Southampton fell to their third defeat in a week as their season threatens to fizzle out.
The Saints arguably have little but pride to play for at this stage with the play-offs guaranteed but the 1-0 loss to Stoke City capped a disappointing seven days.
Russell Martin needs his side to find some form ahead of the play-offs and with their only remaining game a trip to Leeds United this may prove difficult.
The Southampton boss was incredibly frustrated with his players following their 5-0 hammering at the hands of Leicester City on Tuesday and was looking for a big reaction on Saturday.
However, the visitors knew a win would make them safe from relegation and, in truth, they were the only team that looked interested from the first whistle.
Martin rang the changes for the final home game of the regular season, however it is safe to say the majority of the fringe players that came in failed to impress.
Samuel Edozie stakes Southampton starting claim
One player who did take his opportunity, though, was Samuel Edozie.
The winger was key in the first-half of the season and was in the best form of his short senior career before a nasty challenge saw him forced off against Norwich City on New Years’ Day.
That injury saw the 21-year-old miss the month that followed and he has struggled to get back into the side since, starting just two Championship games in that time.
However, against Stoke the former Manchester City man looked one of the very few in a Southampton shirt determined to take his opportunity.
As those around him laboured through a tepid end of season affair, Edozie constantly tried to make things happen for his side in a performance that will give Martin something to think about.
Edozie’s statistics from the game back this up too.
According to Sofascore, The England under-20 international had 44 touches in his 79 minutes and had a pass accuracy of 83%; which isn’t bad at all when you consider he is one of the players attempting riskier passes to try and carve openings.
To add to this, Edozie registered an incredible five key passes despite a blunt collective attacking display, which was more than anyone on the pitch.
He was also positive when he had the ball at his feet and completed four of his seven attempted dribbles, as well as having a penalty shout turned down when he appeared to be clipped after beating his man.
It was clear Edozie was keen to impress as he worked hard defensively too, winning eight duels.
Could Edozie start in the play-offs?
The question now has to be whether Martin feels Edozie is reliable enough to be trusted to start in the play-offs.
Prior to the Stoke defeat, Southampton had started the same front three in the previous four games.
That attacking trio was Bournemouth loanee David Brooks on the right, with Adam Armstrong on the left and Che Adams through the centre.
Both Adams and Armstrong were rested from the start on Saturday, with Brooks moving to a central role as Martin seeks a solution to Stuart Armstrong‘s absence.
Adams and Armstrong will start in the play-offs provided they are fit, but the third attacking spot is potentially up for grabs as Brooks has failed to impress of late.
Edozie offers something different with his trickery and direct style – as well as an injection of pace – and may have overtaken Brooks in the pecking order with him impressive performance against Stoke.
He provides goal threat too, as he has scored six goals and provided three assists in a season in which he has polished his end product.
At the very least, he has given his manager a positive selection dilemma going into the final game ahead of the play-ffs.