Who should play in Southampton’s #10 role against Swansea?

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton (L) celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Dusan Tadic of Southampton (R) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at White Hart Lane on March 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton (L) celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Dusan Tadic of Southampton (R) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at White Hart Lane on March 19, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
WATFORD, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton celebrates scoring his fourth goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on March 4, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton celebrates scoring his fourth goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on March 4, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /

Manolo Gabbiadini

Can he be a centre-attacking midfielder?  Absolutely, but his job is to put the ball in the back of the net.   Putting him in this role will take him out of goal-scoring position too often.

You can argue Manolo has the strength to hold up the ball and the skill and vision to find teammates off of him.  However, his movement without the ball is paramount, and that is why he is our best out-and-out stiker.

Dropping him back in our formation also means Charlie Austin is starting.  Which says to me we are probably playing a 4-4-2 shape, and the #10 role has changed anyway.