Joe Aribo’s game-winning goal in the 96th minute saved Southampton’s blushes on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Birmingham City 4-3.
Russell Martin’s team has struggled with defensive lapses in concentration all season, and that game brought attention to the problem once again.
If Martin’s team is to advance, they need to make major progress in this area, which they will begin to do tonight when they play Preston North End at home.
The Saints, who have dropped their last two games against Millwall and Hull City, need to get back on track at St Mary’s.
The Southampton manager is still feeling bad about the choice he made in the later loss—removing Adam Armstrong from the starting lineup.
Russell Martin remains “enraged” about Adam Armstrong’s exclusion against Millwall.
With 17 goals and 11 assists in the Championship this season, Armstrong is having the best season of his life.
Week in and week out, those comebacks should guarantee his spot on the team sheet, but Martin chose to bench him against Millwall, a move he still regrets.
Martin said to the Daily Echo, “I am still irritated with myself for removing him from the team.” “With him on the team, I believe we are a stronger unit. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have, but we believed that his need for a break was justified.
It’s evidence of how wonderful he has been that we weren’t okay without him even though we assumed we would be.
We made a team change following the West Brom match, which still enrages me, and it’s entirely my fault.
“I don’t think Arma’s departure from the team has anything to do with his play, except than perhaps a little freshness—probably not.
Martin needs to grow from his error.
This season, Armstrong has been fantastic for the Saints. His goal scoring record and other offensive numbers both demonstrate how important he is to the team.
The 27-year-old is among the top 1% of Championship strikers for touches (att pen), in the top 5% for goals that are not penalty kicks, and in the top 10% for assists per 90 minutes, according to FBref.
Martin continues to regret dropping the former Newcastle United forward because he is performing at a level that no other member of the team has even approached.
Armstrong responded by scoring in the Saints’ victory over Birmingham, leading his manager to call him “brilliant,” even though the Saints manager had stated that resting him was a factor in placing him on the bench.
He was a part of a devastating trio that defeated the Blues four games to one, with David Brooks and Che Adams looking similarly impressive. They might all maintain their spot against Preston this evening.
