Is it time for Dibling? – Yahoo Sports

It was a good time for an international break for Russell Martin and co.

Saints have three defeats from three, have scored just one goal and are languishing in 19th place in the table. The only consolation has been progression in the Carabao Cup and some encouraging production off the bench in a chaotic start to life in the Premier League.

With Manchester United up against St. Mary’s this weekend, Martin has some decisions to make.

In terms of personnel, some candidates claimed tenured positions.

Cameron Archer scored twice in the cup, Adam Lallana came off the bench for the last eight minutes at Brentford and provided an assist. Mateus Fernandes scored a goal and provided an assist in the first game in Cardiff. But perhaps the brightest star of the opening month was the surprise package of Tyler Dibling.

He has yet to start in the league but has been involved in all three games from the bench and turned a few heads. In the defeat to Forest he came on for the last 12 minutes, made three successful dribbles and won five duels. He was rewarded with a start at Cardiff in the cup and managed two assists. I felt his inclusion would have guaranteed a start at Brentford but had to settle for another appearance from the bench.

Hopefully his time will come this weekend. Ideally, I’d like to see a formation change to a 4-3-3 with Jack Stephens as the unfortunate omission from the back five. Archer should get a chance from the start as that central figure, with Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo making way for Dibling and Mateus Fernandes.

Find out more about Ray Hunt at On That Number podcast