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Southampton 2017/18 monthly season review – October

By Daniel Hargraves

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Steven Davis of Southampton celebrates as he scores their first goal with Cedric Soares of Southampton during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Steven Davis of Southampton celebrates as he scores their first goal with Cedric Soares of Southampton during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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As October comes to a close, Saints find themselves having played just three matches over the last 31 days, mainly due to a lack of cup action and an international break prior to their three league matches.

Overall, it’s been a positive month but one that could’ve had so much more. With two home games and a trip to Brighton, most fans would’ve said that seven points was the minimum from those games but that wasn’t the case as five points were taken from those fixtures, putting on a bit of pressure as the lads get ready to face some very difficult fixtures in the dreaded winter period.

Southampton 2-2 Newcastle – Premier League

This was an odd game as most fans would’ve seen it as winnable due to the fact that Newcastle are a promoted side but when you think of it as a Rafa Benitez side then you may think that a point is reasonable.

On a personal note, once the game was played I was relatively happy with a point when you think that the team had to come from behind twice (which is a credit to them) and they also scored two goals through Manolo Gabbiadini.

At the time I would’ve expected those goals to kick-start his season but the Italian is yet to score since that fixture. However, questions shall be asked as the boys went into the break 1-0 down, equalised early in the second half only to concede again 90 seconds later through some very questionable defending and goalkeeping.

On the whole though it was nice to get a point from a game where we were behind for a good deal of the game but it did put some pressure on the lads to get at least four points from the next two games.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Mikel Merino of Newcastle United controls the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary’s Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Mikel Merino of Newcastle United controls the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary’s Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Southampton 1-0 West Brom – Premier League

Not the best spectacle of a game I’ll admit but one where it was clear to see who wanted it more and they were the eventual winners.

From the first whistle to the last everyone put a shift in and tried to break the deadlock which was difficult as Pulis always sets up his sides to try and get a point from home by fantastic organisation in defence.

As the last ten minutes approached it seemed that everything possible to try a score a goal had been done, an unfortunate memory of the opening day game with Swansea. Step up Sofiane Boufal. Off the bench, the Moroccan carried the ball from inside his own half and some how dribbled past at least five defenders only to find the back of the net from the edge of the opposition’s box!

I’m sure you’ve seen the goal countless times already but it turned what looked to be a certain stalemate into a memorable win (for the goal of course)! With four points from those two home games, all that was left was a win down on the south-coast at Brighton to make it a very positive month for the Saints.

Brighton 1-1 Southampton – Premier League

All I can say really is not awful but not great. After a very bright start, scoring after just seven minutes, Saints looked ready to shut up shop with 83 minutes to go with a 1-0 win.

That mentality was completely wrong as the team didn’t offer anything of note going forward for the remainder of the match. Ward-Prowse, brought in for the injured Lemina, put in some good corners and of course played a part in the goal with a brilliant free-kick that bounced off of the bar into the path of Steven Davis who buried a header before Matt Ryan could do anything about it.

However, Saints didn’t hold on for a win and weren’t even close as Brighton equalised early in the second half after Forster should’ve done better trying to save a Glenn Murray header.

Overall  though it’s hard to get points away from home in the Premier League but what I was personally disappointed about was the lack of intent from what is a side with a lot of qualities.

Next up for Saints are four league games either side of an international break and all of which will be difficult in their own way. Right now I would say that six or seven points from those possible twelve would be brilliant going into the toughest month yet in December. They need to continue their recent unbeaten run as grinding out results will be the best way to finish as high as possible this season.