Léo Scienza's groin injury, sustained away at West Bromwich Albion in a midweek fixture, looked to have put an end to Southampton's hopes of a playoff place.
The Brazilian has been the Saints' star man by quite some distance this season. With a difficult trip to league leaders Coventry City and a home match against in-form Norwich City to follow, an injury to Scienza felt like it could be the beginning of the end.
At the Hawthorns, Saints' Head Coach Tonda Eckert threw Tom Fellows on to replace Scienza. With the Saints a goal down and struggling, the former Albion player had little impact back at his old club.
Edozie turns things around for the Saints
The introduction of Samuel Edozie into Scienza's position and the switch of Fellows to the right had the desired effect.
Edozie's pace put the fear of the almighty up Danny Imray, and it wasn't long before the West Brom full-back went into the referee's notebook.
Then, with the clock ticking over into stoppage time, Edozie put in an early cross for Cyle Larin to head in an unlikely (probably undeserved) equaliser.
It seemed for all the world that Edozie would start the next match, away at Coventry City, but Tonda had a different plan up his sleeve.
Azaz gives Tonda another option out wide
The Saints switched to a three-man midfield and played Finn Azaz out wide on the left. For Southampton fans who are unaccustomed to watching Azaz play for the Republic of Ireland, that is exactly the position he plays for his country.
The plan worked brilliantly, and Southampton came away from the CBS Arena with an outstanding three points.
Southampton's young coach recalled Edozie for the next match, a tricky home game against in-form Norwich.
Edozie was a menace for long periods against the Canaries, taking the Saints up the pitch from deep positions and winning fouls in dangerous areas. When Edozie was replaced by Fellows, it was Azaz who drifted out to the left.
Today, against Oxford United, Azaz played on the left of a narrower front three, allowing Ryan Manning to get forward in space out wide.
The Léo Scienza conundrum
The international break couldn't have come at a better time for Léo Scienza. He will now have 14 days to get himself fit and ready for the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on the 4th April.
However, the challenge will be fitting Scienza back into a winning team. Without the Brazilian, the Saints have won three matches in a row. Tonda Eckert has a fabulous problem to solve.
Whether Scienza, Edozie, or Azaz starts on the left, it doesn't really matter. Saints have strength in depth in the position, and they are no longer reliant on their star man.