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Southampton 3-2 West Ham: Four takeaways

By Ben King

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Charlie Austin of Southampton celebrates scoring his sides third goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Charlie Austin of Southampton celebrates scoring his sides third goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southamton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary’s Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southamton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary’s Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /

Pellegrino still testing the water with his new squad

There was still some talk about who would be playing in which position when the line-up was released.

It looked like it started off as a 4-2-3-1 with Mario Lemina playing in an advanced role in midfield but then as the game grew on the new signing played deeper in what became a 4-3-3 formation. Tadic and Redmond supported Gabbiadini upfront.

Time will tell as to what system Pellegrino will settle on. Lemina made some errors in the first half but eventually settled in nicely with Steven Davis and Oriol Romeu.

James Ward-Prowse was effective from the wing when he came on and Tadic moved to a central role with some dangerous crosses where Southampton couldn’t kill the game off. West Ham dug deep to pull two goals back but Pellegrino has to be positive about the football his side are playing.