MANAGER Russell Martin was pleased with Southampton's progress in their 1-0 pre-season win over Millwall on Saturday but felt they were lacking in the final third.

Adam Armstrong scored the game's only goal when he crashed in from close range to ensure Southampton bounced back from their defeat at Oxford United.

Sam Edozie and Joe Aribo squandered chances before substitute Tyler Dibling saw an effort come back off the crossbar.

Summer signing Ben Brereton Diaz entered with 20 minutes to go for his first minutes in Southampton colours.

Martin told the Daily Echo: "I feel better than I did about on Wednesday. (We) saw some really good stuff. We just lacked a bit of threat in the final third in the first half.

"Second half (we were) much better. We looked much more dangerous. There was some really good stuff.

Adam Armstrong scored his third goal of pre-season at MillwallAdam Armstrong scored his third goal of pre-season at Millwall (Image: Southampton FC / Matt Watson)

"(We) limited them to very little. We looked much stronger and fitter today than we have, which is good. They're in a good place physically. 

"I think they're really strong. We looked at that today. On the whole, as pre-season friendlies go it's good because these are a week away from the start of their season.

"We were really dominant with the ball. I wanted a few more chances and things like that, but actually, they're a week ahead.

"They're starting their season next week, so they were at full strength and that's it. I thought we looked, on the whole, better than Wednesday and that's progression."

Southampton's starting lineup resembled their strongest team with a number of regular starters from last season getting a lengthy run out. 

Martin played down suggestions that this team will start at Newcastle, pointing out that he is still "unsure" about some aspects of the side.

He added: "We've got two more games this week, so we'll creep closer to the team that's going to start at Newcastle.

"I'm really unsure on a few teams at the moment because then we have the young guys that come on and do brilliantly again. Tyler was really outstanding when he came on. 

We have a lot of guys that have played in the first 60-70 minutes and have played a lot of games for us and are really strong. We'll have to wait and see."