ALTHOUGH only a short trip to the continent for Russell Martin’s Saints, the visit to Izmir was an eye-opening one as the Daily Echo followed up close.

With the Championship season starting in under three weeks, this is when pre-season really starts to ramp up.

Three more fixtures on home soil remain and Martin will want to see his philosophy and ideals begin to become results – with the young boss still waiting for a first win.

However, having watched training and the 1-1 draw with Goztepe up close, here are the top things we learned from the pre-season tour in Turkey…

Martin’s system is going to take some time to adapt to...

Daily Echo:

The micro-scale example of this was the Goztepe game itself, which could have seen Saints two goals down to their Sport Republic cousins.

The second half was a significant improvement but the Turkish outfit themselves made some changes and introduced fringe players and youth.

Martin understands the expectations for results this season and ultimately promotion at the end of it but has privately called for a little bit of patience.

Bringing in an almost completely different style of play to what many of the group have been used to for years is not going to happen overnight but he is committed to his ideals.

The roles of the full-backs, certainly against Benfica and Goztepe, have been huge variations on their relatively one-dimensional touchline-hugging task in the high-press 4-2-2-2.

The likes of Adam Armstrong are being experimented with and asked to do very different things, with the number nine even operating in midfield on Saturday.

Certain players are getting much more of the ball and it is going to take time for that telepathic knowledge of their teammates' movements to grow.

As pre-season continues and the sharpness of touches improves, so too will the growth in what Martin wants to see.

The Echo’s pre-season tour coverage is supported by Grosvenor Casino

Daily Echo:

Additions and departures are still needed to win the Championship...

Daily Echo:

One of the things that has been obvious in the opening two fixtures is that some of the central defenders don’t look quite comfortable with the new style just yet.

Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu played very well in Izmir and Martin unprompted praised Jack Stephens to the Daily Echo on Friday.

However, with the futures of Lyanco, Duje Caleta-Car, Salisu and Armel Bella-Kotchap all uncertain they will need centre-back reinforcements.

Martin has also already said the squad is too big, even with some players injured, and Saints will likely need to free up some spaces before they can make some serious further additions.

Che Adams and Sekou Mara have not hit the ground running so far in pre-season – although it is early days – while Paul Onuachu is also expected to leave.

They could potentially do with a confident forward ready to fire the club to the upper reaches of the Championship – especially in a process of change like Saints are going through.   

Better alignment is in place after a year of chaos...

Daily Echo:

With that being said, from our time in Izmir, it is obvious that everyone at the club is now singing off the same hymn sheet.

Whether Sport Republic have made exactly the right appointments, only time will tell -  but it is certainly beneficial to have everyone pulling in the same direction.

All first team staff and chief officers were in Turkey, as well as Sport Republic hosting countless meetings with leadership and global scouting staff.

Director of football Jason Wilcox and Martin both have the same ideas about how football should be played and they work closely together.

Martin even commented to the Daily Echo how confident he is a player would not be signed if he and Wilcox did not both agree they would be a good addition.

It sounds like simple stuff and it should be, but the key difference is Sport Republic have accepted their mistakes and handed over control to those they have appointed.

Henrik Kraft is still an active club chairman but CEO Phil Parsons, the business mind who is also regularly in contact with Wilcox, has been brought in by Kraft to challenge him.

In addition, Martin and his staff have worked together for years at Swansea and assistant Matt Gill is a highly active part in training.

Carl Martin remains with the Saints academy DNA, acting as the link between the club’s young players and the first team while being an integral coach himself.

It would take a significant offer to justify an Alcaraz exit...

Daily Echo:

It is true to say that, although still learning and adapting, Saints did not offer too much by way of attacking threat in their opening two friendly matches.

Alcaraz, 20, however, scored a weak-footed half-volley from his very first touch of the clash with Goztepe to level the scores and save the club from potential embarrassment.

The finish itself, connecting after a corner had been knocked in his direction on the edge of the area, was relatively simple and perhaps a few could have done it.

But they did not, and Alcaraz did – again. The Argentinian youngster netted four in the Premier League following his January move.

Nobody exceeded that for the relegated side and only captain James Ward-Prowse matched that – there is a growing anticipation surrounding Alcaraz’s natural proficiency for goals.

Alcaraz has also seemed to indicate it is down to the club to decide his future, suggesting he will be happy to stay and will only leave if Saints want to cash in.

Amo-Ameyaw is a really high-potential youngster... 

Daily Echo: Russell Martin admitted he was impressed by the exploits of youngster Sam Amo-Ameyaw

Sam Amo-Ameyaw, who is currently just 16 years old, was potentially the standout performer for Martin versus Goztepe.

The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster’s development has rocketed in 2023 and he could even have kickstarted his pre-season with a goal in Izmir after a mazy run and a cute attempted finish.

Amo-Ameyaw’s emergence, which included an impressive debut cameo in the Premier League versus Liverpool on the final day of the season, might have come as a surprise.

For the under-21s, Kami Doyle and Dom Ballard – the striker missing the tour through a minor injury – were delivering more consistently on their route to the Premier League 2 Division Two title.

However, when Amo-Ameyaw picks up the ball – things seem to open up in front of him. Club staff have commented privately on his impressive levels in training.

Amo-Ameyaw is incredibly young, still only slight and should be allowed to develop properly at his own pace, whatever the club decide is right for him this season.

But with a professional contract likely to be confirmed when he turns 17 this week, the future is very bright indeed for young Amo-Ameyaw.