Groundhog window for Southampton with goals the focus again?

And although that specific rumour may be as preposterous as the last few times - maybe it is not - it highlights something very important. 

The St Mary's side will enter the sixth consecutive transfer window with finding more "potency" (to quote Nathan Jones) somehow the primary focus. 

It began with the £30million departure of Ings in August 2021. Adam Armstrong, who was signed for half of that total, did not fill the void.

In January 2022, there was hope that loanee Armando Broja would pen permanently after Ralph Hasenhuttl publicly signalled the club's intent. 

He returned to Chelsea and Goncalo Ramos and Cody Gakpo became the club's primary targets. Neither player arrived, leaving Hasenhuttl short. 

Jones tried to fix it with the signings of Mislav Orsic, Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana, who have between them scored one goal per circa £22.5million spent.  

Sunderland striker Ross Stewart, signed this summer despite being injured since January, has only been fit for two appearances and will not play again in 2023.

Summer signing Ross Stewart will be eased back into action towards the end of January (Image: Stuart Martin)

Now, Martin has his Saints side almost exactly where he wants them, dominating week-in, week-out, enjoying playing with bravery.

They have conceded just four goals in seven Championship matches, can come from behind when they need to and have displayed a never give up attitude. 

The only thing they are not doing is scoring at will, while the Championship's top two - Leicester City and Ipswich Town - are not relenting. 

Speaking after his side's 1-1 draw at Coventry City on Wednesday, Martin said: “They score more goals than us, that is the one thing they have over us at the minute.

"We don’t put games to bed, we should score a couple here tonight but we don’t, and that’s the next step for us." 

Saints remain in the top four for final third entries and attempts at goal compared to their Championship rivals but the top two are averaging two goals a game. 

Saints fans celebrate their equaliser at Coventry City (Image: PA)

Their added efficiency allows them to kill games off, crucially secure maximum points and minimise the future effects of tension and taut.

In isolation, fixtures at Coventry and Watford were tough. Both sides are now in the top eight of the Championship form table over the last six matches. 

Watford, organised, and Coventry, with power and physicality making their forwards a constant outlet, both sought successfully to sit back and frustrate Saints. 

It will be a regular test for a Martin side to break down low and mid-blocks and, if you cannot find a consistent way of doing so, it relies on moments of quality. 

Across the 1-1 draws with Huddersfield, Watford and Coventry, Saints averaged 70 per cent possession but registered only 10 shots on target from 34 attempts. 

Joe Aribo summed it up, telling the Daily Echo: "The gaffer is pleased with what we are doing but we can win more games and we can be more clinical, giving it to teams more."

Losing Stewart and Kamaldeen to injury for the busy festive period was an unwelcome blow and should be accounted for in the assessment.

The January transfer window will not be as busy as last season's and expectations should be tempered - it is unlikely there will be multiple signings. 

However, Martin this week hinted at some business when he suggested Saints will likely not pursue another centre-back even if Mason Holgate departs.

Russell Martin was happy with his side's performance at CBS Arena (Image: PA)

"We're really clear on what we think the team needs. That hasn't changed over the last six weeks and we will continue to work as best we can on those positions," he said. 

Martin would not comment on what positions they were but Saints do not need a goalkeeper, right-back, centre-back, or defensive midfielder. 

It should be added if a player such as Che Adams were to leave the club six months before his contract is due to expire, Saints would certainly seek to replace him. 

Before the window opens, Saints must navigate five more games in 18 days. Martin is right; his side are on a good run made to look worse by two clubs making history. 

Saints threatened operating with wide men in the second halves of the last two and Martin may be tempted to issue starts to Ryan Fraser and Sam Edozie on Saturday. 

If they are to catch the top two - and you cannot rule that out with 25 games still to play - they need to find a bit of added oomph.