Southampton have struggled to adjust to the Premier League following their promotion through the Championship play-offs last season. For manager Russell Martin, this has been his first experience in the Premier League, and it’s been a tough learning curve as his team has managed to collect only one point from seven matches. Despite implementing a new playing style and earning promotion, Martin is already facing pressure due to the competitive nature of top-flight football.
Southampton’s owners, Sport Republic, brought in 14 new first-team signings during the summer to strengthen the squad for Premier League competition, with mixed results so far. More concerning, however, is that several key players from last season’s promotion campaign are struggling to perform at the higher level.
Adam Armstrong
Will Smallbone
Midfielder Will Smallbone started the first three games of the season but has been sidelined due to injury. While manager Martin has expressed his admiration for Smallbone, there are doubts about whether he possesses the physicality and athleticism required to thrive in a Premier League midfield. Even before his injury, Smallbone’s performances had raised questions about his ability to adapt to the top flight.
Ryan Fraser
After spending last season on loan at Southampton, Fraser permanently joined the club on Deadline Day. While he made a valuable contribution off the bench and in the dressing room during their promotion campaign, Fraser, at 30, appears to be past his peak as a Premier League player. Although he still offers experience, his role seems more suited to a rotation option rather than a key player at this level.
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