Martin insists principles more important than Southampton formation

The boss lined up his side in an attacking 3-4-3 for their first friendly match at Eastleigh but we have only seen 4-3-3 deployed since.

Saints beat Bordeaux and Montpellier during their pre-season tour of Spain using the same shape that they played for most of last season.

However, Martin - who signed two centre-backs this summer without one having departed yet - insists his players work on both in training and will be flexible.

He explained to the Daily Echo: "I just don't care about formation really. So it is 4-3-3, but then we've built up in a three a couple of times.

Saints boss Russell Martin on the shape his team line up in (Image: Stuart Martin)

"We'll change during the season. We'll change depending on the game and what we need to do, I think - that'll be the main thing.

"We played 45 games with back four last year and then four games back three because we wanted to and we felt we needed to."

Martin added: "We work on both in training, so the guys have a very, very good understanding of that. And also we've only had two centre-halves fit.

"We will chop and change but the formation is really not a concern. It's about how it looks and what the principles are in that. I'm fine with that."

Martin was without Jack Stephens, Ronnie Edwards and Jan Bednarek for the match against Bordeaux in Olot, but the latter two had returned by the weekend.

Saints visit Oxford United in the fourth match of the pre-season schedule tonight (7:30pm) with Martin telling us he will take two teams of 11.

New signing Ben Brereton Diaz is not expected to be involved, despite the forward completing his £7million move from Villarreal on Tuesday morning.