AT the start of the season Sam Edozie looked on course to establish himself as a key figure in Southampton's promotion push.

The young winger looked sharp and direct, important traits as Saints went unbeaten in the first four games of the season.

The highlight for Edozie during that run was his goal against QPR - his first in senior football.

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the game, the 20 year old revealed he had been told “once the first goes in, the rest will follow.” 

A second goal in as many home games did in fact follow, although it came in a heavy defeat to Leicester as Saints plunged into a four-game losing streak.

That run, and, according to Russell Martin, his performances in those defeats, saw Edozie lose his place in the starting lineup to Kamaldeen Sulemana.

“He was full of aggression with his directness at the start of the season, but that went away a little bit," Martin told the Daily Echo.

“That’s on us to make sure he keeps that all the time. It’s about getting to know that person.

“We feel like we understand him more now and it’s about keeping him in that zone where he can be reliable in the other areas of the game where he needs to be.” 

Edozie has had to patiently wait for his return to the starting lineup. 

The England youth international has featured for just 244 minutes of Southampton's 14-game unbeaten run.

Daily Echo: Sam Edozie's two goals this season are his first in senior football

What's more telling is that 39 per cent of those minutes (95) have come in the last two games. 

But, his recent impact - an equaliser against Coventry and the opening goal against Blackburn - could alter the course of his season - and Southampton's.

It is worth pointing out that, on the surface, Saints' unbeaten run - which is the best in the country - doesn't indicate that a new talisman is needed.

Adam Armstrong is currently the go-to man when it comes to scoring goals consistently. His 12 goals are the second-highest in the Championship.

When adding his assists, Armstrong has the most goal contributions in the division.

However, beyond Armstrong, a consistent goalscorer has been hard to come by for Saints.

Daily Echo: Southampton 4-0 Blackburn Rovers

Edozie's four Championship goals is the joint second-highest tally at the club this season, alongside Che Adams.

Martin has called for his team to be more clinical. In order to do that, Saints require players who can capitalise the slew of chances they regularly create.

Edozie could help them unlock the "ruthless goalscoring" their manager has called for. His 0.51 goals per 90 minutes is only bettered by Armstrong (0.57).

More than his goals, Edozie offers a direct threat which can help his team break down opposition sides who are willing to sit back and disrupt their possession-based buildup.

His ability to turn and run at defenders with pace can create dangerous space, as can his close-control dribbling and quick feet.

He's also shown a willingness to run in behind and stretch defences to receive passes over the top. 

"Me and Sam have had brilliant conversations," Martin added. "I told him 'You need to have an impact in the game. When you do, come over and tell me where to shove it.'

“He couldn’t have done any more. He’s a fantastic young player. He had a tough time last year.

"He went away with England, did well and came back really hungry. It’s been a case of waiting for the right opportunity to get on the pitch.

“He’s taken it. Now he’s pushing to stay on the pitch for even longer. I’m really pleased for him because he’s a good young man. Hopefully, he can continue to grow with us."

Martin went on to point out that the development of a young is never a "straight line trajectory". Instead, it's a road with "ups and downs."

That journey however gives players an appreciation of how difficult things will be during their career. 

Edozie's 'down' earlier in the season could now be the genesis of his next up. A large part of the development of a young player is finding consistency and decreasing the scale of those ups and downs.

“I really believe in football it’s about how you come out of tough moments - he’s had one recently with being out of the team," Martin concluded.

“He will have plenty during his career because that’s life - especially as an attacking player."