Southampton boss Russell Martin has explained the reasoning behind him choosing third-choice goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to replace the injured Gavin Bazunu.
The Republic of Ireland international has been the Saints first-choice keeper all season and had played all 41 Championship games up until yesterday evening. He pulled up in the warm-up leading into the game against Preston North End with an Achilles injury that looks set to keep him out for the rest of the season.
Martin opted for McCarthy over number two Joe Lumley, who retained his place on the bench. The decision seems to have paid off, with the Saints keeping a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Preston. However, the Lilywhites were limited to just one shot on goal.
Che Adams scored twice with Stuart Armstrong netting the other for the south-coast-based side to take them to within three points of third-placed Leeds United. A win at the weekend against Cardiff City and then in their game in hand at Leicester City next week would put them firmly in contention in the race for automatic promotion.
Bazunu was later seen on crutches, and the diagnosis doesn’t sound too good:
“He’s felt something in his Achilles and he’ll get a scan tomorrow,” Martin told the Daily Echo. “I’m sure by the time I speak to you on Friday, we’ll know the extent of it.
“But I don’t expect to see Gavin any time soon at all. I am devastated for him, but we’ll support him in the best possible way because it’s the way this club is.”
On McCarthy stepping in he added:
“I thought Al was brilliant. He’s trained so well. It could have been so easy for him to be deemed as third choice because he’s not on the bench.
“He’s travelled everywhere, trains like a beast, supports the other goalies, the experience he has. He’s played for England and he’s a really good goalkeeper.
“We’ve seen what Joe can do and he’s been great in the games that he’s come in and done well, but I wanted to have a look at Al because it was just a decision I felt in my gut at that time. Thankfully for us, it’s paid off and he only had one shot to deal with all tonight.
“But he did well with everything he needed to do so now we have another selection problem ahead of Saturday.”
Speaking on the decision not to bring Lumley into the fray, the ex-Swansea City boss said:
“I’m sure he’ll be very annoyed and frustrated and hurt but we will chat to him and explain to him why.
“Then how he reacts to that is his choice and we’ll see for Saturday if he’s going to play or not.”
Writer’s View
Losing a player of Bazunu’s stature is always going to be tough. Martin has somewhat lit the torch paper for the two other keepers to fight it out for the remainder of the season.
Southampton are in excellent form and will be hoping that this blow doesn’t derail their promotion bid. The manager has built a stable squad which has only got better as the season has progressed. This news has come at the worst possible time, although bringing in a player that has already made close to 150 appearances for the club isn’t a bad option to have.
