Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling “couldn’t play for every team” and is “getting so much better”, manager Russell Martin has suggested before his side seek their first Premier League win of the season when they visit Bournemouth on Monday (8pm BST).
England youth midfielder Dibling scored his first goal for Saints to put them ahead at home to Ipswich Town last Saturday, only for the visitors to equalise in the 95th minute and condemn Martin’s side to 18th in the table.
“He was unfortunate not to play earlier because he had an amazing pre-season,” Martin said of the 18-year-old. “He has an incredible belief in himself in a humble, modest way.
“He has to just keep giving 100% and understanding what has got him this far. At this moment, he couldn’t play for every team – he suits the way we play a lot.”
Staplewood sessions 💪
Thursday’s cut 🎬 pic.twitter.com/HeucCLztEI
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 26, 2024
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Tyler Dibling: Southampton star’s ‘quick rise’
Dibling, who made his league debut in January, collected a pass from Adam Lallana – a veteran twice his age – to strike against the Tractor Boys.
“He’s getting so much better at the things he needs to improve on,” observed Martin. “But he needs to continue to grow and develop and stay so hungry.
“That’s always the challenge with young players when they have a quick rise. With Tyler, I don’t see that being a problem.”
🎞️ Bournemouth (a), 2016 pic.twitter.com/jWbzCKZ0LB
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 26, 2024
Southampton injuries vs Bournemouth
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu remains a long-term injury absentee for Southampton but defender Jack Stephens, midfielder Will Smallbone and attacker Kamaldeen Sulemana should return next month.
Martin has no new injury concerns before facing opponents who started by going three games unbeaten in the Premier League before losing their last two at home to Chelsea and away to Liverpool.
“I just need to pick the right team to win the game,” said Martin. “The fans will be desperate for us to put in a performance – not just because of the locality of the team we’re playing against, but because we want to win and need to win.
“I haven’t been given any extra motivation by anyone here and I haven’t placed any extra onus on the game because of that. We’ll go there and treat it in the same way we would any other game.
“We’re in a better place than we were before last week. We’re trying to be better all the time… and Saturday was a step towards that. Now we need to build on that.”
