Russell Martin will likely have many sleepless nights over the next two weeks as he tries to settle on his starting XI for Southampton’s opening game of the Premier League season.
Southampton face Newcastle United at St James’ Park as they kick off their return to the top flight on August 17.
A tough challenge, Russell Martin will know his side will have to hit the ground running in order to take anything from Newcastle away from home.
The summer has been spent preparing the Southampton squad for the challenge associated with the step up to the Premier League, with eight players signed and five friendlies played so far.
Southampton have won four of their five pre-season fixtures so far, with the 1-0 win over Millwall on Saturday the latest.
Now, Martin has just two games left to fine-tune his Saints side, with Lazio and Getafe both coming to St Mary’s over the next week as players will get their last chances to stake a claim to the boss ahead of the competitive football commencing.
Tyler Dibling continues to impress in Southampton win over Millwall
So far this summer, it has been Southampton’s youth that have made the biggest impact in pre-season.
18-year-old academy duo Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Tyler Dibling have both featured heavily in the five fixtures so far after Martin laid down the challenge to the pair to show they should be in the first-team picture this season.
Neither player started in the win over Millwall on Saturday but both came off the bench.
It was Dibling that the was the most impressive of the two, though, with the midfielder labelled the ‘standout performer’ in the Daily Echo‘s player ratings.
The Daily Echo gave Dibling’s display an eight out of ten, saying: ‘The standout performer when on the pitch despite his youthful age.
Played with confidence and looked to take the game to Millwall. Hit the crossbar with a good effort and twisted free from defenders on several occasions. Continues to give Martin a selection headache.’
Dibling showing Martin he could start for Southampton in the Premier League
Despite the fact Southampton have made eight signings this summer, only two of those players can be viewed as attacking.
They are Ben Brereton Diaz and 36-year-old Adam Lallana; the latter yet to feature in pre-season after complaining of muscle tightness ahead of the first fixture of the summer against Eastleigh.
- READ MORE: Southampton star Adam Lallana issues fitness update after missing pre-season clash v Eastleigh
Martin is desperate to add Matt O’Riley to his ranks this summer but, with competition for the Celtic midfielder’s signature and Stuart Armstrong having left upon the end of his contract, Southampton are light in attacking midfield.
Whilst at the start of the summer a loan move seemed the best option for Dibling this season, his performances in pre-season have been impossible to ignore and he has given his manager a real decision to make.
The 18-year-old is supremely confident and his fearlessness on the ball make him a really exciting prospect.
Dibling is very good at driving with the ball, whilst he has shown his eye for goal already this summer with two goals.
Whilst Martin will know the benefit that experience will have in the Premier League, the youthful exuberance of Dibling combined with his talent could see the youngster a surprise starter in the opening day clash against Newcastle.