Southampton (H) | Match Preview
The Game
Argyle v Southampton. Home Park. Saturday, 19 August. 12.30pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Southampton were relegated from the Premier League in May after 11 seasons in the top flight. They finished bottom of the table, having accrued 25 points.
This season, they began with a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday, with goals from Adam Armstrong and Che Adams. Both men were also on the scoresheet, Armstrong scoring twice, in a 4-4 draw with Norwich City last Saturday. Jan Bednarek scored the other goal.
In between league fixtures, Southampton exited the Carabao Cup, losing 3-1 at Gillingham.
The Gaffer
Russell Martin (pictured below) took over as Saints manager during the summer. During last season, Southampton had three managers: Ralph Hassenhuttl was sacked and replaced by Nathan Jones, who himself was replaced by Ruben Selles, acting as interim manager.
Martin left Swansea City to take the role at St Mary's, having been at the Swans for two seasons, during which they finished 15th and 10th in the Championship. His previous - and first - managerial job was at Milton Keynes Dons, the last team he represented as a player. In his playing career, Martin most notably played over 300 times for Norwich City, and won 29 caps for Scotland.
The Squad
During the summer, Southampton signed 19-year-old Northern Ireland international Shea Charles from Manchester City for a reported £15m. Left back Ryan Manning (below) has also signed, from Martin's former club Swansea City.
Recent headlines have been more focused on players leaving, however. Talismanic midfielder James Ward-Prowse has recently joined West Ham United, with Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Mohammed Salisu (Monaco) and Mohamed Elyounoussi (Copenhagen) and Romeo Lavia (Chelsea) all moving on too.
Nathan Tella, who performed brilliantly for Burnley on loan last season, remains, as do experienced forwards Armstrong and Adams. Ireland international goalkeeper Gavin Bazumu, full-back Kyle Walker-Peters and former Pilgrim Jack Stephens are all notable names in the current squad.
Fancy a Stat?
Argyle and Southampton met four times in 2008, all in league fixtures. The sides played their 2007/08 league games in January and February, then met in November and December, the following campaign.
The History
Argyle have played Southampton 106 times in our history; there are only eight teams we have played more often. However, the two sides have not met since 2010/11, a season when Argyle were relegated and Southampton promoted from League One. Indeed, both situations were confirmed when the sides met at Home Park in the penultimate game of the season. Saints' 3-1 win ensured their promotion, and condemned Argyle to the drop.
Tickets
The game is sold out for home supporters.
If you have a season ticket and cannot attend, you can make your ticket available via the Ticket Exchange and receive face value credit if your ticket is resold. Find out more about the Ticket Exchange.
Argyle TV
Because of the game being streamed on Sky Sports, Argyle TV video passes are only available in certain territories. Please click here to find out the places where video streaming is available.
Supporters in restricted territories, including the UK, can listen to commentary from Charlie Price and Brian McGlinchey once the action begins. Match passes are available, here.
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, hosted by Erin Black and Marc Edworthy, will begin at 2pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube.
