IT IS easy to look at the impact of a substitute and immediately think, ‘well, why on Earth were they sat on the bench anyway?'

That is the question Joe Aribo left most Saints supporters asking, after he was one of three second-half changes that inspired his side from two goals down to a 2-2 draw with Leeds United.

Aribo, 26, for all of his effort and endeavour, had been cut an isolated figure in the prior 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl – no matter how vehemently you believe he got his initial team selection and shape wrong – has campaigned for five available substitutes for a reason.

You do not have to be a starter in the Austrian’s side for him to consider you an integral part of his plan. If not for two moments of defensive madness after the break, Saints would have had a platform to win the game with positive changes.

“I spoke to the manager the day before the match and he just said ‘be ready for me’ for when I need to come on and impact the game,” Aribo told the Daily Echo.

Daily Echo: Aribo scored nine goals for Rangers last season (Pic: Matt Temple)Aribo scored nine goals for Rangers last season (Pic: Matt Temple)

He did exactly that. Aribo arrived onto a ball from fellow substitute, Adam Armstrong, inside the area to halve the deficit with under 20 minutes to play.

“Things like that happen. That’s what I do, every time I play I want to leave my impact on the pitch and luckily I was able to do that,” he continued.

“The manager said he was going to take me out and give me some time. I’m here to do the job so no matter if I’m starting on the bench or starting in the team I’m ready to make my impact on the team.”

The conditions on a baking hot summer’s day inside St Mary’s further lent to the possibility of a decisive impact from Hasenhuttl’s changes.

“I was sitting on the bench with a towel over my head because it was so hot. It looked carnage for the boys,” Aribo admitted.

Daily Echo: Aribo knocked it through Illan Meslier to score on Saturday (Pic: Stuart Martin)Aribo knocked it through Illan Meslier to score on Saturday (Pic: Stuart Martin)

“It looked so hard to run and that’s what they did so well, they wore down the opposition and when the subs came on we were able to come fresh and make our impact on the game.

“That’s why the manager brings players on, to see a change in the game, to bring a spark. It’s so important to have a good squad and to have those options.”

Aribo’s first Premier League goal comes two weeks after he had announced himself to the crowd in SO, with a 70-yard solo run and finish versus Villarreal in the final pre-season friendly.

Signed from Scottish giants Rangers for a modest fee of £6million this summer, Aribo – who can drift in and out of games – has already spoken about his task being to provide ‘moments’.

“It’s an amazing feeling, I don’t really have words but I’m really buzzing today and happy to help the team,” he said.

“I literally said to Arma I could have scored a hat-trick, the header I felt like I should have chested and volleyed and the second one I thought I could do better too. But fortunately I have managed to score.”

Aribo’s strike was added to by Kyle Walker-Peters, provided by an excellent assist from Premier League debutant Sekou Mara, with less than 10 minutes until the referee’s final whistle.

Only once did Saints come from two goals down to avoid defeat in the Premier League last campaign, during April’s 2-2 draw with south coast rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

“It's really important to have that, you need fight when you’re down 2-0, it’s never easy to get back into the game,” Aribo added.

Daily Echo: Aribo has played in both Premier League matches this season (Pic: PA)Aribo has played in both Premier League matches this season (Pic: PA)

“The boys are fighting and pushing together and you can see how important that is to get back into the game. We need to get points on the board.”

The international continued: “After the first result, we needed a turnaround and a bounceback. We got that today but it’s about pushing on.

“We’re biding our time and getting used to things but you need results to feed into things so it’s a massive point.

“We saw together the fight and the spirit. That is what we will need. We’re going to play Leicester and we’re going to fight together – we need three points.”

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook