Carabao Cup 3-2 win highlighted why in-form star should play in a different position

Although Southampton took a brilliant 3-2 win over Stoke City in the Carabao Cup, the Saints struggled in the beginning of the second half to defend against the visitors. While the defence again made some mistakes such as unmarking Ashley Phillips on the first goal, the attack didn't looked much convincing despite scoring three goals.

Two of them were scored by starting defenders Taylor Harwood-Bellis and James Bree, while versatile fullback Yukinari Sugawara won the penalty which was scored by Southampton's last season's top-scorer Adam Armstrong. The 27-year-old hasn't been a regular starter for Russell Martin's side in the Premier League and thus is gradually adapting to the first-team squad in the ongoing season.

Carabao Cup 3-2 win highlighted why in-form star should play in a different position

Right-winger Ryan Fraser recently took a red-card against Leicester City and thus, wouldn't be available to face Everton in the upcoming home fixture. However, Cameron Archer's struggling performance in the match was surprising given the fact that the 22-year-old recently scored in consecutive league matches against Arsenal and Leicester City to give the 1-0 lead to the Saints.

Manager Russell Martin has played Cameron Archer as a centre-forward in the previous four matches, but that doesn't seem to be his best position. Although Archer is a striker, the new £15 million signing possesses good playmaking abilities and positioning which helps him to thrive as a left forward instead.

This was evident in the recent Premier League matches as Archer made a brilliant run down the left flank against Arsenal before finding the back of the net to give a 1-0 lead. In the following league match against Leicester City, the 22-year-old again timed his run well inside the box to place Ryan Manning's pass in the bottom-corner to again give Southampton an early 1-0 lead.

In the previous away fixture against Manchester City, Jack Stephens laid a perfect pass for Archer to make an advancing run inside the box, but his attempt was deflected by the goal-post. These matches suggest that Archer's strength is to play as a left-sided forward either in a two-striker formation or as a left-winger to create good goalscoring opportunities alongside promising midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

However, Archer was played as a centre forward against Stoke City and the former Aston Villa star mostly struggled to receive some good passes inside the box due to the absence of right-wing prodigy Tyler Dibling and the struggles of 30-year-old winger Ryan Fraser on the left flank. Everton have also conceded a lot of goals this season and thus, manager Russell Martin should start Archer in the left-wing position to create more huge chances inside the box and again taking a 1-0 lead in this match.

Adam Armstrong could get some playing time in this match alongside Kamaldeen Sulemana and it remains to be seen whether Martin makes any further changes in the starting lineup against Sean Dyche's Everton.