Southampton suffered a 1-0 defeat to Stoke City in their final home game of the regular Championship season.
The game was effectively meaningless in terms of league position for Southampton, whilst the three points ensured Stoke successfully avoided relegation to League One.
It was the third loss in a week for Russell Martin‘s side in what has been a disappointing end to the campaign.
A place in the play-offs is guaranteed and all eyes have seemingly turned towards those post-season clashes, but Southampton may suffer from their loss of momentum ahead of such crucial fixtures.
Against Stoke, the south coast club looked disinterested and struggled to get fans excited as they lost courtesy of a 36th minute Tyrese Campbell goal following poor defending from Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Speaking after the game, Martin explained what he felt cost his side in the drab St Mary’s affair.
Russell Martin identifies key reason for Stoke loss
Southampton barely laid a glove on their opponents in the game.
The home side managed just three shots on target despite registering 65% possession according to Sofascore, with Stoke hitting the target eight times.
Speaking to Southampton’s official club website in the wake of the defeat, Martin said: “The last week’s been really tough, I know I’m not talking about today’s performance yet but it’s been a really tough week.”
The 38-year-old manager went on to specify what he felt was the reason for the defeat, explaining: “Stoke were good, more aggressive than us in the first half and that’s what’s cost us.
“We were a goal behind and we have some big chances, they have a few big chances, too many. But in transition when you try and chase being a goal behind you leave yourself open sometimes.”
For a side trying to achieve promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs it is a pretty damning indictment to say your side weren’t aggressive enough.
Perhaps this is just reflective of what was on the line for each side, with Stoke battling for survival and Southampton limping towards the play-offs, but Martin cannot be happy with his side’s lack of fight.
Southampton fringe players show Martin they aren’t ready
Following the 5-0 loss to Leicester, Martin decided to freshen things up for the visit of Stoke.
The battering at the King Power was a rude awakening for the Saints and a reaction was needed.
Saturday’s game saw a number of regulars drop to the bench, with players who have been on the fringes recently given an opportunity to impress.
It was one they did not take, though.
Shea Charles started in place of Flynn Downes and was substituted at half-time.
David Brooks has now started five games in a row but was moved centrally for this game as Martin explores options with Stuart Armstrong out.
It did not work, with the Bournemouth loanee really disappointing in a position he was expected to thrive in.
Sekou Mara came in for Che Adams up front and managed just five passes in 63 minutes in a performance that showed he is far from ready to step into the Scotland international’s shoes.
The only player who seized their opportunity was 21-year-old Samuel Edozie, who was a bright spark in an otherwise dreary performance.
All in all, the Stoke game served as evidence to Martin that his fringe players are not ready to stake a strong claim to start in the play-off matches that are edging ever close.