Three Southampton players who could thrive with likely new boss Martin

Relegation will do that to you and the focus for Saints is now entirely on how they can get back up to the top flight next season.

Earlier this week the club released a statement informing fans that boss Ruben Selles will be departing when his contract expires this summer, leaving Sport Republic on the search for their third permanent managerial appointment.

READ MORE: 'If not the Premier League, very close' - Departing Saints boss outlines lofty aims

And widespread reports have stated that the new man is set to be Russell Martin, who is expected to leave Swansea imminently in order to take the reigns at Saints.

A new division brings a new set of challenges and a new manager brings new preferences and a new style of play. As with every change at the top, Martin’s arrival will be a boost to certain Saints players who could thrive with the new direction.

We’ve taken a look at three of those players who could be set for huge seasons in the Championship under Martin…

Gavin Bazunu

There’s no escaping the facts: it’s been a hugely underwhelming and borderline disastrous maiden season in a Saints shirt for Bazunu. The redeeming factor from a campaign full of errors has been significant minutes, something that should prove a positive for a goalkeeper who still hasn’t turned 21.

But in terms of his performances, Bazunu hasn’t been good enough or really anywhere close to good enough. The defence in front of him certainly hasn’t helped with Saints conceding 69 goals while keeping only four clean sheets all season long.

And while those problems have persisted with Alex McCarthy in net instead of Bazunu, the Irish starter has been a problem himself for Saints this season.

His biggest issues have come with shot-stopping, either reacting late as seen in defeats to Brighton and Leeds, or pushing the ball back out into danger as evidenced in the draw with Arsenal and the defeat to Crystal Palace at St Mary’s.

He’s been better when it’s come to defending crosses and utilising the ball with his feet but it was the issues making saves - both easy and challenging ones - that cost him his starting role.

Bazunu has already proven himself good enough to be one of the elite goalkeepers at League One level and not yet good enough for the Premier League, this season coming too soon for the youngster.

But next term, Bazunu gets a shot at the Championship and Martin could be the perfect manager for him. Martin heavily emphasises control of the ball with the goalkeeper seen as an extra outfield player in possession to help his side retain a numeric advantage.

Martin himself said in March that the goalkeeping position in his Swansea team was one of immense responsibility, 'not just with the hands but with the ball at their feet.’

The slower speed and slightly less punishing nature of the second tier should aid Bazunu’s development and Martin’s focus on a goalkeeper’s ability with the ball at their feet should fit perfectly with Bazunu.

Bazunu spent significant time training as an outfield player while making the grade at Shamrock Rovers and has been referred to by previous teammates as a ‘midfielder with gloves.’

No doubt one of the main reasons Saints chose to sign Bazunu, his ability on the ball should be able to flourish - and will be needed - with Martin in charge. It could prove a huge season for him.

Tino Livramento

It’s been a supremely challenging calendar year for Livramento. After breaking out as one of the top young players in the league last season, that progress was halted by a serious knee injury suffered last April.

Finally returning this past weekend at Brighton, it has been and will continue to be a long road for Livramento in order to reach the heights he was previously moving towards. But as long as he can physically get back to where he was, a season in the Championship under Martin could be thrilling for Saints and his own development as a player.

Livramento was crucial to Saints’ success last season both with and without the ball but he made an impressive impact in possession, something that would no doubt excite Martin.

Amongst those with at least ten starts, only five Saints players had more touches per 90 minutes than Livramento’s 60.7. He ranked fourth amongst outfield players for touches in his own defensive third, sixth for touches in the middle third of the pitch, and seventh for touches in his team’s attacking third. In other words: all action.

Not only was Livaremnot constantly involved when his team had the ball, but he was constantly involved in every area of the pitch, aiding his team’s build-up and his team’s attack in and around the box.

Below is the touch map from Livramento’s last completed game before his injury. Away to Leeds United, Livramento had the second-most touches of any Saints player and as is clear from the image below, those touches came all over the right flank.

Livramento’s profile includes much of the skillset that Martin will be looking for and the Chelsea academy graduate compares similarly to Swansea’s Ryan Manning, a focal point of Martin’s side over the past season.

Like Livramento did with Saints, Manning was consistently a major element of Sawanea’s play on the ball. The full-back averaged 80.8 touches per game, fourth-most amongst his teammates while also ranking fourth for touches in his side’s attacking third.

Below is Manning’s touch map from the final game of Swansea’s season against West Brom. While he was operating as a left-ack compared to Livramento as a right-back, it’s clear in both examples just how involved the two defenders are when their team has the ball.

Livramento is slightly more of a traditional full-back than Manning in that he prefers to stay wide rather than come inside but he has the raw attributes and clear footballing intelligence to make huge strides forward under the right manager. Could that be Martin?

Joe Aribo

Admittedly, this is the most speculative of the three players we’ve selected. Both Bazunu and Livramento should be Saints players next season and both should have large roles to play. The future is far murkier for Aribo.

After signing from Rangers last summer, the Nigerian has endured a disappointing campaign. Aribo appeared in each of Saints’ first 18 Premier League games of the season but he has started just twice since, making little impact in those two starts.

But if Aribo does stick around this summer, there is reason to believe that he could be set for a much bigger year in the Championship.

For much of his career, at least since leaving Charlton Athletic, Aribo has been a moments player. The criticism from Rangers fans was that Aribo was capable of magic but would all too often disappear.

Still, not everyone has that magic to begin with and it could prove indispensable under Martin. Preferring to keep the ball for long stretches of time as they attempt to break down their opposition, Martin’s teams can struggle when faced with defensively resolute opponents who throw ten men behind the ball.

In the Championship, Saints should see much more of the ball than they did this season, and as one of the bigger sides in the division, will almost certainly see many of their opponents playing for a point.

It’s in these close contests against stubborn defences where a player of Aribo’s talent and skillset could shine.

He may not develop into an every-week starter and he may not ever be consistent. But there will be days and there will be times when Saints need a moment of magic to unlock a strong defence and Aribo has that ability in his locker.

Agree with our choices? Anyone else you think could be set for a major step up should Russell Martin indeed become the new Sants manager?