Christopher Lee/Getty ImagesSouthampton might not be in the Premier League if not for Adam Lallana, though he's arguably the reason Saints are struggling in 2012.

I don't think I am the only one asking this question. On September 10, Saints fans rejoiced at the news that Adam Lallana had been called up to the England squad. It was a bit of news that justified those fans for the praise they had given him to all that would listen over the past few years.

It was also the culmination of what had been a very good few seasons for Lallana, who had transferred his technical ability and his enthusiasm from League One to the Championship and then into the Premier League. Impressive performances against Manchesters City and United had the Saints fans calling for their man to be given a chance with the England team, something Roy Hodgson didn't ignore.

It may not have been a call-up to the original squad and he may have only ended up sitting on the bench, but it was the beginning of something special beyond mere recognition for his hard work and ability.

So what has changed? With the Aston Villa game an exception, Lallana hasn't looked himself since; as a result today's England squad announcement saw fellow late September call-up Raheem Stirling in but Lallana out. No Saints fan can be surprised.

Lallana has had little or no impact on Saints games of late, something of genuine concern. Gone is the confidence and the beating of his marker, something that has seen defenders end up on the floor in the past. In place is someone who looks like he has lost his way. This was on full view in Monday's 2-0 defeat at West Brom; not only did his attacking play unimpress but he was to blame for fullback Danny Fox being exposed on the left flank time and time again.

Lallana is a hero to Saints fans and rightly so, but it is no exaggeration to say that had reent import Guly do Prado played like Lallana did on Monday, he would have been slated amongst the Saints faithful. Perhaps that is part of the issue. Has Adam become complacent? Is he so assured of his place in the side that he feels like he doesn't have to put in his previously high level of effort? Did time with the superstars of the England squad change his attitude? Has he become to big for his boots? Or perhaps it is the club captaincy?

Many have voiced concerns that he isn't the on pitch leader you might look for in a captain and perhaps the weight of that responsibility in this dreadful run of results has got to him. He is also a new father, something else to surely impact his performance. Sleepless nights and the upheaval that comes with parenthood may take some time to get used to.

Of course Lallana has not been the only one of form in the Saints team, but he is one of the one whose poor form will be noticed the most. He was of paramount importance to everything good about the Saints' style of play over the last couple of seasons but the player who was so integral to the success of recent seasons is seemingly absent..

If Nigel Adkins is concentrating on getting his defence to concentrate better for ninety minutes, he won't want to take his eye off of the performances of Lallana. For us to succeed we need him firing on all cylinders, and when he does again, opponents will fall.

Keep the Faith.

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