Southampton: What would a change in system offer?

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City and Ryan Bertrand of Southampton compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton at Bet365 Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Full-back Freedom

With three at the back, it would allow Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares more freedom to be attacking. In this system full-backs are essential to offer width and stretch the opposition defence to create space.

Both players have shown that they can cause problems going forward. Bertrand in particular showing that he can finish well from fair distance against Malta whilst playing for England last month. The Englishman also scored away at Bournemouth and at Arsenal in the EFL cup last campaign.

Whilst Cedric has proven he has great crossing ability as quoted by WhoScored.com “Only Andros Townsend (45) played more accurate crosses from open play than Soares (43) in the Premier League last season”. Therefore the full-backs could be essential in creating and scoring goals.