Southampton manager Martin makes Piroe comparison on Armstrong role

The number nine played the first half of the 1-1 draw in Turkey in almost a central midfield role, picking up the ball as deep as left-back and looking to distribute.

When he reemerged after the break, Armstrong – signed from Blackburn Rovers two years ago for £15million to be the Danny Ings replacement – was playing on the right wing.

Newcastle United academy graduate Armstrong netted 28 goals in his final season in the Championship and could be a key player for manager Martin in the promotion hunt.

• Southampton's Martin explains reason behind trio's pre-season absence 

On this occasion, Che Adams played up front as the sole nine. The Daily Echo, out in Turkey for pre-season, asked Martin to explain Armstrong's instructions. 

“At the minute it’s about trying to get everyone in the team and get them minutes but also we know that Adam can do it,” he said.

The Echo’s pre-season tour coverage is supported by Grosvenor Casino

“He’s a really outstanding footballer. We did it a lot with Joel Piroe at Swansea, he started as a nine and played as a 10 for us last season. Adam is not too dissimilar to him in terms of technical ability and understanding the game."

Piroe has netted 41 Championship goals in two seasons under Martin and is drawing significant transfer interest this summer, reportedly including from Saints. 

Martin added: "I think he (Armstrong) can play wide for us, I think he can play nine and 10 so we want him comfortable in as many positions as we can.”

Martin sat down with the Daily Echo following his side’s training session at Goztepe’s sports complex on Friday morning and told supporters that some players will look totally different this season.

Another of those exhibited at Doganlar Stadium was Tino Livramento, whose sole role under Ralph Hasenhuttl had been to drive down the touchline and create that way.

Under Martin, similarly to Jayden Meghoma in Wednesday’s friendly versus Benfica, Livramento had been taking up central midfield positions in possession – before making late channel runs.

Martin explained: “It’s just about his understanding of where he needs to be on the pitch for us and why. He won’t do it in every single game, there will be variants and different details.

“I think he is getting used to it though and I think he enjoys how much of the ball he gets, he will create a lot for us from there.

“He will still be able to get on the outside and do what he has done best, he is a really exciting player to work with, a real talent and I’m enjoying working with him. Hopefully, it will stay that way.”