Southampton fans have been wondering why several of the squad have not appeared in any of the pre season fixtures so far, now Russell Martin has finally clarified the situation.
One of the big questions on Saints supporters lips and keyboards aside from why the hell have we not yet signed a goalkeeper, is why the likes of Kyle Walker Peters, Armen Bella-Kotchap & Tall Paul Onuachu have not yet had any game time in the pre season programme.
However they have featured in training, sparking rumours of a rift in the squad.
Now speaking to The Daily Echo Russell Martin has been confirming where the situation stands.
Martin has outlined that although they would prefer to get certain players off loaded before they bring anyone else in, that this is essentially to keep the cash flow within budget going forward and that if a time sensitive deal was on the cards, they would be in a position to go through with it.
Asked by the Daily Echo if Walker-Peters and co will feature while their futures are still uncertain, Martin admitted he expects to have a conversation with the players in the coming days.
He said:
"It's just really difficult for some players to have a lot of speculation and then to really concentrate.
"You know, people don't want to get injured. No one is refusing to play, but I think it's a conversation we've had.
"But to be honest, the longer it goes and the closer we get to the season, they are going to have a choice to make because they can help us on the pitch. I'm sure that conversation will happen in the next few days."
So it seems that there is no discord within the squad, but certain players, are close to a move and therefore the player and indeed the club would prefer not to risk injury by playing games.
Last season Kyle Walker-Peters was in a similar situation with speculation rife about his future, but he did still play in pre season, yet this season he hasn't which seems a little strange, however a few weeks ago it looked nailed on he would go to West Ham.
He stayed and played a major part in our season, most would be happy for him to sign a new deal and continue where he left off, perhaps he still will, but he appears to be waiting to see if another club comes in for him, as it seems at the moment the Hammers have cooled their interest and are looking elsewhere.
In the case of Tall Paul and Bella-Kotchap, it seems that the club are keen to move both on and indeed negotiations are in progress at the moment, but Saints are not snatching at derisory offers, perhaps confirming that in the short term they do not need to sell before they buy, to answer the confirms of some supporters.
To see KWP leave would be a blow, but the only thing sure in football is that a player will one day play his last game for a club, the only variable is when that happens, so if a football club is to prosper it is all about not hanging on to players, it is about moving them on at the right time and optimum transfer fee, then re investing it and repeating the process.