Southampton V Leicester City The Preview

There is no way that this game can be dressed up as anything other than crucial in not only Saints season, but the future of Russell Martin as manager at St Mary's, by 5pm on Saturday there will be a lot of questions answered.

There is a lot of speculation about what side Russell Martin will put out against Leicester, but the reality is that unless he tweaks the playing style, it won't make much difference, as in every game played so far, whatever good work we have put in, has been undone by individual errors and getting caught in possession.

Saints supporters are now frustrated and desperate, so much so that some even see Tall Paul Onuachu as the answer, whilst I would be delighted if that was to be the case, I would say that a few fancy turns in the centre circle at the Emirates does not a striker make.

So my message to Russell martin is get back to basics and make it simple, at the end of last season you showed that you could tweak things and we went from losing 5-0 at Leicester to beating Leeds twice and promotion.

It is time for the best players to be played in their natural positions, the tried and trusted, not clutching at straws.

A tight back four and a midfield that can work hard and create, that said I'm torn on who plays at the back, but I am sure that Kyle Walker Peters name should be on the team sheet.

In the centre of midfield Flynn Downes should have Mateus Fernandes & Adam Lallana in front of him and up front Tyler Dibden & Cameron Archer.

The problem is that Russell martin is not a bad manager, if Pep Guardiola left Manchester City tomorrow and Martin replaced him, City would still win the Premier League, but Martin doesn't have the players to do that at Southampton, if he is to show that he is a manager who can manage at the top, he has to be adaptable and so far this season he hasn't been.

Saints are capable of winning this game, but only if we change and adapt, the players have to have the freedom to do the basics when necessary, to clear the ball when under pressure and not be scared to hoof the ball when required.

Another full house at St Mary's and 100% support is needed, I hope that come the end of the game that we have the 3 points in the bag and that we can move forward with some confidence.

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