Could Russell Martin be about to turn to a very unknown figure to prevent Southampton’s Premier League season from going even farther awry as desperation sets in?
More of the same was evident in Monday’s humiliating loss at South Coast rivals AFC Bournemouth.
A gullible, slow-moving, one-dimensional Southampton team playing right into the teeth of their quicker, more aggressive opponents.
Although Southampton manager Russell Martin’s team put up some effort in the second half, Bournemouth easily led 3-0 at the break. This was Southampton’s fifth top-flight loss in as many games.
Furthermore, since no club has scored less goals than them thus far, Martin had even more questions to answer when he saw players like Adam Armstrong, Cameron Archer, Ross Stewart, and Ben Brereton Diaz watching from the bench while 5’4″ Ryan Fraser led the line.
Russell Martin alludes to Paul Onuachu’s Southampton role
It’s reasonable to argue that Southampton’s front line appears to be underprepared for the Premier League.
With just four goals in more than 70 games, Armstrong’s record in the competition is appalling, and Archer’s self-confidence suffered when Andre Onana saved his penalty against Manchester United.
Yuri Alberto, a Brazil international, was not acquired by Southampton for £17.5 million from Corinthians. That is starting to look like it might play a significant role in a difficult season.
Although Fraser, Southampton’s smallest player, is obviously not the solution to Martin’s goal-scoring issues, what about the tallest player?
Their 6’7″ giant of a number nine, Paul Onuachu, was included in the matchday squad for the first time since his return from a fruitful loan spell at Trabzonspor.
Even the most upbeat Southampton fan will be dreading this Saturday’s trip to Arsenal, but Martin hinted that the club’s £18 million forgotten man might still have a role to play, if more out of necessity than anything else.
Martin at The Saints is gushing about Onuachu’s desire.
“We will select the team we believe is the most capable of winning a game,” Martin stated at his press conference. We truly have a large number of players, many of whom are able to assist us.
“I understand that everyone feels they can contribute to the team and help us, but part of the job requires you to make some extremely difficult choices.
Paul has demonstrated [his willingness to have an influence]. Paul was discussed quitting the team for an extended period of time. Now that he’s back on the bench, it’s because his training warrants it.
“His passion for training. The mindset, the attitude…
“I believe it proves that no one is ever truly alone, and it’s up to them guys to make sure they’re included.”
Since joining Southampton as part of that disastrous transfer spree in January 2023, Onuachu has failed to score a single goal for the team. Despite the fact that Martin’s possession-based philosophy is mainly at variance with the Nigerian international’s two-meter size, the player’s resume nonetheless presents him as a productive center-forward.
In his four seasons in Genk, Onuachu scored 85 goals.
Though Trabzonspor could not afford the £12.5 million Southampton sought to recruit Onuachu permanently, he hit the mark 17 times in Turkey as well.
The 30-year-old target man has not appeared for The Saints since August 2023, when they lost to Gillingham in a Carabao Cup match. That past May was his most recent league appearance.
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