Southampton: Rating Mauricio Pellegrino by his substitutions
By Erik Franzo
Southampton vs. Swansea
In a game the Saints thoroughly dominated with 60% possession and 29 shots attempted, but still couldn’t muster a goal. A 0-0 home result was somehow encouraging and discouraging at the same time.
The Substitutions
Charlie Austin for Manolo Gabbiadini – 69th minute. As the article continues, you will see a pattern trending here… One can argue Pellegrino is bringing on a like-for-like striker in order to poach a goal. However, Gabbiadini makes no sense at first off the pitch. When we need a goal most, he should always be on the field.
Sofiane Boufal for James Ward-Prowse – 71st minute. On match-day one I would say 90% of fans wanted to see this move. Boufal is so creative and can start an attack out of nothing. This was a positive substitution from the skipper, however it did not work out. Boufal forced a free kick in good position and got one good shot that was blocked before it ever got to goal.
Sam McQueen for Ryan Bertrand – 86th minute. Bertrand picked up a slight knock that forced Pellegrino’s hand. I wonder what would have been the last change otherwise? Possibly Long for Redmond/Tadic? Maybe no sub at all with the amount of pressure Southampton created.
Rating: B-
- Pellegrino’s first set of changes made some sense, but this was a very easy game to manage.
- I didn’t like Gabbiadini coming off the field. There just did not seem to be a genuine reason why he should have been replaced.
- Boufal is a super positive sub in that moment – and I love watching him on the ball.