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Southampton: Is Les Reed complacent and the one to blame?

By Edward Waugh

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Les Reed, Southampton Executive Director talks during day 1 of the Soccerex Global Convention 2016 at Manchester Central Convention Complex on September 26, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Daniel Smith/Getty Images for Soccerex)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Les Reed, Southampton Executive Director talks during day 1 of the Soccerex Global Convention 2016 at Manchester Central Convention Complex on September 26, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Daniel Smith/Getty Images for Soccerex) /
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Reed has recently been pulled into question following an abysmal start to Southampton’s season. Given his decision-making of recent, criticism is never far away, so why is that?

Well for one, the Executive Director of the club has overseen a somewhat boring period in Saints’ history since last summer. The appointment of Claude Puel last term, and Mauricio Pellegrino this one were extremely shrewd.

Going into detail about Pellegrino’s appointment shows Reed’s real complacently. Quoted via The Independent:

"“Mauricio has excellent understanding of the ‘Southampton Way’. His style of play matches the ambition of the club. We want to play exciting, attacking football, taking the game to our opponents by playing a high-intensity game.”"

On the surface, it made Pellegrino’s appointment look like an exciting one. However, when delved into, the Argentine has never tried to implement this type of style. His Alaves team last season played cautious football, opting to try to hold the ball, sounds familiar right?

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton and Sean Dyche, Manager of Burnley shake hands prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton and Sean Dyche, Manager of Burnley shake hands prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /

Besides his managerial appointments, Reed’s transfer window this summer was diabolical too. Clear that attacking options were needed, none put pen-to-paper. Players such as Jay Rodriguez and Sam Gallagher departed, providing Pellegrino less options to experiment with.

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It should have been a priority to replace out-of-form Fraser Forster. Instead he was rewarded with a new contract and suspected pay-rise. The goalie has re-paid this faith by losing more points than he has won for Southampton this season. Mario Lemina and Wesley Hoedt arrived on the south coast, and though top class talent, play in areas that weren’t in need of shaking up as much.

On a personal note, to me, Reed only seems interested in turning a profit. Despite not selling players this summer, it was a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ with Pellegrino that no first-team players left. Budgeting is a good way to run a clubs finances, however it would seem Reed has to much of a tight grip on them. It’s not a buyable excuse that there was no-one on the market for little more investment.

With Reed being one of Southampton’s highest paid ’employee’s’, the standard is not good enough. His ambitions are somewhat off, and his lack of ability to vocalise this has been frustrating for fans a like, now they’re calling for his head.