'The hunger': Martin hints at shock re-call for Southampton player not seen in 14 months
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As desperation threatens to set in at Southampton, could Russell Martin be about to call upon a rather unfamiliar face to save their Premier League campaign from going even further off the rails?
Monday’s humbling defeat at South Coast rivals AFC Bournemouth was more of the same.
A naive, sluggish, one-dimensional Southampton side playing directly in the hands of their faster, more high-pressing hosts.
Bournemouth cruised into a 3-0 half-time lead and, while the visitors showed some fight in the second, the frustration of Southampton boss Russell Martin was evident following a fifth top-flight defeat out of six.
And, with no team scoring fewer goals then them so far, the sight of Adam Armstrong, Cameron Archer, Ross Stewart and Ben Brereton Diaz all watching from the bench as a 5ft 4ins Ryan Fraser led the line raised even more questions for Martin to answer.
Russell Martin hints at Southampton role for Paul Onuachu
It’s fair to say Southampton’s frontline looks rather ill-equipped for the Premier League.
Armstrong’s record in the competition is extremely poor – only four goals in over 70 games – while Archer’s confidence took a hit as Andre Onana saved his penalty against Manchester United.
Southampton failed to get a £17.5 million deal done for Yuri Alberto, the Brazil international at Corinthians. That is already shaping up to be potentially a big factor in a season of struggle.
But while the smallest member of Southampton’s squad in Fraser clearly isn’t the answer to Martin’s goalscoring problems, well then how about the tallest?
Paul Onuachu, their 6ft 7ins colossus of a number nine, was was part of the matchday squad for the first time since he returned from a prolific loan spell at Trabzonspor.
And ahead of Southampton’s trip to Arsenal on Saturday – a game even the most optimistic supporter will be dreading – Martin indicated that the club’s £18 million forgotten man could yet still have a part to play, albeit largely out of necessity than anything else.
Martin full of praise for Onuachu’s desire at The Saints
“We’ll pick the team that we feel is the best one to win a game,” Martin said at his press conference. “I really we have so many players and so many of them can help us.
“I know that all of them feel they can help us and impact the team, but it’s part of the job you have to make some really tough decisions.
“Paul’s shown [his desire to make an impact]. Paul’s been out of the squad and was talked about leaving for however long. He’s now back on the bench because he deserves to be the way he trains.
“The hunger he trains with. The attitude, the mentality…
“I think it goes to show that no one is ever completely out, and it’s up to them guys to make sure they’re part of it.”
Onuachu has not scored a single Southampton goal since arriving as part of that doomed transfer splurge in January 2023. The Nigeria international’s CV, however, paints the picture of a prolific centre-forward, even if his two-metre frame is largely at odds with Martin’s possession-based principles.
Onuachu scored 85 goals in four seasons at Genk.
He hit the target 17 times in Turkey too, though Trabzonspor could not afford the £12.5 million Southampton wanted to sign Onuachu permanently.
The 30-year-old targetman has not featured for The Saints since a Carabao Cup clash defeat to Gillingham in August 2023. His most recent league appearance came that previous May.
