WHEN Saints revealed their starting lineup for Saturday's Championship clash with Plymouth Argyle, it raised some eyebrows.

Not only was Charly Alcaraz's name nowhere to be seen, but it was Adam Armstrong who was slated to replace the Argentine, who was forced to miss the lunchtime kick off through injury.

Armstrong has already struck three times this season, including a brace a week prior against Norwich City, but he was entrusted to play in midfield against the Pilgrims.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Russell Martin outlined what led him to play the forward in a deeper role.

“Technical ability, intelligence, personality, courage, everything he needs to play there," he responded when asked what transferable traits he observed in Armstrong's game during his first weeks at the club.

"I think he will end up playing three or four positions for us this season. He will score a lot, he will assist a lot, but it’s just his contribution to the team and the way he is as a character."

Armstrong joined Southampton in 2021 from Blackburn Rovers in a £15million deal.

He had just scored 28 goals in the Championship, a number only bettered than Brentford's Ivan Toney.

Saints had hoped that the Geordie would be able to replace the goals of Danny Ings, who departed the club for Aston Villa having scored 12 goals in 29 Premier League appearances the season prior.

Unfortunately, it didn't transpire that way. Armstrong only managed five goals across his first two seasons on the south coast as his role in the side diminished.

He saw his minutes on the field reduced during his second season as Southampton cycled through three managers on their way to being relegated to the Championship.

Daily Echo: Adam Armstrong scored twice from the spot in a 4-4 draw with Norwich City

Martin's subsequent arrival at St Mary's has stemmed that tide. In fact, Armstrong's importance to the team has only grown since the retired defender took over. 

“I spoke to quite a few people who worked with him at Newcastle as a kid and then Coventry and they all said he’s a brilliant guy and a brilliant player," the 37 year old coach continued. 

"He’s just been unfortunate that he’s signed somewhere that he wasn’t overly suited to the style.

"Hopefully, now we have come in he feels enthused and he feels how much it will suit him.

"He’s looked brilliant and he needs to continue to improve as do the rest of the group."

Stepping into an unfamiliar role in the Championship requires more than just courage - which Armstrong has in abundance - particularly in Martin's system.

It requires repetition and constant learning to adjust at the rapid rate that 26 year old has managed.

The former Scotland international was quick to highlight Armstrong's willingness to always gather more information about his new position.

He also admitted that his versatility and hunger for more information makes made his job as manager much easier when players drop out of starting contention late in the week. 

“He started the week in a different position. Both he and Che (Adams) were always going to play.

"He has huge versatility. He has to sit in every meeting for every position bless him.

"He’s in about four meetings on the bounce, but he just gets on with it and he’s always asking questions so that he is clear with what we want him to do.

“He’s going to be really important for us this season.”

That importance was highlighted on Saturday, as Saints rescued a late 2-1 win against newly promoted Plymouth Argyle.

In addition to his defensive work, which saw him involved in duels in both boxes, including an injury-time clearance, Armstrong created four chances - the joint most of any player on the pitch.

Alcaraz's return from injury and the addition of Flynn Downes may see Armstrong return to a more familiar position against QPR this weekend. 

Either way, he appears on track to kickstart his Saints career.