Russell Martin has explained one of his surprise tactical decisions following Southampton’s defeat to Ipswich Town.
Southampton succumbed to a heartbreaking last-minute defeat against promotion rivals Ipswich Town to all but end their chances of finishing in the Championship’s top two.
Despite dominating large spells of the contest after going behind to a Leif Davis strike early on, Russell Martin‘s men flipped the game on its head with goals from Che Adams and Adam Armstrong in the first half.
Starting the day 10 points behind their opponents with two games in hand, the impetus was on Southampton to win, although an 84th-minute red card scuppered their chances.
Martin’s side tried to hold on, but as they have done so often this term, Ipswich found a winner in the final minute through Brighton loanee Jeremy Sarmiento.
While this defeat broke Saints’ hearts, Martin has now explained one tactical decision he made that cost his side in defeat.
Russell Martin explains why he dropped Kyle Walker-Peters
Kyle Walker-Peters was dropped against Ipswich after playing 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough on Good Friday.
With the Englishman just returning from an injury, it would be easy to presume that Martin wanted to rest him for the trip to Portman Road, however, he has since revealed that it was purely for tactical reasons.
Speaking to the Daily Echo after the game, Martin explained why he dropped Walker-Peters.
“James Bree deserved to play,” he said. “Kyle hasn’t played for a while and played on Friday. No player is guaranteed to start in the team.
“Kyle didn’t have his best game for us (against Middlesbrough) and Bree was excellent. I don’t think there was a problem with his performance.
“The way the team played was fantastic. We don’t lose because of a problem with the selection or the guys on the pitch.”
Dropping Walker-Peters cost Southampton
Walker-Peters is a crucial cog in this Southampton side. It is telling that before his injury against Liverpool in the FA Cup, he played every single minute in the league.
The 26-year-old is having an excellent season for the Saints and was linked with a move to Chelsea in January.
Martin could have done with his attacking quality in the final third, having produced on so many occasions this term, but instead, he chose to start James Bree at right back.
Bree had a miserable night at Portman Road, losing possession 18 times, misplacing eight crosses and winning just two ground duels, while his night was compounded when he got sent off in the 84th minute.
A momentary lapse in concentration from the former Luton Town defender saw Davis slip in behind with the 26-year-old bringing him down – and as he was adjudged to be the last man – he was given his marching orders.
Not only did this cost Southampton in the match, as they were unable to throw the kitchen sink at Ipswich late on, but they were also unable to bring on Walker-Peters having used all of their substitutions.
Southampton had a huge chance to close the gap on the automatic promotion places, but losing to one of their rivals has effectively ended their dreams of finishing in the top two.