Three things we want to see from Saints team against Montpellier

The players took part in a recovery session on Thursday morning after the match, before enjoying a round of golf at a PGA course in Girona.

Manager Russell Martin will put two more sessions into the legs ahead of Saturday's friendly fixture to conclude the Spain pre-season camp.

The Daily Echo is attending the training sessions and will be given more of a guide of what to expect from Saints when they face Montpellier. 

Here are three things we want to see from the next starting lineup... 

Fore pics from the course ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/6Ff2MIfHtC

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 25, 2024

Sugawara starting as a wing-back

Yukinari Sugawara has the potential to be a real fan-favourite having impressed in his first 75 minutes as a Saints player.

The 24 year old scored from range against Eastleigh as he caused constant problems paired with Sam Amo-Ameyaw down the right-hand side.

Japanese international Sugawara arrived from AZ Alkmaar with good attacking statistics and looks naturally suited to a wing-back role.

Saints could line up in a three-at-the-back a lot in the Premier League but we have only seen him playing on the right of a back four at this early stage.

Martin's three-at-the-back at Silverlake Stadium only included out-and-out wingers in Sam Edozie and Will Merry but an under-21s variant featured wing-backs.

It feels like a system more suited to tougher opposition and Montpellier will be Southampton's biggest challenge of pre-season so far.

Sugawara and Ryan Manning could have the potential to show the best of themselves starting high up the pitch, with 'Rhino' given the freedom to come inside.

Yukinari Sugawara scored in the first pre-season friendly (Image: Stuart Martin)

These four in the midfield together 

Southampton's under-21s and Martin's first team started in a box midfield four for pre-season matches against Swindon and Eastleigh last Friday.

It is a system not too dissimilar to how England lined up in their final EURO 2024 matches, with Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.

Martin could name a box four of Flynn Downes, Will Smallbone, Joe Aribo and the impressive youngster Tyler Dibling on Saturday.

The former three look set to start after beginning on the bench against Bordeaux and are Martin's current first choices in the midfield ranks.

Adam Lallana was billed to start in the four against Eastleigh but is nursing a minor injury and who does not want to see more of Dibling?

Saints are looking to add an attacking midfielder but with a new addition perhaps replacing Dibling, could we be looking at the starting four on August 17?

Flynn Downes could be Southampton's most crucial player (Image: Matt Watson / Southampton FC)

Bednarek getting his first minutes 

This one is solely dependent on fitness but Martin said there were a few players sitting on the sidelines on Wednesday who would help the team.

Jan Bednarek has only just returned from Poland duty at EURO 2024 and only has 12 months left on his current contract at St Mary's.

Kyle Walker-Peters seems to be going unused while his future is unresolved so hopefully, Bednarek is not in the same situation.

Ronnie Edwards, meanwhile, started against Eastleigh and looked exciting during his short 17-minute cameo before he came off as a precaution.

The 21 year old is a potential future star and hopefully, he is fit to start alongside club captain Jack Stephens, who is yet to play his first minutes of pre-season.

The skipper told the Daily Echo on Tuesday that he is fit and ready to play, despite not featuring against Bordeaux during the week.

Jan Bednarek has been training but is yet to make his first appearance (Image: Matt Watson / Southampton FC)

PS: and since in doing this article I have named nine out of my XI, I would start Alex McCarthy in goal and Adam Armstrong up front!