Southampton has struggled in their Premier League campaign, currently positioned 19th after seven matches with only one point to show for their efforts.
Swansea City fans are keeping a keen eye on Southampton’s performance this season, especially with former manager Russell Martin at the helm and several ex-players now on the team. Notably, Flynn Downes, Ryan Manning, and Nathan Wood, who all had successful stints at Swansea, are part of Martin’s squad.
Wood was the last player to make the switch from Swansea to Southampton, joining for a reported £3 million. It was evident that Martin was eager to bring him on board, especially after Swansea had rejected bids of £10 million for Wood the previous summer. Unfortunately, his contract situation compelled the club to sell him for significantly less, a decision that was less than ideal.
However, Wood’s journey at Southampton has not gone as planned so far. Despite the Saints playing seven Premier League matches, he has yet to make his top-flight debut and has only been included in the matchday squad twice. He missed the squad for five games, indicating he might have to wait a while for his opportunity.
He has made two appearances in the EFL Cup, debuting in a 5-3 win over Cardiff City, a match that may have hurt his reputation given Cardiff’s struggles in the Championship. However, Wood also started in a 1-1 EFL Cup draw against Everton, which Southampton won on penalties, showcasing a solid performance that could boost his standing.
Next up for the Saints is a match against Stoke City in the EFL Cup, where Wood will be eager to seize the chance to gain valuable minutes and work his way into Martin’s Premier League plans.
While Martin initially envisioned Wood as a key player during his move from the Championship, the transition to the Premier League has created stiff competition for playing time. With other defenders like Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek ahead of him in the lineup, it’s clear why Wood has found it challenging to secure minutes.
At just 22 years old and under a four-year contract, Wood still has time to make his mark at Southampton. He likely understood he would play a limited role upon joining, and given his positive rapport with Martin, he may not be too discouraged by his current lack of playing time. There’s still potential for Wood to carve out a significant role in the future as Martin’s plans for him continue to unfold.