Manager Russell Martin reveals the reason behind the tactical changes in the 3-1 defeat
By Aakash Desai
Although Southampton faced another defeat in the Premier League against Bournemouth, Southampton made a lot of starting lineup changes which didn't help them in scoring more goals in the first half. Manager Russell Martin played a four midfielder formation, but started Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes as creative playmakers with no starting striker in the lineup. Further, several centre forwards such as Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz and Adam Armstrong were available as a substitute thus, this left a large section of Southampton fans wondering about this massively changed lineup.
Bournemouth took advantage of the Saints's lineup decision and started the first half with several advancing runs inside the final third to score more goals and take an early lead. The home side successfully managed to do this and scored three goals before halftime, and didn't had to do much defending due to the Saints not playing any central forward in their lineup. Although manager Russell Martin brought on Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz and Ross Stewart in the second half, Andoni Iraola's side had already taken a massive 3-0 lead and managed to take the three points from this match.
Manager Russell Martin reveals the reason behind the tactical changes in the 3-1 defeat
After the match, Martin opened up about his lineup changes and revealed the decision for changing the formation, saying,
"Because of the way Bournemouth are. You change and tweak but get accused of not adapting all the time.
- Russell Martin
We adapted because of the opposition. In the first 10 minutes, we showed why."
Bournemouth score three first-half goals as Saints face another 3-1 defeat. dark. Next. Bournemouth score three first-half goals as Saints face another 3-1 defeat
Without a doubt, Southampton looked a great side while having the ball possession, but Bournemouth implemented their strategy well and displayed brilliant finishing in front of the goal. Now, the Saints will face Arsenal in the away fixture where Russell Martin's side need to display a quality performance in order to take a draw from the match. Moreover, it'll be the first match for Aaron Ramsdale against his former club since his £25 million transfer move from Mikel Arteta's side in the final week of the summer transfer window.
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