Southampton Have A Star In Aaron Martin

Aaron played early season and to be honest looked inexperienced but very very promising. He played and was praised by both Jose Fonte and Radhi Jaidi as a star for the future.

He did not let us down and as far as I can tell played well enough to warrant more chances. He became popular with the fans and these same fans have often called for his inclusion in the first team on match days.

He is a regular with the Under 21’s and as captain must be held in some regard. This must surely show that he is thought well enough of but it is a wonder that he has been left out of the side apart for a couple of games sat on the bench.

Aaron is in the last 6 months of his contract and I am hoping that his contract will be renewed before it runs out. It is rumoured that we turned down a bid for him last month which, if true, shows that we want him to stay. Or at the very least rate him higher than the club reported to have been interested in him.

My worry now is whether he will get a game before the pressure gets even worse in the run-in to the end of the season. I would like to think that Aaron will be used, but do wonder if the need for points overrides the need to blood some of our youngsters.

Martin is rated by many fans and is definitely preferred to Dan Seaborne. Radhi Jaidi was a great player but he is slowing with age, and as good as he is can’t keep playing for much longer at the same level.

So before long the need will surely arrive when Aaron will be needed through injury or even loss of form or confidence of another player.

Right now my fear is that Jose Fonte would get injured and miss a few games. If that would happen we could be left with the likes of Jaidi and Seaborne as first choice centre backs.

That thought does not instil a great deal of confidence. With our academy being touted as a breeding ground for youngsters and having seen how Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has done, I hope that some of the other youngsters can get a chance to shine.

I may be wrong but I do rate Aaron Martin, and as I trust Nigel Adkins man management skills, I have no choice but to believe that Aaron will extend his contract with us.