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Southampton 2017/18 season review: Dusan Tadic

By Daniel Hargraves

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Dusan Tadic of Southampton shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Dusan Tadic of Southampton shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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After a season full of both criticism and plaudits, Dusan Tadic has finished the season as Southampton’s joint top-scorer along side Charlie Austin with seven in all competitions.

In fact, the season is his joint-best in terms of goal-scoring (his best overall was 2015/16 where he set up another 13 goals on top).

The Serbian has shown glimpses of his undoubted quality, the Bournemouth game at home in late April instantly comes to mind, however inconsistency has been the 29-year-old’s arch-nemesis once again.

There were several games this term where Tadic just didn’t show up and was effectively a ghost, adding little value to the side; some fans didn’t know how he was still in the starting eleven each week!

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Dusan Tadic of Southampton in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary’s Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Dusan Tadic of Southampton in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary’s Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Even if Tadic was to be involved in a game, there were multiple occasions where passes were misplaced or shots weren’t taken in time etc. A prime example of this was on the final day of the season when the Serbian had many opportunities to shoot after going around Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo but took his time and eventually his effort was cleared off of the line.

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Despite facing mass criticism in several scenarios this season, Tadic has also had games where he’s stepped up for the team, especially in the back-end of the campaign. Dusan scored three Premier League goals in April, one in the demoralising defeat to Chelsea and two in the uplifting win over Bournemouth. In hindsight, it seems as if the Bournemouth game was the turning point for our survival and, if so, Tadic can be give huge plaudits towards being responsible for our survival!

It is unknown whether Tadic will be a part of the squad come next season as multiple reports have thrown out numerous potential suitors to whom Tadic will join over the summer. Premier League sides Everton and Leicester have had their names thrown in to the hat as well as Eredivisie side Ajax.

Personally, I’d sell Tadic on for the right price as, at 29 years of age, he’s unlikely to improve and we have seen that over the last two seasons his performances have regressed. Having said that, I’d much prefer a foreign side like Ajax snap up Dusan instead of a fellow Premier League outfit for obvious reasons.

Overall, Tadic has had a mixed season where too many performances haven’t been good enough but some have been season-defining. If he is to move on this summer then I wish him all the best and thank him for four years of good service to the club!

Verdict

Dusan Tadic: 6.5/10