Russell Martin emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, stating, “The next game is always the most important.” He acknowledged that some players need to step up, especially following their weekend defeat, despite the positives. Martin added, “There are players who need to stake a claim for their place in the team, and others we need to help grow and improve in our style of play.”

Excited about the challenge of facing Everton, Martin admitted it would be a tough away fixture but an important opportunity for the team. He also confirmed that Saints won’t field as youthful a side as they did against Cardiff, where academy players Romeo Akachukwu and Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh made their debuts. Armel Bella-Kotchap, who featured off the bench in that match after a collapsed transfer to Hoffenheim, could also be involved, along with other players like Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana, who remained with the club after the transfer window closed.

Martin noted that managing the squad will be key, especially with players training well. He left the door open for those on the fringes to earn their place, stating, “It depends on how they’ve trained. I’m open to things changing and being surprised.”

He also spoke about the challenges of balancing training with managing squad depth, explaining how they have been working with different groups of players to keep everyone fit and engaged. Martin emphasized the need for creativity and inventiveness in training to maintain motivation and development across the squad.

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