martin has certainly been pleased with the 24-year-old and it was clear he had real quality as soon as he made his debut against Eastleigh in the first friendly of pre-season.
Speaking to the official Southampton club website after that game – in which Sugawara also scored – Martin said: “Yuki is a lovely man. He’s a really great person and a talented footballer. I’ve been really impressed by how quickly and seamlessly he has adapted to certain things.
“He has got a lot of quality. The way he fed the ball to Sam Amo [Ameyaw] helped him so much in the second half. His understanding of what the player in front of him needed was beautiful.
“Yuki is a really good signing.”
Importantly, Sugawara has developed a really strong relationship with Dibling and the two could be vital to Southampton’s survival hopes down the right hand side.