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Southampton ten-game player analysis: Dusan Tadic

By Ben King

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Dusan Tadic of Southampton appeals for penalty during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Dusan Tadic of Southampton appeals for penalty during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary's Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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It’s been the same old story with Dusan Tadic this season as the winger has failed to create any kind of spark for the Saints.

Failing to register any assists and just the one goal (that being a penalty against West Ham) this season simply isn’t good enough for a player that must contribute more.

You can’t blame the players around him, there’s clearly quality ahead of him such as prolific striker Manalo Gabbiadini. As one of the Saints more experienced players, Tadic needs to step up and take the initiative in making the right decisions on the pitch.

The pace and intensity of the English game has really caught up to the Serbian as he had more swagger about him when he joined the club in 2014. Tadic does the simple things well such as keeping the ball and playing controlled passes. However, that’s the very basics of what you want from an attacking player.

Former Saints winger Sadio Mane had that swagger about him in that he scored goals, he was quick, he could control the ball. Mane was the complete package. Tadic clearly isn’t.

BELGRADE, SERBIA – OCTOBER 09: Dusan Tadic of Serbia looks on prior to the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Serbia and Georgia at stadium Rajko Mitic on October 9, 2017 in Belgrade. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA – OCTOBER 09: Dusan Tadic of Serbia looks on prior to the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Serbia and Georgia at stadium Rajko Mitic on October 9, 2017 in Belgrade. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /

According to whoscored.com, Tadic has recorded just under two shots and two key passes per game. Not bad, but not at the standards of a Southampton wide man.

In terms of this season, there really is little to comment on in terms of positive performances from the player. It really has been a host of average individual displays from Tadic.

Like former-manager Claude Puel, Maurico Pellegrino clearly sees Tadic as a reliable player but the form and potential of Sofiane Boufal may just oust 28-year-old out of the Saints team.

It’s fair to say that we miss the Tadic that produced game-changing moments like when he came on and scored the only goal in the win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2015.

Next: Boufal now warrants a starting spot

You could argue that the Saints defensive approach to games over the last two seasons has had an impact on Tadic. However, the change of system shouldn’t have affected his end product this badly.

Hopefully, Tadic can resurrect the magic he has lost in the last few years and produce some memorable moments for us this season.