Southampton boss Russell Martin has now explained why he left Ryan Manning out of the squad on Tuesday night.
Southampton looked impressive as they clinched a vital 2-1 victory over Coventry City, ending their three-match winless run in the Championship.
The Saints’ return to winning ways, inspired by a Che Adams double, was spearheaded by a tactical change Russell Martin made.
He switched Jack Stephens back to his usual centre-back role, despite being impressed with his performances on the left while putting Kyle Walker-Peters in that position with James Bree on the right.
Bree was an unsung hero against the Sky Blues and looked defensively solid, whereas Walker-Peters caused the visitors huge problems in his inverted full-back role.
While Bree and Walker-Peters starred for the South Coasters, Martin had to leave out one of his first-team stars as Ryan Manning was omitted from the squad.
Russell Martin explains Ryan Manning’s omission v Coventry
Captured from Swansea City in the summer to link up with former boss Russell Martin, Manning hasn’t hit the heights expected of him.
Having recorded five goals and 10 assists in his final season in South Wales, the 27-year-old was regarded as one of the best-attacking full-backs at Championship level as several clubs battled for his signature last summer.
While Southampton won the race with Manning featuring 33 times this term, the Republic of Ireland international has only produced two assists, a huge drop-off from his output at Swansea.
Yet, everyone knows the £15k-a-week whiz is a talented player, so it was a surprise to see him left out of the starting XI for Stephens and drop out of the squad completely against Coventry.
Explaining his decision to the Daily Echo, Martin said he left Manning out as he wanted to include as many attacking players in the squad as possible.
He said: “We played the two fullbacks and we wanted the most attacking bench we could have.
“He doesn’t agree or like the decision but he respects it because we have a brilliant relationship. We have pretty much worked together for three years now. He knows me inside out and I know him inside out.
“It wasn’t to do with anything other than I wanted as many attacking options on the bench. Shea was there to come on and protect us with the double six, which is how we ended up.”
Martin must stick with the current formula
Manning has found it tough since switching to St Mary’s, and he may find it even tougher to dislodge one of Bree or Walker-Peters from the starting XI.
Putting his red card against Ipswich aside, the Saints have looked infinitely better with Bree in the team as he’s exceptional in one-on-one situations while Walker-Peters offers lung-bursting runs down the left.
That pairing was instrumental against the Sky Blue as Southampton looked rampant in the first half.
It means that, while Manning was unfortunate to be left out of the squad, it’s unlikely Martin will throw him back into the starting XI anytime soon, especially if the current full-back duo carry on performing.