Russell Martin accepts ‘with hindsight’ he should have started striker with Southampton at Bournemouth

Martin credited the performance of "outstanding" substitute Ross Stewart at Vitality Stadium, who came on with Saints 3-0 down at half-time. His 45-minute cameo was the longest of his Saints career so far but Martin played down his chances of starting at Arsenal as a "different" challenge. Martin did, however, accept that he should have started with a striker - having benched Cameron Archer after missed chances in his two starts.  "It's really easy with hindsight but I should have played with a nine, whether that's Ross, Paul Onuachu, Adam Armstrong or Cam," Martin told the Daily Echo. But when asked if changes were counter-productive to the team's understanding, he responded: "No, not really because we played that system a lot. I’m no tactico but I worry Russell Martin is trying so hard to find a winning formula that he’s betraying one of his own fundamentals.He says his sides are best when they have total understanding and feeling with teammates. Can they when it’s changing every week?#SaintsFC — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) October 1, 2024 "We played it a fair bit last season at times. We build up like that. I think the formation would have changed as we got through the thirds. "We just didn't spend long enough in their final third. We had like eight days or whatever to work on it in training so it's not like it was really alien to them. "It's about assessing the opposition. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. If it works, then everyone speaks about the changes you make. "Maybe I am guilty of trying to find something to really hurt one opposition but I don't think it's a problem. The players know it. "The occasion and the moment took over, really so it sort of negated any tactics. I maybe could have, after the second goal, maybe made a sub or two. "That's my learning, but it's never a nice feeling to have to do that in the first half. Looking back, I should have, so I take responsibility for that. "But in terms of being counterproductive in the shape and system and all that? No, they all played together enough. The concept doesn't change." Russell Martin with a small gesture of apology to the travelling fans.#SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/jvSyh7Zj3V — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) September 30, 2024 Martin's comments suggest he is unlikely to name a strikerless side again, while both Armstrong and Archer will fancy a recall at Emirates Stadium. Saints are the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season, with their three in six matches two goals fewer than the next lowest sides in the division. Asked how Saints can improve on that record, Martin said: "I think we're one of the lowest performers in terms of chance conversion. "We've created a lot relatively for the Premier League but we haven't made the most of that, so we have to keep doing the things that have got us there. "I think the guys just have to keep believing in what they're doing and be willing to really make the most of that moment. "We have some exceptionally talented players but maybe there's that bit of tension in the last action right now so we need to find a way to free them up."