One Southampton player looked off the pace for one reason after the loss against Nottingham Forest.
Southampton suffered a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at St Mary’s, making it two losses on the bounce for Russell Martin’s side.
The game in general was uninspiring on all accounts from the Saints, and the likes of Samuel Edozie and Will Smallbone notably struggled in the Premier League tie.
Whilst there were very few issues defensively, there have undoubtedly been questions asked about the current attacking situation at Southampton following a second gamed in a row of Martin’s side being unable to find the back of the net.
Ben Brereton Diaz was started at striker alongside Adam Armstrong, and there was a lack of a threat from the pair, which is far from a good sign in a home game against a side that finished in the bottom half of the Premier League in the 2023/24 season.
There was one attacking in particular proved to struggle in one important way after the loss.
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Southampton striker Adam Armstrong must improve one key attribute after loss
Armstrong was one of the Saints’ heroes last season, especially in the play-off final as he scored the goal to send Southampton to the Premier League against Leeds United.
However, the loss to Nottingham Forest showed the former Blackburn Rovers attacker to be off the pace when it comes to his physicality.
Strength is undoubtedly something that every seasoned Premier League striker has, and it is something that Armstrong notably lacked against Forest, and as a result was a key reason for the striker getting very few opportunities in front of goal.
Southampton boss Russell Martin must look towards plan B in future games
Whilst Armstrong was brilliant in the Championship last season, he is already showing early signs of once again not having all of the attributes to thrive at this level, which could lead to Martin looking towards an alternative option.
There was an option for Martin to play Cameron Archer alongside Brereton Diaz from the start, and this could prove to be a more suitable attacking duo this season, especially having played alongside each other for Sheffield United in the 2023/24 campaign.
This will have likely have been a potentially better option for Martin against Nottingham Forest, and although he didn’t prove to play at his top level in the Premier League last season, it could have given Southampton an extra dimension up top.
The big signing arrived for an eight-figure fee, and after another goalless performance from Southampton, it may call for Martin to bring the attacker straight into the side.