EXCLUSIVE: Matt Le Tissier discusses Southampton with Saints Marching
By Ben King
Southampton legend and the club’s second-highest all-time goalscorer Matt Le Tissier, spoke with Saints Marching’s Ben King about several topics around Southampton’s average start to the season.
Despite the last year’s League Cup runners-up getting knocked out early in the competition against Wolverhampton Wanderers this season, Southampton are currently 11th after six games in the Premier League but here’s what Le Tissier made of his former club’s campaign so far.
"“It was probably down to the Wolves game and after doing so well in the league cup last season it was a shame to go out of it so early. “The league form has been OK, two wins, two draws and two defeats, which sounds OK on paper but we could be more of a threat going forward. The goals haven’t been flowing as nicely as we like at this stage of the season but it’s still pretty early days.”"
Next: Is Steven Davis integral to Southampton?
Despite the transfer window at a close, the situation with Virgil van Dijk is still on a thread and fans can only predict what the future lies for the centre-back.
It came as no shock when the Dutchman handed in his transfer request but was it the right way to go about his frustration towards the club?
"“The future is he’s got to get back in the side and to do that he has to show a good attitude in training the same attitude in the under-23 games he’s played in. “I don’t think there is any justification of any footballer to refuse to play for their club when they’re paying you such good wages, morally it’s completely wrong and I think he was badly advised”."
Last season under former manager Claude Puel, Southampton just like this season after 6 league games had eight points. This season we’ve scored three fewer goals compared to the last campaign. So is there any difference in Pellegrino’s philosophy compared to Puel’s?
"“I think the main difference is that we do tend to press the ball a bit higher. Under Puel we were very much a team that sat back and got us into a shape where our build up play was slow.More from Saints MarchingGrading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: ArrivalsGrading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: DeparturesIt’s time to talk about Gavin BazunuRain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth ArgyleA lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse“I’ve seen more urgency in that we try to win the ball a bit quicker. The going forward is obviously laborious at times and that needs to improve and I’m sure the manager is well aware of that.”"
The top flight of English football has already seen a manager get the sack after just four league games. Frank de Boer who split with Crystal Palace was a man linked with the Saints job in the summer. If a de Boer led Southampton had a similar start to Palace this season would the club have given the Dutchman more time?
"“To be honest, I think the football he was trying to implement would probably have suited the Southampton players better which I think probably would have got some better results. I certainly wouldn’t think Southampton would get rid of a manager after four games because it’s not the way they go about things. It was a clash of styles, it’s difficult for him and the two parties didn’t suit each other. Really you have to look at people at the club who appointed him in the first place who made the decision because that’s where the problem starts.”"
Southampton travel to the Bet365 stadium to take on Stoke City this Saturday.