Southampton: Rating Mauricio Pellegrino by his substitutions

Southampton vs. Huddersfield

In a surprisingly evenly matched game, the Saints created few real opportunities outside of a Nathan Redmond miss. The defense however was very strong and Fraser Forster put in his best performance to keep a clear sheet.

The Substitutions

Shane Long for Mario Lemina – 64th minute. I was really happy to see Shane Long first off the bench and he did not disappoint. He was an immediate impact and created three good chances. It was surprising to see Lemina come off as he was having such a quality game and had moved into the #10 role. He was visually unhappy about it as well after looking the part in the second half.

James Ward-Prowse for Manolo Gabbiadini – 71st minute. For the third straight game Gabbiadini was taken off when the team needed a goal.  his time for a midfielder? Maybe taking Lemina off the pitch made the team susceptible to the attack, but Huddersfield did not overly threaten late. It did improve the service from the right side, but who was in the box to attack his driven balls in?

Sam McQueen for Dusan Tadic – 74th minute. Tadic was not impacting the game at all, so taking him off was no surprise. McQueen moved into the left flank and Nathan Redmond went central. This was probably a more defensive move than anything as Pellegrino likely expected McQueen to track back.

Rating:  B-

• Long first off the bench was a real difference maker. Possibly the player of the game for the Saints.
• Once again Gabbiadini is taken off. He did take a hard challenge before a strike on goal.  Although in a 0-0 game, he should be on the pitch. If he is coming off, a striker or more attacking minded player than Ward-Prowse should go on.