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Why a target man is key to Southampton’s style of play

By Conor Dunford

WIGAN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Rickie Lambert of Southampton celebrates after scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on February 2, 2013 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Rickie Lambert of Southampton celebrates after scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on February 2, 2013 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Southampton have had an identity in past years of playing attractive football. This season under Claude Puel has seemingly changed that. The style if play isn’t coherent. J-Rod, Long, Austin & Gabbiadini have all failed to hit double figures. But are Southampton missing a big target man up top?

Southampton, over the years, have seemingly always had a big brute of a striker at the forefront of the attack. Club legend Rickie Lambert played that role from League 1 all the way to the Premier League. Once he departed for his boyhood club Liverpool, Graziano Pelle came in to replace him.

Neither of these strikers had the pace of Long & Rodriguez. Neither of these strikers had the poaching ability of Charlie Austin. Neither of these strikers made the intelligent runs Gabbiadini does. What these strikers did do though, is give Southampton a platform to attack from.

In previous years Lambert would receive the ball in the final third, holding it up for the likes of Lallana & Puncheon. Then came the flourishing partnerships of Grazian Pelle feeding Tadic & Mane. A seemingly direct style of play, but an entertaining style of play that resulted in goals, and wins.

As it stands, the likes of Tadic, Redmond and Boufal do not have this luxury.

The problem

Southampton this season have been largely a defensive team. From the outset of every match, they sit deep and attempt to absorb pressure. This is all in the hope of hitting teams on the counter attack. Teams such as Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid are example of the perfect working model.

Southampton’s failing in this is that whenever they pick up the ball, play often breaks down before the final third. Long balls are launched up the pitch, and 9 times out of 10 a centre-half heads the ball down and the opposition have possession.

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This is partly due to the fact Gabbiadini is isolated up top. A striker who has many qualities which he has shown since his move from Napoli. An intelligent runner of the ball and great finisher in the box. Aerial duels are not his strong point. Hold up play, is not his strong point.

When Southampton do get the ball forward and look threatening, this tends to be due to the full backs getting forward. Both Cedric and Bertrand possess great quality on the wings, and Southampton do attempt to play to this strength.

In the recent game against Stoke, Saints attempted 21 crosses, only three being successful. Stoke were successful with nine of their 23 crosses, the most notable resulting in the winning goal by Crouch. That is nearly triple the success rate Southampton had. Stoke, as mentioned, had all two metres of Peter Crouch to aim for.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Peter Crouch of Stoke City celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team-mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium on December 6, 2014 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Peter Crouch of Stoke City celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team-mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium on December 6, 2014 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Full back frustrations

Ryan Bertrand is deemed one of the finest left backs in the country. Exceptional defensively and a serious threat going forward. His ability to get behind the opposing full back to whip in a cross is a lethal weapon for Puel’s side.

Throughout the 16/17 season, Bertrand attempted 99 crosses. Just 15% of these were met by another Southampton player. On the opposite flank, Cedric faired slightly better, completing 30% of 144 crosses this season. Although both full backs have only managed 3 assists each this season. Damning evidence that crossing is not a fruitful tactic for Southampton.

Next: Puel linked with vacant Porto job

The solution? A new striker…

But who? Who can Southampton go out this summer and buy to fill the void left by Graziano Pelle?

Maybe, just maybe, a purchase isn’t necessary. There have been murmurs across social media that fans want to see academy graduate Sam Gallagher given a run in the team. He impressed with Blackburn this season scoring 11 goals in 42 games for the Championship strugglers.

But the chances of him bringing the quality Saints so desperately need are slim. Putting such reliance on a young, inexperienced head is arguably not the way forward. If Southampton were to look into the market for a new striker, there are a few options and potential bargains around Europe.

Bas Dost of Sporting Lisbon is one who has proved he can do the job, whilst Modeste of FC Koln in the Bundesliga has been mentioned on the rumour mill this summer, although after scoring 27 goals in 35 games this season his stock has surely risen.

It is fair to say that teams evolve, managers come in and bring new ideas to the table. Fans often want to stick to the style of play they are used to. More so if that style is effective.

But Southampton have risen from League 1 to the Europa League using this system, tried and tested. To get the best out of the supporting players, recruiting a target man in the summer is a must.