Southampton fell to their third defeat in a week as they were beaten 1-0 by Stoke City on Saturday.
It was an uninspired final home game of the regular season for the Saints, as they looked every bit a team who already knew their destiny was the play-offs.
For Stoke there was more at stake, with the three points ensuring they ended any threat of relegation to the third tier.
Russell Martin made a number of changes from the side that lost so comprehensively to Leicester City in the previous game but the majority of fringe players that came in struggled to take their opportunity.
It was a regular who was at fault for the Stoke goal, though, as Taylor Harwood-Bellis was easily beaten by Tyrese Campbell before the striker slotted past Alex McCarthy in goal.
It was another disappointing day in a month in which Southampton have squandered countless opportunities to push for automatic promotion.
Martin will have been disheartened by what he saw from most of the players he presented with an opportunity against Stoke, but there was one player who caught the manager’s eye.
Russell Martin hails ‘outstanding’ Samuel Edozie
According to Southampton reporter Alfie House on ‘X’, Martin was clear in the immediate aftermath of the 5-0 hammering by Leicester which players would play moving forward.
The Saints boss Martin confirmed it would be those that “really wants to fight for their teammates, really cares, really wants to win.”
However, speaking after the Stoke loss he admitted that this was an emotional response, as he said: “After sitting with the emotion on Tuesday evening, I realised that some people actually need to play because we’re going to need them.”
He then alluded to the fact that his statement in the wake of the Leicester game was more related to the upcoming play-off fixtures than the remaining league matches.
With Adam Armstrong, Che Adams, Jan Bednarek and Joe Aribo dropping to the bench there was a real chance for players who had been on the periphery to come in.
Arguably, the only player that seized that opportunity was 21-year-old Samuel Edozie.
The winger was positive on the ball and worked hard off it in what was an otherwise flat Southampton performance.
His manager was full of praise for his performance too, as Martin said: “Sam Edozie was outstanding, I thought he had a really brilliant performance.”
The 38-year-old also name checked the winger on the other flank, as he said: “Ryan Fraser was good in parts. People deserve to have the opportunity to play. We need to see what they can do and if they’re ready.”
Edozie performance not only positive from Stoke loss
There weren’t too many things to cheer about for the Southampton faithful, but Edozie’s performance was certainly one of them.
On the 63rd minute there was another, as Flynn Downes returned to action for the first time since being substituted at half-time against Preston.
The 25-year-old picked up a knock in that game and, with Southampton’s chances of automatic promotion already incredibly slim going into the Leicester game, Martin did not see merit in risking such a key player.
The West Ham United loanee came on for David Brooks who had been disappointing in the central role that is usually occupied by the injured Stuart Armstrong.
The Saints looked immediately better with Downes on the pitch and Martin was pleased to see the midfielder return, confirming after the game: “It was valuable minutes for some players, Flynn Downes coming back was obviously a boost. That’s probably the only positive really.”
Next up for Southampton is a trip to Leeds United for the final game of the regular season and it will be interesting to see what team Martin sends out at Elland Road.